Why I refuse to support my FLGS

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Actually, the local game stores are glad they closed them. They don't want to compete with stores run by the company that produces a good percentage of the products (even if it was poor competition).

Besides, it wasn't a business they were suited for. That's why they closed them.

This is unlike at least one other gaming company that gained a reputation for requiring retailers to spend money upgrading displays of their products, only to open a store a few blocks away within a couple of months.

Probably short-sighted of the LGSs, although I can understand the reaction. Still, I suspect it was more the bleed-off of the CCG business that irked them rather than the RPG. Perhaps Xath or Queen Poppe...Dopplop...Queen D. can provide some insight, but I used to hit the Pentagon City store once every few months, and saw a definite trend away from the RPGs and towards the other stuff, not to mention the disappearance of non-WotC material. I'd think that a FLGS interested in the RPG market for its own sake would have like having the WotC stores around, if for no other reason than they tended to be located where kids actually could wander in and be exposed to the hobby.

The sad thing is is that this curious little pasttime of ours will likely never attract the sort of investment necessary to make it mainstream. It's too small a fish for Hasbro, and too big an investment with too uncertain a return for a smaller company. Although I really dislike much of what I've seen of the D&D MMORPG, I am at least hopeful that it might bring some fresh blood into the hobby.

 

[Belen]

Now, keep in mind that not just a few of these guys OWN their own stores, so it doesn't matter if they're losing money one month and doing well the next; the rent is paid, if you know what I mean, which reemphasizes the fact that they really don't care all that much about gamers in the first place.

This is so much bull that I have no idea where to shovel it. People who own busines rarely own the space that they use. They pay rent, just like everyone else.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[Gomez]

I am going to have to say that I am with BelenUmeria on this one. I have only good memories and feeling for my local gaming stores. I have at least 3 within easy driving distance. To say that Game store owners don't care about gamers is just crazy.

 

[The Shaman]

I still shop at my LGSs because I like to see products before I buy them - one of my stores marks down a bit so that I'm not paying top-dollar, which I appreciate.

I was a bit disappointed in my other LGS recently - I wanted to look at d20 Apocalypse, a pretty recent release, and it was already buried in a bin instead of displayed with the other Modern books. I also asked them about ordering minis from a line they don't normally carry and they weren't interested - I understand they don't get the bulk buying advantage and such, but as a former shop manager I know that these kinds of special orders build up customer good will and make them (and me) more likely to be repeat/loyal customers. Going that extra bit can mean a lot of the course of years.

 

[der_kluge]

You know, the argument about leafing through a book is good, I suppose, but most of the books I've bought because I flipped through them and bought ended up being kind of worthless.

I tend to buy much better products by listening to what others have bought and reading reviews, and listening to trends. So, I'm not sure I even need an FLGS to find the best quality books out there.

There are only 2 LGSs in my area, and one is fairly new, and I've not even been to it yet. The other is a decent place, that has a good selection of books and a ton of miniatures, as well as assorted puzzles, games, and other trinkets. It's in a very high foot-traffic area, and survives on more than just role-playing games, which is smart from a business standpoint.

All I've ever bought there are WoTC minis because they break them out of the box and sell them individually, but according to some of the guys I game with, they're way overpriced, so next time I feel the need for some minis, I may just go online, since apparently eBay's prices are much more reasonable.

 

[the black knight]

This is so much bull that I have no idea where to shovel it. People who own busines rarely own the space that they use. They pay rent, just like everyone else.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

Now why don't you give ME a break. Not all gaming stores are to be found in strip malls. Sometimes people own what are called BUILDINGS, however small they may be, and they operate out of those BUILDINGS they OWN and DO NOT pay rent on them. I've seen it myself, and the results thereof.

Wake up and join the real world.

 

[Erik Mona]

About 8-10 years ago, I'd say that The Source wasn't quite so good, but still better than Phoenix Games. Today? Hands-down, it's the best LGS in the region- not just the Cities. Dave Arneson and John Kovalic love the joint, and I've not yet heard any other big-wig to say otherwise.

Before moving to Seattle to edit Polyhedron in 1999, I lived in St. Anthony and had a weekly comic box at the Source Comics and Games, and always had a great relationship with the staff there (especially the bald owner guy, whose name I can't remember but who shared my love of DC's golden age characters). It is, hands down, the best comics and game store I've ever shopped at, and I'm thrilled to hear they're still doing well.

I also like Phoenix Games a lot back in the day. I probably gave that store more of my money than any other in the state during my obsession with first edition Warhammer 40K.

--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dragon & Dungeon

 

[Quasqueton]

Some people operate in the spaces that they OWN and DO NOT pay rent on them. I've seen it myself, and the results thereof.

Do you, personally, "own" a home? I'm guessing you don't.

Quasqueton

 

[the black knight]

I am going to have to say that I am with BelenUmeria on this one. I have only good memories and feeling for my local gaming stores. I have at least 3 within easy driving distance. To say that Game store owners don't care about gamers is just crazy.

Sure, they'll offer you products like any other BOOKSTORE, and they'll take your money like any other BOOKSTORE (maybe even smiling in the oprocess - money does that to some people, you know), but face it, they offer nothing in the way of incentive other than hanging out with a bunch of unwashed, overweight gamers crammed into a less than comfortable space.

Oh joy.

No, I'll take the discounts from Amazon ANY DAY of the week over these so-called 'friendly' institutions. Screw the local gaming store. I hope they all go under. The hobby will survive just fine without them.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

You don't?

Do you need one to buy stuff at your LGS?

Correct and no to your questions. However my point is is that most online stores require you to have a credit/debit card on file. Failure to have one means failure to have commercial transactions on the buyers part.