Why I refuse to support my FLGS

[smootrk]

I think he misunderstood the dialogue that was going on.

 

[Chaldfont]

Most gamers on this board are probably too young to remember when Video Stores used to be all small-business Mom & Pop operations. Now, it's all UberMegaBusterWood franchise stores, with the same selection everywhere you go.


But, hey, you got your "Attack!" for cheap, so hurrah.

I'm one of those long in the tooth (heheh 32) to remember the days before Blockbuster. But you are forgetting about Neflix. Waaay cheaper than those old Mom & Pop stores (where IIRC you had to sign a contract to rent) with waaaay more titles to select from. And Netflix is eating Blockbuster's lunch.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

I think that accusing anyone of not caring about the midsection of the gaming industry is a bit elitist, especially in the context of enlightenment. It breaks down into two types of gamers, those that play at home and those that play in store. If I play in store, I buy in store. If not, it's all about price and selection, OR other benefits offered. Whether those benefits are worth any extra cost is definitely a personal decision, much like enlightened SELF-interest.

I'm not sure how it's elitist, unless you mean using the term 'enlightened self-interest' makes me sound like I'm attempting to appear intellectual. As for enlightenment, it's just part of the term, which is the most accurate one for this discussion. I'd never willingly admit to any association with that word, considering how drastically its philosophical connotations contrast with my worldview.

I wouldn't have brought the middle-tier companies up at all if Erik Mona hadn't passed on those disturbing numbers, because I had no way of knowing what effect FLGSes had on that segment of the industry.

I do agree that those who don't play in-store have less incentive to shop there. However, if you're jeopardizing companies that provide material you want, wouldn't it be in your best interests to attempt to preserve those companies? Particularly over relatively small amounts of money (typically no more than $15/month)?

 

[GMSkarka]

I'm one of those long in the tooth (heheh 32) to remember the days before Blockbuster.

36, myself.

But you are forgetting about Neflix.

Nope. I've been a member since last year, precisely because of the range of selection.

Waaay cheaper than those old Mom & Pop stores (where IIRC you had to sign a contract to rent) with waaaay more titles to select from. And Netflix is eating Blockbuster's lunch.

Well, you sign a contract to rent from anywhere, really. That's what your "Member's Agreement" is, when you get down to it.


I think that the industry is going to lose the FLGS, and move more towards the Netflix model (not rentals, obviously, but direct-to-consumer via the internet). You're starting to see this with RPGNow....publishers can make more profits selling directly to the consumer, and now that they offer physical books as well as PDF, that's only going to expand.

It doesn't really solve the problem of the loss of the social cornerstone represented by the FLGS (place to play, meet other gamers, etc.), but economically, I think in the long run, producers will be a lot better off.

 

[jeffh]

But it's not a moot point. You specifically came on here and ranted about how expensive a game was at your FLGS. The higher price is the point. And you were given the reasons. But to rant and then say "Whaddever" to someone who gives you reasons why your FLGS charges what it does, that's just childish.

It's like someone saying "The Earth is flat" and then putting up their hand and saying "Whatever" when someone tries to explain the basic science behind the shape of the Earth.

False analogy. The flat-earther is saying something demonstrably false, then ignoring evidence of this. But what Sebastian said is true. Toys'R'Us' price is significantly lower than at his gaming store. You admit this is true, you're even explaining why it's true.

You seem to think it's self-evident that your explanation should change Sebastian's views. So you're frustrated that it hasn't. But that's far from self-evident; it's not even remotely the straightforward factual matter that the earth's shape is. Sebastian is under no obligation - intellectual, or as far as I can see, moral - to care why the price is lower. If the fact that it is lower is the only factor he finds relevant, then your explanation is just so much noise. You don't have to like that, but comparing him to a flat-earther for it makes you the immature one, not him.

 

[Turjan]

But you mentioned Borders... how much of a discount dose that store give you? I have never seen a RPG book at borders priced lower than FLGS, and i do go to borders and read RPG material (it;s closer to my place than the nearest FLGS and i can sit in a big chair to read it) however i still dirve to go buy my books at my FLGS, in fact i can find the cheeper most of the time.

Have you seen lower prices at borders? (I’m not talking about that Sh** den called Wal-Mart)

Usually, you get at least one 30% or 25% discount coupon per month from them, if you tell them your e-mail address. If you buy there, you usually get more coupons. I think, last month, I had about one 30% and two 25% percent coupons. Additionally, you can put it on your Borders Rewards card (but that one is not that exciting ). On the downside, they only have a limited RPG selection, so it's usually better to use amazon (usually somewhat more than 30% off on major titles, and no sales tax).

The advantage I see with a FLGS is that I tend to spend less overall. Online, I also buy books that I usually would not have bought if I had had the opportunity to look at the product before. On the other hand, my LGS is a bit awkward. They always want to talk you into buying miniatures (I don't use them at all), and they have a somewhat unprofessional attitude if you buy things they don't like *shrug*. I usually don't buy there.

 

[reveal]

False analogy. The flat-earther is saying something demonstrably false, then ignoring evidence of this. But what Sebastian said is true. Toys'R'Us' price is significantly lower than at his gaming store. You admit this is true, you're even explaining why it's true.

You seem to think it's self-evident that your explanation should change Sebastian's views. So you're frustrated that it hasn't. But that's far from self-evident; it's not even remotely the straightforward factual matter that the earth's shape is. Sebastian is under no obligation - intellectual, or as far as I can see, moral - to care why the price is lower. If the fact that it is lower is the only factor he finds relevant, then your explanation is just so much noise. You don't have to like that, but comparing him to a flat-earther for it makes you the immature one, not him.

The example was of someone complaining about something, given reasons why it was so, and then throwing ones hand in the air and dismissing the person explaining it with a "Whatever" attitude. THAT is childish. THAT'S what I was complaining about. It's something my 3 year old son would do.

 

[Venport]

SOrry i was behindthat was for Joshua Randall

Sorry about that

 

[GMSkarka]

News Flash! Gamer displays behavior lacking in social development, choosing instead to pursue instant gratification! In other news, water is wet.


Not much point in getting worked up about it, really.

 

[billd91]

I think that the industry is going to lose the FLGS, and move more towards the Netflix model (not rentals, obviously, but direct-to-consumer via the internet). You're starting to see this with RPGNow....publishers can make more profits selling directly to the consumer, and now that they offer physical books as well as PDF, that's only going to expand.

It doesn't really solve the problem of the loss of the social cornerstone represented by the FLGS (place to play, meet other gamers, etc.), but economically, I think in the long run, producers will be a lot better off.

The saddest part of this will be no longer being able to go into the FLGS and actually pick up the games to look over while making my buying decisions once the FLGSs go away (assuming they do). I can't remember the number of times I've gone game shopping and been surprised by some other product and, reading over the text on the game box or in the books and feeling the instant gratification of having it in hand, been totally hooked. It's happened a lot. Without my FLGS, I wouldn't be the gamer I am today.

Fortunately, with a single hiccup that I know of because of skyrocketing rents near our new arts district, I have a pretty robust FLGS that has been going for 25 years. They offer a 20% birthday discount (bring in your ID), good grades discounts, demo space, and organize tournaments from time to time. The last time I was in there, they had just gotten the new edition of Arkham Horror and because the owner hadn't gotten a look at it yet, she broke open the shrink wrap right in front of me and we got a look at it. I haven't dug up any reviews of it yet to see how it plays, but it sure is gorgeous. Needless to say, it is now on my birthday list and I know exactly where I'll be buying it (along with several other things).