Why I refuse to support my FLGS

[fredramsey]

I agree with that, but Amazon probably does (I have not looked). I was trying to state that if the "little guy" cannot keep up and loses all of their customers, then that's the way business works.

Not the current version, but amazingly, the old version.

And so what if that is how "business works"? What's your motive here? Why, when I read your posts (and those of the other so-called "free-market" people, do I get the distinct impression that it pisses you off that people buy from their FLGS. Do you own stock in Wal-Mart? If so, I wouldn't worry about FLGS's putting the big W out of business. Why the hate?

Really, it's none of your business why I buy from one store or another. But from your rhetoric, it seems you'd like to find a way from preventing others from doing so. Why? Will gloating over the death of independent game stores thrill you that much?

I just don't get it.

 

[Some guy from Ohio]

And big box stores that drive under the mom and pop operation are shifting the economy away from small business ownership with local ties (whether the space is rented or not, the business is generally owned) in favor of retail wage earning within larger corporations. I'm not at all certain that's a good thing.

But to curtail that trend, wouldn’t government have to get involved and say when and where and businessman (or woman for the politically correct) can do business. Granted that is already done to a certain extent, but do you really want someone deciding where every business can locate. If that were the case, most gaming stores probably would never had been established due to the stigma attached by some small minded people about RPGs.

 

[Desdichado]

I thought it was a poorly researched lie in an embarrassingly weak attempt to impress. If he doesn't understand the not-really-subtle difference in "owning" and *owning*, I doubt he has a home worth even 800K.

Frankly, I did too. If you've got it together enough to own a home worth almost a million dollars--even if you've got very little equity in it--chances are you don't come across as an idiot on a message board.

 

[Some guy from Ohio]

And so what if that is how "business works"? What's your motive here? Why, when I read your posts (and those of the other so-called "free-market" people, do I get the distinct impression that it pisses you off that people buy from their FLGS. Do you own stock in Wal-Mart? If so, I wouldn't worry about FLGS's putting the big W out of business. Why the hate?

Wow. No hate intended. I just think that if a business model works, the business suceeds, and if it doesn't, it dies. If David kills Goliath or vice-versa, then so be it. The motive I have is just a free expresion of opinion without any venom directed towards an individual or group of people. That is the purpose of these boards, is it not?

 

[Gomez]

Frankly, I did too. If you've got it together enough to own a home worth almost a million dollars--even if you've got very little equity in it--chances are you don't come across as an idiot on a message board.

He must have used all the money he saved buying game books on Amazon to help buy the house.

 

[Gomez]

Wow. No hate intended. I just think that if a business model works, the business suceeds, and if it doesn't, it dies. If David kills Goliath or vice-versa, then so be it. The motive I have is just a free expresion of opinion without any venom directed towards an individual or group of people. That is the purpose of these boards, is it not?

The thing is that the Goliath's aren't going to carry the same range of merchandise as the little Mom and Pop gaming stores. So someone bought Attack! at Toys-R-Us for $13.99 well it was that low because it wasn't selling and they needed to clear the space for something else. Your not going to be able to go and look at mini's at Walmart for your D&D game next Sunday. Personally, I like the idea of going to a FLGS store and hold a book in my hand, buy, it and good home with it. Not ordering it on Amazon and have to wait 2 weeks for it. But that's just me.

 

[spectre72]

Do you realize how few dedicated stores there are in this industry?

According to the most recent figures, it's hovering somewhere less than 2000. 100 out of 2000 isn't "insignificant", especially given the fact those on the GIN are representatives of the top retailers in the country.

And do you know why there are only 2000 stores?

Because if you want to make a small fortune in the gaming industry you have to start with a large one.

I have no problem with people spending there money however they want.

What I take offense with is people who get online and think I should support any business because it isn't online or run by a big corporation, and we should support it blindly.

I support businesses that deserve supporting due to their business philosophy, product selection, pricing, and customer service history.

I hear the arguments on this thread about the death of RPG's but we have had a consistent gaming community in Vermont for many years with almost no LGS presence.

Friends, word of mouth, conventions, school, relatives, ...etc. have all brought us into the hobby and we have always found books and supplies even without LGS.

I used to search book stores and order by mail to get my books.

Now I can order almost anything I want online with less spent in shipping than I would spend on gas to drive there and pick up anything at one of the stores which are 2+ hours away.

I would love to have a FLGS that was worth supporting but until that happens I will order online and be happy with it.

Support a store because it is worth supporting, not out of a sense it is good for the industry....

 

[billd91]

But to curtail that trend, wouldn’t government have to get involved and say when and where and businessman (or woman for the politically correct) can do business. Granted that is already done to a certain extent, but do you really want someone deciding where every business can locate. If that were the case, most gaming stores probably would never had been established due to the stigma attached by some small minded people about RPGs.

But if we don't do things like this either via government (and I leave that up to local zoning as much as I can) or via our own collective action by choosing not to buy there, then we leave the control over our economic surroundings to increasingly conglomerated boards of directors and manager who may be increasingly remote from the repercussions of the decisions they make. That's just shifting out rulers from one group (elected government where everyone over 18, theoretically, has a vote) to another group (managers who may be more interested in the profits of shareholders than the public good).
While representative government may have its faults and be subject to graft and elitism, I have a hard time believing that a corporate board is any better, especially since government is usually easier for real grassroots groups to influence.

 

[fredramsey]

My apologies. I used your post to rant on what I feel I have seen in others.

No insult intended.

Wow. No hate intended. I just think that if a business model works, the business suceeds, and if it doesn't, it dies. If David kills Goliath or vice-versa, then so be it. The motive I have is just a free expresion of opinion without any venom directed towards an individual or group of people. That is the purpose of these boards, is it not?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Personally, I really like the Shadowrun game setting, and recommend that everyone do all they can, in their power, to usher in a new era of sinister multinational corporations and women in sexy black leather outfits.