Why I refuse to support my FLGS

[Flexor the Mighty!]

You know. I think I used to love the FLGS a lot more when it was Doug and the Ravensloft instead of the Maplewood branch of the Fantasy Shop chain. Maybe its my inherent distrust of chain stores buying out the local shops and my desire to stick it to the man?

 

[Some guy from Ohio]

It basically says, "One is not permitted to ask the storekeeper the price of an item if he knows he will not purchase it." I have read some extend this to browsing and taking up a shopkeeper's time knowing you will never purchase either, that is, just not asking the price doesn't the browser get off clean. You are actively fooling the shopkeeping and making them waste their time and effort. Time is money. If this is an hourly wage employee, you have practically stolen the portion of the hourly wage from that employee to entertain you.

It is completely unethical. You're using false pretenses to waste someone's time. Even if you come in and say "no, I don't need help", you're inflicting wear on materials and taking up space.

This “unethical” practice has proven to be a very successful business model for some of the hated giants of business such as Barnes&Nobles; where you can hang out and read all day long.

 

[Some guy from Ohio]

oops. I quoted improperly. :\

 

[JesterPoet]

As for shopping at a B&M store knowing you'll be ordering online, I'm not going to bring ethics into it, but what I will say is out of respect for the hard work, time, effort, and money put into running a small business, if you're not going to buy from the store, don't shop at the store.

Out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on my personal practice (and, I'm sure, the practice of quite a few others): I buy some items at my FLGS (paints, minis, and the occasional board game or RPG book I can't wait for) and browse other things that I buy online (most of my RPG books and board games)?

Is this really all that unfair to the retailer? After all, he's getting my money. I don't support him by buying all the big ticket items he has available that I want, and I do browse them in his store when I'm in there. However, I do support him. I do buy product from him. On items where his price is competitive (very few) I will buy. I also buy books I can't wait for (I think this has only happened once) and occasionally buy board games, plus I do a lot of last minute christmas shopping there. However, I definitely buy more of the stuff online than I do in the store.

I don't, however, use any of their gaming space. I don't stand around talking to the salespeople, and, unless I'm special ordering something, I don't waste their time at all. If your store were in my neighborhood, would you rather not have any or my money? Is it an all or nothing proposition?

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

This “unethical” practice has proven to be a very successful business model for some of the hated giants of business such as Barnes&Nobles; where you can hang out and read all day long.

It's almost like you misinterpreted all I wrote intentionally...

 

[S'mon]

I only shop online, but I still mail order a lot from a London-based LGS, Leisure Games - their prices are usually higher than discounters (though their low postage charge means not always), but their service has always been excellent. I think LGSes can compete if they offer superior service, whether real or virtual.

 

[Waldorf]

As for shopping at a B&M store knowing you'll be ordering online, I'm not going to bring ethics into it, but what I will say is out of respect for the hard work, time, effort, and money put into running a small business, if you're not going to buy from the store, don't shop at the store.

Uh, no. I'll do what I like, thank you.

 

[farscapesg1]

Uh, no. I'll do what I like, thank you.

Gee, that was helpful. And some people wonder why shops want to shrinkwrap everything :\

Since I don't have a local shop that carries anything I am interested in, I admit that I do my browsing at B&N, Waldenbooks, Hastings, etc. Basically, the big chain stores. Since I had a good experience in high school and college with a local store, I wouldn't look through anything at a LGS without buying something while I was there to offset the cost of browsing.

For me it's the fact that you can gain much more information about new releases online. The guys at the shop I frequent dont know nearly as much about the products as I do. I wouldn't be surprised if they still asked whether the product I asked for was for 2nd ed So, there's really no advantage to going to a store instead of researching the the book online.

This sums up another big issue on my part, and is the main reason that I don't worry too much that I don't have a good LGS in my area. If I can get all the review information and details on the Internet, I can usually make a pretty good informed decision on the purchase beforehand. Even in high school when I went to the game store, the owner tried to keep up with all the new releases, but just couldn't do it. In today's information age, being able to go and browse through a book that I am already thinking about isn't that big of deal.

 

[Dristram]

Out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on my personal practice: I buy some items at my FLGS (paints, minis, and the occasional board game or RPG book I can't wait for) and browse other things that I buy online (most of my RPG books and board games)?

Is this really all that unfair to the retailer?

No. I, as a retailer, would be happy that my store is providing something for you. As for browsing the books and then buying online, I feel since you are a paying customer, it's my job to try and win your RPG sales as well. If I can't, then I can't. It sounds to me that you're going to the store to buy something, and the browse other stuff while you're there. That's fine.

What makes me feel disrespected, is when a person comes to my store with the sole purpose to check out something they're debating on buying online, and use the products in my store to help in that decision. At that point, I've spent precious money to make a sale for some internet store. That's not money well spent.

So, keep doing what you're doing

(-Brad Daeda
Owner, Gamer's Keepe
Vacaville, CA

 

[Dristram]

Uh, no. I'll do what I like, thank you.

Hmm...well then don't be surprised if a store catches on to you and your attitude and asks you to "please leave the store". They have the right to refuse service to anyone, and being able to browse their products is a service they provide, and can deny to you.

(-Brad