Why is WotC trying to kill my FLGS?

[justanobody]

I know they are connected...but another problem the LGS are facing in terms of D&D and other book related things that some may overlook....large book chains like Borders, Books-a-million, etc.

Anybody that can buy in large volume has a better chance and the LGS doesn't have a warehouse that they can stock up from the head office.

 

[Herschel]

In before the lock.
Personally, sometimes I will pay more to support a local business and/or get the better service and sometime I mail order just to get it for as cheap as possible.

Amen. I buy a lot from my local game store (minis, scads of dice, core books, Dungeon Tiles, etc.) but do pick up some ancillary from Amazon too when filling out orders for other things that I buy from big box retailers.

 

[lmpjr007]

Game stores do not have an inherent right to exist. If they want to compete with Amazon in a free market, they need to find other means of creating value for shopping there. For some shops, this means putting energy into things like in-store gaming, knowledgeable staff that can answer questions, and places where you can sit and actually browse the book while deciding whether or not to buy it--all things that Amazon can't offer.

If a game store chooses not to do anything but shove products onto poorly-organized dimly-lit shelves while the clerk rolls his eyes at you for even looking at a book that is not for his RPG of preference (assuming he can even be bothered to look up from his comic book), then that store deserves to lose sales to Amazon and will probably be driven out of business soon enough.

But how often do you go in a FLGS look at a product on the shelf like what you see then go home and purchase it? You can't do that if you only had Amazon. Basically in that situation, people are using the FLGS as the preview section for Amazon.

 

[garyh]

But how often do you go in a FLGS look at a product on the shelf like what you see then go home and purchase it? You can't do that if you only had Amazon. Basically in that situation, people are using the FLGS as the preview section for Amazon.

I never do that. I don't have an LGS, much less an FLGS, so I make by buying decisions informed by official previews, insights from people here who have the book, and my interest in the subject, then purchase off Amazon, where the item is much cheaper and delivered quickly to my door for free. I'm sure this is a common approach.

 

[tenkar]

But how often do you go in a FLGS look at a product on the shelf like what you see then go home and purchase it? You can't do that if you only had Amazon. Basically in that situation, people are using the FLGS as the preview section for Amazon.

The effort and time involved in me going to my LGS precludes me from using it for window shopping.

I shop Amazon for my rpgs... or Borders if I go brick and mortar with a coupon.

Find me a FLGS (the Complete Strategist s a great LGS, but it is not a FLGS) that is convenient and they can have my hard earned cash.

 

[Herschel]

I think WotC is trying to put my FLGS out of business. $35 is bad enough, but with the Draconomicon at $40 I don't have any real choice but to order it from Amazon if I want to keep up with the 4E new releases...

Why do you have to keep up with the new releases and buy everything when it hits the shelves? Have you run out of creativity or used EVERYTHING in the core books yet?

This is just as valid an inquiry.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As others have stated before, its not WOTC that is to blame for damaging the bottom line of game stores, but the simple economic power of Amazon (or any other retailer) that can afford to buy in bulk (lowering their unit costs) and then further discount gaming material because its not their primary business.

Personally, I follow a policy of enlightened self interest. I have a few LGS in my area that I think are really good, and I'm willing to pay that little extra to acquire my gaming material in those locations if it helps keep them in business.

In return for my custom, I get an environment in which I'm not the oddball customer after a niche product, and staff who is both knowledgeable and informed as to the products I'm looking for- release dates, special features or offers, bargains or wastes of money, and even their efforts to find products that even they don't routinely stock, like games long out of print.

It is the exceedingly rare product I buy over the internet.

 

[firesnakearies]

Why do you have to keep up with the new releases and buy everything when it hits the shelves? Have you run out of creativity or used EVERYTHING in the core books yet?

This is just as valid an inquiry.

In other words...

Attention gamers: Buying gaming books is stupid!

 

[Herschel]

In other words...

Attention gamers: Buying gaming books is stupid!

Not at all, but in a game still dripping with newness I find it very hard to believe you NEED the new books as soon as they hit the shelf to enjoy it when there's no earthly way anyone has played around with all the options already available. I'm lucky in that my disposable income is high enough where I can afford them, however it's not to where I can buy that 44' off-shore boat that would sure be fun to have.

Nor have I always been in this position. I went through college and even a few years after where my disposable income wasn't very high when compared to all my interests. This was mainly pre-Amazon, but the big box stores were out there. I balanced service and convenience against price-alone valuation and waited many times to buy new product, a number of times waiting until I could get it used even.

Price alone does not equal true value to I'm guessing the majority of us.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Let's see.
Really nearest LGS for me is a good hour away nowadays, about 50 miles.
Married, Kid, Mortage, other misc bills, and I have disposable income at this stage in my life.
But I would not have disposable income if I continousily overpaid for an item I can continousily get cheaper elsewhere.

With Amazon, I don't run the risk of going to the LGS for a book and they don't have it wasting 2 hours of my day where I could be enjoying my family and friends.
I click on the link add it to my shopping cart while wearing a pair of heart boxers while sipping a drink, at midnight on a Sunday night.
My purchases will generally be at my door by the end of the week easily.
I can take chances on no name publishers with the savings I get there.
One year for Christmas, I got all in my gaming group a copy of a book. The savings involved paid for two of the books compared to what I would have paid in a LGS.

I don't/haven't ever use/used in store gaming.
Generally I either want a book or I don't, mainly listened to my friends and read reviews on the various products.

Sorry but pound for pound, it would take a lot for me to not use Amazon over a LGS. One of the major things would have to be a huge price incentive.