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Why should I care about the FLGS?
- Thread starter Kichwas
- Start date
DreadPirateMurphy
Explorer
Most of my purchase go online. Amazon has excellent discounts and free shipping on order > $25 (Eberron counts by itself). With eBay, I can find out of print stuff below cover even with shipping taken into account (you just have to be judicious in what you bid on). If I really want something that is a little rare, www.biblio.com can give it to me (I just picked up GURPS Ice Age for $12 there).
There are 3 FLGS stores in my area (within driving distance). 1 smells bad, and is dingy and dark. Another (the one mentioned previously near White Flint in Maryland) is a nice store but is too far to drive for me.
The last is clean and well-lighted. The selection is pretty good and the staff is friendly and knowledgable. But...the prices are always cover, and the goods are all shrink wrapped because they have had problems with damaged goods in the past. I go there for a few reasons:
- I sometimes see things I wouldn't just browsing online. On the Web, you sometimes have to know what to look for.
- Even in shrink wrap, it is easier to tell heft and quality with the book in hand.
- Browsing in a store is just more fun and social than browsing online.
Having said that, would I survive with just the Internet and no FLGS? Sure. I already do most purchase online. But going to a good FLGS is fun.
There are 3 FLGS stores in my area (within driving distance). 1 smells bad, and is dingy and dark. Another (the one mentioned previously near White Flint in Maryland) is a nice store but is too far to drive for me.
The last is clean and well-lighted. The selection is pretty good and the staff is friendly and knowledgable. But...the prices are always cover, and the goods are all shrink wrapped because they have had problems with damaged goods in the past. I go there for a few reasons:
- I sometimes see things I wouldn't just browsing online. On the Web, you sometimes have to know what to look for.
- Even in shrink wrap, it is easier to tell heft and quality with the book in hand.
- Browsing in a store is just more fun and social than browsing online.
Having said that, would I survive with just the Internet and no FLGS? Sure. I already do most purchase online. But going to a good FLGS is fun.
Henry
Autoexreginated
I LOVE hearing the examples that prove me wrong. The more of those game shops that actually make the effort, the better. However, it's the stories that prove me right that I am always sad to hear.
I've found some truly interesting comments from all over, Chris Aylott's reminding me of the important economic lesson that Chain stores aren't total drains from a community (though they do cause other problems in a community), but Dack's statement below I wanted to add to:
I'm definitely with you here - it's the crux of what I'm saying. Not just in gaming, but across the entire economic spectrum businesses large and small find the need to globalize their offerings, and take their advertizing to different levels.
It's often the stores themselves that need to change the most; simply put, when you start offering the kinds of services your customers want, word of mouth gets around quick. Many store owners would think nothing of dropping a few hundred dollars on a Yellow Pages ad, but don't bother with checking out the pulse of the Internet to see what's HOT and what's NOT in their own stores! ENWorld, RPG.Net, etc. - I would think they are INVALUABLE resources for store owners! So would actually trying the products they sell!
Although it would help the store owners, WE are not the ones who should be organizing game demos and showing off product. A store owner should be learning about his products (doesn't take much time to skim product releases), learning what games are selling in his neighborhood, learning what's hot on the internet community, offering online services, and offering game demos in store. A good game store owner shouldn't say to his customers, "Green Ronin? Who's that?" or "Eden Studios? Never heard of them!" I wouldn't fault him for not knowing the Black Dog imprint, but he should know who the heck White Wolf is! Engage that customer, find out what's cool about the game company they are interested in, check out any new publishers they hear about online (Google is your friend!), and don't assume that the store runs itself.
Even hardware stores don't run themselves - not if it wants to become effective. There's always new tools, new materials, and new trends in building and repair to learn about. The vendor who knows his customers, keeps his customers.
I've found some truly interesting comments from all over, Chris Aylott's reminding me of the important economic lesson that Chain stores aren't total drains from a community (though they do cause other problems in a community), but Dack's statement below I wanted to add to:
DackBlackhawk said:
I'm definitely with you here - it's the crux of what I'm saying. Not just in gaming, but across the entire economic spectrum businesses large and small find the need to globalize their offerings, and take their advertizing to different levels.
It's often the stores themselves that need to change the most; simply put, when you start offering the kinds of services your customers want, word of mouth gets around quick. Many store owners would think nothing of dropping a few hundred dollars on a Yellow Pages ad, but don't bother with checking out the pulse of the Internet to see what's HOT and what's NOT in their own stores! ENWorld, RPG.Net, etc. - I would think they are INVALUABLE resources for store owners! So would actually trying the products they sell!
Although it would help the store owners, WE are not the ones who should be organizing game demos and showing off product. A store owner should be learning about his products (doesn't take much time to skim product releases), learning what games are selling in his neighborhood, learning what's hot on the internet community, offering online services, and offering game demos in store. A good game store owner shouldn't say to his customers, "Green Ronin? Who's that?" or "Eden Studios? Never heard of them!" I wouldn't fault him for not knowing the Black Dog imprint, but he should know who the heck White Wolf is! Engage that customer, find out what's cool about the game company they are interested in, check out any new publishers they hear about online (Google is your friend!), and don't assume that the store runs itself.
Even hardware stores don't run themselves - not if it wants to become effective. There's always new tools, new materials, and new trends in building and repair to learn about. The vendor who knows his customers, keeps his customers.
cyrusduane
First Post
I didn't see this mentioned anywhere else on the thread.
A few weeks ago I noticed that Walmart.com has a sizable D&D product listing. (Nice discounts as well)
I was wondering if anyone is actually using them as an online supplier, and does anyone think this could hurt local operations?
A few weeks ago I noticed that Walmart.com has a sizable D&D product listing. (Nice discounts as well)
I was wondering if anyone is actually using them as an online supplier, and does anyone think this could hurt local operations?
Dragonblade
Adventurer
I try to avoid shopping at my FLGS for several reasons:
1) They offer no discount on prices. Amazon offers anywhere from 25% to 32%. If they offered 10% or 15% discount, I would spend a lot more in their store since I love to flip through books before I buy them and would prefer to walk out with physical copies of books instead of waiting days for Amazon to ship. The FLGS better starting competing in price.
2) They wrap everything in plastic. I HATE that! They have signs everywhere saying you can take the plastic off, but then I feel like I'm expected to purchase something if I go through the hassle of taking off the plastic. Plus the plastic is a waste of money that they don't need and could be better spent offering a discount on non-plastic covered books.
3) Their staff are annoying. The minute you walk in they are all over you asking you if they can help you. And then they watch you like you are going to try to slip something in your jacket!
First of all, I'm not a criminal. Second of all, shut the F$%^ up unless I ask you a question. I don't mind a polite hello when I walk in. But I hate that annoying "Can I help you?" every 5 freaking minutes!!! You only have a couple of shelves of RPG stuff and I know more gaming then your entire staff combined so leave me the hell alone and let me browse!!!!
When I do have questions about product availability half of the staff don't know what I'm talking about. To be fair the other half is usually pretty knowledgeable.
I live in Beaverton, Oregon, and unfortunately they are the only FLGS in my area. There is another FLGS across town which is infinitely better. Better selection, they offer a discount on WotC d20 purchases, and they don't wrap anything in F$%%^$ plastic!!!!!! And they don't pester you or watch you like a criminal while you are browsing.
But since gas prices are so high its hard to just driving all the way over there just to browse. So I order online when I can and bite the bullet for stuff like HERO which I can't buy on Amazon.
1) They offer no discount on prices. Amazon offers anywhere from 25% to 32%. If they offered 10% or 15% discount, I would spend a lot more in their store since I love to flip through books before I buy them and would prefer to walk out with physical copies of books instead of waiting days for Amazon to ship. The FLGS better starting competing in price.
2) They wrap everything in plastic. I HATE that! They have signs everywhere saying you can take the plastic off, but then I feel like I'm expected to purchase something if I go through the hassle of taking off the plastic. Plus the plastic is a waste of money that they don't need and could be better spent offering a discount on non-plastic covered books.
3) Their staff are annoying. The minute you walk in they are all over you asking you if they can help you. And then they watch you like you are going to try to slip something in your jacket!
First of all, I'm not a criminal. Second of all, shut the F$%^ up unless I ask you a question. I don't mind a polite hello when I walk in. But I hate that annoying "Can I help you?" every 5 freaking minutes!!! You only have a couple of shelves of RPG stuff and I know more gaming then your entire staff combined so leave me the hell alone and let me browse!!!!
When I do have questions about product availability half of the staff don't know what I'm talking about. To be fair the other half is usually pretty knowledgeable.
I live in Beaverton, Oregon, and unfortunately they are the only FLGS in my area. There is another FLGS across town which is infinitely better. Better selection, they offer a discount on WotC d20 purchases, and they don't wrap anything in F$%%^$ plastic!!!!!! And they don't pester you or watch you like a criminal while you are browsing.
But since gas prices are so high its hard to just driving all the way over there just to browse. So I order online when I can and bite the bullet for stuff like HERO which I can't buy on Amazon.
The_Universe
First Post
I assume you're talking about the Compleat Strategist in Falls Church?cignus_pfaccari said:
*shudder* that place was genuinely frightening!
Treebore
First Post
Here is why I do not support my LGS. Assumption: My 170 D20 books have an average cover price of $25.00. Math: 170 x 25= $4,250.00. 20% off of that has saved me $850.00.
BTW, I do have 170 D20 books. My average discount has been actually 30% and often with free shipping. I purchased over 40 of my books at better than 50% off, but had to pay shipping.
Bottom line, not shopping at my LGS has saved me a paycheck or three over the last couple of years.
The only business I give my LGS is in Reaper miniatures and the occassional gaming product that sells for under $20.00. Maybe $40.00 a month.
BTW, I do have 170 D20 books. My average discount has been actually 30% and often with free shipping. I purchased over 40 of my books at better than 50% off, but had to pay shipping.
Bottom line, not shopping at my LGS has saved me a paycheck or three over the last couple of years.
The only business I give my LGS is in Reaper miniatures and the occassional gaming product that sells for under $20.00. Maybe $40.00 a month.
Desdichado
Hero
I agree with that. As it is, I have a pseudo-local gaming store, with two folks that work the counter (one is the owner/manager) and only one of them is what I'd call friendly (said owner manager.) They don't offer any price discounts, and other than the convienience of picking up occasional dice or mini singles, the only reason I'd go there instead of online is when I don't want to wait for the product to show up on my doorstep.Piratecat said:
Which, as it turns out, is quite often.
Calico_Jack73
First Post
The_Universe said:
Thanks for the review... Compleat Strategist is the closest LGS to where I live. I can't abide stinky game stores... the worst I ever encountered was Superior Comics in Dover Delaware. They have CCG sessions EVERY night in their basement and there is only one toilet which they make no effort to keep clean. Also the staff and the majority of the patrons for the most part do not seem to care all that much about personal hygene. The best one I ever went to was the Lone Star Comics & Games on Preston Rd. in Dallas. Definitely an upscale place. The staff dressed well, were well groomed, and the store was clean and well decorated and they played some great cutting edge alternative music.
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