Why should I care about the FLGS?

[Breakdaddy]

I use online outlets almost exclusively. After making several attempts to solicit my local gaming store, I discovered an utter lack of knowledge on the D20 system and RPGs in general. They all have a rainman-like knowledge of Yuh Gi Oh and Pokemon and [insert collectible card game of the minute here], but provide me with blank stares when I ask about D20 stuff. Oh, and heaven forbid if you ask them to special order or hold something, they practically laugh in your face. Its a shame really. If they knew at least when things were coming out for D20, maybe I would purchase from them more. Finally, their lack of any semblance of friendliness makes me feel like throwing random detritus at them whilst gleefully kicking at the air with abandon...


edirt: I cooldnt spel!!!!

 

[Kaleon Moonshae]

In fact, a good example is the movie "comic book villains." I would call both of those flgs, just with different words and both are so common now that ccgs are so profitable.

 

[DMScott]

But to look at it another way, why doesn't my local shop go online and compete with the same prices?

Every worthwhile FLGS I know of competes on more than just price. They compete on convenience, customer service, and by providing services to the community (such as gaming tables, demos, free advertising for gaming groups, etc.), all of which have associated overhead costs that an online business doesn't have to carry. If those aren't worth anything to you, then you shouldn't care about your FLGS. If they are, then capitalism demands that an educated, intelligent consumer value those contributions and consider them along with price, which may well make your FLGS a better deal than an online service. Of course, that depends on the quality of your FLGS.

Of course, one of the main problems of capitalism is that consumers are, for the most part, neither educated nor intelligent, so they ignore that element of the cost.

 

[Kaleon Moonshae]

Every worthwhile FLGS I know of competes on more than just price. They compete on convenience, customer service, and by providing services to the community (such as gaming tables, demos, free advertising for gaming groups, etc.), all of which have associated overhead costs that an online business doesn't have to carry. If those aren't worth anything to you, then you shouldn't care about your FLGS. If they are, then capitalism demands that an educated, intelligent consumer value those contributions and consider them along with price, which may well make your FLGS a better deal than an online service. Of course, that depends on the quality of your FLGS.

Of course, one of the main problems of capitalism is that consumers are, for the most part, neither educated nor intelligent, so they ignore that element of the cost.

I agree with you, if a flgs is nice to me, knows my name and even takes the time to actually *try* to learn something about my tastes then I will happily pay *more* than normal for my stuff there. A good example is a hair salon. I can get my hair cut for 8$ in an annonomous (sp) place and it will be a decent cut, or I can go and spend 50$ at a place that knows my name, knows how I like my hair, knows what kind of water I like to drink and *has it ready for me." Which will I choose? I will choose the 50$ place if I have the money at all, period, no question.

 

[MrFilthyIke]

I will choose the 50$ place if I have the money at all, period, no question.

I'm the same way, I will always spend a bit more if there's conveince, or good service, etc. I could get an $11 haircut, but I spend like $20ish because the woman who I go to has cut my hair since I was in elementary school (and I'm now 28) and I can go in, get a cut, and rarely have to tell her how to cut it (unless I get weird and change).

 

[Napftor]

...or I can go and spend 50$ at a place that knows my name, knows how I like my hair, knows what kind of water I like to drink...

I have to ask, why in god's name do you need water at the hair salon? Does this cut take more than 24 hours?

 

[Kaleon Moonshae]

I have to ask, why in god's name do you need water at the hair salon? Does this cut take more than 24 hours?

LOL

No, it is a convenience, the line can be quite long, however, since it is one of the more well known salons in Austin. Something you may like better is they asked if I wanted wine one day (I was getting my hair chopped off after having it long for 7 years). I asked if they normally had wine and the girl said "no, but if you are anything like most of us girls, even a big guy like you is going to need relaxing." I laughed so hard she had to stop dying my hair. That's what I mean, good service, something t make you smile. They saw I was nervous and everyone in the place did their best to treat me like royalty so i'd feel better. They normally offer juice, coffee and water (this salon is an actual salon, with spa, so yes, some people may spent upwards of 12 hours if they get the full treatment).

 

[Napftor]

...They normally offer juice, coffee and water (this salon is an actual salon, with spa, so yes, some people may spent upwards of 12 hours if they get the full treatment).

Ah, I see. Please return to the regularly scheduled thread.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

I'm the same way, I will always spend a bit more if there's conveince, or good service, etc.

Yep. I go to Dream Wizards, in Rockville, because it's on the way home, the people at the counter know what they're doing and what they're talking about (most of the time, at least). They carry Shadowrun and Battletech books still, as well as Spycraft, BFG, GURPS, Exalted, etc. If I want a book, I can waltz over there and get it, and I have their phone # on my cell phone so I don't have to look up their number.

The only other gaming store that's pedestrian-accessible, the last time I visited, SMELLED. And it was cramped and poorly-lit and just UGH.

I truly, truly don't know what I'd do without my FLGS.

Brad

 

[haiiro]

What do I need the local shop for?

For me, there are two main reasons: I enjoy browsing (including finding out about odd little products I'd never have known to look for, and also getting excited about new releases when they first come out), and I like the feel of gaming stores -- being surrounded by gaming, minis, boardgames, etc. My FLGS also has a good to excellent used section, which is a plus for both browsing and atmosphere.

The first one's definitely the biggie, though. I usually try to buy about half my gaming stuff at my FLGS (the Underworld, in Ann Arbor, MI), and the other half generally comes from Amazon. If I'm tweaked about something and want it right away, I go to the store. If I'm sure I'll use it eventually, but I'm not that excited about it, I wait and order it online.

Thinking anout it a bit more, another factor is the people: I've met some very cool folks at my FLGS, including the managers and employees of the store itself. On top of the other reasons, that one keeps me coming back.