Why should I care about the FLGS?

[Kichwas]

I have seen them hold a book for a regular, then turn around and have the staff sell the book to a friend who wanted it before the regular arrived. What kind of service is that?

I do not reward poorly run businesses with my purchasing dollars. Period.

One of the Kalamar books I own was actually on reserve for one of my players but they turned around and gave it to me when I walked in.

I had no idea it was on reserve for anybody, and found out that evening at the game. I did know it was the only copy they had.

Now, this was the not-as-local store that's two cities south of me, and that player was actually a former employee who regularly converses with the store owner... so whatever...

When it comes down to it, the reality of the capitalist model is that you have to stay competitive.

I owe you no more loyalty than you owe me. You can't have it all your way - if the publishers raise prices and try to get more profit, it's just as valid for me to take any opportunity I can to cut that price back down to where I want it - to put the price back down to where demand sets it naturally.

If the local store wants to survive, it needs to become competitive. This isn't socialism, and I have no duty to 'put it on the dole' and prop it up on some kind of welfare above its peers.

 

[jgbrowning]

One thing to think about: I've heard from retailers is that it's not uncommon for smaller on-line places or discount places to go out of business in a few years because they're not selling their product at a sustainable price point. These retailers don't like competing with people who are basically running a losing business, but in the meantime are hurting those who are trying to run a lasting business.

joe b.

 

[Kichwas]

A small operation will never beat a larger chain on price

But a small store with an online presence -CAN- compete on price.

I've bought several d20 books not from amazon, but from the z-shops that show up when I click on that 'Buy new and used for $x'.


For the physical presence, the shop's focus needs to shift from RPGs and into general gaming, and it still needs to be able to beat mall prices and hopefully be located somewhere that will draw in casual shoppers.

 

[Ourph]

A small operation will never beat a larger chain on price, so they had best be informed about their product and be very service-oriented, or they are doomed.

I have to disagree with this one too. Several stores in my area prove this wrong. I can buy most of my fiction and gaming books at a non-chain, brick-n-mortar book store for 15% off what I'd pay at Barnes & Noble. If they don't have what I want, they'll order it. They are consistently cheaper than Amazon (when you include shipping) which is why they get my business.

On the other hand, my FLGS charges 10% OVER what I'd pay at Barnes & Noble for gaming books.

The FLGS makes 90% of its money off of CCGs and wargamers. As far as they are concerned, the RPGers are lucky they carry RPG books at all, and they're not interested in competing for our business.

 

[Kichwas]

Man. The day I pay $50 for a haircut, shoot me

(not to mention, service != expensive. My local $8 hair guy remembers me, and how I like my hair ... and does the same for anyone who goes there with any semblance of regularity)

- gaming conventions

I did that once, right after my last move. Went into a place down the street for a haircut and $30 later with little politeness I left with a not very good haircut.

Now I go to the $11 place run by the chinese chic my brother used to flirt with all the time - she's friendly, won't shut up the whole time, and gives me exactly the style I ask for.

As for gaming conventions, the local con here, Dundracon, used to mark -UP- prices above retail... so I stopped going years ago.

It's not like there's any quality gaming at a convention - one shots with people I don't know who dress funny and smell bad... and then there's the men...

 

[Kichwas]

I mean sure, they have a few gimmicks, like come in costume on halloween and get a discount, or come in on your birthday for a discount,

So do you get an extra discount if you come in in the proper costume on your birthday...

 

[undeaddan]

I have to disagree with this one too. Several stores in my area prove this wrong. I can buy most of my fiction and gaming books at a non-chain, brick-n-mortar book store for 15% off what I'd pay at Barnes & Noble. If they don't have what I want, they'll order it. They are consistently cheaper than Amazon (when you include shipping) which is why they get my business.

On the other hand, my FLGS charges 10% OVER what I'd pay at Barnes & Noble for gaming books.

The FLGS makes 90% of its money off of CCGs and wargamers. As far as they are concerned, the RPGers are lucky they carry RPG books at all, and they're not interested in competing for our business.

Comparing RPG wholesale costs and regular book wholesale is extremely unfair to the FLGS. Most regular publishers will take back unsold stock and then resell it through outlets or just write it off as a loss. You can't do that with RPGs. There is a much larger danger of getting stuck with unsold merchandise.

 

[talinthas]

Why do i support my FLGS? Yesterday i went to buy a booster of Giants of Legend. The owner there decided he wanted one too, just for the hell of it. We open our packs, and he got a Behir while i only got a formorian. He saw the look on my face (annoyance more than anything) and gave me the rest of the minis out of his booster, keeping only the huge, for free. This isnt the first time they've done stuff like this for me, and i return the favor by offering them my business more or less exclusively. Plus, i get my comics there, and most importantly, the camaraderie. These dudes are just great people to hang out and chill with. Amazon can't win that battle.

 

[Glyfair]

I hear that in the US it's possible to play at FLGS? This kind of thing should be implemented in France!

Indeed it is. However, it's becoming less and less common to see roleplaying games played at the FLGS.

Right now, organized play is the buzzword in the gaming industry. Thanks to MtG, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Mage Knight and other games, every company that puts out a new competitive game (especially collectible games) sets up a tournament environment to help support the game.

At my larger local game store this has created an environment where finding space at the venue for a regular game is difficult. Monday is Heroclix, Tuesday is Mechwarrior, Wednesday is Yu-Gi-Oh!, Thursday is Mage Knight, Game of Thrones, Vs. and other card games, Friday is MtG, Saturday is Yu-Gi-Oh! and the general "special event" day, Sunday is Games Workshop. Add in the regular poker tournaments since poker has become hot, the regular D&D games (which fill many of the mentioned slots concurrently with the other games) and you have a very crowded venue. In the 80's it was the opposite, roleplaying games dominated the venues schedule.

However, this environment is good for the local game stores, or should be. There is certainly more incentive to support a game store that creates a play environment for you. That's something you can't get online and is much harder to develop on your own.

From a roleplaying standpoint, having a place where you can gather to play roleplaying games is attractive, too. Only the more insular groups won't gain from having an environment like we had in the 80's. Sure, it may be more comfortable to play at home. However, what if you want to gather new players? Isn't it attractive to have a "neutral ground" to run a few games before you invite a stranger to your house? Isn't it nice to play the occasional one-off with a group of players you don't know? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to play in the newest roleplaying game without someone in your group having to make the splurge to buy the new game so you can try it out? All these things can be had from an ideal FLGS.

 

[Ourph]

Comparing RPG wholesale costs and regular book wholesale is extremely unfair to the FLGS. Most regular publishers will take back unsold stock and then resell it through outlets or just write it off as a loss. You can't do that with RPGs. There is a much larger danger of getting stuck with unsold merchandise.

I'm not comparing regular book wholesale and RPG wholesale.

For example, local pricing on Complete Warrior:

Amazon.com: $18.33 + shipping
Barnes & Noble.com: $18.86 + shipping
B&M Barnes & Noble (local): $24.26 + tax
B&M FLGS: $26.95 + tax
B&M local bookstore: $21.56 + tax

Local bookstore beats out Amazon.com by a few pennies. The FLGS comes DEAD LAST! Sorry, to me that says they're not making any effort to save me money, which makes me ask why I should worry about supporting them.