Dragonblade said:
I don't expect the same discount that Amazon can give me. But I do expect them to ditch the plastic and the ignorant staff and pass the savings on to me.
I never said ignorant staff was acceptable. Anybody who sells anything should know enough about their merchandise to answer questions and help make selections.
Capitalism works because ultimately the cheapest or highest quality product wins out.
Actually, no, it doesn't. Capitalism works because markets naturally trend toward matchups of available goods to what people are willing to pay for those goods. Anything will sell if people perceive value worth the money they pay. Nobody thought Swatches were cheap or high quality...they sold because they had a cache developed through intense marketing and a popular sense of style.
Since the FLGS offers me no other real benefit, that 25% is usually just too important to pass up.
There is nothing wrong with your not valuing the other things an FLGS offers, but understand that other people do.
As a consumer this is not my problem. I don't like shrinkwrap because it reduces the value of the FLGS to me: the ability to browse and impulse buy. They can justify the need to shrinkwrap all they want. I will take my business elsewhere.
And I should be thankful? That they offer terrible service and high prices? I don't think so. They should be thanking me for still spending any money there at all.
Again, I never excused poor service. As for it not being your problem...well, it keeps you from comfortably browsing products in a convenient location. That sounds like a problem to me. Your criticism is too harsh. I also do not like shrinkwrap, but I understand why they do it. I see it as an unfortunate commentary on the thoughtlessness of people, not a personal affront.
The Japanese have a saying: "The customer is god," and I believe it applies here.
The American consumer is, in many cases, an undereducated, self-centered jerk. Contrary to popular belief, the customer is not always right, nor was that phrase ever intended to be taken literally. You have a right to take your business elsewhere if you don't like the offering. You have a right to express your opinion about why you don't like the offering. You should also make an effort to see that there are reasons for why the offering is the way it is, and not be so dismissive of the owners of the business.
Ah yes. Its the customer's fault that they charge high prices, discourage browsing, and offer poor service? I don't think so. If they go under it will be their fault and their fault alone.
It is partially the fault of the customer base that they discourage browsing and charge higher prices. As for whether or not they go under, if they can attract enough paying customers (whether that includes you personally or not), then they will succeed. If they can't, then that may be because of bad decisions they have made. Businesses go out of business for many reasons, though...bad business climate, lawsuits, illness or death of the sole proprieter, fires, etc. It is not as simple and clearcut as you would have it.
If they are worried about theft then they could put tags on the books and put up tag detectors at the entrances and exits. Borders, Barnes and Noble and the other chain stores do this. So do a lot of small boutiques at the mall so it can't be that expensive.
It is more expensive than you think, but I understand the technology is getting cheaper. Game Parlor in Chantilly, VA, does do that.
Again, the money they save off reducing theft, eliminating the plastic, and cutting the ignorant staff could be passed on to their customers. Then I would shop their more, their profits and volume would rise and it would be easier for them to afford the discounts that bring me and other customers in to the store.
Volume does not necessarily equal profits. If you cut your margin to attract more business by too much, you can end up with lower profits than before.
In any event, it sounds to me like the thing you dislike the most is the fact that the staff are ignorant, they treat you like a criminal instead of a customer, and they provide poor service. Bad staff is a serious problem, and I would agree with your criticism (I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you don't fall into the undereducated, self-centered jerk category). If the service was friendly and excellent, but the prices were the same, would you shop there?
