Wizards closing some of there're stores.
- Thread starter KenM
- Start date
I wish I could post the link, but don't know how.
Lalato
Adventurer
Not trying to be rude... but I suppose this only matters to people who live near one of the shops.
It's always sad to see any gaming store close, but I'm sure there are other stores that gamers in those affected areas can go.
I just hope that this doesn't signal a trend that goes beyond these stores.
--sam
It's always sad to see any gaming store close, but I'm sure there are other stores that gamers in those affected areas can go.
I just hope that this doesn't signal a trend that goes beyond these stores.
--sam
Lalato
Adventurer
I'm not sure they are saying "screw you." It's just a business decision.
Sure... it sucks for those people that have a store near them, but if WotC is losing money at these stores, they should close them. WotC's job is to create games not operate gaming outlets.
What really sucks is that there are fewer and fewer pure gaming outlets across the board. Worse than that, fewer and fewer fringe outlets (hobby shops) are carrying gaming stuff.
On the bright side, the big book stores (Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Books-A-Million) all carry a small amount of gaming stuff. Although I would much rather get my stuff at a small shop, a big book store will do in a pinch.
Let's not forget, also, that stores are competing with online gaming sources. It's a deadly market right now for retail.
Remember that before you start reading too much into these store closings.
--sam
Sure... it sucks for those people that have a store near them, but if WotC is losing money at these stores, they should close them. WotC's job is to create games not operate gaming outlets.
What really sucks is that there are fewer and fewer pure gaming outlets across the board. Worse than that, fewer and fewer fringe outlets (hobby shops) are carrying gaming stuff.
On the bright side, the big book stores (Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Books-A-Million) all carry a small amount of gaming stuff. Although I would much rather get my stuff at a small shop, a big book store will do in a pinch.
Let's not forget, also, that stores are competing with online gaming sources. It's a deadly market right now for retail.
Remember that before you start reading too much into these store closings.
--sam
Sanackranib
First Post
WotC stores
I don't use WotC stores (though I could) because they can't even seem to keep their own products stocked in the store. while I might be willing to drive an hour to get a book I really want (if I need it NOW) when I can order one from my local gaming store for the same price then IMO wizards isn't offering me any incentive to shop at their store. (chances are good that one of the 5 other shops that I know of in my area will have what I want anyway) the idea was good for wizards to be their own retailer and I'm sure that their profits are higher overall. but most of the gamers that I know go into a store to BUY somthing then and there not oder it and wait with the hope that it was included in the stores order, or that they actually set one aside and didn't sell out again before you can make it back down there.
long live the mom and pop shop!
I don't use WotC stores (though I could) because they can't even seem to keep their own products stocked in the store. while I might be willing to drive an hour to get a book I really want (if I need it NOW) when I can order one from my local gaming store for the same price then IMO wizards isn't offering me any incentive to shop at their store. (chances are good that one of the 5 other shops that I know of in my area will have what I want anyway) the idea was good for wizards to be their own retailer and I'm sure that their profits are higher overall. but most of the gamers that I know go into a store to BUY somthing then and there not oder it and wait with the hope that it was included in the stores order, or that they actually set one aside and didn't sell out again before you can make it back down there.
long live the mom and pop shop!
Re: WotC stores
Long live whatever's a good store. I've got two wizards-owned stores by me. One has sucked for a long time and has just now started to be decent. The other has always been good. The "mom and pop" stores have all sucked, save one that closed a few years ago before the WotC stores came around. I'm not going to hail the wonderfulness of a store because it's owned by a single individual if that individual treats RPGs as not worth their time.
Sanackranib said:*snip*
long live the mom and pop shop!
Long live whatever's a good store. I've got two wizards-owned stores by me. One has sucked for a long time and has just now started to be decent. The other has always been good. The "mom and pop" stores have all sucked, save one that closed a few years ago before the WotC stores came around. I'm not going to hail the wonderfulness of a store because it's owned by a single individual if that individual treats RPGs as not worth their time.
Lalato
Adventurer
Mark said:
I agree, this should be a boost for the locally owned stores in those areas.
I remember how I was introduced to gaming the summer before 6th grade in 1981. There was a hobby shop that sold train sets and other remote controlled things in the same strip mall as our local grocery store. One day I strolled in and looked around. Trains were neat, but what I was really drawn to was the one wire shelf in the back corner that had this cool looking red box with the words Dungeons & Dragons. The rest is history.
I bring this up, because back then, there were several places just like this. Hobby shops that happened to sell gaming stuff on the side. Nowadays you would be hard pressed to find such a creature. Either it's a gaming shop or a Comic Book Shop, but few other outlets exist.
Speaking of Comic Book Stores, it would be nice if they started carrying gaming stuff again, but...
Begin Off-Topic Rant...
Most pure Comic Book Stores have long stopped selling pen and paper gaming stuff because there is a much more lucrative market in trading cards and action figures. Unfortunately, for the Comic Book Stores their market has been dwindling... mostly because they have priced themselves out of the youth market... and also because the distribution is all screwed up. Remember when you could buy comic books at any convenience store, super market, newsstand or book store? Now you can only find them in comic book stores. It's sad because the fans they need are the under 13 group. If the comics aren't widely available then fewer and fewer kids will grow into fans. All they have now are collectors.
End Off-Topic Rant... Not so much of a rant... but hey it's Sunday... and I'm doing laundry.
--sam
