FLGS owner hates Btown

[Ironhide]

Seriously? They are running a business with the intent to make money. The economy in the US is crap right now. So they don't give discounts, I don't blame them. I have other options on where to buy my hobbies. So the guy hates B-Town, can't say I blame him since it is stealing business away from him. The bottomline is this: It is their business and they can run it any way they like. If it means them not getting much business, then I guess they will have to review their practices. All I see in this thread is whining because some store owners won't make adjustments to their business practices; just so some people can be selfish and save money.

[MattHoell]

We are really lucky to have some great LGS in my area. They are places that you go out of your way to buy stuff even though you can get it cheaper on the web.

The Brick and Mortar guys are never going to be able to beat out the online guys pricewise, so they need to excel at customer service.

Our local stores are always friendly to customers, offer great gaming spaces, are willing to bend over backward to get you the stuff you need. Host ton of events, including swapmeets.

So while I agree with Ironhide that they need to make money, they need to offer better customer service, because we have a need to maximize our gaming budget.

[kturock]

you can make money at a store by doing both. sell online and in store. You sell to your regulars at a small discount. You give them a discount card or keep the names on file. 5% or 10% will keep people coming back..especilly if they're there every week or weekend.
They do it with their comics sales. Set up a list and order 10 comics a month and get a discount. The comics are even set aside for them weekly. Some only pay & pick up once a month. I know there are a couple who get them sent mailorder, sinc ethey've been long standing customers.

I've been a gaming and on/off comics customer for over 25 years, since the mid-late 80's. At one point, I was buying ALL of the GW stock EVERY WEEK from 1 of their locations. I kept it open. Same owner. Different managers & employees.

Theres a store about 60 miles away that offers a discount based on dollar amount spent, no matter who you are. it was like 5% on $50, 10% on $100, 15-20% on $200+.
The levels have probably changed since prices went up.

[Imaginos]

The not-as-local GS I used to work at part time gave a discount if you turned in $100 worth of receipts. You would get a 10% discount, which pretty much just covers sales tax here. But still was appreciated.

Now I'm dreading dropping $60+ on 2 codex that I have armies coming for (Blood Angels and Dark Eldar). I haven't been to the game store in about 2 years just due to convenience, so no discount for me. And the more local GS doesn't offer a discount of any sort.

[MagickalMemories]

Seriously? They are running a business with the intent to make money. The economy in the US is crap right now. So they don't give discounts, I don't blame them. I have other options on where to buy my hobbies. So the guy hates B-Town, can't say I blame him since it is stealing business away from him. The bottomline is this: It is their business and they can run it any way they like. If it means them not getting much business, then I guess they will have to review their practices. All I see in this thread is whining because some store owners won't make adjustments to their business practices; just so some people can be selfish and save money.

I'm not in total agreement, but there's an extreme amount there.

I don't push BTown down any local FLGS' throat. I make sure they know who I am and that, if they're interested, I'd be happy to shoot the breeze about advertising.
Then, I go buy something.
I make sure they know I support their store... but I digress.

Like IH, I can totally understand why a FLGS dislikes BTown. Frankly, if I was them, I'd dislike GW, Reaper, Etc., more. I think it's a SLIGHTLY misguided opinion to say that BTown takes $ from the FLGS pocket. I mean, we DO... but not as much as the GAME CREATORS who also just HAPPEN to sell online as direct competition.

People sell on BTown for cheap. We're an easy-to-find place online where tens of thousands of people congregate for that purpose. We're no different than craigslist, swap meets, etc., except that we're larger, more organized, and more focused. THAT is why some have an issue with us.

Don't get shocked or annoyed if your FLGS doesn't like us. Although I think the opinion's slightly misguided, the BASE of their reasoning is sound.

Back to the beginning, however...
If you make sure to always support your FLGS (financially), you should be fine (obviously, I'm NOT talking to the OP here). Going in to play a game? Spend $5 to $10. It's good manners. Make sure they know that, although you'll get stuff here, THEY can still have your money, too.

Eric

[tacticalguy24]

At my FLGS the owner is the only employee, and has been in business for over 15 years. His biggest gripe is that by me trading something for another item im taking money out of his pocket. Yet every time I go in his store I buy something. If I'm dropping my hard earned cash in this store to get something NIB I shouldn't get a lecture about how Btown steals his customers and that im getting ripped off. Last time I checked I wasnt getting ripped off by trading mini's for something I wanted....I'd call that bartering.

[MagickalMemories]

That's the gripe I disagree with. Just tell him, if you hadn't traded, you still wouldn't have bought it. You wanted it but were unwilling to spend your cash on it.

Eric

[blackspade]

So the guy hates B-Town, can't say I blame him since it is stealing business away from him.

I can safely say that this is not the case with me. B-town steals no business away from my FLGS because if I can't find it here I usually don't buy at all. I like my FLGS owner a lot, but between the prices on stuff and problems with inventory, I just can't justify not being patient and using B-town to supply my miniature habit.

[Ironhide]

If you are not buying it from him, and are instead getting it off of B'Town; then the FLGS owner is indirectly losing business to B-Town.

Again though, it all goes to business practices and where an owner is willing to set the bar. Some will give discounts, some won't; it all depends on how much they want their business to thrive. I have been in many a FLGS, and it has become my opinion that they really are not making their money off the miniature games, but mainly off the CCGs and comics.

[MagickalMemories]

I kind of agree with IH here. *IF* you're going to buy it -at all- then he's losing your business. If, on the other hand, you're taking the "If I can't trade for it, I am not getting it" stand, then he's not.


Eric

[tacticalguy24]

In all fairness, he's a nice guy. It's just his personal view on alot of things that is not the way to make customers feel welcome. As for Btown, I have yet to buy any item with cash or paypal, with the exception of the Btown t-shirt. Which I will proudly wear it to his store next time I need a can of primer or that last vindicator I need....I can guarantee I'll catch heat but HEY, IM BUYING FROM YOU!!!! Get over yourself "king of the nerds"

[blackspade]

I kind of agree with IH here. *IF* you're going to buy it -at all- then he's losing your business. If, on the other hand, you're taking the "If I can't trade for it, I am not getting it" stand, then he's not.


Eric

That is pretty much it with a caviat.
That is, If I buy something here it is only because it is a great deal.
I would not have purchased it otherwise.

[mardaddy601]

Like many have posted already, I like my LGS & the owner. But then, I've been going there 10 years and we've got a mutually beneficial thing going on... I've held paint clinics for him, I make terrain and display models (because I enjoy it and I like stretching my skill set) and I get some store credit, a net 10% off, and first dibs on particular used RPG books the store sells that I have been looking for.

There is no hatred towards Btown, he tends to see it as something between, "Btown is out there, may not like it, but accept it, it ain't going away," and "it's a good thing, because eventually players who would balk at buying an army retail will still complete their newly traded-for army with stuff & paint from the store that they would not have previously bought."

[MagickalMemories]

Your FLGS owner has a healthy attitude about it, IMO.

Eric

[eman1_2]

Chatting with the guy who runs the local FLGS. He straight out said "we know you guys buy stuff elsewhere, we aren't stupid". Their goal is to get you to buy it there. He has an awesome used bin, and gives fair values in trade credit (typically about 1/3 retail). 15% off everything. Buy more than $100, you get 20% off. I have told him I got my Empire from a great trade on Bartertown. He knows that is the reason I have come in and spent $100 on stuff I couldn't trade for.