What If Your Friendly Local Game Store Isn't "Friendly?"
179,477
Published 2019-11-01
GameFor - Connecting Tabletop Gamers - www.iamgamefor.com/
NOTE: Shop owner in photo is actually quite friendly, but I needed a model. Check out Flying Phoenix Games - www.facebook.com/Flying-Phoenix-Games-LLC-27393660…
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All Comments (21)
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The only gaming store in my home town was unfriendly to anyone who wasn’t a Magic player. Now there is no local gaming store in my home town.
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Really makes you realise how lucky you are to have a friendly local game shop.
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The bigger store in my town has some very abrasive employees. There is a second, much smaller store with very talkative, friendly employees. The smaller store tends to not carry as much product, but will offer to order you anything they don't have. I'll go back to them every time even if it takes them a little longer to get product.
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Like a month ago I was at a library in the city and I saw one of your videos being played on a big screen in the arts section
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years ago I befriended my FLGS owner who was a former history teacher. I realized quickly he was only running his store to support his hobby because he was constantly opening brand new mini's during his weekly in store D&D game each time the GM needed a specific creature or npc. His store was completely disorganized. It was only because of the loyalty of his customers that he was able to stay in business as there were several other stores nearby. He was an example of a store who had a lot of "Friendly". Sadly he passed away from bladder cancer. Miss that guy.
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I wanted to share my story about my local game store. A bit before 8th edition of 40k came out my GF's teenager showed interest in learning the game. So, we picked up some models for him and I dusted off mine. When we went to the store all of the patrons and most of the staff were a bit cliquish and stand off ish. So, basically being gamers. Every Friday we went to the store picked out a table played a game and went home. After about a month and a half of just going in and playing each other, the teenager could not come with me. So, I went by myself. One of the regulars noticed my regular play partner was not with me and came up to me. He asked where the teenager was I said he could not make it . . . then the guy who had never said much to me before asked if I wanted a game. Now after playing at that store for 2 years I have noticed that many of the regulars there do not like to approach new players, because they themselves are not very social. But if you show yourself to be a regular just by showing up for a month or two, then you might find your self naturally part of the in group. I suggest if the crowd is not very welcoming to just show up every week on the same night at the same time and hang out for a few hours. Bring your army, some paints, maybe some models to put together. And once the people at the store see you as a regular and not a one time visitor you may feel more welcome. Just my two cents. Gamers are traditionally not the most socially skilled people out there. So, give them time.
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Short answer: Inform the Inquisiton. There is Heresy afoot.
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My FLGS owner was a fantastic crack dealer in another life. He knows exactly what to say, mention or offer to get me to drop $100 more than I was planning to on any given day. He's also largely responsible for my Shelf of Shame.
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As an owner of a FLGS I can say that everything Adam says in this video is spot on correct. I would CERTAINLY want to know if one of my employees wasn't welcoming to anyone. I want everyone in our store to feel welcome and comfortable in our place because as a customer I've always HATED that "record store snob" mentality you get in some game/comic shops because what you're into isn't what that stores staff personally like. I would also add that IF you game at an unfriendly store because it's the largest community for your game in town, don't be afraid to move stores. Sure your play group may be smaller but if the new location is welcoming then in time new folks will join your group at the new store because of a more positive atmosphere.
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That whole "Store Run by Bears" Gave me a terrific idea for a shop in a Role Playing Game. That be so funny.
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"unfriendly store".........Brother Tobias......get the flamer.....the HEAVY flamer.....
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My first FLGS was not local or friendly. I went there once when I was in high school after convincing my mom to take a detour while we were on a trip. I had never been in a dedicated game store before, so I was gawking, and the guy at the counter decided that this, and the fact that my mom was with me, meant I was unworthy to shop in his store. I went up, asked if they had a particular Magic card in their singles catalogue, and the guy informed me they did not sell singles while standing in front of their display case of singles. I asked him if he was sure, and he got angry. I bought a booster pack and left. The rare in the pack was the card I was looking for, and the store went out of business a few years later.
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When the owner is the manager well you're screwed lol
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I remember walking into a FLGS in a city I just moved to. They invited me to a 40k tournament the following Sunday. I'm no expert but through sheer determination and focus I managed to win with my Chaos Daemons. They weren't happy that I, an outsider of their clique, had won their grand tournament. They spent months passing me between owners, managers and retail assistants trying their damned hardest not to present me with the trophy and prize money. Safe to say I never returned there again and have found other friendly places to wargame.
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As a FLGS owner I appreciate comments about myself and employees so that we can improve.
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the last time i was in my local gw buying a new brush i tried to make some smalltalk about age of sigmar, the manager, who im not overly familiar with essentially scoffed at me and my misunderstandings of the system, suffice to say im not going back, its not difficult to not be an arse.
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We had a problem like this for almost 20 years in my area. We had one game store for years that had poor customer service, messed up orders, and wasnt very helpful. The problem was it was the only gaming store within a 2 to 3 hour drive. He never had to get better because there was no competition. Eventually a group of folks from the store who had the money decided they were going to open their own store. It took it about 6 months to decend into chaos. None of then wanted to actually work at the store or pay someone to do it Finally a retired guy decided to open his own store a little over a year ago, and its awesome. Hes extremely helpful and on the ball with preorders. Lets hope it lasts.
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I was incredibly fortunate to have an amazing FLGS in my town. I was an 11-year old kid and admittedly, a bit obnoxious, if earnest. Anyway, my family and I hardly had a lot of money, so when I got a Dark Angels battleforce for my birthday and then found out that I couldn't legally play it as it only had one troop, I was a bit bummed out. Anyway, as I assembled and painted my models at the store over the following week, the shop owner asks why I haven't played yet, and I mention the issue. He then gives me five more tactical marines on that day, and five more after I've finished painting them, meaning I suddenly had a legal force. This is after having given me a discount on the codex earlier in the week as well, of his own accord. On top of being that friendly, he's a hilarious guy. 13 years later, I live in a different city but I still make a point of buying my stuff through him whenever I can.
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I'm very fortunate in that Brian, the amazing owner of one of the only gaming stores in my little southern state, is incredibly polite and more than willing to accommodate players from either Warhammer, to Star Wars, to Magic. He understands that the prices are better online, he knows that better deals are out there. So his service and the welcoming air he has about him is always a nice thing. You rock Brian. Thank you for being cool.