tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post1474425699670702853..comments2023-12-29T04:06:05.923-05:00Comments on The Blood Angels: by Jawaballs: The perfect gaming store?Jawaballshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06188462457051627625noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-47200754939533314292012-12-10T15:50:59.635-05:002012-12-10T15:50:59.635-05:00Most of the good ones have been said, but I'll...Most of the good ones have been said, but I'll toss in my .02 on a personal pet peeve - <br /><br />Keep the store clean, including the restrooms. I've been part of many game stores in different regions over the years, and this has been a recurring problem at many. Excessive trash, dirt, filth, and in general foul restrooms. I realize this isn't the stores (typically) creating this mess and is rather their gross gamer patrons, but it's the stores responsibility to keep things looking nice and/or enforce policies to make sure they stay that way.<br /><br />Honestly, I used to work night shift at a crappy gas station in the middle of nowhere and even we had to keep the place clean, had a schedule for who cleaned what and when, etc. It's always amazed me that some game stores don't do this.Andrew Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12915743868665062191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-33763825647139074282012-12-09T16:47:33.262-05:002012-12-09T16:47:33.262-05:00I agree with most of what has been said. For me t...I agree with most of what has been said. For me the the top of my list would be.<br /><br />1.) Playing space, you need tables and terrain that are as good or better than what I have at home, otherwise why go to the store?<br /><br />2.) Stock, I always mention this to my local store Which has in the past kept low stock because it was not selling, which was a catch 22, if you don't have it I can't buy it. Sure it can get ordered, but I have had lots of bad experience with store based orders, they don't come in on time, or I don't get called when they do etc. If I need to order as has been said, I can do that myself at home. often for a better discount than what I get in store. I like to buy local because I can get it now and support the local stores. But if I can order my self (or better yet drive 20 min elsewhere) to pick it up I will.<br /><br />3.) Consistent scheduling. If a particular day is open gaming or hobby night or whatever, don't constantly have it moved by other events. If that day is hard then maybe another night would be better. If things like open gaming are frequently moved...they die.<br /><br />4.) The store should have an online presence. This in many cases is what allows those stores to discount in store, and offer better prize support at tournies (My local store actually goes Entry fees + 10% for the prize pool and then discounts stock 10%) this as I was told by the manager is because they make most of their money online, so in store sales are not forces to be highly profitable to keep things running.<br /><br /> 4.) Easy access to food options, whether the store has food, orders food for events, or just has multiple close restaurants, nothing is more annoying than needing to rush out on a lunch break to find food.breng77https://www.blogger.com/profile/14856443949878311347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-89346368148228192772012-12-09T02:36:42.478-05:002012-12-09T02:36:42.478-05:00PILLS HERE!!! seriously, have headache meds. and h...PILLS HERE!!! seriously, have headache meds. and have a water fountain or just buy the bottles and sell em for a buck each. artstthmshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03315834302655696626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-58971851881676989002012-12-07T23:35:38.158-05:002012-12-07T23:35:38.158-05:00Jawa and Xzan, you are right, a good group of qual...Jawa and Xzan, you are right, a good group of quality gamers can't be controlled/created per se. Which is why the "perfect" game store can not be created, per se. It really involves a "perfect storm" that combines as much luck as it does proper management and fantastic creativity. <br /><br />This was kind of the idea I was aiming at with my post. When a perfect (or near perfect) game store materializes or matures it's almost like catching lightning in a bottle. Don't take it for granted!<br /><br />Regardless though, the question was, "What would a perfect game store be like?" Maybe the more appropriate question is, "What would make an ideal game store?" <br /><br />I once belonged to an "ideal" game store. It wasn't perfect but had near everything I was looking for. The staff was very involved with repeat customers and gamers. They were also active in participating with games going on (if they were off the clock). Respect and a decent amount of maturity was expected. Everyone knew each other yet new gamers were constantly encouraged to join in. Sounds cheesy but it had a very "Cheers" vibe. Sadly, the owner eventually needed to move out of state to pursue other endeavors and I haven't quite found anything similar since. MascisManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00502555000730758891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-61559302404180494692012-12-07T18:55:26.111-05:002012-12-07T18:55:26.111-05:00My FLGS has most of what Drathmere posted as his &...My FLGS has most of what Drathmere posted as his "ideal." I believe there is a hobby store in Seattle, WA that has a built in bar area, which is a phenomenal idea, especially after a really great game or among friends; that said alcohol and tournaments never mix well. As for a minimum age limit,I think that deters a lot of family gaming. I myself drop f* bombs from time to time on snake-eyes, but when kids are around I don't think it's that hard to watch the language. All in all, a very interesting article. Argentiushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03223473899284031049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-60475432131878191552012-12-07T13:09:24.904-05:002012-12-07T13:09:24.904-05:00Concur with what has been said before, staff and s...Concur with what has been said before, staff and stock are huge.<br /><br />Also Drathmere mentioned store hours. I don't know age statistics on Warhammer customers but having later hours during the week is a big bonus for me and my group; we are all working professionals. Hobby/gaming time in the evening after work is more consistent than weekend gaming during the day when people have kids or a Mrs who needs some time.Jeff Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10823906369377897321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-31988209919877558982012-12-07T10:59:44.390-05:002012-12-07T10:59:44.390-05:00Haha Drathmere, the card games are a huge profit m...Haha Drathmere, the card games are a huge profit maker. I like a lot of your ideas though... a dedicated painting station with airbrush! Good idea.Jawaballshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06188462457051627625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-18065671049943269812012-12-07T10:52:37.467-05:002012-12-07T10:52:37.467-05:00You hit it on the head with teh stock issue. I hat...You hit it on the head with teh stock issue. I hate hearing "I don't have it but I can order it for you". I have never ordered in that situation, and it produces a little mental note to just order everything online in the first place!<br /><br />So my list:<br /><br />1) Noise control (love the idea of sound deadening)<br />2) Smell control (have plenty of air flow--think vegas since gamers tend to stink)<br />3) Minimum Age Limit (hey this is for my ideal store right?)<br />4) Bar with food<br />5) Dediccated painting areas with airbrushes and vaccum chambers and other odd equipment that games might not own. (but could buy)<br />6) Longer hours on the weekday so I can leave work and still get ther on time.<br />7) Awesome tables. These should be WHW awesome.<br />8) Rentable display cabinets for storage of armies at the store.<br />9) Good assorment of impulse buy items e.g. forgeworld<br />10) Casting supplies<br />11) no card games (I know this is not feasible)<br />12) Distinct space between stock and bar/gaming area<br />13) Paint supplies from other manufacturers<br />14) ....whoops spent too much time on this.. back to work!John Stieninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860350974000948346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-33891822184019444832012-12-07T10:11:49.006-05:002012-12-07T10:11:49.006-05:00Yes, that's right, the players can't be co...Yes, that's right, the players can't be controlled . . . . . think they bought it?<br /><br />It comes down more to behaviour enforcement and the atmosphere you provide, rather than controlling. <br /><br />I've been in stores where it felt like a business and you went in and were respectful, if someone was vulgar, they were politely asked to refrain from that in the store. I've also been in stores where it seems like a teenager's basement, so there is little respect and much more vulgarity.<br /><br />Another important factor I find missing in a lot of stores is communication. If you only carry core stock, let people know if the store is doing a special Forgeworld order, or if Wednesdays is Warhammer night, post it someplace. <br /><br />Ideally a website and/or newsletter goes a long way in my mind, it's the 21st century use the technology. Do not use Facebook as your primary website, it isn't an accessible medium for everyone and there are many privacy concerns that keep users from using Facebook. It may be cheap, but it also comes off as such and doesn't build confidence. You can get a domain and a wordpress site that looks half decent for very little. On the flipside though, Facebook and Twitter are both powerful communication tools that allow instant information download and can be great when leveraged properly, so don't overlook them.Xzandratehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14727954909325918136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-6216228469074180382012-12-07T09:36:57.509-05:002012-12-07T09:36:57.509-05:00Mascisman, one thing that cannot be controlled is ...Mascisman, one thing that cannot be controlled is the players. However, a good staff can over time have an effect on the player base. With good examples of friendly interaction, people will learn how to follow!Jawaballshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06188462457051627625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-75645867870264682532012-12-07T09:24:00.891-05:002012-12-07T09:24:00.891-05:00The most important thing a gaming store needs are ...The most important thing a gaming store needs are gamers that are friendly, willing to help each other, and accepting of new gamers. <br /><br />Second is a friendly and helpful staff. <br /><br />Sure stock and tables are important, but like you said, products can be sourced from other places and gamers are willing to play on anything. These are "icing on top" features. <br /><br />The solid foundation is made up of the players and staff. MascisManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00502555000730758891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-48929499097306594232012-12-07T09:09:20.854-05:002012-12-07T09:09:20.854-05:00Nice A.G. I forgot to talk about Staff. It is one ...Nice A.G. I forgot to talk about Staff. It is one of my biggest pet peeves to encounter poorly trained staff who are more focused on their cell phones than the customers. Absolutely the management needs to spend a lot of time training the staff. Sometimes the management could use training themselves! Good suggestion!Jawaballshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06188462457051627625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2376208744490382379.post-41282222075676721522012-12-07T08:56:55.933-05:002012-12-07T08:56:55.933-05:00I agree with everything said. One thing that I wou...I agree with everything said. One thing that I would think should go without saying is "have a friendly staff". When I moved to a new state and was looking for a new game store there were two choices, both fairly popular and busy. When i walked into one i was ignored and when i asked questions of the owner or staff was given brisk answers and then they would walk away leaving me alone while they chatted with their friends, when i walked into the second i was immediately welcomed by the owner who asked what games i played and took time to introduce me to some of the local players, as well as see to it that I got a game in that day. Now guess which one has my loyalty.A.G. Christensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06846709746804124219noreply@blogger.com