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B



Joined: 06 Dec 2010
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:48 am    Post subject: How is Game Parlor doing? Reply with quote

Back from school, hope everything is going well with you guys! Just wondering how Game Parlor is doing. A lot of product hasn't moved in the last 2 years from my observation. Are they doing alright? The only thing I see purchased is table fees, and I am not sure if that's enough to cover costs.
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elphilo
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah from the outside they look like they're struggling. But go in on a Thursday or Friday night and they're packed. Apparently Yugioh and Magic are really hot for them. But who knows how much they actually make when you overhear employees suggesting to not buy cards from GP and just get them cheaper online. And then you get snide flyers explaining why they horde old stuff (its because some people still buy it, which if that were true you wouldn't have it).
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Rissan4ever



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whoa! GP employees are telling people to buy stuff elsewhere? Does Cindy know about this? I get that the person in question is probably trying to look out for their fellow gamers, but they need to remember that they're also running a business that pays their bills. Duh.
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elphilo
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Its not my place to tattle on employees. But you're right. Plus I don't think he meant any harm. It wasn't a blatant don't buy, but it was heavily implied. And honestly, I don't blame him. GP's prices astound me. The only reason I still buy GW products from them is because I've been going there for 15ish years now. I don't buy any Pathfinder books from them because Amazon offers at least a 15% discount (usually closer to 30% though).
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Eric



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have kind of wondered this myself. It is interesting (to me anyhow) just how many comics/game stores are popping up. There is Victory Comics in Arlington, Flashback Comics near Springfield, Games and Comics in Fairfax, Dropzone up in Glen Burnie. However, near as I can tell, with the exception of Dropzone, they are all being supported by(or at least appear to be satisfying the overwhelming demand for) Magic The Gathering and other similar trading card games.

Seems whenever I call VC or Flashback about tables, there is some MtG tournament or something going on and that they are unavailable.. I mean don't get me wrong, I definitely glad that stores are standing up, competition and all. But I do wonder if GPC can make it in a more competitive market? I think at some point the market will stabilize or (unfortunately) shrink. At which point I wonder if GPC will be able to continue to sustain itself.
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B



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Do you guys think the table fees cover their operating expenses?
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Davall
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 2:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The table fees are rarely enforced anymore. I can't remember the last time they asked for a ticket.
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MattHoell



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have yet to see a currently operating game store where CCGs aren't heavily promoted.
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Casey
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've stopped buying stuff there. Or, at least, I don't go there expecting to buy something. I'll pick things up here and there, but I no longer go out of my way.

I like Huzzah. Huzzah has stuff in stock, has better table space, gives a decent enough discount, and genuinely seems to care and want my money. I don't wish Game Parlor any ill, but I would rather drive another 30 minutes away to a store that doesn't make me sad.

Glad to hear they aren't asking about table fees, years of spending thousands of dollars there just to get hassled for table fee really bothered me.
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elphilo
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah the table fees really piss me off. The only time they "ask" is when I buy something and they put my table fee on there but zero it out. Because every time Craig says something about the fee I tell him he better not be actually charging me. I've spent way too much money there to pay an additional 2 bucks. Speaking of which I met a dude at GMU that refuses to go to GP because of that fee. Apparently him and his friend sat down to play some magic and an employee immediately jumped their [censored] asking for the table fee. To which they said no and just left and never came back. That fee was the dumbest thing I've ever heard of and really makes it hostile to people that just found out about the store. I'm glad it died down, next they have to work on their hording situation Rolling Eyes
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Davall
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

elphilo wrote:
I'm glad it died down, next they have to work on their hording situation Rolling Eyes


Man, Hearthstone really pissing you off that much, you Alliance scrub?
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elphilo
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 4:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Typo! Meant hoarding Razz
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Davall
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote


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Gym Shorts



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't think it's all that outrageous to charge $2 if you're playing a game like warhammer. It takes up a lot of retail space. Not that they necessarily have anything better to put in that space, but it is a space that has conveniently been there for years and has allowed for all of us to meet and play the games we love with other so inclined individuals.

That being said some one else points out that the table fees aren't necessarily always enforced.
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treehugger
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What do you mean I have to put quarters in the pool table I buy a lot of beer here
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Eric



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think I tend to agree with Phil, I see the table fees as pretty reasonable. I live in a small house without space for a large dining room table and no space to store a gaming table. (My allocation of space for the hobby is pretty much taken up by the painting and hobby space). I figure $2.00 for large space to spread out and play on a 4x6 table and 3-4 hours of entertainment, that seems like a reasonable price. Especially since I don't buy something every time I am there.

I would like to see some of those dollars to fix up the space, but that is a minor gripe. Also, lately anyhow, I have been having a hard time finding a game store with available space for warhammer. Seems all of the space is allocated for MtG and other CCG's. So even at $2 it seems like a bargain.
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Grix007



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have seen other stores throughout my travels that charges a gaming fee. Its not that big of a deal for nice sized tables and space to hang out with friends to nerd out. That said it is somewhat depressing that other stores in the area hold events while GP does not. I understand that noone might want to step up, hell I cant fault someone for not wanting to do something I myself wont do. But I think events would help out a lot.

Another thing about the hoarding. Most of that stuff might sell... eventually... But if they were to expand the gaming space all the way to the windows it might do more than the currently move with the current stock there.

If Magic and Yugio are what pay the bills thats fine but from my view there is a bit of unused space to promote other systems and host events.
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Davall
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 10:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

M:tG and the other CCGs pay their bills. To be honest, they are most likely the only reason GPC survived the downturn/recession/whatever you want to call it.

The store does run events, but it is for the aforementioned CCGs and for the favorite systems that have organized play i.e. X-Wing, Attack Wing, Heroclix etc.

If we want more GW based events, we need to run them. We are due for a tournament for each system and a swap meet (hint hint). Put bluntly, the store itself will NOT organize and run these, it is up to us.

As to the bloat of old product, that horse is so damned dead it can't even be raised via Invocation of Nehek. We can stop flailing it, but who am I kidding as I like to take a whack at it fairly often.

TL:DR we have to do it ourselves if we want more/any events.
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hiportes



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PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 8:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just can't help but compare GPC to previous hobby shops that I have frequented to play Warhammer. In other shops there have been more built-in incentives to play and purchase at those shops. I have a nice board at home, and enough terrain to make things interesting. Here are some incentives to get gamers to actually come into a shop instead of playing at home. Comparing GPC to other shops I have played in:

Gaming board: I am bringing my own gaming mat because theirs are not the correct size and are generally in bad shape (there may be one mat there that is decent). Previous shops I have played in have had either 6x4 green boards or modular boards that can make a 6x4 table.

Terrain: I am bringing my own terrain because there is none available there. Previous shops I have played in had their own set of terrain (some provided by the players and I will explain later).

In-Store Discounts: This one is difficult for me, as the store needs to make money on its product, and shouldn't have to give a discount to sell it, due to them not setting the (generally expensive) prices. However, the truth is that most gamers (I think) would like to buy their product from the local shop, but can get it much cheaper online. I have been buying a few things from GPC as needed, but if I needed a large purchase, would I buy it from GPC? I don't know, and that is the problem. With a discount or incentive program, I would be much more likely to make big purchases there. Many shops offer discounts or loyalty programs. I have known some that give in-store credit as well, thus moving more of their product and still getting top money for most of it.

Apparent Game Interest: This is a bit more of an ephemeral piece, but something that is important. GPC does not seem all that interested in what we are bringing to the table (pun intended!). Rarely do I have any interaction about my hobby with the staff (tho the staff is very nice and courteous), except for recently with some good Wood Elf discussion. GPC also does not hold events (as Frank mentioned above). These do not have to be tournaments, they can be bitz swaps or something similar. Granted, we do not butter their bread, but a little more involvement would be nice. The more involved the staff is in our hobby, the more likely we are to buy from them (theoretically).

Community: The most important point of all. The main reason to come into GPC (the only reason for me really) is the community. I am paying (in theory, as I have only paid it once) the table fees to come join the community for a few hours of gaming fun, which is worth it for me. Without the strong and varied community, the reasons above would mean that I do not come into GPC on its merits alone. I just wish GPC itself would give more reasons to choose to play there.

Avast! All is not lost! The last point is an important one, and can be a remedy to several of the points above. Through the community, I think we can work on some of the above points, if people are willing. For example, we can run a few GPC tournaments where the entry cost is a set amount that goes toward a pool of money that is used to buy 6x4 mats and/or terrain for the store, which we can buy from the store, thus forcing them to get involved, they make money, and the store becomes friendlier to the gamers who come in to play. This improves the gaming mats, terrain, store interaction, and the community through more events. Just an idea.

Apologies for the long-windedness.

TL:DR -- GPC has lots to improve on, but we, as a community, can help.
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Casey
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 10:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't hate the table fee just to hate on it or whatever.

I figure going to a game store involves a bit of a social contract. I play at the store, so I decide to spend money at that store. I've spent a considerable amount of money, I checked it out a few years ago and it was getting close to five figures, at Game Parlor. I feel as though that myself and probably all of you guys have fulfilled your side of the social contract.

If they want to get some dollars out of the dorks who play D&D and wear dumb hats and never spend a dime there, sure, go ahead. That's fine. But we weren't the problem.

A combination of needing to save receipts with little box check marks, and the fact that Game Parlor no longer has a reliable chance of actually having something I want (oftentimes just something any store stocking GW would have on hand) just frustrated me.

Huzzah does not frustrate me, so I shop there now.
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