GW terrain policy RAGE!

[ChiTownPicaro]

How does this work? FUMBBL is an online way of playing Bloodbowl so how can the store host it?

I wasn't thinking when I said FUUMBL. I meant CRUMMBL. I play at the local Battle Bunker in Downers Grove, Illinois outside of CHicago. I play Necromunda there and I will be joining the bloodbowl leagues that will be starting up soon. I believe they will be having one starting very soon.

[Tresidentevil]

Why does this forum always descend into angry arguments?

[Ixe]

I have advertised games nights for people to drop by on if they dont know anyone that run until 11pm so people can get there after work.

And the type of customer I've spoken of will be well remembered by anyone thats ever owned or worked in a gaming store.

The comments in this thread seem to come down on two sides, and it's interesting to see that those sides seem to be customer vs store owner/worker.

Any store owner who thinks the customer is an adversary is, in my opinion, a doomed store owner. If it comes down to customers vs. owners, it's a fight the owner can't win--every time they do, they lose a customer. The question should be how to accommodate customers reasonably in a way that doesn't make them feel like you don't want their business anymore. And that's the problem with this GW store's new terrain policy. For years they've provided adequate terrain, and now for the sake of making us buy more terrain they no longer want to. Fine, they win--and they lose, because instead of buying their terrain I'll just mosey on down to the next store in my area.

[AndrewGPaul]

Has this been confirmed as a "GW policy"? I've not read past the first couple of pages, so apologies if it's been answered, but the OP created this thread based on the word of the store manager. It doesn't seem unreasonable that the sort of person who might implement such a draconian policy off their own back might also lie about it being imposed from above (along the same lines as store owners blaming distributor or manufacturer delays instead of admitting they didn't order what they said they'd order). IIRC, the OP or others did mention contacting a higher authority; was a response ever forthcoming?

Some of the comments aren't really "owner vs customer"; they're "owner vs freeloader". I agree that it's possible to convert a freeloader into a customer with some effort, but not every potential customer is worth the effort. Every business needs to target its sales effort to the most profitable customers.

[Solegga]

I find it hard to imagine a 3-piece-terrain battle. Real hard. Something's not right in this picture...

[IJW]

Has this been confirmed as a "GW policy"?

No, it hasn't.

Some of the comments aren't really "owner vs customer"; they're "owner vs freeloader". I agree that it's possible to convert a freeloader into a customer with some effort, but not every potential customer is worth the effort. Every business needs to target its sales effort to the most profitable customers.

All too true. And I say that both as someone who's worked in a gaming store and been one of the freeloaders at different times. It's very easy for a store to end up with a sizeable number of people coming through the door being people who will buy items once in a blue moon and hang around mouthing off, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere for the people who are going to buy stuff, especially new younger players.

[Mephisto Dragonbane]

Why does this forum always descend into angry arguments?

Anywhere that people get to express their views there will always be arguing because of the difference in opinions. It's just the way the world works. Not everyone see's something the same way.

[The Plastic Surgeon]

Well done GW! 1 less reason for people to engage with your single costliest marketing expense, your stores...

[yabbadabba]

Well done GW! 1 less reason for people to engage with your single costliest marketing expense, your stores...

I take it you didn't actually read the thread?

[BrainFireBob]

Has this been confirmed as a "GW policy"? I've not read past the first couple of pages, so apologies if it's been answered, but the OP created this thread based on the word of the store manager. It doesn't seem unreasonable that the sort of person who might implement such a draconian policy off their own back might also lie about it being imposed from above (along the same lines as store owners blaming distributor or manufacturer delays instead of admitting they didn't order what they said they'd order). IIRC, the OP or others did mention contacting a higher authority; was a response ever forthcoming?

Some of the comments aren't really "owner vs customer"; they're "owner vs freeloader". I agree that it's possible to convert a freeloader into a customer with some effort, but not every potential customer is worth the effort. Every business needs to target its sales effort to the most profitable customers.

A certain kind of customer- poor hygene, obnoxious, opionated, invasive, generally unpleasant- is bad to have hanging around the store, especially if all they buy is the odd tub of glue and always tie up all the tables.

The best thing for store owners is to have clean, polite players with well-painted armies. It provides the "I want to be that/have little Timmy be that" factor.

Most players are in-between, and it's really only the nadir pole that's the problem. We've got a clump in my area and I've seen them shut down a couple of stores over the last couple of decades. Stock languishes, not moving, they're possessive of "their" store, new people not wanted, etc- essentially, treating the store as the club they are too cheap to setup.

To the main topic, you've got an idiot manager there. Is he a wargamer? Try going to his boss, not corporate. Corporate will only intervene if it's something like an OSHA violation and you tell them "Fix it or I'll report you, with documentation, for 230 violations at $5000 apiece." My spouse works at a craft store and her district manager- who has a corporate background but not a craft background- complained that the floral area was "too messy looing" and requested they "organize the flowers by color, that's less cluttered." In this he included the floral arrangements.

If you know anything about flower crafts, that's just plain stupid. Either your store manager is a *****, misunderstood his boss, or is kowtowing to someone who is a *****.

ie, options:

1) "I'll do this and make money and it'll be awesome WHEEEEE!"
2) "You need to sell more terrain" "I'll do this and make money and it'll be awesome WHEEE!" *fails to inform boss of incipient stupidity*
3) "Do this because I am subject to stupidity!" "I'll make money WHEEEE!"

[decker_cky]

My local GW store tried something mildly similar to the OP when Storms of Magic came out. They said each player could only use one of their fulcrims in a game, and needed to bring their own for any extras (this was while they had plenty of suitable fulcrims in the store, so availability wasn't an issue). That lasted about a week and a half until three of the regulars got into a tiff with the manager over this, and near as I can tell, they don't go to that store anymore. Since these were three of the types of regulars that actually made regular purchases and would add an army on a whim, I can't imagine it was good for overall sales (and it killed interest in SoM for most of the other players).

[Torga_DW]

I take it you didn't actually read the thread?

Come on man, don't harsh his buzz.

[Inquisitor Shego]

Completely impartial here (or as much as I can be)

Some can. Some come in with nothing but their army case on a weekday, then hang around for hours doing nothing because theres no-one to play, because its a weekday, spending all their time whining about price rises, over powered units, armies being broken and just generally being a waste of space. These people are usually also unemployed and when they do buy something once a year, its off ebay.

I have seen dozens of these fellows in my time. You see the staff members roll their eyes when they walk in the store. We're not talking regular Vets who are Just Visiting (monopoly ref). No, they're like the Barney Gumble of GW shops. Its why though I am critical of GW in a few areas, I try not to do it in a store. GW staff have enough on their plates already.

As for the terrain policy. One thing I've found is GW seldom have a global plan for their stores, beyond make money. There's an element of free reign. If a GW store is cutting back on terrain, it might be down to storage, staff not having time to make it, or a local experiement to see how it plays out. I've seen things going on in my store, the town over has nothing to do with. Worth a ponder, or a call around to other stores.


And on the subject of people quoting CIV 4 for pricing:


"Everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it."
- Publius Syrius

[Vaiuri]

Deleted my previous post, it was OT.

Dont worry, be happy.

[Ixe]

I have seen dozens of these fellows in my time. You see the staff members roll their eyes when they walk in the store. We're not talking regular Vets who are Just Visiting (monopoly ref). No, they're like the Barney Gumble of GW shops. Its why though I am critical of GW in a few areas, I try not to do it in a store. GW staff have enough on their plates already.

I guess it would make sense if this store had a Barney they needed to get rid of, but they really don't. It's a nice clean store in a nice clean area. The Barneys would be a lot more attracted to another local store that's smack dab in the middle of Scarytown. But Simpsons reference FTW!

As for the terrain policy. One thing I've found is GW seldom have a global plan for their stores, beyond make money. There's an element of free reign. If a GW store is cutting back on terrain, it might be down to storage, staff not having time to make it, or a local experiement to see how it plays out. I've seen things going on in my store, the town over has nothing to do with. Worth a ponder, or a call around to other stores.

Yeah that sounds like the case (and GW customer service has officially deleted my e-mail inquiry about the subject, given how long it's been since I sent it).