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This issue was actually from a while ago and I have moved to a different location so this problem will (hopefully) not surface again... but I just would like to hear Dakka's opinions and ideas in case something like this does happen again in other places. Alright here we go...


So before I moved, I used to visit this LGS (the only one in the area) for playing MTG and Warhammer 40k. But the guys in the store... (the managers/owner) were in my opinion, dishonest and profit-hungry to unacceptable levels. Essentially 2 cases happened:

- Once a friend of mine purchased a Fortress of Redemption (the BIG terrain piece for 40k) but had to leave the area so gave it to me. Since I didn't have the time or resources to assemble, paint and use such a big project, I decided to ask my LGS (who sold the Fortress to my friend originally) to paint it up for use on the store gaming tables so that everyone could use them. Curiously enough, after a few days I saw a repackaged Fortress of Redemption on sale that wasn't there previously before. And yes, the Fortress never made it to the gaming tables. When I asked the people working at the store about it, it was either "I have no idea what you are talking about" or "The guy who was responsible for that, isn't here at the moment."
- When the last Necron Codex came out, the LGS was out of stock so I asked them to order one in. In a week or so it came in and I picked this "new" codex" up and took it back to my room to take a look. Interestingly enough, it took a hell of a beating in my backpack during my 20 min trip from the store to my room. Pages were clearly folded before hand, the edges were roughed up visibly, etc. It looked too similar to a secondhand codex you buy on eBay for half price.

Other, smaller cases such as being inaccurate about MTG singles conditions (saying mint when it was clearly barely near mint, etc) occurred. Now, I could just boycott the store and never buy anything from it but this represents several conundrums on my part: its the ONLY store I had access to and the employee (non-managers) were incredibly good people and fun to hang around with.
If the game store closes, I wouldn't have a place to game (hence support your FLGS motto) and those guys would become jobless. I mean contributions by one gamer such as myself wouldn't hurt the business too much but still... the morale judgment stands.



I mean I don't have this problem anymore since I moved and visit a FLGS that has much better business mindsets but.... Dakka, what would you do in this case? It's a rather touchy subject and should be handled with care.

Stop going to that store.

I would have stopped going to the store after the fortress issue. Once burned twice shy.

At least you're in a new area with a better store now. On the up side, stores like you describe usually don't last particularly long even when they are the only show in town.

I could give you a possible explanation (based upon a sampling of attitudes at a handful of conventions from 2000 - 2014, and a HUGE number of conventions from 1979 - 1993).

But I worry that what would be a statement of a series of facts be misunderstood as a value judgement, and things deteriorate into a mass of confusion and recrimination.

Simply put: you are going to run into those sorts of highly mercenary and selfish people in the gaming community.

They are rare, and not representative at all. But they stand out because of their rather strident and mercenary attitudes.

I've known people in gaming like that.

The good news is that those sorts tend to be fleeting compared to the more professional and less-selfish gamers and store owners.

MB

Who ever store employee you gave the fortress that's the one you should have asked. Your necron codex should have come in shrink wrap if not my guess would be that it was used and sold to you a new. I would have not set foot in that store again after the fortess incident. At least you have a new FLGS to spend your hard earned money.

Sounds like that place has issues. Did others have issues?

 Breotan wrote:
Stop going to that store.

...



Anyway, it seems as if you we still in the area, you'd be faced with a tough situation.

Only local store + good gaming environment + nice 'regular' employees vs. shady business practices...

You could continue to frequent the place and limit your purchases to ONLY what was on hand and 'verifiable'.

If they want to push you into buying more online, well, I guess that's their fault?

Tough call either way - and I'm surprised that more people haven't abandoned them if that's how their going to run the place.

Are the owners/managers not there much?

 Byte wrote:
Sounds like that place has issues. Did others have issues?

I'm not exactly sure. I didn't have a lot of friends around that place I talked to on a regular level but if it happened to me twice, I'm sure it happened to other people multiple times.

 Alpharius wrote:

 Breotan wrote:
Stop going to that store.

...

Anyway, it seems as if you we still in the area, you'd be faced with a tough situation.
Only local store + good gaming environment + nice 'regular' employees vs. shady business practices...
You could continue to frequent the place and limit your purchases to ONLY what was on hand and 'verifiable'.
If they want to push you into buying more online, well, I guess that's their fault?
Tough call either way - and I'm surprised that more people haven't abandoned them if that's how their going to run the place.
Are the owners/managers not there much?

They were... almost never there when I frequented (due to my schedule) so I didn't see them very often. And yes, I suppose what I could have done is purchase things that are only 'verifiable' on the hand...

 Breotan wrote:
Stop going to that store.

RIF.

I think Breotan read it just fine. Zaki said he didn't go to that store anymore but still asked 'what would you do?' The answer was perfectly valid.

That fortress issue is outright theft, and the codex is just unacceptable... it might be hard when it's the only LGS in the area, but honestly? I wouldn't give them another penny. As a consumer one must vote with their wallet, and such practices are unacceptable. Much of our hobby can be handled online. Show up for Friday Night Magic and releases if you had to (and you did since it's the only game in town) but you can at least take your wargaming independent of their poor practices.

I would have gotten a little note which they signed saying that the Fortress was mine.

Awkward? Yes. But it would be proof that it was yours and that this was theft.

 Vermis wrote:
I think Breotan read it just fine. Zaki said he didn't go to that store anymore but still asked 'what would you do?' The answer was perfectly valid.

The link is still good, then.

BeAfraid wrote:
I could give you a possible explanation (based upon a sampling of attitudes at a handful of conventions from 2000 - 2014, and a HUGE number of conventions from 1979 - 1993).

But I worry that what would be a statement of a series of facts be misunderstood as a value judgement, and things deteriorate into a mass of confusion and recrimination.

Simply put: you are going to run into those sorts of highly mercenary and selfish people in the gaming community.

They are rare, and not representative at all. But they stand out because of their rather strident and mercenary attitudes.

I've known people in gaming like that.

The good news is that those sorts tend to be fleeting compared to the more professional and less-selfish gamers and store owners.

MB

Agreed. Unfortunately it's really not all that rare either.

This hobby brings out, seemingly, the absolute best and really worst in people.

 Portugal Jones wrote:

 Vermis wrote:
I think Breotan read it just fine. Zaki said he didn't go to that store anymore but still asked 'what would you do?' The answer was perfectly valid.

The link is still good, then.

So is my answer. I generally don't visit stores that seem shady. I damned sure wouldn't ever give them anything on loan because I know I'll never see it again. Hell, I almost never leave anything at stores that do have a top notch reputation and honest, upright people working there.

So, in what city was this wretched hive located?

 Breotan wrote:
Stop going to that store.

 Matthew wrote:

 Breotan wrote:
Stop going to that store.

Then what?
He said :
"I used to visit this LGS (the only one in the area)"

cant really blame them. i guess they decided they didnt have the time and resources to paint that POS either. lol

 Breotan wrote:
Stop going to that store.

This. They stole your property and tried to sell it, they lied and sold you used (and damaged) goods as new, they lied about the condition of used stuff. How many more reasons do you need before you decide that a store is run by a bunch of dishonest s? The only question here is whether you can get a refund for the "new" codex or have to report it as fraud to your credit card company.

 Zaki66 wrote:
It's a rather touchy subject and should be handled with care.

What's touchy about it? They lied and cheated, the correct response to that is to get your money back (if you can), leave bad reviews everywhere to warn other people not to shop there, and never go back. It's only "touchy" if you have some bizarre belief that a store deserves your support just because they sell something you want, regardless of how bad they are.

Those who say they "stole" the fortress are a bit off base. He did give it to them. They didn't do with it what they agreed to, but it's a bit different. That said, it's still completely dishonest and if the fortress didn't appear on the game tables for folks to use I would not shop there. Further, I would make sure the management knows it. If it was the only place to play, you'd be in quite a bind. If I continued to play there I might buy just enough to keep from being banned from the store and keep playing there. Overall, I'd avoid places like that if possible. Play at home when possible and if the game store goes under, maybe one will open that is better run.

I do agree with the observation that the hobby can bring out the best and worst in people. I think most hobbies are likely the same way. I've been fairly invested in the LEGO hobby for some time now. While the community overall is really great it's remarkable some of the pettiness, immaturity and selfishness that sometimes occurs.