After years of going to the local GW, painting, playing etc, I've been noticing a trend with words that seem to come up again and again when discribing anything GW related. You will only hear these words from staff.

Firstly 'hobby'. This is used as an all encompasing description of GW and GW products. You have your Hobby Developers, Hobby Starter Set and it is used anytime a project or non-playing event instore is mention. Not only is it the word 'hobby' but specifically 'the hobby', as if it is the one and only anyone can have.

Secondly 'shiny'. Used to describe anything that is new, or even old. When something gets failcasted, it becomes 'shiny' again, even though it might be some old-as-hell cast which now lacks any of the physical properties that made it shiny. Yes, 'shiny' means new, but geez it wears on you after the first dozen times.

Hopefully I'm not the only one who sees these words creeping into general conversation with any GW staffer. Anyone else notice any other buzzwords?

Not sure about buzzwords, but all GW staff claim they will personally buy every single new release because of how awesome it is.

They must be really well paid.

Flashman wrote:Not sure about buzzwords, but all GW staff claim they will personally buy every single new release because of how awesome it is.

They must be really well paid.

Wait, sorry I misread.

Love the thread concept I've noticed that "random" often becomes "fun." The particular offenders were references to the OnG book and 8th edition charging range and forests.

Flashman wrote:Not sure about buzzwords, but all GW staff claim they will personally buy every single new release because of how awesome it is.

They must be really well paid.

Heh heh, yah, but do you really expect the people who work at the store will say anything different

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:Love the thread concept I've noticed that "random" often becomes "fun." The particular offenders were references to the OnG book and 8th edition charging range and forests.

Hey random in the O&G army is what makes it fun. Fanatics may kill you or may kill the enemy. It's fun waiting to figure out what happens...

Staffers get "career opportunities" and one of them is to " .....gaining a huge sense of satisfaction from delivering results within the context of Games Workshops needs and principles".
To enlist you need " enthusiasm for , hobbies and hobbyists..." So they gain satisfaction and become part of "the hobby".
Plus their income depends on: " Your pay is based on the sales of your store".
Be "in THE hobby" AND fithy rich...

Buzzwords exist. They are the code those clad in red shirts are trained to act upon. To speak a buzzword is to unlock the pacificator helmet...
................so just don'T.

Shiny.

Do they aim to misbehave as well?

There were a couple that I heard when I was a staffer (going back some years now, but not sure if they are still used). One was 'gribblies', used for Tyranids. Anyone who used that term I instantly labelled as being single. The second one, and this one was particularly irritating, was 'hobby love'. How does that make any sense, and what were they implying? They wanted me to come into work and mount them over the Realm of Battle Gameboard?

Ehsteve wrote:Firstly 'hobby'. This is used as an all encompasing description of GW and GW products. You have your Hobby Developers, Hobby Starter Set and it is used anytime a project or non-playing event instore is mention. Not only is it the word 'hobby' but specifically 'the hobby', as if it is the one and only anyone can have.

You only just noticed this? GW don't want to portray themselves as being part of the miniature wargaming industry. They want to portray themselves -as- the miniature wargaming industry.

Pacific wrote:They wanted me to come into work and mount them over the Realm of Battle Gameboard?

Dammit, Pacific. Now my computer screen and my lap are covered in coffee.

"The Hobby" has been a term used frequently by GW. It refers specifically to "The Games Workshop Hobby" which isn't just painting and gaming, but doing so specifically with their models.

One thing I've noticed is in White Dwarf. They almost never refer to their models as miniatures or models or what have you, but as "Citadel Miniatures" in almost every occasion. That makes sense from a branding standpoint, but leads to sentences like "I love seeing two armies of beautifully painted Citadel Miniatures clashing on the battlefield" and while it works in text, nobody ever talks like that. It's one they drive home pretty far.

Hobby and shiny.... 2 words that I am addicted to using when describing (resists urge to say the hobby) Games Workshop (I can't help it, it's just THERE) hobby to any one that asks!

And I don't work for GW.

Though I have just applied... lol

Another one is the 'Hobby Challenge'.

I'm pretty sure it's going to get to the point where this becomes like the smurfs, with GW staff replacing random words with 'hobby' in order to appeal to the younger audience

Do they still say '[has] been shot' in reference to ex staff members?

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Ehsteve wrote:Firstly 'hobby'. This is used as an all encompasing description of GW and GW products. You have your Hobby Developers, Hobby Starter Set and it is used anytime a project or non-playing event instore is mention. Not only is it the word 'hobby' but specifically 'the hobby', as if it is the one and only anyone can have.

You only just noticed this? GW don't want to portray themselves as being part of the miniature wargaming industry. They want to portray themselves -as- the miniature wargaming industry.

...Wait, you mean there's more than 40k/ Fantasy?!

Kidding of course. I'm starting to get the itch for Malifaux.

DoctorZombie wrote:
...Wait, you mean there's more than 40k/ Fantasy?!

Why yes there is! There's also Lord of the Rings and Dreadfleet!

Pacific wrote:There were a couple that I heard when I was a staffer (going back some years now, but not sure if they are still used). One was 'gribblies', used for Tyranids. Anyone who used that term I instantly labelled as being single. The second one, and this one was particularly irritating, was 'hobby love'. How does that make any sense, and what were they implying? They wanted me to come into work and mount them over the Realm of Battle Gameboard?

Thats just GW manager speak for ;" If you want to keep your job,come in on your day off to the shop and paint,model etc, bonus points if you buy something big and 'wow' the local crowd that day like a baneblade, dragon, 'instert expensive model here'.


Used in a sentence as : "if you have any hobby love, you will come in and work for free to help 'promote' 'The Hobby,c,tm(GWplc,c,tm)'.

George Spiggott wrote:Do they still say '[has] been shot' in reference to ex staff members?

The one I heard alot off was 'virus bomb'. As in the GW inquisition comes into a store, when the staffers start to show up they ask them who they are then tell them they are no longer employed with GW and are 'escourted' out of the store. Used as a noun as in ' Wow the richmond store got virus bombed' ie everybody canned. Or "They are going to virus bomb that store soon."

Heh, GW staffers were using 'Gribblies' when I first started playing. I can't recall any particular buzzwords at the moment, but then I havnt set foot in a GeeDub store for some years now.

'Shiny' and 'Virus Bomb' certainly ring a bell in my sleep deprived and generally knackered brain but as for anything else....

Ohh ohh I remember! It's not really a buzzword, more like a buzz-sentence, but 'Squats? No. Not in here' springs to mind. Heard that one a lot...

The one that gets me is the word "collect," which sounds way fancier than "buy" or "own" or "waste money on and watch collect dust in the closet." As in, "what armies do you collect?"

I get that not everybody plays, and not everybody paints, but calling the act of buying hobby kits "collecting" seems insidious. Like, I'm not just a lazy hobbyist with poor impulse control, I'm a dedicated collector! (BTW, see my thread in the swap shop for great deals on things I've "collected!" http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/391859.page)

Flashman wrote:Not sure about buzzwords, but all GW staff claim they will personally buy every single new release because of how awesome it is.

They must be really well paid.

I was shopping for a car recently, and two different salespeople said they drove the same car I was looking at. Which means either I have amazing taste, they don't make very much, or are liars. I decided all three and bought something else.

Collect is not an unusual word in the UK, so a few Britishisms wafting down to the colonies is to be expected.

"I collect XYZ" seems pretty natural to me and certainly isnt a buzzword here.

Gribblies for monsters/bugs/aliens is a pretty common one though and I can remember GW mail oredr trolls using it on the phone in the early 90s. Seems to have spread throughout the general hobby though.

Shiney is pretty common parlance as well, heard a few "my precious's" as well. Thats pretty fething wierd.

I actually usually associate a high pitched squeel and general over enthusiasm as signiture GWisms. I dont tend to bother listening to the actual words.

GW staff buzzwords: "So what's this for?" then there are a few variations that follow this:
"So, what else do you need?"
"Why don't you get a ....?"
"Do you have enough paint/glue/insanity?"

Its the reason I tend to avoid GW unless theres no other option.

Yeah I forgot about that sort of thing, the oft asked "So what are you into?" comes to mind.

I have yet to pluck up the courage to respond with "Hardcore S&M, do you wanna see my piercings?"

I hate the way they have to add 40k phrases to everything. "Virus Bomb" is a good example and "Inquisition" but it goes all the way through the company. Cell Managers are "Veteran Sergants". It does my head in.

Not long after I left the store staff were told they had to aquila salute the store manager when he came in.

I dont know that was his idea or HQs but I would have refused.

One of the "shirts" out here seems so invested in following GW's scripts that common sense is thrown out the window. This person has a very annoying habit of walking up to me, looking at what I'm doing (usually the same thing I've been doing for the past several days) and asking, "So, what are you working on today?" When I answer, "The same thing I've been doing the last two days." that person responds with, "Well, you could be doing something different. I won't know unless I ask." While I usually don't feed the troll, the "inside voice" is going, "Really? Are you that stupid or just blind?". I never let the inside voice out, though. Mostly.

The other "shirts" are more casual in their approach, saying things like, "More Skaven?" or "Is that the same unit you were working on yesterday?" or "Hey! Those look like the same rats I painted for you."

chromedog wrote:Shiny.

Do they aim to misbehave as well?

They are brainwashed by the oni bar.
Just walk in the shop and say "Miranda."

Lol.

There's a store in a place CALLED 'Miranda' here.

not been into a GW store for ages but the only one i can remember was" overwatch" ...used when an atractive female walked past the store ..

Eh, I dont rlly care if the GW employes are pretending to be nice and are just trying to sell me stuff, I would rather they pretend to be nice then to be mean!

Castiel wrote:GW staff buzzwords: "So what's this for?" then there are a few variations that follow this:
"So, what else do you need?"
"Why don't you get a ....?"
"Do you have enough paint/glue/insanity?"

Its the reason I tend to avoid GW unless theres no other option.

My favorite is if they ask if I need primer. The guy that runs my GW says that almost every time, and never asks if I need any other paints.

Because everyone needs primer, honestly. I need some right now come to think of it!

I hear the staff say 'toy soldiers' a lot...

No buzzwords from me either, I visited a GW store the last time 3 years ago. And left rather quickly after the redshirt asked:
"So, what does your son collect?"
I felt so OLD at that moment.. but the worst thing was my wife, laughing her a** off beside me

Some of the Buzzwords that I have collected over the years are
"rock on", "would you like a White Dwarf with that?" and " let me develope your hobby".

There's some amusing stuff coming up on memegenerator under "Games Workshop Guy"....

http://memegenerator.net/Games-Workshop-Guy

"Haven't you heard of the unreliable narrator" made me chuckle.

They are required by the higher ups to do things by the book. They don't have a lot of breathing room and people are ALWAYS on their ass. Trust me, it's not flowers and sunshine.

As a person who has good friends working at GW, Surtur is totally right. They pretty much HAVE to upsell the White Dwarves and other supplies if they want to keep their jobs.

As much as it is a retail hell to shop in a GW store, it is Dante's 7th level of hell to WORK in one. Trust me.

Surtur wrote:They are required by the higher ups to do things by the book. They don't have a lot of breathing room and people are ALWAYS on their ass. Trust me, it's not flowers and sunshine.

Yeah. The real target is not the sorry guys who have to do this stuff, its the blinkered corporate douchebags that force the lowly paid employees into such embarrassing behaviour.

My first trip to a g-dub the manager within five seconds asked what my disposable income level was. I just lol, and said not enough man not enough.

I guess I'll really have to seize the initiative here and suggest you buy a white dwarf subscription.

I have a few questions.

Where do you find these sayings?

In gamesworkshop's stores, on their websites and in their webvertising. You see it in their white dwarfs and you see it in their books.

I defy you to prove me wrong.

My next question must be along these lines, "when I go into a gamesworkshop store, what am I intending to focus on for the time that I am in that store?"

Well, what do I focus on when I'm in their store, on their website or reading their material?

I'm focussing on them, their Hobby. The 'Gamesworkshop Hobby.'

I mean, I am sorry. But the hobby is acceptable by every means. You're not going to get a red shirt talking about flames of war. You're not going to get a white dward article covering the methods by which you can procure the engine components for a 1/72 King tiger. Why? Because they aren't focussing on that hobby. That's not their Hobby. That's not the hobby that you're focussing on when you take in GW materials.

Why should it be any different?

I respect the whole 'it seems like' but as much as they seem to deny the existance of other games, its not by a fault of their own. they ignore FoW because it is an ant to them. literally. They are the worlds biggest modelling and wargaming producer by far. They embody the hobby.

Sure. When I think 'Model' I imagine that small 1/72 Airfix Sherman. The first model I ever put together. I still have it. But when I imagine Wargame, Modelling Hobby or anything by that is linked to it, I think gamesworkshop.

But, of course, like usual, this opinion is invalid because it is not in support of this total anti-GW crap that goes on this site, Like they're the first company to think they're able to charge what they want, like they're the only company that has ever ripped off loyal customers.

A few come to mind.

"hobby gene" as explaining the reason why we all like must get excited over new products, buy it immediately and paint it.

"hobby fix" ah, you have come in for your hobby fix what are you painting / building at the moment.

"need vs want!" You never need something (at time of purchase) you just want it.

"beakies" used to describe any SM....

Scipio Africanus wrote:
But, of course, like usual, this opinion is invalid because it is not in support of this total anti-GW crap that goes on this site, Like they're the first company to think they're able to charge what they want, like they're the only company that has ever ripped off loyal customers.

Unless I've missed something, this thread seems to be picking up more on sales peccadilloes and buzzwords rather than bashing GW in general. Yes, these posts come up as people explain buzzwords they've heard or why they believe they exist, but I think you've misplaced your response.

Your opinion is entirely valid, though I truly don't think this was an opinion thread to begin with.


On Topic: Not a GW store around here I visit, but I've met former GW workers who stated that pushing White Dwarf using the adjective "Broad" in terms of it's coverage was difficult.

Scipio Africanus wrote:But, of course, like usual, this opinion is invalid because it is not in support of this total anti-GW crap that goes on this site, Like they're the first company to think they're able to charge what they want, like they're the only company that has ever ripped off loyal customers.

You made some great points in your posts, not necessarily for this thread, but still your points made sense. I just think that a lighthearted thread about jargon probably doesn't need a lecture on why the jargon exisits. Still not a bad post.

Than you tack on the quoted section. Which is a very passive aggressive way of short circuiting any response. You're basically assuming that this site is rabidly anti-GW, that pro-GW opinons are never given any credence, and that any negative response to your thread comes from that bias, not actual disagreement.

If you want to feel like an opressed minority that has a monopoly on truth, I suppose that's your right. Just realize that you basically were just as guache as a person making a "failcost" joke out of context.

To be honest, in writing my last lines, I expected a slightly different response to the comment. I was using it as a 'take it as you want to.'

You'll also notice that I didn't call GW a good company, I just said that I don't agree with constant anti-GW.

Ehsteve wrote:.

Firstly 'hobby'. This is used as an all encompasing description of GW and GW products. You have your Hobby Developers, Hobby Starter Set and it is used anytime a project or non-playing event instore is mention. Not only is it the word 'hobby' but specifically 'the hobby', as if it is the one and only anyone can have.

This is the one I notice most. I realize that other hobbies may also use this term, but there is something different in the way GW uses it.

I can't totally put my finger on it, but it's more than just the everpresent-and-totally-innane implication that GW is the alpha and omega of tabletop Wargaming.

I don't understand. We all love something that someone we hate makes. I just don't understand why they are so grubbly about getting our money and so shovenistic about us buying their things. I feel like whenever i go on gamesworkshop.com a sales man comes up to me and pressures me to buy things.

Gamesworkshop 'eavy metal painters aren't all that anyways, my painting is twice as good as theirs yet they potray themselves as gods creations when it comes to modelling. Yeah they're good but the stuff they paint is cartoony.

"This was painted by out "EAVY METALLLL TEAM! If you wana be THISSS good you need to buy HOW TO PAINT SPEEIS MARINESSS! $40!!!!"

I quote this from the BRB

"White Dwarf magazine is Games Workshop's Monthly Hobby Supplement, an essential publication for everyone who is interested in any aspect of The Games Workshop hobby.

shadowsnip wrote:Gamesworkshop 'eavy metal painters aren't all that anyways, my painting is twice as good as theirs yet they potray themselves as gods creations when it comes to modelling.

Your painting isn't that good. Feel free to post pictures if your work is really twice as good as that of the 'eavy metal team though.

Couldn't pass this up!

shadowsnip wrote:
I quote this from the BRB

"White Dwarf magazine is Games Workshop's Monthly Hobby Supplement, an essential publication for everyone who is interested in any aspect of The Games Workshop hobby.

It should read

"White Dwarf magazine is Games Workshop's Monthly miniatures Catalog, a moderately usefull publication for someone who wants paper versions of the online shop webpages. Mostly useless to those with interest in the Tabletop WarGaming Hobby.

FabricatorGeneralMike wrote:

George Spiggott wrote:Do they still say '[has] been shot' in reference to ex staff members?

The one I heard alot off was 'virus bomb'. As in the GW inquisition comes into a store, when the staffers start to show up they ask them who they are then tell them they are no longer employed with GW and are 'escourted' out of the store. Used as a noun as in ' Wow the richmond store got virus bombed' ie everybody canned. Or "They are going to virus bomb that store soon."

The term in Canada for that kind of event is Exterminatus. They've done it to quite a few stores up here.

Also, they are given very strict rules about what to say to people when they come into the store. "What are you working on?" Every. fething. Store. Every. Time. Especially if they don't recognize you, or haven't seen you in a couple of weeks.

It was mentioned earlier, but to be fair to the staff (I've known one or two) it is killing them on the inside to act that way. They know their behaviour is cringe worthy.

In my experience the best time to shop in a GW store is seconds after it opens because it's usually empty and the staff haven't had time to read the script yet!!

My local GW is closing in two days...the nearest one is much further away...
Guess I should post some buzzwords whilst they exist

Hello [Insert name here]
The staff remember the majority of the store goers names as some of them Literally come in every day.

You seen the new [Insert new product here] They're so awesome arent they?

Oh yeah Ima start a new army of [insert newly introduced army here]

Besides that, my store are kinda normal.

Them pushing people to buy paints and stuff can be difficult, but to be expected. This GW I used to go to and started the hobby is closing most likely because it didnt make enough money.

latrodectus wrote:

FabricatorGeneralMike wrote:

George Spiggott wrote:Do they still say '[has] been shot' in reference to ex staff members?

The one I heard alot off was 'virus bomb'. As in the GW inquisition comes into a store, when the staffers start to show up they ask them who they are then tell them they are no longer employed with GW and are 'escourted' out of the store. Used as a noun as in ' Wow the richmond store got virus bombed' ie everybody canned. Or "They are going to virus bomb that store soon."

The term in Canada for that kind of event is Exterminatus. They've done it to quite a few stores up here.

Also, they are given very strict rules about what to say to people when they come into the store. "What are you working on?" Every. fething. Store. Every. Time. Especially if they don't recognize you, or haven't seen you in a couple of weeks.

GW is simply closing all the mall locations as their lease contracts expire and come up for renewal. A couple of the mall stores - probably White Oaks in London & Square One in the GTA will probably survive though, simply because those malls have insane levels of traffic 24/7.

Exterminatus was reserves for stores that did something incredibly stupid like the staff 'accidently' misplacing/recieving boatloads of 'damaged' product and within a couple weeks having armies that rather suspiciously resembled said writen-off product!
Hell, my store drove Ash to the limits of his sanity with what would always happen to us, but we never got exterminatus'ed! Things got so out of hand that when we'd call him, it was never "how's it going?!" but rather, "****, what happened now?!!" We only closed because the mall we were in was planning on trippling our rent and adding a 'no noise' clause to any new contract... (I could routinely be heard well down the hall when running events or large demo games on weekends! )

As for our store's local slang, well, my last manager was also a stand-up insult comic. Suffice to say, every day was a new experience more comical than the last! ('sweet zombie-Jesus', 'Fingerpaint!' and 'well, fluffer-nutters' being among my personal favs)

Like most retail they have to try to come across as a friend of the customer, as if them answering your questions or guiding you towards a certain product is doing you a favour. Sometimes it works out and is spot on (I'd wager the few that manage this are the good ones, that'd do the company good to keep around), yet we mostly hear of the bad ones likely out of frustration.

Stuff like this.



The bad gets circulated around more than the good as customers expect the good thus it is no surprise when it goes to plan. Yet when it doesn't it sticks in the memory and thanks to the internet gets spread around constantly. In this way I guess you could say the internet is a soap box.

Scipio Africanus wrote:To be honest, in writing my last lines, I expected a slightly different response to the comment. I was using it as a 'take it as you want to.'

You'll also notice that I didn't call GW a good company, I just said that I don't agree with constant anti-GW.

The constant hate is a little annoying, but then again so is the constant white knighting; two sides of the same coin, opinion without fact nor reason to structure it.
Needs a balance in my opinion that we'll likely never see. Not just sticking to one side and remaining blind to the other.

1hadhq wrote:Staffers get "career opportunities" and one of them is to " .....gaining a huge sense of satisfaction from delivering results within the context of Games Workshops needs and principles".
To enlist you need " enthusiasm for , hobbies and hobbyists..." So they gain satisfaction and become part of "the hobby".

Is it me or does that sound like something from a cult recruiter's flyer?

Tresson wrote:

1hadhq wrote:Staffers get "career opportunities" and one of them is to " .....gaining a huge sense of satisfaction from delivering results within the context of Games Workshops needs and principles".
To enlist you need " enthusiasm for , hobbies and hobbyists..." So they gain satisfaction and become part of "the hobby".

Is it me or does that sound like something from a cult recruiter's flyer?

You haven't read job descriptions very much, then.

That's actually pretty straightforward and honest, when compared to others.

curran12 wrote:

Tresson wrote:

1hadhq wrote:Staffers get "career opportunities" and one of them is to " .....gaining a huge sense of satisfaction from delivering results within the context of Games Workshops needs and principles".
To enlist you need " enthusiasm for , hobbies and hobbyists..." So they gain satisfaction and become part of "the hobby".

Is it me or does that sound like something from a cult recruiter's flyer?

You haven't read job descriptions very much, then.

That's actually pretty straightforward and honest, when compared to others.

Yes its from the cult pamphlet...

The funny thing is, they put this in english in a german WD, but request an answer in german. A bit indecisive they are...

Howard A Treesong wrote:

shadowsnip wrote:Gamesworkshop 'eavy metal painters aren't all that anyways, my painting is twice as good as theirs yet they potray themselves as gods creations when it comes to modelling.

Your painting isn't that good. Feel free to post pictures if your work is really twice as good as that of the 'eavy metal team though.

I'll let you be the judge, I'll post a thread later today with my latest CSM and you can decide for yourself

The 'eavy metal are gods of marketting for gw.

The asset that gw has is awesome models (some of them truly are.) the painters are good enough to convey this to budding players, amd inspire them to play the game.

shadowsnip wrote:

Howard A Treesong wrote:

shadowsnip wrote:Gamesworkshop 'eavy metal painters aren't all that anyways, my painting is twice as good as theirs yet they potray themselves as gods creations when it comes to modelling.

Your painting isn't that good. Feel free to post pictures if your work is really twice as good as that of the 'eavy metal team though.

I'll let you be the judge, I'll post a thread later today with my latest CSM and you can decide for yourself

I lol'd when I looked at your thread. You's a funny guy.

latrodectus wrote:

FabricatorGeneralMike wrote:

George Spiggott wrote:Do they still say '[has] been shot' in reference to ex staff members?

The one I heard alot off was 'virus bomb'. As in the GW inquisition comes into a store, when the staffers start to show up they ask them who they are then tell them they are no longer employed with GW and are 'escourted' out of the store. Used as a noun as in ' Wow the richmond store got virus bombed' ie everybody canned. Or "They are going to virus bomb that store soon."

The term in Canada for that kind of event is Exterminatus. They've done it to quite a few stores up here.

Also, they are given very strict rules about what to say to people when they come into the store. "What are you working on?" Every. fething. Store. Every. Time. Especially if they don't recognize you, or haven't seen you in a couple of weeks.

Yeppers, I live in BC and have been 'virus bombed' before, kinda sucks. it's funny that you live in toronto ont and the first time I heard about that was in relation to the Eatons Center store.

Here's a few:

"Fair enough"

"Right on"

"So what brings you by today?"

My store is pretty cool and I have an understanding with them (although the new crop of shirts need to be trained...I swear I just got the last batch the way I liked them)

And for fun:





This was actually true during 3rd and some of 4th

I went into a GW at the weekend to take advantage of GWs returns policy to swap a gift for the new VC stuff.

A convivial conversation was had about having children and hobbying, naming said children (silly names the mrs wants vs proper Viking names) and the merits or not of GWs new line of bigger models - all very pleasant no hard sale at all.

Then he ruined it when I approched the till "so are there any hobby supplies you need?".

Gahh! so close dude, so close.

I don't mind being asked if I need any hobby supplies, because I usually DO need something (plastic glue, liquid greenstuff, Chaos Black etc.), but forget about it.

To be honest, if you think GW is weird and buzzword-y, try going to an Apple store - it's how all shops would be like if the nazis had won the war. They literally brainwash their staff. I find them very creepy.

Albatross wrote: To be honest, if you think GW is weird and buzzword-y, try going to an Apple store - it's how all shops would be like if the nazis had won the war. They literally brainwash their staff. I find them very creepy.

Staff and super users. I swear it's like a different language with those people sometimes.

Just the game tactical squad today. No, I do not want to put in a pre-order for skull vilage . I don't want any obligation to come back here. You see, the longer I spend in here, the more horrible the crimes I imagine committing. If I have to come back here I'll be be flirting with organ harvesting or zodiac killing

One sentence I heard a lot back then was "You play Guard, cool! So, have you seen *insert release of the month here*?"

BrookM wrote:One sentence I heard a lot back then was "You play Guard, cool! So, have you seen *insert release of the month here*?"

That's the inanity with which I'm most familiar: "So, now you've spent half an hour opening all of my Huron blisters and tutting, how would you like to buy some Ogres?".

Not too far from what actually went down when I hit the local GW a few months back.

The employee was very adamant about how lucky I was that they still had some copies in stock. When I politely declined he looked genuinely sad.

Never heard shiny before.

But whenever one of them says 'online' they usually always mean the boring-arse crap on the GW website, not the rest of the internet.

Also, 'need any primer/modelling supplies/paint?'


If I needed your expensive primer, I would've grabbed it before I walked up here to buy this overpriced box of chaos marines!

>"I play chaos marines"
>"Oh, you should buy the WHFB starter set! It's a great way to learn fantasy!"

I never know what to say. I always want to say "No, Feth fantasy, I don't give a Gak about it. It's lame as gak", but I usually end up saying "No, not today. Maybe some other time".



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DarkTraveler777 wrote:


Not too far from what actually went down when I hit the local GW a few months back.

The employee was very adamant about how lucky I was that they still had some copies in stock. When I politely declined he looked genuinely sad.

yes. x1000 times yes.

When you go into a GW store, and all the old staff have been promoted, moved to bigger store,etc.
Does that mean sacked ?

Or quit.

The guy from my local GW uses the same words the OP quoted in abundance. It could be that we both frequent the same store though as we are both in AUS.

They do a good job those GW store workers though, would be a hard gig. I don't think I would enjoy it at all, Prob quit the first week having to shove sales down peoples throat like that. If I'm going to buy something I'll mention it nice and early in the convo so he can put the sales pitch to the side. I feel like saying "Just relax man, I'm going to buy something".

Flashman wrote:Not sure about buzzwords, but all GW staff claim they will personally buy every single new release because of how awesome it is.

They must be really well paid.

They get a massive store discount.

When did this go from "quote some funny/annoying phrases you hear at your local GW often" to "abuse GW employees for doing their job"? 'Cos that's pretty much what I'm seeing.

I mean, they ain't perfect, but they're still people, and they're in a tough position.

Then he ruined it when I approched the till "so are there any hobby supplies you need?".

Yes, heaven forfend that they remind you of anything you need to paint or put together what you just bought, how dare they make money on your purchase!

Feel free to criticise GW as a company, but attacking their employees when those employees don't really have a choice is a tad unfair.

Dr. Delorean wrote:When did this go from "quote some funny/annoying phrases you hear at your local GW often" to "abuse GW employees for doing their job"? 'Cos that's pretty much what I'm seeing.

I mean, they ain't perfect, but they're still people, and they're in a tough position.

Then he ruined it when I approched the till "so are there any hobby supplies you need?".

Yes, heaven forfend that they remind you of anything you need to paint or put together what you just bought, how dare they make money on your purchase!

Feel free to criticise GW as a company, but attacking their employees when those employees don't really have a choice is a tad unfair.

I agree. The Red Shirts I have meet are great guys. I have not meet a bad Red Shirt in my time of War Gaming. Thumbs up to you, Sir.

Seconded, I understand why people get annoyed at the cross sell tactic, but at the end of the day it's the primary responsibility for someone in that role. It's more annoying for them when you say "no", especially if it's delivered in a gakky tone of voice (theoretically speaking of course). Personally I'd rather they ask and prompt me to remember that my plastic glue is all clogged up and I'd have an easier time of modelling if I just replaced it rather than get home and go "ffs, shoulda got some". </example> </rant>

kitch102 wrote:Seconded, I understand why people get annoyed at the cross sell tactic, but at the end of the day it's the primary responsibility for someone in that role. It's more annoying for them when you say "no", especially if it's delivered in a gakky tone of voice (theoretically speaking of course). Personally I'd rather they ask and prompt me to remember that my plastic glue is all clogged up and I'd have an easier time of modelling if I just replaced it rather than get home and go "ffs, shoulda got some". </example> </rant>

I agree.

I notice good and bad sales techniques more I guess, since I was in sales for 10 years. Upselling hobby products is a no brainer and the least I would expect. If It didnt happen I would probably ask why the staff were not doing their job, and not just in GW either.

This said a 'shirt in Birmingham GW tried to sell me the benefits of Finecast, his pitch? Dropped finecast mini on the floor 'It doesnt break!' Slow hand claps all round,

Sure, I think if you have sales experience its easier to understand that they're only doing their job, if you don't have it then it may be harder to see and therefore more annoying.

Sounds like some staff need a little re-educating on pitches though lol , I guess its that kind of approach that annoys people, boring, dull and i guess a little dumb

I'm surprised the term Waaagh! hasn't come up in some context yet.

Most of these just seems to be sales 101.

The one that annoys me is "Why not?". Usually in reference to the Dreadknight.

BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE I ATE A BITS BOX AND THAT'S WHAT SURVIVED MY DIGESTIVE TRACT.

(Also £28? Are you mental!?)

its not the upselling that most people are peed off about its the hamfisted way they aproch it !

they are a boutique style shop who should know there customer base .

so instead of roboticly saying " do you need any glue or paints? " they should {after asking the customer about themselfs} be useing open leading qrestions like

" is there anything else i can help you with today " or " did you find everything you were after ?"
this not only engages the customer and comes across as more emphatic but also opens up the opertunity to talk about other higher value products than paint and glue .

so they should be listening to the customers needs offering pertanent advice and then tayloring there selling style to meet that indervidual .

rather than the above examples ,
ant staff on here ? do GW give training to there staff on service elements ? eg; the six customer service styles etc ?

CURNOW wrote:its not the upselling that most people are peed off about its the hamfisted way they aproch it !

they are a boutique style shop who should know there customer base .

so instead of roboticly saying " do you need any glue or paints? " they should {after asking the customer about themselfs} be useing open leading qrestions like

" is there anything else i can help you with today " or " did you find everything you were after ?"
this not only engages the customer and comes across as more emphatic but also opens up the opertunity to talk about other higher value products than paint and glue .

so they should be listening to the customers needs offering pertanent advice and then tayloring there selling style to meet that indervidual .

rather than the above examples ,
ant staff on here ? do GW give training to there staff on service elements ? eg; the six customer service styles etc ?

You mean like this ?

This thread really makes me want to make a GW hate meme of the same style...

Dreadfleet reminds me of Pirates of The Caribbean 3...and I donno if that's a good thing or not lol
it grows on me but I donno if I have 135+ to drop on it...though I am sure I can get it for cheaper

When I worked for GW, we had weekly training on sales techniques. All of these pissed me off as they tried to make us into the robotic salesmen that everyone is annoyed by. During a brief sting when we didn't have a full time manager, the other redshirt and I managed to kick the rest of the area's sales numbers in the gutter. Why? Because we DIDN'T use their robotic sales pitches and actually talked to people, like...people. I also found that if I was honest with people (yes the superglue you can get for a dollar is just as good as this overpriced crap) they would appreciate my commitment to them as customers and tended to come back and spend more!

Rant off

CURNOW wrote:not been into a GW store for ages but the only one i can remember was" overwatch" ...used when an atractive female walked past the store ..

HA!


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Todosi wrote:When I worked for GW, we had weekly training on sales techniques. All of these pissed me off as they tried to make us into the robotic salesmen that everyone is annoyed by. During a brief sting when we didn't have a full time manager, the other redshirt and I managed to kick the rest of the area's sales numbers in the gutter. Why? Because we DIDN'T use their robotic sales pitches and actually talked to people, like...people. I also found that if I was honest with people (yes the superglue you can get for a dollar is just as good as this overpriced crap) they would appreciate my commitment to them as customers and tended to come back and spend more!

Rant off

Just curious how long you lasted before they gave you the boot!?

I do dread the day i walk in to a GW store and see A) new staff member B) temporary cover staff. As i know i will get the "so are you new to the hobby" type questions... That i dont get from staff that know me.

I can take the "do you need any hobby supplies" as its generally very helpful and i dont mind the "whats brings you in the store today" questions.

I find saying that im jobless at the moment and have a limited budget generally helps.

My local manager is fantastic.

Decided to deliberately wind up and ask if I needed a stompa with my single pot of bleached bone. He couldn't stop himself from cracking up laughing at it.

Some staff know the drill - they know when to ask and when not to ask and they're not blatant salesbots.

I don't know folks. I've only been to 3 GW stores (all in the UK, strangely, as I live in the NE US) and even the one at Warhammer World the salesman treated me like a person. Yes, he tried to sell his products, that was his job! The point's been made already that people with sales experience understand it a little better, and I think that's dead on. I sold computers for a major retailer years ago, and we had to use the same kind of (stylized for the market) lingo, got in trouble if we didn't try to up-sell (nevermind that the family only needed a base line machine and was on a seriously limited budget), and ALWAYS had to try to sell the store's credit card.

Look at it this way, at least GW hasn't started offering lines of credit yet.

I treat game-store salesman with as much courtesy as I can - it's just like any other salesman, or waiter, or anything else - they're just doing their job. Are they corny? Yeah, a lot of the time. But how many of us haven't been at some point?

I've had a few nice blokes as managers of my local stores (I've moved house a few times) but they've all been moved on or left the GW shadow.

The one question I get asked on my infrequent meanderings into the local store is:

"What are you looking for?"

My response. "Inspiration."

I see their boxes and blisters of stuff as so much raw materials and bits for other projects.

I've not done this in a while, though. Even looking in the store costs me more than I'm willing to spend.
(Dignity, self-respect, sanity).

chromedog wrote:"What are you looking for?"

My response. "Inspiration."

Have you considered a subscription to our White Dwarf magazine?"

Well WD would inspire me to make a GW related magazine. Since that one is such a rag POS.... Surely anyone monkey make make a better magazine.

The gw near me knows better then to try and sell me anything [since I never buy new] and since no one really seems to know what armies I play and don't play it makes it rather hard come new releases, so they tend not to bother, well except with paint and brushes, two things I frequently buy.
they were quite shocked when I came in and bought dreadfleet, though I had been generally unresponsive to the idea I had since found interested parties, and that game looks ungodly cheesy, which I love [I like to tank it was planned]

ParatrooperSimon wrote:

CURNOW wrote:not been into a GW store for ages but the only one i can remember was" overwatch" ...used when an atractive female walked past the store ..

HA!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Todosi wrote:When I worked for GW, we had weekly training on sales techniques. All of these pissed me off as they tried to make us into the robotic salesmen that everyone is annoyed by. During a brief sting when we didn't have a full time manager, the other redshirt and I managed to kick the rest of the area's sales numbers in the gutter. Why? Because we DIDN'T use their robotic sales pitches and actually talked to people, like...people. I also found that if I was honest with people (yes the superglue you can get for a dollar is just as good as this overpriced crap) they would appreciate my commitment to them as customers and tended to come back and spend more!

Rant off

Just curious how long you lasted before they gave you the boot!?

They never did. I left when an opportunity in my real career presented itself. My manager loved the both of us and mostly went along with the "training" simply because he had to.