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lol, i could never work in a shop
my "customer service skills" are not the best in the world lol

all the best to ya though, and might have to pop in at some point since i got some time away from the base comming up soon.

I think the most annoying thing I have ever seen was a redshirt stopping a couple of twelve year olds from playing a game with unpainted models.

"Sorry, to use the store tables the models have to be painted at least 3 colors."

I couldn't believe it. This is a hobby store that sells one line of products and has a gaming space built into it. Anyone who throws down $45.00 for a plastic tank should be able to play on the table for as long as they like, in my opinion. It disgusted me that they could be that disdainful of their own customers.

No, it's pretty common to ask for models to be painted.

After all, consider the gaming tables an exchange. You don't pay to play on them, but instead are asked to use painted models to promote the bigger hobby.

doc, how many kids want models for thier birthday or xmas?
once they get them and put them together they will want to use them.
chances are they wont be painted, but they will want to be using them anyway.

You are right., even now when I get models, i have several to paint at once, and then I get another one which gets pushed further back on the waiting list, so most of my army is unpainted.

Which is why they also offer free painting lessons to encourage it.

Doesn't take long to get the models table ready after all. Three Colours and Base is a cinch.

Very few Stores will allow completely unpainted armies. Works in progress? As long as there is genuine week on week progress, then fair enough (still showing off the Hobby)

But bare metal models? Play at home.

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:Meh. At least 90% of the tales in this thread are exaggerated in my opinion.

Good to see Dakka's moral compass (and soon-to-be GW employee) has chosen to grace us with his presence.

Can I just say for the record, before you run crying to the mods about me, that I knew from the moment this thread was posted that you'd come storming in here to tell us all how we're bad people, or lying, or exaggerating, or to get all apologetic about everything in the thread.

And slap me silly, I was right!!!

Doc, please do remember that painting may not allways be someones interests in the hobby, alot prefer the gaming side, some prefer fluff, some prefer the models etc etc.


on a side note, i used my old kroot mercs in store without a single bit of paint on them
allthough, they had just been finished and GS had only just dried.

Regardless. It's up to the Store Staff to get all the gamers painting. It's an important part of gamer retention. People are less likely to drop the hobby if they have painted there gubbins.

And HBMC, bite me matey. It seems anyone who has an opinion deviating even slightly from yours is automatically wrong, which is a pretty sad outlook on life. And how did I come storming into this thread? Or is that just your persecution complex working over time?

Once again doc, painting is not an important part of the game atall, no more than reading the fluff is.


i dont mean to follow into your discussion with HBMC here, but that was the attitude i got from you about the PC thread doc (the 1st part of your post to HBMC)

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:And HBMC, bite me matey. It seems anyone who has an opinion deviating even slightly from yours is automatically wrong

What... umm... what opinion have I put forward in this thread beyond this:

"Anyway, my experiences are much like Ozy's - I'm honestly surprised by the stories in here as stuff like that has never happened to me." - Me, three pages ago.

See I'm taking this thread at face value - some humerous stories. I've had virtually nothing but good experiences in GW stores, like when a guy gave me a bunch of free blisters when I bought $300 worth of Tyranid stuff when I was like 12 years old, to the most recent one where the store manager made a point to learn my name and went out of his way to ensure I would get any pre-order I put in on the day it came out.

You and that other loon are the only people who've come in here decrying what is otherwise a fun thread, trying to apologise for or explain away the examples - right to the point of calling everyone liers by saying that they're exaggerating.

So think for a second Grotsnik, think very carefully about who's pushing the "I'm right" opinion - a bunch of people having fun telling silly stories, or the one guy telling everyone they're lying?

Indeed, Painting and Gaming are two seperate things which don't need each other per se.

But, as a Staffer, you are paid to promote the overall Hobby, not just the gaming. Focus on one thing too much, whichever it might be, and you will lose customers. But when it comes to playing in store, you have to follow the rules, as long as they are reasonable.

I used to have masses of unpainted models until I sold my 2nd hand stuff last month, but my main armies are either fully painted (Dark Angels and Dark Elves) or well on their way (Savage Orcs). I don't especially enjoy the painting, but like to have a painted army. And the staff need to encourage this. One way is to request armies be painted in store for gaming. Plus, if you have painted your won models, it makes it harder for unscrupulous peoples to pinch them, which can be a problem.

In there credit they mostly go a good job!(refering to the "redshirts" funmly enough i have seen one in my store commonly waring a green shirt...) as long as they know you there fine, well unless they dont like you.

[rant]

theres one inperticular at my store that seems to be in that column.... even when i want to buy something i seem 2 be bottom of his prioratys....(yes if you reas 90% of my posts longer than 7 words there will be a spelling error).. one time i even shouted him over and he proceded to go out to the back! but this is an exception, as the manager was there and i got him to help and had a wee moan about this other member of staff...

[/rant]

and why does nearly all off topic threats turn out to be a festival of hate?

bah, isnt the customer allways right?

thought so....

In which case doc i would find that even more off putting, if i was a gamer that didnt really paint and i was told i must do so or i cannot play then chances are i would feth off and find something better to do with my time.
which also leads on to pushy staff members.

rule or not, i do not see how that is reasonable in any way, shape or form.

Because certain people like to throw their (imagined) moral superiority around in threads like this. That's why.


But as to what you said about doing a good job - I've never envied anyone working in a GW. Friend of mine actually worked there for a few years... and putting up with the kids all the time can't be an easy job, especially when parents treat GW stores like free daycare. You go in there when it's busy and it's like being a giant in a sea of tiny people - all of them yelling and asking really silly questions (which is fine, they're only 8 years old after all). And then there's the staff, wilfully breakin rules simply to keep things going and feining enthusiasm to keep everyone happy. I doubt most in retail could put up with that for that long.

Is easy enough. Just have to put your foot down with the parents and not Intro-Game anyone under 12. IS a simple question. If the parents get antsy, just quote Health and Safety. That usually does it. Point out you are not qualified Child Care Staff, and that to leave little Timmy in the shop has lead to prosecutions for neglect in other stores.

Biggedy biggedy bong, one white lie, and the problem is cleared up.

And see my original post on this line of conversation. GW offer boards to play instore to promote the product. They put painted models in the window, painted models on the Intro boards. All part of promoting the whole scope of the Hobby. So it's not unreasonable at all to ask that if you wish to game in store, one of the conditions is to use painted models. If this is a problem, then you can always play at home.

so you cannot break store rules for any reason but its fine to lie to a customer to make your life easy? theres a good start i guess.


in which case i see more and more people playing at home then.
you did say that not many people play in that store right? have a look and that may show you as to why this is.

And HBMC, bite me matey. It seems anyone who has an opinion deviating even slightly from yours is automatically wrong

just to bring back your previous quote doc, look at the PC thread thats going, you have just done that one yourself.

Goodness why all the hate people?

I can see why Mad Doc and others are getting annoyed at the thread- because hidden among the funny stories (and there are some true blinders.... hell i haven't added mine in about an older staffer years ago trying to sell me glue to go with my book....) there are plenty rather spiteful and jerkish comments about GW staffers.
such as:
"ok, im 19, i just spent over £300 here, and im now going to buy a tub of £5 glue to sniff......... dill weed "
"Wanted to put my fist through his skull. "
"Where does GW get some of these complete idiots to work at the GW stores? "
"I wanted to punch his gimp face in....*rages once again* "

Just a few of the things from a wee glance over the thread... not really funny eh?
Actually quite insulting- and if you are/were a GW staff member, or know one well who isn't an idiot- then how would you react?

To put it in a different perspective... if someone started slagging off Eldar players and calling them all <insert insults here>.... the eldar players would kick off- its not really fair to tar them all with the same brush- some of them may fit the stereotype- nor indeed to GW staff members-
So why is it that somepeople feel the need to be so abusive, negative and insulting towards GW and their staff?
and surely by doing so... someone is going to be insulted and say something- or at least point out whats happening.

And just to point it out from a dakka perspective...
Rule number one...

"This seems obvious, however many folks can sometimes forget that common courtesy goes a long way to lending respect to both you and your opinions. Just because you don't see the other users' faces doesn't mean they don't have feelings and won't be hurt by rude comments or offensive images. When you see something that you find silly, rude or insulting first assume that perhaps there is more to it than you initially thought. Look at it again, keeping in mind that tone and inflection is difficult to convey in a visual format. It may be that the person is attempting a joke or is exaggerating on purpose. It is best to politely request clarification before accusing someone being ignorant, a liar, or worse.

If after clarification you still disagree with the person then politely outline your points. Try to avoid name-calling or even implying insults wherever possible. These tactics generally only inflame a situation and lead to what are known as "Flame Wars." Whenever a flame war starts it usually ruins a perfectly good discussion. Others will lose interest in the thread and the site in general if this kind of interchange becomes a common occurrence."

I'm just thinking some of the comments break that due to people who may be or may have been GW staffers....


And now I feel all quoted out

nutter, mine tended to relate to common sense really.
if i wanted to sniff glue then i would buy a cheapo pack from a £1 shop.
i wouldnt go out and spend £300 on models just so i could sniff the glue i get with it.


as for trying to sell glue for your book, did you get a new daemons dex?
it needs it lol, alot of people have had them falling apart after a few days.


Edit: i also did not sum up all staff in any of my posts.
if you check through previous threads i have posted in i do actually give loads of great comments about the portsmouth staff and staff from other GW's.
this thread will of course have hate for staff in some posts, after all, it is to do with some of the funny and stupid things staff have said or done.

H.B.M.C. wrote:

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:Meh. At least 90% of the tales in this thread are exaggerated in my opinion.

Good to see Dakka's moral compass (and soon-to-be GW employee) has chosen to grace us with his presence.

Can I just say for the record, before you run crying to the mods about me, that I knew from the moment this thread was posted that you'd come storming in here to tell us all how we're bad people, or lying, or exaggerating, or to get all apologetic about everything in the thread.

And slap me silly, I was right!!!

As much as you annoy me at times with your posts, this right here is why I like you H.B.M.C.. So yeah, /clap or something ;-)

you know, all this talk of kicking kids out of stores for not having a fully painted army is becoming less and less stunning...

i mean think of it from a gw POV...
if kids want to have fun games at home, theyre gunna need a table...

"!

lets make a $290 set of plastic squares that fit together in a table shape so they have to either paint to play here or buy that...!
$40 plastic buildings? sounds good!
hmm...theyll need theyre own dice and tape measures if theyre not borrowing ours..."

just another one of theyre endless ruthless salesmen tactics...

Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Which is why they also offer free painting lessons to encourage it.

Doesn't take long to get the models table ready after all. Three Colours and Base is a cinch.

Very few Stores will allow completely unpainted armies. Works in progress? As long as there is genuine week on week progress, then fair enough (still showing off the Hobby)

But bare metal models? Play at home.

...

Indeed, Painting and Gaming are two seperate things which don't need each other per se.

But, as a Staffer, you are paid to promote the overall Hobby, not just the gaming. Focus on one thing too much, whichever it might be, and you will lose customers. But when it comes to playing in store, you have to follow the rules, as long as they are reasonable.

I think this is the crux of what makes GW stores less appealing places to spend time than FLGS. Officiously prohibiting people from participating unless they live up to arbitrary standards doesn't promote the hobby. I understand that GW would like people to play using beautifully painted armies since it functions as a live action advertisement, but stores should be places where people can come to participate in the hobby, play on nice scenery, work on their models, and not be involuntary subjects to some guys imperative to "promote the hobby".

Other than one GW store, I have never seen a store that prohibits unpainted armies. FLGS are happy to have people in playing games and usually go to great lengths to make the store a nice place to hang out. GW stores tend to have very limited seating and staff members that give you crap about your non-GW army carriers.

Y'know who really pisses me off? Those jerks in Canada with their 'free health care'... and 'maple syrup'...

Where do they get OFF?!

And seriously... what is the deal with Starbucks?!?

Tall, Big or Twenty? What the hell kinds of sizes are those.

Also; I hate Star Trek.


*leaves the thread satisfied he has contributed equally*

Mine is that every single time I walk in to a GW store they look at me like something the cat dragged in and then
they go; "Hey... Do you even know what kind of store this is? We really just want costumers..."

And I just answer that "Yes I know what kind of store this is, I've been playing for several years..."

So what answer do I get!? "Oh... You don't look like a gamer..."

And I just can't understand why, If it was just the one time, ok, but it have happened in several stores...
Annoying...


//Edge

anyhow; everyone but the one guy that tries to get me to play lord of the rings, all the guys at MLGS are great. we debate fluff, talk about theries, mathhammer stuff out, work on scratch builds.

on a bit of a strange note; the word skitarii, is spelled S-K-I-T-A-R-I-I.

double I not T

OnTheEdge wrote:Mine is that every single time I walk in to a GW store they look at me like something the cat dragged in and then
they go; "Hey... Do you even know what kind of store this is? We really just want costumers..."

And I just answer that "Yes I know what kind of store this is, I've been playing for several years..."

So what answer do I get!? "Oh... You don't look like a gamer..."

And I just can't understand why, If it was just the one time, ok, but it have happened in several stores...
Annoying...

That's weird. Sure, the staff around here tend to ask people if they're familiar with the products, so they know what kind of service is appropriate. It's usually not apparent whether someone's a gamer, a parent shopping for a kid, an interested onlooker or an elderly gentleman interested in the finer points of injection moulding technology (the latter being the most esoteric customer I've seen).

I was in a GW store buying a battlewagon and there were two kids playing a game, one wanted to know a rule about orks so as the redshirt was busy i stepped in with the answer. When the redshirt heard this he came over and said my definition of the rule was wrong and then proceeded to make something up......

Hearing this odd rule i told him he was wrong only to be told "I have worked for GW for a year and a half, I should know what the rule is"

I had to reply "I have been playing for 20 years and have rule books older than you!"

I really hope you guys haven't been arguing whilst I've been sleeping..... because if you have...... I'm gonna sign you up to work in GW.

I like the guys at the local GW, but they keep getting promoted out of the store!