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 scipio.au wrote:
GW staff are just guys working retail, except they have a lot of extra pressure on them.

That's the core of the problem with GW stores imo.
Usually the redshirts are great guys but they are waaay too pushy because if they aren't (and if they don't treat all their customers like 12 year olds) they get fired.

I wouldn't say he is coming off arrogant or rude though, going into a store for a $30 model and being told to buy a $160 model for an army the guy pushing it knows you don't own or else use the stores internet is pretty crappy customer service.

It's insulting when an employee shows immediate and clear disregard for what you just said. Suppose you go to a resturant the wait staff asks you if you want a beer with your meal, you say I'd like a coke because i don't drink; if he/she immediately says let me get you a round of shots beacause "you know you want it", are you going to feel like you were being listened to? You should never be told by a sales person "what you want" they should make suggestions based on what you've said and ask if that interests you.

The kids working at the GW might be under pressure to make sales but they can do it without coming off like a slimey car sales man that reeks of desperation. The problem comes from the fact that they haven't been trained correctly. I've worked sales for years and I've also been responsible for training sales staff, it's painfully obvious when you are dealing with poorly trained staff and that seems to be the norm for the GW stores I've been to. They get away with it because they cater primarily to kids who don't know any better and in most cases couldn't identify what good/bad customer service is.

Additionally you should never have a 17-20 year old employee referring to a 40 year old customer as dude, brah, or bro, it's disrespectful. I don't expect to be adressed as sir but I am definately not their bro nor do I want to give them a fist bump. This is something I've encountered repeatedly at GW.


Up selling is part of a sales job, but it should be done tactfully and be releated to the customer feedback and their price expectations. If they are there to make a small purchase don't try and push for an item 10 times the price. If you go to an electronics store and ask for a DVD and the sales person immediately insists that you buy a complete home entertainment system are you going to feel like they were remotely helpful? Not likely.

(I asked for a $15 model and he turns that into a $100+ unrelated item? wtf)

A tactful upsell would have been if he'd asked if I already had sword brethern or the conversion sprues. A landraider could even be a possible question but you hold back on that suggestion until you determine the price point the customer has in mind. If they show no interest in a $30 item it's unlikely they want a $70+ item.

Well thanks for the responses guys but this thread has wandered a bit off topic. I was looking for some specific information regarding spending habits and demographics not the criticisms based on preconceived ideas you have on what I am trying to do. Jut because I post asking these questions doesn't mean I ham not writing a business plan, that this is the sole source of my information or planning or that I am no doing already doing the things suggested.

What I incidentally learned is that some in this crowd have a lot of pent up anger, frustration or something at gaming stores. I understand the GW hate, I have experienced that my entire exposure to the hobby but I was surprised by the disdain people feel for their LFGS' out there. Maybe I just read some of these posts wrong or maybe I am don't post enough to be known but whatever it is I was unprepared for some of the snarky responses this post elicited. When I do open my store I hope that is something I can eradicate for my customers

I've been following this thread and I applaud your effort in trying to prepare for success as much as possible. My friends and I have toyed with the idea of starting our own business for a while. I'll add my own two cents in reference to the FLGS. I split my WH and WHFB purchases between the local GW and internet sources. I purchase my FoW itemsand hobby supplies at an independent retailer that specializes in historical wargames. The guy who owns the store is friendly, knowledgeable, and honest. He has never been one to make a hard sell and has actually saved me money when I started in the hobby by telling me I didn't actually need something yet that I had thought of buying. He has an area with gaming tables and hosts FoW nights every week.

From my perspective I could probably save slightly more money by making all of my purchases online. However, I choose to support this local store owner because of the support he has provided me. I am willing to spend a little more (although he does already discount most items as it is) than online and make the drive to his store because what I get in return is of great value to me. I get to meet others who share the same hobby as me, I get a place to play, and I have access to a wealth of information from the store owner and the group of other players who frequent the store.

I much prefer my time spent at the FLGS vs the GW store. Just remember to have fun, make money, and treat your customers like you would want to be treated. I wish you good luck and hope you make it.

If you want to open a game, then you should jump right in and do it, if it's something you love. Be prepared though to work 80-90 hours a week at first. I only now get a couple of days off a week, and we been here 5 years.


Posting on Dakka isn't helpful at all, and I wouldn't worry about the majority of the members say, it will get you down how many just buy online and then comment about how their local store closed and are shocked by it.



One thing I will say, try to foster your local community, even to the extend of working a small bit with other stores in the area. In atlanta, we mainly try to cross pollinate stores and I personally try to avoid scheduling events that conflict with others in the area, it will help everybody involved

1) Age & sex.

19 male.

2) Approximately how much money do you spend on
gaming/hobby stuff a month? If you could break it down into percentages by product or product type that would be awesome. (ie. $100 month 50% miniatures, 25% RPG’s, 25% CCG’s.)

Around £100 month on miniatures and assorted merchandise (paints, glues etc).

3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?

I purchase the majority of my items from official GW retailers. I also purchase from indie retailers

4) Obviously Dakka is primarily a miniatures wargaming site do you play AND PURCHASE other types of games such as Collectable Card games (CCG’s), Role Playing Games (RPG’s), and/or Board Games? If so please indicate which ones? Or do you just play miniatures games?

I mainly by miniature games. I have picked up a few RPG board games in the past (D&D, Settlersgame, Bloodbowl etc).

5) Which miniatures games do you actively play and purchase as of right now? (ie. If you play and older game but no longer purchase models no need to mention that).

I currently play WH40k, I also play WHFB.

6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
I'll shop at a local FLGS if the staff and customers are friendly. Currently I shop from my local GW which has all of those things, if an independent retailer would have to have more hobby space than my current hobby center to make the trip worth it.

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?

Sometimes, they won't have the item I want in stock so I'll either have to order it in store or go home and order it online, other times the store is packed with younger (10-15 year olds) and it makes the trip not worth it as I would rather play with gamers in my age group.

8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?

Whenever I head up to town, I usually pop-in to the GW for a chat or to have a game and build models, when I was working in town I would be down at my local GW every lunch time it was open (closed Mon-Tues).

9) Do you or would you buy snacks or drinks in your store? If you do about how much do you spend per session?

Our store manager doesn't allow us to eat or drink in the store, however there is a Subway next door and plenty of cafes/fast food restaurants and food stores nearby.

10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?

I don't really read comics, however when I do pick one up I usually spend a few quid on them.

We wrote:
So I am thinking about opening a game store in 2-3 years in the states and I am looking to gather some information from people - sort of an informal marketing poll for my business plan. If you feel uncomfortable posting this publicly please PM me.

1) Age & sex.
2) Approximately how much money do you spend on gaming/hobby stuff a month? If you could break it down into percentages by product or product type that would be awesome. (ie. $100 month 50% miniatures, 25% RPG’s, 25% CCG’s.)
3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
4) Obviously Dakka is primarily a miniatures wargaming site do you play AND PURCHASE other types of games such as Collectable Card games (CCG’s), Role Playing Games (RPG’s), and/or Board Games? If so please indicate which ones? Or do you just play miniatures games?
5) Which miniatures games do you actively play and purchase as of right now? (ie. If you play and older game but no longer purchase models no need to mention that).
6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
9) Do you or would you buy snacks or drinks in your store? If you do about how much do you spend per session?
10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
11) Other comments

Thanks ahead of time for taking the time to answer these, feel free to answer all or skip some and feel free to be as detailed as you wish to be.

1) 33 M, and married. (sorry)
2) Most of my gaming supplies are bought with birthday and Crimbo money. I spent about $400 to $600 a year, depending on various factors.
3) I buy about half of my stuff online and ha'f at the FLGS.
4) All the RPG and Boardgaming stuff I buy tends to be through amazon, and not included under the hobby. You would need to offer a deeep discount to get me to even notice you are selling these things.
5) I buy mostly Mantic, WGF and Reaper. I still buy the occasional AoW or GW item, and sometimes I'll find nice models by PP, Spartan, Malifaux, Infinity, or whoever else I see on the shelves.
6) Friendly staff with whom I can discuss the hobby (most of my friends have other interests), and enough of a reasonable discount that I won't feel buyer's remorse for supporting the store. It doesn't need to be as deep as Miniature Market or the War Store, but selling at full retail price is an insult to my culture.
7) Honestly, lack of even acknowledging the discounts one can find online. There's a place near me called Trinity Comics that sells GW and Reaper stuff for full, in-your-face, you-must-not-know-about-the-internet pricing, and they are just down the street from Brookhurst Hobbies, who sell with online-style discounts. I tried to go there and support them, I really did, but come on! Meet me halfway!
Oh, and 50% of their staff was a totally antisocial Comic Book Guy.
8) I do not get to game anymore.
9) I would not buy snacks.
10) I read comics...in TPB format that I buy from used book stores or amazon. Seriously, don't try to compete with them. They'll eat you alive in Borders-sized chunks.
11) Good luck! You will probably need it!

K3 wrote:
For those talking about discounts and beating Internet, heres a question then:

At what point do you decide its better to go into a store, if you have 3 choices, which would you pick:

1) Store at 10% off RRP
2) Online at 15% off RRP, 1 week delivery
3) Online at 20% off RRP, 3 week delivery

Its pretty simple for me, there is a local store that has a pretty good stock. If I want something, i drive down the road and buy it to support my LGS, HOWEVER, if you dont have it in stock, I dont want to hear "we can order that". If I have to wait on it I will order it online, at a significant discount and the convenience of delivery right to my door. The real secret to the LGS is the compulsive buy, if someone has to wait on it, then they rethink the expenditure or the buying at less discount concept. If you want to open a store make sure you have the capital to start a real store, not going in half arsed about it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Peregrine wrote:

We wrote:
1)

6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?

1) Events that follow GW's actual rules on what units are legal (IOW, if you ban forgeworld units I don't participate in your events).


"Not having TFG and/or people who refuse to bathe" would be high on that list, but thankfully I haven't encountered that at any of the stores I've been to. Likewise for convenient location, if not for the fact that there are at least 2-3 different stores within a 15 minute drive. Product selection doesn't matter too much since most of my purchases are direct-only anyway.

11) Other comments

Expect to fail. Average lifespan of a gaming store seems to be the length of time that it takes for the owner's starting money to run out and/or the lease to end. You need to work very hard over the next 2-3 years to have even a chance of success, the fact that you're asking these questions on a forum suggests that you don't really have a solid plan for how to avoid that fate.

So you refer to TFG, then make comments that basically are snarky and say that you will only participate as long as the rules are exactly the way YOU want them to be for an event. Guess what buddy you ARE the elitist TFG. And the last one is just mean to the OP, doing some informal demographics has nothing to do or say about how much time he may have put into a business model or what stage of development he is in.

1) Age & sex.
36 M

2) Approximately how much money do you spend on gaming/hobby stuff a month? If you could break it down into percentages by product or product type that would be awesome. (ie. $100 month 50% miniatures, 25% RPG’s, 25% CCG’s.)

$60 a month (50% models, 50% supplies for painting and terrain)


3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?

30% LGS 20% ebay 50% art/hobby store


4) Obviously Dakka is primarily a miniatures wargaming site do you play AND PURCHASE other types of games such as Collectable Card games (CCG’s), Role Playing Games (RPG’s), and/or Board Games? If so please indicate which ones? Or do you just play miniatures games?

wargames and boardgames, i gave up on CCGs


5) Which miniatures games do you actively play and purchase as of right now? (ie. If you play and older game but no longer purchase models no need to mention that).

Battletech, Pulp City, 40k


6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?

Guilt. I have started playing at the lgs so my purchases are a sort of tax so he stays open.


7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?

Go on the GW Canada site, those are the prices the lgs has, plus all taxes. the other reason i dont buy there is piss poor selection.


8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
LGS 2 days a month


9) Do you or would you buy snacks or drinks in your store? If you do about how much do you spend per session?
if there was non-junkfood items like bottled water and unsalted nuts, then yes.

10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?

clean and out of comics for a while now.

11) Other comments

A few examples of things a store should probably do.

i) if you charge full GW prices, have sales. even better, have promos like a "battleforce of the month" to get people to scoop up models.

ii) if you host events, stock related items. the LGS has been running battletech games but doesnt carry any of the mech models.

iii) if you carry a newer game with little local support, cut a deal with a player of that game to run demos. the LGS carried infinity for a year, but only one employee played and he would not demo the game. the store marked down all the infinity stock and liquidated it.

iv) if you have game tables have a set schedule for different games and an open table for first come first serve pick up games. the lgs i go to is terrible for this. unless you are there every weekend you have no idea what random even will be happening. I showed up for a pick up game of 40k and all the terrain tables were taken up for an unadvertised warmachine tournament. the rest of the tables were filled with magic players.

If you support and build the community, it will set your store apart and build a loyalty so guys wont buy 100% online and then come to play on your tables.

1)Age & sex.
35, M

2)Approximately how much money do you spend on gaming/hobby stuff a month? If you could break it down into percentages by product or product type that would be awesome.

$0 a month/$200 a year. (80% rulebooks, 20% paints and supplies)


3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?

100% FLGS- I'm old fashioned that way.

4)Obviously Dakka is primarily a miniatures wargaming site do you play AND PURCHASE other types of games such as Collectable Card games (CCG’s), Role Playing Games (RPG’s), and/or Board Games? If so please indicate which ones? Or do you just play miniatures games?

Family Friendly Boardgames, Fantasy Flight Games stuff (They ar elocal so I want to support them)

5) Which miniatures games do you actively play and purchase as of right now? (ie. If you play and older game but no longer purchase models no need to mention that).

Battletech, Historicals, Reaper

6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?

They are local, and I want it to stay open. I also value being able to walk in and buy something off the shelf.

I also love the second hand and used sections.

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?

Price, Nothing I want to buy.

8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?

Home once a month, in my "Peak" i played in store once a week.

9) Do you or would you buy snacks or drinks in your store? If you do about how much do you spend per session?

Yes, preferably not junk from a vending machine.

10)Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?

Nope

11)Other comments

Have places to play the game, and encourage peopel to play it there. If I don;t see a game being played; I am less inclined to pick it up.

Make a business plan!

Make the regulars feel like they are "part" of the store and therefore something bigger. This will build loyalty.

You can make a lot of money off food and drink IF you let people play in store.

Encourage a "club" atmosphere.

Realize that you can NOT compete with the internet on price. The Internet will always beat you, and you will go out of business anyway. You have to provide what the internet can not provide. Take time to mold the market you want to have.

In all honesty, unless you are a hole-in-the-wall that focuses on CCG's; you will not survive.

We wrote:
Well thanks for the responses guys but this thread has wandered a bit off topic. I was looking for some specific information regarding spending habits and demographics not the criticisms based on preconceived ideas you have on what I am trying to do. Jut because I post asking these questions doesn't mean I ham not writing a business plan, that this is the sole source of my information or planning or that I am no doing already doing the things suggested.

What I incidentally learned is that some in this crowd have a lot of pent up anger, frustration or something at gaming stores. I understand the GW hate, I have experienced that my entire exposure to the hobby but I was surprised by the disdain people feel for their LFGS' out there. Maybe I just read some of these posts wrong or maybe I am don't post enough to be known but whatever it is I was unprepared for some of the snarky responses this post elicited. When I do open my store I hope that is something I can eradicate for my customers

I managed a game store for several years. This post along with polling an internet forum (which is not a large enough sample size to get information that would be useful) indicates to me you're probably not ready to own a successful game store. no matter what you do, someone will be unhappy with it, and you need to be able to accept criticism without becoming armchair psychologist at the offending party.

Personally, the information that is absolutely key is: how many game stores are operating in your immediate area? FLGS are generally a zero-sum game and if there are already a couple in a small town you're probably not going to make money unless you offer something they don't.

1) 36, Male
2) Typically arond $50 a month, I guess, when it all adds up. 85% on miniatures or miniature-related supplies, 13% on RPGs, but only after last month when my old RPG group got together again. 2% on the occasional boardgame!
3) 90% FLGS, 10 % Internet, although it vacillates wildly depending on what the FLGS has in
4) Board Games and RPGs
5) WARMACHINE/HORDES, Infinity, Dropzone Commander, actively. Occasionally Dystopian Wars/Firestorm Armada and Saga
6) My FLGS supports miniature games and actively invites us to play and participate. It has an excellent relationship with the local miniatures gaming club and tries to help build up the game scene in Oslo
7) When they refuse to carry what I want to buy?
8) I am in-store for 1-2 days per week (although work sometimes forces me away). I also occasionally game at the local club, but game night there is usually on a bad weekday for me. Family, you know.
9) I do buy drinks in the store. The usual buy is 1-2 coffees and a carbonated water per evening. Prices are norwegian and thus mad for you welch people.
10) Not really
11) Support your local indy gaming scene!

1) 22, Male.
2) As of now, $10 or less. Spent the past few months amassing an army (at which it was $50+ a month.)
3) Internet for models, paints and supplies are bought in store.
4) Just miniatures.
5) 40K.
6) Friendly crowd and staff. I hate WAAC player types. A single bad seed can have a really negative impact on the store.
7) I buy my models used on ebay/forums, as i enjoy refurbishing them.
8) In store, 2 locations. About 1-3 times a week.
9) No, but one of my stores has a fridge with drinks $1-2, and a selection of candy bars/ treats. A lot of people buy that.
10) No Comics.
11) Heres some advice that I can give based off of what I've experienced at my local store (Endgame of Oakland).

The store I mainly game at also sells a lot of family friendly and casual board games (monopoly, yahtzee, etc.), which it puts at the front of the store. Almost every day there are people who come and buy board games and gifts. Relying only on the hardcore gamer side of the business might prove to be tough to survive on. The store doesn't stock everything imaginable, but it stocks just enough to fill the store, and to cater to who comes in a buys. I've been to stores where there are games from floor to ceiling, and it can be intimidating to new people coming in trying to find something to play.

Good tables and a lot of scenery will attract people to game at your store, especially if its better set up than competing stores. Where I play, they have enough terrain to completely cover 10+ tables, and the tables are all based, flocked, painted, and have side areas for placing models. The area is well lit, ventilation is good, not cramped, and everything is neatly organized. A couple of people have actually chosen to start gaming at this store over another one after I brought them for a visit. A good environment goes a long way.

We wrote:
Well without going into too much detail I do plan on having a strong online presence as well as a store front. This research is to help me get an understanding, among other things, of how much people spend in a store front as opposed to online and what kind of products they like. This is not my only source of information but getting direct feedback from this community is helpful.

While I appreciate the advice on how I will fail, this is not my first business I have started. In 2-3 years I should be ready to retire (and no I am not like 70). Since all my other bills are paid for and my retirement income and other investments will be more than adequate to get me by financially all I need to do is break even to justify keeping a store open.

Luckily I am in a very unique position financially so I am doing this out of a love for gaming not a financial gain not that I don't think I will make some money. I hope to do a game store right, to give people a place to play and promote the hobby in this endeavor. Thank you all once again for your feedback and support!

Hi, yeah - so I want to open a game store, but I have know idea what its about.

I don't need the money, I have plenty of that, I want to do it for fun - I'm pretty well-off you know.

So then, how much stuff are you going to buy? I don't want to waste space shelf on things no-one wants.

Did I mention I have heaps of money..?

So what's the name of the store you are going to start in a couple of years?
Where is it going to be?
What size is it planned to be?
How many tables for wargames/card games?
Discounts/sales/specials?
Focus on customer service?
Point of difference?
Target market?
Branding?
Anything?

These responses will not be useful to you (no offense to the posters) because most of these people, probably all of them, don't live near you (as someone else already said).

What will be useful to you would be reading all these articles, scrolling down and starting with the first one.

 Sergeant Horse wrote:
One thing I will say, try to foster your local community, even to the extend of working a small bit with other stores in the area. In atlanta, we mainly try to cross pollinate stores and I personally try to avoid scheduling events that conflict with others in the area, it will help everybody involved

^^ Great advice!
The local gaming community IS your customer base, generating goodwill, setting up local leagues / out of hours game meets etc can go a long long way towards customer retention.

My background is sales/retail, although not mini-related. I think the initial reception prospective customers get in a store often decides if they will make it their 'regular'.
The best reception I ever had in a FLGS was years ago, when I walked in to a couple of dozen people painting, and the store manager asked if I would like to sit down & paint a couple of models for the resident store armies. I did, got chatting to the locals, made friends, scheduled a game AND bought some models, and shopped there for years until I moved. I never saw those customer painted models on the tabletop, but I guess that wasn't the point!

If all else fails, (and I'm desperately trying not to be sexist here!), an attractive, competent, enthusiastic female employee can go a long way to appealing to your main demographic and retaining customers.
It's also worth selling snacks & drinks if you are allowed within your lease agreement etc, a few dozen chocolate bars and cans of drink/lattes a day can soon add up and provide supplemental income.

Hope that is of some use, here's my survey:


1) Age & sex.
35, male

2) Approximately how much money do you spend on gaming/hobby stuff a month? If you could break it down into percentages by product or product type that would be awesome. (ie. $100 month 50% miniatures, 25% RPG’s, 25% CCG’s.)
£200ish at the moment 100% miniatures & conversion bits.

3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
Around 50% FLGS, 30% Ebay, 20% internet supplier.

4) Obviously Dakka is primarily a miniatures wargaming site do you play AND PURCHASE other types of games such as Collectable Card games (CCG’s), Role Playing Games (RPG’s), and/or Board Games? If so please indicate which ones? Or do you just play miniatures games?
No, just miniatures within this specific hobby.

5) Which miniatures games do you actively play and purchase as of right now? (ie. If you play and older game but no longer purchase models no need to mention that).
Just Warhammer 40k right now

6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
Friendly environment, good chat/banter, 3rd party conversion parts in stock, somewhere to run non-GW figures & conversions, competitive price.

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
Too far away, lack of immediate stock, opening hours (I work 6 days a week)

8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
In-store, not at all right now due to work commitments. Home once/twice a week

9) Do you or would you buy snacks or drinks in your store? If you do about how much do you spend per session?
Yes, absolutely. £5 plus..

10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
No real interest.

11) Other comments
Good luck!

Aspect4Life wrote:

We wrote:
Well without going into too much detail I do plan on having a strong online presence as well as a store front. This research is to help me get an understanding, among other things, of how much people spend in a store front as opposed to online and what kind of products they like. This is not my only source of information but getting direct feedback from this community is helpful.

While I appreciate the advice on how I will fail, this is not my first business I have started. In 2-3 years I should be ready to retire (and no I am not like 70). Since all my other bills are paid for and my retirement income and other investments will be more than adequate to get me by financially all I need to do is break even to justify keeping a store open.

Luckily I am in a very unique position financially so I am doing this out of a love for gaming not a financial gain not that I don't think I will make some money. I hope to do a game store right, to give people a place to play and promote the hobby in this endeavor. Thank you all once again for your feedback and support!

Hi, yeah - so I want to open a game store, but I have know idea what its about.

I don't need the money, I have plenty of that, I want to do it for fun - I'm pretty well-off you know.

So then, how much stuff are you going to buy? I don't want to waste space shelf on things no-one wants.

Did I mention I have heaps of money..?

So what's the name of the store you are going to start in a couple of years?
Where is it going to be?
What size is it planned to be?
How many tables for wargames/card games?
Discounts/sales/specials?
Focus on customer service?
Point of difference?
Target market?
Branding?
Anything?

Just because I didn't post my business plan on here doesn't mean I don't have one. Nor was it the point of my post to go into all my details regarding that. I was curious as to what the average amount of money people spent on gaming was, both online and in store.

Thanks for your input though, this thread has made me realize I have no desire to open a store and deal with people such as yourself.

We wrote:
So I am thinking about opening a game store in 2-3 years in the states and I am looking to gather some information from people - sort of an informal marketing poll for my business plan. If you feel uncomfortable posting this publicly please PM me.

1) Age & sex.
28 Male

2) Approximately how much money do you spend on gaming/hobby stuff a month? If you could break it down into percentages by product or product type that would be awesome. (ie. $100 month 50% miniatures, 25% RPG’s, 25% CCG’s.)
$100 a month on Miniture games
3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
Internet
4) Obviously Dakka is primarily a miniatures wargaming site do you play AND PURCHASE other types of games such as Collectable Card games (CCG’s), Role Playing Games (RPG’s), and/or Board Games? If so please indicate which ones? Or do you just play miniatures games?

5) Which miniatures games do you actively play and purchase as of right now? (ie. If you play and older game but no longer purchase models no need to mention that).
Warmachine
6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
Discount, Easy access to models i want
7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
When i can get something 25% off Tax Free, Free Shipping online, why would i spend the extra money at a Game shop ? *Note, closest game shop is 1 hour away, basement gaming here* and i do try to buy a model or 2 when i do end up at a game shop and play there
8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
At home, game stores are usually restrictive, lack of space, to far of a drive
9) Do you or would you buy snacks or drinks in your store? If you do about how much do you spend per session?
I would if priced properly
10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
No
11) Other comments

Thanks ahead of time for taking the time to answer these, feel free to answer all or skip some and feel free to be as detailed as you wish to be.

We wrote:
So I am thinking about opening a game store in 2-3 years in the states and I am looking to gather some information from people - sort of an informal marketing poll for my business plan. If you feel uncomfortable posting this publicly please PM me.

1) Age & sex.
2) Approximately how much money do you spend on gaming/hobby stuff a month? If you could break it down into percentages by product or product type that would be awesome. (ie. $100 month 50% miniatures, 25% RPG’s, 25% CCG’s.)
3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
4) Obviously Dakka is primarily a miniatures wargaming site do you play AND PURCHASE other types of games such as Collectable Card games (CCG’s), Role Playing Games (RPG’s), and/or Board Games? If so please indicate which ones? Or do you just play miniatures games?
5) Which miniatures games do you actively play and purchase as of right now? (ie. If you play and older game but no longer purchase models no need to mention that).
6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
9) Do you or would you buy snacks or drinks in your store? If you do about how much do you spend per session?
10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
11) Other comments

Thanks ahead of time for taking the time to answer these, feel free to answer all or skip some and feel free to be as detailed as you wish to be.

In Central Florida, the market is different. We don't have basesments to game in, instead we go to the FLGS.

1) I'm in the male 25 - 35 age bracket.
2) I can buy as much or as little as I want because it doesn't bother my wife. She's told me that its a better hobby than sitting at the bar 3-4 nights a week. My annual spending for games is about $6-700 per year. If FW releases something I want, it tends to increase. If GW releases something I like, it may be more. Usually its all minis unless I need paints or brushes.
3) I don't buy anything online. I go in on FW orders, but I don't make any online purchases. Don't see why I want to buy something online, have it delivered to my house to sit on my front patio in the sun in 100 degree heat for 3-5 hours before I come home. Then it gets turned into a pile of goop. If its cold outside the chances that someone will steal my packages off of my porch increase. Hence I have no desire to order online.
4) I don't play any card games other than poker. If you're opening a shop, MTG will be the thing that gets you by during slow times.
5) I primarily play GW games - WH40K, WHFB, BB, BFG, E40K, Necromunda, et al.
6) Refer to #3 above as to why I don't buy online. I only buy from retail shops. There were 6 in my local area, now there are 5. I split my $$$$ between them.
7) Refer to #3 and #6 above.
8) I game in store about 0-2 times per month. Family first, gaming second.
9) I usually get a soda or water while I game. Usually I spend a couple of bucks - $3-5.
10) I haven't read any comic books in the last decade.
11) Honestly you're going to need to know your market. Some of the best gaming stores go out of business because the margins are REALLY poor on these products. If you have a store front and you have steep discounts, prepare to close within the year because the discounts only cut into your margin. You need to know your break even point which should include a paycheck for yourself. Otherwise, you're not doing it right and you're wasting your time.