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This is what happens every time I purchase something in a GW store -

Whatever it is you put down on the counter, you just know the staff member (you can see him thinking of something to say) is going to try to strike up a conversation in an attempt to find out what more you'll eventually need and then try to get you to buy it now. So, I ask for some glue and they say,

"So, uh...what's this for?"

And the problem is that it can only be for one thing so I know my answer's going to sound sarcastic but I'm going to answer anyway and then feel like an arse hole for the rest of the conversation,

"uh, for sticking things together" I say.

"Oh yeah?" comes the reply, feigning surprise, "what?"

Now I could say 'models' and leave it at that but then I am being an arse but I also know that if I tell them what army I have they will try to get me to buy something that I could use for that army that doesn't sell very well and is actually crap, like a pack of Daemonhosts if I say it's for Grey Knights. No word of a lie here - I have, in the past been advised to buy AoBR for the marines because I could 'paint them grey and say they are Grey Knights'.

So anyway, I end up going through the motions, politely explaining that I am only here to buy the things I have asked for and not anything else (and I feel quite sorry for them because judging by the turnover of staff in my GW store, they must get flayed alive out the back and left to bleed to death if they don't sell enough rubbish), make payment and leave. I feel even more sorry for the next customer who steps up to the counter as the GW staff member resets himself - "so what's that for?" he says, and then proceeds to try to sell a Lizardmen Stegadon to some boy who's just come in to buy the Sanguinor. Probably.

It kind of makes me laugh but how many of you have this experience whenever you go in to your local GW?

This just in... Sales people try to sell you things. More at 11.

pretre wrote:This just in... Sales people try to sell you things. More at 11.

I get what he is saying that for a hobby it is getting needlessly probing into your desires. Personally this is exactly why I enjoying local gaming stores, I develop relationships with my owner and simply leave it that when we talk about models and stuff i say pretty up front what i might be considering and he doesn't push. Something along the lines of this goes with my store owner at Tabletop Gaming

"Hey Ryan, how've ya been?"

I smile knowing that a general response but he's thoughtful enough to make it sound pretty genuine. "Currently out of a Job as it were, long story... but mind giving me a price check on that Big Mek with SAG?" He nods and grabs it swiping it at his computer stand with no complaint and throws out a price that sounds about right. "Where was your last job? A bank right?"

Me: Yep, (for internet security purposes i can't mention it atm but plan to real soon)

Phil: Well their a national bank right? Yeah for a whole slew of reasons then!, Well he hasn't been selling but anytime you want let me know we might even be able to talk lay-away since it's so small.

Me: Appericate it, And tempting but i have to freeze my spending in all ways if I can. Probably in a month He'll be in my pocket not to long from now I'd bet. Seen my opponent for today by chance?

Phil: Sorry, didn't know you were playing today but I think he's somewhere nearby maybe went out to grab food? Anyway chat with ya later.

That is an example of sales pressure at my store, I ask something I am curious about and we might talk a bit and he offers info based off that but only if something in my life's changed. It sounds like our OP conversation would have been less caring he lost a job (if it were applied at the circumstance) and instead simply saying well if you're low on cash how does a blister of "X" , "y" of "Z" sound? which frankly would piss me right the heck off. I had a store owner in a old store i use to go to make a suggestion to one of my best friends to immediately pick up terminators rather than get an HQ or troops, he hadn't even started his army yet and clearly said so. That sort of person really doesn't understand that customer service isn't suppose to be forced or bottom lines it is to sound natural and welcoming if you can do those then you will get the others with just the right touch of suggestive selling.... but then again I'm a Banker... please don't beat me! I'm the poor kind honest!

ColdSadHungry wrote:(and I feel quite sorry for them because judging by the turnover of staff in my GW store, they must get flayed alive out the back and left to bleed to death if they don't sell enough rubbish)

Made me

This is pretty much what happened to me when I first started the hobby. I didn't know about online retailers, and they just opened a new GW somewhat near my hometown. Went in just to get the hobby starter set for 40K, the one that includes 5 SM, and was told that I would NEED "this, and this, and that, and this, and oh don't forget these..."

I politely declined, only bought the hobby starter set, and have not been back since.

I've only ever shopped at non-GW-exclusive places, so I can't quite relate. If anything, I've had the opposite happen. Running a small business is risky and generally with razor thin margins on their products. Because I actaully know the guy who owns the store, I sort of feel bad for him just sitting around all day hoping to make a few sales before the gaming crowd comes in in the evening.

Because of this, and because the guy himself is reasonably pleasant and doesn't do things like trying to push people into sales, the conversation usually goes more like

FLGS guy: Hey

Me: Hi

FLGS guy: Can I get you something?

Me: just a pot of boltgun today

FLGS guy: okay, can I get you anything else?

At which point I find myself scrambling to come up with something else, even if it's something that I vaguely think I'll possibly purchase in the next six months.

I then pay my $3, and he thanks me for the business (and I know he actually appreciates it), and next time I'm in the store, whatever I vaguely mentioned is magically there.

With the right attitude, you can basically get a client to tell you, the salesperson, what you want, and then thank you for the privilege. Take the wrong attitude, and, well... you get slightly cheesed patrons (why I never go to Radio Shack anymore).

ColdSadHungry wrote:(and I feel quite sorry for them because judging by the turnover of staff in my GW store, they must get flayed alive out the back and left to bleed to death if they don't sell enough rubbish)

They're probably paid either in part, or in whole on commission. If you're not able to push enough product, you literally can't afford to work there. I've had more than one job working in sales where I over all lost money working there. At some point, you just have to bite the bullet and quit, knowing that you'll possibly lose less money being unemployed. Thus the ludicrously high turnover, probably.

the title is wrong , wasn't it suposed to be gW stuff ? like with a W

Even though I knew the title was meant to say GW, I had images of someone trying to strike up conversations with an administrative servitor for the Ordo Malleus at a desk behind grimdark amounts of paperwork

The guys at my local Games Workshop are nothing like that - I've never been pushed into a sale that I didn't want, I spend a fair bit of time down there and I very rarely see any of them go for the hard sell - the only time was recently with Dreadfleet, which they still can't shift xD

pizzaguardian wrote:the title is wrong , wasn't it suposed to be gW stuff ? like with a W

Fixed it - thanks for pointing that out. I'm more used to typing GK than GW it seems!

Weird... when I shop at GW I know the guys there by name and even swing in just to say hi and chat when I'm at the mall with the girlfriend.

Ever thing that maybe the salesman is trying to be nice and actually promote a welcoming atmosphere for customers and hobbiests come feel accepted and welcome to play and talk?

I mean I'm not under the illusion that they don't want to sell stuff to me, but at the same time, I don't feel pressured... ever... when I go into my GW.

Mind you, the staff has changed quite a bit in the last 3 months and now I mostly play with those guys at friends houses and stuff now... but throughout the last year I never really felt anything "forced" from them other than curiosity and wanting to just talk about armies.

Hm. When I go to my local GW, usually one of the staff members will eventually approach me and one of the two following things will happen...

First

GW employee: Hi, can I help you find anything today?

Me: No thanks, I'm good.

[GW employee nods and goes back to painting or gaming or whatever they were doing before I walked in]


Second

GW employee: Hi, can I help you find anything today?

Me: Yes, actually. I'm looking for [models].

GW employee: They're over there. [pointing and description of where to find them] / Sorry, we don't stock those, but you can order them.

Me: Thanks. :: goes to look/order ::


I honestly don't normally feel any sales pressure. Maybe they recognize me and my spending habits or something. There has been the occasional exception, like when I was unsure of what to get for my Orks, and the guy pointed me away from the AoBR set I was eyeing and toward the Ork Megaforce, which I did pick up... And then decided to get a Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun as well. I don't regret either of those purchases, to be honest. I know the KFF is better for a footslogging Orks army, but even when my Big Mek blows himself to hell with a 1,1, I have a good laugh. That particular sales guy was a bit clueless, as he suggested taking both a KFF and SAG "if I have the points to spare." But maybe he's more into Fantasy or LotR.

At the counter, when I've got the stuff I'm buying on the counter, the ask me specifically if I need any glue or paint. If I say no, that's the end of it. They don't push models on me.

The staff are willing to engage in idle conversations with the customers. Like this one employee, when I was ordering a large batch of Sisters of Battle, got to talking with me about the Sisters of Battle rumors. Once we got to the subject of the rumored plastic minis, I mentioned that it might be the first release day I'd go to with the intent of buying the newly released stuff. He said something like, "Hell no, you wouldn't be able to get any, cause when the plastics are released, I'm gonna buy them ALL." We had a good laugh, and kept talking till the line at the counter moved enough for me to buy my stuff.

Bottom line, I like going to my local GW store. It's a pleasant place to be.

I feel like at my GW store it is just the guy asking us what else would we like to buy. Knowing me I just go in buy it and just say nah. I did insult the grey knights though lol.

Your mistake is in buying GW glue in the first place...

I'm just starting and my local FLGS owner has been nothing but cool for me. Instead of telling me what I needed and pressuring stuff, he pointed me to the experienced IG players and said, "they know everything you'll ever need, and how to get it without breaking the bank. IG costs a ton to get a decent army, and it can be tough for a new guy. I'll let you know if any of them feel like offloading some old guys btw."

Later when I told him I wanted to make custom guardsmen he said he'd look into some cool options, and not a week later he had found some awesome storm trooper lookalikes for me to try. They were also roughly 20$ for about 18 guys, with one a perfect commisar lookalike. He's ordered a box and told me he'd let me know if they were any good.

Then again, this is a small, locally owned bussiness that's been around for almost 30 years, so I'd imagine this guy knows how to not anger his customers. Never been to a 100% exclusive GW store so I cant really comment on what they're like.

MrMoustaffa wrote:I'm just starting and my local FLGS owner has been nothing but cool for me.

...

Then again, this is a small, locally owned bussiness that's been around for almost 30 years, so I'd imagine this guy knows how to not anger his customers. Never been to a 100% exclusive GW store so I cant really comment on what they're like.

And therein lies why you haven't had this experience.

It really depends on the staff. If you are a regular, they'll know you, and they'll know if you're going to buy stuff just because they suggest it. Personally, my local GW tried this when I first started back in the hobby, and I actually appreciated it then - I'd been out for 3-4 years, and didn't know what had been going on, what had released, etc. After a while I just refused anything but what I was there to get, and they got the message. Now they just ask my how my armies are coming along, and give me pointers on things I ask about (like doing a good meadowlands base, I had a decent talk with a staffer who was doing the same thing for his army.

I never get asked if I want the latest new thing anymore. My FLGS is the same, though they were pretty good to begin with.

Howard A Treesong wrote:Your mistake is in buying GW glue in the first place...

Buying it once to get the brush applicator isn't a bad idea

Ailaros wrote:

ColdSadHungry wrote:(and I feel quite sorry for them because judging by the turnover of staff in my GW store, they must get flayed alive out the back and left to bleed to death if they don't sell enough rubbish)

They're probably paid either in part, or in whole on commission. If you're not able to push enough product, you literally can't afford to work there. I've had more than one job working in sales where I over all lost money working there. At some point, you just have to bite the bullet and quit, knowing that you'll possibly lose less money being unemployed. Thus the ludicrously high turnover, probably.

Commission? Games Workshop? Never would happen. Instead they've probably got 'add-on sales' targets that, if they're not met, are a 'cause for concern' and a 'disciplinary matter'.

When I was a staff member in 2002/2003, I was employed for the Christmas period of 2002/2003 and then just before my 3 months of my 'trial period', the word escapes me at the moment, they got rid of me. If I'd been there 3 months then I would have been able to get the old GW staff discount - pay in weight. Pick up hundreds of models for a few pounds as you literally paid for the weight of the sprue/model. Now they get just 50% off - I imagine thats also after 3 months.

I've had two conflicting experiences in the local GW shop lately. The first time I popped in there, first time in a while, I needed some Citadel Metallic paints. So I went in, looked at the rack and immediately there was a staff member next to me asking what I was painting, what colours, what's the colour scheme, etc, etc. He then tried to persuade me I needed Catachans for my Imperial Guard army "...because they're so cool!". He was a little put-out when I explained the entire army would be made from Forgeworld models and was a lore-based list. He still tried to sell me a LRBT. I left with the pots of paint in the end and nothing else.

Second time round, just before Christmas, I needed a single pot of sepia wash. Went in, picked up the pot, went to the counter, chap ran it through the till, I paid and left. He only asked me one thing; "Do you want a bag for it? In case it opens by accident?"

Cryage wrote:

Howard A Treesong wrote:Your mistake is in buying GW glue in the first place...

Buying it once to get the brush applicator isn't a bad idea

I keep hearing about the supposed brush applicator thingy...

But mine just come as a small squeeze bottle with a normal nozzle like the plastic glue has - though the bottles and nozzles are different shapes and sizes from each other.

My "local" GW is an hour away so I've only been there once. I went in looking for advice on painting and we had a constructive conversation on colours and techniques. I got what I needed and never once felt like I was being pressured.

The owner/manager of this particular store is also a decently attractive female. She must get a lot of sales from all the horny lonely nerds.

I really have no problem feeling bad about not buying something if they ask me if there's anything else. I don't have enough money to pander to salespeople. Also, I worked in retail for a while, so I know how hard it is.Employee turnaround in any retail store is pretty high, although it seems GW is abnormally high. I usually go into my local GW after work (i work at a Starbucks in the middle of a mall, and the GW is also in the mall), I have all of 3.89 to my namem so I'm not in any position to buy anything until next week, and they know that.

Sparks_Havelock wrote: the old GW staff discount - pay in weight. Pick up hundreds of models for a few pounds as you literally paid for the weight of the sprue/model.

You can't be serious.

People like my dad are the reason why salesmen always try to get you to buy more. He needed one Double-A battery. He found a pack with two Double-A batteries. He tried to buy it. The sales guy convinced him to buy a massive battery pack that contained twenty Double-A batteries and twenty Tripple-A batteries.

My rambling story probably didn't contribute at all to the thread, but I like talking about things and increasing my post count at the same time.

I have been to the GW store in NYC a couple times and had both types of experiences; first time I went in I had just found the place and mentioned that I was thinking about starting IG. I grabbed the codex but got upsold to a tank and a couple of Vostroyan kits because 'they won't be making these much longer'.

The second time, I said I was an ork player, looking to loot x model and was left alone to rummage through the blisters and kits. Occasionally, he came over to ask if there was anything in particular I was looking for or to show me a bit sprue, but mostly let me do damage to my wallet by myself.

Both got me making stupidly large purchases, though.

-cgmckenzie

I remember when I was younger, my dad took me in to buy me a starter paint set,

Sales rep:" Want to buy some spray primer?"

Dad:" No, I don't want you're 15 dollar spray paint."

Pah! There hasn't been a GW in the American NE in years!

We only have FLGS's. And they're all a little too nice...

snake wrote:

Sparks_Havelock wrote: the old GW staff discount - pay in weight. Pick up hundreds of models for a few pounds as you literally paid for the weight of the sprue/model.

You can't be serious.

He is. The old staff discount was awesome.

My local GW is actually really good. The manger has been there a long time and he's pretty cool. I used to hang out in the shop and and talk a lot.

The manger never pressures me to buy anything and he knows I'm a vet and most of my armies are niche metal armies so he doesn't try to sell me useless stuff (He knows I won't buy it too) Recently he told me about the new liquid greenstuff which was new to me and I did buy a pot as it sounded useful...and it is.

My city did not have a LGS until about a year ago so I was pretty much stuck playing GW only. Several months ago I found out an old GW upper management had opened up a store a year or two ago. I started to check out his store and I really liked it. There are several advantages to shopping at the LGS so I give him my business.

Neither store pressures me to buy anything so I guess I'm lucky.

Ailaros wrote:I've only ever shopped at non-GW-exclusive places, so I can't quite relate. If anything, I've had the opposite happen. Running a small business is risky and generally with razor thin margins on their products. Because I actaully know the guy who owns the store, I sort of feel bad for him just sitting around all day hoping to make a few sales before the gaming crowd comes in in the evening.

Because of this, and because the guy himself is reasonably pleasant and doesn't do things like trying to push people into sales, the conversation usually goes more like

FLGS guy: Hey

Me: Hi

FLGS guy: Can I get you something?

Me: just a pot of boltgun today

FLGS guy: okay, can I get you anything else?

At which point I find myself scrambling to come up with something else, even if it's something that I vaguely think I'll possibly purchase in the next six months.

I then pay my $3, and he thanks me for the business (and I know he actually appreciates it), and next time I'm in the store, whatever I vaguely mentioned is magically there.

With the right attitude, you can basically get a client to tell you, the salesperson, what you want, and then thank you for the privilege. Take the wrong attitude, and, well... you get slightly cheesed patrons

Very much my experience at my FLGS in Washington,IL . By being a real person, taking interest, and being helpful... it makes me want to buy from him. The atmosphere, facilities, and low pressure make it well worth a buck or two mark up here and there compared to buying in bulk from GW or shopping ebay.

Whenever I go to my GW store I get buried in tips and trick about painting, how to mix, what to expect when I mix 2 paints, how to thin/ratio for thinning, stuff like that.

The sale pressure I got was the first day when I came in for the first time, lucky I checked in with my dad before buying anything, as he had it all and then everytime I drop by to buy paint I usually end up buying 1 more pot than expected, be it a new color or wash, and so far I used every color I bought, except for a wash that I'll be using when I am done, all in all, well invested money, very nice guys.

The OP has actually made me feel sympathy for the GW staffer. Fancy asking what Th glue is for? finecast? Plastic? Metals? Terrain? Scenery?

That isnt how these threads are supposed to go at all!

I've had the same 'no pressure' experience from pretty much all three stores and all staffers in my city.

If I buy glue and they ask what for, it's usually so they can start a conversation about what I'm putting together and show an interest. They now know what I play, what projects I've got on the go, ask for updates, ask for photos. If they suggest I buy something, they say why, like "this would work for that conversion". If I say no, I generally tell them why and what I'm doing.

The only time I'm "pressured" into buying something I don't want, it's one of the guys giving me gak for not buying something from Fantasy or LotR or Dreadfleet, none of which I play and they know I have no interest in, and we end up with the friendly banter of flinging insults at each other from across the store (when the kids aren't in, of course).

But, to be fair, I've heard horror stories about GW stores overseas. I was really surprised at first cos I thought all GW stores had the same policy standards for customer service as here.

TBH I'm really glad when we buy a kit and they ask if we need glue. Most of the time we do and have forgotten, which if they hadn't asked, means me having to go pick it up after work which can mean getting home up to an hour later, or heading down on a Thursday night or a Saturday morning half hour each way just to get glue.

And as Mr Burning said, OP - if the staffer didn't know you, and didn't know you were a 40k veteran, would he have been a bigger prick if he let you buy the potentially wrong glue because he didn't ask that one little question? We've all seen the non-gamers in GW or FLGS stores going in to try and pick something up for someone else and have no idea what they're meant to be buying.