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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.

We wrote:
1) Age & sex.

28, yes.

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.)

Varies widely. Some months I make a $500 forgeworld order, some months I only buy $5 in paint.

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

About 50/50 split between the local art supply store and whatever game store I happen to be playing at when I run out of black wash.

Models are 100% bought from forgeworld. I haven't bought a model in a store in years.

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?

Off and on MTG, I might play an RPG again if there was an interesting group.

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).

40k.

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).

2) High quality tables/terrain/etc.

3) Plenty of open space between tables, room to unpack stuff, etc.

"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.

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?

Not having the things listed above. Also, being a GW store and not being open during regular retail business hours.

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

In store, 0-2 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?

No. Food and expensive models that take weeks of work do not mix.

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

No.

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.

1) 29, Female
2) 2.5k to 5k, miniatures manufacturing. 0-400 on misc miniatures/kickstarter
3) Online mostly, otherwise misc east coast LGS
4) Mostly miniatures. Also boardgames, rpgs, and Munchkin.
5) Brushfire, Endless, some Warmahordes, some Kings of War.
6) Existing.
7) not existing, having poor selection or poor customer service.
8) In home, in various stores0-3 weekends a month.
9) Soda/water sure, rarely food. $5 should get me a few drinks.
10) No.
11) Prepare for failure.

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.)
$50-100 on average. Some months more, almost never less.
3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
Large orders(over $50) online for discounts. Smaller purchases like single paints or models in store, %'s vary.
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?
Scrabble, Apples to Apples, Munchkin(several varieties), Phase 10 and then WFB and 40k.
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).
WFB and 40k.
6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
Services that outweigh the need for a discount. i.e. gaming space, lounge space, painting space or what have you. Soda machine and bathroom are a major plus.
7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
Lack of product, lack of ANY sales or discounts even seasonal. Lack of services mentioned above. I need a damn good reason not to buy online for less.
8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
Depends on child care. I prefer to game in store for the atmosphere and community(and to show off that my wife plays). I'd prefer weekly but lately that has slowed down a lot due to work.
9) Do you or would you buy snacks or drinks in your store? If you do about how much do you spend per session?
Food not so much. Soda I'd buy 1-2/hr easily. That depends on price as well. $.75 is the max I'd ever spend on a can, $1.25 for bottles.
10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
I don't as I have not enough free time as it is. If I ever found a decent samurai non manga comic/ graphic novel I'd probably pick it up.
11) Other comments
In store services are the ONLY way to stay competitive with online discounters. You need to give people a worthy reason to spend a little more.

 Peregrine wrote:
28, yes.

Uhh! First post.

Are we that predictable?

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.
29 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.)
Varying $30-$200
3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
FLGS or Ebay
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?
40k, Warmachine, Board Games, Hero-Clix
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).
40k, Hero Clix
6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
If they offer good service and a place to play, I'll gladly support them with some purchase every visit. Generally a couple paints, a soda. Depends on the cashflow vs bills, etc.
7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
Poor service, if you don't have room to play don't expect me to buy. If I wanted to play at my house, I'd buy everything online. I like the "experience" and the random people you meet.
8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
Yes, 2 stores. 1-3 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?
Yes, selling bottled water/soda and general snacks keeps a small store in business I swear.
10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
Nope.
11) Other comments
If the store is allowing special things like FW units. I would wholly expect the store to sell all the IA: XX Books.

jdjamesdean@mail.com wrote:
If the store is allowing special things like FW units. I would wholly expect the store to sell all the IA: XX Books.

This isn't possible, unfortunately. FW stuff is only available through FW's online store, so any independent store that sold the books would be buying them at full retail cost and then selling them to you at an even higher price. And obviously there just isn't any point to doing that.

 Peregrine wrote:

jdjamesdean@mail.com wrote:
If the store is allowing special things like FW units. I would wholly expect the store to sell all the IA: XX Books.

This isn't possible, unfortunately. FW stuff is only available through FW's online store, so any independent store that sold the books would be buying them at full retail cost and then selling them to you at an even higher price. And obviously there just isn't any point to doing that.

Hmm MY LGS has the books. Maybe they just changed it so he can't get them anymore?
Regardless if that's the case than that's how I'd feel about it.
Not arguing right/wrong, arguing availability vs well lack there of.

jdjamesdean@mail.com wrote:
Not arguing right/wrong, arguing availability vs well lack there of.

There is no availability issue, since everything is available right here: http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Imperial_Armour_Books

Selling those books as an independent store makes no sense at all, you can't compete with buying direct from the publisher, so why would you ever want to waste money and shelf space on inventory that nobody is going to buy from you? I can see the value of having a store copy (and hey, another reason to support your local store, store copies of all the rulebooks in case there's a question), but not selling them.

 Peregrine wrote:

jdjamesdean@mail.com wrote:
Not arguing right/wrong, arguing availability vs well lack there of.

There is no availability issue, since everything is available right here: http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Imperial_Armour_Books

Selling those books as an independent store makes no sense at all, you can't compete with buying direct from the publisher, so why would you ever want to waste money and shelf space on inventory that nobody is going to buy from you? I can see the value of having a store copy (and hey, another reason to support your local store, store copies of all the rulebooks in case there's a question), but not selling them.

Considering he was getting them through a retailer, possibly his GW one.
Selling them for the same price as FW without all the hassle.
I'm not seeing the big deal here, he wasn't selling them at a higher price.
He cannot get FW models but for some reason can get the books.

Providing facilities for people gaming seems a good idea; I'd spent more time/money in a gaming centre if it had decent bathrooms (because I don't fancy having to leave an army in a shop while I have to go to another store to use a bathroom), and basic snacks (cans of soda and candies), for which I'd be happy to pay some minor premium (more than shop prices, less than bar prices). I wouldn't expect to make much profit from the snacks themselves, but one of those beer fridges with some cans and chocolate bars would be a good reason to keep people in the store and provide a little supplemental income.

For people who are focussed on price, you'll struggle to beat internet retailers, so you should be focusing on the things internet retailers can't do; providing a good atmosphere and facilities. A bit of a discount vs RRP would be good, but a rewards scheme may also work better.

I'd echo having a copy of the common rule books in the store, as well as stuff like measuring tapes and dice, that the customers can use/refer to if they need. Again they won't provide a direct income but would add value for customers.

One I always wanted to a local game store but was never brought in. For a small fee have a locker rental system (say £5 a month) so that you can keep your army there rather than transporting it to and from the store 2/3 times a week. Of cause not for everyone as some will want to play at home, but handy for those who can only really get the space at a store.

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!

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

I guess that depends purely on demand, some things I'm happy to wait weeks for, some I'm not.


If you're doing online stuff, being able to (pre-)order online to collect in store would be a great thing to have for many. It may save them a wasted trip if they are after something specific

1) 20, M
2) $100-$200 a month, 90% miniatures 8% rules for those minatures 2% dice and the like
3) 60% online, 40% in store. I generally place larger orders (over $100) through ebay and get a discount but if it isn't too expensive and it is in stock I much rather pick it up from my FLGS.
4) Mostly just miniatures, the very occasional RPG
5) Warhammer fantasy
6) FLGS. This day and age anyone can buy anything without ever leaving the house but I like going down to my local comic book shop and talking with people there so while I'm there I'll buy things.
7) When it is less a FLGS more a typical shop. My local GW is a closet with 2 4x4 boards and doesn't feel like a place to hang out, it feels like a shop that just wants to put merchandise in my arms and send me on my way. As said, I can by stuff online, I choose not too because I like hanging out at a FLGS.
8) In store. Always in store. It'll be one day a week and almost always the same day each week so and everyone else will show up on that same day.
9) Yes. Very much so, me and the guys buy at least a couple of cans of drink for like $1.50 each every week.
10) No.
11) Gameing space and at least one late night on a thursday/friday/saturday is a must. My FLGS has magic tournaments on fridays and plenty of room for warhammer players to get out some tables on the side, it then stays open till the magic guys finish (usually midnight).

1) Age & sex.
21, 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.)
Some months up to 200 dollars, some months nothing at all. Percentages are impossible to say, but I'd guess roughly 50% paints, brushes, tools. 50% minis and magazines.

3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
I order big chunks online, smaller purchases from my local 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?
Only miniature wargaming.

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).
WarmaHordes (Hordes personally). But I am a collector who buys a bit of this, bit of that. Mainly GW metal figures from the Specialist Games section. So offering in-store orders of that stuff would be appreciated if there's no GW store around (free shipping would be required).

6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
To support the store, because despite its flaws it's a good store. And it's a nice feeling to pick a blister or a brush up and come home and use it the same day.

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
Higher prices than online. Bad service by some staffers. Though well stocked, not as well stocked as the internet.

8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
No data.

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 buy sodas/water. And I would buy microwave pizzas/lasagnas if they had them.

10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
I do not read comics.

11) Other comments
To me friendly staff is beyond important. It's the major factor in what's making me come back to the store.

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!

It's not exactly a "moneymaking" business but as long as you do what the people want/ask and most importantly pay for you will do fine.

Why to sell Soda/water/snacks?
Profit.

~$4 for 12 cans of soda. Resale @ $1. Of course buying the 24 packs, Costco/sams club memberships mean it will be even cheaper.

Candy bought through places like Costco/Sams Club, or other various "bulk" stores will avg out to 40-55 cents a piece, skittles, reeses, snickers, etc. Resell them for a buck too.

My friend makes about $350 in drinks/candy in a bad week. Mind you that's profit with the other $350 being used to get more of the aforementioned.
Mind you prices will vary as to where you are in the states. Here in VA things stay fairly cheap. While if you were around New York City, the prices would be drastically higher.

Magic the Gathering is pretty simple money. For FNM it's 5 bucks a person to play, return the entries to the Top X players in Store Credit. They buy drinks, candy, packs, dice, deck boxes, sleeves. Honestly MTG is a big reason game stores stay open ( around here)

Other games, from what I've seen Yu-Gi-Oh is a money trap as the local players always complain about not getting in new stuff, yet never buy anything.

Hero Clix, does amazing at 1 store, and really poorly at the other. It brings in about 30 people for wednesday nites at the closest store. While the other store can hardly sell the materials.

Warmahordes Does really well at the further store, and has no through minimal interest at the closer.

1) Age & sex.
25

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.)
$70 a month on miniatures not including modeling supplies thats about $15 worth

3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
At FLGS I internet for bits and such.

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?
Just miniature 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).
Warmahordes and GW stuff.

6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
Solid gaming crowd and events and SALES!!!!!

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
jackasses behind the counter.

8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
about 3 times 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?
Say, around $3-5 bucks a visit if store local store has a cook out with beers and hot dogs & hamburgers on tournament days.

10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
No comics although it's a meaningful investment towards FLGS IMO

11) Other comments
I would suggest tournament days be coupled with sale days. For example, if things in the store are 10% that day, tournament players get and additional 5% off as well.

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.

30s dude

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.)

I'll buy multiple boxes of hobby stuff a month.

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

99% FLGS

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?

Mostly hobby miniatures. I will buy "cool stuff" on impulse. Reaper figs and XWing.

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).

All Warmachine/Hordes. I buy 40k or Fantasy stuff as the mood strikes me to paint something else.

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

Open play and presence of regular opponents.

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?

An unclean atmosphere.

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

At its zenith, my store gaming was two or three times a week at two or three different venues.

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 do and I would, but I'd much rather be closer to a place that sold actual food.

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

Yes, but I look for weird non-DC/Marvel stuff nowadays, so my spending is intermittent.

1) Age & sex.

24, 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.)

200 bucks a month on average. Some months it's more, some times it's less, depends on the bills. Though I rarely ever go a month without buying something, mostly wargames like Malifaux, Brushfire, Warmahordes, and occasionally Flames of War and 40k

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

Major purchases? Internet
Splash purchases and instant gratification? My FLGS, I demo there, I buy my Malifaux there simply because I support the store that let's me have "free reign" every Fridays from 5:30 till close

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 play Pathfinder, and I have some new magic cards, but I wouldn't count me as a CCG or TCG player.

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).

Currently only playing Malifaux, but based on averages, I would still consider myself an occasional Warmahordes player, and an infrequent 40k player.

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

Friendly atmosphere, "semi-competitive" discount. The FLGS I run run Malifaux at gives me 10% off all purchases, and my previous FLGS had a "store membership" that gave us 10% off all purchases for 20 bucks a year.

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?

Sales, and my previous flgs's inability at getting any product in in a timely manner. My last online purchases were from Miniature Market for Black Friday and from Wyrd for their Birthday sale, offering things at a damn good discount (for MM), and models that I can't get anywhere else (like Nightmare Edition teddy from Wyrd).

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

I game once a week in store. My schedule is too hectic atm to allow for anything more without decent planning.

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

Since I started watching what I eat, I rarely buy snacks at the store, but I almost buy a water or two, so 2 bucks at most (I know I'm cheap lol).

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

20 bucks every two weeks or so, depends on what from my pull came in.

11) Other comments

Expect to fail, offering steep discounts in store is not really a viable way to run the business when you're small or not well known (Miniature Market and The Warstore are the exception).
Clean store, well lit, happy service - If your store looks like a crap hole, smells like a crap hole, and employees of the store act like they just stepped into a crap hole, no one will want to be at your store.
Plan the play space out well in advanced for the store you're looking at renting/owning, you don't want to get retail space and realize you don't have enough gaming area, which can help draw people in.

1) 23, Male.
2) Hard to say. Sometimes I purchase nothing for a month. But I'd say 30-50 dollars. 70% figures/wargaming and 30% other things (modelling supplies, paint, terrain, books etc)
3) Internet.
4) I also play Magic the Gathering and the occasional boardgame. Purchases occur but are rare.
5) I play Necromunda and Infinity. I'd like to start playing Malifaux but I haven't yet. I sometimes play Warmachine, 40k and fantasy but haven't purchased anything for these games for a long time and probably won't for a while.
6) That they stock what I want and that it's convenient for me to shop there and friendly staff.
7) If it's in an inconvienient location or that the staff is unfriendly.
8) I do not game in a store.
9) I'd rather just drink water.
10) I do not read comics.
11) Good luck.

1) Age & sex.
36 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.)
Averaging over the year, $200 per month. 80% miniatures, 10% painting and hobby supplies, 10% roleplaying books.

3) Where do you primarily buy your gaming supplies? Internet or FLGS? If both could you break it down into approximate percentages?
65% online discount stores, 35% visiting retail stores.

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?
Roleplaying games, Vampire, Fantasy Flight 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, Warhammer 40k, Warhammer Fantasy, Infinity and Malifaux.

6) What makes you want to shop at a FLGS/ What are you looking for in your FLGS?
Multiple gaming tables, clean and well presented, welcoming, washroom and access to food and snacks.

7) What makes you not buy from a FLGS?
Dirty, unwelcoming, rude, smelly, cliqueish and limited stock.

8) Do you game in store or elsewhere? If in-store how many days a week?
Usually at home, hopefully once per week, In store perhaps once per 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?
Often, especially if you provide painting/hobby stations. About $15 a day in the store on sodas, chips, coffee.

10) Do you also read comics? If so how much do you spend on comics?
Yes, but only full Graphic Novels. About $20 a month.

11) Other comments
Run it like it's your business, not a place to have the excuse to play games all day. Remember customers are customers and not an annoyance interupting you playing WoW or talking to your mates about T'Pol being hotter than 7 of 9. Be ready to run events and tournaments.

Not to be a downer, but wouldn't a web survey be a lot easier for collecting this kind of data?

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.

None of this matters. It's not data that means anything. These aren't people who will shop with you.

Real things to do if you want to open a game store:
1. Go to the GAMA boards, look for the link to the Games Resource Forums. Read as many threads as you can, and post a business plan.
2 Make a business plan. Including how you are financing such a venture.
3. Research Financing. This includes all costs associated with building out the storefront, inventory, and burn money.
4. Research your local real estate market for costs.
5. Find the game distributors in your area and get rolling on applications.
6. You need an accountant, tax preparer, and lawyer, or the knowledge to do those jobs yourself.

Everything goes into the business plan, or ties into it. If you want to do research on demographics, use the people in your area.

I would have thought it would make more sense to commit a survey in the local and extended area around where you plan on opening a store rather than committing a generic web-survey in a forum dedicated to the proper demographic? Confused as to what this thread is meant to achieve.

What Mik said.

Pretty much what Mikhaila said.

The only other thing I'll add is a response to what keeps me from buying at a store: aggressive salesmanship. I hate going into my local GW store (and almost never do now) because the employees immediately try to get into my pants. I almost want to shout at them "I've been playing these games since you were in elementary school, leave me alone so I can browse in peace!" It's like they're a bunch of vultures waiting to descend on the first person to walk in.

Not only do they circle like vultures but they have absolutely no tact or ability to listen to the customer.

This is a true exchange, word for word.

Me: walks into GW store
Employee: (instantly attaches to me like some sort of parasitic leech) what brings you in?
Me: ugh
Employee: What army do you play man?
Me: Black Templars, I need an Emperor's Champion.
Employee: How about an Ork Stompa they just came out this week, come on... you know you want it!
Me: Wonder to myself; What part of Black Templars translates into Ork Stompa?
Me: Ok well you obviously don't have an Emperor's Champion model based on your complete lack of shelf stock.
Employee: Well you can order it off our instore interweb portal thing. At full price of course, with tax and we'll have it here... lets say in a couple weeks. How's that sound?
Me: Whatever... (and walks away).
Me: Thinking - I clearly drove all the way here to use somebody eles computer do something I could do cheaper from my house.

I haven't been back to that bunker since and I'll drive 45 minutes further away to go to a non-GW game store.

The point GW overlooks is that a retail store (particuarly the regional HQ) needs to have their items instock. Gamers go there for gaming space and for impulse buys. If they want a good deal they will go online. Customers will pay retail price because the store offers to let them have that item inhand and provide instant gratification. If I had wanted to wait a week to mail order a model I wouldn't have been in the store in the first place. Also if the customer tells you they want something don't insult them by offering something completely unrelated. If they ask for something in black don't offer up something neon pink.

Yeah... .that sounds more like changed-for-"internet-cool" than word for word. The message may have been identical, but word for word. Also, you come off rather rude and arrogant in all but one line of that exchange. GW staff are just guys working retail, except they have a lot of extra pressure on them.