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1) I'm not saying 2$ is a huge amount, or even an unreasonable fee for use of the space. Please drop that canard- no one is losing their mind about the amount.

2) I am saying that the "donation" was NOT of the charitable sort. It was a REQUIREMENT to play. Ergo, a fee.

3) If they had asked if I wanted to donate AS AN OPTION, I certainly would have done so, and, given the cause, I'd have easily dropped a fiver without a second thought. But, it was NOT an optional thing-- they were stamping your hand to show that you had paid to play.

4) Someone's asked already, but it bears repeating- at what cost point does a mandatory donation become onerous? $5? $10? $20? $100?

4) Someone's asked already, but it bears repeating- at what cost point does a mandatory donation become onerous? $5? $10? $20? $100?

And who do you want to answer it? I always love when one person asks some question that doesn't really have an answer, except to each individual person as it pertains to them, and then other people keep hammering out the question to no one in particular. )

For me, personally, if I was playing, I think a donation of 5-10 bucks to rent space for an event lack that is reasonable. And I do think it should be advertised to all participants. I think making a profit on the space for an event like hardboyz would be unreasonable at any amount. The money is to get the space, and only that.

As a store owner, even though 2 bucks is reasonable, I'd have just chucked a hundred dollars in and not worried about hassling players for it. But I also don't think that the venue is wrong to charge, that's up to them.

The point of the question is not to get an answer-- it's largely rhetorical, and a means to silence the "It's ONLY $2!!!1" crowd.

Someone more local may be able to correct me if necessary, but I was under the impression that they got the space for free, as it wasn't used during the day, which would also put to rest the "rental" aspect of it.

I enjoyed playing at the Hobbit-- the locals were great, the terrain was wonderful, and the rulings, when necessary, were pretty fair. I STRONGLY encourage people in the area to visit. I just wish they'd call a fee a fee, or ask for donations. Mandatory "donations" are unpalatable at any price point.

To my knowledge they do not pay for the space to rent it. The ASPCA lets them use it on Saturdays for their gaming purposes and to run tournaments. I think all they do is ask for the donation then give it to the ASPCA as a way of saying thank you.

@Dash - Thanks, you basically said what I was going to say before I had the chance. I had wanted to avoid names, but now that they are out, no hiding it. Hit Point Hobbies was promised Semi-Finals this year and also hosted Prelims, but was turned down in favor of the Hobbit despite complaints about the latter and its "donations". I know Spoons says it was not required, but I know a lot of guys who attended multiple years and had to pay. It is a fee, not a donation.

Also, $2 is nothing. It is a meager amount, but the principle is what matters. Hit Point Hobbies had plenty of space for its players and didn't have a fee at all. If you cannot host the event without a fee, don't have it! Simple as that.

Anyhow, I didn't mean for this to get too heated, but I wanted some opinions. I did not skew facts, just presented them as I was told by folks who did attend Semi-Finals and other 'Ard Boyz events at the Hobbit. They charge a fee under the guise of a donation - telling them no means you do not get to game, from what I have heard. That is no way to do things. Even if that is not true, charging for a free event is bad, even at a measly $2.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen out there in the DakkaDakka world,
It has been brought to my attention that some individuals believe they were charged to play in the 40K 'ARDBOYZ Semifinal at The Hobbit Hobby Shop in N.C. The truth be told I did mention to the folks over the phone ahead time that we were going to ask for a $2.00 donation for the ASPCA. If there was a problem with that no one seemed to voice their displeasure at the time of our conversations. However, I was contacted by GW 1 or 2 days before the tourney and asked if I was charging folks $2.00 to play in tourney and as I stated to them, "No I was asking for a $2.00 donation." At which time I was asked if I would deny anybody not giving a donation the ability to play in the tourney. I replied no that would not happen. No INDIVIDUAL was denied the right to play in the tourney and there were several individuals who did not donate to a very worthy cause. Over the past several years due to our players we have donated over $8,390 which the ladies who run the shelter have said has helped them tremendously in taking care of the animals. If you felt intimidated by me into donating to this cause I apologize wholeheartedly for that was not my intention. My intention was only a honourable one to help the ASPCA since they are so gracious to allow us the use of their room for our gaming days.
Take Care Fellow Gamers, Rick

Hopefully this puts the issue to rest. The Hobbit has been a great place to game over the years and I have lots of great memories gaming with my friends in that area.

Maybe in the future a slightly different tone will be used to ask for the donation to the ASPCA.

Thanks Rick for coming on and posting. Hopefully this is the end of the discussion.

---

I would rather people of DakkaDakka read Battle Reports about games from The Hobbit or cool stories rather than posts that whether intended or not end up garnering negative responses about a great store that has been great for the community.

Wow people are still complaining about the $2 donation. Sounds like another store felt cheated out of hosting the semis and others are still grinding their axe.

To answer the question how is okay to ask for a donation I think that is dependent on anyone (their point of view) who would actually want to answer this query. It's really not a big deal. Really.

G

@Rick - thanks for the response and clarification. Keep up the good work at the Hobbit.

@GBF - super insightful post, always a pleasure to read...

This isn't about an axe to grind, because I am not affiliated with any shops, but I know what I heard among my play group about the Hobbit. In fact, I do not personally go to the Hobbit - ever. Why would I care if they charged? The matter is the principle, not the actual price. Now that their owner has spoken up, that surely solves it for plenty of folks, but I know I have heard otherwise on more than one occasion concerning 'Ard Boys events prior, as well.

To note, I had not intended the specific name to come up. I wasn't here to smear a shop by name, but it happened nonetheless.

You're welcome Alex. : )

Hopefully now everyone can put this dead horse to rest.

G

em_en_oh_pee wrote:This isn't about an axe to grind, because I am not affiliated with any shops, but I know what I heard among my play group about the Hobbit. In fact, I do not personally go to the Hobbit - ever. Why would I care if they charged? The matter is the principle, not the actual price. Now that their owner has spoken up, that surely solves it for plenty of folks, but I know I have heard otherwise on more than one occasion concerning 'Ard Boys events prior, as well.

To note, I had not intended the specific name to come up. I wasn't here to smear a shop by name, but it happened nonetheless.

Maybe not, but when you make inferences that a business is conducting business in a 'shady' manner, people will respond. The shop has been in business at the same location since the early 70s. They cater to their customers and run top notch events (40K, Fantasy and Flames of War specifically). It was obvious you posted something without all the facts and folks responded by posting facts who shop and game there.

If folks have an issue with any event being run, they should discuss it with the TO, shop manager, owner etc... Posting anonymously on the internet over some 2nd hand knowledge has little benefit.

There is more to it than you know, Sarigar. Don't make assumptions about my knowledge on the issue. No, I didn't go, but I know what was said to have happened to folks in my gaming group. I have heard about a lot of crap concerning that shop, but I am not going to drag their name through the mud here out of respect for the shop, its owner, and patrons.

This thread seems about done.

The facts as we now understand them are these:

Hobbit Hobby asked entrants for a voluntary $2 donation which was given to the ASPCA in thanks for the use of space to run the event.

People were informed in advance about being asked for a donation.

The donation was completely voluntary. Anyone who didn't pay was able to play.

GW were cool with it and continue to authorise/approve the shop to hold official Hard Boys events.

I would suggest anyone still dissatisfied with the ways things have been handled write to GW Customer Service.

Locking thread.