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Balance wrote:

Kozuka wrote:Has it occured to anyone that a games workshop store can actually be quite an intimidating place to anyone that isn't a regular/ simply curious/ or maybe a little insecure about their hobby?

Having someone who is willing to chat to you and find out about you is what alot of casual collectors respond too.

On the other hand, a 'hard sell' scares a lot of people, and this is definitely hard-sell behavior. Some people want to just browse quietly until they need assistance.

Ah yes, the good old 'Pretend no one else exists' trait that seems to have befallen atleast everyone in britain (eg, trains, a whole carriage full of people doing their best to pretend there is no one there but them).

I agree with you, it is nice to be left alone to browse, especially in large shops where there is lots to take in.
Typically however most games workshops are quite small, and usually not very busy.

What this results in is usually two people who don't know each other, yet who are acutely aware of each others presence. Not talking too or acknowledging each other just intensifies the awkwardness.

Imagine how horrible and dull GW shops would be if everyone was pretending they where the only person there.

I don't think anyone's saying that they shouldn't talk to you, but putting on the hard sell immediately (or at all) is really annoying and off-putting.

Depends on what I'm chasing them with...

azreal13 wrote:

Its when they immediately follow up with sales patter that I lose patience, I have over 10 years of experience in sales, I know the tricks, but I like to be given time to draw breath and get my bearings before engaging in conversation. Others may be happy to start chatting about purchases right away and will become irritated if you leave them alone too long, and it is being able to read each person and make that call that makes a good salesperson, something I seldom encounter in any GW.

I think you have hit the nail on the head here, each person is different, and not everyone likes to be treated the same way.
I dont mind a greeting but when i drop hints to be left alone to browse in peace, i expect them to be followed, which is rarely the case, its normally followed instead by some suggestion that i try something new and *surprise surprise" expensive !!

2 seconds, even when carrying stuff in. The Wellington GW store also has a manager that suffers from verbal diarrhoea. "No I don't want to start vampire counts when I an only afford one box of minis per month."

"But you can always buy these guys when you can next."

"What If I don't like Vampire counts?"

It goes on for fething ever. At least he's not in on Sundays and Tuesdays, so I know when it's safe because the casuals work on those days, who happen to be awesome guys at least.

Kozuka wrote:Has it occured to anyone that a games workshop store can actually be quite an intimidating place to anyone that isn't a regular/ simply curious/ or maybe a little insecure about their hobby?

Having someone who is willing to chat to you and find out about you is what alot of casual collectors respond too.

Yes, it is. All they are is black wall paper, line of shelf's full things you dont know and a counter. Maybe 2 tables. Atleast thats what mine is like(its like 6 miles away though, only ever been there once)

Balance wrote:

Kozuka wrote:Has it occured to anyone that a games workshop store can actually be quite an intimidating place to anyone that isn't a regular/ simply curious/ or maybe a little insecure about their hobby?

Having someone who is willing to chat to you and find out about you is what alot of casual collectors respond too.

On the other hand, a 'hard sell' scares a lot of people, and this is definitely hard-sell behavior. Some people want to just browse quietly until they need assistance.

I see your point Balance, but if GW didn't lead in this overly chatty and approachable way, the Warhammer ethic would be entirely different.

Well this one time, um, this blackshirt totally yeild at me because I only bought a $105 purchas and didn't buy a baneblade.......

Zambro wrote:

Balance wrote:

Kozuka wrote:Has it occured to anyone that a games workshop store can actually be quite an intimidating place to anyone that isn't a regular/ simply curious/ or maybe a little insecure about their hobby?

Having someone who is willing to chat to you and find out about you is what alot of casual collectors respond too.

On the other hand, a 'hard sell' scares a lot of people, and this is definitely hard-sell behavior. Some people want to just browse quietly until they need assistance.

I see your point Balance, but if GW didn't lead in this overly chatty and approachable way, the Warhammer ethic would be entirely different.

So it'd be friendly? Because the current mindset... isn't.

Don't hate on sales reps. They're just doing their job. Management basically forces them to harass people for sales in fear of not meeting weekly numbers and being fired. They probably don't want to push products on you.

I used to work at Radio Shack...

I've said it before i'll say it again. My local GW employee is a great example he always greets people helps them out and introduces new people to the game.

Heck when my brother (who does not play anymore) went in to get my birthday present he even checked the fine cast model for major imperfections that is quality.

Addendum to previous post: there's a new (I think) redshirt in my local gw. I haven't seen him all that much, but he's better than some of the other guys that work there. When I went in he was painting something, and all he asked was if I knew what I was looking for, then continued painting. He seemed pretty chill, although I still don't have a reason to go buy things from the gw (ever notice how pretty much every site that sells gw products does so at a 20% or more discount?).

Poppabear wrote:Well this one time, um, this blackshirt totally yeild at me because I only bought a $105 purchas and didn't buy a baneblade.......

What does 'Yeild' mean? and 'Purchas'?

J.Black wrote:

Poppabear wrote:Well this one time, um, this blackshirt totally yeild at me because I only bought a $105 purchas and didn't buy a baneblade.......

What does 'Yeild' mean? and 'Purchas'?

Don't get hung up on silly things like that man. ¬¬

McNinja wrote:Addendum to previous post: there's a new (I think) redshirt in my local gw. I haven't seen him all that much, but he's better than some of the other guys that work there. When I went in he was painting something, and all he asked was if I knew what I was looking for, then continued painting. He seemed pretty chill, although I still don't have a reason to go buy things from the gw (ever notice how pretty much every site that sells gw products does so at a 20% or more discount?).

$6 off per box.

Buying a 1500 point army that'll total to what, $50-60 or so? I'd pay that to support my local store with maybe one army, definitely. Even the GW paints over there are cheaper than P3 or Vallejo here.

Wouldn't pay the extra $25 per purchase though, I support my local store by buying some GF9 etc from them (as there's only a few GW's left in Australia now). Granted I usually save about $35 a purchase as I buy used as I enjoy seeing what the power of LOVE! can do to things. (Using a $55/30 box as an example).

OT: When I went in many a year ago before the local GW shutdown (lasted maybe a year or two, Australia's not a good place to setup your impulse buy business model when we're so spread out along the coasts), the guy was nice enough and quick (it wasn't overly busy at any time), got me as soon as I went in and didn't 'force' me into an army, I just picked the first one I saw (yes I'm terrible with decisions), made good recommendations and didn't try to rip me off of any money (more than GW execs were), just told me the bare basics of what to get (battleforce + lord) which was Necrons. Luckily I didn't regret it.

What makes me really annoyed though... NZ prices are cheaper slightly (adjusting for exchange rate for those who think HOLY CRAP $65 NO WAY!)

CrashCanuck wrote:I once saw a redshirt make the Kessel run in under 12 parsecs.

Dammit, that's my coffee on the monitor....

Well in both stores in cologne the staff is really fast probably within the first 10 seconds. Okay, they are doing their greeting thing rather.. odd, the last time was something like "Hi, my name is... and I play XY, how can I help you today?" wich leaves me only one answer: "Hi, my name is Troy Mcclure and you may know me for my space marines and bretonnian army"..
did the trick and I was left alone

Best experience was in the Dublin GW 6 years ago. Had a really nice chat about pretty much everything with the staff after they discovered that I'm from germany and on vacation in Ireland. From the gaming itself to living in Germany vs Ireland and the beer discussion
They were really puzzled, that I couldn't buy the new Necromunda Rulebook and Imperial Armour book in a german GW, when I pointed that out and I bought the Rulebook, one Gang, a new Blood Bowl Team and the Imperial Armour I on this day

McNinja wrote:Addendum to previous post: there's a new (I think) redshirt in my local gw. I haven't seen him all that much, but he's better than some of the other guys that work there. When I went in he was painting something, and all he asked was if I knew what I was looking for, then continued painting. He seemed pretty chill, although I still don't have a reason to go buy things from the gw (ever notice how pretty much every site that sells gw products does so at a 20% or more discount?).

Well you shouldn't have a reason to game there either because all of your online discounters provide you a way to teleport through the internet and game in thier internet store with other gamers right?

Since I don't have a computer which will teleport me and my minis to TRON-land to play 40k with people (must not be available in my area yet) I still have to game with people in the real world in these horrible stores made out of bricks and held together by mortar...

well, as a former redshirt, my current land speed record is 159.7 MPH on my bike.

but seriously, you're complaining about someone saying hello and asking you if you need help?

unless we see you in there EVERY day (yes we had those guys) how are we to know you play or not? you must have forgotten to wear your badge that appropriately distinguishes you from the rest of the world. our mistake.

the number one item pushed to sell, is the basic starter package. that's the NUMBER ONE item GW pushes to tell. once you're into the game, we don't have to sell you crapola.

look, I worked there, I know it, and I STILL buy crap for this game. (mostly because I love it)

its like crack. we're crack dealers. the first bite is free (demo game) then its all downhill from there.

but as far as asking for a CSR to see if they can help you? I would LOVE to have every store I shopped at be that courteous. (and yes, we were chastised for not greeting everyone who walked in the store, because we all like being acknowledged)

The other reason the sales pitch may be a bit robotic is because for a lot of the store staffers its their first job. Plus its their first intro to the 'real world neo' with set targets to meet and the like. That said, if you're polite back, as I am, I never have any problem whether I want a hand finding something or am just browsing.

There's no point ragging on staff who have been taught to do things a certain way, because thats how the company wants it. That said, i have been in quite a few GW's around the UK and Germany and found them all to be good. I hate walking into a 'FLGS' sometimes because in the first few seconds you know you've made a big mistake - along with the first time you go into somewhere like Maelstrom games and its like putting an old pair of slippers on and feeling like home.

So to sum up, I actually like the pitch.

Depends on the guy, the Manager and the Pernament is fast but the casuals can be slow.

I've noticed that Gamesworkshop stores share similarities with America's favorite restaurant-Hooters. Both yell out a greeting to you when you enter, try to get you to buy expensive items from the "menu," and you're constantly surrounded by large breasted people who don't give you much space. Also, adolescents seem to drool a lot in both places. Huh...not much difference at all, really

Oh, right. The large breasted people in Hooters bathe. Never mind...

timetowaste85 wrote:I've noticed that Gamesworkshop stores share similarities with America's favorite restaurant-Hooters. Both yell out a greeting to you when you enter, try to get you to buy expensive items from the "menu," and you're constantly surrounded by large breasted people who don't give you much space. Also, adolescents seem to drool a lot in both places. Huh...not much difference at all, really

Oh, right. The large breasted people in Hooters bathe. Never mind...

and I want to have sex with the large breasted in Hooters, not in ANY FLGS I have ever been to.

oh and there is beer, and chicken wings, and more hot chicks in one space than any FLGS has ever seen even on the internet.

did you seriously compare Hooters to a dorkturary? I deduct 10 man points, and hold you in contempt for women in nerd court.

Idk, I met one of my ex's in a FLGS (her older brother didn't like the fact that we started dating and made my life miserable from there on out), and she had a good sized rack, great butt, and was a freak in the sack. And she was cute.

And yes, I compared Hooters to a GW. I think I deserve the 'brass balls' award for making such a statement.

timetowaste85 wrote:Idk, I met one of my ex's in a FLGS (her older brother didn't like the fact that we started dating and made my life miserable from there on out), and she had a good sized rack, great butt, and was a freak in the sack. And she was cute.

And yes, I compared Hooters to a GW. I think I deserve the 'brass balls' award for making such a statement.

a single cute girl vs an entire hooters waitress staff a synonym doth not make.

I think you got lucky. but I still don't agree with the comparison. most of the people in my FLGS are likely to be the oil sweating creepers at the hooters ordering coke and fried chicken in the corner booth with a roll of quarters waiting for the waitress staff to walk by.

Hooters > GW

Anyone that says different hates excellent wings.

Good day, sir!

Rimmy wrote:

timetowaste85 wrote:Idk, I met one of my ex's in a FLGS (her older brother didn't like the fact that we started dating and made my life miserable from there on out), and she had a good sized rack, great butt, and was a freak in the sack. And she was cute.

And yes, I compared Hooters to a GW. I think I deserve the 'brass balls' award for making such a statement.

a single cute girl vs an entire hooters waitress staff a synonym doth not make.

I think you got lucky. but I still don't agree with the comparison. most of the people in my FLGS are likely to be the oil sweating creepers at the hooters ordering coke and fried chicken in the corner booth with a roll of quarters waiting for the waitress staff to walk by.

You do realize that my comparison was a HUGE joke, right? It was meant to be funny. Sounds like somebody needs a boulder, a sign that says "bye bye", and a very tall bird to chase.
I happen to like Hooters-wings are good, and a coke or beer, depending on my mood: and I know it has no real correlation with a game store. I figured the outrageousness of my statements before would suggest I was in no way being serious

And Kronk, what's wrong with bringing a roll of quarters to engage the girls in drinking games?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Edit-sorry, Kronk. I thought you put that bit about the quarters. Lol

timetowaste85 wrote:You do realize that my comparison was a HUGE joke, right?

There is no humor on the internet. There is only:

1. The Onion. Simply the greatest source of unbiased journalism ever.
2. pr0n.
3. GW bashing.

If you cannot agree that a Hooters Store is greater than an FLGS, then I must say good day sir!



On topic: I have been in 2 GW stores. Neither was pushy. In one, the guy was handling 6 or 8 kids under 12 by himself. A few were rather rambunctious, as kids are wont to be. I picked up what I wanted and left without issues.

where is that facepalm emoticon.....

so I take it you weren't picking up on my sarcasm in the first place?

Rimmy wrote:where is that facepalm emoticon.....

so I take it you weren't picking up on my sarcasm in the first place?

Who me? I picked up on it just fine.

TheChaoticJournalist wrote:

J.Black wrote:In Manchester it is pretty much within the first 10 seconds: Gotta hand it to 'em, they are real efficient

I wasn't gonna mention the store, but, uncannily, I'm on about the same store! Tzeentch works in mysterious ways.....

Dude, you're trying to claim Manchester is in West Yorkshire? Are you trying to start a war (of the Roses)?