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Dysartes wrote:

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)?

Last year when Manchester city council was redesigning it's logo, they asked for submissions from the public. For some reason my idea of a large white rose didn't make it to the final design

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

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

Looks like I need to facepalm myself I figured you were kidding with the -10 man points, but then the next message I thought was serious Anyway, I still recommend an 'acme' boulder for your amusement

On topic, how fast of a redshirt were you again? Lol. Did you ever have whiners to your face about you being a salesman?

Dysartes wrote:

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)?

Not claiming, my appologies. I'm got not great with Geography :(

timetowaste85 wrote:

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

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

Looks like I need to facepalm myself I figured you were kidding with the -10 man points, but then the next message I thought was serious Anyway, I still recommend an 'acme' boulder for your amusement

On topic, how fast of a redshirt were you again? Lol. Did you ever have whiners to your face about you being a salesman?

Nope. Despite the corporate intimidation I never sold anythin to anyone they didn't want.

Most of my customers were jumpy I could help them find what they came for. The large majority of my sales was starter sets. I was really good at getting people excited to play (because I was excited to play)

I got in trouble for telling kids to save their money.

The redshirts at my FLGS are bros, as far as I remember. Haven't been in there in a month or so.

Usually don't bother me unless I ask em about something, and leave me + the other gamers in the store alone while we play with our plastic armymen.
.
Maybe it's because my GW is a spacious minimall store? Tons of space, and all the product is on the walls so it's easy to spot theft.

It had been a while since I had been in an actual GW Store I took the 3 hour ride to one today from entering the front of the store I counted "1 one thousand, 2 one thou...." "Hi what can I help you find today?" so it took them 1.5 seconds. And in all fairness I had my big black GW case slung over my shoulder and my Chaos Undivided shirt on. I have found when I don't have the case and/or the shirt they ask a lot faster.

Also in all fairness as soon as I said "Random bits for conversions" they backed down.

Redshirts? I thought most GW stores were 1 man operations now... ran by Blackshirts.

Anyway, our Blackshirt is a good guy, not overbearing, and leading by example when it comes to getting painted armies on the board.

I present this as people's evidence: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/434289.page

Battle Ready Studios wrote:Redshirts? I thought most GW stores were 1 man operations now... ran by Blackshirts.

Anyway, our Blackshirt is a good guy, not overbearing, and leading by example when it comes to getting painted armies on the board.

Fair Oaks Mall in VA there were 3 guys in red shirts, 2 in black. In all fairness the store was having an event I was told it was their 3 year birthday.

Bex wrote:

Battle Ready Studios wrote:Redshirts? I thought most GW stores were 1 man operations now... ran by Blackshirts.

Anyway, our Blackshirt is a good guy, not overbearing, and leading by example when it comes to getting painted armies on the board.

Fair Oaks Mall in VA there were 3 guys in red shirts, 2 in black. In all fairness the store was having an event I was told it was their 3 year birthday.

that makes sense now. I thought it was a bit crowded, even for a saturday.

The one time a GW employee (the coulour of his shirt now escapes me) tried to sell me something was when I came in looking for the BRB for, and this was just after the island of blood release so he tried to sell me the IoB box. after a polite refusal to buy, he stop talking about the box and asked the usual Q's, what armys do you play and stuff.

There was this one time when I was in bromley GW the guy tried to convince me to buy a diffrent wash to the one I was buying, not trying to sell me anything more but more along the lines of:
"buy that one instead, its better and brings the paints together"

Edinburgh used to be ok. At first you had to fend them off with a cricket bat but once they got to know you it was just talking about 40k and not trying to sell you anything you didn't want. Then they were all replaced! The last few times I was there(it may have changed) The new lot totally ignored you to the point where you had to try and catch their eye when you were trying to buy something!They seemed to have their own little collective with their mates and never seemed keen to leave it.

Since I've mentioned 2 positive GW experiences, I thought I'd add on lucky number 3. I went to GW in Kent, Washington today by the college, and had a really good experience. The manager wasn't pushy, was very helpful, and suggested reading material to help me figure out which models to buy (suggested reading and not buying the models until I read it-how's that for honesty?!). Sadly, Black Library was having difficulties and wouldn't accept my card for an ebook, so I'll have to buy it later, but I bought two boxes of Seekers and a pack of battlemagic cards that I needed. I sat down and put one box together, talked with the regulars, and got a couple painting and sculpting tips (the Brass Bull I saw being built there was awesome!!) and I now intend to make a Khorne daemon prince, despite how much I said they were worthless before, they now have use due to Grey Knights, and the BB conversion would make for a great prince with a few modifications. So 3 perfect GW experiences, saw a 25th anniversary model that had two tiny imperfections-so tiny that they were barely noticeable while looking for them and even being told they were there. Highly recommend this GW store guys-they aren't pushy, are very friendly, and quite helpful in all ways supporting the hobby.

My last three store visits went something like this :

GW Swindon Visit 1 : Time in store approx 7 seconds.
Redshirt separates from his cohort and opens with standard "Hi, can I help you with anything ?"
Me - "No mate, spotted the store as I walked by and thought I'd pop in to look at your 40K tables."
Redshirt - " Well if you're interested in starting an army I'm sure I can help you choose."
Me - "I've been playing since Cortez wore spotted armour, so I think I'm OK thanks." - Redshirt looks confused, so I elaborate, " Ever heard of Rogue Trader ? Thirty Marines for a tenner ? Mole Mortar ?" - RT seems to ring a bell for him, but the others just seem to confuse him even more. Time to finish him
Me - "No offence mate, but if you were a Scout, I'd be Ortan Cassius"
Redshirt deflates nicely and wanders off in search of easier prey.


GW Swindon, Vist 2 (3 weeks later) : Time in store approx 10 seconds. Same Redshirt on duty. I'm pushed for time and in no mood to play.
Redshirt - "Hi, are you looking for anything in particular ?" ( either he's a robot, or he's already forgotten my last visit, so I decide to play after all.)
Me - (raising a hand as I pass by) "Hold that thought !"
After a couple of minutes collecting items, during which the RoboShirt watches, I return with my choices. I notice his mate is grinning slightly, obviously someone's memory is starting to fizz a little, but not Robo until...
Me - "Ring 'em up, Scout, I'm on a schedule."
Robo deflates again as memory returns. His mate, meanwhile, is trying to stifle a laugh.

GW Bristol (City Centre) (about 2 weeks later still) : Time in store approx 2 minutes. 1 Redshirt on duty, no other customers in store.
Redshirt - "Morning ! Looking for something or just browsing ?"
Me - "Killing time before my train so I thought I'd pop in."
Redshirt - "Cool. If you need anything just let me know."
It's my turn to be confused, so I ask him flat out - "No sales pitch ?"
Red looks up from the Tervigon he's painting and smiles - " You've got the Ultramarines symbol on your cap, and you eyed the table at the front like a sniper on a fly-by, so I'm guessing you'd know what you want. Been playing long ?"
Me - "Since the day after Rogue Trader was published."
Red's smile becomes a grin and he makes the sign of the Aquilla - " An Honoured Veteran !" he chuckles.
On that day I missed my train and had to catch the next as I spent a couple of hours in store chilling and talking about how the game has changed over the years ( I even demonstrated the old Turn Radius Ratio rules from memory with a Rhino and a Battlewaggon, which he found quite entertaining).

Two different experiences in two different stores. Going further back into history, I also used to visit GW Bournemouth when they'd first opened. Their attitude back then was much like the Bristol store, but that was way back in 96 so things might well be different now.

Reaper6 wrote:My last three store visits went something like this :

GW Swindon Visit 1 : Time in store approx 7 seconds.
Redshirt separates from his cohort and opens with standard "Hi, can I help you with anything ?"
Me - "No mate, spotted the store as I walked by and thought I'd pop in to look at your 40K tables."
Redshirt - " Well if you're interested in starting an army I'm sure I can help you choose."
Me - "I've been playing since Cortez wore spotted armour, so I think I'm OK thanks." - Redshirt looks confused, so I elaborate, " Ever heard of Rogue Trader ? Thirty Marines for a tenner ? Mole Mortar ?" - RT seems to ring a bell for him, but the others just seem to confuse him even more. Time to finish him
Me - "No offence mate, but if you were a Scout, I'd be Ortan Cassius"
Redshirt deflates nicely and wanders off in search of easier prey.


GW Swindon, Vist 2 (3 weeks later) : Time in store approx 10 seconds. Same Redshirt on duty. I'm pushed for time and in no mood to play.
Redshirt - "Hi, are you looking for anything in particular ?" ( either he's a robot, or he's already forgotten my last visit, so I decide to play after all.)
Me - (raising a hand as I pass by) "Hold that thought !"
After a couple of minutes collecting items, during which the RoboShirt watches, I return with my choices. I notice his mate is grinning slightly, obviously someone's memory is starting to fizz a little, but not Robo until...
Me - "Ring 'em up, Scout, I'm on a schedule."
Robo deflates again as memory returns. His mate, meanwhile, is trying to stifle a laugh.

GW Bristol (City Centre) (about 2 weeks later still) : Time in store approx 2 minutes. 1 Redshirt on duty, no other customers in store.
Redshirt - "Morning ! Looking for something or just browsing ?"
Me - "Killing time before my train so I thought I'd pop in."
Redshirt - "Cool. If you need anything just let me know."
It's my turn to be confused, so I ask him flat out - "No sales pitch ?"
Red looks up from the Tervigon he's painting and smiles - " You've got the Ultramarines symbol on your cap, and you eyed the table at the front like a sniper on a fly-by, so I'm guessing you'd know what you want. Been playing long ?"
Me - "Since the day after Rogue Trader was published."
Red's smile becomes a grin and he makes the sign of the Aquilla - " An Honoured Veteran !" he chuckles.
On that day I missed my train and had to catch the next as I spent a couple of hours in store chilling and talking about how the game has changed over the years ( I even demonstrated the old Turn Radius Ratio rules from memory with a Rhino and a Battlewaggon, which he found quite entertaining).

Two different experiences in two different stores. Going further back into history, I also used to visit GW Bournemouth when they'd first opened. Their attitude back then was much like the Bristol store, but that was way back in 96 so things might well be different now.

Your story had me grinning. Quite humorous. As I'm at an airport and grinning at something online, people are probably giving me an odd stare...lol

@ timetowaste85 : Glad to brighten your day

The memory of RoboShirt always makes me smile, and Redshirt of Bristol found it quite amusing too, especially as my Ultras cap went everywhere with me at the time so Robo should have spotted it !

timetowaste85 wrote:My last three store visits went something like this :

GW Bristol (City Centre) (about 2 weeks later still) : Time in store approx 2 minutes. 1 Redshirt on duty, no other customers in store.
Redshirt - "Morning ! Looking for something or just browsing ?"
Me - "Killing time before my train so I thought I'd pop in."
Redshirt - "Cool. If you need anything just let me know."
It's my turn to be confused, so I ask him flat out - "No sales pitch ?"
Red looks up from the Tervigon he's painting and smiles - " You've got the Ultramarines symbol on your cap, and you eyed the table at the front like a sniper on a fly-by, so I'm guessing you'd know what you want. Been playing long ?"
Me - "Since the day after Rogue Trader was published."
Red's smile becomes a grin and he makes the sign of the Aquilla - " An Honoured Veteran !" he chuckles.
On that day I missed my train and had to catch the next as I spent a couple of hours in store chilling and talking about how the game has changed over the years ( I even demonstrated the old Turn Radius Ratio rules from memory with a Rhino and a Battlewaggon, which he found quite entertaining).

Two different experiences in two different stores. Going further back into history, I also used to visit GW Bournemouth when they'd first opened. Their attitude back then was much like the Bristol store, but that was way back in 96 so things might well be different now.

The Bristol store staff were fantastic when I lived there during my Masters. helped me when I was getting back into the hobby after 4 years off no end, always happy to help or just let you browse whilst killing time etc. Brilliant, similarly the GW Plaza staff in London are as good, and the Covent Garden ones, but the rest, not so good.

I think you misquoted-it wasn't me in Bristol, it was the other guy

Its nice to know there are some GW stores out there doing it how it should be done, its not all bad eh.

No, it's not all bad, and most people are taking offense at normal sales pitches. I've given 3 GW stores chances, and all three are ones I'd happily go back to (sadly one closed). All were friendly, nobody pressed me hard, and everyone was up to talking to the out-of-town guy. Worst 'pressing of sales' I had was "If you want that, but can't fly with it, we can mail it to your house," and "I saw you finished the first box, did you want me to grab the other one for you (which I already mentioned I'd probably get)" and he grabbed it off the shelf for me. So yeah...horrible salesman pitches. Right...lol. And neither pressed me for glue, paint or flock. Just asked if I needed any supplies to go with them (as ALL entertainment stores ask), I said 'nope,' and there was no pressing on it.
I like GW stores. They're friendly, engaging, and if you have a good manager, very helpful. I haven't looked at the flags for most of the "my GW sucks" comments, but the ones in America have been good to me so far.