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So the GW that I go to will most likely turn all the tables from gaming tables to all demo tables instead...

I am not sure if that is normal or not because I like the environment there...

Are there any other GWs that d that?

I've never heard of that.

We have one that does this but they will clear off the tables when people want to play or only have it setup during days where they do not think anyone would be playing.

Actually you are the second person to say this, there is another thread in News & Rumours: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/475066.page

The chap who made the other post is also from Canada - from the sounds of it might be a thing in particular cases/areas?

Not an issue for me as I haven't gamed in a GW regularly for years, but I guess bad news for people who have no other option.

Are Canadian 1 man store managers just sitting around playing games all day?

Wow< Im so glad we have a FLGS around here. Granted we have to set up our tables but we can use them.

From what I hear it is a personal choice that will vary from store to store. If you're in a mall, for example, with only a few 4"x4"s anyway, it's probably best to focus on demos and recruiting. 1 man stores that might see less new blood foot traffic but have more space and such might retain gaming nights.

Ok, so the store I go to has 2 demo tables, 1 painting table and 2 gaming tables they're removing the gaming tables for more demo tables which as far as I have seen no one actually plays the demos beside throwing dice out the door.

It is a big store though like 4 employees so not a small store.

It might actually be the same store in the other guys post.

I always heard you Canadians were too laid back and easy going. This just proves it. Now I simply need to work on finishing my thesis that all the Maple Syrup you drink suppresses the Grizzly Bear genes in your bodies.

But keep us posted as to how this plays out. I am interested to see how it works, since I am sure they would be considering it for down here as well.

Actually, the Fremantle store in Western Australia is the same. About 3 months ago our store switched from using only one and a half demo tables to taking up all three tables with demo games. Then there is our pathetic painting table, on casters complete with wrecked wheel and wooden bolster.

Wow this is strange , i got to warhammer world which has over 70 spare gaming tables and a bar so i am very surprised at this

 Makutsu wrote:
Ok, so the store I go to has 2 demo tables, 1 painting table and 2 gaming tables they're removing the gaming tables for more demo tables which as far as I have seen no one actually plays the demos beside throwing dice out the door.

It is a big store though like 4 employees so not a small store.

It might actually be the same store in the other guys post.

It might just be your store manager. This is the first I've heard of Demo only tables at GW stores. I would have thought we'd have seen a leaked email or two if that was a new rule that GW was pushing.

Speaking from memory, since I haven't played a game there in many a year, I'm pretty sure all the tables in the local GW are, at least theoretically, demo tables.

to be honest I was talking to a FLGS guy and one point he made was that GW should stop those big stores and turn into little demo stands around everywhere, cheaper and better promotion at the same time.

He says that they should go out and do the promotion while FLGSs sell their product, but according to him GW sees them as a threat to their sales instead of helping them. So that's probably not going to happen.

It also makes sense for GW to do promotion instead as FLGS sells the same stuff for a lower price, because even if I game at a GW I will NEVER buy from the store. However I do buy at FLGSs.

My store is 3 demo tables, one for each system, and a painting table. The tables can be cleared for games but during the day one is always kept as a demo in case anyone comes in and you have to book in that table ideally.

I think if you're using a store's resources, whether it be a GW or FLGS, you should shop there.

I've been to many GWs where the staff were friendly and helpful. Around the GTA, you can also rely on them more for gaming advice, many FLGS owners (especially in the GTA) have no idea how to play the games they sell.

I have no problem buying at full retail value so long as the store has earned by patronage.

The problem is GW is offering less and less in terms of services in their hobby centres. They're doing less and less to earn ones patronage.

 frozenwastes wrote:
The problem is GW is offering less and less in terms of services in their hobby centres. They're doing less and less to earn ones patronage.

Or maybe these stores are taking a hard line on loiterers?

The "local" GW store moved from an expensive rental storefront at the large local mall to a pokey store in a second rate tiny strip mall and has done away with gaming tables, now only has demo tables and a single small painting demo table...

Also reduced staff to bare minimum of one FT manager and a part timer...

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:

 frozenwastes wrote:
The problem is GW is offering less and less in terms of services in their hobby centres. They're doing less and less to earn ones patronage.

Or maybe these stores are taking a hard line on loiterers?

A GW store without at least 1 guy stood around doing nothing would be like watching the Club Dance/mix music channel for more than 15 minutes without seeing a Northern European DJ with white hair and an earring - completely unimaginable.

If and when this is finally announced as some sort of official policy, how do you think they will blame the fanbase for it this time? I mean it was our fault that they had to put the embargo in place according to them.

Maybe;
"We heard people were having fun in our stores. So we fixed that. Now there will be nothing to distract them from buying!"

I am only about a quarter joking here. I fully expect some sort of blame to be placed on the fanbase for this change. Who knows, that may not even be hyperbole in the end. :(

 Atma01 wrote:
If and when this is finally announced as some sort of official policy, how do you think they will blame the fanbase for it this time? I mean it was our fault that they had to put the embargo in place according to them.

Maybe;
"We heard people were having fun in our stores. So we fixed that. Now there will be nothing to distract them from buying!"

I am only about a quarter joking here. I fully expect some sort of blame to be placed on the fanbase for this change. Who knows, that may not even be hyperbole in the end. :(

If GW had the gall to say something like that (especially to us Aussies and Kiwis!), I'm immediately shipping to another miniature wargaming company.

Are you talking about my hypothetical or the embargo? Because the blame for the embargo was laid on us the fanbase under the guise of protecting the FLGSs.

And since they constantly use all these added 'services' as an excuse to keep their prices higher than a Slaaneshi cultist, the second they officially decide to start dropping more and more of them it's on like Donkey Kong.

I could stand their crazy prices and stupid shenanigans back when I was allowed to exercise my buying power and not purchase the product directly from them, and instead get it for under half price from Maelstrom. They took that away. As far as I am concerned that is yet another payment owing on their karmatic balance sheet. And sooner or later someone will balance those books.

 SoloFalcon1138 wrote:

 frozenwastes wrote:
The problem is GW is offering less and less in terms of services in their hobby centres. They're doing less and less to earn ones patronage.

Or maybe these stores are taking a hard line on loiterers?

Yeah, if you've got a lot of people in the store and no one is buying, you're better off closing it down. And instead of closing it down, you're probably better off only having demo games and planned events mostly for new people.

For someone looking to build a big army and have lots of tables to play on, it's less than ideal. Best find or start a local club and fund the terrain and renting of space with savings from online discounters.

I'm not asking for the world when I ask for services from the local GWs.

I play a lot of 40k and WFB.

Sometimes I want to build a new army. I make a list and I talk to the staff. Some staff are more savvy at this than others. I value the advice from these guys and almost always I walk away with some useful changes.

Sometimes I'd like to playtest a unit or a list. The GW either has a strong gaming night for me to do so or if they don't (due to lack ot traffic) the dude on shift is usually willing to entertain me, especially if we plan a meeting in advance.

Very often after a tournament I get inspired to paint better by some of the cool armies I see there. Almost every GW has some great painters and they are always willing to help me improve my painting.

Maybe it's just me, but that's pretty good service. I'm not new, they can't BS me, not that they try. Most of their suggestions make sense. I have no problem buying that unit they suggest, or that colour we just used. I actually want to buy it from that store to show my appreciation beyond saying thank you. Actions speak louder than words, after all.

 Atma01 wrote:
Are you talking about my hypothetical or the embargo? Because the blame for the embargo was laid on us the fanbase under the guise of protecting the FLGSs.

And since they constantly use all these added 'services' as an excuse to keep their prices higher than a Slaaneshi cultist, the second they officially decide to start dropping more and more of them it's on like Donkey Kong.

I could stand their crazy prices and stupid shenanigans back when I was allowed to exercise my buying power and not purchase the product directly from them, and instead get it for under half price from Maelstrom. They took that away. As far as I am concerned that is yet another payment owing on their karmatic balance sheet. And sooner or later someone will balance those books.

Blame goes where blame is due GW owes you not a single wooden nickel....people buying from online stores in different continents who have access to less expensive product kills any chance for a local market. Why would anyone want to buy from a local NON-GW store in Australia if they can get in online for half the price? and if that's the case why the hell would any indy game store want to carry GW product? The Embargo is childish and stupid, I'm not going to say GW's pricing is right or anything, but for christs sake your in Australia, it's the ass end of nowhere EVERYTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THERE. Only thing GW did is what just about every manufacturer who puts on their big boy pants does and protects there individual markets. Cars are cheaper in the US than they are in Canada, if I want to pay less for a ford I have to drive my ass to America to get a cheaper car, I can't order it online and save all that wonderful money. You want to rage about the price of something imported to Australia rage about gas prices....at least than it'll make more bloody sense.

As for the game store in question by the op...it's Ontario...there's probably at least two indy stores with far more gaming space within 20 minutes of the GW location, nothing wrong with GW sending business to the indies to game while focusing on recruiting new hobbists

Orktavius wrote:
The Embargo is childish and stupid, I'm not going to say GW's pricing is right or anything, but for christs sake your in Australia, it's the ass end of nowhere EVERYTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE THERE.

Well sorry that we don't live on the north american continent. Is it cold up there on your pedestal?

Lol loki, thats awesome XD

I'm Canadian, I don't whine about the cold like some prissy aussie

I pay more for GW stuff than Americans do and my money is worth more. Do I pay as much as Aussies? Heck no...but then I don't live on an island continent in the middle of the pacific...no matter what your paying a hefty extra fee for the difficulties of items being shipped there. Warhammer is still cheaper than a helluva lot of other hobbies and I'm sure there's more pressing pricing concerns for you to be complaining about...you know, like gas...and food and things you actually NEED.

Complaining about the price of toy soldiers sure is a 1st world problem to cry about.

Orktavius wrote:
I'm Canadian, I don't whine about the cold like some prissy aussie

I pay more for GW stuff than Americans do and my money is worth more. Do I pay as much as Aussies? Heck no...but then I don't live on an island continent in the middle of the pacific...no matter what your paying a hefty extra fee for the difficulties of items being shipped there. Warhammer is still cheaper than a helluva lot of other hobbies and I'm sure there's more pressing pricing concerns for you to be complaining about...you know, like gas...and food and things you actually NEED.

Complaining about the price of toy soldiers sure is a 1st world problem to cry about.

People who say this clearly have no idea of the kind of price gouging that goes on not just with GW but many other companies selling their goods in Australia which has started a few government inquiries into the issue. When it's possible pay less at an over seas retail store (including shipping) than what our local stores pay to the distributors there is something seriously wrong and is a contributing factor to Australia's suffering retail sector.