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Mate, take no prisoners in the world of retail.

I wouldn't feel guilty about legally purchasing any large corporations wares!

If you feel guilty, just think about all the millions of people who flagrantly recast or pirate their stuff.

If a local store wants to offer free gaming space in the hopes that it will increase sales, using it in no way contracts you to actually purchase their wares. You can see this is the case by the use of guilt to emotionally manipulate people. If it was in any way obligatory or put an onus on anyone to do anything, there would be no need to use guilt like that.

That said, I do tend to buy stuff from my local store where I play a few times a month. Why? The goods themselves are purchased on their own merits and while I pay more than I could get the product if I went through an online discounter, I find the convenience of getting things locally to be totally worth it.

They also do a great job working with lots of distributors. If there is pretty much anything I want, I just send an email with a description and a link to the manufacturer's product page and in anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, I get an email back that it's arrived.

 notprop wrote:
They wont do that mate. Mostly because they won't care but also who has the time for BS like that?

No one - certainly not the manager of some one man GW store anyway!

Even if we were talking about the biggest jobsworth TFG manager they'll only know if you are standing in his store spouting about "how you can get it for 20% discount at XXXX". I'm sure you don't do that do you?

I would... sounds like the dude is a right plum.

I would agree with a few posters here who say they feel guilty if they do not buy from their FLGS.

I was recently in Toronto, Ontario and they have a really big GW apparently and I was going to go but I decided to not go because I felt guilty :p

I would rther support the small FLGS in my town and buy from them and help keep them open. I don't have a local GW but I know thaat some of you do but even if I did I would rather buy things at my FLGS because I like to support small businesses even when I have the oppurtunity to buy something slightly cheaper online.

Friendly service and a knowledgeable small buisness is priceless for me.

 MRPYM wrote:
Recently I have been buying all my GW products from my FLGS and recently a question popped in my brain,

should I feel guilty for buying GW products from my FLGS and then using my local GW store tables to play 40k?

Should I only go to one store and buy and game there only?

Flatulate yourself and say a few hymn's of the bolter and move on. Buy what you want and get a good price.

Capitalism works both ways.

nkelsch wrote:

 ironicsilence wrote:
I throw some of my purchases to my FLGS just to support them but the bulk of my GW purchases come from online discounters like the warstore.

Do you do a bulk of your playing on the internet at the online discounters or in your home?

If you expect to spend hours playing on someone's tables in a FLGS, but then not buy anything from them, how do you expect them to pay the rent on the space you use without you being a customer? "Oh I bought a snickers bar once, that covers the 40 hours I played there this month" doesn't usually mesh.

i do 99% of my gaming in my house. My GW purchases are about 30% FLGS and 70% online however the rest of my gaming related purchases all go through my FLGS, my local store has been around for 30 years and is easily the biggest / best store in the mid west, they arent missing my GW money

you owe GW nothing. absolutely nothing. if the GW manager threatens you like that then I don't think you want to buy from them anyway. especially if you have an alternative like a flgs (a friendly local gaming store)

 ironicsilence wrote:


i do 99% of my gaming in my house. My GW purchases are about 30% FLGS and 70% online however the rest of my gaming related purchases all go through my FLGS, my local store has been around for 30 years and is easily the biggest / best store in the mid west, they arent missing my GW money

If you game in your house 99%, then you are all set. If the GW store goes out of business and has no more gaming space, your life is not impacted as you don't play there anyways.

If you play at home, then you really don't need to pay a premium to support a Brick and Mortar store's overhead.

I like to support my FLGS (Cause it's awesome) but I don't feel like I owe anything to them. I'll buy stuff from them but make recommendations for ebay (Note, my FLGS mainly supports itself using Magic) if someone wants to buy something expensive and they can't.

If an owner gets on about you using models you bought out of store just tell them that you using is free advertising and will make people want to buy it.

 Grot 6 wrote:
Flatulate yourself and say a few hymn's of the bolter and move on. Buy what you want and get a good price.

Capitalism works both ways.

I think you meant this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellation
Not this:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/flatulate

Anyway, if GW refuses to offer discounts, or even have a sale once in a while, buy where they do that.
If you keep the store open, and stocked with what you want, they'll sell the other stuff you need, too. Airbrushes, Masking tape, Modellling foam, model cases, etc.

GW's stores are to get new gamers hooked, and out of the way when they burn out after 2 years or so.
FLGS have a more long-term view, and offer more than just GW games. Burn-out often leads to other games or hobbies, and they'll sell that, too.

 Skinnereal wrote:

 Grot 6 wrote:
Flatulate yourself and say a few hymn's of the bolter and move on. Buy what you want and get a good price.

Capitalism works both ways.

I think you meant this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellation
Not this:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/flatulate

Anyway, if GW refuses to offer discounts, or even have a sale once in a while, buy where they do that.
If you keep the store open, and stocked with what you want, they'll sell the other stuff you need, too. Airbrushes, Masking tape, Modellling foam, model cases, etc.

GW's stores are to get new gamers hooked, and out of the way when they burn out after 2 years or so.
FLGS have a more long-term view, and offer more than just GW games. Burn-out often leads to other games or hobbies, and they'll sell that, too.

Oh no. I know exactly what I said.

You sir, win the prize though, for figuring it out. Point here being that I was making light of a light situation. A few bodily functions are good now and then. Especially in light of the op's post.

 SalamanderMarine wrote:
Customers do not owe anything to a particular store of company.

That pretty much hits the nail on the head right there.

 whitedragon wrote:

 SalamanderMarine wrote:
Customers do not owe anything to a particular store of company.

That pretty much hits the nail on the head right there.

You do when you expect for the company to allow you to loiter in their store for 8-10 hours, organize entertainment for you, provide gaming aids and materials for you and large enough space which can't be used for selling product for you to use... all for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Do you expect the grocery store to allow you to cook your food and serve it at a dinner table for free in the store? Do you expect a Clothing store to organize parties and social events to wear your new suit or dress to for freeeeeeeeeee? Do you expect your Car Dealership to maintain a race track and gas pump so you can fill up and drive your car for freeeeeeeeeee?

Well people seem to expect gaming space, painting station, available terrain and organized events... so they are providing a little more than a retail/customer relationship. And you say "they provide that to make sales" but then say "I don't owe them anything so I buy online" then don't complain when you are thrown out on your ass and there is no open gaming or events for you.

If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat. Playing all day in a store you don't buy anything from is like taking your bag lunch to a restaurant and asking for a table to eat at.

nkelsch wrote:

 whitedragon wrote:

 SalamanderMarine wrote:
Customers do not owe anything to a particular store of company.

That pretty much hits the nail on the head right there.

You do when you expect for the company to allow you to loiter in their store for 8-10 hours, organize entertainment for you, provide gaming aids and materials for you and large enough space which can't be used for selling product for you to use... all for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Do you expect the grocery store to allow you to cook your food and serve it at a dinner table for free in the store? Do you expect a Clothing store to organize parties and social events to wear your new suit or dress to for freeeeeeeeeee? Do you expect your Car Dealership to maintain a race track and gas pump so you can fill up and drive your car for freeeeeeeeeee?

Well people seem to expect gaming space, painting station, available terrain and organized events... so they are providing a little more than a retail/customer relationship. And you say "they provide that to make sales" but then say "I don't owe them anything so I buy online" then don't complain when you are thrown out on your ass and there is no open gaming or events for you.

If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat. Playing all day in a store you don't buy anything from is like taking your bag lunch to a restaurant and asking for a table to eat at.

I think you're putting the cart before the horse there mate, when GW allowed that stuff in their store it drew people in and made them buy from the store. Now that they don't do any of that there is no reason to go into a GW store and from a buisness standpoint that seems stupid.

Also I very well would expect a grocery store to let me cook in it if it had for years previously and didn't call itself a 'grocery store' but rather a 'grocery and cooking center'

nkelsch wrote:

You do when you

Even then, no you don't.

If a store is providing you all sorts of value, then by all means support that store, but never, ever, ever do you actually ever owe them anything. It's 100% voluntary and never obligatory. If a store doesn't want a given person there because they never buy, it's perfectly alright for the store to ask them to leave (it is private property) but if they wanted to actually obligate someone, they'd charge for the use of the space like an entrance fee to an event.

 jonolikespie wrote:

nkelsch wrote:

 whitedragon wrote:

 SalamanderMarine wrote:
Customers do not owe anything to a particular store of company.

That pretty much hits the nail on the head right there.

You do when you expect for the company to allow you to loiter in their store for 8-10 hours, organize entertainment for you, provide gaming aids and materials for you and large enough space which can't be used for selling product for you to use... all for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Do you expect the grocery store to allow you to cook your food and serve it at a dinner table for free in the store? Do you expect a Clothing store to organize parties and social events to wear your new suit or dress to for freeeeeeeeeee? Do you expect your Car Dealership to maintain a race track and gas pump so you can fill up and drive your car for freeeeeeeeeee?

Well people seem to expect gaming space, painting station, available terrain and organized events... so they are providing a little more than a retail/customer relationship. And you say "they provide that to make sales" but then say "I don't owe them anything so I buy online" then don't complain when you are thrown out on your ass and there is no open gaming or events for you.

If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat. Playing all day in a store you don't buy anything from is like taking your bag lunch to a restaurant and asking for a table to eat at.

I think you're putting the cart before the horse there mate, when GW allowed that stuff in their store it drew people in and made them buy from the store. Now that they don't do any of that there is no reason to go into a GW store and from a buisness standpoint that seems stupid.

Also I very well would expect a grocery store to let me cook in it if it had for years previously and didn't call itself a 'grocery store' but rather a 'grocery and cooking center'

But in the OPs situation, he has a GW which allows play, and he admitted to playing there and a FLGS which did not have play where he bought his stuff from.

So he bought everything at one store, then played in the other. If you remove the irrational GW hate, and just treat them as two stores... It doesn't wash to buy everything at one store then expect to play at the other for free with no contribution.

I don't agree that you don't owe the store you play in all day "anything" and draw the line of "I'm going to loiter until you figure it out and throw my mooch ass out." The first people who say "I owe you nothing, I dare you to throw me out" are the first to whine when they have no place to game or are offended when forced to pay for gaming space.

nkelsch wrote:


I don't agree that you don't owe the store you play in all day "anything" and draw the line of "I'm going to loiter until you figure it out and throw my mooch ass out." The first people who say "I owe you nothing, I dare you to throw me out" are the first to whine when they have no place to game or are offended when forced to pay for gaming space.

Is the FLGS always that F anyway?

We live, lucky us, near Dark Sphere. We buy our big orders from there... but shell out at the local GW, where they also happen to be nice guys who run big games, about 1/4 of the time. The extra £10 or so we pay for buying from them every few months is well worth it, for 15 or 20 hours of gaming.

The real answer is,do whatever makes you comfortable. I feel more comfortable if I make a tiny contribution to the wages of the people who are helping us have a good time.

I've always considered GW products to include a membership fee to "Club GW". If I have a $900 army, I expect to be able to walk in to any GW in the world and game. I do not, however, feel I can walk in to LGS and do the same.

Hivefleet Oblivion wrote:

nkelsch wrote:


I don't agree that you don't owe the store you play in all day "anything" and draw the line of "I'm going to loiter until you figure it out and throw my mooch ass out." The first people who say "I owe you nothing, I dare you to throw me out" are the first to whine when they have no place to game or are offended when forced to pay for gaming space.

Is the FLGS always that F anyway?

We live, lucky us, near Dark Sphere. We buy our big orders from there... but shell out at the local GW, where they also happen to be nice guys who run big games, about 1/4 of the time. The extra £10 or so we pay for buying from them every few months is well worth it, for 15 or 20 hours of gaming.

The real answer is,do whatever makes you comfortable. I feel more comfortable if I make a tiny contribution to the wages of the people who are helping us have a good time.

Out of interest, why do you choose to play at the GW stores rather than Dark Sphere or one of the local clubs?

 MRPYM wrote:
Recently I have been buying all my GW products from my FLGS and recently a question popped in my brain,

should I feel guilty for buying GW products from my FLGS and then using my local GW store tables to play 40k?

Should I only go to one store and buy and game there only?

I get mine at costs from a source, do I feel guilty?

hell no

GW chooses to sell their products at their store, on their website, and through other retailers. That's their decision.

You have chosen to support GW by buying their stuff through another store. You are supporting GW, and you should feel justified in playing at their store. It's not like you are bringing in Malifaux and playing that on their tables.

If this manager persists in the behavior, I'd politely contact his supervisor, explain the situation, and ask HIM if GW supports this policy. I would also ask your FLGS to contact their GW rep about it, as their local GW store appears to be sabotaging the FLGS sales of GW.

I can see a FLGS expecting (or even requiring) you to buy there to play there. Their operating budget comes directly from their own sales. GW gets money from those third-party sales and uses that cash in their own shops. It's not like a franchise, even.

You don't owe them gak, you buy from an independent retailer and they still make a profit off it.

It's quite simple really. Buy from the business that you most want to endure.

If that's the GW, then buy there, if that's the FLGS, then buy there. If that's an internet retailer (not sure why, but hey...), then buy there. That said, I'd always say buy at the FLGS when you can. The GW store has a whole corporate machine behind them. The FLGS only has their customers.

I buy mostly used stuff, so that's primarily an online game. However when I'm going to buy from a brick and mortar, it's going to be a FLGS because I want them to endure. I even try to by whatever I can at the FLGS bi-annual auction.

I couldn't give a rats hindquarters whether a GW store comes or goes, so even when I was playing GW games they got almost none of my money..

nkelsch wrote:

 jonolikespie wrote:

nkelsch wrote:

 whitedragon wrote:

 SalamanderMarine wrote:
Customers do not owe anything to a particular store of company.

That pretty much hits the nail on the head right there.

You do when you expect for the company to allow you to loiter in their store for 8-10 hours, organize entertainment for you, provide gaming aids and materials for you and large enough space which can't be used for selling product for you to use... all for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Do you expect the grocery store to allow you to cook your food and serve it at a dinner table for free in the store? Do you expect a Clothing store to organize parties and social events to wear your new suit or dress to for freeeeeeeeeee? Do you expect your Car Dealership to maintain a race track and gas pump so you can fill up and drive your car for freeeeeeeeeee?

Well people seem to expect gaming space, painting station, available terrain and organized events... so they are providing a little more than a retail/customer relationship. And you say "they provide that to make sales" but then say "I don't owe them anything so I buy online" then don't complain when you are thrown out on your ass and there is no open gaming or events for you.

If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat. Playing all day in a store you don't buy anything from is like taking your bag lunch to a restaurant and asking for a table to eat at.

I think you're putting the cart before the horse there mate, when GW allowed that stuff in their store it drew people in and made them buy from the store. Now that they don't do any of that there is no reason to go into a GW store and from a buisness standpoint that seems stupid.

Also I very well would expect a grocery store to let me cook in it if it had for years previously and didn't call itself a 'grocery store' but rather a 'grocery and cooking center'

But in the OPs situation, he has a GW which allows play, and he admitted to playing there and a FLGS which did not have play where he bought his stuff from.

So he bought everything at one store, then played in the other. If you remove the irrational GW hate, and just treat them as two stores... It doesn't wash to buy everything at one store then expect to play at the other for free with no contribution.

I don't agree that you don't owe the store you play in all day "anything" and draw the line of "I'm going to loiter until you figure it out and throw my mooch ass out." The first people who say "I owe you nothing, I dare you to throw me out" are the first to whine when they have no place to game or are offended when forced to pay for gaming space.

I would love to play at my FLGS all the time, but as I said before finding 40k gamers in the store is kind of hard for me. Every other store that has regular 40k gamers are either my local GW or other FLGS that are too far away from where I live. When I say far away I mean two to three hour bus trip to said place.

If I ever want to play one game of 40k I would have to go to my local GW. As a college student with no job, my money is always limited. If I did not buy from my local FLGS, I would not be able to play 40k at all since it would cost too much.

Well this is a puzzle, but a lot of good points have been made. GW will make money if you buy their product, regardless of who you bought it from.

So this was the prequel thread to the current one?

Mythal wrote:
So this was the prequel thread to the current one?

Sorry I posted in the wrong thread, I did not mean to do thread necromancy.

And the answer is yes.

 SalamanderMarine wrote:


On the hand of supporting LGS I think that if you go into a small LGS you should pick something up to help keep the guy/gal in business especially if the tables are free. That being said, if a LGS is a bad one but the only place to play, you should try setting up a local club in a local venue, some can be very affordable if you explain you don't do it for profit and explain how it could help the community.

I agree with this entirely. I know I don't save any money by buying from full-priced GW models from my FLGS, but I see it as payment for them letting my club play for free. On top of that, we try to throw a small tournament each month with 100% shop credit prizes, just so we can give more back to our store.

You buy a GW product, they get money, and an amount they wanted, wherever you buy. If they sell it to the store, you don't have to feel guilty about it, GW is already paid, it is the store that is out of pocket til you pick it up.

There's actually a store near me stocking GW products now. They're charging above retail.

Above Australian retail.

I know I'd feel terrible if I was ever given a gift bought from there.