i don't like your attitutde

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Post originally by jason at 2003-12-17 10:34:12
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i am a gamer and i definitely feel alienated by Mr King. I think that he takes on this whole attitude of "who do these snotty kids think they are that can tell me how to run my store" when that in fact is not the case. I can assure you mr king that there are LOTS of gamers out there who also but from their stores. Sure maybe not as much as those gullible nine year olds who spend fifty bucks a week on Yu-Gi-Oh cards but thats cause were older. By taking out the game tables you are forsaking the core of what sustains the gaming industry itself - those who actually care and play the games. Just because you have a business doesn't mean that everything you do has to be profitable. Sure some profit's necessary but there is a difference between some profit and gouging every ten year old that walks by your store with dyour displays. I say leave in the tables or totally disrespect the gaming community that you belong to inherently.

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Post originally by Dmfitzgerald at 2003-12-17 14:29:33
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Jason

In a word your wrong. I'm not a store owner and never have been but I have seen several stores go under because they didn't make a profit.

I'm sorry you felt alienated by Mr King but I don't think that was what he was trying to do. If he felt that way he wouldn't have bothered to explain to his players what and WHY. When he did explain all they had was excuses why they kept up the behavior that is forcing him to change his store.

Mr King deserves to make a living and he doesn't owe you, me or anyone else a space to play. If these folks weren't spending any money in his store then why should he provide space for them to play? Because the "Hobby" demans it? If I play in a store I buy stuff there...because it's a way of saying "thank you" for a place for us to play.

You said, "Just because you have a business doesn't mean that everything you do has to be profitable. ." A game store is a business. If you can't make a profit you go out of business. If you feel like your being gouged then go elsewhere...but maybe the so called "gouging" is the price you pay for having a place to play..I don't know.

You also said "I say leave in the tables or totally disrespect the gaming community that you belong to inherently."
Are you willing to cover the cost of what merchandise could be sitting where the tables are now? If Mr King goes out of business will the gaming community rally around him to pay his bills? Probally not...

David

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Post originally by jason at 2003-12-17 15:41:36
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your argument is a tired one. Of course he runs a business and a business needs profit. I never denied that. i just said that there can still be a store that both runs events and makes a profit. I'm sure thousands of stores all over the country run such outfits. No gaming tables are not profitable in the short run. But in the long run they are, because you further the gaming community and by doing that you are helping the community get stronger healthier more alive and becoming a stronger economic force. I just get sick of all these stores owners that wanna make a quick buck. and thats all im seeing these days. from the comments posted it sounds like most people agree with this guy in that owners have no obligations and profit is all that matters. profit is not how the gaming industry started, it was group gatherings. i hate to see the pokemon for profit credo infect good store owners and tear down the community.

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Post originally by fxr at 2003-12-24 09:08:05
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Jason,

I don't remember where Marcus' store is located, but I can tell you that a game store located downtown in a major city has a very major expense: rent.

Tables take a lot of place. If you put a table, you lose a shelf. If you want that shelf and a table, you need a bigger place, hence, pay much more rent. Then he'll have to sell his stock at an higher price and you don't want that, do you?

I doubt that gaming tables have a major impact on the growth of the gamign community. Most of the gamers do not play in a store - actually a poor place to host an rpg game IMO.

"it sounds like most people agree with this guy in that owners have no obligations and profit is all that matters."

"This guy" or Marcus (respect never hurts you know) has plenty of obligations. He has legal obligations as a vendor. For instance, if he sell you a book which is missing a page, in most countries, he'll have to either refund you or exchange it for a copy with no defects. He also has moral obligations: politeness with customers, helpful staff, etc. But providing game tables: nah.

"it was group gatherings. i hate to see the pokemon for profit credo infect good store owners and tear down the community."

You know, when the Beatles started charging money for their shows, it didn't destroyed their fan base.

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Post originally by Marcus King at 2003-12-24 14:14:00
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Jason:
I appreciate your opinion on game tables. MANY game store owners agree with you, and offer in store gaming for their patrons. I realize that with my decision, I lose business, and evidently some respect by you.

That, however, does not change my mind.

You said: Just because you have a business doesn't mean that everything you do has to be profitable.

Actually, it does. If I don't make a profit, I cannot pay for my daughters college education. Or, I cannot take a vacation with my family. Or, I get to buy a used vehicle rather than a new one.

My primary concern will always be profit. I run a retail store, and do not feel that my work, long hours and efforts are less worthy of reward than a carpenter, plumber or mechanic.

Marcus King
TitanGames
Owner
637 Capital Ave SW
Battle Creek, MI 49015

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Post originally by ShinDangaioh at 2003-12-25 15:06:40
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There are ways to minimize costs of having a gaming section.

Like my store did. Of course it was a two story building and could get away with certain stunts. Our club was upstairs.

Old building. All they provided was two empty rooms, electricty for the lights, and a single toilet. That's it.

Only two sources of heat. A potbellied stove downstairs and a kerosene heater upstairs. The gamers had to use part of their annual fees to buy the kerosene heater and kerosene.

The fees also covered replacement fluroescent lightbulbs, tables, and chairs bought from garage sales. We also provided our own food and drink. Before we left, we had to take out our garbage.

My gamers club made that place work.

Honestly, if it was still around and a modern gaming store opened up with the folding chairs and tables. I'd stick to the old meeting place.