The UFLGS: Xtreme Games
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Two days ago, Bridget and I decided to mix it up and check out a game store in the area we haven’t been to before, so we went over to Xtreme Games in Lindenhurst, IL.
From the outside, the place looked very clean, the type of place I’d love to go. Oh, how wrong I was.
We walked in, and realized they have almost no product. There was perhaps a half shelf of Warhammer 40k stuff, a shelf of RPGs (most of them 3.5 or Star Wars Revised) and then tons of Magic. There were also maybe 10 paint colors, and no paint brushes. Now, it that’s what they’re going for, fine, but don’t expect me back in the store.
They have a ton of gaming space, all of it occupied by MTG players.
None of this necessarily makes it a horrible store. Here’s what makes it the Unfriendly Local Game Store (UFLGS): unfriendly employees. There were three sitting behind the counter, and every single one of them glared at Bridget, Gabe and I as we came in. Bridget even tried to say “hi”, but one of the guys just glared at her and kept eating his pizza. They didn’t seem to be very happy we were there, and I don’t know why. Because we were new? Because we didn’t look like gamers? Either way, it was a major turn-off, and I won’t be going back any time soon.
Do any of you have a UFLGS? Let’s hear your stories! Leave a comment.
I’ve been in a few stores like that. When you add in musty store and/or musty people it’s even worse. Fortunately the local shop has moved to a new location and really seems to be making an effort to earn their F in FLGS. I’ve see more parents taking their kids there recently.
Stuart´s last [type] ..Fantasy Grounds 2 and 4e D&D Game
Yeah, I’ve been in those types of stores too. My wife and I don’t “look” like gamers so we get it whenever we walk into a Game shop, comic store, and sometimes even places like GameStop. I tend to just buy things if I find what I want or walk out if not. I’ll even go back if I like what’s in a store. Personally, I don’t care if someone wants me in their store or not. If you don’t want to talk to me, that’s just fine by me. However, I won’t deprive myself of products I want just because someone is sitting behind a counter glaring at me hoping I’ll leave him in peace.
Usually that’s not the case though, and it’s just leftover angst from high school and once they realize that the outsiders in their store are gamers too, they loosen up a bit. I still get sideways glances in my closest store when I walk in on a Saturday during a Magic tournament. Whatever. I’m not there for them.
AlioTheFool´s last [type] ..Opportunity Actions- Character Optimization vs Storytelling… Is This Really a Fight
Our store in Reno, NV seems to have mostly wargaming stuff in it, almost no RPG stuff. I heard they don’t even do the D&d Encounters gig. Too bad.
Tourq´s last [type] ..That Is Not A Real Person – It’s A Stuntman
If you’re so-inclined, it might help matters to write a letter to the owner of the store (assuming the owner isn’t one of the dingbats behind the counter). He may not know how his employees are treating his customers.
You might get a FLGS out of it.
Stu brings up an interesting point. In my own experience the owners of a gaming store/comic shop/geek general store are usually quite friendly and helpful. It’s usually the employees that act like they don’t want you there (probably because they don’t.)
Letting the owner know is bad for them, but good for his business. If you write a letter you can generally stay anonymous too, if that suits you.
AlioTheFool´s last [type] ..Opportunity Actions- Character Optimization vs Storytelling… Is This Really a Fight
I actually used to work in a Game/Comic book store and most of my fellow employees were just like the people you described. Whenever someone came into the store that didn’t look like “one of us”, they would glare at them and make fun of them when they were far enough away. I always thought those guys were rude idiots and I did whatever I could to be nice to every customer and help them as much as I could. It’s probably the reason why I got more raises them they every did.
Anyway, so I know how it feels to actually work in a “mostly” UFLGS (The manager, the assistant manager, and myself were the only nice ones; the other three employers were the rude guys I mentioned above) and I was always somewhat annoyed when I heard bad things about the store from other people just because those other guys treated them like crap.
Cody´s last [type] ..Scott Pilgrim vs The World Review
I just don’t get that mentality. As I’ve bemoaned elsewhere on the Interwebz, England (especially my benighted corner) has a sad lack of LGS (friendly or otherwise) – except in major cities/university towns.
If I was ever to run one (much to the horror of my wife whenever I bring up that particular pipedream) I’d welcome non-gamers as much as established gamers. All non-gamers are simply gamers waiting to be converted! If they’re interested enough to come in the store then that’s the first hurdle dealt with…
Acrobatic Flea´s last [type] ..Book Of The Month- The Mark Of Nerath