I'm very glad that is not my experience at my local gaming store. Moxie Games in Columbus, Ga is simply awesome. Guys there will bend over backwards to help you out.

That being said, where I used to live did have one local gaming store that was just like the OP. It was the stereotypical comic book guy who also had the only gaming section in town. So he lorded it over his customers like he was the Emperor.

We got it good in Minneapolis. I feel guilty because with each purchase I can only support one store at a time. FFG's Game Center's manager Dave is awesome. The guys at Universe Games (Ang, Nate, Dave) are all awesome. Tower, YMB, Highlander, The Gamers Den all are run by really good folks.

You should just move.

I get the same treatment at our local store. Its not every staffmember, but one dude who seems to work there 24/7 and also the only one who seems to hate his work with a passion.

Last time I browsed the x-wing stuff, and brought one model to the table, stating that I additionally need some sleeves for the small cards.

Him: "Do you know the size of the cards?"

Me: "No, but I can find out" (get out my phone)

Him: "I got no time for this, go home and bring one of the cards next time you come to us."

Me: "I got a brandnew model here" (start to unpack it, to get a card out"

Him: "Oh well, if it _has_ to be now... ok"

WTF?

I almost feel like I would have to beg, so he accepts my money and be grateful for it...

You sir get a 10 in patience.

I would have tossed that sucker over the counter and provided some choice words while walking out.

That dude would not get a red cent of my money and I would lambaste him on Google reviews. I'm sorry, but you should not put up with someone treating you that way.

Had I been behind you in line, I would have walked out as well and informed him in a loud manner why I was doing so.

Well that's a terrible experience. It's tragic too, because all the store owner had to do was have a respectful cordial attitude about it, and be honest.

"I'm sorry sir, but all the Transports we have in back have been put on hold for pre-orders. If you would like to order one then we will fulfill your order as soon as the next shipment comes in and all previous pre orders have been filled."

It's an unfortunate fact of life that the first batch released, for any of the expansions, always seems to run short. I have personally always shopped online at MM / CSI so it has not been an issue. Still, the disrespect shown to the customer here is unacceptable.

I get the same treatment at our local store. Its not every staffmember, but one dude who seems to work there 24/7 and also the only one who seems to hate his work with a passion.

Last time I browsed the x-wing stuff, and brought one model to the table, stating that I additionally need some sleeves for the small cards.

Him: "Do you know the size of the cards?"

Me: "No, but I can find out" (get out my phone)

Him: "I got no time for this, go home and bring one of the cards next time you come to us."

Me: "I got a brandnew model here" (start to unpack it, to get a card out"

Him: "Oh well, if it _has_ to be now... ok"

WTF?

I almost feel like I would have to beg, so he accepts my money and be grateful for it...

You sir get a 10 in patience.

I would have tossed that sucker over the counter and provided some choice words while walking out.

That dude would not get a red cent of my money and I would lambaste him on Google reviews. I'm sorry, but you should not put up with someone treating you that way.

Had I been behind you in line, I would have walked out as well and informed him in a loud manner why I was doing so.

It sounds like this guy isn't the owner. You'd be better off going to the owner and getting the dude canned.

I have an opposite side of the coin scenario.

I waited for Imperial Aces to be released at my FLGS and I went down to pick up a copy. I did not preorder as I preorder online only and went in asking if they had any on the shelves. I had called and they said they had only 2 in stock so I went down right away. They looked around and could only find one copy now, the one the clerk had himself pre-ordered.

He gave it to me, no questions asked.

This FLGS is known in Ottawa for the best pricing on X-wing mini's and I go there as often as I can because of the service I get from them. I bought my CR75 there on Wednesday.

This is me saying thank you, Wizard's Tower, for awesome customer service and support of the X-wing Miniatures game.

Fly casual.

Eh Wizards Tower is ok. But they used to gouge prices very very badly, until a bunch of us called them on it on our local Warmachine forum. I still havent completely forgiven them for that. About 6 years ago when I moved to Ottawa there was very little choice for LGS. I would go to Fandom II downtown. Their service was absolutely attrocious, like the owner was perpetually upset we were bothering him to give him our business. The only thing was his prices we amazing. Just under US MSRP was the regular price, and we had 10% off for our Ottawa Warmachine Club card. Something that was US MSRP of 48 bucks would be 46.99 - 10% + tax. So $47.79. Wizards tower would have the same thing for $55 plus tax, or $62.15. And they were within a 20 minute drive of each other.

Another thing that bothers me about Wizards Tower is they prioritze MTG. To a ridiculous amount. Every second Wednesday is xwing night at Wizards Tower. Last Wednesday we didnt even have a table to play on because there was a sponatanous MTG tournament.

Honestly, the best gaming store in the Ottawa Gatineau area is Boutique les Freres de Battalie. They are super friendly, the store is gorgeous, bright, clean, let my wife use WIFI when we show up after work (so I dont have to drive her home and then drive back). They have a 10% off loyalty card. Their terrain for Warmachine and WH40k is gorgeous. And they are above a high end cheese shop!

Wizards Tower is good too, and I try to buy stuff from them when I go. Usually stuff I dont get at FDB, like the FFG card sleeves.

But as for the OP's story, that happened to me at Fandom II once, and I will never give that guy another cent. His loss, as I work 2 blocks from him, make a lot of money and spend way too much on games.

Well that's a terrible experience. It's tragic too, because all the store owner had to do was have a respectful cordial attitude about it, and be honest.

"I'm sorry sir, but all the Transports we have in back have been put on hold for pre-orders. If you would like to order one then we will fulfill your order as soon as the next shipment comes in and all previous pre orders have been filled."

It's an unfortunate fact of life that the first batch released, for any of the expansions, always seems to run short. I have personally always shopped online at MM / CSI so it has not been an issue. Still, the disrespect shown to the customer here is unacceptable.

Maybe I'm just that dude that likes to make a scene, but I'm serious.

There is no way I would tolerate these types of customer interactions. You guys should not either.

This is the modern age - these types of jerk-off customer service experiences should result in the store / associate being blasted by name all over the internets. If they don't like their reviews, they can fix the problem.

If I can save the next hobbyist the trouble, I feel like I've accomplished something.

I'm sorry, but I don't have time to deal with idiots like that. Not when I can buy it on Amazon and pay 3.99 to have it tomorrow, or free for the day after tomorrow.

I'd also just like to say -

Since finding a game store that DOESN'T SUCK - me and my group of friends have funneled well over $6000 in X-Wing merchandise alone to the LGS.

I realize that's a drop in the bucket for some, but not for others.

The last store I permanently checked out of lost my business when I stood at the counter for better than 4 minutes waiting for one of the associates (who turned out to be the store owner) to look up from texting while standing 36 inches from me.

Cya!

stinks the way some shop onwers act

I kinda feel bad for the small gaming shop owners. It seems like they are the last to be supplied and by the time they do get the product everyone has been hounding them for their customer base has given up, moved on, and ordered from Amazon. Heck Amazon was filling orders for at least 2 weeks when the "First Wave" was re-released before my local shop got any. Then the product that they paid good money for just sits there.

What is FFGS? I know of Friendly Gaming Store, or Local Friendly Gaming Store, what is the First F?

It's a sad fact that too many that go into the comic/hobby shop business do not view it as a business. They see it as a fun way to enjoy their hobby. And sadly, the stereotype of gamers without social skills can be a bit too common.

I'm just lucky to have a really, really good local store.

Question: Did they offer to unbox their shipping crates or did you ask them to?

stinks the way some shop onwers act

I kinda feel bad for the small gaming shop owners. It seems like they are the last to be supplied and by the time they do get the product everyone has been hounding them for their customer base has given up, moved on, and ordered from Amazon. Heck Amazon was filling orders for at least 2 weeks when the "First Wave" was re-released before my local shop got any. Then the product that they paid good money for just sits there.

I think that's dependent on multiple factors.

My store had Transports on the shelves two days before Amazon showed them as "Prime" eligible.

Makes me wonder if I should just pre-order the new ships from the local guys. I was actually quite stunned to see they had won that particular race.

Well that's a terrible experience. It's tragic too, because all the store owner had to do was have a respectful cordial attitude about it, and be honest.

"I'm sorry sir, but all the Transports we have in back have been put on hold for pre-orders. If you would like to order one then we will fulfill your order as soon as the next shipment comes in and all previous pre orders have been filled."

It's an unfortunate fact of life that the first batch released, for any of the expansions, always seems to run short. I have personally always shopped online at MM / CSI so it has not been an issue. Still, the disrespect shown to the customer here is unacceptable.

Maybe I'm just that dude that likes to make a scene, but I'm serious.

There is no way I would tolerate these types of customer interactions. You guys should not either.

This is the modern age - these types of jerk-off customer service experiences should result in the store / associate being blasted by name all over the internets. If they don't like their reviews, they can fix the problem.

If I can save the next hobbyist the trouble, I feel like I've accomplished something.

I'm sorry, but I don't have time to deal with idiots like that. Not when I can buy it on Amazon and pay 3.99 to have it tomorrow, or free for the day after tomorrow.

I'd also just like to say -

Since finding a game store that DOESN'T SUCK - me and my group of friends have funneled well over $6000 in X-Wing merchandise alone to the LGS.

I realize that's a drop in the bucket for some, but not for others.

The last store I permanently checked out of lost my business when I stood at the counter for better than 4 minutes waiting for one of the associates (who turned out to be the store owner) to look up from texting while standing 36 inches from me.

Cya!

and it is people with this type of attitude that wonder why so many stores out there have "bad service"

Well that's a terrible experience. It's tragic too, because all the store owner had to do was have a respectful cordial attitude about it, and be honest.

"I'm sorry sir, but all the Transports we have in back have been put on hold for pre-orders. If you would like to order one then we will fulfill your order as soon as the next shipment comes in and all previous pre orders have been filled."

It's an unfortunate fact of life that the first batch released, for any of the expansions, always seems to run short. I have personally always shopped online at MM / CSI so it has not been an issue. Still, the disrespect shown to the customer here is unacceptable.

Maybe I'm just that dude that likes to make a scene, but I'm serious.

There is no way I would tolerate these types of customer interactions. You guys should not either.

This is the modern age - these types of jerk-off customer service experiences should result in the store / associate being blasted by name all over the internets. If they don't like their reviews, they can fix the problem.

If I can save the next hobbyist the trouble, I feel like I've accomplished something.

I'm sorry, but I don't have time to deal with idiots like that. Not when I can buy it on Amazon and pay 3.99 to have it tomorrow, or free for the day after tomorrow.

I'd also just like to say -

Since finding a game store that DOESN'T SUCK - me and my group of friends have funneled well over $6000 in X-Wing merchandise alone to the LGS.

I realize that's a drop in the bucket for some, but not for others.

The last store I permanently checked out of lost my business when I stood at the counter for better than 4 minutes waiting for one of the associates (who turned out to be the store owner) to look up from texting while standing 36 inches from me.

Cya!

and it is people with this type of attitude that wonder why so many stores out there have "bad service"

So are you saying texting while customers are standing there waiting to give you money is NOT "Bad service"

Or that a person should not expect additional value (like notification of current stock vs pre-order info) when paying up to %33 percent premium on a product?

What is FFGS? I know of Friendly Gaming Store, or Local Friendly Gaming Store, what is the First F?

I am guessing it means an official Fantasy Flight Gaming Store...

Don't know the specifics but I would assume they are sort of like official resellers other markets have. Possibly locations that could host official tournies regional etc?

FFGS's could tend to be different then stores like Target, B&N that just tell the game... they offer tables tourneys etc.

Just my assumptions though.

What is FFGS? I know of Friendly Gaming Store, or Local Friendly Gaming Store, what is the First F?

I am guessing it means an official Fantasy Flight Gaming Store...

Don't know the specifics but I would assume they are sort of like official resellers other markets have. Possibly locations that could host official tournies regional etc?

FFGS's could tend to be different then stores like Target, B&N that just tell the game... they offer tables tourneys etc.

Just my assumptions though.

Well that's a terrible experience. It's tragic too, because all the store owner had to do was have a respectful cordial attitude about it, and be honest.

"I'm sorry sir, but all the Transports we have in back have been put on hold for pre-orders. If you would like to order one then we will fulfill your order as soon as the next shipment comes in and all previous pre orders have been filled."

It's an unfortunate fact of life that the first batch released, for any of the expansions, always seems to run short. I have personally always shopped online at MM / CSI so it has not been an issue. Still, the disrespect shown to the customer here is unacceptable.

Maybe I'm just that dude that likes to make a scene, but I'm serious.

There is no way I would tolerate these types of customer interactions. You guys should not either.

This is the modern age - these types of jerk-off customer service experiences should result in the store / associate being blasted by name all over the internets. If they don't like their reviews, they can fix the problem.

If I can save the next hobbyist the trouble, I feel like I've accomplished something.

I'm sorry, but I don't have time to deal with idiots like that. Not when I can buy it on Amazon and pay 3.99 to have it tomorrow, or free for the day after tomorrow.

I'd also just like to say -

Since finding a game store that DOESN'T SUCK - me and my group of friends have funneled well over $6000 in X-Wing merchandise alone to the LGS.

I realize that's a drop in the bucket for some, but not for others.

The last store I permanently checked out of lost my business when I stood at the counter for better than 4 minutes waiting for one of the associates (who turned out to be the store owner) to look up from texting while standing 36 inches from me.

Cya!

and it is people with this type of attitude that wonder why so many stores out there have "bad service"

It is people like you that allow businesses of this nature to continue to exist.

If you allow yourself to be treated that way, you have made such treatment a little more normal. And then again. And then again.

Me, on the other hand, I refuse to be treated that way when YOU need MY money, not the other way around.

And, just for the record -

Yes, I walked in the store, a "bell" rang when I opened the door.

I walked up to the counter and stood less than 3 feet from the guy behind the counter and looked at him.

He stared at his phone for at least 4 minutes, I know it was 4 minutes because after about 60 seconds, I looked at my watch and 3 minutes + a few seconds later, he looked up.

He asked "What do you need?"

I told him not to worry about it and walked out.

Yes, that's BAD service.

If you would have stood there and taken that, I feel sorry for the intrinsically low value you have set for yourself and your time.

EDIT:::::

When he didn't look up after about 10-15 seconds - I only stayed so he would know I was walking out because of his being a d-bag.

I don't care what you're doing on your phone. You could say "Hang on just a minute, I'll be right with you" while texting.

Wait, So the bell rang... and you stood there, no excuse me, no polite cough, you just magically expected him to know you needed his help at the counter and weren't going in to browse or look in a specific part of the store first? I'm sorry but if that's correct then you were being completely unreasonable. If I'm misreading that I apologize of course.

Wait, So the bell rang... and you stood there, no excuse me, no polite cough, you just magically expected him to know you needed his help at the counter and weren't going in to browse or look in a specific part of the store first? I'm sorry but if that's correct then you were being completely unreasonable. If I'm misreading that I apologize of course.

I guess I mistakenly assumed that standing there staring at him within arms reach would do the trick.

I could have done the *cough* bit - true enough, but I wasn't greeted walking in, and I walked straight over to where he was at to ask him a question.

I was immediately put off that he was patently ignoring me, which didn't make me want to throw him a lifeline, admittedly.

I was clearly not browsing.

I guess it would help for you to know the layout as well - there is no product near the register other than candy bars, etc.

I really don't think it is much to ask to at least be acknowledged by an employee. I mean, this is basic customer service 101 type stuff.

I really don't think it is much to ask to at least be acknowledged by an employee. I mean, this is basic customer service 101 type stuff.

That's kinda what I'm driving at, and why I was upset.

I run my own business, this kind of thing is just unacceptable to me.

If I watched one of my folks act like that, they would be on the street instantly.

I just don't feel like it's a lot to ask to be friendly. Even if you can't help me (no product left, sold out, preorder only, etc) you can be nice about it.

I can say that my locak store I get about 99 percent of my items from, is not Gollum like. The only reason not to get what you order is that it didn't come in. If that same situation the OP mentioned unfolded as that, the one shuttle would have been offered to who was waiting for it, even if just one came in, unless it was for a pre order but then that would have been explained as well.

To be honest the owner sounds like a doof, to be nice, and yes if treated like that I wouldn't go back either. However, there could have been more to it then just what is mentioned in this small story.

I really don't think it is much to ask to at least be acknowledged by an employee. I mean, this is basic customer service 101 type stuff.

I'm always ignored by staff...

...until I start talking to them. Saying please and thank you. Treating them like human beings. This works in most shops, cafes, restaurants and the cinema. Even in the bank I now have normal conversations while getting down to business too. One time I even got a "haven't seen you in a while how are you?". I think it all comes down to the fact that they spend all their time with customers who are...jerks...that they dread conversing with others until they find out you respect them as people. One poor lass was almost demoralized by the time I came to purchase my goods, keeping her head down and scanning the codes, but just a thank you from me was enough to get a smile and some eye contact.

But for some reason this has NEVER worked in a local games store. I'm just made to feel stupid for being there. As has been mentioned, it's like they're their own elite group and who do I think I am intruding on it.

I really don't think it is much to ask to at least be acknowledged by an employee. I mean, this is basic customer service 101 type stuff.

I'm always ignored by staff...

...until I start talking to them. Saying please and thank you. Treating them like human beings. This works in most shops, cafes, restaurants and the cinema. Even in the bank I now have normal conversations while getting down to business too. One time I even got a "haven't seen you in a while how are you?". I think it all comes down to the fact that they spend all their time with customers who are...jerks...that they dread conversing with others until they find out you respect them as people. One poor lass was almost demoralized by the time I came to purchase my goods, keeping her head down and scanning the codes, but just a thank you from me was enough to get a smile and some eye contact.

But for some reason this has NEVER worked in a local games store. I'm just made to feel stupid for being there. As has been mentioned, it's like they're their own elite group and who do I think I am intruding on it.

Your last statement is the most important.

The reason everyone shows up to the store I like to play casual games of X-Wing is because the staff is inviting and welcoming to people who don't have a clue what they are doing, and know enough to converse and offer advice to those who do.

What a novel concept!

Oh, and to top it off, when you walk in, someone says Hello to you. Sometimes they call you by name

Yeah, I would have mentioned something to him to the effect of 'don't bother, give him an idea or two of what he could do with the next transport that comes in and no wonder so many brick-and-mortars are failing'.

The whole "support your FLGS" thing is a two-way street, and keep in mind, most LGS are run by gamers of one stripe or another, and the stereotypes don't come from nowhere. I just hope that store isn't also the local gaming hub.