Everyone who has the option should be buying at their FLGS. It's win-win, you get your stuff day one and you help the stores out with the sale.

Internet orders should only be placed when what you want isn't on the shelf, IMO.

Why? I have four local game stores to choose from but I receive a better customer service interaction from a Canadian online retailer. Two of the local stores have limited stock they sell at MSRP so I buy from them when I want one more ship. The third local store is run by a ****** who has a substantial markup on all of his limited stock. The fourth store sells at about 15-20% above MSRP but they are the only store that runs tournaments.

So why must I give loyalty to a brick and mortar store simply because they get a box of x-wing minis every couple of months?

It's hard to figure out where to buy from sometimes. Some stores have good deals but never have anything in stock, others always have stock because they charge like 40% or more above retail... and then there's issues of personal preference and whether you get along with the folks who work there... Pre-ordering and having the store not receive enough stock to cover their pre-orders (on more than one occasion) has made me pretty cautious about who I want to give my money to. I often default to retailers who bring in huge volumes at a decent price, so I don't end up waiting a couple extra months for something.

I definitely buy a lot of my high volume stuff online from Meeplemart, but I try to buy local for random odds and ends and hobby supplies where it makes sense to do so. The folks who run the store need to eat, pay rent and keep the lights on.

So why must I give loyalty to a brick and mortar store simply because they get a box of x-wing minis every couple of months?

Do you play at any of these stores?

For me, it is a challenge to strike a balance between supporting FLGS and balancing the budget. My responsibilities require that I be mindful of spending on what is essentially a frivolous hobby. I look for deals and if I can get a lower price I will elect to do so.

That said - I believe in supporting FLGS. Promoting all local shops on social media is helpful, running drop ins for the game is also helpful, and for the latter purchasing prizes from the FLGS for x-wing night events is again helpful.

When I make my initial wave orders, I tend to look for the best price available and go for that. Once I have what I suppose, for a frivolous hobby, could be considered the essential expansions, any subsequent expansions are purchased from my FLGS.

You have to support the shops that put a table in front of you and a roof over your minis. You do not have to avoid bargains.

So why must I give loyalty to a brick and mortar store simply because they get a box of x-wing minis every couple of months?

Do you play at any of these stores?

Three of the four stores have no space for playing. The fourth has just started hosting a tournament once a month or so which has a $10 entrance fee and they sell at a 15-20% markup. I just wanted to point out that some of us who support online retailers don't necessarily have local options that support the x-wing community.

Fair.

And in my defence, all I was trying to address was the notion of 'pay where you play', which I feel is important.

Think about it this way, supports work best if they hold weight on all sides. Stores should support players and the community. And players should support stores and the community. It's a relationship, of sorts.

I don't have a FLGS. Closest is two hours away. The cost of gas alone makes buying from them unreasonable. That said, I've bought from the two places in our province I know of.

Otherwise, it's either Meeplemart of Starlit Citadel for me. Thing is, both of those places are somewhat FLGS type places that also do warehouse style online sales.

Jacob

My general feeling about supporting local business is that I expect them to meet me halfway. If I can buy something online at a 35% discount off of MSRP, I would expect the local place to offer me 15-20% off at least. I'm the type that it pains me greatly to pay $20 for something if I know I can get it for $15 somewhere else. My FLGS is generally 40-50% more expensive than the online stores. If they think that the online businesses have some sort of advantage they don't then they should try opening up online sales themselves to level the playing field.

That being said, if the FLGS has playing space that you use regularly and appreciate, I think it is fair to show some appreciation by buying stuff there. I very rarely use the gaming space at my FLGS and I very rarely buy things there.

FLGS, pay where you play.

I still haven't received a tracking number. Here are the facts:

Meeplemart announced that it'd get its wave 6 on Friday February 27th and ship it on that day and the following Monday March 2nd.

A smaller order placed on Dec 22nd destined for a friend has shipped on Monday March 2nd and I've gotten the tracking number (en route to arrive Monday March 9th)

My own order placed on Jan 4th of about $230, increased by $50 (due to the bad canadian dollar situation) has not shipped yet but indicates the status "fulfilled" (the next step being "shipped")

would you:

-contact Steve from Meeplemart to ask what's happening?

-wait and see as Meeplemart is still a small operation and they've been swamped more than they could predict with wave 6?

On one hand, I understand big rushes are crushing for small businesses. On the other hand, it's a business transaction, and I think I'm entitled to know a ballpark figure of what to expect.

Did someone place an order after Jan 4th and gotten it already?

No, but my tracking number says its going to be delivered today.

I placed my order just two weeks ago.

Jacob

I still haven't received a tracking number. Here are the facts:

Meeplemart announced that it'd get its wave 6 on Friday February 27th and ship it on that day and the following Monday March 2nd.

A smaller order placed on Dec 22nd destined for a friend has shipped on Monday March 2nd and I've gotten the tracking number (en route to arrive Monday March 9th)

My own order placed on Jan 4th of about $230, increased by $50 (due to the bad canadian dollar situation) has not shipped yet but indicates the status "fulfilled" (the next step being "shipped")

would you:

-contact Steve from Meeplemart to ask what's happening?

-wait and see as Meeplemart is still a small operation and they've been swamped more than they could predict with wave 6?

On one hand, I understand big rushes are crushing for small businesses. On the other hand, it's a business transaction, and I think I'm entitled to know a ballpark figure of what to expect.

Did someone place an order after Jan 4th and gotten it already?

They said my order (pre-paid in August, paid the price adjustment this week) was shipping yesterday or today. I think they got bogged down in a huge list of people who needed to adjust their pre-order price. Not thrilled about the wait, but when I'm still saving a huge pile of $$ compared to the local prices, even after the adjustment, I can deal with it.

just got the package! woo!

Bugger. Mine is still not here, though I have been having some issues with Canada Post at my place (some mysterious "M. Henry" has been signing for my roommate's packages...) so I'm praying to god there's no shenanigans involved for anything important, like a pile of S&V ships.

Everyone who has the option should be buying at their FLGS. It's win-win, you get your stuff day one and you help the stores out with the sale.

Internet orders should only be placed when what you want isn't on the shelf, IMO.

This is patently absurd when said LGS prices things 50% over MRSP.

Heck, I could buy at MRSP from the states and even with shipping and conversion rates being what they are, it'd still be cheaper.