I'm quite lucky in that my local store has Miniature Market prices, but because it's local, I don't pay shipping.

At that point you just say, ok nevermind I will buy online. They would rather sell ships than not sell ships and they can tell you will buy anyways right now. If you show that you want them to give you the same loyalty you show them, they will offer you some sort of discount. At least something to show that they want to keep you around, even 5% is something!

But, you shouldn't just try to blackmail an owner into lowering their prices. If they say they can't, a lot of times it means they can't. I don't get all of my X-wing stuff from my local store, but they do get all of my comic business and LCG business. Mainly, because it is a great store. A lot of free play time. Good and friendly staff. And most importantly, well lit and CLEAN. They have earned the occaisonaly $15 ship from me.

If you can't afford MSRP, sure, go online. But don't paint store owners as bad at business because they won't give into demands. And honestly, threatening to go online is less likely to get them to do it. Threats are not the most effective way to get what you want.

I game at my FLGS every tuesday and friday. They are new and can't afford to give discounts. We play at no charge, unless it's a tourney then it's 5 bucks.. I try to get most of my stuff from them, but as I have been out of work a looooong time, I also buy from MM. I also got a new core set from target, with the idea to get one from the shop soon. The owner is a good friend now, and he understands my situation. I appreciate this relationship as it gives me an outlet for my habit and allows me the guilt free gaming at the store..

just my 2 cr

At that point you just say, ok nevermind I will buy online. They would rather sell ships than not sell ships and they can tell you will buy anyways right now. If you show that you want them to give you the same loyalty you show them, they will offer you some sort of discount. At least something to show that they want to keep you around, even 5% is something!

But, you shouldn't just try to blackmail an owner into lowering their prices. If they say they can't, a lot of times it means they can't. I don't get all of my X-wing stuff from my local store, but they do get all of my comic business and LCG business. Mainly, because it is a great store. A lot of free play time. Good and friendly staff. And most importantly, well lit and CLEAN. They have earned the occaisonaly $15 ship from me.

If you can't afford MSRP, sure, go online. But don't paint store owners as bad at business because they won't give into demands. And honestly, threatening to go online is less likely to get them to do it. Threats are not the most effective way to get what you want.

Sorta, kinda, sometimes, not really.

Here's how it should go

Customer to LGS: I can get these cheaper online/down the road, will you match or do I take my business elsewhere?

LGS to Wholesaler: I'm not making enough margin to stay open, will you give me bigger discounts on your products or do I ditch your product range and stock products that allow me to stay open?

Wholesaler to Publisher/Manufacturer/Next link in the chain: Many of my customers are looking at ditching your products as they find it too hard to compete against online sales. If they ditch it, there is no reason for me to stock it either, or will you give bigger discounts so we can keep your product lines in the gaming stores and have them priced competitively enough so the difference between LGS and online store isn't so big.

From a certain view, it could look like blackmail, from another, it's a pretty honest conversation about the nature of the changing Retail Industry.

Why should a customer pay more for a product because it's in a store, rather than getting posted out to them.

Why should a gaming store struggle to keep a product line in stock that everyone wants but the store makes no money off?

Why should a wholesaler stock large amounts of the products that do nothing financially for it's customers?

Why don't publishers (like FFG) give extra incentives or discounts or financial assistance or unicorn steaks to the game stores that run their national and regional tournaments, that have tables set up to get new people into the game, and support the local gaming community.

If you ask me, it's not up to the customer to support the FLGS, it's up to the publishers.

I have a very FLGS. They're great. They do charge full MSRP, but when a new wave comes out I always buy at least one of everything, usually more, and the owner gives me a bit of a discount. I will admit that I've bought a few ships from MM or CSI from their Deals, but I do everything I can to support the local store.

I am kicking myself for buying two of the new Core sets from Target a couple weeks ago, then finding out that the game store would get them this week.

That's pretty much what I do as well. The owner of my FLGS has given me discounts when I buy new waves or an epic ship, though he doesn't need too and I certainly never asked for one. I'll buy ships from Amazon Prime from time to time, but my I prefer to give my money to my FLGS (all events at the store have prize support and they're always free).

I bought one core set at Target the night it came out and I'll buy another from my FLGS when he gets them today.

My local guy isn't getting the support from the gamers as much as he used to. As a result, he's dwindling his stock down and not restocking. So it's more expensive online purchases for me from now on.

kind of OT but do some game store charge you to play at/in them? I am talking casual games not tournaments? I think that would be lame.

I've only ever bought from local shops.

Online stores - Savings amount to cheaper prices

FLGS - savings amount to no fuel driving miles to the next nearest one, saving time spent driving, saving effort getting players together at people houses etc, effort organising your own events

I spend a few £ extra on each ship I buy compared to buying online. For that small 'tax' I get a local gaming community rather than nothingness. It's worth it. You're basically investing in your own and other people's future gaming enjoyment by buying at FLGS.

OP: Yes, it's unusual for an LGS to not offer any kind of discounts in the form of a loyalty program/preorder discounts/regular sales/etc. As someone who has worked on the other side of the FLGS counter, I have to assume your store owner has his reasons for not doing it. I applaud your spending money where you play, but if you decide to move some or all of your purchases somewhere else that's your right. Just don't walk up to the store owner and announce that's what you're doing, especially in front of other customers. You've been up front with this person about your desire for a discount and he's been (eventually) up front about not feeling able to offer that. No need to stretch that out.

Besides the monthly tournaments how often do you play at the store?

With exceptions here and there I make a point to show up no less than once a week.

So I have not bought a single ship from anywhere other than my local game store. I don't have the biggest collection but I feel as though it is substantial. My store offers no deals for bulk and nothing for preorders. Monthly tournaments are cheap but just increased in price and I just was curious how many others pay full list price for their minis. Not going to rant or rave as I really do believe in supporting local stores but when I'm dropping $200-300 a wave that maybe 5% off MSRP would be reasonable. Again not attacking or raving just curious if most stores are unwilling to budge or if you guys get deals on bulk. Thanks!

Mine does not do anything for customers, similar to yours. I stopped buying his over-priced products.

I'm torn, my local store (the only one within a 40 minute drive) is nice. They have a good stock, decent employees. Their prices are always a little high.

But, they don't run any X-Wing events. No tournaments, or even casual play. I don't think I've seen anyone else buying or playing X-Wing.

Also, that other store that's 40 minutes away elected to run Star Trek Attack Wing tournaments, rather than X-Wing. They almost discourage customers from getting into X-Wing.

Mine does not do anything for customers, similar to yours.

Here's how I look at it.

Does the store do anything to offset the price of MSRP vs Online? If so then you may be getting the same value even though you're playing more.

For example my LGS charges full MSRP. But he has a number of tables, he has demo kits that people can use to try a game. He has terrain we can use for our games. He hosts regular tournaments and helps me run a league there.

All in all I feel that he adds enough value to my experience that paying full price is worth it.

But on the other hand, if your store does nothing to add value to your gaming, and charges full retail then you shouldn't feel bad about looking for a better price somewhere else.

At my FLGS small individual small ships are full price, but anything bigger is discounted ~10%, and I earn rewards points for purchases working out to roughly ~30% off over time if I buy on the right days. I buy all my X-wing, Armada and Netrunner(now anyway) stuff there, as well as paints/brushes, the occasional 40k kit, and boardgames, so I've always got a good stock of reward points. I do it because I like the staff and it's where I do most of my playing, so I want to support them as much as I can. The only X-wing stuff I didn't buy there was my core set and first few expansions back when you couldn't find wave 1 or 2 in stock anywhere but Barnes and Noble a few years ago.

Obviously, not everyone has a FLGS they like nearby, or one they play at regularly, but if you do and you use their space, you should try to help them out when you can. *rant incoming* Unless your FLGS is a Cool Stuff Inc physical location. I have several that are equidistant and meh. The local Netrunner group meets up at one of them, and I used to buy all my Netrunner stuff there because they'd have it on the shelves a little earlier in the week, but their treatment of our community has left a bad taste in my mouth. Several weeks after Regionals dates this year were public they announced a triple game night kit tournament on the same day as regionals an hour away, and refused to move the tournament after this was pointed out. We haven't been able to get them to do an event since then after no one showed.

I'm torn, my local store (the only one within a 40 minute drive) is nice. They have a good stock, decent employees. Their prices are always a little high.

But, they don't run any X-Wing events. No tournaments, or even casual play. I don't think I've seen anyone else buying or playing X-Wing.

Also, that other store that's 40 minutes away elected to run Star Trek Attack Wing tournaments, rather than X-Wing. They almost discourage customers from getting into X-Wing.

In that situation, I would just buy online, which is exactly what I did. I bought everything through wave 3 online, before I found a play group. I found a group during wave 5 and have since then only bought gaming supplies from that store.

If the only thing they have to offer is product, go somewhere else. If you're playing at a store, support it.

Mine does not do anything for customers, similar to yours.

Here's how I look at it.

Does the store do anything to offset the price of MSRP vs Online? If so then you may be getting the same value even though you're playing more.

For example my LGS charges full MSRP. But he has a number of tables, he has demo kits that people can use to try a game. He has terrain we can use for our games. He hosts regular tournaments and helps me run a league there.

All in all I feel that he adds enough value to my experience that paying full price is worth it.

But on the other hand, if your store does nothing to add value to your gaming, and charges full retail then you shouldn't feel bad about looking for a better price somewhere else.

The store in question is also a coffee shop (while being a game store - it's a very successful business model). Not only does he charge full price for game stuff, he over-charges for beverages and does not allow outside food or drink in the store. And he's a bit of a curmudgeon, to be polite. He does things for Pathfinder Society, but not for X-Wing. I would rather play at home than in his store (even though he has tables).

I play at my FLGS every week, and he does have a rewards card. Between x-wing and MTG I can rack up the 25% off discount (which takes spending $250) for one purchase. Then I preorder 2x small ships and 1x large ships, like for wave 8. Its still not quite MM or CSI pricing... but its competitive enough that I'd rather keep the business with him.

I'll also buy the random ship for my nephew, as an impulse buy during our game nights. We also have monthly tournaments.

Very happy with my FLGS for this!

So I have not bought a single ship from anywhere other than my local game store. I don't have the biggest collection but I feel as though it is substantial. My store offers no deals for bulk and nothing for preorders. Monthly tournaments are cheap but just increased in price and I just was curious how many others pay full list price for their minis. Not going to rant or rave as I really do believe in supporting local stores but when I'm dropping $200-300 a wave that maybe 5% off MSRP would be reasonable. Again not attacking or raving just curious if most stores are unwilling to budge or if you guys get deals on bulk. Thanks!

Nope! The FLGS only seems to host organized Card Games and WH40K. Hence, I haven't bought any XWing there. The XWing stock seems to collect dust, yet I know there are 20+ players in the area!

I have a very FLGS. They're great. They do charge full MSRP, but when a new wave comes out I always buy at least one of everything, usually more, and the owner gives me a bit of a discount. I will admit that I've bought a few ships from MM or CSI from their Deals, but I do everything I can to support the local store.

I am kicking myself for buying two of the new Core sets from Target a couple weeks ago, then finding out that the game store would get them this week.

Mine (when I'm able to make it and forgive the shameless plug, Common Ground Games in Stirling) charges full MSRP.

BUT

In return I get -

1. 99% guaranteed (unless there's a tourney on) table space.

2. The table space I pay a small fee for is mine; all day if I want.

3. An owner who knows his products, and if he can't physically play a test game with you, is willing and able to set one up for you.

4. A little card which for every £10 I spend I get a star, once I fill it up, I get a discount .

5. People to play.

6. Somewhere, where everyone is a geek.

If you're lucky enough to have somewhere like this local to you, pay the extra. Because if you don't, it'll be gone.

Edit: This is worth the extra I pay for X-Wing -

Cheers

Baaa

Buy where you play. The margins are really small for stores.

So I have not bought a single ship from anywhere other than my local game store. I don't have the biggest collection but I feel as though it is substantial. My store offers no deals for bulk and nothing for preorders. Monthly tournaments are cheap but just increased in price and I just was curious how many others pay full list price for their minis. Not going to rant or rave as I really do believe in supporting local stores but when I'm dropping $200-300 a wave that maybe 5% off MSRP would be reasonable. Again not attacking or raving just curious if most stores are unwilling to budge or if you guys get deals on bulk. Thanks!

Nope! The FLGS only seems to host organized Card Games and WH40K. Hence, I haven't bought any XWing there. The XWing stock seems to collect dust, yet I know there are 20+ players in the area!

You know which FLGS has X-wing players. Shall we organize a Saturday epic event?

I buy smaller ships from FLGS, and bigger ones online. I wouldn't be able to afford the bigger ones at that price anyway, so no guilt from buying online. I buy snacks and drinks as well, from FLGS.

Just so I am clear, those talking about high prices, are not saying that MSRP=high prices, right?