I have only recently begun playing at a nearby LGS, I used to play at home with friends and was wondering if could get some advice on how much I should spend at the LGS each month because I usually go about 4 time a month and feel bad that I have no bought anything.
I only play Modern and EDH and at the moment all of my decks are well tuned so I do not need singles.
I mostly go to play EDH with other store members to get to know people and play against different decks.
I dont play and do not plan to play standard and I have never tried drafting and would probably not draft because I don't like to keep cards that I do not use (I sell them off as soon as I decide I do not need them)
I also have all the sleeves, deck boxes that I currently need.
Now question is should I support the store by "forcing" myself to draft and/or buy packs to support the LGS? I do like the place and enjoy going there but I feel that I should support the store some way or somehow. So how much should I spend at my LGS each month?
EDIT: I forgot to mention that the store deos not run many Modern events.
Honestly it comes down to what you are comfortable with. Some players will always buy new sleeves and supplies. Others will make sure they pre-order their box from a certain store. Some will just buy a drink and a snack every so often. Some will buy packs. Some will buy Singles. And others still will just enter events.
I think there is something off about going into a shop and playing EDH for free or using their space to play Modern or tabletop games with friends and then never actually spending money at the store. I am sure enough stores have people like that and every person's situation is different. However, the fact that you are asking the question suggests you understand that the store is not just there for you; it is there to make money as well as be a source for gaming.
I don't think there is any set amount you need to spend at a store and it is hard to determine what you should buy. I know you said you don't really need singles, but perhaps the next time you do, check out their stock first. If it is a $20 card online and they are selling it for $23, pay the extra $3 at the store.
And "forcing" yourself to buy a pack or two isn't the worst idea. I know it is a lottery and the chances of getting something high value or something you actually want are slim, but it is only a couple bucks. And it isn't something you have to do all the time (maybe once or twice a month). I know it doesn't seem like much, but even a pack here and there can help out.
I am in a similar situation at one store I go to. I recently started patronizing a new store for EDH. I have gone there about 6-8 times and have yet to buy anything. I too feel that I should purchase something to help them out since I am basically taking up their space without them seeing any returns on it. I ask about Invocations every time I am in there though as that could help them out and get me a card I need for one of my decks.
Another option that is somewhat out there (since it doesn't work for everyone) is participate in the events. Help organize a pre-release (if they need it) or get your judge's certification (if they need judges). I am actually looking at doing the latter for the shop I play EDH at. It sounds like they lost their judge when he moved and I have been putting off taking the Judge test for a while because the shop I play Modern at has enough Judges. This seems like a great way to finally Judge and be helping out a shop at the same time.
First off, thank you typing such a detailed answer.
I currently have all my decks sleeved up in Dragonshields so it will be awhile before I do need sleeves.
The point on pre-ordering is a good idea and I will most definitely look into that.
Do you think buying approximately 5-6 boosters per month would be good enough? Thing is because I do not plan on playing Standard and whatever I get from the boosters will probably be sold at a loss (I do not keep cards that I do not use).
I may also look into joining and playing pre-releases but again my problem is the cards I get would probably be sold off, which is kind of a hassle but something I would be willing to do for the store.
That's honestly up to you. I personally don't see a problem with buying a pack (if that's the route you want to go) every other time you go into the store. So, 2-3 a month. Again, that is not a lot, so you could up that to where you feel comfortable. Others may suggest a little more and that's fine too. I don't think there is a real answer here.
I think the important thing to keep in mind as you move forward with whatever option you choose (even if it is none of the ones discussed) is don't overdo it. That is, if you feel that buying packs is a waste (and it generally is) don't go so far into it that it feels like an obligation. I know that is basically what you are making it, but if you start to do this and buy 1-2 packs every time you go in, pull nothing, and then, knowing you didn't want the packs to begin with, start to sour on the idea of going to the store for such a steep "cost".
I know it seems silly to suggest that not getting anything out of packs that ultimately cost $20 a month is going to lead to not showing up at the store. I don't think that is the case, but as soon as you move from doing this to support the store in a small way to begrudgingly force yourself to do it every time, take a step back and hold off for a couple weeks. Then, either go back to what you were doing (at a potentially slower pace) or find some other way to support them.
Another, somewhat radical, option is to help others in the store. If your store has a number of newer players, buy one of them a pack every so often. You don't want the pack and they get a thrill out of free cards and opening a pack hoping for value. Or, buy one of them a pack of sleeves if you see them playing with an unsleeved deck There may be younger kids that want to play but can't afford some of the "luxuries" such as sleeves. This does three things; it allows you to directly support the store, it supports your fellow players, and it potentially makes this store more appealing for other newer players due to the friendly nature of the "regulars" that it increases traffic to the store.
How much should you spend? The answer is none.
You are under no obligation to buy anything from them. They are also under no obligation to let you hang around, also known as the term Loitering, for free.
It's that simple. A business exists to be a business. If you're not buying what they're selling, don't feel bad. If by you hanging around and making the store look active to attract customers helps their bottom line, then hey, you have done your job.
If they really want you to buy singles or other product, then they will go out of their way to be competitive in that market segment.
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The true answer is feel no obligation to buy anything.
However, think about what would happen if that store goes broke from no-one buying anything, would you care? (Of the five stores in my area, mixed answers.)
I usually buy a box each set because I play standard. I could save myself $5-10 buying online but I'd rather the store have that money and get the cards 2-3 days earlier.
Just because the store has tournaments, doesn't mean the entry fee makes the store money. At mine, they keep draft and standard costs so low they make about $1 per person after prize packs and paying the judge. Singles and packs is what keeps the lights on.
The highest margin items at almost any game store are food and drinks. Buy a soda and some chips if you spend the afternoon there and they will make more money off you than if you had bought a pack. Everyone wins.
It's very easy for stores to sell packaged food/drinks, and yeah, the margin is high, and if their price is fair for water, I am game to buy cause I will get hot/dehydrated playing for hours. So I agree there on it being better than booster packs.
hoffmkr, can you give us some pricing for events so we can judge on their entry fees?
I have a store here that does Standard Showdown for $10. High entry prices tend to deter me. But i also know lack of prizes deters many more.
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Wanted -Zombie Foils and older expensive Zombie stuff. High Priority- Beta Z Master/ Int. Collector's Edition.
At the LGS I play at, I spend $40 a month, which covers FNM entry for myself and my fiance weekly. Every now and then I buy a drink or 2. If I get packs, sleeves, or singles it comes out of my store credit.
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Standard: GR Pummeler
Modern: Mono-Red Control, Lantern Control, Eldrazi Taxes, Skred Infect
Pauper: Affinity
EDH: Gaddock Teeg Kithkin Tribal, Meren
Legacy: 8 Rack, Omnitell (Both in progress)
For Standard FNM $6 with 1.5X prize packs
For Draft FNM $15 with 1.5X prize packs
I haven't done Standard Showdown since ROI but it was free with only the Promo Prize packs.
I feel like it should be mentioned that events (FNM, etc.) are break-even for most stores. Events are generally there to get people in the door, not to make money. There are exceptions, but those exceptions generally get labeled as "expensive" places to play, and become unpopular.
If the entry fee to an event isn't significantly more than the price of your limitied pool (for draft/sealed) + your share of the total prize payout, then the entry fees you're paying aren't helping keep the LGS afloat. If you have an interest in personally assisting in keeping those doors open, you should actually purchase things.
Between sealed league, fmm drafts, booster boxes and edh/modern events, I probably spend $1-200 on average a month at my LGS. It's entirely up to what you're looking to do and what you enjoy!
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Been collecting since 96 and actually playing since about 2001. Use this site everyday and just never bothered to make an actual account.
I buy sleeves and fair (not competitive, just fair) priced singles and all that stuff. Like others have said, the snacks during a long afternoon can make a real difference.
The other thing I do, also just playing Modern and EDH, I buy shocklands. Like people adding a few full art basics to a TCG purchase, shocks are STILL pretty cheap, they can be sold for a very stable price, and they are good in trades with basically anyone, even most Standard players are happy to get them because they are so easy to trade. So I buy a shock or two every time I go in, or a fetch if they have a decent price. They win, I win building more decks or trading, and as far as Modern staples go, they are good buys
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Project Booster Fun makes it less fun to open a booster.
First thing I would say is to tell the store that you want more modern events. If they'd support modern more, you'd be more inclined to spend some cash.
If you still wanna put something in, why not start on another EDH deck? Having a few good well tuned decks is awesome, but its also fun to spice things up with a bit of variety.
Ultimately though, I think the only obligation that someone has to their game store(s) is that those stores should have first dibs on your business. Whether its booster packs, sleeves, or whatever, that should be where you go first rather than online. Outside of that, I don't think you're really obligated to purchase anything you're not going to use.
I have two stores. One that I buy most of my stuff because they have a lot more...the other store doesn't even compare, and the second store being the one I play at, where I buy only a little bit.
I pay $5.00 for FNM, I sometimes buy dice or booster packs and always a big thing of cold water. Overall, there has rarely been anything else I want, but that being said, they don't carry much to offer. They are starting to carry more sleeves, but my favourite colours haven't showed up yet. They don't sell boxes or mats, very little in single cards and most look pretty beat up. They don't even sell spinners! They need to kick it up. So at the store I play at, I might spend anywhere from 5-50 a week. It entirely depends on what they have and what I need.
The other place? I go broke in about 5 minutes. I just bought a binder, Commander set, spinner, few singles, and some Booster packs. So well over 100.00 in one day. Again, it depends on what I need or am looking for at the time. But this is where I get sleeves, boxes, mats, mat holders, you name it. So some months it has easily been 1000.00 in a month, another month probably closer to 100-200. It just depends on what I am looking for and how much a particular card costs, how many I buy, etc.
Personally I don't feel obligated to buy from either. I buy from one for stuff. I pay for the other for the use of the table. The rest is filler!
I never buy packs. I also only play Vintage, Legacy and old school. my preferred LGS does not support Legacy or Vintage at all, but I have a lot of history with the shop I and often pick up random stuff when they have it. Another 25 minutes away is another shop I frequent when I'm hunting high end stuff. I can spend upwards of $1000+ dollars in a month. It really comes down to what I am after.
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You don't have to go out of your way to support them, but it is a good thing to keep in the back of your mind if you ever find yourself needing a card or would like to draft.
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I currently have no idea what i'm doing with my life right now, or ever for that matter.
You could look into other ways to help the store if you aren't trying to buy packs you don't want or singles you don't need. Offer to help sort cards, I used to do this at a local shop, I just asked if they needed any help with anything and they were more than happy to have me sort cards for a while, they paid me in store credit but that's something you could work out with the manager/owner.
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I only play Modern and EDH and at the moment all of my decks are well tuned so I do not need singles.
I mostly go to play EDH with other store members to get to know people and play against different decks.
I dont play and do not plan to play standard and I have never tried drafting and would probably not draft because I don't like to keep cards that I do not use (I sell them off as soon as I decide I do not need them)
I also have all the sleeves, deck boxes that I currently need.
Now question is should I support the store by "forcing" myself to draft and/or buy packs to support the LGS? I do like the place and enjoy going there but I feel that I should support the store some way or somehow. So how much should I spend at my LGS each month?
EDIT: I forgot to mention that the store deos not run many Modern events.
I think there is something off about going into a shop and playing EDH for free or using their space to play Modern or tabletop games with friends and then never actually spending money at the store. I am sure enough stores have people like that and every person's situation is different. However, the fact that you are asking the question suggests you understand that the store is not just there for you; it is there to make money as well as be a source for gaming.
I don't think there is any set amount you need to spend at a store and it is hard to determine what you should buy. I know you said you don't really need singles, but perhaps the next time you do, check out their stock first. If it is a $20 card online and they are selling it for $23, pay the extra $3 at the store.
And "forcing" yourself to buy a pack or two isn't the worst idea. I know it is a lottery and the chances of getting something high value or something you actually want are slim, but it is only a couple bucks. And it isn't something you have to do all the time (maybe once or twice a month). I know it doesn't seem like much, but even a pack here and there can help out.
I am in a similar situation at one store I go to. I recently started patronizing a new store for EDH. I have gone there about 6-8 times and have yet to buy anything. I too feel that I should purchase something to help them out since I am basically taking up their space without them seeing any returns on it. I ask about Invocations every time I am in there though as that could help them out and get me a card I need for one of my decks.
Another option that is somewhat out there (since it doesn't work for everyone) is participate in the events. Help organize a pre-release (if they need it) or get your judge's certification (if they need judges). I am actually looking at doing the latter for the shop I play EDH at. It sounds like they lost their judge when he moved and I have been putting off taking the Judge test for a while because the shop I play Modern at has enough Judges. This seems like a great way to finally Judge and be helping out a shop at the same time.
I currently have all my decks sleeved up in Dragonshields so it will be awhile before I do need sleeves.
The point on pre-ordering is a good idea and I will most definitely look into that.
Do you think buying approximately 5-6 boosters per month would be good enough? Thing is because I do not plan on playing Standard and whatever I get from the boosters will probably be sold at a loss (I do not keep cards that I do not use).
I may also look into joining and playing pre-releases but again my problem is the cards I get would probably be sold off, which is kind of a hassle but something I would be willing to do for the store.
I think the important thing to keep in mind as you move forward with whatever option you choose (even if it is none of the ones discussed) is don't overdo it. That is, if you feel that buying packs is a waste (and it generally is) don't go so far into it that it feels like an obligation. I know that is basically what you are making it, but if you start to do this and buy 1-2 packs every time you go in, pull nothing, and then, knowing you didn't want the packs to begin with, start to sour on the idea of going to the store for such a steep "cost".
I know it seems silly to suggest that not getting anything out of packs that ultimately cost $20 a month is going to lead to not showing up at the store. I don't think that is the case, but as soon as you move from doing this to support the store in a small way to begrudgingly force yourself to do it every time, take a step back and hold off for a couple weeks. Then, either go back to what you were doing (at a potentially slower pace) or find some other way to support them.
Another, somewhat radical, option is to help others in the store. If your store has a number of newer players, buy one of them a pack every so often. You don't want the pack and they get a thrill out of free cards and opening a pack hoping for value. Or, buy one of them a pack of sleeves if you see them playing with an unsleeved deck There may be younger kids that want to play but can't afford some of the "luxuries" such as sleeves. This does three things; it allows you to directly support the store, it supports your fellow players, and it potentially makes this store more appealing for other newer players due to the friendly nature of the "regulars" that it increases traffic to the store.
You are under no obligation to buy anything from them. They are also under no obligation to let you hang around, also known as the term Loitering, for free.
It's that simple. A business exists to be a business. If you're not buying what they're selling, don't feel bad. If by you hanging around and making the store look active to attract customers helps their bottom line, then hey, you have done your job.
If they really want you to buy singles or other product, then they will go out of their way to be competitive in that market segment.
Selling some cards I don't want.
Generally less than tcg mid.
However, think about what would happen if that store goes broke from no-one buying anything, would you care? (Of the five stores in my area, mixed answers.)
I usually buy a box each set because I play standard. I could save myself $5-10 buying online but I'd rather the store have that money and get the cards 2-3 days earlier.
Just because the store has tournaments, doesn't mean the entry fee makes the store money. At mine, they keep draft and standard costs so low they make about $1 per person after prize packs and paying the judge. Singles and packs is what keeps the lights on.
hoffmkr, can you give us some pricing for events so we can judge on their entry fees?
I have a store here that does Standard Showdown for $10. High entry prices tend to deter me. But i also know lack of prizes deters many more.
Selling some cards I don't want.
Generally less than tcg mid.
Modern: Mono-Red Control, Lantern Control, Eldrazi Taxes, Skred Infect
Pauper: Affinity
EDH: Gaddock Teeg Kithkin Tribal, Meren
Legacy: 8 Rack, Omnitell (Both in progress)
For Draft FNM $15 with 1.5X prize packs
I haven't done Standard Showdown since ROI but it was free with only the Promo Prize packs.
If the entry fee to an event isn't significantly more than the price of your limitied pool (for draft/sealed) + your share of the total prize payout, then the entry fees you're paying aren't helping keep the LGS afloat. If you have an interest in personally assisting in keeping those doors open, you should actually purchase things.
Two Score, Minus Two or: A Stargate Tail
(Image by totallynotabrony)
I ain't yet seen a store do standard showdown for free.
Selling some cards I don't want.
Generally less than tcg mid.
The other thing I do, also just playing Modern and EDH, I buy shocklands. Like people adding a few full art basics to a TCG purchase, shocks are STILL pretty cheap, they can be sold for a very stable price, and they are good in trades with basically anyone, even most Standard players are happy to get them because they are so easy to trade. So I buy a shock or two every time I go in, or a fetch if they have a decent price. They win, I win building more decks or trading, and as far as Modern staples go, they are good buys
If you still wanna put something in, why not start on another EDH deck? Having a few good well tuned decks is awesome, but its also fun to spice things up with a bit of variety.
Ultimately though, I think the only obligation that someone has to their game store(s) is that those stores should have first dibs on your business. Whether its booster packs, sleeves, or whatever, that should be where you go first rather than online. Outside of that, I don't think you're really obligated to purchase anything you're not going to use.
I pay $5.00 for FNM, I sometimes buy dice or booster packs and always a big thing of cold water. Overall, there has rarely been anything else I want, but that being said, they don't carry much to offer. They are starting to carry more sleeves, but my favourite colours haven't showed up yet. They don't sell boxes or mats, very little in single cards and most look pretty beat up. They don't even sell spinners! They need to kick it up. So at the store I play at, I might spend anywhere from 5-50 a week. It entirely depends on what they have and what I need.
The other place? I go broke in about 5 minutes. I just bought a binder, Commander set, spinner, few singles, and some Booster packs. So well over 100.00 in one day. Again, it depends on what I need or am looking for at the time. But this is where I get sleeves, boxes, mats, mat holders, you name it. So some months it has easily been 1000.00 in a month, another month probably closer to 100-200. It just depends on what I am looking for and how much a particular card costs, how many I buy, etc.
Personally I don't feel obligated to buy from either. I buy from one for stuff. I pay for the other for the use of the table. The rest is filler!
Thanks to Heroes of the Plane Studios for the amazing sig!
I currently have no idea what i'm doing with my life right now, or ever for that matter.
Decks
Modern
BGR Jund RGB
BW Eldrazi and Taxes WB
BWGAbzan Company GWB
Mtgo Modern
G Company Elves G