ok so recently i've noticed getting more and more perks from the stores i frequent (slightly lower prices on singles...loans of money cards for tournaments that i don't own yet)
now i typically spend 40-50 bucks a week in this store and often more, provided i have extra money. and i'm friendly and on a first name basis with the owner and all the employees.
does anyone else have a store that gives these kind of perks? does anyone think this is wrong? any other thoughts, oppinions, concerns?
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Current Decks
Standard BEtched Champion/InfectB WSoilders/knightsW WUVenser SplicerWU RRDWR GFeed the Pack comboG WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH GEzuri, Elf OverrunG BGeth, GraverobberB UThada Adel, ThiefU RUrabrask, Big RedR WElesh Norn, CrusadeW WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Why would you feel like it's wrong? Outside of chain stores, most business owners/managers take care of regular customers. It's good business, and fairly common I should think.
Why would you feel like it's wrong? Outside of chain stores, most business owners/managers take care of regular customers. It's good business, and fairly common I should think.
people are wierd and don't want others to get what they don't have. i've heard others talk down on stores doing exactly what mine does (as to the loans...they know i will buy the cards evntually...it was shock lands and i'm waiting to see if we get a reprint)
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Current Decks
Standard BEtched Champion/InfectB WSoilders/knightsW WUVenser SplicerWU RRDWR GFeed the Pack comboG WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH GEzuri, Elf OverrunG BGeth, GraverobberB UThada Adel, ThiefU RUrabrask, Big RedR WElesh Norn, CrusadeW WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
ok so recently i've noticed getting more and more perks from the stores i frequent (slightly lower prices on singles...loans of money cards for tournaments that i don't own yet)
now i typically spend 40-50 bucks a week in this store and often more, provided i have extra money. and i'm friendly and on a first name basis with the owner and all the employees.
does anyone else have a store that gives these kind of perks? does anyone think this is wrong? any other thoughts, oppinions, concerns?
I've got this kind of relationship with my local store. First name basis with all of the employee's and the store owner, have helped him out and he helps me out when I need it. It's a good proposition for them cause they can keep you coming back, and you still get a good deal on things.
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the user formerly known as isopsycho86
DCI Judge L2 - Minneapolis
Thanks to Megabug/Sgt Chubbz and Kracked Graphics for the Sig Legacy RUBFaithless Dredge
My store is selling FTV at MSRP to regulars, and in some cases cheaper, but at $50 to outsiders.
My store may attempt to get like 10 holiday boxes and sell them at just above wholesale, as in in the <15$ range, hopefully 12. Meaning I can get my 8 for under $100, which would be amazing. But that is because I preordered those 8.
My store does other stuff too, they sold COM products at a loss for a day, I think $12.50 a deck, and cool stuff like that.
I guess OP wants it to be 'keyworded' like "dies" was. What word would you replace ETB with though?
When Aegis Angel is born?
When Huntmaster of the Fells arrives?
When Kitchen Sphinx lands?
When Faerie Imposter busts in?
When Dread Cacodemon pops in?
When Malfegor shows up?
I see nothing wrong with this. Regulars help the business better than the other customers, so the business can help the regulars out too. It's not a punishment towards new and less frequent storegoers, just an extra reward for people who put the most in.
Business, is the same at an LGS or anywhere else.
I used to work making short order food at K-mart.
Yes I had regulars. I would even do stuff for the employees at times too. The guy in charge of securuty liked cheese on his club sandwich. One of the gals from the floor would like bread sticks when she was on her break so I always made sure to have some.
I got several free rentals from a place because I rented more movies then anyone else at that store, even a free movie at one point.
When you make some place money they want to keep you around so you can keep making them money.
If anyone complains then just explain that you are a "premium customer".
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There's no proof she's being chased
by ninja squirrels either. - Dr. Wilson
I actually have a bit of a problem with this. Not the lending cards aspect or giving deals on products, but it can go deeper than that.
My "Local Gaming Store" is more than a 90 minute drive for me, so I dont get to it as often as I would like. With that being said, at my store during FNM and other tournaments (like prerelease and 2HG night) the regular customers are always getting the first picks on packs, preference for the matches they play (they can basically just tell the store guy who they want to play) and judge rulings usually go their way, even when it is somewhat fuzzy on the rules.
So while I dont have a problem with regular customers getting deals on stuff and being lent cards, I do have a problem with it if it affects gameplay at the store.
Oh, I just thought of this. There was one prerelease where 2 of the top 8 didn't stay to claim their prize packs. Instead of putting the packs aside for them, or splitting them up into the rest of the six, or even going to the 9th and 10th place people, the packs went to a couple of regulars that did quite bad. There were a few customers that were not happy with this and voiced that to the store owner. I don't know what he said, I left as soon as he gave them to his regulars.
So while I dont have a problem with regular customers getting deals on stuff and being lent cards, I do have a problem with it if it affects gameplay at the store.
oh i deffinatly agree with this, it shouldn't be used for any game play perks. merchendice deals are one thing but things that impact the intergrity of the game is another.
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Current Decks
Standard BEtched Champion/InfectB WSoilders/knightsW WUVenser SplicerWU RRDWR GFeed the Pack comboG WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH GEzuri, Elf OverrunG BGeth, GraverobberB UThada Adel, ThiefU RUrabrask, Big RedR WElesh Norn, CrusadeW WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
With that being said, at my store during FNM and other tournaments (like prerelease and 2HG night) the regular customers are always getting the first picks on packs, preference for the matches they play (they can basically just tell the store guy who they want to play) and judge rulings usually go their way, even when it is somewhat fuzzy on the rules.
If a store is doing shady practices like this then they need to be reported to WotC ASAP. Whether you are a regular or not, you should care about something that is harming the integrity of the tournament.
I don't see anything wrong with a store doing a "customer loyalty program", or even an informal one. Many gaming stores are barely afloat as it is and showing appreciation for repeat customers is a good thing (until things like discounts on singles prices cut into their bottom line so much that it forces them to close, of course). It doesn't even have to be regular customers either. I went to a store last Friday because I was friends with the local judge. I traded some judge foils to the store, and when I said I was hungry the owners gave me a free candy bar because "judges give us the good stuff." They also offered to lend me a Standard deck to play in FNM.
If you feel that a store rewarding certain customers over others is arbitrary and unfair, you can always refuse to shop there, tell all your friends not to shop there, and buy cards from online retailers if there's no other store in the area that sells Magic.
Yeah, that is...questionable. I switched stores after practices like that.
I mean, I'm good friends with my LGS's judge, who also plays, and we both consistently win prizes, but we don't do anything remotely questionable, thats not preferential treatment, its tournament fraud.
I guess OP wants it to be 'keyworded' like "dies" was. What word would you replace ETB with though?
When Aegis Angel is born?
When Huntmaster of the Fells arrives?
When Kitchen Sphinx lands?
When Faerie Imposter busts in?
When Dread Cacodemon pops in?
When Malfegor shows up?
ok so recently i've noticed getting more and more perks from the stores i frequent (slightly lower prices on singles...loans of money cards for tournaments that i don't own yet)
now i typically spend 40-50 bucks a week in this store and often more, provided i have extra money. and i'm friendly and on a first name basis with the owner and all the employees.
does anyone else have a store that gives these kind of perks? does anyone think this is wrong? any other thoughts, oppinions, concerns?
I cant think of a LGS that isnt a mom and pop shop. Those type stores rely on return business. If you re spending your money with them, most will take care of you. I know the LGS I go to sponsors a handful of high end players (SCG, pro tour, GPs) with free sleeves and lend them cards. Seems to be a solid practice to keep people coming back.
Yeah, being a regular costumer at a B&M store usually results in "perks". I get left-over promos and stuff all the time when I show up to FNM or just when I randomly come in for singles.
I haven't gotten anything major, but the occasion left over promo or small discount has happened a few times. I love my LGS, the owner bothers to learn pretty much every ones names if they show up more than once, and I have never had any problems there.
Why would it be wrong? It's a private business and they can do what they want with their own property. On the contrary, I think treating all of your customers exactly the same is dumb, because then you're not giving your long-time, loyal customers an incentive to stay loyal.
All the best stores work with their customers to ensure continued business. The ones that succeed the best are the ones that can balance preferred customers with still treating occasional customers well (some occasional customers and one-shots can become regulars if they are treated well).
Taking care of the customer is how "mom and pop" establishments profit. Chains profit by sheer volume.
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Currently playing:
Standard: WBRG Aggro-Reanimator Humans GRBW
Modern: UR Twinning RU G Venus Fly Trap G U Artifacts Aggro U
One time an online store charged me double. I contacted them about it, they gave me a refund and gave me five promo cards that I would never be able to get otherwise. All because I bought a booster box regularly for over a year.
ok so recently i've noticed getting more and more perks from the stores i frequent (slightly lower prices on singles...loans of money cards for tournaments that i don't own yet)
now i typically spend 40-50 bucks a week in this store and often more, provided i have extra money. and i'm friendly and on a first name basis with the owner and all the employees.
does anyone else have a store that gives these kind of perks? does anyone think this is wrong? any other thoughts, oppinions, concerns?
Stores reward loyalty and I like that. If you're dropping some money on a frequent basis, rewarding the loyalty almost ensures that you keep spending your money and everybody wins
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Current Game: Bioshock: Infinite
Mabbz on MTGO | Demgrinds on Twitch & Twitter | Helpdesk
I look at it like this: every player, in theory, has the option of buying their sealed product from Wal-Mart or Target and their singles online and just playing at Starbucks or in their friends' basements. Doing so will often be cheaper than playing at most FLGSes.
Therefore, a brick-and-mortar game store has to offer something that all of the above doesn't: a broader community. A good FLGS will be a neutral ground with clearly defined days that players of a given game know they can just walk in and get some fun going, a place where someone can play their game of choice regardless of whether or not they have enough space to invite friends over or even a place to make friends if someone lacks friends in the hobby. But a game store can't stock human companionship - it can provide product and location, but the only way it has to make sure it has people is to encourage people to be regulars at the store, and this means making sure regulars know they are appreciated. Sometimes it's just a matter of remembering people's names and making people feel welcome. Sometimes it goes as far as giving away the occasional free swag.
I once called my FLGS to see if they had an RPG rulebook in stock. They did not, so I placed a special order for the book with no money down. Turns out the book also didn't have a distributor because it was a particularly small indie title... so they had one of their employees pick it up for me at its full price at Gen Con and didn't even charge me a markup for the service. Hell, I had almost forgotten about the book entirely until I got a phone call saying they got it for me. On another occasion, there was a huge blizzard outside and only myself and two other people showed up for Magic night... so they gave us some promo cards as a way of saying "thank you" for being there. This same FLGS sold me the past three FTVs at MSRP knowing full well that other stores mark them up to hell and back and I'm hoping I manage to get one of the store's allotment for the same this year too.
I'm at a point where I don't know if I can ever move away from this city simply because I don't think I'll ever have a chance of finding an FLGS that does as much to earn customer loyalty as this one.
For instance, they do a weekly draft with a rare redraft instead of prize pool, but they do the packs at way lower prices (normally 3 packs is just shy of 10, they do the draft for 7.50), because people always buy extra bits and pieces and it keeps the community going).
Most places I have seen 3 packs are more like $12, and they draft at $15 to provide prize support. I have only seen one store in my entire playing career that did lower cost than that, and it was a once a month $5 draft in the core set.
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Currently playing:
Standard: WBRG Aggro-Reanimator Humans GRBW
Modern: UR Twinning RU G Venus Fly Trap G U Artifacts Aggro U
To the best of my knowledge the store that I go to offers no extra perks for being a regular. The store owner is amazing, and the staff are absolutely 100% the best I've ever come into contact with. The perk you get for frequenting the store often is being better known and having people understand what you're looking for. It's amazing. I was looking for an Elspeth, NE for a friend of mine, and the store owner picked one up earlier in the day, knowing I needed one, and sold it to me. He still made a profit, but I certainly felt a little special.
I was looking, not so long ago, for a playset of Liliana's Caress. The store owner said that since it had rotated out, they did not have any in stock at all. I bought some packs and came back about a month later (I don't FNM, but stay mainly kitchen table).
When I entered the store, he saw me and said, "hey, I remembered you were looking for these cards and I found a playset when I was cleaning the back". He handed me the cards, no charge. You know what? I buy most all of my product there now.
I wish my area has a store that believes in "Customer first" policy.
The feeling i get from my store is that it wants to suck my wallet dry.
Before anyone flames me for trying to bankrupt a store, i will like to state a little human touch goes a long way. Even more for sentimental types like myself.
I have a store near me that prices their cards strictly by SCG's prices, but there are occasional deals. I'm a bit of a (EDH) foil whore, so I get good prices on them as well. They're cool if you call on the phone with some questions, they buy cards from you at ~66% the price, and they trade even better.
I also went with a friend to buy an AVR box and they gave us some Restoration Angel release promos for free... now they're up to $13 ea. Sure, we did just spend $100 on a box, but just giving us the promos was a pretty nice gesture (and well appreciated, as Kaalia just got a badass new angel to play with).
On the other hand, I've heard some horror stories about other local shops, including one that would sell fat packs for $50. They're closed now, by the way...
now i typically spend 40-50 bucks a week in this store and often more, provided i have extra money. and i'm friendly and on a first name basis with the owner and all the employees.
does anyone else have a store that gives these kind of perks? does anyone think this is wrong? any other thoughts, oppinions, concerns?
BEtched Champion/InfectB
WSoilders/knightsW
WUVenser SplicerWU
RRDWR
GFeed the Pack comboG
WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH
GEzuri, Elf OverrunG
BGeth, GraverobberB
UThada Adel, ThiefU
RUrabrask, Big RedR
WElesh Norn, CrusadeW
WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Extended
WGElvesWG
Legacy
RGoblinsR
UBGFariesUBG
UBGRaffinityUBG
people are wierd and don't want others to get what they don't have. i've heard others talk down on stores doing exactly what mine does (as to the loans...they know i will buy the cards evntually...it was shock lands and i'm waiting to see if we get a reprint)
BEtched Champion/InfectB
WSoilders/knightsW
WUVenser SplicerWU
RRDWR
GFeed the Pack comboG
WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH
GEzuri, Elf OverrunG
BGeth, GraverobberB
UThada Adel, ThiefU
RUrabrask, Big RedR
WElesh Norn, CrusadeW
WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Extended
WGElvesWG
Legacy
RGoblinsR
UBGFariesUBG
UBGRaffinityUBG
I've got this kind of relationship with my local store. First name basis with all of the employee's and the store owner, have helped him out and he helps me out when I need it. It's a good proposition for them cause they can keep you coming back, and you still get a good deal on things.
DCI Judge L2 - Minneapolis
Thanks to Megabug/Sgt Chubbz and Kracked Graphics for the Sig
Legacy
RUBFaithless Dredge
My store may attempt to get like 10 holiday boxes and sell them at just above wholesale, as in in the <15$ range, hopefully 12. Meaning I can get my 8 for under $100, which would be amazing. But that is because I preordered those 8.
My store does other stuff too, they sold COM products at a loss for a day, I think $12.50 a deck, and cool stuff like that.
I used to work making short order food at K-mart.
Yes I had regulars. I would even do stuff for the employees at times too. The guy in charge of securuty liked cheese on his club sandwich. One of the gals from the floor would like bread sticks when she was on her break so I always made sure to have some.
I got several free rentals from a place because I rented more movies then anyone else at that store, even a free movie at one point.
When you make some place money they want to keep you around so you can keep making them money.
If anyone complains then just explain that you are a "premium customer".
There's no proof she's being chased
by ninja squirrels either. - Dr. Wilson
My "Local Gaming Store" is more than a 90 minute drive for me, so I dont get to it as often as I would like. With that being said, at my store during FNM and other tournaments (like prerelease and 2HG night) the regular customers are always getting the first picks on packs, preference for the matches they play (they can basically just tell the store guy who they want to play) and judge rulings usually go their way, even when it is somewhat fuzzy on the rules.
So while I dont have a problem with regular customers getting deals on stuff and being lent cards, I do have a problem with it if it affects gameplay at the store.
Oh, I just thought of this. There was one prerelease where 2 of the top 8 didn't stay to claim their prize packs. Instead of putting the packs aside for them, or splitting them up into the rest of the six, or even going to the 9th and 10th place people, the packs went to a couple of regulars that did quite bad. There were a few customers that were not happy with this and voiced that to the store owner. I don't know what he said, I left as soon as he gave them to his regulars.
oh i deffinatly agree with this, it shouldn't be used for any game play perks. merchendice deals are one thing but things that impact the intergrity of the game is another.
BEtched Champion/InfectB
WSoilders/knightsW
WUVenser SplicerWU
RRDWR
GFeed the Pack comboG
WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH
GEzuri, Elf OverrunG
BGeth, GraverobberB
UThada Adel, ThiefU
RUrabrask, Big RedR
WElesh Norn, CrusadeW
WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Extended
WGElvesWG
Legacy
RGoblinsR
UBGFariesUBG
UBGRaffinityUBG
If a store is doing shady practices like this then they need to be reported to WotC ASAP. Whether you are a regular or not, you should care about something that is harming the integrity of the tournament.
I don't see anything wrong with a store doing a "customer loyalty program", or even an informal one. Many gaming stores are barely afloat as it is and showing appreciation for repeat customers is a good thing (until things like discounts on singles prices cut into their bottom line so much that it forces them to close, of course). It doesn't even have to be regular customers either. I went to a store last Friday because I was friends with the local judge. I traded some judge foils to the store, and when I said I was hungry the owners gave me a free candy bar because "judges give us the good stuff." They also offered to lend me a Standard deck to play in FNM.
If you feel that a store rewarding certain customers over others is arbitrary and unfair, you can always refuse to shop there, tell all your friends not to shop there, and buy cards from online retailers if there's no other store in the area that sells Magic.
Avatar by Numotflame96 of Maelstrom Graphics
Sig banner thanks to DarkNightCavalier of Heroes of the Plane Studios!
I mean, I'm good friends with my LGS's judge, who also plays, and we both consistently win prizes, but we don't do anything remotely questionable, thats not preferential treatment, its tournament fraud.
I cant think of a LGS that isnt a mom and pop shop. Those type stores rely on return business. If you re spending your money with them, most will take care of you. I know the LGS I go to sponsors a handful of high end players (SCG, pro tour, GPs) with free sleeves and lend them cards. Seems to be a solid practice to keep people coming back.
Taking care of the customer is how "mom and pop" establishments profit. Chains profit by sheer volume.
Standard:
WBRG Aggro-Reanimator Humans GRBW
Modern:
UR Twinning RU
G Venus Fly Trap G
U Artifacts Aggro U
Legacy:
B Reanimator B
WU Stoneblade UW
EDH
WBGGhave, Guru of SporesGBW
URGRiku of the Two ReflectionsGRU
WUBRGScion of the Ur-DragonGRBUW
Casual
Far too many to list
Stores reward loyalty and I like that. If you're dropping some money on a frequent basis, rewarding the loyalty almost ensures that you keep spending your money and everybody wins
Mabbz on MTGO | Demgrinds on Twitch & Twitter | Helpdesk
Therefore, a brick-and-mortar game store has to offer something that all of the above doesn't: a broader community. A good FLGS will be a neutral ground with clearly defined days that players of a given game know they can just walk in and get some fun going, a place where someone can play their game of choice regardless of whether or not they have enough space to invite friends over or even a place to make friends if someone lacks friends in the hobby. But a game store can't stock human companionship - it can provide product and location, but the only way it has to make sure it has people is to encourage people to be regulars at the store, and this means making sure regulars know they are appreciated. Sometimes it's just a matter of remembering people's names and making people feel welcome. Sometimes it goes as far as giving away the occasional free swag.
I once called my FLGS to see if they had an RPG rulebook in stock. They did not, so I placed a special order for the book with no money down. Turns out the book also didn't have a distributor because it was a particularly small indie title... so they had one of their employees pick it up for me at its full price at Gen Con and didn't even charge me a markup for the service. Hell, I had almost forgotten about the book entirely until I got a phone call saying they got it for me. On another occasion, there was a huge blizzard outside and only myself and two other people showed up for Magic night... so they gave us some promo cards as a way of saying "thank you" for being there. This same FLGS sold me the past three FTVs at MSRP knowing full well that other stores mark them up to hell and back and I'm hoping I manage to get one of the store's allotment for the same this year too.
I'm at a point where I don't know if I can ever move away from this city simply because I don't think I'll ever have a chance of finding an FLGS that does as much to earn customer loyalty as this one.
Most places I have seen 3 packs are more like $12, and they draft at $15 to provide prize support. I have only seen one store in my entire playing career that did lower cost than that, and it was a once a month $5 draft in the core set.
Standard:
WBRG Aggro-Reanimator Humans GRBW
Modern:
UR Twinning RU
G Venus Fly Trap G
U Artifacts Aggro U
Legacy:
B Reanimator B
WU Stoneblade UW
EDH
WBGGhave, Guru of SporesGBW
URGRiku of the Two ReflectionsGRU
WUBRGScion of the Ur-DragonGRBUW
Casual
Far too many to list
I was looking, not so long ago, for a playset of Liliana's Caress. The store owner said that since it had rotated out, they did not have any in stock at all. I bought some packs and came back about a month later (I don't FNM, but stay mainly kitchen table).
When I entered the store, he saw me and said, "hey, I remembered you were looking for these cards and I found a playset when I was cleaning the back". He handed me the cards, no charge. You know what? I buy most all of my product there now.
The feeling i get from my store is that it wants to suck my wallet dry.
Before anyone flames me for trying to bankrupt a store, i will like to state a little human touch goes a long way. Even more for sentimental types like myself.
I also went with a friend to buy an AVR box and they gave us some Restoration Angel release promos for free... now they're up to $13 ea. Sure, we did just spend $100 on a box, but just giving us the promos was a pretty nice gesture (and well appreciated, as Kaalia just got a badass new angel to play with).
On the other hand, I've heard some horror stories about other local shops, including one that would sell fat packs for $50. They're closed now, by the way...
WUBR Breya, Thopter Sculptor
WBR Kaalia, Harbinger of the Apocalypse
WBR Edgar Markov, Bloodline Progenitor
BGW Karador, Reanimator King
GWU Jenara, Asuran Enchantress
URG Riku, Omniscient Wizard
UBG Tasigur, Mind Grinder
UB Grimgrin, Combo-Stitched
GW Rhys, Gilt-Leaf Warrior
B Drana, Defiant Bloodchief
U Baral, Lord of Counterspells
G Azusa, Seeking the Horizon
W Kemba, Kha of the White Sun
C Ulamog, the Mana Glutton