Bought the m10 black deck and a couple boosters a while back, ended up getting 4 nightmares, 1 that came with the starter deck, 1 from the booster in the starter, and 2 from the 2 extra boosters.
I've had experience with several different stores in the Atlanta area, and I think there's some correlation with how big of a jerk the store owner is and how well the place does.
The only store I promised to never go back to was called Dr. no's. The people running the joint are rude, have overpriced junk, and are all-around bad. If you think its bad that your store is pocketing half, dr. no's MIGHT give out $50 of a $200 entry. The worst thing is, the players that go there are almost all as rude as the owners. When you beat anyone that plays there (i went several times, this isnt from one experience), half of them will start getting mad and start insulting you and your deck, either saying its a one-time experience, etc. So yeah, friendliness/comfort level = 1/10, success = 8/10
My favorite place was called Heroes, Ink. This place made you feel like you belonged from day one. everyone there was so friendly, but everyone was also really good at magic. The store wasn't as big as dr. No's, nor was it as successful, but much of that was that the owners didn't want to go through the trouble. Friendliness 10/10, success 1/10 (woulda been a 4/10, but they closed a while afterwards because the owners had personal things to take care of).
I used to live close to Dr. Nos and played pokemon (base set/jungle onward) there growing up and later MW clixs, the two guys that normally ran it were nice enough back then, although I think it was a small store back then can't remember. Even tried to get a magi-nation league started there, fell through though. Never played magic there though so can't comment.
However, after quiting those games I hadn't visited the store in 8+ years till recently and surprised by it. Boosters were usually $4+ and couple weeks ago and asked for a booster box of zendiker, which they told me would be $160 and I said no thanks. So it is disappointing to see how much they're charging for stuff now days. Can't comment about the two guys as I haven't seen them, but the girl working there seemed nice enough. Probably won't be heading back there much anymore. I play in macon now at stairway games, closest place to where I live now and although a tiny store, nice atmosphere.
highlights:
4 Dual Lands (2 U/B, 1 G/R, 1 G/W)
Baneslayer angel
Birds of Paradise
Anjani Goldmane
Great Sable Stag
Darksteel Colossus
Along with some other fairly decent stuff, will bring in enough to pay for the box
I used to live close to Dr. Nos and played pokemon (base set/jungle onward) there growing up and later MW clixs, the two guys that normally ran it were nice enough back then, although I think it was a small store back then can't remember. Even tried to get a magi-nation league started there, fell through though. Never played magic there though so can't comment.
However, after quiting those games I hadn't visited the store in 8+ years till recently and surprised by it. Boosters were usually $4+ and couple weeks ago and asked for a booster box of zendiker, which they told me would be $160 and I said no thanks. So it is disappointing to see how much they're charging for stuff now days. Can't comment about the two guys as I haven't seen them, but the girl working there seemed nice enough. Probably won't be heading back there much anymore. I play in macon now at stairway games, closest place to where I live now and although a tiny store, nice atmosphere.