Anyone work in or own a game store?
by Simon Windmill · in General Discussion · 07/22/2003 (8:39 am) · 5 replies
I'm wondering if anyone here works in a game store, or even better, owns one. Ideally it would be an indie/mom & pop operation, not EBGames or something. Mainly console games, but thoughts from computer stores would be appreciated too.
I'm doing initial research into the feasibility of running one here in town. One of the hardest parts about researching such a retail venture is that distributors/wholesalers are unwilling to give you a pricelist if you're not already a retailer. Understandable, but makes a difficult to get started!
So it'd be helpful if anyone who is privy to this sort of information could give me ballpark figures - privately if necessary - on the sort of wholesale prices a small store would expect to pay for console games and hardware, any pointers to reputable distributors/wholesalers, etc. I'm not looking for all your business secrets such as the exact prices you get from your supplier, I just think it'd be harmless for a gal running a store in say, Jersey, to pass on some info to a guy looking to open a store in northern Iowa.
Note that I'm not being starry-eyed about it either. This wouldn't be the first business I've started so I know the pitfalls, and from anecdotal evidence I'm expecting miniscule returns on new console games due to the small orders involved compared to the big chains. I would expect the used game trade to be the bread and butter of the store.
So.. any input?
I'm doing initial research into the feasibility of running one here in town. One of the hardest parts about researching such a retail venture is that distributors/wholesalers are unwilling to give you a pricelist if you're not already a retailer. Understandable, but makes a difficult to get started!
So it'd be helpful if anyone who is privy to this sort of information could give me ballpark figures - privately if necessary - on the sort of wholesale prices a small store would expect to pay for console games and hardware, any pointers to reputable distributors/wholesalers, etc. I'm not looking for all your business secrets such as the exact prices you get from your supplier, I just think it'd be harmless for a gal running a store in say, Jersey, to pass on some info to a guy looking to open a store in northern Iowa.
Note that I'm not being starry-eyed about it either. This wouldn't be the first business I've started so I know the pitfalls, and from anecdotal evidence I'm expecting miniscule returns on new console games due to the small orders involved compared to the big chains. I would expect the used game trade to be the bread and butter of the store.
So.. any input?
About the author
#2
There was a Cyber Exchange that I visited about 30 miles away because they specialize in older after market games I even found a old Artic Fox :) 5-1/4" floppy base game and a picture of the Dynamix crew in the disk cover dress in lab coats and someone holding a crystal ball or something :)
How long the trend last who knows but people only have so much money and the jobs are not there. Not that I envision soup-lines and stuff but maybe lunchables lines are a possiblity. (JK-:)
07/23/2003 (9:54 pm)
Retroville is the in-thing nowadays. Aftermarket games items and anything else, even pre-viewed videos are very marketable now because of the current economy. There was a Cyber Exchange that I visited about 30 miles away because they specialize in older after market games I even found a old Artic Fox :) 5-1/4" floppy base game and a picture of the Dynamix crew in the disk cover dress in lab coats and someone holding a crystal ball or something :)
How long the trend last who knows but people only have so much money and the jobs are not there. Not that I envision soup-lines and stuff but maybe lunchables lines are a possiblity. (JK-:)
#3
You could have special treatment for the "younger generation" who come into the store with their parents, a bi-weekly drawing for a free copy of the newest game (or each 500th customer or so gets a free game), a couch or two with a desk full of gamaing magazines for people who aren't as "informed" and want to check if there are any new cool games, and so on. As for the returns - maybe combining some stuff with the games for "bundles" would make sense - for example offer a nice ATI 9700/Doom3 combo - people are quite likely to walk out the store having bought more than originally planned, because "it made sense" to do so. And you definately should be well-informed about the games (as should your staff) so people get a good advice and leave with a good impression.
Also read up about the psychology of color for your store paintjob, put in a plant or two and try to make a friendly environment.
07/23/2003 (10:34 pm)
Well, you can always try and make your store a good experience for the consumer and if you achieve that, you shouldn't have a problem staying afloat. These days the competition from the "bigger" stores can be quite strong and if you can't compete on price or diversity, you can surely compete in service. If the customer feels really comfy going to your store, they'll come back - if tey don't, they'll only maybe come back or simply go someplace else the next time. You could have special treatment for the "younger generation" who come into the store with their parents, a bi-weekly drawing for a free copy of the newest game (or each 500th customer or so gets a free game), a couch or two with a desk full of gamaing magazines for people who aren't as "informed" and want to check if there are any new cool games, and so on. As for the returns - maybe combining some stuff with the games for "bundles" would make sense - for example offer a nice ATI 9700/Doom3 combo - people are quite likely to walk out the store having bought more than originally planned, because "it made sense" to do so. And you definately should be well-informed about the games (as should your staff) so people get a good advice and leave with a good impression.
Also read up about the psychology of color for your store paintjob, put in a plant or two and try to make a friendly environment.
#4
I think you're right Sam, I believe the used market is what would keep such a store running. New games would only be added to keep people interested and get more games into circulation as it were.
07/23/2003 (11:17 pm)
Thanks for the input so far guys. I have plenty of ideas about a store myself, but I appreciate the pointers.I think you're right Sam, I believe the used market is what would keep such a store running. New games would only be added to keep people interested and get more games into circulation as it were.
#5
07/24/2003 (6:47 am)
I've always thought that running a local lan center in a small town (one w/o any other real forms of entertainment) would dovetail very nicely with an indie studio. In some of the older towns you can pick up a building with an apartment or two above the store. 
Torque Owner Sam Contapay
He only gets a handful of new games at a time leading me to believe his USED game division is what is keeping his store afloat. But he's been there for several years in a nice storefront, so unless he's laundering money for a syndicate it seems to be a very viable business model.
Good luck in your venture, sorry I don't have any "hard" information, but I thought just knowing about this guy would give you some support. The name of his shop is Stuart's Used Games.