Buying Books [Archive] - Wizards Community

Buying Books [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
SupercrazyDM
03-21-07, 09:04 PM I really like DND and i have about 25 books. However, one of my friends dad own a store downtown and sells dnd books. I buy from amazon because its 10 or 15 dollars cheaper. However if she see's a new book she immediatly spases on me and than starts hitting me. Should i start buying from her dad's store or buy my books from amazon.
KurenaiYami
03-21-07, 09:08 PM I really like DND and i have about 25 books. However, one of my friends dad own a store downtown and sells dnd books. I buy from amazon because its 10 or 15 dollars cheaper. However if she see's a new book she immediatly spases on me and than starts hitting me. Should i start buying from her dad's store or buy my books from amazon.

Tell your friend to grow up or tell your friend's dad to start selling his books cheaper.

The choice is yours, and yours alone.
Fencerboy
03-21-07, 09:21 PM Another aspect is, is her dad's store a place you like, maybe for other aspects, such as minis boosters or something, or possibly tournaments and such?
Game stores often need all the business they can get, and buying your books there instead of amazon can score you points with the managment, and your friend.
Or, buy them on amazon and, as stated above, tell her to grow up.
Ranger REG
03-21-07, 09:24 PM I really like DND and i have about 25 books. However, one of my friends dad own a store downtown and sells dnd books. I buy from amazon because its 10 or 15 dollars cheaper. However if she see's a new book she immediatly spases on me and than starts hitting me. Should i start buying from her dad's store or buy my books from amazon.
It's your choice.

I don't have a plastic so I rely on FLGS. If they don't have a book I want on the shelf, and it's not yet out-of-print, they can order for me.

FLGS is a good place to hang and talk about games. Sure you can do it here, but you'll have to wait for some response. Plus, you can form groups or organize events there with local gamers you have not yet met in your neighborhood.

Trust me, there's no way to compete with internet businesses except the face-to-face customer service. I'm afraid FLGS will slowly die in favor of the internet. May be good for some customers but not good for others.
SALDAR
03-21-07, 10:46 PM Also, spending your money at a locally owned and operated store keeps the money and profits in your area. Even if you're spending more for the product than online the money you spend stays in your community. I'd rather spend the extra money at a local store knowing that it profits my community. More money generated from business taxes for the local schools, fire and police services, and a better economic condition for the area. It may not seem like alot but every little bit helps. It would also help your friend's dad support your friend.
mearrin69
03-21-07, 10:48 PM Sometimes a hard call on these...Internet providers (especially ones that do the volume Amazon does) have an inherent business advantage over brick-and-mortar, low-volume local stores. It's unfortunate but true.

I *would*, however, pay more to shop at a local store if I enjoyed going there, talking with other customers, got good advice from the staff and customers, etc. If you're getting that from the store and you can afford it then I'd say go ahead and support them staying in business. If, on the other hand, the customers creep you out and the staff are unhelpful or unfriendly or whatever, then buy your stuff online.

I can't say I like anything local (Portland, OR) well enough to actually pay more to purchase D&D books there (though I do buy hard to find stuff, metal minis, and other hobby supplies).

It's all up to you, of course, but if they aren't giving you anything extra for the additional money you're spending then why buy from them?
M
celtredleg
03-21-07, 11:18 PM I most always try to shop local. But when they completely droped the DnD minis pre-order case discount, I just had to go online. I simply cant afford a full case at full price.
_SIN_
03-21-07, 11:28 PM My local gamestore (They walk among us, based in Richmond, London) is FAAAR for friendly. They guy behind the counter is extreemly hard to engage in conversation. His knowledge on D&D is limited to "The D&D section is over there", which actually consists of maybe a half dozen books!!

I remember the good old days when I could buy my stuff anywhere - even Virgin Megastores!!
Zoycitenega
03-21-07, 11:35 PM Really, you're friend is being unreasonable, especially if you're low on cash. I tend to by mine at stores because I don't find amazon cheaper for most books, and I like to know the conditions of the product. However, if you're saving 10-15 dollars a book, and you have 25 books, shopping at the store is costing you 250 extra. I, as a non-wealthy person, don't really feel that the service is worth that(especially if it's not exceptional).

Dice are another matter. I always buy dice at the gamestores and never online. I can't go into a store without buying dice.
Ranger REG
03-22-07, 03:52 AM Dice are another matter. I always buy dice at the gamestores and never online. I can't go into a store without buying dice.
I can, now that I no longer play the "bucket o' dice" game (i.e., WEG's Star Wars). :evillaugh

I got more than enough dice to roll, and I still have three more sets in cold storage.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SupercrazyDM 03-21-07, 09:04 PM	I really like DND and i have about 25 books. However, one of my friends dad own a store downtown and sells dnd books. I buy from amazon because its 10 or 15 dollars cheaper. However if she see's a new book she immediatly spases on me and than starts hitting me. Should i start buying from her dad's store or buy my books from amazon.
KurenaiYami 03-21-07, 09:08 PM	I really like DND and i have about 25 books. However, one of my friends dad own a store downtown and sells dnd books. I buy from amazon because its 10 or 15 dollars cheaper. However if she see's a new book she immediatly spases on me and than starts hitting me. Should i start buying from her dad's store or buy my books from amazon. Tell your friend to grow up or tell your friend's dad to start selling his books cheaper. The choice is yours, and yours alone.
Fencerboy 03-21-07, 09:21 PM	Another aspect is, is her dad's store a place you like, maybe for other aspects, such as minis boosters or something, or possibly tournaments and such? Game stores often need all the business they can get, and buying your books there instead of amazon can score you points with the managment, and your friend. Or, buy them on amazon and, as stated above, tell her to grow up.
Ranger REG 03-21-07, 09:24 PM	I really like DND and i have about 25 books. However, one of my friends dad own a store downtown and sells dnd books. I buy from amazon because its 10 or 15 dollars cheaper. However if she see's a new book she immediatly spases on me and than starts hitting me. Should i start buying from her dad's store or buy my books from amazon. It's your choice. I don't have a plastic so I rely on FLGS. If they don't have a book I want on the shelf, and it's not yet out-of-print, they can order for me. FLGS is a good place to hang and talk about games. Sure you can do it here, but you'll have to wait for some response. Plus, you can form groups or organize events there with local gamers you have not yet met in your neighborhood. Trust me, there's no way to compete with internet businesses except the face-to-face customer service. I'm afraid FLGS will slowly die in favor of the internet. May be good for some customers but not good for others.
SALDAR 03-21-07, 10:46 PM	Also, spending your money at a locally owned and operated store keeps the money and profits in your area. Even if you're spending more for the product than online the money you spend stays in your community. I'd rather spend the extra money at a local store knowing that it profits my community. More money generated from business taxes for the local schools, fire and police services, and a better economic condition for the area. It may not seem like alot but every little bit helps. It would also help your friend's dad support your friend.
mearrin69 03-21-07, 10:48 PM	Sometimes a hard call on these...Internet providers (especially ones that do the volume Amazon does) have an inherent business advantage over brick-and-mortar, low-volume local stores. It's unfortunate but true. I would, however, pay more to shop at a local store if I enjoyed going there, talking with other customers, got good advice from the staff and customers, etc. If you're getting that from the store and you can afford it then I'd say go ahead and support them staying in business. If, on the other hand, the customers creep you out and the staff are unhelpful or unfriendly or whatever, then buy your stuff online. I can't say I like anything local (Portland, OR) well enough to actually pay more to purchase D&D books there (though I do buy hard to find stuff, metal minis, and other hobby supplies). It's all up to you, of course, but if they aren't giving you anything extra for the additional money you're spending then why buy from them? M
celtredleg 03-21-07, 11:18 PM	I most always try to shop local. But when they completely droped the DnD minis pre-order case discount, I just had to go online. I simply cant afford a full case at full price.
_SIN_ 03-21-07, 11:28 PM	My local gamestore (They walk among us, based in Richmond, London) is FAAAR for friendly. They guy behind the counter is extreemly hard to engage in conversation. His knowledge on D&D is limited to "The D&D section is over there", which actually consists of maybe a half dozen books!! I remember the good old days when I could buy my stuff anywhere - even Virgin Megastores!!
Zoycitenega 03-21-07, 11:35 PM	Really, you're friend is being unreasonable, especially if you're low on cash. I tend to by mine at stores because I don't find amazon cheaper for most books, and I like to know the conditions of the product. However, if you're saving 10-15 dollars a book, and you have 25 books, shopping at the store is costing you 250 extra. I, as a non-wealthy person, don't really feel that the service is worth that(especially if it's not exceptional). Dice are another matter. I always buy dice at the gamestores and never online. I can't go into a store without buying dice.
Ranger REG 03-22-07, 03:52 AM	Dice are another matter. I always buy dice at the gamestores and never online. I can't go into a store without buying dice. I can, now that I no longer play the "bucket o' dice" game (i.e., WEG's Star Wars). :evillaugh I got more than enough dice to roll, and I still have three more sets in cold storage.