D&D store [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

D&D store [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shrark
07-20-07, 06:37 AM How do I go about opening a store that sell dungeons and dragons products?
Azezel
07-20-07, 07:10 AM With the best will in the world - I think if you post this sort of thread, in this way, you're not cut out to do it.

However:

Find premises, rent premises, contact wholesaler, buy game books, sell game books.
Warforged Goblin
07-20-07, 07:15 AM With the best will in the world - I think if you post this sort of thread, in this way, you're not cut out to do it.

However:

Find premises, rent premises, contact wholesaler, buy game books, sell game books.

Step 3: PROFIT!
Kamin_Majere
07-20-07, 07:41 AM Holy crap, i just got through with a HUGE post and then it got deleted... i'll redo it:weep:

Take note that this is going from memory and that it was a few years ago when i owned my store so some of the details might be outdated.

First, if your trying to open a LGS, you have to prove you have a store. This is generally done with pictures of the store front and pictures of the area(s) that you will house their products. Its not a hard step they just want to prove your not trying to buy books cheap for personal or group needs.

Second you need to prove you have customers. They want you to take a picture of people playing their games. I gathered all of my RPGers together around a large table with pencils, dice, and paper. Then i gave each of them a sign that read "We need books, no books make us sad". Apparently this is not the proper way to do this as i was polietly called a smart ass when i got back in touch with the retail devision. But it did work out for me in the end.

Next you have to fill out a retail agreement. Its pretty standard stuff; like mane, address, name of store, business license number, and i think they have the standard "other game company referances" Most game companies check your referances to make sure your not just trying to get games/models/books cheap so they call around. I cannot remember if WotC does this but i seem to remember they do

Lastly you need to wait for WotC to either approve you or deny you. Luckily this happens rather quickly. They are pretty efficent when processing retailers paperwork. I dont think i had to wait but like 2 days for my approval.

Also part of the "lastly" you need to place a certain type of order. you cant just order a few of the new books and some old books. It makes you look like your just getting books cheap and not a store owner. When i placed my first order it was 3 or 4 grand (cant remember) but that was enough to get me 4 of each core book and 2 of everything else produced up to that point. it stocked my shelves pretty well.

As an aside, i would recommend thinking long and hard about this. Trying to sell gaming products completely destroys your love for the game. Its a business first and if you think of it in anyway diffrently you will generally go under. I dont want to discourage you but its a VERY hard market to make it in and if you want it under the impression of "i can hang out with gamers all day... sweet" then you store will last about 3 months and then you will go bankrupt.

Aslo fads will hurt alot. City of Heroes and WoW poped up during the end of my store and when 40+ of your customers go do that for a while (even as short as 2 or 3 weeks) your sales dry up and you cant do things like pay rent and lights with out dipping into your own pocket. With out large cash reserves you generally fold. People then unfortunatly get mad because your closing the store, like its some how your fault that no one comes in anymore due to the Newest "thing" (even if you take money out of your own pocket to buy things like X-boxes and computers just to try to get them back in the store)

Step 3: PROFIT!

I cant tell if your serious or sarcastic... but not quite that easy

EDIT:
I looked at your profile at your location and age. I doubt you'll have much sucess. At 16 with out a pretty substantial cash influx (or somehow being from a wealthly family that gives you lots and lots of money) its going to be hard... really hard for you to raise the money needed. My retail license alone was almost 500 dollars, then then there was the stocking of the store and the taxes and everything else. I would suggest not even trying this. It could cripple you for life financially.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shrark 07-20-07, 06:37 AM	How do I go about opening a store that sell dungeons and dragons products?
Azezel 07-20-07, 07:10 AM	With the best will in the world - I think if you post this sort of thread, in this way, you're not cut out to do it. However: Find premises, rent premises, contact wholesaler, buy game books, sell game books.
Warforged Goblin 07-20-07, 07:15 AM	With the best will in the world - I think if you post this sort of thread, in this way, you're not cut out to do it. However: Find premises, rent premises, contact wholesaler, buy game books, sell game books. Step 3: PROFIT!
Kamin_Majere 07-20-07, 07:41 AM	Holy crap, i just got through with a HUGE post and then it got deleted... i'll redo it:weep: Take note that this is going from memory and that it was a few years ago when i owned my store so some of the details might be outdated. First, if your trying to open a LGS, you have to prove you have a store. This is generally done with pictures of the store front and pictures of the area(s) that you will house their products. Its not a hard step they just want to prove your not trying to buy books cheap for personal or group needs. Second you need to prove you have customers. They want you to take a picture of people playing their games. I gathered all of my RPGers together around a large table with pencils, dice, and paper. Then i gave each of them a sign that read "We need books, no books make us sad". Apparently this is not the proper way to do this as i was polietly called a smart ass when i got back in touch with the retail devision. But it did work out for me in the end. Next you have to fill out a retail agreement. Its pretty standard stuff; like mane, address, name of store, business license number, and i think they have the standard "other game company referances" Most game companies check your referances to make sure your not just trying to get games/models/books cheap so they call around. I cannot remember if WotC does this but i seem to remember they do Lastly you need to wait for WotC to either approve you or deny you. Luckily this happens rather quickly. They are pretty efficent when processing retailers paperwork. I dont think i had to wait but like 2 days for my approval. Also part of the "lastly" you need to place a certain type of order. you cant just order a few of the new books and some old books. It makes you look like your just getting books cheap and not a store owner. When i placed my first order it was 3 or 4 grand (cant remember) but that was enough to get me 4 of each core book and 2 of everything else produced up to that point. it stocked my shelves pretty well. As an aside, i would recommend thinking long and hard about this. Trying to sell gaming products completely destroys your love for the game. Its a business first and if you think of it in anyway diffrently you will generally go under. I dont want to discourage you but its a VERY hard market to make it in and if you want it under the impression of "i can hang out with gamers all day... sweet" then you store will last about 3 months and then you will go bankrupt. Aslo fads will hurt alot. City of Heroes and WoW poped up during the end of my store and when 40+ of your customers go do that for a while (even as short as 2 or 3 weeks) your sales dry up and you cant do things like pay rent and lights with out dipping into your own pocket. With out large cash reserves you generally fold. People then unfortunatly get mad because your closing the store, like its some how your fault that no one comes in anymore due to the Newest "thing" (even if you take money out of your own pocket to buy things like X-boxes and computers just to try to get them back in the store) Step 3: PROFIT! I cant tell if your serious or sarcastic... but not quite that easy EDIT: I looked at your profile at your location and age. I doubt you'll have much sucess. At 16 with out a pretty substantial cash influx (or somehow being from a wealthly family that gives you lots and lots of money) its going to be hard... really hard for you to raise the money needed. My retail license alone was almost 500 dollars, then then there was the stocking of the store and the taxes and everything else. I would suggest not even trying this. It could cripple you for life financially.