News: No news is good news...

Login  |  Register

Author Topic: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.  (Read 5106 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline *Nosferatu*

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 894
  • Why Hello There
Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« on: May 15, 2007, 06:45:24 PM »
After reading several post on the forums, more specifically the Has GW Gone Too Far? thread. And this simply got me wondering, is Games Workshop really THAT bad? Are they all trying to shovel Space Marines down your throat a nothing more? That only a few Good GW's actually exist and that many of them make you miserable?

I want to know what your local Games Workshop is like. Is the staff friendly? Do they know you by name? They call you to remind you of shipments and events, even without being paid to do so?

I'll start with myself.

The Games Workshop in my is in a mall about fifteen minutes from where I live. My friends and I go there every other week or so. The staff know us by name, crack jokes with us, and on occasion game with us. They even participate in a little group tradition we have call the 'ASSHAT' where if your unit kills a vehicle, they get to take a trophy from it. i.e. Obliterator kills a Leman Russ, the Obliterator wears the turret like a hat.

Anyways, the guys are always friendly, and I know them by name too. They set up beginner games with the new kids that show up, and even game on occasion. They aren't all that crazed over Space Marines as I've mostly read, sure they'll try to sell something to you, but only to further help out your army. I once went in there asking only for a few squads of Guardsmen, the manager walks me straight to the IG section, tells me a bit of fluff, and tells me where to begin. I walked out with $150 less in my wallet, but in the long run, that decision actually SAVED me money (As much as you can from GW anyway).

In the end, I like my store, but I seem to hear a lot of complaints from other posts. Just give me your opinion on what you think. RT are fine too, but try to keep it with the local GW.

Offline Sniper Fishy

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 20
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2007, 06:57:53 PM »
My GW store isnt that bad. They push you to buy alot of tanks and such. They dont seem to care about what army u play really. they just lay it down for ya IG is good for this and they suck at that and if they dont have this there dead. But then theres this one hard core SM worker who will kill a man to get you to play SM. I noticed there alot nicer to the younger players 14 and down. They have regular raffles for them give away alot of old terrain peices and what not. But i noticed they dont really listen to you, once they got an idea they wont listen to a damn thing
example : My buddy ferriss

Ferriss: yeah im makin an all infantry army based on our local army corp the E&K scottish regiment

Red shirt: Cool Cool (they always say damn cool)

Ferriss: so what ya suggest i have blah blah blah allready

Red shirt: well you could get a few tanks in your army

Ferriss: Uhhhh its an all infantry army

Red Shirt: cool cool well your gunna need tanks or your gunna get owned
Those who want to live, let them fight. Those who wish not to fight in this world of eternal struggle, do not deserve to live

Offline malicant

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1031
  • Country: ie
  • "It is not blood that binds us..."
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2007, 07:05:00 PM »
I have a good releationship with them.  I've come across a few saps but generally they are cool guys.  When I went in to get stuff for my Eldar I spent a good while talking to the guys there about painting and tactics.  Nice guys :).

Offline eek 107

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 476
    • PROTESF
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2007, 07:28:34 PM »
I look forward to going.  I live just over half an hour's drive from my nearest GW, but seeing as how I go to Uni just a 5 minute walk from the store, distance isn't an issue.  I go in, they say hi, I say hi, then I go to whatever shelf I need to (either guard or 'nids).  One of the redshirts recognises me pretty well (I go in a lot during breaks) and knows I don't need any help looking for stuff.  Other staff sometimes ask if they're not busy, but they don't try to sell me something I didn't go in for.  A little bit of chatter while they ring up my purchases at the till, and that's it.  I've never had anything pushed on me, no "suggested" purchases, and they helped out a lot when I started my 'nid army explaining what's best to get and how they work.  The only time they really try to promote anything is if there's a store event happening, and I generally sign up if it's free.  And from what I've seen they're the same with anyone else that goes in, regardless of age or experience.

I do tend to get hit hard a few minutes after leaving when I realise I could have bought the stuff cheaper on ebay, but I keep going back anyway.


"You know, I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them? So, now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe."

Offline Kreignerv

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 325
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2007, 07:33:58 PM »
 Ya only thing remotely resembling a hard-sell is when I am at the counter i get asked if I forgot any paint bla bla bla bla. 
  But yeah I am in the same boat as everyone else, they pretty much know me by name, at least the full timers do and we just chill out and do whatever.  They think I am completely insane because of the ammount of terrain I like on the table and sometimes I LARP out my IC pwning stuff, but other than that its perfect as it could be I guess.
"Suchen Sie und zerstören Sie meine Krieger"
--Ultramarinkommandant 7. Firma

Können Sie überleben das Überblitz kreig? Ich denke nicht ausländischen Hund.

Offline Alexander's Son

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2541
  • Mentor - Newbies feel free to ask for any help.
    • Alexander Son's web page
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2007, 07:40:14 PM »
  Unfortunately no GW stores in Greece... yet! I believe in some time it will be one in Athens, 508 km away from me! In the retail and gaming store I hang out, notice the words hang out, they are friendly and don't try to push anything to the people walking in just to ask something...

  We play a lot and now I'm trying to pursue the owner of playing a game against me! He is into painting mostly and modelling. The yhave given me some tips and tricks on playing and painting, I will ask more because I can't dilute paints well, and they are very friendly and talkative and know everyone by nickname or name plainly...
Thanks to all the people showing faith in me

I sometimes feel that everyone will leave me and they will be on their own...

A suspicious mind is a healthy mind

Offline g00gle5

  • Organisers Never Prosper
  • Lazerous Penguin
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 929
  • Country: 00
  • I would.
    • Promethean Games
  • Armies: Grey Knights, Necrons, Dark Eldar
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2007, 09:54:47 PM »
I have a brilliant relationship with all the staff I know at my local games workshop(s). At university I know all the staff by name and they know me, I often go to the pub with them after a gaming night and we have an unwritten rule that we DO NOT talk warhammer, which is nice.

At home, I know most the staff in the 3 local games-workshops (I live slap bang in the middle of 3 - all half an hour away). I have been a regular for years and I am well known on the local Berkshire gaming circuit, in stores and local gaming clubs.

One of my good friends recently became a games-workshop staff member and he's been really enjoying it - so power to him.

As I get on so well with all my local staff, I do get very annoyed when people like to lump them together in a generic 'red/black/blue shirt' category and think they are all bastard, money-grabbing morons - In a way it boarders on discrimination and I find it quite ignorant and frustrating.

Nice to see there are other people in this thread that have the same experiences as me. :)

Battle Reports | Wargaming Articles | Shop

Offline Lord of Winter and War

  • The Cause of Diabetes -Captain- Necrontyr Immortal - KoN Veteran - Master of All Diplomacy | Wi-Fi Nomad |
  • Ancient
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8901
  • Country: ca
  • Armies: Harlequins, Spiderfang, Bonereapers, Space Wolves
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2007, 10:03:15 PM »
Me and my GW store are like this *crosses two fingers* they are really cool people there and I am friends will all the staff. Pretty much it goes like this.

Them "Hey [Killersquid] hows it going?"
Me "pretty good! I just painted up this dude wanna see?"
Them "Yeah!" *looks at my model* "pretty cool! By the way your LatD are so cool looking"
Me "Aw Shucks, thanks"

The don't try to sell me with stuff, and I feel comferble just walking in when I am around just to chat about movies and warhammer and stuff.

Actually, The only time they steered me off getting an army is when I was considering getting Praetorians with them saying..no man way to expensive. They also encourage me to get Orks, as they think orks are cool.

I have never had a bad GW moment which I can remember.
Harlequin Army Blog

That's not blatant, this is blatant: I'm super happy that I'm playing Austria, the greatest nation in all of Diplomacy!

Azore of Austria

Offline nesbitt_bub1

  • Infinity Circuit
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1272
  • Country: 00
  • Stop looking at my AVATAR, read what i did write!!
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2007, 10:15:09 PM »
I love my local GW. we use it like a drop in centre when were walking about town. Generally you can go in for 30 minutes talk a bit, organise a game for later in the week, then somone who you know will appear and it'll be off to the pub.

I know all the staff, and banter with them constantly about there non-existant love lives! And the fact the manager probably sleeps with GW mini's just to keep them warm... damn he live GW!


I try to buy something every couple of visits, or take some mini's in to paint and chat throught the week.... However on a weekend i never and i repeat never go near the place! I know only too well that i'd end up watching games foe the staff while they manned the tills! and i can't stand sore loosing school kids! Or even worse school kids that refuse to listen! gah!

I'm probably in GW at least 2 if not more times a week.

Offline YuenglingDragon

  • Lazerous Penguin
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3742
  • I'm a beer dragon!
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2007, 11:01:35 PM »
I like the guys at my GW's.  I had bad experiences with the fellows I worked with when I was a red shirt but I don't live near the store I worked at anymore so God only know what that's like.  The one in the mall is small and even though I've only been there a few times the guys remember my face if not my name.  The Battle Bunker guys tend to try and push extra crap on you when you get to the counter, but they seem to realize that I'm mainly there to use their tables to game.  They make money off of my trips to their vending machines, though.

All in all, I like the people at my GW's but I still won't buy their overpriced stuff except for paint and sometimes glue.
Proposition beslubber wins by a landslide!  I'm the 2008 Space Marine poster of the year.

Don't listen to the drunk dragon...

Offline nurgle5

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1303
  • Country: 00
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #10 on: May 16, 2007, 11:56:30 AM »
things are good at the LGW, staff are friendly with no "hard selling". whenever i go into a GW i usually have a good banter with the staff, particularly the manager, who loves my Death Guard.there is one who is sometimes annoying but otherwise there are no bastard staff.

Offline The Reborn

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3107
  • Country: england
  • I'm being out-gunned by a darn Carnifex....
  • Armies: Eldar, Harlequins.
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #11 on: May 16, 2007, 12:30:51 PM »
Yeah, there is a lot of negative GW stuff around on the boards....and much of it from me i am proud to say.  BUT, not where the stores are concerned.....i'm pissed at the company, white dwarf, but not the stores.  The guys at the stores do a fabulous job generally for bugger-all money and i've always had nothing but praise for them.

My local store is well-known, we have a good tradition there and many tourney champions in our ranks over the years.  Everyone knows everyone else, and there is no age snobbery....though a bit of painting snobbery...

This is fine as a post, but i suspect 99% of replies are going to echo mine.....the fact is, that though the company are arse-heads and twonks, the store staff are great.

-Reborn.

Offline FifthWindDieGermanator

  • Marines are Toughness 3! | Termagant
  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3241
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #12 on: May 16, 2007, 12:42:00 PM »
My Games Workshop is great. It is at a mall, about 15 min drive from my house. We use nametags, so that covers tha name issue. The staff is great, they are all freindly, and all too willing to help someone out whenever they need it. The noly time I have EVER seen them try to sell someone something, it is paint or the newest WD at the counter. When I walk in, they say hi and ask if I need any help. When I say no, they just walk away and leave me to my own buisness. They don't reccomend armies, tell you about armies while you are browsing, and just let you buy what you want to buy. When I walk up with an arm full of minis they just ask "are you ready to pay?", I say yes, and they ring me up. My GW is awesome in my opinion.
"special weapons, what special weapons, oh look skulls, BLAAAGABLAGAAAGGGGG BLOOD SKULLS BLOOD SKULLS"
-Sanctjud

I'd rather you hate me, For everything I am, Than have you love me, For something that I can't
- Five Finger Death Punch

Beware, Rules Lawyers, beware!

Offline Naikee

  • Wych
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1078
  • Dear, dear..
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #13 on: May 16, 2007, 12:57:21 PM »
i have a great relationship with my local GW, they are never ever try to sell me stuff as im known as the local beard  :D so trying to sell me stuff is generally not gonna happen. But yeah our staff are very interactive with everyone who comes in and will play most people we always have campaigns running and the staff will always be involved and most of the time they will be organizing them.

 
"Death is my meat, terror my wine."


Current w/d/l with my Slaanesh HOC: 3/1/0
last game against vampire counts 2500

Offline Lorizael

  • GW Shill: Infinity Circuit: Synergistic Spotter of Numpties
  • Ancient
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6784
  • Country: 00
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #14 on: May 16, 2007, 05:14:38 PM »
I'm an honourary staff member at my local GW. :D Often they've joked about getting out a blue staff shirt for me to wear.
They all know my name, I know all theirs and we get on fine. They're always happy to help, game or talk about things *shock* not GW related. I even socialise outside GW with some of them.
They're top staff (including one "best fulltimer in region winner) who will help with anything and do as much as possible for me and other regulars. I've had items sold to me before release dates before and even the odd freebie.
And the other way; I'm happy to help out running kids games or helping run mega battles and events when the place is choc full of kids. I'm usually last to leave on vets nights as I help to clear up and reset the store for the next morning.
I get no hard sales and no pressure to buy anything at all, ever. Plus, marines aren't top choice there by a long way!

The only bad factor to my GW is the temporary (soon possibly permanent) manager who's been there a few weeks. Complete pleb. None of the staff or the regulars like him. He told me I couldn't use a modelling knife in store the other day in case I cut myself... Gah.

I echo Reborn's sentiments. The company and white dwarf are lame; the stores and staff are excellent.

Offline T1tanrush

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 17
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #15 on: May 16, 2007, 05:41:57 PM »
I went in with a friend for the first time ever and had no problems, the guy was friendly (although we were in a hurry). Shop is kept very clean from what I see and I'm impressed...

Offline Chuckles, The Space Marine Clown

  • Can't Touch This; Captain; Swarmlord - Tyranid Sweatshop Operator; 40KO's Official WMD; "No American orphans, please"
  • Ancient
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13094
  • Country: gb
  • I kill, maim and torture because I care
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #16 on: May 16, 2007, 07:10:12 PM »
Most gamers in my area know me better than most GW staff. While I don't go in there often any more, whenever I do I get a chorus of "hey Bart"s from the regulars and a general chat ensues. I amphetamine parrot you not, I do get asked for rules clarifications and advice on army construction and disposition more often than the mouth-breathers who make up the majority of our local staff
The forum rules are fair and just. *twitch*

Offline chaos0xomega

  • Hilary Clinton FTW!
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4283
  • Fabricator-General of being banned.
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #17 on: May 16, 2007, 07:25:32 PM »
...I get a chorus of "hey Bart"s from the regulars...

Your name is Bart? Wow, you DO make me laugh!  :D  ;)  :P All in good humor.

ANYWAY, I don't have a local GW(from the sounds of it, Im lucky!). I have only ever been in a GW store twice. Once was the Maryland Battlebunker, the only reason for me to go back there is for shipping free FW, the staff were jumping down my throat trying to get me stuff to buy stuff I DIDN'T WANT the second I walked in.

The other one was the Boston 'Battlebunker', that was truly a great store. They didn't sell FW(they aren't a 'real' battlebunker), but i'd go back anyway, the staff were cool(even though they were mostly Red Sox fans), friendly, helpful, and DIDNT TRY TO SELL ME MARINES.
BANNED!
This user has been banned for regular breaches of Forum rules.

Offline The Reborn

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3107
  • Country: england
  • I'm being out-gunned by a darn Carnifex....
  • Armies: Eldar, Harlequins.
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #18 on: May 17, 2007, 04:12:49 AM »
Quote
They didn't sell FW(they aren't a 'real' battlebunker), but i'd go back anyway, the staff were cool(even though they were mostly Red Sox fans), friendly, helpful, and DIDNT TRY TO SELL ME MARINES.

I'm going to be a bit controversial here and say that selling marines is not a bad thing.  Younger guys like the look, tanks, and very idea of marines.  the models look good, and are relatively easy to paint.  Marines are like your first car or motorbike....when you get better you move on.  Sometimes you don't and the SMurf-love remains...but hey, the way i see it, if no one played marines, who would i have to kill? ;D

-Reborn. :)

Offline Midnight Walker

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1237
  • Mad skillz. I has them.
Re: Your Relationship With The Local Games Workshop.
« Reply #19 on: May 17, 2007, 05:07:33 AM »
I never go in there to buy stuff if I can avoid it. I got fed up long ago of the 15 minute conversation they try to have when you only want to nip in for a pot of paint or something. That said, they're all good, friendly guys, there's nothing really wrong with the store, and I enjoy playing games there every now and again. I just dread buying anything from there because when I'm shopping, I want to do it as quickly as possible and go home. They don't seem to understand that... in fact, when I once made it clear that I just wanted to come in, buy, and go, they looked as though I 'd just raped their mothers right over the table in front of them. That may just go for GWs in general though.

That actually turned out to be more of a rant than I really wanted. So yeah, good place, good people, but they don't know when to shut up :P
« Last Edit: May 17, 2007, 05:09:31 AM by Midnight Walker »
Last match: Draw! Dwarfs vs. Vampire Counts




 


Powered by EzPortal