If you want to play, start a club and build a table. At the end of the day, you will probably lose money and spend a ton of effort in the process. Running a business, any business, is a ton of work with alot of risk.
#WARHAMMER 40K STORE UPDATE#
Last update was at 6 17:06:20Īs a former store owner, I would say skip it and stick with playing. They take second place to your real prime objective which is to sell as much plastic, metal and paint to as many people as possible so that the lights stay on and the shop stays open. Private hobby stuff, playing games, in-depth discussions about who's the hottest elf - these are all fine to do as long as you remember that their primary purpose in store hours is to be part of the community and build customer loyalty. Remember always that if you're running a store then while you're at the store you're at work. There's like a million more of these but this should be stuff to get you started. You can have a laugh and a joke with customers but ultimately if you sell a product you don't want to undermine that product, and if your answer to why you don't stock something is 'I don't personally like it' then you need to get over yourself. * Edition wars, game pissing contests, faction preferences - you do not participate in these. You don't have to be an donkey-cave about it and kick people out at 5pm on the dot but do be firm that guys can't start a game at 4.30 and expect to still be playing at 8. Too many stores run by 'when I show up to when I want to go home' - if you open up late consistently people will stop bothering, if you're shut on random days with no notice then people will learn not to just drop in, if you're consistently open late in an unscheduled fashion people will get used to just hanging out and that can cause problems on days when you want or need to shut on time. * Open and shut at the times posted on the door. If you're really married to the idea of getting to play, run a private club after hours which locks the doors at a certain time - make it members only, make it clear that the doors close at say 6.00pm and if you're not in then you're not in, and always always ALWAYS play where you have line of sight to the counter. This doesn't mean you have to be discourteous, and doesn't rule out intro games and such - those are part of sales in this hobby - but don't plan to spend the day in a hardcore gaming marathon. You can maybe play at quiet times with a regular or two who understands that you may need to take extended breaks to get on with your job. * Give up on the idea of playing games, especially at any time where you expect to be busy. If you're busily playing a game or chatting to your nerd buddies and maybe wave at them before returning to your conversation about the merits of Penal Legion they're going to be put off fast. This goes with being idenfitiable but when mum and Timmy walk into your store they want to see a member of staff who introduces themselves and is focused on them.
#WARHAMMER 40K STORE FULL#
A store full of people, particularly gaming nerds, is going to smell like ass if you have the same stale air all day. Be realistic - you want enough space for people to be comfortable playing games, not cramming them in like a Chinese train. If you want a 'hobby centre' with gaming and modelling space, make sure your store is big enough. * Decide what you want the store to be early on and stick to it. Resist the urge to show up to work looking like you just fell out of bed and be identifiable. This is one thing Games Workshop mostly get right, small cramped 1-man stores aside - their big stores are well lit, well presented and have a minimum of blaring thrash metal. Have your products divided in some kind of logical system and easy to find. This means well-lit, well-maintained, open spaces and stock on SHELVES, not just piled up in a corner. When customers walk in it should feel like a SHOP and not a nerdcave.
#WARHAMMER 40K STORE PROFESSIONAL#
* Make the store clean, professional and well-presented. These points aren't in any particular order: Since you seem determined I'll give you a serious answer.
You and Spectreoneone are the advice I was looking for. I've also seen many gaming stores also sell comics. You should look at Warmachine, Flames of War, other big names in miniature war gaming. Talk about acquiring a small business orientated towards gaming with them, try to find a property up for lease, and go from there.Īs for acquiring GW products, it should be fairly simple as contacting Gamesworkshop and arranging a business agreement. Get a financial adviser, get a business adviser, get a lawyer.
None of these things are relevant to opening and operating a game store perhaps for good customer service (by which point it's already done). Members here are informed on the game, hobby crafts, and the lore. Harriticus wrote:This is the wrong place to ask.