Opening a store
I know it has crossed everyone's mind. How many of you have wanted to open a game store? What has been the reason that you felt made the idea impossible. I always thought it would be a great idea but could never figure out where I would get the merchandise from. I always felt like I would have to sell my own collection to get things started. Thoughts?toppssellerI acctually tried... I couldn't get enough financial backing... I was going to buy Ebay lots and some extras and stuff from my collection. I was going to made it not just games but comics, TCGs/trading cards, video games and related memrobilia. I had it all drawn out and brainstormed... just never put the money togeather...
I still entertain the idea, but I have to find a new job, graduate, and move before I can think further about this.
Honestly, it was the simple fact that I would have to deal with the public. I've worked in customer service (McDonald's) before and been treated as the lowest scum of society. I do not wish to return to that, even if it is dealing with video games, a medium I love. venus577Yeah but the people you would get in the door (usually) would not be the regular run-of-the-mill retail abuser, it would be people who are looking for a boutique alternative to the major chains. Sure, you'd get a few jerks who would make the "Why would anyone want all this old crap" crack but when you own your own business you get to say the two words you can't say when you are an employee "Get out!"
but when you own your own business you get to say the two words you can't say when you are an employee "Get out!"aspro73exactly, when you are the corporate, you call the shots! I'm re-considering this option now... *starts looking up banks and loan rates*
[QUOTE="venus577"]Honestly, it was the simple fact that I would have to deal with the public. I've worked in customer service (McDonald's) before and been treated as the lowest scum of society. I do not wish to return to that, even if it is dealing with video games, a medium I love. aspro73Yeah but the people you would get in the door (usually) would not be the regular run-of-the-mill retail abuser, it would be people who are looking for a boutique alternative to the major chains. Sure, you'd get a few jerks who would make the "Why would anyone want all this old crap" crack but when you own your own business you get to say the two words you can't say when you are an employee "Get out!"
A boutique alternative is really what you need to create. Anyone can buy the newest xbox 360 game anywhere. Its finding a place that has a purpose and a niche.
I've thought of opening a game store, but I would do that later in life, not right now. I'm sure I could pull it off somehow cuz Connecticut doesn't exactly have a huge number of game stores in my area, but starting a sole proprietorship/partnership just cost so much and runs too many risk for me to be interested in it right out of college. I think I'll stick with accounting and worry about my own games, thx. :PYagami-Iorithe thing the small private owned stores need is a network, a group of private owned stores that help eachother instead of compete. that way the only one competing is gamestop and no one should like them. they are more evil then wal-mart. that's what push b is trying to do anyway... I'm thinking of getting on board since I'm a staff member there anyway...
[QUOTE="Yagami-Iori"]I've thought of opening a game store, but I would do that later in life, not right now. I'm sure I could pull it off somehow cuz Connecticut doesn't exactly have a huge number of game stores in my area, but starting a sole proprietorship/partnership just cost so much and runs too many risk for me to be interested in it right out of college. I think I'll stick with accounting and worry about my own games, thx. :Pwaflerevolutionthe thing the small private owned stores need is a network, a group of private owned stores that help eachother instead of compete. that way the only one competing is gamestop and no one should like them. they are more evil then wal-mart. that's what push b is trying to do anyway... I'm thinking of getting on board since I'm a staff member there anyway... That'd be a great idea -- so that if you did not have something in stock you could hit the network and order it in for a customer.
[QUOTE="waflerevolution"][QUOTE="Yagami-Iori"]I've thought of opening a game store, but I would do that later in life, not right now. I'm sure I could pull it off somehow cuz Connecticut doesn't exactly have a huge number of game stores in my area, but starting a sole proprietorship/partnership just cost so much and runs too many risk for me to be interested in it right out of college. I think I'll stick with accounting and worry about my own games, thx. :Paspro73the thing the small private owned stores need is a network, a group of private owned stores that help eachother instead of compete. that way the only one competing is gamestop and no one should like them. they are more evil then wal-mart. that's what push b is trying to do anyway... I'm thinking of getting on board since I'm a staff member there anyway... That'd be a great idea -- so that if you did not have something in stock you could hit the network and order it in for a customer. exactly, no compitition. just friends/allys.
[QUOTE="aspro73"][QUOTE="waflerevolution"][QUOTE="Yagami-Iori"]I've thought of opening a game store, but I would do that later in life, not right now. I'm sure I could pull it off somehow cuz Connecticut doesn't exactly have a huge number of game stores in my area, but starting a sole proprietorship/partnership just cost so much and runs too many risk for me to be interested in it right out of college. I think I'll stick with accounting and worry about my own games, thx. :Pwaflerevolutionthe thing the small private owned stores need is a network, a group of private owned stores that help eachother instead of compete. that way the only one competing is gamestop and no one should like them. they are more evil then wal-mart. that's what push b is trying to do anyway... I'm thinking of getting on board since I'm a staff member there anyway... That'd be a great idea -- so that if you did not have something in stock you could hit the network and order it in for a customer. exactly, no compitition. just friends/allys. Trust me, in my area, not at all viable... there's no one around of the relative nature (comics, cards, etc) to really make the business flourish. What concerns me more about a private owned business isn't going out of business, but liability. Get one idiot in the store that was doing something that they shouldn't or w/e and even if you win, you can have your business wiped out in legal cost. And everyone today is sue happy. I'd rather avoid all that (and unfortunately, they haven't made NERF clear or strong to be a whole store, yet)
While I agree it would be cool to own a game store specializing in oldschool stuff, it always seemed unrealistic because I personally dont feel that there is a big demand for the stuff anymore. Yes, I know ebay auctions are going for large sums of money now, but you got to remember Ebay is worldwide. A very small portion of the population can make an auctioned item seem like it is in high demand when you are working within a global market and have limited supply. While I know that hardcore collectors/gamers/ whatever would drive a good distance to get to a WELL STOCKED store, I still dont see enough revenue being generated to keep the place in business. Even if you sold newer stuff, I just dont see it as being a worthy investment of space to stock all of the old stuff, which is not only in lower demand, but also demanded at lower prices. While I love it when I find oldschool stores these days, I always wonder how they stay in business (many dont).Working_Stiffwhile managering Gamestop, I had people come in EVERYDAY and ask "do you still carry________*insert old scool console here*________" and I'd turn them to play and trade and gamecrazy... I felt uber crappy doing it.... so maybe your area is anti-old-scool but mine is not.
[QUOTE="Working_Stiff"]While I agree it would be cool to own a game store specializing in oldschool stuff, it always seemed unrealistic because I personally dont feel that there is a big demand for the stuff anymore. Yes, I know ebay auctions are going for large sums of money now, but you got to remember Ebay is worldwide. A very small portion of the population can make an auctioned item seem like it is in high demand when you are working within a global market and have limited supply. While I know that hardcore collectors/gamers/ whatever would drive a good distance to get to a WELL STOCKED store, I still dont see enough revenue being generated to keep the place in business. Even if you sold newer stuff, I just dont see it as being a worthy investment of space to stock all of the old stuff, which is not only in lower demand, but also demanded at lower prices. While I love it when I find oldschool stores these days, I always wonder how they stay in business (many dont).waflerevolutionwhile managering Gamestop, I had people come in EVERYDAY and ask "do you still carry________*insert old scool console here*________" and I'd turn them to play and trade and gamecrazy... I felt uber crappy doing it.... so maybe your area is anti-old-scool but mine is not.
I doubt my area is any more anti-old-school than the next. Perhaps my preconceived notion that there wasnt much of a demand for these things may be wrong, which I am fine with especially when it comes to there still being a real market for the classics. I just wish I had a Game Crazy or even a decent mom n' pop shop near me that sold these games still.
while managering Gamestop, I had people come in EVERYDAY and ask "do you still carry________*insert old scool console here*________" and I'd turn them to play and trade and gamecrazy... I felt uber crappy doing it.... so maybe your area is anti-old-scool but mine is not.[QUOTE="waflerevolution"][QUOTE="Working_Stiff"]While I agree it would be cool to own a game store specializing in oldschool stuff, it always seemed unrealistic because I personally dont feel that there is a big demand for the stuff anymore. Yes, I know ebay auctions are going for large sums of money now, but you got to remember Ebay is worldwide. A very small portion of the population can make an auctioned item seem like it is in high demand when you are working within a global market and have limited supply. While I know that hardcore collectors/gamers/ whatever would drive a good distance to get to a WELL STOCKED store, I still dont see enough revenue being generated to keep the place in business. Even if you sold newer stuff, I just dont see it as being a worthy investment of space to stock all of the old stuff, which is not only in lower demand, but also demanded at lower prices. While I love it when I find oldschool stores these days, I always wonder how they stay in business (many dont).Working_Stiff
I doubt my area is any more anti-old-school than the next. Perhaps my preconceived notion that there wasnt much of a demand for these things may be wrong, which I am fine with especially when it comes to there still being a real market for the classics. I just wish I had a Game Crazy or even a decent mom n' pop shop near me that sold these games still.
that's entirely possible too, I wish there was one near you as well.[QUOTE="Working_Stiff"]while managering Gamestop, I had people come in EVERYDAY and ask "do you still carry________*insert old scool console here*________" and I'd turn them to play and trade and gamecrazy... I felt uber crappy doing it.... so maybe your area is anti-old-scool but mine is not.[QUOTE="waflerevolution"][QUOTE="Working_Stiff"]While I agree it would be cool to own a game store specializing in oldschool stuff, it always seemed unrealistic because I personally dont feel that there is a big demand for the stuff anymore. Yes, I know ebay auctions are going for large sums of money now, but you got to remember Ebay is worldwide. A very small portion of the population can make an auctioned item seem like it is in high demand when you are working within a global market and have limited supply. While I know that hardcore collectors/gamers/ whatever would drive a good distance to get to a WELL STOCKED store, I still dont see enough revenue being generated to keep the place in business. Even if you sold newer stuff, I just dont see it as being a worthy investment of space to stock all of the old stuff, which is not only in lower demand, but also demanded at lower prices. While I love it when I find oldschool stores these days, I always wonder how they stay in business (many dont).waflerevolution
I doubt my area is any more anti-old-school than the next. Perhaps my preconceived notion that there wasnt much of a demand for these things may be wrong, which I am fine with especially when it comes to there still being a real market for the classics. I just wish I had a Game Crazy or even a decent mom n' pop shop near me that sold these games still.
that's entirely possible too, I wish there was one near you as well.I think I've been blessed. There are several "mom and pop" or small (roughly 5 locations) chains with which I've done business, and luckily half a dozen are within a 90-minute drive, as are 20-30 pawn shops and EBStops. Apparently, people in east TX have short attention spans and like to get their games into someone else's hands quick-like.
[QUOTE="waflerevolution"][QUOTE="Working_Stiff"]while managering Gamestop, I had people come in EVERYDAY and ask "do you still carry________*insert old scool console here*________" and I'd turn them to play and trade and gamecrazy... I felt uber crappy doing it.... so maybe your area is anti-old-scool but mine is not.[QUOTE="waflerevolution"][QUOTE="Working_Stiff"]While I agree it would be cool to own a game store specializing in oldschool stuff, it always seemed unrealistic because I personally dont feel that there is a big demand for the stuff anymore. Yes, I know ebay auctions are going for large sums of money now, but you got to remember Ebay is worldwide. A very small portion of the population can make an auctioned item seem like it is in high demand when you are working within a global market and have limited supply. While I know that hardcore collectors/gamers/ whatever would drive a good distance to get to a WELL STOCKED store, I still dont see enough revenue being generated to keep the place in business. Even if you sold newer stuff, I just dont see it as being a worthy investment of space to stock all of the old stuff, which is not only in lower demand, but also demanded at lower prices. While I love it when I find oldschool stores these days, I always wonder how they stay in business (many dont).gmsnpr
I doubt my area is any more anti-old-school than the next. Perhaps my preconceived notion that there wasnt much of a demand for these things may be wrong, which I am fine with especially when it comes to there still being a real market for the classics. I just wish I had a Game Crazy or even a decent mom n' pop shop near me that sold these games still.
that's entirely possible too, I wish there was one near you as well.I think I've been blessed. There are several "mom and pop" or small (roughly 5 locations) chains with which I've done business, and luckily half a dozen are within a 90-minute drive, as are 20-30 pawn shops and EBStops. Apparently, people in east TX have short attention spans and like to get their games into someone else's hands quick-like.
I can belive that. for a long time EB and GS were shipping most of their old stuff stock "South" my guess is to compete with all those small stores... but that would mean they are worried about them...
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