What do YOU want to see in the ideal game store?

[dedalusdedalus]

As mentioned before, look to diversify with arcade machines, repairs & mods, and game-related paraphernalia..

Chipping and softmodding could cause you problems. Other mods probably wouldn't though.

Yeah, I was thinking things along the lines of adding frontlights to handhelds. Seems to be in demand.

[sbk]

The sticker issue for sure. I hate having to take stickers off and then clean the mess up afterwards. As much as I like knowing the price of things with out having to ask a store clerk, shitty stickers are shitty.

[jay_red]

I have already thought about the stickers as well, I would find the easiest price tags to remove that money can buy!

[vlame]

I have already thought about the stickers as well, I would find the easiest price tags to remove that money can buy!

just get poly sleeves like japanese stores do.

[Xeogred]

Arcade cabs, not for sale necessarily, but set for quarter play.

Beat me to it. I wonder why nobody's done this yet.
(at least big chains).

[hashiriya1]

As Breetai said take note of Japanese game stores. They do it right. Everything is nice, neat, alphabetal order and wrapped. Here are some pics I took in a typical game store that sells current gen and retro wares.

One thing that makes or breaks a store with me is how tidy they are and more times than not the store is a complete mess and I don't feel like sifting through it to find what I want. I just leave and buy what I'm looking for online.

[BoneSnapDeez]

CLEAN and tested games/systems. No "as is" nonsense. No scratched discs. No smoky, smelly, nasty, grungy products. Invest in a good resurfacing machine and learn how to use it effectively. Use stickers that peel off games easily without residue. And for the love of all that is holy, do NOT take discs out of game cases and store them in sleeves behind the counter. If you're worried about expensive games being stole, put them under glass.

"Buy 2 Get One Free" deals are cheap NES games are always fun too.

I could never run a game store because I would want to keep everything for myself.

[vlame]

discs in sleeves are an effective business measure, just make sure greatest hits discs leave the store in GH cases!

[Croooow!]

Cleanliness is a must. I've heard a lot of mothers at my office wanting to buy their kids games but won't got into local shops because of the sight/smell of dust. Yes they could just get over it but you've got to do what's necessary to draw in as wide of customer base as you can.

[wootcube]

If I was going to start a game store I would set it up with people who don't know anything about games in mind - make it clean, friendly and not overwhelming.

The Play in Trade here is terrible in that respect - dark, all black walls and a narrow room full of games. When you walk in the door there's like three employees staring right at you. I know where to go to find what I want, but for someone who doesn't know much about games (maybe a parent or significant other) I imagine going in there can be pretty intimidating. Nobody likes looking lost in front of people that know you have absolutely no clue what as to what you're doing.