The perfect retro game shop?

[SpoonyBard]

Here's a somewhat realistic goal for a game store - I wish they would stay on top of prices. Sometimes I'll walk into a store and see PS2 games with ancient $35 price tags, which made sense back in 2006 when they were initially traded in. But that shiz needs an update.

I love the stores that leave the old prices on. Especially for SNES games.

[BoneSnapDeez]

It's a double-edged sword I suppose. Around here the old prices are typically way too high.

I get the best deals at places that flat-rate price anything older than 5th gen.

[nullxor]

Also, stores should ban resellers.

Why do you feel this way? How is it bad for their business if someone buys a large amount of their items at sticker price? I'll never understand how you can't see yourself being just as selfish as resellers for wanting all the good deals for yourself. The only difference is resellers are making a profit or collectors are saving money. And I'm sure you're aware that you will eventually sell your collection down the road like every other collector in history. I find it hard to believe that you won't keep in mind the price you paid for that item as you eventually sell it and make your money back and then some and feel great about it.

[Hazerd]

Here's a somewhat realistic goal for a game store - I wish they would stay on top of prices. Sometimes I'll walk into a store and see PS2 games with ancient $35 price tags, which made sense back in 2006 when they were initially traded in. But that shiz needs an update.

I love the stores that leave the old prices on. Especially for SNES games.

And this is how i got Hagane for $3 and Aero Fighters for $15

[Anapan]

Check out some photos from Gamedeals - awesome store.
http://www.gamedeals.ca/photos.html
Scroll over for layout pics - I visit a couple of times a year and only really know the owner and his assistants, sadly haven't had the chance to participate in any of his events despite invites.

I also usually find a couple of games to buy at the AIO bubble-tea, anime, manga and import game stores. Sometimes there's a DDR machine and overpriced models that catch my eye too. They're doing something right because there's always lots of customers despite close proximity to competition (tho they are in Vancouver so maybe it's just a larger target audience... that would also explain the multiple Japadog vendors).

[the King]

[beatnix]

You can't really ban resellers. I like stores that have fair prices that reflect a current value but maybe a bit less. This keeps everyone happy. Resellers won't buy games that will only make them a couple bucks of profit and collector appreciate a fair price that's a bit better than the eBay/amazon listed. I think this also helps keep a descent stock available. It won't be pillaged but there also won't be items that sit unsought for years.

Those look like some amazing stores that have been shared. I haven't had the good fortune of living close enough to any store like those. I would add trade-n-games to the list of stores I want to visit as well.

[Hobie-wan]

*Funcoland*

Little Samson for $30 sounds great. I dunno about the lack of Zanac, fact that Bio Force Ape wasn't actually released, and Over Horizon was only released in Japan and Europe though. Hmmmmmm.

[Fragems]

A perfect store for me would have the following.

Inventory: A variety of systems, games, and accessories available. Along with maybe some gaming related reading materials, repair tools(security bits, resurfacing machines + supplies, etc.), and some older electronics(TVs, Computers, etc.). Would be cool to see some arcade cabs too but those would probably be a space hog .

Sales Floor: I would like to see something similar to maybe a game stop shelving system on the walls to display the games on with some glass cases to hold the more valuable stuff. It would also be cool if there were an area with some consoles hooked up so you could test the games before you buy them.

Events: Would be cool to have a place which had enough room to host some small tournaments and maybe some club events or something.


I think the store would need to have a no phone policy or something. I don't mind resellers but when they pull out a smartphone or even net books/tablets and start price checking they end up fat assing the games forever. This is not only rude to the owner but the other customers as well. An alternative would be using some form of signal blocking material on the walls and windows but that would probably be fairly expensive. A cheaper solution would be a jammer but those are illegal .

[Hobie-wan]

A perfect store for me would have the following.

Inventory: A variety of systems, games, and accessories available. Along with maybe some gaming related reading materials, repair tools(security bits, resurfacing machines + supplies, etc.), and some older electronics(TVs, Computers, etc.). Would be cool to see some arcade cabs too but those would probably be a space hog .

Sales Floor: I would like to see something similar to maybe a game stop shelving system on the walls to display the games on with some glass cases to hold the more valuable stuff. It would also be cool if there were an area with some consoles hooked up so you could test the games before you buy them.

Events: Would be cool to have a place which had enough room to host some small tournaments and maybe some club events or something.

Game Over here in the Houston/Austin area is like this, with expected retail prices on things.

I think the store would need to have a no phone policy or something. I don't mind resellers but when they pull out a smartphone or even net books/tablets and start price checking they end up fat assing the games forever. This is not only rude to the owner but the other customers as well. An alternative would be using some form of signal blocking material on the walls and windows but that would probably be fairly expensive. A cheaper solution would be a jammer but those are illegal .

You can't really ban people from having their phones. Sometimes it is just an innocent phone call or checking with a buddy to say "Hey they have game X, do you still need that while I'm here?". I have my collection spreadsheet on my phone because I accidentally bought manuals I didn't need twice.