The perfect retro game shop?

[Ack]

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 .

That blows, because I use my smartphone to check websites where I track what I already own. So if they don't want me to do that, are they then going to be pissy when I walk in with binders and spreadsheets and have to lay them out on the floor to keep track of things?

[Fragems]

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.

Another solution would simply be to mark up the prices at or near retail, and then factor in a discount at check out for regular customers. A couple of people brought that up and I have known a few pawnshops around here to do it.

A No Phone policy would really just be for show if it were my store. The only time I would enforce it is if someone literally started price checking everything in the store or was having an obnoxiously loud conversation . I have seen both of those situations happen plenty of times before . All the blocker talk earlier was pretty extreme on my part lol just thinking outside of the box.

[beatnix]

I am a phone user, but like hobie said, it's because I have a spread sheet of my games. I use the puregaming.org apps for my collection. They are really a fantastic set of apps for gamers. But I only go to a couple places in my small town and they all know me and I've shown them what I'm doing. So they see me with my phone out often checking my lists. I could see how this would upset someone who didn't know me. I try to be discrete or to show shop owners what I'm doing if I'm not in my normal stomping grounds.

By even if I was being an ass and checking each game, it's something that would be pretty tough to police. That's why fair prices and being knowledgable about what you have is the best tip in my opinion. Build a reputation of having good games at prices collectors would appreciate and resellers wouldn't. Eventually the resellers will know there is nothing for them in the shop. Right?

[Aramonde]

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).

Gamedeals.....Vancouver....hmmmm :O That's where Happy Console Gamer goes!

[CRTGAMER]

This has been an ongoing discussion amongst my friends and I. What would the perfect retro game spot look like? If this has been discussed, I apologize. Did a quick, but not exhaustive, search prior to posting.

There is already a Retro Game Store Listing, maybe this Thread can be merged to it to avoid all the repeats?

Retro Game Store Directory
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 92#p277492

[Aramonde]

There is already a Retro Game Store Listing, maybe this Thread can be merged to it to avoid all the repeats?

Retro Game Store Directory
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 92#p277492

That's not what this thread is about. He's asking what your dream retro game shop would be like. Not to make a directory of real shops.

[beatnix]

While I appreciate the links, as it's nice to see some well designed store sites, its not my goal of this thread. Just seeing what people would list as the most important aspects of a store they want to visit and spend money in.

[Nemoide]

Just give me imported laserdiscs and Saturn games; I think I'd be pretty satisfied.