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Store Owner Q & A Time
Let me start by saying, I was right on the money in
assuming this time of rear raised the type of
questions I thought it would. Many of you sent me
questions regarding ownership of a small business
(more directly, a game store). I also have to say
that some of you guys asked very personal and exact
questions. Don't worry. I'm not offended by any
means. After all, I didn't put any restrictions on
you. It just surprised me a little.
Anyway, I'm going to jump right into the questions
and then follow up with my weekly duties here.
Q: How much does a person need to start a game
store?
A: I decide to start with this question, because it
is the toughest one to answer. The price can
fluctuate largely, depending on your circumstances.
Starting from scratch and buying an existing store
then converting it can cost nearly the same in some
cases even. I wouldn't recommend trying to get even
a small store off the ground with less than
$20,000. On top of that, I would put some extra
money aside to live on just in case. Remember, if
this is going to be your primary job, you have to
plan for good, bad, or even just odd situations.
Many stores try to have $35,000 to $50,000 to open
their doors with if they want to do it right. It is
very possible to get by with less, but I wouldn't
recommend it. Most of the stores that do are open
for a couple of years and then gone in a flash.
Q: What does your monthly overhead cost you?
A: Well, this is a more direct question. I'm not
totally sure how much I should divulge here.
However, I'm not sure it matters either. The reason
is that utilities and rent can both change
drastically depending on where you live. I know
that I currently have a nearly 3,000 sq. ft. store.
If I had that same store in the DFW area, it would
cost me at least $1,000 more per month. Outside of
utilities and rent though, there are a lot of other
things to consider. This list includes, but is most
definitely not limited to:
Replacing tables and chairs.
Buying office supplies (register tape, stamps, pens,
etc.)
Replacing binders and boxes for displaying items.
Taxes.
Advertising.
Payroll.
The list is just massive. There are a ton of things
you don't think about when you start up a business
that are going to cost you money. That's part of
the reason you need to plan on the extra cash for
backup.
Q: What items do you stock that sell well, that
other stores probably don't?
A: I'm not sure really. I have visited a ton of
stores. I make it a point to visit a few each year
that I haven't previously been to. The one thing I
notice is that each of them have something that I
don't, yet they all have something that the others
don't. I'm sure this is due in part to the diversity
of their customer base. I like to focus on the side
items. We have two different lines of paints and
three different lines of brushes for our miniatures
gamers. We also have a large selection of sleeves
and deck boxes for our card gamers. And we have a
reasonably large selection of dice for our role
players. Obviously for some stores this wouldn't
work, but for us it's been great.
Q: What makes your store better than a lot of other
stores?
A: Man. How can I pat myself on he back here
without sounding egotistical? I'm not sure I can.
But, truth be told, many people brag about our
store, but it's nothing amazing. I personally think
our store has a long way to go before it is the way
I want it. We do have a highly knowledgeable
staff. We also have nearly half of our store
dedicated to game space. This includes four private
rooms for role playing and wargaming. We also do
special orders at no special charge (not sure if
that's anything special though).
Q: How much of your profits come from collectible
card games?
A: It fluctuates anywhere between 20% and 40%. It
just depends on the new releases or special events
held in a given month. Our product lines are pretty
diverse in our store, so we don't rely too heavily
on one type of product. We also carry the top games
in each category, so it keeps people coming through
the door.
Q: You mentioned making profits from other sources.
What are they?
A: Well I do lots of writing as I'm sure you can
tell. In addition to Pojo.com, I've write stuff for
other websites. I also write for Scrye Magazine and
Undefeated Magazine. In addition to that, I do
shows and conventions to bring in extra cash. I
stay pretty busy honestly. As time goes by and the
store starts running ever more smoothly, I can
actually dedicate less time and enjoy the results of
my efforts a little more.
Q: You don't have a website. What's up with that?
A: Yeah, that's just downright bad. I actually have
the rights to
www.thegamecloset.com , but for some reason, we
haven't been able to get a plan together as to how
we want to handle the website. Regardless, everyone
should have one up. I'm trying to get one up within
the month to just have our monthly event schedule
posted if nothing else.
Q: How do you get major events into your store?
A: This could be a whole article onto itself.
Honestly, it can be difficult. Some stores or
organizers that are already established will have
priority when it comes to major events. So it is
usually in your best efforts to work with them or do
some cross promotion. If nothing else, you at least
get your name out there even if you don't get the
event. Fortunately, I was friends with a lot of
people in the gaming business before I got my store,
so it wasn't as difficult for me. Let that be a
lesson o you though. Don't burn your
bridges...ever. You never know when you might need
help or a favor, or when a good opportunity will
come up.
Q: How long have you owned your store?
A: Yay, and easy question! I've had my store for
about four and a half years. Five year anniversary
is in October of this year.
Q: Are you allowed to compete in tournaments in your
store?
A: This all depends on what type of events they
are. If they are events that I am the tournament
organizer or judge, then usually I don't play. In
Magic events, this is completely against the DCI
rules, so I am never allowed to under those
circumstances. Many time, I don't collect a price
when I play. I play mainly to keep the players
content, because many of them just want to play me
or see me compete, and to keep my gaming skills up
so I'm not completely out of touch with the games.
Most players don't mind and find it entertaining.
Q: Do you get invites to large events?
A: Yes, but it is REALLY difficult when you have a
store. The problem is that the number of events you
play in becomes extremely limited. In some cases,
you aren't allowed to play. Other times, you can't
travel to large tournaments because you have a
business to run. This just means that I have to
make the most of events that I do play in and/or
keep pushing my rating up slowly whenever the chance
arises.
Q: Do you just have access to every card and get all
the product you want?
A: I wish that were so. Personally, I decided int
he beginning to treat my collection and the stores
collection as completely separate entities. I know
that other stores don't really care so much, but for
me, it helps to clearly sperate what I'm doing and
getting as opposed to what my store is doing and
getting. I trade in cards for store credit just
like everyone else. I also think that by doing
this, it keeps me a little more in touch with my
customers. I can see their perspective on things a
bit better this way. As fore opening product.
Well, if I just opened a bunch for myself, what
would I sell to make a profit?
Q: How can you ever think that sitting around and
playing games all day is tough?
A: I knew someone would ask that question. The
truth is, I play about 60% less now than I would
like to. At best I get to play in maybe a draft or
two and one constructed tournament for something
every week. And that's on a good week. Obviously,
I play some games when I demo them to customers, but
I don't truly count those. But to be honest, I've
already made plans to increase my gaming time at the
store through the rest of the year. It always helps
sales. The problem is, that unless it's after
hours, it's hard to fit the time in. There is so
much to do at the store. You have to pay bills,
clean up, check inventory, organize cards, rearrange
shelves, place orders....all this and more has to be
done while you're dealing with customers all day.
There isn't as much time for gaming as one would
think.
Well, I hope that gives you readers out there a bit
more insight as to what goes on with a game store.
I just want to make sure that game store owners get
the proper recognition. It's not as easy as it
seems. If it were, more people would be doing and
you also wouldn't be seeing so many stores closing
down each year.
But I still have some weekly business to get to.
Let's start with the Good Play of the Week.
This one is from Stefan, who gets the honor of being
the first person to appear as a good and/or bad play
twice:
My aggro red vs. a
blue/white weenie control. My opponent has found
out my weakness and was smacking me upside the
head with flying and unblockable creatures. Being
turn 15 or so, I have amassed plenty of lands but
all my creatures are landbound. I draw, and it is
an arc-slogger. Well, I figure, since I'm done for
next turn, I might as well throw this guy down.
Then, I proceed to smack down my opponent's
merciful angel and covert operative with the
slogger's effect. Now, I have about three cards
left in my library, 6 life, and my opponent was at
a nice, round 10. Next turn, she can't do anything
and passes. I manage to draw a dragon mage and
slap him down. My arc-slogger attacks. She draws,
unable to do anything except slap down a land. Two
cards left in my deck, so I draw, leaving me with
one. To finish the game, I had my arc-slogger
attack, followed by my dragon mage. How I cherish
that slogger. :)
I love seeing games that come down to the last few
cards. I always find it silly when people
complain about those types of games. Isn't that
what you want? A good close game. They try to
say it is luck that they pulled the card and the
like, but there is one self evident truth.
You can't draw it if it's not in there. So credit
their deckbuilding or something.
I don't have a card of the week pick here. I
think with he prerelease coming up and the quality
of the cards in Fifth Dawn all being crazy, I
would say the whole set is great. So go to your
nearest prerelease and enjoy yourself this
weekend.
I personally will be at the Dallas prerelease.
The event is at:
Howard
Johnson
215 E Airport
Freeway (Highway 183)
Irving
Hotel # 972-607-2522
As usual, I will sign cards if people like, but I'll
only sign creatures. If nothing else, stop by and
say hello. It's always neat when you get a chance
to hear from the readers in person.
My game tip of the week is a simple one this week.
Bring as many people into your favorite games as you
can this summer. There will be plenty of time.
There are lots of good releases. I'm sure if you
talk to your local store, they will even help
schedule some special events for you. Take
advantage of the moment. We will all be better off
because of it.
And on that note, I'm out.
Until next time,
DeQuan Watson
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