[Musings of a Game Store Owner] Doing it Right

There ARE companies that are doing it right. There are businesses out there that Have A Clue (TM) and are using their talents, abilities, sense and acumen to build strong relationships with retailers to grow their customer base.

We have relationships with a few companies that are really "working it" and taking proactive steps to build, strengthen and encourage the gamer community. They're doing things like visiting stores, taking pictures, promoting games, trading blog links and talking to owners about keeping customers satisfied.

One of those businesses very recently gave us a pretty nice bonus in an effort to gain more of OUR business. The idea was that if they made doing business with them easier, nicer, and with a better profit point, we would trade much of our business over to them as an entity. They understood that communication and treating my shop with respect and consideration are key points for earning my business, and work hard to treat all stores they deal with in those ways.

Other businesses pay attention to their product releases and give details far in advance- sometimes as long as 6 months notice for a big release. A great example is WoTC. I've known when releases are coming out for them for pretty much the whole calendar since about February. I might not know specific DATES immediately, but some official communication was given that "early May" and "mid July", we should expect new releases from them.

This is pretty handy information to have, because it allows us to have MONEY to buy the "new hotness" that our customers desire so much. TheDude and I know in advance not to make major purchases in those time frames, because we will be shelling out big bucks to buy enough product to keep up with the demand.

Somehow, WotC hasn't lost any business by telling their customers about release schedules, new projects (Return to Ravnica is happening, and customers are EXCITED) and actual timing of those events. In many cases, they are driving up sales by creating a hype and getting customers ready for the latest and greatest.

The expectations a retailer has about the way their vendor relationships work has a great deal to do with whether those relationships continue. I don't think it's too out of line to expect that I'll be afforded communication and cooperation in regards to new releases, scheduling and money out of my pocket. Some vendors treat those thoughts with respect, and others don't. I know that I'm not alone in thinking it might be time to re-evaluate certain alliances to see if they continue to be beneficial.

For us, as a business, emotion and nostalgia can only go so far; money has to be made as well. That's a tough place to be in when talking about building a community and offering "fun in a box", but it's a necessary choice to make to keep the lights on and customers coming in.

Because as much as I love relationships, I gotta pay the rent. Having partnerships that bring paying customers in the door is a benefit, and when I have those, I reward them by continuing to do business with them. Some businesses "get it", and in return, they get my cash.