Buying new stuff

I also like Gamers Grotto in Bennington, VT. For people like
me who live in eastern Rensselaer county, Bennington is not
much further than Albany, and closer than Queensbury or Schenectady. Prices are reasonable there and Keith will special
order most any game you'd want (and then discount the price).
They also carry computer/video games and used movie DVDs which I like. For online, Tanga and eBay get most of my bucks.

Frank,

As the owner of a relatively new gaming and hobby shop called Numbskullz, Inc. located at 418 Dix Avenue in Queensbury (www.numbskullz.com, e-mail: numbskullz@hotmail.com), I would like to suggest that if you cannot find the items that you are looking for in your local gaming shop, whether it be paints and modeling supplies or a specific game piece or collectible, you really need to be talking to "the man behind the counter" and hopefully he is listening.

Admittedly, the inventory in our shop is somewhat sparse when compared to other long-established game shops in the capital region, but we make a concerted effort to really listen to the needs of our customers and we will make every attempt to bring in items of interest to our local customers who are willing to support us through the purchase of same instead of shopping online first.

If you find yourself buying "online" first without even asking your local game shop owner to bring the item(s) in, then "shame on you"! Not specifically you Frank, but the buying public. Most gamers have no idea what it actually costs to stock and operate a gaming & hobby shop. When you "undercut" the local guy by purchasing online because of the "low price" or because you might get it a little faster, then you really do a dis-service to yourself and your fellow gamers. If the shop owner cannot turn a profit...then they have to close the doors.

Web-based game-suppliers most likely do not operate a "brick & mortar" store for their customers to play at and they have considerably less overhead expenses. Thus they often offer the same items that you see in our shops for less.

If your local guy goes out of business then where are you going to play? I think that you will find it awfully difficult to play any games at your online game store location unless you really like to travel. Please take that into consideration the next time you make use of the local game shop's tables or participate in any of their sponsored events but don't actually purchase from them or you only make minimal "token" purchases. Remember, it's not all about the price! It's about supporting your local gaming community and having a good time! The local game shop is "your" game shop and it cannot survive without your active participation, purchases and support.

NummyPrez

In the past, I liked local gaming shops, but with the only locals being in Albany, I have been relying on Amazon or Paizo's online store. Though mostly for their products and the OGL items they have used.

I have checked out Zombie Planet and Flights of Fantasy to check out painting supplies, though I haven't boughten any yet. Trying to find something to replace my old Ral Partha paint colors to finish up some space marines I started back in the 80s and some new minis I got from Paizo. Have decided what to get though. Some day.

Greg

Locally, I end up buying from Zombie Planet usually. I check out other stores (Flights of Fantasy, big box stores, etc.) sometimes, but they usually don't have what I am looking for. Flights has a great selection of books and minis, but I'm usually just buying board games and their selection was always limited (caveat: I haven't made it into their new store yet). Zombie Planet has a great selection of board games, as well as RPGs and minis. And if I can't find it at ZP, the only online locations I've bought from are TimeWellSpent and eBay.