Unfortunately, we have gone off topic. I'm now re posting my original post so that I may get the help I requested.

Is there anything that us players can do in order for WizKids/NECA to cut the new modern age off a bit? Normally they rotate 4 sets a year. I can even understand 8 sets. But 10 - 12 sets is too much. Majority of players at my game store will not be playing Heroclix anymore because of all the cuts. Specifically, we all agree that they should not cut Web of Spiderman out until at least next year. Is there anything the players can do to keep at least Web of Spiderman from rotating out?

Thanks,
Barby

Then why aren't you doing it?

RANDOM NOTE: I ::GASP:: buy from my venues AND online. I get my initial case online, but I buy a bunch of product from my venue (easily a case worth over a set's normal play run) after that.

That isn't a shot at anyone, more an assertion of the idea that one can do both.

I'm just wondering what the $2 per person actually gets you. Seems like a drop in the bucket to me.

Now, granted, I'm looking at this squarely through my lens of what compels me to attend. From my perspective, if I'm going to a venue, I'm likely going to walk out of there with something I've purchased. Thus, from my perspective, I look at tourneys with buy-ins and think "Huh...why would I pay money to play when I'm going to be supporting the venue to a much larger degree, comparatively?" Subsequently, on the rare occasions when I do attend an entry fee game, I feel less compelled to support the store as I pretty much have already.

Now, granted, this is one man's opinion, and obviously things change due to a number of factors (region, group size, etc.). If you build up a robust gaming group, and treat them as a part of the scene rather than a line item, the symbiotic relationship you mentioned can be strengthened.

Yeah I totally agree with you and that's what we are doing. We show up on Heroclix day but don't play Heroclix. We play the other games that are free to play there. He's getting pissed because his Heroclix product is just sitting there so I'm sure he'll break and if he doesn't we'll continue playing the free games and find another spot to play Heroclix. It's not just me, it's 8 other players feeling the exact same way I am feeling.

Thanks,
Barby

I'll also add that mandating purchases/charging upwards of $5 to play can be quite off-putting.

In the case of my area, which has about 3 - 4 venues, were any one of them to toss that sort of mandate my way, I'd simply play at the others and make my purchases from them.

Study. Pass the test. Become the Judge.

Make your own venue with your own rules; unless the owner wants to tell you what to do.

*Cue Trombone*

Remember kids, you can do do anything you want in life, even open a gaming or comic store when you grow up. But if you do, you won't be able to have any luxuries in life.
Your only joy will come from those obnoxious gamers that frequent your store that have REAL jobs (yours is make believe) that expect nothing but your time and devotion. Sure, it will be rough living out of your car, but I'm sure that guy that asks you to pull 100$ worth of books for him each week will come in and buy them eventually. He's probably busy with his REAL job you know.

Aw, Dude. You were doing so well, and then you kinda went off the rails here.

The store owner could easily say that he works hard owning a store and he doesn't need some BS degree to force some company to pay him more money.

Even if everyone had a doctorate, there would still be the need for shop owners and they would still need to make their own decisions on how much money to spend on overhead and how much money to charge for their products and services.

If you don't like his business practices, don't buy/play at his store.

Yeah that's basically want I'm going to do now that I was told there is no test. There is a venue close by that is free to play and they don't do Heroclix so I'll just take everyone over there once I'm judge.

Thanks,
Barby

And I'm 100% OK with people who buy both, I even believe I mentioned that in one of the posts in this thread too. Its the people who JUST buy online I take issue with (I have some of those in my store too, and their own playgroup harps on the guy about it)

As far as what the $2 buy in gets you? the $2 gets you a participation prize (3d object/map) and the chance at the LE figures. We also have a large collection of store maps players can use during tournaments and what not (we have a very new playgroup, we just started clix a month ago) so it helps up recoup the cost we put out in acquiring all the maps and the OP kit itself. Will I make a couple bucks on the event entry fees themselves? Sure, most likely. I'll get 4 tournaments out of it the way I do it and 6 players or so each time, so I'll make double my investment, but thats also normal retail markup. Almost anything you buy in a game store, the owner is making 40-50% in profit on that items cost. (before people start jumping up and down going OMG SEE THEYRE RICH you gotta factor in all the OTHER costs of the game store, the costs of those tables you're playing on, the rent/electricity/etc. Our markup is that much to keep us in business and help us make some cash, but we're not rolling in the dough from this business)

The other thing I find is if people have an entry fee, they take it much more seriously. They aren't just flailing about playing all willy nilly, they are much more invested in their game play, and it makes for better games with everyone. It also encourages them to actually show up on time to play vs free play/open table days where folks just kinda roll in whenever.

Non-bolded: Thanks for the analysis!

Bolded: Off-topic, but I really dig the more casual vibe we have around these parts. I take enough crap seriously during my daily life. Toy time is toy time.

What does this even mean and how does it relate to the subject at hand?

What does Ice Hockey have to do with any of this?

How big of a dose of what are we talking about? Are you calling big pharmacy companies 'the best game on earth' because their product comes in doses?

How can someone have a dose of Magic? "He needs 20cc's of Blue Eyes White Dragon!"

This is the title track of my new album!

Its still casual...I'm not saying everyone becomes cutthroat stick up the butt competitive.....but we'e had casual games where players wander off in the middle for 20 minutes to take a phone call or something silly. Players take the game more seriously and focus on it if they're invested in financially (if even just a small amount). Our players at least are still very friendly in the tournaments and let folks take stuff back, etc etc, they're just more into playing the game that moment vs being distracted and wandering off....makes for a better time for everyone.

As far as analysis, anytime =) I've had half a mind to open a thread here thats basically "I own a game store, ask me why i do stuff the way i do" so that everyone can see both sides and we can all share perspective on stuff. Its how I run my shop in real life and its helped make us successful, and obviously its not something most shops strive to do.

Yeah, I looked at that post, blinked, and said "Nope, not today."