I'm surprised parents that consider the store Free Daycare wasn't mentioned. It used to be the big pet peeve of my ex who worked in a non-GW hobby store back in the day. Saturdays were a nightmare for it, he always used to tell me how they'd buy their kid a token booster pack and leave these kids in there without any of their own hobby stuff to engage in. Instead these poor bored kids would be there pressing their faces up against glass display cases to look at the same two dozen painted models fifty times, bug older customers with the usual sort of kid questions, or just sit at a hobby table fidgeting. All while the parents go and do their "me time" adult shopping.
The being bullied then turning into a bully when you have power is exactly what happens to trade apprentices in the UK. I decided not to do that when I was qualified, don't get me wrong I could be a grumpy git but it was always genuine grumpiness and not bullying. Hopefully I broke the cycle for the apprentices I had.
This reminds of a question I saw on social media. What’s the worst response you can give to someone saying I love you ? Sir this a Games Workshop store buy something or get out.
I really relate to your first point about how doing your hobby as a job will make you resent it. During COVID I got into sculpting miniatures on Blender for 3D printing and got good enough that I actually started making some decent money out of it. It's now my full-time job and, to be honest, I find myself largely unable to print and paint miniatures because it just feels too close to work (and I often guiltily feel like, instead of doing whatever I want to do for fun, I should be doing something that helps my business). On top of that, I don't game anymore and I find myself getting irritated with conversation about the hobby in general. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change what I do - I'm very fortunate. But I think folks who dream about monetising their hobby someday might not realise that there are costs involved when you take what was a recreational activity and make it your job.
Oh no what happened to the discord link?? Just found this channel and I feel heard for the first time. I run a FLGS and between loving the hobby and fighting with owner because he doesn’t know what he’s doing and invests every dime in Lorcana to weird people….. I tell everyone who says “you have the best job ever” to remember it’s RETAIL first. You’re not “playing games for work” you’re shilling it. Which is fine as long as you get it. Thank you for representing us xx
I was positively tormented growing up. My goal is to break the cycle, and make things easier for those coming up after me. At any level of management I've made it to, I want my team to succeed, and be there to lift them up.
Hi North - I'm confused now - I heard Everton were deducted 10 points for measuring Calvert-Lewis's movement from the front of his base and then moving him so the back of his base was at the movement limit. And rolling dice behind a terrain piece called "Gladys Street Stand" so Liverpool couldn't see the rolls. Am I wrong?
Your thoughts on GW's pricing model, and what if any impact that 3D printing may or may not have upon the hobby? ..don't really know where else to ask this and I wanted to get a store owner/manager's take.
games workshop was the worst thing that ever happened to table top gaming. Way back in the day im talking 30 years ago you could go to a hobby store and it was quite and there were lots of different war games people were playing it was more about simulation of battle and story telling less about ego rules lawering and look how much I spent. Personally when I see what gw games turned into it looks like baby games. I miss the old days. I make my own games now and so do the few old guys that I still play with. its all so toxic now depressing.
[GW Corporate 2015-2024] "At the Assi. manager & CS Rep positions down, only hire 'Warhammer Fanatics & LT Hobbyists', that way they will feel like they are in their "Dream Job" & we can exploit that to our benefit & squeeze the most work out of them."
Unfortunately this happens everywhere with people like this, whenever they get a bit of power they turn into freaking monsters. I was working as a mid/high management in a multinational, and helped promote few people there. Some of the worst monsters were the introverts. What they turned into scared me.