[Darximus]

Geeky and Paddy Samurai - Thanks a million for yet another usefull tips. Will have to reward you and other people active in this thread with some free loyalty points now, just to keep you going


Jokes aside - I appreciate your comments and ideas and while I'm still on the fence about taking a plunge and move ahead with that project - I will sure remember about your contribution when the time comes.


Another thing. There is a range of language independent games like Carcassone, Stone Age, Jaipur, Power Grid - to name just a few - which apart from manual cotains no text at all. Manuals are available online and free to download, so I was wondering - would gamers be interested in buying foreign version of such games if that would mean lower price. For instance you could buy in my store "Power grid" for 36€ - but right next to it you would see exactly the same game printed in german - "Funkenschlag" for 28€ - and information: "Game is language independent. Contains no english manual. Manual can be downloaded at -....."-and here goes link.

Of course it won't be possible with all titles but could apply to some as a cheaper alternative.

What do you think about that?

[Paddy Samurai]

Originally Posted by Darximus

Geeky and Paddy Samurai - Thanks a million for yet another usefull tips. Will have to reward you and other people active in this thread with some free loyalty points now, just to keep you going


Jokes aside - I appreciate your comments and ideas and while I'm still on the fence about taking a plunge and move ahead with that project - I will sure remember about your contribution when the time comes.


Another thing. There is a range of language independent games like Carcassone, Stone Age, Jaipur, Power Grid - to name just a few - which apart from manual cotains no text at all. Manuals are available online and free to download, so I was wondering - would gamers be interested in buying foreign version of such games if that would mean lower price. For instance you could buy in my store "Power grid" for 36€ - but right next to it you would see exactly the same game printed in german - "Funkenschlag" for 28€ - and information: "Game is language independent. Contains no english manual. Manual can be downloaded at -....."-and here goes link.

Of course it won't be possible with all titles but could apply to some as a cheaper alternative.

What do you think about that?

Sounds interesting.For standard games ,if there is no text and it was a game I was interested in,I would say yes. In the past I have downloaded spare rulebooks to give to friends before playing a new game.



I use this website for game sheets,although not the full rulebook,its great for game summaries /reference sheets.


http://www.headlesshollow.com/freebies_games.html#sev

[Lockky]

Originally Posted by Darximus

Another thing. There is a range of language independent games like Carcassone, Stone Age, Jaipur, Power Grid - to name just a few - which apart from manual cotains no text at all. Manuals are available online and free to download, so I was wondering - would gamers be interested in buying foreign version of such games if that would mean lower price. For instance you could buy in my store "Power grid" for 36€ - but right next to it you would see exactly the same game printed in german - "Funkenschlag" for 28€ - and information: "Game is language independent. Contains no english manual. Manual can be downloaded at -....."-and here goes link.

Of course it won't be possible with all titles but could apply to some as a cheaper alternative.

What do you think about that?

I think its a great idea what you're trying and best of luck with it! I'd personally have no issue with having to download a manual but what you could think about is making the manuals yourself or just printing them off and putting it with the game. Small gestures like that I always find to be quite endearing.

Also I would have to agree with Paddy: a loyalty points system would encourage people to come back rather than just go through a group to get things cheaper and as this would be a fairly niche market (as you have pointed out) I'd say that would be of more benefit to you in the long run.

[john47]

Great idea, keep up the good work and let us know what's happening.

I'm sure you have already thought of it but dont forget to feed into the already existing gaming community from your local warhammer group, bridge, poker, chess, CCG & scrabble. Most gamers will try something else...

There is an Irish created "shopping cart" app on facebook now, that I think is stll free so you might be able to avoid paypal but I'm not sure. I rememeber speaking to someone at the wexworlds scifi/fantasy festival in Wexford last year who was launching one but i cant rememebr the name of it...maybe someone else can think of it.

You could do worse of course than launch your company at wexworlds this year and there is a new gaming interest - http://www.wexworlds.net/news/story/...rlds-festival/

Anyway, best of luck

John Ryan

[Mickalus]

Would love to see an Irish online store for boardgames. Cheaper quicker delivery from an Irish store would be great.
+ 1 to language independent games for a slightly cheaper price and the Loyalty points idea.

Good luck, hope you go through with it and it goes well!

[Darximus]

Thanks a million folks for all tips and comments. I am happy to see that people are actualy interested in the topic. Over 1000 views means there is a chance that this webstore might survive. I am doing some research and trying to get all prep work done. I still need some information and clarification of few things before I make my mind. I will keep you up to date. In the meantime if you think of anything that might help, feel free to share it. Thank you very much.

[sharingan]

You might want to consider some compatible business models.

Board Gaming is quite alive in Galway:
https://www.facebook.com/BoardGamesGalway - meets up regularly in the Galway Hacker Space

and a new cafe opened up specifically as a place to play board games:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunge...00414633365785

Seems to be doing quite well.

Finding people to play with and places to play seems to be much more difficult than actually buying board games. Amazon is littered with them ...

[Darximus]

That's interesting point Sharingan. I wasnt considering brick and mortar store/club/cafe just yet but what you wrote is true - getting a game is les problematic that getting people together to play it. I have tones of games myself and not many opportunities for them to hit the table due to lack of time/place/certain numbers of players combination. I was more keen to focus on "getting a game" part - and creating gaming community as a follow up - but your observation got me thinking. That Galway place looks sweet. I will keep an eye on it and try to visit next time im in the area. Thanks a million for your post and keep the hobby alive down in Galway

[sharingan]

Well I am not in Galway anymore, but I knew the board gaming club for a while.

It would be interesting to see how Dungeons & Donuts makes its money. The cafe is probably the part of the business that is most profitable, as opposed to selling gaming products.

It always seemed to me, that getting enough people together, in a good location, was the scarce thing in board gaming. Providing the play area and making money off the consumables (coffee, refreshments and snacks) as well as game sales makes good business sense.

Restarted my game collection over here (london) with a starter box of carcassonne. Girlfriend is way better at it than me.

[sandin]

If you need info on suppliers feel free to send me a PM - I used to be in this business

On the payments - stick with Paypal til you see traction.

With sage, the €40 is in addition to the 1.5% - 2% you will need to pay a merchant service provider.

Some suppliers will allow you buy less than a box quantity and there are alos suppliers in USA for things such as USA monopoly (vegas, new york etc etc)

On deliveries, haggle with services. If you can drop them to your local depot, its can save €1. Target max €5 per delivery anywher in Ireland.

[Darximus]

Thanks a million Sandin. PM send.

[Paddy Samurai]

I know its an on-line store your thinking about,but there is an article here about opening a game store.You might get some ideas.

Many stores never perform a proper retail buildout. Instead, the owner buys a few showcases, a dozen banquet tables, a hundred folding chairs, and a used refrigerator. This allows the LGS to open quickly and start bringing in cash, but in the form of a dumpy, pedestrian shop that looks more like a social club than a retail store. In time, hardcore gamers stick around and treat it like a social club, spending little on location and making their large purchases online, while mainstream casual customers who spend the most money, especially women, and most especially moms, never return. In short, the store fails to establish itself as a spending destination. The early cash flow sputters out.

http://www.gamehead.com/article/1880...ng-game-stores

[fungun]

I buy a few games every year - usually read a lot of reviews before buying on multiple sites and then price them on multiple sites from US/UK/world. So imo the key thing would be you need to be cheap. Id support an Irish business rather than an international one for a small difference.

I would certainly download instructions myself and buy a different language version to save a few quid, unless it really mattered in the game itself.

However the posts in the thread describe 2 very different business models, so your first thing is to decide which to go for - the 'local' place where you might have an actual shop, customer loyalty, games nights etc., where most of your business is local....or an internet-based business, where your customer base could be a lot wider but its harder to get your name out there and to be competitive.

tbh i cant see the internet-only idea being sustainable long term, as the big boys can always price you out.
One thing to note on the local idea is that rents are at a real low right now - id be tempted to start a small shop in dublin or close to, depending on rent, and see how it goes. Maybe near a science-based college to up your nerd quota

[Paddy Samurai]

Originally Posted by Darximus

I am doing some research and trying to get all prep work done. I still need some information and clarification of few things before I make my mind. I will keep you up to date.

Hi Darximus,
any updates on your online store?.How U getting on?.

[chrisbee]

Originally Posted by Darximus

Since some time I am considering starting online store providing modern boardgames for all those gamers, who live far away from our scarce Friendly Local Game Shops, yet reluctant to order from abroad, due to high shipping costs.
I have in mind proper, hassle free website, where one can order game and have it delivered few days later by An Post or - in case of Dubliners - optional collecting it in the office.
What is your opinion? Is Irish gaming community big enough to make this project worthwile?
Will our gamers be interested in acquiring local, rather than stick to their european providers? I did a bit of research and I know that I will not be able to beat some mainland europe website to the price, yet can compensate it with lower delivery cost.
I will be interested to hear your yay or nay in that matter. Apologies for my english, feel free to correct my mistakes.

Can't wait for your store to open...please let us know what the latest news is!

Also, have you considered renting out the games, similar to library book? That way you can increase your customer base at a lower price....I know the challenge might be retrieving missing pieces, but just a thought...