Favourite Local Game Shops (FLGS)

Why are they important and brilliant? Basically you have a rapport with them and they help you. Sure online you may get things a bit cheaper, not always. With schemes like Bits N Mortar (http://www.bits-and-mortar.com/) you are able to get free pdf versions of roleplay books from participating publishers and if the store has signed up for it.

It is social, you can meet people. Let's face boardgames and rpgs generally need a group. Some offer playing spaces, will have notice board space for clubs etc. RPG's aren't in the heyday they were back in the 80's so sometimes it hard to find players. Boardgames have had a resurgence but you still need people to play with (solo games not withstanding, I still have my copy of Chainsaw Warrior!).

If they are an independent store, they will put money back into the local community more than a chain store. Ideally I think we should support local stores of any description as much as possible.

Product knowledge. I am lucky to have two stores I use where there is great passion and knowledge for what they sell. Our hobby isn't cheap so we want to get our purchases right.

What is priceless is the ability to put things back. Money a bit tight, can I pick it up in a few weeks. You are never going to get that online. Maybe I am getting that because I am a good customer. What I do know, they help me, I will buy again from them. It means I can get great games, even when the cashflow isn't great. Particularly awesome if something is fairly hard to get hold of

Here is an example

Produced by French company Matagot, this, at least in the UK, has been out of stock for ages. Local shop has it in and is holding a copy back for me. When I have it I will post about it with pictures. A friend has it and I have played it.

FLGS - They make sense, don't they!