Purchasing a Videogame store: What would make you want to come to my place?

[quote name='hufferstl']Could you find suitable storage space for the fixtures until your store opens?[/QUOTE]

I could, but I don't have the funds till I get a lease. Basically the loan is depended on getting a lease.
 
[quote name='bingbangboom']I got a call today from a PNT store owner in Maryland that was slightly disappointing, he is closing his store. He wanted to sell me his fixtures, but I have no store open. He has sold all his inventory and has only been open for 5 months. When I did ask why he was closing his store, He said the return on investment was not there for him and that he was making more money on his old job.

From talking to him, I just got the feeling that he hasn't really worked retail or that it was not what he expected. He just didn't like it so he is not doing it. He did state that Play N Trade is a good company, but that he was putting alot of time into it as he was the only manager with a couple employees. He said it should be better for me because my brother will be working with me.

I was just kinda sad at this news because I don't like hearing any store close, PNT or otherwise. But I just didn't hear any sort of like passion from him, he was more concerned with getting rid of his fixtures if anything. Just shows that there is a risk and I do wish that people would be more aware what they are entering.

Was just a weird conversation, but figured I would pass on that bit of news. He was liquidating the fixtures pretty cheap so it was tempting, but I have no location yet, so nothing I could do.[/quote]


Why didn't you just buy the fixtures and store it at your house? It would have saved you money in the long run. Anyway, it sounds like the market is just to crowded. Best Buy, Walmart, Gamestop, CompUSA, and Frys. The list is virtually endless. The only thing that sets PNT apart from the competition is the tournments that they hold but i fear that is not enough to keep it going. If you want to make money, you need an extremely cheap lease in an overpopulated area. I also don't like the name PNT.
 
I tried starting a new business so that I could sell games. I have not read this entire thread, but how do stores get games cheap? Since my business was small, I had to buy from a distributor, like DandH which sells $50 games for $43. How are you supposed to make a profit off of that? Does anyone know how to buy direct from the Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, etc.? I assume it is a question of volume. How much do you have to buy?
 
[quote name='EnhancedLogic']Why didn't you just buy the fixtures and store it at your house? It would have saved you money in the long run. Anyway, it sounds like the market is just to crowded. Best Buy, Walmart, Gamestop, CompUSA, and Frys. The list is virtually endless. The only thing that sets PNT apart from the competition is the tournments that they hold but i fear that is not enough to keep it going. If you want to make money, you need an extremely cheap lease in an overpopulated area. I also don't like the name PNT.[/QUOTE]

As I mentioned before, I don't have the funds till I get my loan which depends on the lease. Otherwise I would have done the deal. As far as the market being crowded, I don't really believe so. Sure there are places that sell videogames, but there are actually few dedicated videogame stores especially since Gamestop acquired EB Games.

I also feel that PNT offers a number of differences to the comeption, especially the big box stores. I know you have been playing devil's advocate alot with this concept which I understand. But what would be your ideal videogame store? As a customer, not as someone looking at it in a business sense. We understand what you do not like, so tell me something positive you would like. Are you a gamer or someone interested in the business of it?

Names are names, PNT is not bad. I mean for a while Electronic Boutique was a horrible name thats why they changed it to "EB Games" because people didn't really have an idea what it was. But you never really know with names, I mean remember the whole "Wii" thing?
 
[quote name='poet17eric']I tried starting a new business so that I could sell games. I have not read this entire thread, but how do stores get games cheap? Since my business was small, I had to buy from a distributor, like DandH which sells $50 games for $43. How are you supposed to make a profit off of that? Does anyone know how to buy direct from the Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, etc.? I assume it is a question of volume. How much do you have to buy?[/QUOTE]

Well... you just mentioned how you make a profit. You buy the game for $43 and sell it for $50 hence a profit of $7. But as a business model you want to sell more used games, services and accessories because your margin is better. This also depends on staffing and training. Thats why you want to have that intimate personal customer relationship, which is something you don't get at many stores. Typically you either point to what you want or take it to the register.

It is very hard to get your product direct from those companies, typically it is through a distributor. Thats just how it is. Some of the larger stores like I remember from Toys R Us, we would but it would in reality go through Toys R Us... so not from say Nintendo to TRU but instead it would go from Nintendo to Toys R Us Corp Warehouse then to the store. They typically get a bulk discount because they have so many stores.

As far as profit, its better than some electronic items. I know like larger electronics you make no money on them. So say a Computer, you might make $5 after everything for something that cost around $800.

I don't know if you would sell used games or products at your business, but that helps. Especially if you offer value such as buy 2 get 1 free... typically people will shell out or look for that extra game or maybe even more. Its about offering value and service with any business.

Thats is the problem I feel is facing Circuit City and faced CompUSA, from my experience. Go into Circuit City and look at the service they offer you. Now if you were doing it online, then it becomes very hard because you basically have so much competition out there. There is still service issues but you really have to compete on price. I know there are a few online stores on CAG that offer great pricing but overall it is harder. People can always match price, but it is service and experience that is hard to match.
 
Also I have an idea that will happen next year to benefit Child's Play when my store is open. Basically a massive tournament where everything gets donated to Child's Play. Hopefully I will be able to work this out with a number of stores so people can donate instore or maybe with Child's Play directly because I know at alot of stores you can donate thru skus in store.

I know it is a far way off, next year, but it really seems logical. I think there are is a children's hospital in the area also. But anyway, what type of event do you think I should do? I was thinking of a large tournament but what would draw you in?
 
[quote name='bingbangboom']
Thats is the problem I feel is facing Circuit City and faced CompUSA, from my experience. Go into Circuit City and look at the service they offer you. [/QUOTE]


You are absolutely right about Circuit City offering little to no service, but I think the scary thing about opening a retail store is that if Circuit City can get a better price than you on a new game, people are going to buy it from them, and that leaves your store with a $43 piece of inventory that may never sell. And within 4 months that game gets a price drop to $30 or $40 and you have to sell it at a loss.

My friend's dad opened a Microplay back in 1994, and he couldn't compete with the Blockbusters(they rented games, in addition to selling used) or Wal Marts. He had all his capital in systems and new games and wasn't making any money on them. In retrospect, he said he shouldn't have dealt with new stuff at all and should have concentrated on the used market/rentals more.

Keep up with the updates, this is a great thread.
 
[quote name='hufferstl']You are absolutely right about Circuit City offering little to no service, but I think the scary thing about opening a retail store is that if Circuit City can get a better price than you on a new game, people are going to buy it from them, and that leaves your store with a $43 piece of inventory that may never sell. And within 4 months that game gets a price drop to $30 or $40 and you have to sell it at a loss.

My friend's dad opened a Microplay back in 1994, and he couldn't compete with the Blockbusters(they rented games, in addition to selling used) or Wal Marts. He had all his capital in systems and new games and wasn't making any money on them. In retrospect, he said he shouldn't have dealt with new stuff at all and should have concentrated on the used market/rentals more.

Keep up with the updates, this is a great thread.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the comments. I remember Microplay. The problem is that, as I remember, it was molding itself exactly like EB & Gamestop. You can't really do that this day and age. Price will get people, we all know that... look at Wal-Mart. But there is a certain point when people will come to a store for service. Thats what I want to offer, service for both the experienced gamer and your mom.

That part of the industry is growing but the problem is that no one is catering to them. Infact, most stores are basically becoming like supermarkets. You basically go in and wonder up and down the aisle and fight your bread, milk and videogame.

I also think there is something about a small business that may make people want to go to it, especially if run correct. I know that PNT has something that currently no one else can offer and quite possibly no one else would offer because customer service can be a "hassle" and considered against their bottom line.
 
[quote name='hufferstl']You are absolutely right about Circuit City offering little to no service, but I think the scary thing about opening a retail store is that if Circuit City can get a better price than you on a new game, people are going to buy it from them, and that leaves your store with a $43 piece of inventory that may never sell. And within 4 months that game gets a price drop to $30 or $40 and you have to sell it at a loss.

My friend's dad opened a Microplay back in 1994, and he couldn't compete with the Blockbusters(they rented games, in addition to selling used) or Wal Marts. He had all his capital in systems and new games and wasn't making any money on them. In retrospect, he said he shouldn't have dealt with new stuff at all and should have concentrated on the used market/rentals more.

Keep up with the updates, this is a great thread.[/quote]

I worked for a Microplay and then we broke off from the franchise. We did really well for a few years, but then Gamestop went on that craze where they bought all the Funcolands and started putting in stores every 2 miles and choked us out of business.

We had a 20 pc lan setup that helped supplement our income for the last few years, but ultimately with Best Buys, Circuit City's, Gamestops on every corner, Game Crazy's and whatever else, its just too hard for an independent video game store to be successful.
 
[quote name='bingbangboom']

I also think there is something about a small business that may make people want to go to it, especially if run correct. I know that PNT has something that currently no one else can offer and quite possibly no one else would offer because customer service can be a "hassle" and considered against their bottom line.[/quote]
People will always gravitate towards those shops, especially since most of the Gamestops and what not usually have a) crappy service or b) crappy prices.

I always hated the fact that Gamestop would sell a used game for $5 off the new price. I still won't shop there unless I'm out of options.

Oh and on a note about Circuit City. I went in to buy an Xbox 360 controller and this guy was working the register. I walk up, put the controller down on the counter. He doesn't even acknowledge me. He scans the controller and then mumbles the price to me. I have to ask him 2 times what the price was because I couldn't hear him with his mumbling. I give him the money, he counts it about 5 times before he enters it in the computer. Then bags my controller and hands it to me. I have to ASK HIM for my receipt. He grabs it, and just kinda tosses it on the counter. I would've complained, but I didn't feel it was worth it. Those people don't give a shit.
 
[quote name='mike.m']People will always gravitate towards those shops, especially since most of the Gamestops and what not usually have a) crappy service or b) crappy prices.

I always hated the fact that Gamestop would sell a used game for $5 off the new price. I still won't shop there unless I'm out of options.

Oh and on a note about Circuit City. I went in to buy an Xbox 360 controller and this guy was working the register. I walk up, put the controller down on the counter. He doesn't even acknowledge me. He scans the controller and then mumbles the price to me. I have to ask him 2 times what the price was because I couldn't hear him with his mumbling. I give him the money, he counts it about 5 times before he enters it in the computer. Then bags my controller and hands it to me. I have to ASK HIM for my receipt. He grabs it, and just kinda tosses it on the counter. I would've complained, but I didn't feel it was worth it. Those people don't give a shit.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, standards are very low at Circuit City because people just don't care. Management doesn't care so employees don't either. It is almost like they feel customers get in the way of their job. Its just weird.
 
[quote name='bingbangboom']No idea, I can check to see though.[/QUOTE]

He is planning to open several stores in update New York. The first store will be in Colonie Center with a target date of March 15.

Also plans to open a store in Saratoga at the Wilton Mall and a store in Latham. He is working on several other locations. Hope that helps.
 
Colonie Center..thats good

What are the trade values like for these stores or do they vary from region to region, cause the blockbuster near me went out of business and they are the only decent trade in value store
 
[quote name='ZKRefleX']Colonie Center..thats good

What are the trade values like for these stores or do they vary from region to region, cause the blockbuster near me went out of business and they are the only decent trade in value store[/QUOTE]

The trade value is inline or better than Gamestop. Also helps if you have the extra rewards membership.
 
Okay, finally an update. We have got a site approval on a location just outside the DE border in Chadds Ford PA. There are still a few things pending on the site approval and also on eventually getting a lease and we are still looking for additional locations.

Here is a picture of what it looks like. It is right near the pretzel shop pictured there.

ChaddsFordPlaza-Photo02.jpg


THanks for the comments and questions :)
 
congrats on finding your new location. I have also been researching PnT in California.

From my research, there has now been a good handful of PnT stores that have gone under, or is for sale.

From your knowledge are you aware of any PnT stores that are actually successful and making decent money? Lets say taking in about or more than 100K net profit per month?

Please let me know which stores you know of that are doing well under the PnT system.

Thanks and congrats again.
 
I think they're building a PNT near my house. Quickly passed by and saw they were hanging a banner that read Play And "something" (couldnt see the rest of it) and they had cardboard cutouts on display. Looks like it's almost done so I cant wait to see what they have to offer.
 
[quote name='picorian']congrats on finding your new location. I have also been researching PnT in California.

From my research, there has now been a good handful of PnT stores that have gone under, or is for sale.

From your knowledge are you aware of any PnT stores that are actually successful and making decent money? Lets say taking in about or more than 100K net profit per month?

Please let me know which stores you know of that are doing well under the PnT system.

Thanks and congrats again.[/QUOTE]

Yes there are very successful stores but I cannot disclose any details on financials. They are trying very hard to remedy the problem with stores either closing or selling off.

A few issues are while they are the franchise and can give the owners a plan and guidelines, it is up to the owner to use them to be successful and some owners don't. Also in some cases, people have opened too many stores in a short amount of time and can't manage them all. That happened with one owner that opened around 7 stores in a year and had to sell most of them to others.

I would look into it but it really depends on what your drive is and how successufl you want to be. The model works, look at Gamestop as what your striving for, that is what PNT is trying to reach.
 
We have come one step closer and I am trying to stay pretty calm about it. We have our first version of the lease. Pretty good news as this is the furthest we have come and hopefully everything goes well with it. We need to get an attorney to review it. I need to go through my own paperwork to make sure everything is accounted for.

Thanks for all the support and I will keep you updated.
 
Hey everyone, I know there has been a lack of updates on here. Currently we do have an attorney reviewing the lease and it cost an arm and a leg. But it will be worth it, we are hoping there are no real issues with the lease and the landlord and we can keep moving forward.

Also, www.playntrade.com has updated the site with a new look. I like it better and the store websites look better.

I am working on setting up an uber page for the store. Uber is basically like Myspace but better layouts cause you have more control. Once that is up and ready i will debut it here. It will have a blog and other stuff aswell as information about the store and programs in the store.

I have never really had my own blog before although I do have alot of views on videogames and stuff... aka I am always right. But I hope to style it in vein of Kotaku, Joystiq & Destructoid but with more local flavor including special events and features.

If anyone has graphics experience that would like to help, I would apperciate it, I have been very busy with work and getting this other stuff done. I lost most my filters for PSP and Photoshop when my computer took a dump earlier this year.

But if someone could help out, that would be great :)

But, I have some ideas what I want on the website, again, I think Uber gives me the best tools right now for a website and maintaining it but I will eventually get a main webpage that will have this stuff.

What things would you like to see on it? I have a few ideas but want to see what you guys think first then I will comment. BTW they are doing a National Tournament for Guitar Hero III with the national winner getting $2000 for March. I don't think I will be open for then lol but I will have a major tournament every month with national tournments in there also.

So, what top games would you like to see as a tournament? The main reasons you have tournaments is to attract people to the store, so I doubt we will be doing any quarky games.
 
Man, video game stores don't seem to make much if you're not part of a big chain..... and you would need a huge volume of sales to make profit since your inventory value decreases over time.

Why not sell games over the internet so that you don't have to worry about the cost of a B&M store?
 
[quote name='bostonfrontier']Man, video game stores don't seem to make much if you're not part of a big chain..... and you would need a huge volume of sales to make profit since your inventory value decreases over time.

Why not sell games over the internet so that you don't have to worry about the cost of a B&M store?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your comments, let me talk about them.

First, there are over 100 Play N Trade stores opened right now and I believe they are planning to have 500 opened by the end of the year. So it is safe to say that I would assume the growth is there and the number of stores are there and will continue to expand.

Also the inventory value may decrease, as with most products, but our main focus is used products, which cost decreases dramatically.

If you do focus on online only, then you are competing with many many stores including Amazon aswell as websites for big stores like BestBuy and Gamestop. Having to pay for utilities is not what determains success. I remember a while ago, one site stop selling videogames period because they had issues like that.

Without a store front it is harder to offer the great experience and customer service I feel would make us different. So many times, gamers and people shopping for videogames have been accustomed to subpar service, heck in the entire retail industry. We just sit there and take it instead of demanding better service.

You currently cannot go to any website and try the full actual videogame that you want. You cannot do that in most stores either. I think that is a big advantage for hardcore gamers or casual shoppers.
 
[quote name='bostonfrontier']How much is start up cost if you don't mind me asking?[/QUOTE]

It varies and I know it has changed slightly since I have signed on. I have a SBA Loan pending my lease. I am investing 20% of the final cost which is around $30,000. The rest will be handled by the SBA Loan. But also that number might be slightly lower or higher depending on your location. I would say though, well when someone ask me... expect more because shit happens. I have had a franchise fee of $300 each month that I didn't think I would be paying for so long and other things come up. There is no perfect plan, but opening your second one, you have more knowledge what goes into it.
 
Dude, I can't tell you how much I hope this all works out for you. I really think the idea of PnT is great, especially when compared to EB/Gamestop. You seem like a great guy who has put a lot into this. I have spoken to PnT myself, and am still considering opening up a store. I really want to believe this can work. I am a little concerned though. As a franchisee you are taking all the risk. I get the fact that you make the majority of your money off of used games. So, if you are selling used games, why do you need PlaynTrade. You are going to be selling games people have turned in. They can't give you new games or systems at a cheap enough price for you to make a profit. Like I said, don't get me wrong, I want to believe in this concept, but I am wary. It is a shame you are having such a hard time finding a location. From talking to some PnT owners I have heard the build out process is even more diificult. Be careful you are not paying rent and utilities for a store that isn't open for months. I am worried that PnT is not providing enough support to the franchisee once you sign the UFOC. I hope I am wrong and they are getting better as they open more stores. It is better for them if you suceed, but they are still making money as long as they keep signing new people up. I also heard the POS system sucks. Once again, I sincerely wish you the best of luck. I would love to hear you are open and making tons of money.
 
[quote name='MagnusPym']Dude, I can't tell you how much I hope this all works out for you. I really think the idea of PnT is great, especially when compared to EB/Gamestop. You seem like a great guy who has put a lot into this. I have spoken to PnT myself, and am still considering opening up a store. I really want to believe this can work. I am a little concerned though. As a franchisee you are taking all the risk. I get the fact that you make the majority of your money off of used games. So, if you are selling used games, why do you need PlaynTrade. You are going to be selling games people have turned in. They can't give you new games or systems at a cheap enough price for you to make a profit. Like I said, don't get me wrong, I want to believe in this concept, but I am wary. It is a shame you are having such a hard time finding a location. From talking to some PnT owners I have heard the build out process is even more diificult. Be careful you are not paying rent and utilities for a store that isn't open for months. I am worried that PnT is not providing enough support to the franchisee once you sign the UFOC. I hope I am wrong and they are getting better as they open more stores. It is better for them if you suceed, but they are still making money as long as they keep signing new people up. I also heard the POS system sucks. Once again, I sincerely wish you the best of luck. I would love to hear you are open and making tons of money.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your comments.

Again, PNT is new and I do feel that the growth has surpassed the man power but they are taking strides to remedy that. I do feel that the location process could be a little better because it really comes down to one person working through dozens and dozens of stores instead of a team of people. I have also heard problems with the POS system, but I think alot of that is people not trained properly on it. I remember the store near here, they didn't know how to look up items by system. He did not take the intermediate training. It is something I highly recommend. They are doing constant updates on it to implement new ideas and features. One of the new features allow a customer to create a wish list, mainly for used games, so that when someone trades it in, it prints up the customer's phone number so we can give him a call.

So say you have been searching for Marvel vs Capcom 2 for a long time and we put it in the system. Then someone trades it in, we can call you right away to tell you we have it. Something that no other store really does that is worked into the POS.

But they are adding more people to the team including some executives from some large companies including Activision and Best Buy. So you can see they are bringing some big guys on board. They are also expanding the training staff and taking steps to make sure every store is successful. I have seen stores that basically do not try or do the best they can, given all the tools PNT supply because they do not want to. I do wonder how different it would be if PNT was not a franchise and just chain stores.

As far as the build out, stuff happens, everyone knows that. I have worked at Toys R Us and Office Depot, those are large companies and things happen with those build outs. I remember one new OD store, the sewerpipe ruptured so the whole store smelled like shit. Stuff happens. You just have to deal with it and I also feel that alot of the people that do open PNT stores have little to no experience with retail or videogames.

I think thats what people, especially gamers, have a negative view at some of these stores. But I think the upside is really great for PNT and the future.
 
Cheap prices with a decent selection.

That's pretty much my criteria for visiting any store. Decent customer service is good as well. But honestly I've accepted that's pretty much dead and I'm not willing to pay extra for it so I'm a part of it's demise anyway. :D
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Cheap prices with a decent selection.

That's pretty much my criteria for visiting any store. Decent customer service is good as well. But honestly I've accepted that's pretty much dead and I'm not willing to pay extra for it so I'm a part of it's demise anyway. :D[/QUOTE]

You shouldn't have to pay extra for great customer service, but it should be expected.
 
I know I'm really late to the party...

but I have shopped almost exclusively at a local gamestore for the past year for one reason:

Good customer service.

Their prices are generally a bit higher than everywhere else, but I shop there solely because I can go in and ask what games I should buy and the employees will give me their honest opinions as gamers. I never buy a game there without asking whomever's working what he or she thought of it.

Point is, they're honest. I can wander in there and end up talking to the employees about games for an hour.

Shopping there is fun and nets good game musings from informed gamers, and that's why I pay the slightly higher prices.
 
[quote name='SilverPaw750']I know I'm really late to the party...

but I have shopped almost exclusively at a local gamestore for the past year for one reason:

Good customer service.

Their prices are generally a bit higher than everywhere else, but I shop there solely because I can go in and ask what games I should buy and the employees will give me their honest opinions as gamers. I never buy a game there without asking whomever's working what he or she thought of it.

Point is, they're honest. I can wander in there and end up talking to the employees about games for an hour.

Shopping there is fun and nets good game musings from informed gamers, and that's why I pay the slightly higher prices.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I think the difference is not so much price vs. customer service... it is value. That is something that alot of places cannot offer. Combining both delivers great value to the customer. This comes in especially helpful for customers that are not gamers. I want your mom to play videogames. There is little reason why she cannot and she prob plays some games you don't know about, alot of casual gamers play games online. Bringing them over to console or handheld gaming is something that is hard to do without giving them great customer service and tactical experience. The ability to show someone how to play the game gives them great value.

Hiring an informed and well trained staff is important too. I have been in places where there is a huge biased against certain games or companies. Working at Toys R Us, the entire staff HATED Nintendo, not so much because of the games, but because of the representative responsible for that area. So that caused bitterness over the years which meant a strong biased against Nintendo products. Having an informed opinion is one thing, but knocking a system for whatever reason besides what I consider facts is another thing. You also want to allow discussion in store but not people hating you cause they feel your an xbox 360 fan boy.

BTW, this is what is going to be our site for the time being until we can get a real confirmation on a location. I am still playing around with it, but its going to be on Uber. I am still messing around with the layout and making graphics, so it is a work in progress.

http://www.uber.com/playntradechaddsford

I would suggest you sign up and create an account. It is similar to Myspace but looks a little better with the layout ability. Anyway, still messing with it.
 
We have moved on to the changes of the lease and the landlord is reviewing those. Hopefully it is a quick process after that, it is alot of work but we are inching closer and closer to getting a location.
 
This is what is called "underground" marketing, getting a popular morning show to cover your event.

http://cw2.trb.com/news/local/morningnews/kwgn-chris-parente-visits,0,4506450.htmlstory

Free advertising, shows off the store and the games, very cool and hits the market you need especially moms. The store has the good lighting, basically slightly dark with track lighting.

A small update, we have a second draft from the landlord with minor changes. I have an insurance agent set up and we are moving forward. The bank has to review it and hopefully everything is ok with them. I am looking for hopefully a early to mid March signing and we can move forward and open the freakin store.

I have got a ton of private messages with many questions. If you want you can AIM me at bingbangboomde because I feel alot more information can be done during a chat.
 
Hey, that Chadds Ford location is about 2 minutes from my parents' house... I'll come visit you the first week you're open. :)

Good luck with the lease!
 
[quote name='MagnusPym']Dude, I can't tell you how much I hope this all works out for you. I really think the idea of PnT is great, especially when compared to EB/Gamestop. You seem like a great guy who has put a lot into this. I have spoken to PnT myself, and am still considering opening up a store. I really want to believe this can work. I am a little concerned though. As a franchisee you are taking all the risk. I get the fact that you make the majority of your money off of used games. So, if you are selling used games, why do you need PlaynTrade. You are going to be selling games people have turned in. They can't give you new games or systems at a cheap enough price for you to make a profit. Like I said, don't get me wrong, I want to believe in this concept, but I am wary. It is a shame you are having such a hard time finding a location. From talking to some PnT owners I have heard the build out process is even more diificult. Be careful you are not paying rent and utilities for a store that isn't open for months. I am worried that PnT is not providing enough support to the franchisee once you sign the UFOC. I hope I am wrong and they are getting better as they open more stores. It is better for them if you suceed, but they are still making money as long as they keep signing new people up. I also heard the POS system sucks. Once again, I sincerely wish you the best of luck. I would love to hear you are open and making tons of money.[/QUOTE]


I totally agree with this. Why is it necessary to brand your store with the "Play N Trade" name if you're going to be selling mostly used games....... it's not like Play N Trade is that well known nor do they advertise for you...... Why not just call it something else ( like BingBangBoom - like your CAG name), not have to mess with the Franchise fee, and still do the used game sales. You could stock your store with new games you find cheap by using CAG. But yeah, forget the franchisee, it isn't benefitting you and if anything, it's holding you back ( especially since it's been almost a year now )
 
[quote name='bostonfrontier']I totally agree with this. Why is it necessary to brand your store with the "Play N Trade" name if you're going to be selling mostly used games....... it's not like Play N Trade is that well known nor do they advertise for you...... Why not just call it something else ( like BingBangBoom - like your CAG name), not have to mess with the Franchise fee, and still do the used game sales. You could stock your store with new games you find cheap by using CAG. But yeah, forget the franchisee, it isn't benefitting you and if anything, it's holding you back ( especially since it's been almost a year now )[/QUOTE]

Before I knew about PNT I had thought about opening a Videogame store down the road, but it is a bigger headache.

While you may not see the purpose, the franchise does help alot. Here are a few reasons...

- Strength in numbers: There are over 100 stores opened and more opening everyweek. That growth gives us a bigger footprint on the industry for customers and also vendors. This also helps with pricing and special offers which we can give back to the customer. If it is just "bingbangboom's store" then that wouldn't happen.

- Working Concept: It has been proven to be successful, having a blueprint for the store already gets rid of alot of stress and focuses you on your goal. Sure things come up but typically with the franchise they have been through it before.

- Design/Layout: Typically you will spend a fortune coming up with the design and layout of a store like these, but that has already been taken care of.

My setbacks are mine alone, not entirely due on the franchise, which again is very new. They will learn just like I have learned but I couldn't imagine doing this without them. As more and more stores open then you will see more advertising and marketing, they can't blanket the entire US because there are not stores everywhere. Again you don't see Gamestop market too much other than the holidays and they have over 5,000 stores. So it is relative, you market in your area.

When the franchise is over 1,000 stores and people start knowing what Play N Trade is, then we will reap the rewards of the branding. Its like the guy that decided not to go with McDonalds and opened Bob's Burger Joint... where is Bob now?
 
[quote name='bingbangboom']

- Strength in numbers: This also helps with pricing and special offers which we can give back to the customer. If it is just "bingbangboom's store" then that wouldn't happen.

[/QUOTE]

So does this mean PNT corporate is/has its own distributor or does each store use its own local distrubutor?
A lot of local stores that have already went out of business here(Microplay) had to go through smaller distributors because they were only buying 4-5 copies of a new title(and not making ANY money on those).
 
[quote name='hufferstl']So does this mean PNT corporate is/has its own distributor or does each store use its own local distrubutor?
A lot of local stores that have already went out of business here(Microplay) had to go through smaller distributors because they were only buying 4-5 copies of a new title(and not making ANY money on those).[/QUOTE]

Play N Trade supplies you with approved vendors to get your games. They recently signed a deal with a new distributor to get non-street date titles, on time. This means that they will get it the same time a Gamestop would. That has been a problem for alot of stores especially when competing with Gamestop and pre-ordered games. Now you can pre-order what games you may need for release day and still have additional units.

They do not distribute the titles directly but work on getting the best deals possible. Again you do not make much money on new titles, but you want those new titles for customers and trade in credit.
 
[quote name='bingbangboom']Its like the guy that decided not to go with McDonalds and opened Bob's Burger Joint... where is Bob now?[/QUOTE]

Well, if he had a good business plan and franchised BBJ out then he's probably sitting on the beach drinking Margaritas right now.

Good luck with the venture.
 
[quote name='keithp']Well, if he had a good business plan and franchised BBJ out then he's probably sitting on the beach drinking Margaritas right now.

Good luck with the venture.[/QUOTE]

BBJs sounds like a good place to eat lol

Wait... that sounds like a blowjob joke... nm
 
Is that Chadd's Ford location by Namaans Creek Road (I think it's still called that.)


I'm just judging from that pretzel factory picture, I've been near there before. I have a cousin that lives on Namaans Creek Road.
 
[quote name='Flyersfan']Is that Chadd's Ford location by Namaans Creek Road (I think it's still called that.)


I'm just judging from that pretzel factory picture, I've been near there before. I have a cousin that lives on Namaans Creek Road.[/QUOTE]

Yup, right near that area. Should have good visibility. Yeah, currently we are going through the bank again to reapply for our loan. I am hopeful we will hear some positive news on this next week. I have charged alot of things for the business because I had to and now it might bite us back, at least that is my fear.

Also, incase you didn't know, Gamestop is having a tournament tomorrow on Smash Bros. Brawl. I suggest people go check it out, I will to see how they run their tournament. Pros and cons, but I have a real hard time understanding why they are announcing a tournament so late... basically giving 2 days for people to know about it, with no real advertising, I feel it was a rush job and to test the tournaments. Also, I would assume that they only have 1 wii playing the game, so if you do have tons of people, it might last a very long time. But smash bros, it can be 4 players and single elimination, so we will see. Another thing is the setup they will provide, I know alot of fans will choose to use their GC or Wavebird controller.

Should be interesting.
 
From what I heard as far as the GS tournament goes, they are only allowing 16 people to play, or at least that's how the GS here is doing it. I'm going to go check it out, but from what I've heard about it, it doesn't seem like much effort was put into it.
 
[quote name='whoknows']From what I heard as far as the GS tournament goes, they are only allowing 16 people to play, or at least that's how the GS here is doing it. I'm going to go check it out, but from what I've heard about it, it doesn't seem like much effort was put into it.[/QUOTE]

I was reading a Kotaku post from an assistant manager of a Gamestop explaining some of the rules. Said that alot of it was out of his hands including the control situation. I also heard it is 1 min rounds and 1 vs 1.... slightly odd but this might be due to the fact that they don't have enough controllers?

It is also at 10:00pm, which is pretty late but they are doing a midnight launch. Problem with the late time frame is alot of kids would like to play but might not get a chance. Also for the the region and district rounds... you have to drive to those set locations which could be far away. But this game is online, I would figure you would just have them play online.

I understand they may want to use the tournament center for the PR... but for the other locations, I figure they could go online, but I guess not. Just very odd, we will all see tomorrow and the upcoming month.
 
[quote name='bingbangboom']Yup, right near that area. Should have good visibility. Yeah, currently we are going through the bank again to reapply for our loan. I am hopeful we will hear some positive news on this next week. I have charged alot of things for the business because I had to and now it might bite us back, at least that is my fear.

Also, incase you didn't know, Gamestop is having a tournament tomorrow on Smash Bros. Brawl. I suggest people go check it out, I will to see how they run their tournament. Pros and cons, but I have a real hard time understanding why they are announcing a tournament so late... basically giving 2 days for people to know about it, with no real advertising, I feel it was a rush job and to test the tournaments. Also, I would assume that they only have 1 wii playing the game, so if you do have tons of people, it might last a very long time. But smash bros, it can be 4 players and single elimination, so we will see. Another thing is the setup they will provide, I know alot of fans will choose to use their GC or Wavebird controller.

Should be interesting.[/QUOTE]
This is going to sound harsh, but you got almost all of your facts about the tournament wrong. The tournament was actually announced weeks ago, and was advertised on the front page of their site and in all of their stores (the one around here had fliers, register stickers, and a standup display). They will have only one Wii setup, but the matches are apparently one life/one minute long, and, while I'm not positive on this point and it may vary from location to location, I think that most stores are requiring usage of the nunchuck/remote setup so that there's a more level playing field.

[quote name='whoknows']From what I heard as far as the GS tournament goes, they are only allowing 16 people to play, or at least that's how the GS here is doing it. I'm going to go check it out, but from what I've heard about it, it doesn't seem like much effort was put into it.[/QUOTE]
The stores around here are doing 32, but that may depend on the location.
 
[quote name='bingbangboom']Yup, right near that area. Should have good visibility. Yeah, currently we are going through the bank again to reapply for our loan. I am hopeful we will hear some positive news on this next week. I have charged alot of things for the business because I had to and now it might bite us back, at least that is my fear.

Also, incase you didn't know, Gamestop is having a tournament tomorrow on Smash Bros. Brawl. I suggest people go check it out, I will to see how they run their tournament. Pros and cons, but I have a real hard time understanding why they are announcing a tournament so late... basically giving 2 days for people to know about it, with no real advertising, I feel it was a rush job and to test the tournaments. Also, I would assume that they only have 1 wii playing the game, so if you do have tons of people, it might last a very long time. But smash bros, it can be 4 players and single elimination, so we will see. Another thing is the setup they will provide, I know alot of fans will choose to use their GC or Wavebird controller.

Should be interesting.[/QUOTE]
It looks like you corrected a lot of your factual errors in your subsequent post, but one thing you can't accuse them of is not advertising. They announced the tournament weeks ago, and since then it's been the main focus on their website's home page, and advertised in stores with fliers, register ads, and stand-up displays.
 
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