Why must you HANG OUT in my store??

[AFpheonix]

I don't think he's being particularly harsh. It's not like he's referring to the kinds of people that are browsing and do occasionally buy something.
He's talking about the people that come in simply to play on the systems and not purchase one of their own. That's what arcades are for. Not game stores, the demo versions there are for people who want to try out a system or a game before they purchase and they can't because these people are hogging them.


My husband's store has a bit of a problem with kids who are dropped off there in the morning and picked up in the evening, and they hang out all day playing the demo games or generally being annoying, and I've been somewhat annoyed by them (when they're trying to play a real electric guitar after they've played guitar hero for awhile- as if that makes them a maestro or something) when I've been in there to shop with him.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I agree Broomjockey, I don't think there is anything wrong with someone just shopping or browsing and I don't understand why the "bug them" tactic has to be used if they are genuinely not causing any trouble and are just keeping to themselves.

I don't think the browsers are the people the OP was referring to.

Crazed Clerk was referring to people who have a pattern of coming in, playing the games, and then leaving. You can't really say they're browsing because there's a pattern of hanging around and not buying anything.

We used to have those kinds of people at my store all the time and probably still do. We'd go to the backroom at 5:00 to unload truck, and here would be some kids playing the interactives. I'd glance out the windows at around 6:30 and they'd still be there. We'd go on break on 8 and those same kids would still be there playing the games. Sometimes they'd still be playing those damn things at 10:00, closing time, when somebody has to go turn them off.

Then there would be the regulars who I'd see just about every day parked in front of the interactives for about an hour at a time. Meanwhile the people who really do want to try out the games and have an interest in possibly buying them can't get on them to try them.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

I agree Broomjockey, I don't think there is anything wrong with someone just shopping or browsing and I don't understand why the "bug them" tactic has to be used if they are genuinely not causing any trouble and are just keeping to themselves.

From the standpoint of a person who goes to those stores and actually buys something, I can see the problem with people tying up the display units...

...I never get a chance to try out the game on display.

I'm the type of consumer who will not buy a game unless I have had a chance to try it out first to see if it is interesting, has good gameplay, and is something I honestly have a chance of winning without using cheats. I also didn't commit to a game platform until I had a chance to try it out first to see if I liked the controls and the games released for it.

If I walk into a store where there is a bunch of people (kids mostly in my area) hogging the display then that store isn't going to be able to sell me on the newly released game. Odds are that I'll wait until it is finally available at BlockBusters, rent it, play it, like it, and buy it at Walmart for half the price.

I say half the price since by the time I can get my mitts on a new game at BB, it's been out for three months and the price dropped.

In effect, the store that didn't keep the system clear for actual consumers, then they just lost my impulse buy. At best, they might get me to buy a used copy they'll sell for a $5 markup since it's been so long since it was released until the time I got to try it and decide to add it to my collection.

So that is the reason that the clerks need to bother them into either buying something or to simply just leave.

And it does have to be them who asks. If I ask the people for a chance to try a game, all I'll get is "Wait your @#$%ing turn!" Which will have the effect of making me (the person with the disposable income and the intent to purchase something) leave the store in defeat while the store gets another 20 minutes of time wasters boggarting the display.

Which do you think the store would rather have? And to the OP, If you want I'll happily pen a letter to your manager explaining the harm these 'harmless' people are doing to the store.

Mongo

[kibbles]

"I agree Broomjockey, I don't think there is anything wrong with someone just shopping or browsing and I don't understand why the "bug them" tactic has to be used if they are genuinely not causing any trouble and are just keeping to themselves."

Just wanted to clarify that I know what the OP was saying, and what I meant was that if someone is on a game for a while and not causing any trouble and if there are no actual customers wishing to use the game at the time, then what's the problem? If someone is regularly coming in playing at a time when there are others who are willing to buy and can't get on a game, well that's when they are causing trouble IMO.

JMO of course,

Kibbles

[BookstoreEscapee]

I'm not against people browsing at all. Heck, the bookstore encourages people to hang out! It's the ones who are blocking aisles, getting in the way of people who are trying to shop, disturbing other customers and leaving a mess behind for us to clean up that bug me. If you want to sit quietly and read all afternoon and all you buy is a cup o' joe from the cafe, go for it Just don't make me climb over you to get to a book!

[kibbles]

ITA BookstoreEscapee, those making nothing but a nuissance of themselves are the irritating ones.

[protege]

Stores want people to check out the merch, even if they rarely (never) buy. It's why car dealers welcome foot traffic. Get a rep for being unhelpful to browsers and window-shoppers and sales will soon drop. There are too many other places that don't abuse browsers.

I second that. In fact, I had a pleasant experience while 'browsing' the local Mazda dealer recently. I'd gone over there to order a new mirror, since some idiot hit Rupert some months ago and damaged it Anyway, I parked on the street, and went inside for some change. The guys in the dealership didn't have any, but they said they'd watch the car for me. While in there, I even scored a nice Rx8 brochure and one on DVD for VW's Beetle.

I do know that there are people who will go to dealers simply to stare at/sit in the expensive cars. Anyone remember when the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler came out? Dealers had to cordon off both vehicles!

[Broomjockey]

Then we have Mr. Once-a-week. He shows up, without fail on monday morning and proceeds to browse the store/play our systems for close to an HOUR every time. He does this every week, he's been doing it for months now and I'm pretty sure he's never bought a single thing from us.

I don't think the browsers are the people the OP was referring to.

Crazed Clerk was referring to people who have a pattern of coming in, playing the games, and then leaving. You can't really say they're browsing because there's a pattern of hanging around and not buying anything.

Frankly, the first time I read that in CrazedClerk's post, I thought "That could be me."

That guy was just browsing in the exact fashion I do. And frankly, I don't have a "pattern of buying things" at any store I go to. As I said, I get something every couple of weeks, but not always at the same store, so it can be months between purchases at a store, yet I'm still in there, every week, spending time with my dad.

Should I now feel bad, because I'm inconvieniencing the staff by having a cheap yet still fun time with my dad?

[janitordba]

There are many youngins who find that my store is a wonderful place to hang out. I am of the opnion that there is probably somewhere better to hang out,but that does not seem to be the case. When i was a young punk kid i had better things to do than hang out at Wal Mart. Things like drugs and girls.

[ISellCars]

I agree with what was said a few posts ago. I don't frequently go into stores like Best Buy, or others with game demos... however when I go, I would like to at least check out the new game, or new system whatever.

Usually I'll walk over there when I first get in, more than likely there's some kid or young adult playing, so I'll wander off and look at something else. 15 minutes later I come back, and they're still playing... repeat...

It's like "Jeez what are you trying to accomplish?"

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Frankly, the first time I read that in CrazedClerk's post, I thought "That could be me."

That guy was just browsing in the exact fashion I do. And frankly, I don't have a "pattern of buying things" at any store I go to. As I said, I get something every couple of weeks, but not always at the same store, so it can be months between purchases at a store, yet I'm still in there, every week, spending time with my dad.

Should I now feel bad, because I'm inconvieniencing the staff by having a cheap yet still fun time with my dad?

If you want to.

If you're not tying up things people want to try out before they buy for hours on end, then I wouldn't have a problem with it.

If you ask questions about things, that at least shows you have some interest in something.

[myswtghst]

I think this has already been stated, but I have to echo it. The difference here is people who come in all the time, never buy anything, and particularly, people who get in the way of other potential customers. I'm always annoyed when I shop at places for new games and can't get to what I want to see because a group of kids have camped out in front of the display/system. I tend to get most of my stuff online/through my brother, because of it.

That being said, I've been known to go into BB or other stores and spend ridiculous amounts of time playing DDR/Donkey Konga/Guitar Hero when they're out for demo, because I enjoy these games, and don't have the money/time to spend on them right now, and I don't think my neighbors would appreciate me having them either. I tend to do the same at game stores if I'm just there with my brother, to keep me busy and to keep me from spending all my money while he shops, I'll play the demos. However, if someone else seems interested, I always stop and ask if they'd like a turn, and I never stay for a really long time, especially if the store is at all busy.

If you want to play a video game for hours on end, go to an arcade, Dave and Buster's, Gameworks, or something of the like. That's why they're there. As a potential customer, you shouldn't need to come in and play the same game/system once a week, every week, for months on end. Once or twice is a potential customer, every week/every day is someone who doesn't want to pay to play, and is taking advantage, IMO.

[Auto]

I gotta say, I think this is a little harsh.

I get to see my dad basically once a week. We go for lunch (now supper, we switched days), and then we go to certain stores, because they have the things we, as guys, like to look at, large tvs, stereos, gadgets, and such. And frankly, we rarely buy anything, because we can't afford to get something every time, or even every second time. But that's the time I get to hang out with my dad, so we'll stick around the store, sometimes for as much as an hour, before moving on.

It might be annoying to the employees, but we keep to ourselves, sometimes ask a couple questions, but mostly just wander.
And if we go to a bookstore, I really can waste some time.

I think, if they haven't done anything, then leave them alone. It's better than them running around getting into who-knows-what trouble otherwise.

My sentiments exactly.

Just two guys killing time checking out new gadgets. We're not shoplifters, we don't stink, we don't harrass other customers, we don't take up the clerks time, and we just might buy something.

It's nothing but window-shopping by boys. Pretty harmless compared to how women often do it. We don't ask to try on clothes/shoes we have no intention of buying.

That's why I'm surprised so many posters here want store to drive away guys like me and my friends.

[chantal]

What's worse is when they stay well past closing!

So the plaza we're in has two nice restaurants in it, the kind that people frequently get take-out food from. So while they're waiting for they're food, or after they've finished dinner and have their left-overs with them, they come in and browse around the store. Now, that's not a problem, they generally don't buy anything but they don't disturb anyone (normally). What I HATE with a passion is when they come in 5 minutes before closing and when you ask if you can help them they respond that they're "just looking". I generally tell them that's fine, but we will be closing in a few minutes. Most people understand and just have a quick look around the store before heading on their merry way. However, we also get people who will still be "just looking" half an hour after the store is closed! The hours of operation are posted on the door, and since we're not allowed to start cleaning or doing closing duties until after the store is clear, it's sometimes been an hour after we've closed that we finally get to leave.

[CrazedClerk]

I don't think the browsers are the people the OP was referring to.

Crazed Clerk was referring to people who have a pattern of coming in, playing the games, and then leaving. You can't really say they're browsing because there's a pattern of hanging around and not buying anything.

I was just about to clarify this point but you got it for me. The games store shares a parking lot with a big box store. We have parents who will pawn their kids off on us, so the little brats will play our demo units and mess up our shelves while their parents shop at the big box.

THAT"s what I don't like. I usually have no problem with adult browsers.