Alright this is something I see EVERY year: The non-gamer loved one or friend trying shop for the gamer loved one or Friend in their loves.


...and they DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO GO ON.

Sorry for the caps there -  but these people WANT to give you a gift. However, they are not getting or hearing enough details to get you what you might like for the holidays.

Tonight's shift...earlier: There was a  mid-20s guy that just knew his younger brother wanted something called MAgic: the gathering cards. He had no idea what they looked like or trerms associated with the game. I gave him the briefest best explanation I could  and he bought a Shards of Alara theme deck and a booster pack


Then, a young woman was shopping for her brother and all she knew was "He's into that Dungeons & Dragons stuff"
I showed her our D&D section  and she saw all the books and had no idea of what to get him.  So I then asked her if that broither of hers had a group that he played D&D with . She said yes, so I suggested she ask his fellow players what books or thingsa her brother has said he might like ...OR  be blatant about and ask her brother to write down 4 thing he might like  and she could buy one of those 4. He'd still be "surprised" - because he wouldn't know which opf the four items he was getting.

She thanked me for the suggestions and said she would be back to our store after she had more info.

Really, folks...please ...as a favor to retail workers at game stores across te country and world - TELL your friends, lovers, and relatives exactly what you like or give good parameters on what you'd love to get gaming-wise this year.
 That would make people like me have an easier job of it - and it would give you a big grin when you unwrap that game or RPG-related product that you wanted most of the year.


- Ed C.

This is why my wife and I just exchange Amazon wish lists.  Of course that doesn't really help retail stores, but I always get exactly what I want now.

Quote from: Koltar;267551Alright this is something I see EVERY year: The non-gamer loved one or friend trying shop for the gamer loved one or Friend in their loves.


...and they DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO GO ON.

<snip>
Really, folks...please ...as a favor to retail workers at game stores across te country and world - TELL your friends, lovers, and relatives exactly what you like or give good parameters on what you'd love to get gaming-wise this year.
 That would make people like me have an easier job of it - and it would give you a big grin when you unwrap that game or RPG-related product that you wanted most of the year.


- Ed C.

Unfortunately the situation you are describing is not confined to buying RPG gifts. You could always suggest that the gift-giver buy a preloaded gift card or just give money to the gamer whose hobby they don't understand. That would be even easier.

TFTG?

This seems like a good thread to post this in: I'm thinking about purchasing my nephew, who is 11, a copy of Dungeons and Dragons, likely the basic set, which can be found among other places at Toys'R'Us. He's expressed an interest in the game, after seeing us play on a number of occasions, and I've been careful in how I encourage him-as I want my sister to see he's made this decision on his own, not just because I shoved it down his throat. But since he's expressed interest on his own, I figure I'll get him something for christmas, and see if he really likes it or not.

So what should I get him?

Quote from: CavScout;267607TFTG?

Hell yes!?!? I would like to know too!

Bill

Quote from: HinterWelt;267632Hell yes!?!? I would like to know too!

Bill

As I said in the other thread - it stands for "Tales From The Gamestore".

So, I guess besides me - Jeff37923, you/Hinterwelt,  one or two others have stories in this category.

 Basically, anyone who has worked in , managed one, or owned a gamestore might have "Tales From The Gamestore" . (TFTG)


- Ed C.

In addition to Amazon wishlists, you can use something specifically for this like Wishpot. I don't really know what kind of availability Amazon has on things that aren't books, but Wishpot lets you construct your list from pretty much any site.

I've never worked in a game store but this is something that happens in every area of retail.

Luckily for me my dad is the kind of guy to ask me these sorts of questions because when I ask for clothes or things I need, he still wants to get me something fun.  He also has a game shop 2 blocks from his house which is awesome when I go visit.  I'm safe in the knowledge that my dad has never caused frustration in game store workers by going in with a vague idea of what he's looking for.

I think this is a problem that is is only aggravated by gamer shame. Personally I can't imagine asking my mother in law to get me a copy of the Player's Handbook. So I have her buy me slinky lingerie instead.

It's not only an RPG gamer issue; it happens in boardgames too.  If you've got a confirmed Eurogamer, don't go dropping Talisman or Paths of Glory on them.  If they like Ameritrash (stuff like Runebound, Descent, Nexus Ops), don't give them Caylus.  Likewise, if they're a wargamer, don't get them TransAmerica.

--Mike L.

Yes - but your family can "cheat" Mike, they know where you shop and they know me.

- Ed C.

Quote from: Aos;267762So I have her buy me slinky lingerie instead.

I want pics of you in slinky lingerie...

Quote from: Serious Paul;267626This seems like a good thread to post this in: I'm thinking about purchasing my nephew, who is 11, a copy of Dungeons and Dragons, likely the basic set, which can be found among other places at Toys'R'Us. He's expressed an interest in the game, after seeing us play on a number of occasions, and I've been careful in how I encourage him-as I want my sister to see he's made this decision on his own, not just because I shoved it down his throat. But since he's expressed interest on his own, I figure I'll get him something for christmas, and see if he really likes it or not.

So what should I get him?

I'll recommend the D&D Basic Game that came out in 2004.

D&D Basic Game Amazon.com Link

It is one of the best starter sets I've come across, primarily because it gives the players the option to use pre-generated characters or to roll up their own PCs. The major drawback of it is that it only allows a limited number of races and classes and only allows players to reach second level (although houserules to get to third level took 15 minutes to adapt from the 3.5 PHB).

Quote from: jeff37923;267816I want pics of you in slinky lingerie...

You'll fail your SAN role.