SFR, Inc.

[Majiken]

Hee hee, I get the very first post!

Having owned my little Dragon Dice Outlet for only a few weeks, I'm amazed that in such a short time I've managed to grow a decent group of repeat customers. I don't mean the single nerd that buys a kicker every week, but seriously dedicated players who are coming in to drop $50-$100 at a time.

We have a table out front for demonstrations, and whenever a game is in progress we draw a large crowd, which (if there's two of us working), makes one of us stand there and answer the same questions over and over again. Not that we mind though.

Before opening I tried to come up with some ways of getting people to come to our store, and came up with the ever-popular, "FREEBIE" idea. Gathering what I call 'trash dice" from my own and other people's collections (thanks to all who helped out!), we then handed out coupons to shoppers allowing them to draw a free die from a box with only a small opening on top. The coupons were a massive failure, but the box was a hit. We eventually just started asking passers-by if they'd like a free game piece, and the result was that kids and teens would stop, get their piece, have us identify and value it, and then they'd ask questions about the game. 7 out of 10 are willing to watch or play a demo game. 4 out of 10 go on to purchase a starter.

I want that last figure to get bigger. I want 7 or 8 out of 10, not 4. Anyone have any ideas beyond what I'm already doing to accomplish this goal?

Finally, an Unseelie Fairy has been sighted in Colorado. Yesterday my friend and Major-demo (spelled that way intentionally, he's a great demonstrator), Wes bought all but two of my Scalder kickers. He pulled the usual stuff, Charkins, Dragonne Knights, Ettercaps and Web Birds. He was about to get the last two when a customer came in and purchased them. He shrugged it off with a grin (knowing I can always get more), until they opened the kickers.

"What's this one?" they asked, handing me the die.

I took a look, and resisted temptation. "Holy cow," I exclaimed, "you got an Unseelie."

Wes began pounding his head against the wall. Literally. I mean, hard enough to knock stuff off it. It was hilarious.

Much as we both would have loved to get that die, I was pleased a customer got it. Shortly thereafter I was rushed by people wanting to buy Treefolk and Frostwings, looking for rare dice. Three Bear Masters and a Magi (that makes 2 from my place), were found. Our customers know that we run an honest business (no opening of kickers and resealing them), and that will keep them coming back for more.

Man, is this fun!


_________________
The Maj

Most people are like Slinkies ...
Not really good for anything,
but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

[slcobbs]

[PaulH_eh]

Hey,

What are the hours of your shop? I might have to take a little road trip down I-25 and visit the shop one day here soon.

Paul

[PaulH_eh]

Hey i might be in that area on Friday. You should post the address to your store or some directions and I'll stop in...

Paul
_________________
One mile of highway will take you one mile. One mile of runway will take you anywhere in the world!!!!!!

[Majiken]

[PaulH_eh]

Ahhh well my sister was going down there to visit a friend who moved to Colorado Springs and I was going to drive her there... I figured it would be good to get some more dice since i only have 115 hehehehe but sorry to hear about that. I will definitely stop by when you open it back up though!

Paul
_________________
One mile of highway will take you one mile. One mile of runway will take you anywhere in the world!!!!!!

[Raphael Pacheco Soto]

Have any of you ever thought about how many players that got the old T.S.R. version are rediscovering the game? This game needs more promotion. If I hadn't discovered this place by mere accident I would be stuck with 4Th Edition A.D.&D. game. I no longer buy W.o.T.C. cards. and my collection is from 1993-4 to 2006-7.
_________________
Love your game for the sake of it -

[Jace Thomas]

[cliffwiggs]

[DialFforFunky]

I got to this site by googling for dragon dice. I was looking for a bit of nostalgia, but found quite a bit more.

As for ad's: all the people around here tend to be a bit dice-crazy. Perhaps the best shot for 'ads' is to get friendly with big dice-producing companies, getting links towards this site on theirs. Chessex is quite big in Europe, if you could get on their site it might help. Or something like thediceshoponline.com?


F

[dutchjohn]

Well me I got in touch with the game just before the big dump (cases of starters and kickers for the price of 1) and was stupid enough to buy just one starter (Doh).

I got renewed on a local game convention of the nation wide game club called ducosim (nation wide yes but remember the netherlands is small say big as twice the size of hawaii about 40 000 square kliks)
and I also saw it at zuiderspel got right on them and started collecting right after I beat the stand owner and his wife (yes a three way game and immediately I won...well I was allowed to win)

In the US big shows are the way to go in europe the only big show to go is SPIEL in germany.

for europe I guess developing should be on local shows but expect revenues to pay after the show because buying the first pack will get you hooked. At least if you played.

Dial F would you like to talk about getting a showdown at the next ducosim gathering and maybe zuiderspel and/or noorderspel?

and of course the dutch championship sealed. (do I hear price support)

cheers,
John
_________________
tumble tumble little dice, look at that I'll strike you twice

[DialFforFunky]

[Cyborgsgaming]

I noticed the original date on this was 2005. I wonder, were you around in I think 1999 or so? I think I may have been to your booth before. Now of course I own my own game store in Cheyenne, WY and Dragon Dice does pretty good here. Just today I had another customer amazed that Dragon Dice were still around. I showed him my collection and we talked a bit about it. He didn't buy any though. No complaints about that since he spent over $60 on WH40k and paints.

[cliffwiggs]

Sadly Majiken doesn't post much any more due to some life changes that happened to him.

however, it is very likely you saw Scott Cobbs back in 1999 at a convention or three.
_________________
Multiplayer Champion Gencon11/Battlefest Champion(tied) GenCon10/World Champion GenCon07/National Champion Origins05/Intermediate Champion GenCon02/Novice Champion Origins99