So my gaming group has a problem. We have been confronted with an amazing deal and offer from someone with a deal to get really cheap miniatures. The problem is that this deal is unethical. He is getting a good deal from a friend for another purpose, and is extending it to us. This deal is essentially better than you can find on the internet, even thewarstore.com.
I have two problems with this. The first is that this guy is abusing the system and possibly in a legal breach of contract, if he even has one. There is no gaming company that would want its stuff sold for that amount, as it hurts business.
The internet re sellers are killing the industry, hands down. Without a store to play in, you lose a huge part of the hobby and the point. Video games deliver a better experience for in home geekery, especially if you have few local friends. A game store is essentially a social hub for gaming, not just a box store. A value added re-seller if you will.
This offer has been created out of an idea to give a great deal to friends and a gaming group. It is good in its nature, but bad in its delivery. It is one of greed. Players that are always looking for a better deal. How can a game store survive with deals like this in existence? They can't. Hell, internet re sellers can't match this, by design.
My second issue is with the gaming group in general. Why would you allow this type of deal to be advertised on your private, ish, forum? This is an endorsement, and can lead to issues. This is an ethics issue, and I believe my group has failed so fare with its handling. I do not blame the individuals who take up the offer, as they are acting greedy, but with a too good to pass up offer. The fault lies with the person extending the offer and the leadership for allowing the offer to show up on the forum.
Now you may be asking yourself, why are you laying this out in public? Mostly to get my thoughts down on the issue. I am using this as mostly a personal tool. Sure someone may be able to reach it, but it's doubtful. I have kept details sparse, as I have not decided exactly what I will do on the matter. I want to turn him in, even though I do not know the distributor. I am tempted to email every known distributor his name, email and the description of the situation as I see it. I do not like the solution, but I might pull the trigger if it comes to it.
Basically I have put out word to the leadership about how I feel. I will then move onto speaking with the individual myself if I have to. I don't think that will accomplish much, but I really do not feel this is a good thing to let happen.
