Red Raccoon Games — Local services in Bloomington

I shop here often and as such, am posting this on an anonymous account.

This place is okay, but it has its problems. Their prices are fair, the shopping experience is fine, their selection is wide, and the new space looks good. But as far as game shops go, this is probably the least favorite one I go to.

Its quite apparent that a lot of the passion here is for board games. They will order games for you if they don't have it in stock, sometimes at a discount. Their board game library is great and having rental fees go towards the purchase of the game is a fantastic idea. If you're into board games and miniatures, this is your place.

A lot of my grievances have to do with trading cards. When I come in for singles, I am always treated like I'm a bother. Whether it's asking an employee to sift through the cabinets of cards to see if they have a particular one, asking to see a card out of the case, or even just asking to look through a binder, it seems like I'm causing an inconvenience. I don't know if its because it creates more work for the employees or if I'm just profiled as a scummy card player who may make a scene about a card being overpriced or in poor condition. I know the shop has had some experience with folks like these, just read some of their reviews. But I'm not one of them.

Like many others, I don't like filling out the pull list paperwork when I get there. I understand the necessity for larger lists but it's 2023. Your catalog should be digitized. Some sort of kiosk or laptop for customers to use to search and see if you have a particular card in stock. More importantly, to see how much you're asking for a particular card. This shop does not have prices on their cards and prices everything via Tcgplayer. This means that you won't know how much you'll be spending until right before being asked for payment. By not knowing what you have in stock or how much a particular card is going to cost until after the entire list of cards is pulled, I end up feeling obligated to pay for all cards because I know an employee spent a large amount of time finding the cards for me. Its a bit predatory in my opinion. A digitized catalog would allow me to that you do have X card in stock but you only have it in super ultra deluxe exspensive rarity. I could make the decision not to purchase the card BEFORE asking an employee to look for it. I'm sure an ISU student would be happy to design such a program for you.

My last major gripe is the 5 dollar table fee for non-prize events. 11 dollars if a pack/prizing is included. I understand inviting players in to a shop doesn't pay the bills if those players don't buy anything. But no participation pack? No store credit? At that point, you are charging players to sit at a table and that bothers me. It again, feels a bit predatory to me. The owners know this shop is the largest, most popular in town and is where most players decide to play.

To the owners, I know you read these reviews. I don't intend to be harsh. I've shopped here for years and plan to continue. I just wanted to give some feedback of my experiences and share...

Denied service. We were already inside. My child and I can not wear a mask. Denied service even to redeem my childs reading program reward! No apology or empathy from the employees. My child cried as we went outside. Management will be hearing from me. Previously I was able to come with siblings and redeem their rewards and all was well then.

*Updated to add: I was able to talk to a manager. I am still not happy with the way things played out. But the company will rectify the situation by bringing out dice for my kids to pick from. Employees should not be yelled at for difference of opinion. Medically backed or not. (His explanation to the employees' behavior.) Nor should employees be rude to patrons; and should attempt to offer solutions.

**Response to Jamie's reply: I will not engage further after this. I have been in the store once before covid. It was a great experience. After my interaction with you and your staff, I have lost all respect for your store. And will not do any business in the future. Mandates are not a law. You are right. Your employees were not outright ride. I did not say they were. Please reread my initial comment. They were unempathetic-toward a child! And offered no other options other than to leave without being helped. I can only laugh now, as you called me rude. When aparently entering the store was my only offense. Yes, the second time to indicate we were there. And I didn't even touch on how you "shooed" us out of there. I will not live my life in fear even though I am immune compromised. So. I will shop where I like. People like you and your staff have made it difficult to enjoy outings. (I can empathize on the aspect where people have been rude before yelling at employees. That is not ok. As I have indicated in my initial response.) I really do hope you can open your eyes and heart to people who can not wear a mask. Medically or not. It's a free country. And with that. As your business. You are choosing not to serve folks with medical conditions. Your choice. But. You are...

Middling selection of MTG rares, though they offer somewhat questionable pricing for the same - additionally, very inconsistent treatment of their guests and this is not the first time I have noticed this treatment.

Went there yesterday, bought three cards, left - five minute trip. The cashier with the glasses and the pink hair is very helpful and friendly.

Went in today: Because apparently I committed the sin of asking the manager to "do cashier work" instead of "greet" - I was now expected to write a list (for three cards - I have never been told to do this before), then was told I couldn't sit at a table for five minutes to write said list because of an event (note: literally one occupied table, out of eight available - not sure what the event was but what it wasn't was "busy"), then when I handed him the list back and told him I'd go somewhere else he acted like I was being unreasonable and said "he couldn't make exceptions".

That's not how you save a sale. If you're gonna chase a customer to the door, you need to try apologizing and see how you can accommodate their request, not blame them for reacting poorly to vastly different treatment within a 24 hour window WHEN YOU WERE THE MANAGER ON SHIFT THE DAY BEFORE AND THINGS WERE DONE COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY THEN.

So I went across town to the real card store and finished my shopping in half the time, with less resistance, better pricing, and ended up buying twice as much stuff.

If bad managerial practices drive your customer base to spend 2x as much cash with your competitor, you should ask yourself whether or not that level of inflexibility is paying off. In this case, it's not.

Edit: the first day I went in was on Saturday, with literally a dozen people around the front counter. Immediate service.

The second day was a Sunday at 5 in the afternoon, and pretty much no one at the counter. This happened literally because the manager couldn't...