Sci Fi Factory by Deck & Dagger Gaming — Local services in Fort Worth

We are moving to Keller soon so I wanted to check out Sci-factory as it will likely be out new LGS. I was pleased to see the robust offering of miniatures, table top games, collectibles and a decent space for events. And, as is always crucial, a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff.

If you are looking for an extensive offering of modern board games, it's a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, what they do have is often hard to find outside of a LGS: some great big box games and true hobbiest favorites you won't find at target. On the other hand, it's a bit limited, maybe 2-3 standing shelves for board games, and I've found there were often expansions for games when there were no base game or core sets available. It's a bit all over the place, in terms of what you could expect to find, with expansions for renowned big box games like Nemesis available (no core game but that's hard to come by for anyone) but other more common games were entirely absent.

However, if you are into wargames with miniatures they have a great selection! An entire back wall and then some is full of sets of minis, tools of the trade for those who enjoy the painting aspect, and they have multiple raised tables for playing on. I stopped by on a weekend day and the place was packed with people playing. It seemed divided evenly between TCGs like MTG and various miniature based wargames. In fact, I've not seen an LGS so lively in a long time! It's clearly got an active scene which is wonderful if your looking for people to play with.

That brings me to my only draw backs: I think they may be in a renovation period, but there were some large piles of stuff just thrown together on the floor or sprawled across tables. It seemed surprisingly messy, but other pictures online show a much more put together store, so I'm going to chalk that up to a redesign of the space in progress. There was one issue that kinda puts me off from making this my LGS home base: the weekend I visited with multiple events going on it was a bit ripe in there... I had visited other days and not noticed anything like it before. This is not a problem the store has full control over and one that is unfortunately notorious among the various hobby scenes you'd expect to find at a LGS. However, it was very noticeable and a bit of a turn off. Not something the store itself is responsible for, but it is a consideration nonetheless.

All told, sci-factory is a medium sized LGS with a good offering of table top games, a great offering of wargames and miniatures, plenty of goodies for those into collectible trading card games and the occasional hard to come by gem you won't find elsewhere. It could use a spruce and while the event scene seems lively, some of those attending might consider freshening up a bit before a day of gaming fun.

I'm hoping to visit often and make my boardgame purchases locally rather than online. If some of the concerns are amended I will be sure to up this review from 4 to 5 stars, as sci-fi factory has 5 star potential.

UPDATE:

It's been more than a year since I started visiting the store and it has become my go to spot for games, collectable card games, and specialty nerd culture items. The store re designed some of their layout and it's looking sharp now. Friendly staff takes time to get to know you, so much so that one of their employees knows exactly what I want at every new MTG release. I would recommend it it highly for more group minded gamers as well or people looking for a thriving competetive scene, the store always has people playing together when I stop by. Thank you sci-fi, you've taken my visits from a 4 star experience to a...

I had a horrible experience the last several times i was there. I'm never going back and would suggest to my friends and anyone who asks me about the place to never go there either. I never write reviews but this place really sucked in every way possible! It was hard finding the comics i was interested in, in the mess of comics on the wall, the staff were more interested in catering to the magic players, the back issues sections were in no way, shape, or form organized and no pricing! And the kicker for that day was this, me and my friend were walking around browsing and this random kid starts following us around. We go to an aisle and turn around and he's there, we say hi how's it going and he says hi I'm not playing (magic). We leave and go to another aisle and he follows us, we walk past him to go to another section of the store and he slaps both me and my friend on the ass as we walk by (me and my friend are both guys and this kid was a guy too). We didn't want to make a scene so we walked away heading towards the counter, i turn around to see where he is and he has his phone out like he's recording us or taking pics. I go up to the counter to let one of staff know and the guy says I'm sorry about that, I'll go talk to him right know. He never comes back to me to explain what was up with that kid or any kind of explanation of any kind, we just see the kid off in a corner sitting alone. We look some more, buy our stuff and leave. A couple of days later i realized a bought several comics i already had, i go back up there a couple of days later and explained that i had just bought them the previous weekend and asked if i could exchange them, the guy says that he could not help me (he wasn't authorized) and the guy that could was not there. He told me to come another day and see the other guy and that if i explained my situation he would probably help me out! I go in a couple days later and the guy I'm supposed to see says sorry i can't help you (felt more like won't) we have a no return policy on comics and board games. I asked where in the store inside and out was this policy posted for customers to see and know before buying from them. He said that they didn't have it posted anywhere. So i asked how about just 2 of them, and he says oh we can do two, only problem was he wanted me to give him 2 for 1. So i said, i bought these comics just last weekend and you're not willing to let me exchange them, you're not willing to help me out and keep a customer, you'd rather lose one and potentially more. He's says sorry but that's our policy. He wouldn't let me exchange them at equal value but he was willing to take them back at a 2 for 1. (per their policy??) By this point i am furious, I'd been back and forth to this store (45-60 mins to and from) 3 times and each time not a great, good, or even decent experience; and then this guy says as I'm leaving, sorry we couldn't help you have a nice day! Oh my f#@*ing god was roaring in my head, are you serious?? I told him don't do that, don't patronize me, you don't care, so don't do that (more with an angry face and tone than just saying). Then i left. And before the attacks start, in my experience everywhere else I've bought comics from give itemized receipts and have been willing to return or exchange within a certain amount of time...

Walked in, no hello or welcome. Couldn't even tell who worked there. Was looking to spend quite a lot today. Looked around by myself, and saw another customer who seemed as invisible to whomever was working. Mostly Warhammer stuff. Had questions. No one to ask and I did not know who to ask. Saw a sign that said no loitering, so I left. I got more communication from the signs than any person on staff. It's like they don't want people even in the store. The one in Lake Worth is far superior with so much more to offer, as well as better customer service. Won't be back to this place. Not worth the gas or time.

Response to reply: Second row, as you go in, there is a sign that says no loitering, please do not block row. And the very response to this review demonstrates why you lack any customer service or even willing to take criticism. I walked in and wore a blue shirt. The guy next to me was walking the first and second rows. No one even checked or said hello. There were a group of guys taking to each other and then they went towards the back wall where tables were setup, I suppose for an event that night. Despite your claim, uniforms have nothing to do with welcoming people in. And yes, I have been to the Lake Worth location where they greet everyone and ask if they need help finding anything. Even an acknowledgement to people walking in lets them know who is working there. But from your response, I can see there is a lack of any accountability for simple etiquette and critique. So, again, an unwelcoming place. I was in June 5 after 4pm. And the fact that you don't know you have that sign in your own store says a lot that you are unaware of things truly going on. But keep posting those responses and ignoring complaints. There is also a sign as you walk in between the doors, on the right, that was on the floor about not moving a rock; if you doubt I was in. Take the criticism and fix the little things. But I guess your head in the sand and denial is an easier tactic than improving anything.

Let me go one step further. This is how you should respond to customers and potential customers:

"Sorry about your experience as it does not reflect who we are or strive to be. Please come in again and see if we can help you find what you need. I will discuss with my employees to be sure that everyone is being greeted when they walk in, and feel welcomed."

That's it. Simple. I would have even modified my review accordingly as it demonstrates an effort on your part to fix potential problems...