Primetime Cards and Games Gilbert — Local services in Gilbert

To the Management at Primetime Games in Gilbert,

I am writing to provide some constructive feedback, as your shop has been one of my favorite places to go. For the most part, my experiences have been positive. The owner is great, and staff members like Brandon are knowledgeable, helpful, and make the trading process a pleasure. Your prices are fair, and you offer the most consistent trade-in percentages in the area—this is the primary reason I continue to come back.

However, there is a significant issue that needs to be addressed regarding the trade-in policy for lower-value cards. I understand that cards under $3 may not be a priority, but the attitude I have received when presenting them can feel dismissive and unprofessional. While no one has explicitly said anything rude, the implication is that my time is being wasted. On one occasion, I was told about a "three strikes" rule, where my entire trade could be refused if I inadvertently included low-value cards. This feels like an overly strict and counterproductive sales approach. What if a valuable card was in the stack? Turning away a loyal customer over a minor, honest mistake seems like bad business.

This issue is compounded by a noticeable inconsistency in staff knowledge. On weekends, I deal with experts like Brandon. During the week, however, I have encountered two employees who lack the necessary product knowledge. One in particular seems to have very little familiarity with the cards, which makes me wonder about the training provided. As a customer, this lack of expertise is frustrating and does not inspire confidence. I believe this could be costing you business.

Please know that my intent is not to attack your store, but to see it improve. I value Primetime Gilbert and will continue to be a customer, but I will now plan my visits exclusively for when Brandon is working. If he is not available, I will likely leave rather than risk a negative interaction. I do not want to become frustrated to the point of an incident, as being banned is not my goal.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my feedback. I genuinely hope this can lead to improved consistency and training, so that every visit can match the high standard set by...

I recently had the opportunity to visit Desert Games around midday on a Friday. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the spaciousness and cleanliness of the store, which created a welcoming environment despite the minimal customer presence at that time.The store boasts a commendable selection of familiar games and brands, with a notable emphasis on Warhammer and Magic: The Gathering products. This focus was evident in the extensive range of these items on display. Upon my arrival, the two gentlemen at the counter were attentive, making eye contact and warmly greeting me, which was a good start to my visit.My primary interest was in D&D miniatures, and upon inquiry, one of the staff members enthusiastically directed me to a glass case filled with 3D printed miniatures. He proudly informed me that these were all 3D printed on-site and that they could even print custom STL files, which demonstrated a unique service offering. However, with each mini priced at $8 and my specific interest in Wizkids minis, I found the store's focus on resin-printed miniatures a bit limiting. The staff's assertion that Wizkids minis "just don't sell" and their eagerness to promote their 3D printed alternatives left me feeling somewhat pressured and unfortunately did not align with my personal preferences.Despite the store's wide selection, the absence of Wizkids' Icons of the Realm minis, which I had hoped to find, was a disappointment. After a brief further browse, I left the store empty-handed. The farewell from the gentleman at the counter as I departed was courteous, yet the lack of the specific items I sought makes it unlikely that I will return. Given the store's distance from my location and the specific nature of my interests, the absence of a broader range of miniatures reduces the appeal of making another trip.It's truly unfortunate, as game shops are scarce in my area, and I had high hopes for Desert Games. For those with a keen interest in Warhammer, Magic: The Gathering, or custom 3D printed miniatures, this store might be a treasure trove. However, for enthusiasts of other brands or specific product lines, it may be worthwhile to inquire ahead about the...

I love having a local gaming store. I'm excited about how much potential this store may have. That said it needs a lot more games than it has now. The selection is way too limited. The whole back end of the store should be replaced with what's in the front half of the store. No, really. There's a lot of great variety in the first 12 feet or so of the store and then it just stops. Lose the giant cabinets in the back that basically have nothing in them but an Enterprise model on top collecting dust and a couple chess boards. People who come to stores like this aren't here for chess or models. FILL THEM with board games. Seriously, fill them. I TRY to give this store my business first when purchasing a game but 9 out of 10 times they don't have what I'm looking for, and I'm talking about main stream games, not games that just fulfilled on KS or some old out of print game. So I wind up going to Amazon or Coolstuff or Funagaingames to get what I want.

I would also like to see an events calendar CHOCK FULL of game nights specifically for newbies who don't know anyone to play main stream games (found in the first 12 feet of the store) with. Someone should be assigned to the door at all times to try to steer people to these events and really push them. "Hi would you like to learn a new game today?" I've never received any kind of greeting like this. Most people are not going to walk up to a group of strangers and try to get a game going. The store needs to drive this. Sell games and foster community. GO GO GO! I want this store to kick butt.

Update - So I've been in the store a bunch of times at different times of day and different days of the week and seriously I never see anyone playing board games. It's always just warhammer. The store needs a...