Well, we have a new gamestore in the area, and I have rediscovered one of the joys that I had nearly forgotten - Impulse buying.

The joy of purchasing a figure that you have no earthly need for, except that it will be fun to paint (Reaper Pit Fiend). The excitement of seeing a warjack thta is just what you want to bulk out your 'loaner' army. And the pretty, pretty paints....

By the time the old game store shut its doors I had pretty much stopped impulse buying there - the only way to get something that I was interested in was to special order it.

Now I am much poorer, but considerably happier.

The Auld Grump

I impusle buy from Webstores, if they have paypal the whole world is only a few clicks away

SR.

I'm jealous Grump. The local comic/gamestore here closed last spring and I am still in mourning. After a bad day at work, I would almost always end up making it better by digging around in that place and discovering something new. I am richer but unhappier.

My favorite gaming shop went online only last year. Wonderworld...I miss that place. I've been hanging out at Fire and Sword lately, but its just not the same. Not nearly as much stuff to dig through!

I impluse buy both at the store and online. Does not help that there is a gaming store just across the parking lot from my office. Now there is the impulse to just stop by anytime and grab something new.

I used to work at a collectibles store which carried a pretty wide assortment of games... Apart from the obvious dent that put in my wallet, I've always carried the hope that if I ever become independently wealthy or win the lottery (which won't happen since I've bought exactly 2 tickets in the past ten years), My pet moneypit would be a gaming store... Despite the ease and selection online purhcases offer, I'm still a sucker for the tactile shopping experience, and to be quite honest, it's sad to see so many of the old stores fall victim to the economy and changing shopping habits.
I have nothing but the utmost admiration for the current independent game store owner, and they end up with my "impulse" money hands-down, every time. I cannot say the same for "planned" purchases, and I sometimes feel like a hypocrite in my buying habits.
I think the bottom line with both gaming stores and the hobby in general is that both provide the last bastion of what makes the hobby so unique and fun; face-to-face, social human interaction.
Don't get me wrong; technology provides THIS forum, and amazing access to unlimited resources when it comes to your games. But nothing quite replaces a full table scattered with dice and empty Dew cans, or opening that creaky door with a bell on top into the countless stacks and shelves...

The HMGS-Great Lakes con is coming in a few days, and the vendors there are a perfect place for impulse buying. Most of the members want to spend some money with each of them anyway, just for making the trip, so when you see that little somehting you didnt need but sorta wanted, you grab it! Sunday morning, as the vendors mark many things down so they dont have to carry all the stock home, is also a key time for impulse buying, but you have to chance it that the one thing you really really need will still be there. Some of the vendors only bring one or two of each item. While I have saved up some of my usual hobby funds just for the show, I have to say, I have plans and alternate plans and "if they have it" plans, but I will probably still bring home something I had not thought of before I see it. Like, who doesnt need a Churchill tank in proper 1/28mm scale?