1. I’ve got a computer at home why would I want to play your computers?
- Proper Answer: To play with your friends. There’s nothing like seeing their face when you totally own them in a game. Its much more involved and social then playing faceless gamers at home.
- My answer: Get the hell out. I’m close to capacity and your taking up space that could be used for paying gamers.
2. Hey come look at this Picture/Video I found on the internet its totally awesome!
- Proper Answer: Cool let me look.
- My answer(Or at least what I’m thinking): Unless it was posted on the internet in the last 3 seconds I’ve probably seen it and I’m probably going to think it is just as lame this time as I thought it was last time I saw it.
3. I’m just watching my friend play is that okay I don’t have the money to pay.
- Proper Answer: No loitering buy a drink or game time or please leave.
- My Answer: Get the hell out! (Maybe not this mean but they do leave or eventually buy something.)
4. I’m going to build my own gaming computer. What is the specs on your machines. Can you hook me up with a deal. Can you help me put it together.
- Proper Answer: No
- My Answer: Hell no
5. They don’t actually say this but it happens ALOT: Kid comes in buys 1 drink and 1 hour of game time. Kid is there for 12 hours. I spend 11 hours with the kid following me around asking all sorts of questions including but not limited to: Can i do something for game time? Why are your hours so expensive? Man I totally rock at (Input popular game title here)
- Proper Response: Do you need to borrow the phone for your parents to come pick you up?
- My Answer: Where the hell are your parents?
This post was completely in jest. Honestly I use the “Proper” answer to all these questions when they arise but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to say “My Answer” sometimes. I actually got a very good core group at my center and I rarely hear any of these phrases anymore. Just remember if your going to be running a Lan Center you will be dealing with Kids eventually and having a good plan in place will stop tons of headaches.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chrismatnic: 5 annoying phrases you hear owning a Lan Center http://bit.ly/6MXN4...
In regards to #4, I’ve read several postings and tips regarding owners having all their PCs(which are usually beefy and flashy) for sale, selling them to customers who are interested, getting a profit from a small markup, then replacing the system. What would be your thoughts on that?
-Ian T.
My thoughts are sell them, I sold them. I was actually just touching on the fact that people didn’t want to buy from me but wanted me to tell them how to build one and where to get the parts cheap.