youtube algorithm a bit strange ... this video is 2 years old , still watched it

"Behind my back"... as an ex staff member, that is a phrase that brings back memories. They remember EVERYTHING too. Everything gets stored up and used against you when the worm turns. It can be a super toxic environment if you make a wrong move.

I was fired from my job in Bugmans bar for speaking to another department about a job opening I had previous experience in. There are some vindictive bastards at this company.

Rookie mistake. When your targets are based on the year before, you only slightly outperform. Never ever crush your targets. Just makes it harder the next year.

My first experience in a GW wasn't a pleasant one. I visited during the height of the pandemic. The store is about 40 min drive way out of my way. So I decided to place a small order online and have it shipped to the store to have an excuse to go in. As soon as I walk in, I tell the dude I'm here to pick up an order. And that I wanted to look around as it was my first time there. Same dude grabs my box and throws it at me. Asking why I ordered that... That he had those items in store. Threw me off guard but played it cool and asked if I could look around anyway. He said no, and I couldn't touch anything

😂 bruh. I walked out and have been buying from any place other than GW.

I have always felt pressured to buy stuff and never really assisted when I went to Games Workshops in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I had a project I was doing and wanted a paint match so brought in a toy figure (not Warhammer) and asked if the staff could help me paint match as I really like GW paints. He looked at it and said he doesn't help if it's not Warhammer related and went and was helping someone else. This happened a few times and I finally gave up. I know my little paint pot isn't a huge sale but I'm a customer. I used to play Warhammer but when my kid was interested I said we can just use what I already have or find on Ebay. I won't give GW stores my business anymore.

This hits home on so many levels. I could write a book on the shit area managers did and got away with during my time at GW. The best one was being told I had to paint two 1000 point armies for a box to take around to schools to show kids what we do. I had to do this all in my own time, turns out after a few months of finishing this task I inquired with head office how the school armies were were going down. My area manager lied and got me to paint two armies for himself and his friend. He finally got sacked for stealing and selling stock on. Had a lovely phone call from him saying he was going to come and get me. lol

Sometimes it’s best not to know how the sausage is made

I worked for Games Workshop as a manager 20 years ago and it seems nothing has changed, shame because there were some great times and it could have been a wonderful career.

Man I was so lucky with the games workshop manager I had in my local store. I think he got fired because he never stuck to the big corporate rules. His last day was a sad one

I wouldn't have got any further than when your manager first shouted at you. He'd have been picking sprues out of his arse for a week.

I’m very glad the store here in Dublin doesn’t assault you to buy a bunch of stuff.  They just give you Space to play and answer questions

If I was in your shoes when that trainer decided to talk to you like that about your girl friend, I'd have pointed out that you asked two senior people if it was ok, that you didn't appreciate his tone, that this was a public bar and she can go where she chooses and that further more, if he didn't get out of your face within the next thirty seconds you would have put a formal complaint in against him.

I still remember my introductory game in my local store at age 11. The staff were relaxed and not pushy at all. By the time I was 15 the store had been taken over by pushy upsellers and I stated buying independent online. Now 13 years on from that I still don't go in based on that bad reputation it had.

Sad to hear that GW isn't different from the rest of the retail industry. I truly believe only the most narcissistic psychopaths have the endurance to make it to upper management, and they always seem to get too involved with the day to day and end up forcing talented people out unnecessarily. You seem like a genuine guy who cared about the hobby and the business overall, and it's unfortunate to hear how a couple of idiots and a terrible corporate sales culture just ground you down.

The shops used to be ace back in the 80's. The staff were generally metal heads, the manager sat cross legged on the counter long dark hair and beard and introduced himself to a child as the till pixie :-) ). Also could play games  in store the whole day and wargame group on Sunday.

Amazing video, mate. Great insight, seems the upper management needs a retrain. I have to give it too you, with some of stuff that you went through, I wouldn't of been able to hold my tongue.

You seem like an awesome store manager. Their loss.

GW was always going to end up like this the minute it became incorporated.  When everything is boiled down to producing value for the shareholders, things like fan loyalty and growing the brand organically will always lose out to making a quick penny.

I applied for a Retail Assistant job 2 months ago and the guy on the phone (I think we both know who it is) really wasn't interested in the passion I have for the hobby or my ability to speak to people which I think pretty good at, it's all about numbers and your ability to sell. Hence why you experience so many staff working at the GW stores as anti social dickheads a lot of the time, because they don't take into account your social skills. Someone who sells > Someone who is passionate and helps.