[Danvers, MA] Toys GP-Providence Trial for a Workshop

[DanversGM]

The day after our Nationals Qualifier Toys is hosting a trial for GP-Providence on Sunday May 1st. To show our commitment to Legacy in Mass we are putting up a serious prize pool. Reg opens at 12PM and the trial starts at 1PM. The format is Legacy with no proxies, and the entry is $25. Deck lists are required, and will be checked.
The trial is being held at Toys, which can seat up to fifty players. If we go over that amount we will be using space at the pizza shop next door. This means that no one who comes to play will be turned away. If we get over thirty two players a second set of byes for GP-Providence will be awarded.

Prize Pool:

First Place: 3 Round Bye at GP-Providence and 4X U.P. Revised Under Ground Sea
Second Place: 3 Round Bye at GP-Providence(if we get more than 32 players) plus a L.P. Misha's Workshop (value $325)
Third Place: Choice of a Box from we have in stock*
Fourth Place: $50 in Store Credit.*
*Additional prizes based on attendance (includes a possible boost to the pool!) Willing to go as far as Top 16 depending on attendance.

Thanks,

DanversGM

[wweenieking]

Id much rather support mass events instead of traveling to ny and ri all the time, but is it possible to get the date of this tourny? Thanks

[DanversGM]

Id much rather support mass events instead of traveling to ny and ri all the time, but is it possible to get the date of this tourny? Thanks

Yea that would be a good idea now wouldn't it? The date is May 1st (a Sunday) and I've edited my post. Thanks for the heads up and we hope you can play on the 1st!

[warallthetimne]

of all the weeks we have before the gp, why would you double book the same weekend that dhg has a trial? i live in ri but i travel to ma, ct amd ny for events. dhg has had their event up for monthes i dont understand why stores feel it neccesary to cut each others throat when there are so many werkends open till the gp. it really hurts the players in the end because this could have beem another chance at byes had it not been the same weekend of another trial.

[DanversGM]

of all the weeks we have before the gp, why would you double book the same weekend that dhg has a trial? i live in ri but i travel to ma, ct amd ny for events. dhg has had their event up for monthes i dont understand why stores feel it neccesary to cut each others throat when there are so many werkends open till the gp. it really hurts the players in the end because this could have beem another chance at byes had it not been the same weekend of another trial.

Don't know what other formats you play, but weekends have been quite congested since the beginning of March. Reason we had to take May 1st is the weekend of April 23rd is Easter, but that didn't stop Starcity games from running a big event in Boston. The weekend of May 7th
is the New Phyrexia pre-release and the next weekend (the 13th) is the launch, so no GPTs could be scheduled.

I also don't see our event as directly competing with DHG. If we were in Franklyn or Foxborough you'd have a point, but we are close to two hours away from DHG. So the only players who might choose between the two events are in Boston, which is roughly a half hour south of us.

[Dxfiler]

I also don't see our event as directly competing with DHG. If we were in Franklyn or Foxborough you'd have a point, but we are close to two hours away from DHG. So the only players who might choose between the two events are in Boston, which is roughly a half hour south of us.

Hi. =) Ths is David from DHG. I am only posting in here since my store was brought up in regards to our events being the same day and I just wanted to state my concern about our GP: Prov trials being head to head.

I do think we're going to hurt each other significantly on the GP: providence trial being the same day. I understand there are only so many weekends to book, and I agree april/may are incredibly congested. So I understand why you chose the date, but we definitely pull from the same pool of players despite being nearly 2 hours from each other.

Some of my very good friends live between our stores and go to both our events frequently. Recent example is they drove an hour to your store and won your last jace tourney on saturday, then drove an hour the other direction to play in my sunday standard the next day. Usually when we have bigger events on different days we get players attending both.

The weekend of april 30th and May1st we're now going head to head for both our nats qualifiers and the gp trial. =(

The nationals qualifier isn't a big deal since we only had a 2 week window to schedule and I figured your store and mine would be holding them the same day. SCG Boston took over the only other weekend we had avilable to book so it is what it is. We'll probably both have very well attended nats qualifiers. That's my hope anyway ;)

The GP:providence trial is where we're probably going to massively hurt each other. I know I'm going to get players that day that would otherwise go to your trial, and vice versa. I suspect we're both going to lose 20-30 players each if your date holds, because I can honestly tell you despite the distance between our stores New Englanders will travel for good competitive tourneys, especially GP: Providence trials.

If you can't move the date or don't want to I completely understand. There aren't a whole lot of good dates to get a trial in, but we both are offering two of the bigger trials around so to compete on that date seems not very logical. I recently had this exact same issue with another store much closer to me that decided to book a GP:dallas trial the same day. We offered the exact same prizes of 4 jace and they even booked my head judge, who is my right hand man :p

I ended up moving my GP:Dalls trial to the following day and as a result we both had 50 players. About 30 came to both events. Despite me booking the event much earlier than they did, I don't like to go to war with other stores and moving the date was plausible for me so I did so.

Obviously I can't move the date on my trial this time around. I would if it was feasible just so we wouldn't hurt each other, but I planned it months ago and announced it on here in Febuary. It marks the 4 year anniversary of my store (2 years under me) and it's one of the bigger events I have ever scheduled which is why I put alot of time into planning it.

I would sincerely apprciate if you moved your just announced GP:Prov trial date because it will definitely negatively impact both of us if it stands, but again there's no hard feelings if you're unable to or wish not to.

I hope your GP: Providence trial is well attended regardless of the date it ends up on.

- Dave Feinstein

[Maagler]

Also it would be nice to be able to go to both events. I know I and many other people who want as many chances as possible to receive byes would appreciate a change in date for one of the two events.

[DanversGM]

Hi Dave I'm Evan Co-owner and T.O for Toys. I'm rather surprised that you choose a public venue to talk to me about the date conflict of our GPT events. I've worked in the game industry for over twenty years before opening Toys a little after you took over DHG. My staff and I went over various options, but have found that changing our date is all but impossible. As I'm sure you are aware the window for scheduling the GPT with WotC closed on April 2nd, and I was informed by my rep yesterday that my only option was to cancel our event and not reschedule it.

Even though we only recently announced our GPT, we actually had been monitoring the dates being scheduled by various MA stores for several weeks. While we knew you already scheduled May 1st, we didn't it into account because of how far away DHG is from Toys and the demographics of our customers. Other than the metro Boston area, we don't think we compete that directly with DHG for players.

As you stated we are the only two stores running high end GPTs. Three other stores (two of which we consider more direct competition) are running lower end events that are all happening this Saturday. There's even been a semi-public spat about it on Magic Salvation (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=310568) With gas running at close to $4.00 a gallon I don't expect many to travel for these events. Being a metro store Pandi will likely get a good turnout, but over all I feel players might wait for our events and our higher pools than go and just play for the byes.

While I don't think it will be that big an issue, I do apologize for any inconvience having our events on the same day is causing you. In the future please feel free to let me know if there is a specific day you want to run an event on so we can avoid future conflicts. I can't guarantee we will not conflict, but will my do best to try an avoid it.

I also hope your GPT is well attended. Since we both are offering strong prize support I feel (hope?) the Magic community will respond with a strong turn out for both GPTs.

Yours,

Evan Jamieson
Toys N Things

[DanversGM]

Per player request we have adjusted the prize pool for our GPT.

[Lego]

Just a random side question: why do stores insist on offering Vintage prizes at Legacy events?

[cdr]

Just a random side question: why do stores insist on offering Vintage prizes at Legacy events?

How else are you going to get rid of vintage prizes? Vintage tournaments? Hah.

[ZeinVoncy]

How else are you going to get rid of vintage prizes? Vintage tournaments? Hah.

As well as Vintage prices, even though not held in high regard, keeps steady prices. You rarely see Vintage cards (namely the Resticted Vintage cards or Legacy's banned cards) fluctuating in prices, unless some source outside of Vintage effects it. (Cala. of Tawnos for instance) It's a safe price to offer and provides the store owner w/ options, from P9 to other high end cards like Mana Drains.

[Dxfiler]

Hi Dave I'm Evan Co-owner and T.O for Toys. I'm rather surprised that you choose a public venue to talk to me about the date conflict of our GPT events.

Hi Evan thanks for replying to me.

I wasn't trying to call you out publicly or anything of that nature. As mentioned in my first post, I just responded in this thread since my store was brought up and you felt we weren't competing with each other. I just wanted to address my concerns that both our attendances would be affected due to our trials now being on the same day. Next time if a scheduling conflict comes up I will pm you first.


Even though we only recently announced our GPT, we actually had been monitoring the dates being scheduled by various MA stores for several weeks. While we knew you already scheduled May 1st, we didn't it into account because of how far away DHG is from Toys and the demographics of our customers. Other than the metro Boston area, we don't think we compete that directly with DHG for players.

I agree that we normally don't compete due to distance of our stores, which is why having our nats qualifier the same saturday will have little affect on either of us, but having both our trials now on Sunday definitely will since


As you stated we are the only two stores running high end GPTs.

We have two of the higher paying trials in New England, which was why I was flabbergasted (good word :p) that we ended up running the same day. There are only so many days to choose from, so you would've most likely ran head-to-head with another trial since you chose your date so recently. I just thought if it came down to running your trial the same day as mine or running the same day as a closer trial with smaller prizes, the latter would make more sense for you because we both agree our trials are big payout oriented and now players have to choose which to attend. =(


With gas running at close to $4.00 a gallon I don't expect many to travel for these events. Being a metro store Pandi will likely get a good turnout, but over all I feel players might wait for our events and our higher pools than go and just play for the byes.

I already went to one trial at Lost Harbor. I traveled 2 hours and their 45 player attendance was mainly made up of people who traveled very far away, since that store's location is isolated. Players will travel extremely far for GP: Providence Trials, especially bigger payout ones like yours and mine. Although gas is high, it's not that bad when you car pool.


While I don't think it will be that big an issue, I do apologize for any inconvience having our events on the same day is causing you. In the future please feel free to let me know if there is a specific day you want to run an event on so we can avoid future conflicts. I can't guarantee we will not conflict, but will my do best to try an avoid it.

It's not that your trial is an inconvenience, it's just that I posted my trial info on here back in Febuary so local stores choosing dates would be aware of it and consider other dates when scheduling. Since we're now head-to-head with the two highest paying trials left in the area, I do think both our attendances will be lower than if our date didn't conflict.

I understand you felt may 1st was the best option for you and I respect that. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to me and again I hope we both have strong turnouts.

- Dave

[DanversGM]

Hi Evan thanks for replying to me.

It's not that your trial is an inconvenience, it's just that I posted my trial info on here back in Febuary so local stores choosing dates would be aware of it and consider other dates when scheduling. Since we're now head-to-head with the two highest paying trials left in the area, I do think both our attendances will be lower than if our date didn't conflict.

I understand you felt may 1st was the best option for you and I respect that. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to me and again I hope we both have strong turnouts.

- Dave

Hey Dave,

It probably would have been better if one of us had run our trial on the same weekend as some of the lower prize pool trials, just didn;t work out that way for various reasons. In the future we should conisder maybe coordinating directly with each other to avoid another head to head situation.
I
hope your trial does well and we both have well attended events.

Evan
Toys N Things

[DanversGM]

We gotten enough players asking about coming that we decided to announce that if we go over sixty players the prize pool will be extended to Top 16. Also forgot to mention that as is the Toys standard for larger events pizza is included in the $25 entry.

Looking forward to a large turnout.

Thanks,

DanversGM

[TheDeadMan]

While your copying things from Dave, mind copying his prize support as well?

[DanversGM]

While your copying things from Dave, mind copying his prize support as well?

I had announced a prize pool expanison before Dave on Salvation (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=313908). Doesn't matter in your case anyway, as you'd need the pool to to Top 50 to be in it
.

[TheDeadMan]

I would also have to be willing to go to a store that insults players. Nothing like losing players and their friends as clients, great job as a TO

[chags]

I would also have to be willing to go to a store that insults players. Nothing like losing players and their friends as clients, great job as a TO

So you get to inslut him and he is a terrible TO for responding? I say he just got bonus points. See you in danvers!

[TheDeadMan]

While your copying things from Dave, mind copying his prize support as well?

Just asking if he was finished copying Dave, and could we get legacy cards vs vintage junk given that's the format we are playing. Others were wondering this as well
Just a random side question: why do stores insist on offering Vintage prizes at Legacy events?

[DanversGM]

So you get to inslut him and he is a terrible TO for responding? I say he just got bonus points. See you in danvers!

Thanks chags, but don't waste your time. While TDM may think he's helping his venue, I'm sure he doesn't even realize how much he's reinforcing negative gamer stereotypes.

"Just asking if he was finished copying Dave, and could we get legacy cards vs vintage junk given that's the format we are playing. Others were wondering this as well"

Not that it matters much, but why didn't you read all the responses about vintage? Only using the posts that fit your pov doesn't help you support it. Same goes with knowing about how I run events. If you really knew anything about Toys you'd know that my store is known for doing things for players that no other store in MA, NH, or RI does for their players. Which is the main reason why during the past six months I've run most of the largest store based events in MA. So next time check your facts better before making public half-wit comments, or as my grandfather used to say "sometimes it's better for you to keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut."

[DanversGM]

Wanted players to know that I just picked up five Unplayed Revised Tundras, and would happy to add four of them to pool. Should they be a pool expanison? Or should I replace the Workshop with 4X Tundras?

Thanks,

DanversGM

[TheDeadMan]

Thanks chags, but don't waste your time. While TDM may think he's helping his venue, I'm sure he doesn't even realize how much he's reinforcing negative gamer stereotypes.

Last I checked im not an employee of any store and not plugging, saying go to XYZ event just commenting about how vintage prized shouldent be given out at legacy events.


Not that it matters much, but why didn't you read all the responses about vintage? Only using the posts that fit your pov doesn't help you support it. Same goes with knowing about how I run events. If you really knew anything about Toys you'd know that my store is known for doing things for players that no other store in MA, NH, or RI does for their players. Which is the main reason why during the past six months I've run most of the largest store based events in MA. So next time check your facts better before making public half-wit comments, or as my grandfather used to say "sometimes it's better for you to keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut."

Ow ow ow well lets see theirs a post against vintage prizes a 2nd making a joke, and another saying vintage cards are worth money and ok as prizes. I dont see one that's directly helping your pov just one that basically saying any card worth X is ok because you can sell it . As for knowing how you run events they usually are just head to head with other events which is fine I guess but hurts everyone.

[warallthetimne]

YMG games actually ran and still runs the largest events in mass, followed by battlegrounds and tjs collectibles actually. Not trolling just shooting u some facts.

[DanversGM]

Last I checked im not an employee of any store and not plugging, saying go to XYZ event just commenting about how vintage prized shouldent be given out at legacy events.

You don't need to be an employee to support your store. It's pretty clear from your first post that you didn't like me competing with Dave.


Ow ow ow well lets see theirs a post against vintage prizes a 2nd making a joke, and another saying vintage cards are worth money and ok as prizes. I dont see one that's directly helping your pov just one that basically saying any card worth X is ok because you can sell it . As for knowing how you run events they usually are just head to head with other events which is fine I guess but hurts everyone.

We set our prize pools based on what we have in stock, and make changes (like the Tundras) when new things come in. With all the prices going up in Legacy in the last month we also wanted to offer a prize that will probably not decrease in value after GP:Providence.

You correct in that going head to head is not a good thing. This weekend we had fifty for our TCQ while Regionals in Boston got one hundred and twenty nine. So instead of one event doing well the two events did okay. More events means that players are going to be spread further, which results in lower attendance. Dave and I believe that offering superior prize pools will put our events ahead of the pack.



YMG games actually ran and still runs the largest events in mass, followed by battlegrounds and tjs collectibles actually. Not trolling just shooting u some facts.


Dude looks like you need an update!:) Your Move has not existed in over a year. Rob D. runs PTQs and Regionals but they are not store based. He also sometimes does TCQs through Pandimonium(which you didn't mention at all) As far as Battlegrounds which store are you referring to? If it's Plainville Toys has been matching or exceeding their events since the Plainville store opened. Heck they even starting offering 4 JacetMS prizes after our High Stakes Standard tournament (not a TCQ or Trial) brought in seventy players.

So other than Rob the main event stores in MA are Battleground, TJ's, Toys, and sometime Pandimonium. As far as high end prize pools it's usually Battleground, Toys, and sometimes TJ's

Take care,

DanversGM

[DanversGM]

Speaking of high end events, Toys just picked up four L.P. Wasteland and we are willing to add them to the pool. So the prize pool now looks like:

1st 4 X L.P Underground Seas
2nd 4 X U/L.P Tundras
3rd 4 X U/L.P Wastelands
4th $100 in Store Credit.

Thanks,

DanversGM

[DanversGM]

As the final touch Toys will be raffling off one Force of Will.

[Anen]

Hi All,

I'd like to attend this event but I am looking for a ride. So if anyone from Newton/Brookline/Boston (or near the subway) can give it to me, I'll appreciate and of course I will compensate for the gas.

Thank you in Advance !

[DanversGM]

Hi All,

I'd like to attend this event but I am looking for a ride. So if anyone from Newton/Brookline/Boston (or near the subway) can give it to me, I'll appreciate and of course I will compensate for the gas.

Thank you in Advance !

Can you make the Commuter Rail to Salem? If so I can have you picked up.