great staff, deep stock with lots of room to demo games, and play with friends. i enjoy the Tournament support for local conventions.

Attempted to process a return with this business and was told they require the original till receipt--despite the fact that I presented an itemized receipt that clearly shows the full transaction details (date, items, price, and payment), which is exactly what a till receipt reflects. This requirement was never disclosed at the time of purchase, even though I specifically asked about their return process. Instead, after the fact, they pointed to wording on the receipt that says "receipts" (plural) as if that somehow retroactively justifies refusing the return. That is not transparent policy--it's moving the goalposts. In standard retail practice, an itemized proof of purchase is sufficient to process a return. Most businesses understand that the purpose of a receipt requirement is simply to verify the transaction. When a customer provides clear documentation that does exactly that, refusing a return on a technicality is not policy--it's avoidance. I have been a professional shopper supporting small businesses in this city for eight years, and I have never encountered a store using this kind of tactic. It comes across as slimy, unprofessional, and frankly dishonest. What's especially disappointing is that I've spent thousands of dollars here over the years. Instead of honoring a straightforward $300 return with valid proof of purchase, they chose to damage a long-standing customer relationship. Because of this experience, they've lost a loyal customer. I will also be advising other shoppers in my community to avoid this store due to what appears to be bad-faith and poor business practices. I cannot recommend a business that treats customers this way. read more

Omg, I love this store! I'm not a huge board game guy but me and my girlfriend were looking for something to play on our shared nights off. We went in completely unsure of what we were looking for. As soon as we entered the store we were instantly greeted, we mentioned we were just browsing at first. After looking around for 15 min or so we decided we needed assistance. Within minutes we had someone asking us questions about our gaming preferences. After wasting about another 10 min of this poor gentleman's time we decided on two boardgames. We went home to try one of them out and we instantly loved it! Great customer service, owner seems like a very chill, relaxed guy and the staff was SO friendly! We will definitely be coming back soon. Side note: The prices of the boardgames were a bit more than you would pay on Amazon or at Walmart but the difference in price can not be compared due to the great customer service and they are a Vancouver local small business. Won't get this kind of assistance or attention to detail anywhere else I guarantee you! read more

I walked in. I saw Doctor Who Yahtzee. (You shake the die in a Tardis) I was sold. I'm pretty tickled pink I finally ventured into this place though my wallet will forever rue the decision. That tiny little store across the street that I always thought was a kids toy shop turned out to be another check on the list of geek havens in the hood. They have every tabletop game you could possibly think of - and a sweet selection of a whole bunch you have never heard of. The store is really well thought out and seems to range from the more common games (Yahtzee to Bananagrams) up front into the still intimidating as heck Warhammer gear in the back. A big ol' game table in the middle and the novelty sci-fi edition of every classic game from your wee years and basically - it's a happy place. But what really made this short visit stand out was the service. I'm a tabletop newbie and the gent behind the counter was SO awesomely helpful and patient. He pointed me in the direction of a few i've been eyeing, gave me the run down on good games to start with, indulged me in my knee jerk MMO tangent and even gave me some story info and history to the big ol' Warhammer beast. Totally genuine. Totally helpful. Service ninja all around. They also have open gaming nights ever Friday where you can go down and just play, or get a tutorial on a game that stumps you. There's a huge selection of games in the back to choose from. Fan! read more

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My typical Strategies experience: Store Staff: "Hi, is there something you're looking for?" Me: "No thanks. Just browsing." *2 minutes later* Store Staff: "Are you looking for something?" Me: "Nope. Still browsing." Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Over and over and over again. Look, I'm all for great customer interaction, but the bombardment of this kind of thing really turns me off from shopping at Strategies. I'll just go to Amazon.ca... Good selection of games and accessories, but the service is just off. Last time I went, I had to wait 20 minutes behind a guy who was trying to exchange a gaming handbook with a crease or something. No consideration or "Can I just ring this other guy through first?". Browsing for stuff gets over the top and borderline annoying service, but point of sale is lousy all around. read more

If you're looking for games in the Main Street area you can't go wrong with Strategies. They've got a great selection of RPGs and boardgames, as well as miniatures, and the ubiquitous Magik. You'll also find regular games nights and weekend afternoons here. If you're a D&D player be sure to check out their monthly Adventurers League game DMed by Tim - you'll rarely find a better game runner. read more

I was excited to visit this store for the first time. I always buy local when it comes to games. Unfortunately, as soon as I walked in with my friend (both women) the two men at the counter began whispering and writing notes and showing each other. I found a game that I had been wanting so I approached the counter. I could not even get one sentence in when the guy cut me off and was so cold the entire interaction. It is a shame the employees decided to make whatever kind of assumptions and behave differently because of that. read more

Do not spend your money here if you are not 100% sure of what your looking for. I walked in with my 9 year old son, we are not really board game people and had no idea what we would be into. I asked for a recommendation from one of the staff members and he was kind enough to provide one. We went with the game he recommended and $55 dollars later and a couple hours trying to figure it out we realize this isn't a game we enjoyed whatsoever. I called the store to ask if we could stop by for an exchange and the guy said No. if the game has been opened they won't accept returns nor exchanges. First and list time I try shopping on this store. Will stick to the large retailers that understand what customer satisfaction is all about. Good luck ! read more

It's a really well executed game's store with very pleasant staff who are open and friendly about making sure your tabletop needs are met. The prices are a little higher most, but the kind service will keep me coming back. read more

I agree with Louise G. Five kajillion percent! High five sister! This place is awesome. Their staff are so helpful and knowledgeable and their selection is fantastic! I just bought Ticket to Ride (European Edition) and am so excited to play it! They also host some pretty cool events here and I'm looking forward to the next one! It's always fun to tell the staff what kind of games you like and what new games they think you will enjoy. I was sure glad I did! Website: http://www.strategiesgames.ca/STRATEGIES/ read more

Terrific selection, the staff are highly knowledgeable and friendly and anything they don't have in-stock they order in quickly. For my money this is the best game store in Canada. read more

Awesome selection of Euro, Traditional and other Tabletop and Boardgames. Darren and his staff run one of the cleanest, best stocked, friendliest and overall impressive gaming stores I've ever seen. Ask for Darren's board and card game recommendations if you're stuck for something new to try. The guy has played more games than I've even heard of. read more

I bought a book as a present for a kid. Decided it wasn't suitable. Now I just found out that this store has a "store policy" that it won't let you return a book, just a week later, unused. Purchase at your own risk! (I won't be back.) Not a fun place. read more

What a great game and Hobbie store! The place is clean and bright (no gamer funk) they seem to stock damn near everything. And the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. They have scheduled game nights that are very accessible for new folks and a great monthly newsletter email that keeps you up to date on new releases. So whether you ran out of a paint or want the newest release check out Strategies! read more

Strategies is an awesome shop on Main Street. I've been in several times and even if they don't have what I'm looking for, the staff have been helpful, polite, and informative. I sometimes feel sensory overload in games shops--all the logos, pictures, writing trying to catch your attention. While that is also the case in Strategies, the staff are really helpful and the store is clean and organized. I love playing games, but there is so much choice and so many minute preferences that I end up feeling overwhelmed by choice. So having someone who knows about the different games, the type of play, the appropriate age, etc. Sure, you could buy the games online cheaper, but you wouldn't get any of the service or convenience of having a local bricks-and-mortar store. read more

Walk in with a Purpose Review. Strategies for me is a love hate relationship. I love the selection they have, the knowledgeable friendly staff, the layout of the store, the location, and they quantity of their stock. What I hate about Strategies is that their prices for everything is off the charts! I'm an avid hobbyist and boardgamer, meaning I play and own a ton of board games, I also invest a lot into dice, tabletop RPGs, and starting to get into wargaming. Being into all these things means that I buy a LOT of crap.. and buying so much stuff means that I usually have a great idea of what the cheapest prices are along with where I can most likely find them. Since Strategies opened, they have been by far the most expensive games store I've found, both comparing to their online competitors and other brick and mortar stores in Greater Vancouver. Usually this isn't a problem for me, because being such a crazy person, I sometimes tend to be willing to pay a couple bucks more and support the local stores in town, however, I have yet to do that with these guys simply because I feel like I'm paying too much, to the point where I'm getting ripped off. (maybe I just draw a very thin line from "supporting a business" to "hey! you're stealing my money!"... but who knows) It is for this reason that I don't shop here. However, if 10-20% is something you can live with, then Strategies is a Great place! I stumbled in here a short while ago since I was interested in Wargaming and I came out with enough knowledge to teach everyone around me, and that definitely felt great. The staff is awesome here, the events they host sound pretty good, and random customers I've gotten a chance to speak with all seem friendly. If only their prices could drop down a little lower, because everything else is perfect! read more

You know how some game places are commercial and overlit and have the same old games and so-so staff? You know how some other places are dark and full of geeks and you aren't sure who the salespeople are but they have tonnes of great stuff in giant unorganized piles ??? Well Strategies isn't either of those places.... they are the perfect combination of everything you could want in a game store. Amazing selection of games; children's, adults, board, card, international, expansion packs. Figurines, collector items, it goes on and on. AND a knowledgable, friendly, relaxed staff to help you.... So much fun packed into the shelves it would take a lifetime to enjoy them all. They even have my favourite...mah jong... but how many mah jong sets can a person own.... I wonder. :D read more

My husband and I are new parents, so I was hoping to get some games for the many nights we stay in. I wanted to support a small business instead of shopping on Amazon, so I went to Strategies. The guy was very helpful in suggesting games and I ended up spending almost $100 in his store. Unfortunately the version of Trivial Pursuit he suggested was not at all what I expected and the questions were aimed at teenagers. My husband and I played it once and were done in 15 minutes. I went back to try to exchange the game less than 24 hours later. It was in pristine condition but he refused to exchange it, saying he could not resell it without the plastic wrap. This is bull. He could easily knock $5 dollars off the price and someone would buy it. Anyways for $5 he lost me as a customer. I also found out the game is $13 on Amazon and he charges $30, so yeah. I guess I should have shopped online. You might want to do the same to save money. Unless you like to pay a lot more for games in the name of "good" customer service. read more

Love this place. Big selection of both classic/mainstream games (Scrabble, Taboo, etc) along with tons of RPG/tabletop and accessories. Staff is friendly and helpful and can give knowledgeable advice. Prices are on the higher end, but I'm willing to pay a premium for the service and convenience of a local brick & mortar store. read more

Good place for the higher-quality, harder to find games, but they also have classics like scrabble. They know their stuff and host game-playing events on Fridays @ 6 PM, using the in-house games, which are some of the more popular choices in the store. It is also wheelchair and stroller accessible, which a lot of places on Main aren't. read more

The employees were wonderful. They had a variety of useful recommendations and the game we went with was great.

They are very helpful attentive and fun. They have free game nights and demos. Prices are competitive and fair. The place looks nice. I have nothing to say that's bad. read more

Gaming every weekend, great selection (happy to order anything they don't have), really friendly and helpful staff, and great location! Can't say anything bad about the place! read more

The store has a great selection and the staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. I pre-shopped using their website, which I found detailed and easy to use. Once I arrived at the store, the staff were able to answer my questions, provide more details, and help me decide on a gift quickly. Excellent service. I've been to a number of retail stores shopping for gifts this holiday season, and Strategies Games was by far the best experience. read more

Strategies Games has almost everything a good game store should have, and is currently my favourite in metro Vancouver. Great location, nice locale, huge selection and, above all, awesome staff. The last point is very important: not only all the guys are friendly and polite, but also extremely knowledgable: I've heard them giving great advice to newbies and experienced players alike on the top of their heads. They also organize many events, although I have never attended any. Cons: prices are not the lowest, and their online search engine is rather bad (they have much more than the website would suggest. In doubt, email them). read more

Strategies is the antithesis of the gaming store stereotype. It's clean, open, and inviting. The staff are knowledgeable without being snobby and aloof. What's more, this is the kind of store that can honestly say that it caters very well to the casual and hardcore gamer. It's very walk-in friendly. When you first enter the store, there is a vast selection of board games from the kid and family oriented ones, to the super competitive types, with everything inbetween. As you work your way further into the shop, you're introduced to miniature games, hobby supplies, miniature displays, role playing games, and finally, tucked away in a semi-private setting, the handbuilt custom gaming tables. Darren and staff are veterans of the Vancouver and international gaming scene, and can answer just about any gaming, or hobby question. Friendly and not standoffish. Definately not like the "Comic Shop Dude" character of Simpsons fame, as many gaming store staff members are. Strategies is not a gaming mega-store either. It's a true small brick-and-mortar shop, but done tastefully. I'd have to describe it as a boutique-style store. That being said, Darren does custom order just about any gaming item you can think of regularly... just ask, and he'll bring it in. Definately worth checking out. read more

Strategies is probably the more solid one in a line-up of board game stores in Vancouver. "Solid" here means, good customer-service, pretty decent board and card games selection at fairly competitive price-tags. Im not sure how the current pricing (2015) compares to the previous years but we do find it pretty okay considering its an actual store unlike something online like Starlit Citadel. If you wish to support your local store, then this Strategies Games should be it! read more

This is a good store in many respects - helpful, friendly staff, good layout and presentation, excellent location. Selection is so-so - some current hot games aren't even listed on the site (e.g. Summoner Wars as of this writing.) My main reason for a mid-range rating is that they're terribly overpriced, even for a brick and mortar store. I understand that they need to make up for their location and store expenses, but charging $60 for a game (Small World) that I can get at another brick & mortar store with good service on the skytrain for $42 is pretty outrageous. read more

Having shopped here quite a few times over the last two years, I have to say I have been severely disappointed. Not once has the guy remembered my face, he always uses the same cookie cutter greeting and offer for help every single time. Anytime I want something that isn't standard for games workshop, it isn't there, and he will offer to order it, but it will take 2+ weeks where I could get it in 5 days via the actual store, why support a local business, when they cant get you what you want in a timely manner, admittedly the store has decent stock of most things, but anything else you want you have to wait an extended period of time whereas you could just get it in half the time from another store, or the internet. All cool if they were nice, They aren't. read more

They have a large section and a clean store that is pretty well laid out. The staff are friendly and helpful and they have several events a week. But they have about the highest prices in town. Many of the games are right at or a little about MSRP. I've bought some Flames of War stuff there because there are a limited numbers of places that sell it and there prices are only a little above standard. However, I don't think I would buy board games there. I don't mind paying 5 or 10% above Canadian internet prices, but 20% to 40% above is just too much. read more

It's nice having such a fantastic boards game store right in this neighborhood! The staff are always super friendly, and always helpful in suggestions and locating games if I can't find them. Any time I've asked if they could order something in, it hasn't been a problem. A bit pricy though, read more

Very helpful and friendly staff. It's obviously they have a passion for games - great suggestions and fantastic selection.