You won't believe that I posted this...

[Pop goes the world]

You won't believe I posted this, since I hate the corporate whores at GW so much, but it it thought provoking. I still don't advocate having to spend so much for plastic minis, but this helps justify it a little. Still, fuck GW.

Original post: www.coolminiornot.com/forums/viewthread.php?tid=13363&fid=4

A Positive View on Games Workshop

Well, before you reply to this, hear me out. Take what I have to say, and really think about where you stand.

Games Workshop: Everyone in the miniatures buisness knows this company. Most use their paints, play their games, paint their models, COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR PRICES. Well im here to say it's completley fair, and has not really changed in the past several years. Also in comparison to other companies, competitive prices.

I DO NOT WORK FOR GW, JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND.

For those who want to know, the following older prices are from White Dwarf #222, and the new prices are from my store's product shelves.

Lets take for example, some Imperial Guard heavy weapon teams. Older price: $9.99. New Price: 3 for $30.00. What is the difference? The older set had 3, 1-piece models. Completley static, no customising possible without converting. The new ones: TONS of plastic sprues, several extra heavy weapons, every model in several pieces to create different poses. No difference in price per model, Huge difference in quality.

Next example: the imperial guard sentinal. That old metal one is ass ugly. Also $24.99. The new plastic one: SAME PRICE!!! Huge difference in quality, no difference in price.

Now, the space marine tactical squad: $35.00 (thats $3.50 per model) with tons of extra bitz, optional heavy weapon/assault weapons, purity seals, etc... The 2nd edition blister of 2 metal marines (no extra bits, no posable pieces) was $7.99! ($4 per model) Now that looks to me like a LOWER PRICE, for the newer, better, plastic models. What is the whining about?

Some might say: "Oh plastic is cheaper, the model sets shouldn't be as expensive as metal." My arguement is, whats the difference? Heavier models? No personalizing your model's pose with metal? The plastic kits have the most customizing possible in a model, aside from sculpting one yourself. Other companies charge more, yet for some reason GW gets picked on.

Lets take Rackham for example: This goblin box on the wall next to me (based on the current exchange rate) is $32.00 for 8 models. At $4 a piece, thats a higher rate than the space marines, and a much higher rate than the fantasy core boxes (16-24 models for $35.00).

Recently, the paint cost went up to $3 per jar. So many people bawled that im surprised a riot didn't break out. This is the same cost as Vallejo and Reaper master series paints. Games workshop paint is thicker, does not settle into 5 layers like vallejo does, so it does not need to be shaken for 3 minutes per color, and the flip top bottles are the best for easy access.

My point is, there is no huge difference in prices. Stop saying "8 years ago i could get things so much cheaper!!!" Thats a lie. Games workshop is top of the notch, has great gaming systems, and customer service that can't be beat (Hobby centers offer free tips, great looking tables, etc... for no fee, other than having a GW produced army to play on the tables).

My point is, there is nothing wrong with games workshop. I am sick and tired of people shouting about prices, when there has been little to no change in price over the past 10 years. Stop complaining, they are a great company. They have far better hobby support than any other company, and are truly a great promoter of the hobby.

I am not trying to start a fight, I am just saying there is nothing to complain about, there is only praise for the company for doing far better than any other in the buisness.

-Matt Sterbenz

P.S. Games Workshop, keep doing what you are doing, promote the hobby, and keep the spirit of wargaming alive.

[siriq]

oh i totally agree with this guy. but i would rather be able to buy two marines than have to buy a box of marines

[RARE CHOICE GAMES]

I can see where he is coming from if his facts are right...but still GW does a lot of stupid ass things...and they have raised prices in just the 7 years i have been playing. I am not saying that other companies are better...I think we know that other companies are not better. I know it doesnt cost that much to make a box of miniatures...I have my sources...so i understand the point of a business is to make money but come on give us a break most of use arent made of money. We love the hobby but we dont want to get ass raped every time we want to buy something for it...anal rapage is bad according to a USA Today study done on NBC last week. So GW needs to remember that while making money is important so is customer satisfaction, they need to find a balance.

[e1567]

Well I do not know about other armies but dark eldar prices have gone way up with no additions to the minis. 16 DE warriors when I started was 25 dollars yup 25 bucks before they were taken off teh shelves they were 35 that is a 10 increase over 4 years hmmm. Raiders went from 20 to 35. Vect 40 to 55. I am not sure about other armies but this is dark eldar....

[Andrew]

A tactical box went from 25-35 in my time. Yes, that's a bitch of a jump, but I've agreed with the guy for a while now. I don't buy lots of GW stuff at a time. Maybe like 10 things a year or so, on average. That's how I keep "my" prices down for the stuff. And the new box has so many more things than the past one. All of the special weapons are represented, and tons of extras. I dunno. Yes, prices go up, but considering it's like buying in bulk at a grocery store or something, it ends up being not bad. And of course the cost-profit ratio is probably huge for them...but that's okay. Where GW really screws up, in my opinion, is their systems and company doings. Rules, conflictions, things like combining design teams...those are really stupid decisions. But their models and paint I really enjoy.

[heatseeker]

I really haven't had much experience with the whole buying of minis seeing how not only have I saved an ass load of money buying minis on ebay, but also because I just got into it a few years back. I have noticed a price jump on some things like the box sets going up $5 and the blisters going up $2. While that is major suckage I do very much agree that the quality has gone up especially with the plastic minis. I was unbelievably shocked when they came out with the new saurus cavalry at $35 with 8 of them compared to 5 for $55. That was an insane GW move to reduce the price, and yet it was actually worth it considering the more detailed plastic models. I think that yeah back when GW started it was indeed cheap, but then again everything >10 years ago was cheap. Look at the gas prices. Back then it was $1.05 a gallon. $1.05!!!!!!!! now it's like $3 a gallon. also the influx of popularity towards GW and the fact that they had to compensate for making so many battle bunkers. Weird how we're in a recession and yet the prices are going up....doesnt make sense..... Just blame Bush if anyone haha. blame him for the increase in GW prices since the Brits are prob pissed at Americans (who isnt nowadays) for corrupting Tony Blair.