Why is this place so GW-bashy?

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[Ray Rivers]

When I started out in the late 70's I remember that GW really helped pull wargaming out of the doldrums back in the 80's and 90's.  There influence pulled in lots of folks into the hobby, which we should all be thankful for.

Having said that, I remember buying their first box of plastic beakies, which I thought were very kewl.  Unfortunately, the darn things were so difficult to put together I finally gave up in abject despair.

For that I will never forgive them... 

[black hat miniatures]

Basically too big, too brash, too patronising and too corporate.

For example when a company admits in their end of year statement to share holders that winning the LoTR franchise was a) purely to stop other companies getting it and b) to generate more 'hobbists' for cross leaching of products, you know something is rotten is Kislev!

Or that they are running an efficient business that knows its market and makes money, which is what shareholders want to hear....

Mike

[Doomhippie]

I love it. Put up a GW discussion and you are sure everybody has something to say about it. Why do people believe that wargaming business is different from any other business? It's about making money. All you gotta do is make sure that you appeal to enough people to actually gain money, not lose it. By being nice nobody stays in business. By making money you do. And that's what GW is really good at.

And as to GW being cynical about free downloads just to attract other customers: maybe we should ask them to take money for these downloads so we at least don't suspect them to be part of a sinister mind controlling conspiracy. Would that help people sleep better??? 

[Dewbakuk]

Lastly, miniature prices are based on importance of the unit, not by pewter/plastic cost.

Yes and no. They're based on it's position in an army more than anything. Prime example is the new Skaven. £20 for a unit of 20 clan rats or £30 for a unit of 20 Stormvermin. Yes, stormvermin are more powerful, but the reason for the higher comparitive price is be cause they are a "special" unit, rather than a "core" unit. For those who don't play Warhammer, in an 'average' game, you can have up to - 2 'Rare' units, 4 'Special' units and as many 'Core' units as you like (approximately, I'm going from memory). Consequently, GW expects to sell to X skaven player - 4-6 boxes of clanrats, but only 1-2 boxes of Stormvermin. So to make their money, they have to sell them at a higher price. They also put more effort into the sculpting of the Special and Rare troops which increases the sculpting costs if not the production costs.

That said, there was no excuse whatsoever for the Empire Goldswords. Even the company boys I still hang out with have problems stomaching them.

[psyberwyche]

This is the only GW bashing thread I have ever seen on LAF, though there is the occasional remark in other threads, I've usually read them as tongue in cheek. After all, if it weren't for Warhammer, I might not be a wargamer at all, as I'd never have made the leap from RPGs to tabletop battles.

To digress a bit – the reason I frequent LAF is because it's a friendly place. I rarely see flame wars and arguments. People post pictures of their 40K tanks, Flames of War scenery or homebrew pulp 1930s games, you generally receive advice, mutual appreciation, or just the chance to see some great modelling eye candy. That's why I rarely go to TMP or Warseer any more – there's little or no vitriol here, and I like it that way.

[Onebigriver]

Agree with you there, you just don't want to go in.

but have you seen the price of the trees, I really like the three tree set but what is it virtually 12 quid for just three trees, makes it difficult to justify the spend.

But they do the job, and the woodland scenics tree sprues aren't quite at that level.

Well I've got to weigh up the cost of the trees against the time it will take to make suitable trees with wire, lint bandages and plaster. Buying the trees would be the easy way out!

[Col.Stone]

Yes and no. They're based on it's position in an army more than anything. Prime example is the new Skaven. £20 for a unit of 20 clan rats or £30 for a unit of 20 Stormvermin. Yes, stormvermin are more powerful, but the reason for the higher comparitive price is be cause they are a "special" unit, rather than a "core" unit. For those who don't play Warhammer, in an 'average' game, you can have up to - 2 'Rare' units, 4 'Special' units and as many 'Core' units as you like (approximately, I'm going from memory). Consequently, GW expects to sell to X skaven player - 4-6 boxes of clanrats, but only 1-2 boxes of Stormvermin. So to make their money, they have to sell them at a higher price. They also put more effort into the sculpting of the Special and Rare troops which increases the sculpting costs if not the production costs.

Same thing with many historicals etc too, pay a bit more for command etc, because the won't sell as much..
i don't mind that,
i have an issue with the across the board high prices sure, but i already have all the GW minis i need really 

My biggest gripe is probably the player-cult they seem to be growing, that rejects any other idea of gaming beides what's in a GW book or with figures sold by them.
once when i showed a mate some modern british that i thought he should start collecting he went,
when did these get released, i didn't see anything about them in white dwarf..

[Hammers]

My biggest gripe is probably the player-cult they seem to be growing, that rejects any other idea of gaming besides what's in a GW book or with figures sold by them.

That to.

[dodge]

Well I've got to weigh up the cost of the trees against the time it will take to make suitable trees with wire, lint bandages and plaster. Buying the trees would be the easy way out!

you are right there if no time then convenience is your only option although those woodland scenics ones that were in a value pack that captain blood used looked quite good and were fairly good value for money.

dodge

[wellender]

I have never been to one of their shops as here in the states their product is sold by private vendors.  But any shop where employees are on commission, they tend to be pushy.  Try going to a car lot these days.  It is like a zombie attack....There might be a game idea in there?...?...?

We have them here.  I'm not sure how common they are, but they exist.  I'm in Maryland where they are headquarted and I have at least two plus the Battle Bunker.  Pretty sure there is at least two more.

Are they on comission?  I get it if they are but they could tone it down just a touch.

[Dewbakuk]

once when i showed a mate some modern british that i thought he should start collecting he went,
when did these get released, i didn't see anything about them in white dwarf..

Heh, that's funny and sad at the same time...

Are they on comission?  I get it if they are but they could tone it down just a touch.

Nope, no comission, they're trained to act that way. I wouldn't do it so took a job outside of retail as quickly as possible.

[bedwyr]

I must say, while I do find pushy vendors annoying, I don't have any problems with saying "thank You, I am just lookin around".

And if they insist, usually one of the first question is "since when do You game GW", and the answer "since before You were born" usually ends any conversation 

[Bezzo]

Another good response is to indicate their face and say "I  can recommend some cream for that."

Rude I know but then so is barging in on me when I am squatting down to look at some of their over-priced merchandise displayed 6 inches above the floor.

[Onebigriver]

you are right there if no time then convenience is your only option although those woodland scenics ones that were in a value pack that captain blood used looked quite good and were fairly good value for money.

dodge

Have you got a link?

[nomadik]

I must say, while I do find pushy vendors annoying, I don't have any problems with saying "thank You, I am just lookin around".

And if they insist, usually one of the first question is "since when do You game GW", and the answer "since before You were born" usually ends any conversation 

We don't have a GW shop here, but we do have Hobbytown USA. It's a mix of car/boat/train models, radio controlled vehicles, and gaming stuff. The kids that sell the gaming stuff really don't have much clue, but try to have a conversation. One of them thought I was lying about GW's Historical books. I really try not to go there, but I'm sure I'll be heading there today, they have sheets of balsa wood that look like roofing that will be perfect for my saloon.