Today I visited a comic store which had some wargaming stuff. There was some GW scenery in there I’ve been meaning to get. After browsing and deciding on what to get, I had this crappy feeling. I looked at the GW boxes on the lot and just felt bad, almost uncomfortable. All week reading about the stuff they’re pulling and worst, all the news items about the Finecast range as if it’s something new or revolutionary or never done before. I dropped the boxes and just went home with some other random stuff (a couple of resin scenery packs and some comic books). I mean, this stuff wasn’t even from the Finecast range, nor did have the price increase… just backlog stuff that was in the store. And yet I felt like an ass for a while.
Did this ever happen to you? Feeling bad about buying something as harmless as toy soldiers is way strange for my world. Am I just a dumbass and should stay away from the internets for a while or is it possible that GW really put that feeling into me with the last couple of weeks’ news? I’m no ad or PR professional, maybe someone out there can shed a light.
oMAD 
May 25, 2011 at 10:25 pm
You are most likely not the only one, my good man. I, too, am disgusted at how expensive GW has gotten over the course of a few years (how long I’ve been into miniature collecting). I don’t feel bad when I pick up a GW product at a store, I feel pity more than anything else. I know where my vote goes when it comes to my buying power and thats in other smaller miniatures companies that are trying to make a name for themselves and have AMAZING products.
GW continues to raise prices despite the move to MUCH cheaper raw material compared to the global economy on metal prices. I’m no longer contributing to GW’s successes…only to their faliure that’s soon to come.
May 26, 2011 at 1:08 am
You are not alone mate.
I started looking at other games a long time ago and while I still have 40K and WHFB I will not be adding to them in any meaningful way and probably only 2nd hand at that.
My Best mate plays pretty much only GW games and for the first time in over 10 years is looking at other games. He has already stated no more GW armies.
I think it will be great for the hobby and all the other companies out there.
Games Workshop is no longer Number 1.
Happy Gaming,
Allan
May 26, 2011 at 3:21 am
I really can’t predict what will happen with GW and I don’t wish nobody wrong. But it’s a very strange, and a bit sad, experience to actually put down those boxes I planned on getting for some time because I felt I was being misstreated in some strange way. I’ve always liked Specialist Games and LotR, so not like I’ve never felt “ignored” by their release schedules and creative efforts… but getting that sensation I would feel like a complete ass if I bought those, man, that’s something entirely different!
May 26, 2011 at 2:08 pm
I passed on the latest White Dwarf when I was checking out the new FInecast figures. I’ve already returned or traded all the Tomb King figures I had picked up as well.
It really does feel cheap and nasty to pick their figs up now.
May 26, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Here’s my take (and many others I’ve read through forums) on GW:
[Please note this is just my opinion from objective observations over the years I’ve been collecting miniatures, I may be right or wrong, but it’s how I feel]
With its yearly trend on raising prices, its inability to provide any concrete information to its customers (only in the form of rumors and speculation), and its strict (and IMO unethical) business practices not providing online distribution of its products any longer, the mighty GW will NOT fall altogether, but will no longer be the empire it believes to be in the miniature industry. The market shares will eventually trend to a more “even” platform, which might spur GW to lower prices to remain on top since they are no longer a “monopoly.”
Many other miniature companies are seeing how GW is employing their business tactics and quite frankly, it doesn’t take rocket science to see how GW will suffer for their terrible decisions as of late. Australians got it the worst. With no online retailers offering discounts/free shipping on GW products and no local retailer selling their stuff, many players from AU are stuck with what they have and furious. They’ll have to dig deep into their pockets to get anything direct from GW.
How will I support GW?: By not getting a thing directly from them and buying second hand from Ebay, and supporting smaller companies (Crocodile games, Wargames Factory, Privateer Press, Wyrd Miniatures, Dark Sword, Kingdom Death, Red Box Miniatures…take your pick, there’s lots more where that came from). This latest business move really nailed the coffin for me. As I said before in the prior post, my dollar will vote for the smaller companies that are working hard for us (and often taking losses in business) to get us high quality miniatures to enjoy and not feel guilty about.
May 26, 2011 at 6:11 pm
I’ve heard the expression “nailed the coffin” a lot lately online regarding GW. I’ve never used it, but it’s true I’ve been wargaming for many many years, seen a fair number of price increases, looked hard at the way they treated their South American distribution, but till now I have never felt “funny” buying a product (GW or otherwise). Maybe it will pass, maybe not. You guys know how much I love the LotR range and I guess the real test will be once I want to get a new set, be it resin or plastic kit.
May 26, 2011 at 10:54 pm
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May 28, 2011 at 8:08 am
Sometimes I feel funny, when it comes down to minis.
Since I don’t really need to buy minis to live, I tend to think a lot more about the company that make them.
Not only GW, but Wargames Factory too make me feel bad, because of their own policy.
PS: great Blog. Keep on with it. 🙂
May 28, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Now that you mention it, during the christmas season I had a big order on Maelstrom, it was a lot of WF stuff (my bday is near christmas). And then the silly drama broke out and the orders were being delayed and it too gave me a sour taste. So i decided to change the whole order into Warmachine stuff!!
Thanks for your comment Rob!