I have started painting the house, and ordered some trees and civilians - oh the joys of playing a game with civilians:).... oh that more games would actually have a context for fighting.
Anywho...
I notice the amateur economists have been picking over the corpse of the miniwargaming utube video - I won't link to it, they have got enough publicity for their idiotic efforts.
There are a number of things that amuse me about the video.
The main one is that two years or so ago they made the headlines in the incestuous world of GW hating with a video in which they claimed that GW pricing had provoked them into advising customers not to buy GW products, and generally suggested that GW was on the wane, that they were ditching the company and that PP would overtake them.
Yet apparently GW accounts for 80% of their sales, and that because of the new terms and conditions they will no longer be able to sell GW products, which makes the website unprofitable - hence they are going to close it - except for magnets and some other stuff (which may or may not include their own game)
The other thing that made me laugh was their claim that they had brought a large number of people into the hobby, and had subsequently lost them to internet retailers offering a larger discount. Being nice guys (they would like you to think) they don't mind this. Which is nice, but GW clearly does not have this laisse faire attitude, and they do want to keep the customers that they have introduced to their game through their shops.
Obviously the GW hate brigade have been all over this, with accusations flying concerning monopolies, price gouging, unethical behaviour, GW having more concern for share holders than players - veterans in particular (somehow those veterans always get the rough end of the stick according to interwebz wisdom).
But let's stop for a moment...
When Maelstrom went down - after they had wisely moved the money around to take advantage of the bankruptcy laws - they had a debt of @£100,000. Who took the hit on this is not entirely clear, the distributor supplying them said that the loss had set back their plans for expansion, but it wouldn't be surprising if GW were one of the creditors getting pennys in the pound for the debt owed. True, the debt was bought out by Wayland Games, and presumably paid off.
This is the perhaps the most high profile example, but there are others - for instance the Australian distributor for Privateer Press went bust a couple of years ago (which may or may not be an indication of actual Australian market conditions).
Now you might argue that GW drove Maelstrom out of business with the trade embargo to non EU countries, and you would not be wrong. But for the time being let us not get into that.
Which brings us to Wal-Mart.
I name that corporation as it has a GDP of medium sized country, and a particular business philosophy that runs directly contrary to the business model being followed by GW.
At the risk of being accused of being an AM radio listener - something considered heresy by the hate brigade who demand low prices to feed their plastic obesity issues - I recall Gerald Celente pointing out the business madness of a pencil manufacturer offering their product at a particular price for 10 units and discount for 100 units (either the pencil is worth 10p, or it is not). He was using the example as an illustration of the importance of localism, and why the low price corporate wellfare culture has driven out competition and destroyed small business (and itself but for the bank bail out - don't worry the Rothschilds and Rockerfellers still get their 4% on the currency being printed around the world) - I refer you to the Robert Greenwald documentary to understand the true price of low price.
If one looks objectively at GW, it is quite clear that the various arms of GW are very much localised.
For instance the Australian price rises coincided with the expense of a moulding/distribution centre - those who followed the farce of the Wargame Factory collapse will understand the cost implications of this (even allowing for the Wargame Factory facility being essentially a cost free charity scam ). GW Australia is paying 30% more in wages than other parts of the business, therefore the selling price is proportionately more.
And looking at the changes to the American terms and conditions it is clear that they are seeking to address the particular market conditions, namely the LGS.
Because here's a thing.
Why should a LGS provide space for gaming, seek to build up 'communities', if only 'suckers' actually buy their figures in the shop?
Therefore it makes sense to harmonise prices at full retail price.
And despite miniwargaming's self justification for their poor level of service - according to Jadedgamercast - it seems they will still be selling the product in their shop.
Of course none of this will stop the haters from hating - or inventing idiocy to promote memes that the stoopid will pick up on and believe - but the fact of the matter is this....
GW is and always has been run by businessmen, to provide hobbyists with employment.
peace:)
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