[Jebz]

I have brought this topic up after reading Scizor’s article about obtaining Tau models.

I must admit I am becoming concerned about the price increases that GW KEEP putting on their goods.

I had read somewhere that GW give around a 50% discount to their staff. I am unsure how true this is.

What I am getting at is, has anybody ever thought of becoming a supplier of GW goods?

If somebody did this, and sold models to say members of say Tau Online at cost + 10%, so not a large mark-up, they could get cheap models out to players, and these said players would get an excellent bargain.

I was seriously thinking of doing this myself. It would be good to supply cheap models to players. What do the members think about this?

[Scizor]

i'm not sure,but its a possibility

i did search google for sites within my country that sell 40k stuff.and i fopund a good site.its cheaper than the actual prices was before the increase!.and the shipping is cheap there too.

[Tallon Karrde]

GW suppliers have to make an initial order of $15000 (US), and "have" to sell it at GW marked price. (price setting) Places can give member discounts, but for real cheap GW stuff eBay is the only way to go.

[Rev_Enge(spc)]

Darn. Even if your "cheaper GW" store doesn't last too long, it could force GW to lower prices for the first time.

[Elcampbello]

The short answer is yes, but also no. We could (and by "we" I mean everyone that players *any* GW game on the enitre globe) stop buying GW stuff forcing them to lower prices or go under. However this won't happen becasue as consumers well buy at the price GW sets, becasue GW hold the monopoly on the market.

[Scizor]

yeh.that's true

i'll just stick to the site i've found

[Grey Tau]

Is it a Canadian site? and if so what is it called?

[Tastyfish]

The US, however there are places that sell at 25% (being the most common, though there are some places that do 30% but there is usually a catch - getting it at an event etc). Due to your being more sparsely populated than europe there isn't very many GW stores and so they rely a lot more heavily on existing hobby/model shops, and they found that the online dealers were putting them out of business (as they can ship anywhere and don't need to pay rent on a place where you can play demo games). Consquently, they aren't allowed to sell online if they don't own a shop, you can use conventional mail (including email order) with them though, its just they can't have the traditional online store.

Canada - http://www.gc-minis.com/ sell GW stuff at 30% off standard retail, and in the conventional way (though I've heard one or two people not being to happy with them, more due to customer service than issues with shipping etc from what I hear though (bit official or suchlike), however the vast majority of people seem to have had no problem)

UK - http://www.oraclegames.co.uk/catalog/index.php sell GW stuff at 25% off, I've used them and had no problems. Also have some of the more unusual things that a lot of stores don't (warhammer mighty fortress and seige equipment etc). Also do the WFRP books and some other systems like warmachine as well.

Both these two also sell specialist games stuff as well.

If you live in South East england or near brighton at least there is also the Dragon Tears club (http://www.thedragonstears.com/sales.htm ) that sells at 25% off normally or 30% at their various events. I do live quite near there but not given them a try yet, though I do intend to.

The Warstore (http://www.thewarstore.com) comes highly reccomended though I've never used them. Only 20% off and they don't do specialist games (though they do Forgeworld apparently - no idea if its cheaper, I don't speak dollar) however they are highly reccomended and do have a wide variety of other games should you be that way inclinded.

Finally there is also ebay, but I'm not really that much of a fan of it as its harder to get what you want and having tried second hand minitures I'm found they are not for me (the stores on there don't opperate any cheaper than real the ones I've listed anyway usually). You can get some great bargains for older models, or if you don't mind a few extra hours of repairs and cleaning.

Most of the things sold their come in one of three categories - unopened in which case they usually go for only a few pounds cheaper than retail value, and are the same as the real stores but a bit riskier (and usually higher postage), professional models - which are really out of most peoples price range though often nice paint jobs and conversions or beginners leaving the army or the hobby selling off old units (or occasionally vets selling off old armies to find new ones). These tend to be badly built and painted and often slightly damaged, given that they will be predominantly plastic as well it can be a real hassle to sort out (if you can). I've had bad experiences with the latter and would advise people to remember that 'if it looks too good to be true, it probably is'. Its hard to tell how thickly painted models are from the pictures and its really irritating when you find they've actually been undercoated with car sprays and then painted over heavily. You may get a bucketload of models for about £25-30, but there is only about £20 or less of usable models.

[Scizor]

Originally Posted by Grey Tau

Is it a Canadian site? and if so what is it called?

no,of course its in my own country,sweden :P

[Grey Tau]

Oh lol sorry didn't know