Monday the 16th - The End of the World?

[Primarch]

It all makes sense really. I dont have to like it, but it does make sense.

I am still waiting on their explanation for increasing prices after switching to a cheaper (and more toxic) material though.

[Spevna]

I don't have a big problem with them restricting what the independent retailers are selling. I'm surprised it took them this long to do it. Being undercut by someone you supply is bad business. Allowing to go on this long is just stupid.

In my opinion the bigger issues are the the coming price increases (saw that battleforces will be getting a 20% hike) and the switch to a cheaper material with an increase in cost. This labels them as complete c*nts in my book.

[Primarch]

This labels them as complete c*nts in my book.

Spevna's Big Book of C*nts should be required reading for anyone wishing to get into the wargaming hobby.

[Spevna]

This labels them as complete c*nts in my book.

Spevna's Big Book of C*nts should be required reading for anyone wishing to get into the wargaming hobby.

You have inspired me to start a Dwarf Army where instead of a book of grudges, they have a book of......

[me_in_japan]

If that letter is genuine (and it certainly appears to be), I must say that I cant really argue their logic. It doesnt change that I cant buy from them anymore, as their prices have moved outside the limits of what I deem reasonable hobby expenditure, but I do at least understand why theyre doing it.

Could they not have posted that letter, or one much like it, about 3 weeks ago? (or may 16th, whatever). Why do folks need to ask? Most companises with a loyal fan base would try to keep them informed, you'd think.

But anyway, much like spev, I accept the no-trade thing, but am still miffed about the price hike with resin. Incidentally, my shadow seer, death jester and Rakarth arrived a couple days ago. All metal, im pleased to add. I also got my sodapop robot and girlie. My initial reaction is:

ye gads! theyre tiny!

not in a bad way, particularly. Im just so used to GWs so-called 28mm scale, that to see an actual 28mm scale model is a bit of an eye opener. It makes the studio paint job so much more impressive. Im v worried about how Ill cope...

Ive also had a really good idea about a haemunculus coven. While I would consider getting a box of wracks (assuming theyre plastic) I was wondering if anybody knew of any models that would be appropriate for haemunculi?

[Primarch]

Wayland respond to Mr. Wells.

Hi Everyone,

Before we start, if you’d allow me to present a little background about Wayland before we get into the meat of the issue I’d be grateful.

We laid out our little web store back in August 2008, our beginnings were humble, with my brother and I packing orders in a spare room. It wasn’t ideal but it was what we had to start with and we grew and grew through the continued business of our loyal customers through four warehouses to our current location. In thirty three months we have gone from a spare room in Essex, UK with my brother and I packing boxes to a global operation with fourteen full time staff which is now positioned as one of the largest if not the largest independent hobby retailer in the world. We run our business today as we always have done, in a professional and ethical manner both within the letter and the spirit of the law. Almost all suppliers like us, customers enjoy our openness and service-oriented outlook and whilst we’re realistic enough to know we’re not by any means perfect we will always strive to improve to ensure our central tenet of great prices and better service.


Managing such growth has been far from simple; we have experienced growing pains like any business in any sector that has exploded in market share terms. Our growing pains have also been more painful as we continually seek to adjust to a shifting commercial landscape from our dominant supplier, Games Workshop. Like many of you, I believe that Games Workshop produce a fantastic product which gives endless joy to countless people. I am proud to be associated with them. Unsurprisingly, therefore, I read with real concern the statement by the CEO Mark Wells over the new trade terms which effectively prevents us selling Games Workshop supplied products outside Europe. Mark’s statement can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/notes/games-wor ... 6923881812

Mark seems to be clearly of the view that on-line retailers (and we are not purely that, of course given our bricks and mortar presence) “free ride” on the back of Games Workshop’s bricks and mortar outlets. We have sought over the years, and I thought with some success and recognition, to demonstrate to Games Workshop the value that we provide not just in terms of sales but also in terms of pre and after sales service (not to mention our activities at trade fairs), which is clearly equivalent to the service that is provided on the “ground” by bricks and mortar outlets. Quite aside from the legality of Games Workshop’s actions, we are confused by the commercial attitude of Games Workshop which hampers our ability to sell to hobbyists to the clear disadvantage of both Games Workshop (albeit maybe not their retail arm) and the hobbyists themselves.

I will not air anyone’s dirty laundry in public. Therefore, I am writing to Games Workshop separately (its board, lawyers and their principal shareholders) to share my concerns in greater depth. I hope that commercial common sense will prevail and that we can continue to work with Games Workshop to expand their market and bring a great product to as many people as possible at the best price possible. After all, Games Workshop not only has a clear responsibility to the market but also a clear responsibility to its shareholders (which, after all, could be you and me!).

In the meantime, we believe after the announced terms are implemented we shall be able to continue to offer all of our loyal customers the same product range that we offer today. There may be a small lead time to implement but we’ve been given a rather short period to react. We will comply fully and completely with the new terms and conditions of sale imposed upon us and will not contravene them in any capacity whatsoever (albeit we would not wish that to be seen as acceptance of their legality), all we seek to achieve is that customers both old and new are able to benefit from our view of the market wherever they are located. We all love our hobby.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be providing updates as to how the process of implementing these changes is coming along, the chances are we’ll use Facebook to disseminate this information as it is a great platform for customers to interact with us and each other.

We look forward to continue to serve you and we always will.

Keep on Wargaming.

Richard.
Wayland Games

[me_in_japan]

int'restin...

[The Other Dave]

I'm inclined to agree with the Wayland guy.

I can see GW's point in Europe, and a quick perusal of GW's site suggests that Australia is well-served by GW shops and independent retailers, as is NZ (if you're in Wellington anyway) but I think we're all well aware of the situation "on the ground" here in Japan (namely, there's a GW store* in Tokyo and a fair number of hobby shops that technically carry product but almost-universally have poor selections, high prices and no gaming space) and I hate to think what gamers in, say, China have to do to get ahold of stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if Asian sales outside the English-speaking sphere of Australia / New Zealand are small enough that GW feels it's no big loss to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but that is in fact exactly what they're setting themselves up to do.

*Huh, there's 5 "hobby centers" in Tokyo now. Hey, GW, how about a shop in some other city, eh?

[Colonel Voss]

price changes for Japan. I am really glad I am not starting a guard army. 15,000 for a battle force. yee gads

http://www.hobbymetal-iconoclasm.com/im ... change.pdf

[Primarch]

price changes for Japan. I am really glad I am not starting a guard army. 15,000 for a battle force. yee gads

http://www.hobbymetal-iconoclasm.com/im ... change.pdf

YEE GADS indeed.

Black Reach has gone up by 35% WTF!!!! Seriously. Way to screw the player base.
Sorry Ikeda san, looks like I WONT be buying from Japan again anytime soon. Sweet monkey on a bicycle.