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Finally today, there's some extra good news if you live in the Baltimore are of the US. We've just opened a new store in Owing Mills, bringing the total in the area up to 13. If you're in the area then pop down and see what exciting stuff manager Nathan Carrol has in store for the local gaming community.

- Games-workshop.com http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=8200014a

This is getting ridiculous....13 in 1 area??? It's annoying when I live in Newport News, VA with 2 or 3 local independent retailers (all of them at least 45 mins apart from each other) with no Games Workshop store nearby. Closest one is DC or Richmond I believe....it gets frustrating. I personally like only 1 of those independent retailers but he doesn't always have everything I need. It would be really nice if they would build one here so I can stop buying stuff online and wasting gas driving store to store.

This is just a rant posting...maybe others feel the same frustration?

They can't afford to leave one of them open in my state and they have 13 in the same city?

There is zero GW stores in Baltimore City. There are six in the outlying vicinity. The thirteen refers to the entire state of Maryland and Northern Virginia. There are fifteen within one hundred miles of my house: those thirteen plus New Jersey and Delaware. I understand people's frustration if they do not have one near them, however their use of "area" is a bit broader that just city level.

Washington have GW California have GW Oregon no GW
I need a GW store GW

Why would you want a GW store?

If it is to have playing space, that's one thing, and it is actually not what GW is in the business of doing (playing space vs selling models).

If it is to buy GW stuff, then the online store is a better bet - free shipping (for now), and no tax on the sale (in most states).

If you have a GW store in your area, then any online purchases get taxed.

I have a GW store 5 mins from my house (and no FLGS as far as the eye can see) and I still order everything online. Cheaper, easier, less hassle, and they always have what I want.

Be careful what you wish for :-)

Wow. They also still list Outpost Games in Gaitherburg, Maryland, which went out of business years ago.

The GW stores I've (been around Maryland for awhile) seen usually have one little table for playing a 500pt demo game thats already set up. Its just a retail store. "Buy stuff and get out" type of places.

If I remember correctly the US headquarters for GW is in Baltimore. Its been this way since I used to play in the mid 90's.

Whats missing is the "chapter approved retail stores" (note: independent retailers existed as well). This could be your comic shop or whatever. But, they had to carry X amount of stock an order X amount of stuff. I'm pretty sure the independent retailers now a days don't have to get bullied around like the old chapter approved stores did.

I'm happy about it, since I live just south of Baltimore

But, they had to carry X amount of stock an order X amount of stuff. I'm pretty sure the independent retailers now a days don't have to get bullied around like the old chapter approved stores did.

As an interesting tangeant, we have the OP compaining some about his FLGS not carrying enough product, and now a comment on stores being bullied to carry more stock. )

I maximize my sales by carrying a lot of their product. So carrying more product is actually not bad advice, to a store that wants to do more business in GW.

I do remember some of the Harsh bullying back in the day though. Harsh I say!.

"Mike, order some stuff today, we'll give you a Forgeworld Battlewagon for your orcs"
"Mike, place a big Christmas order, and we'll send you a 1200.00 display case for each of your stores".
"Hey, Ernie, both case came to one store" "Oops, our bad, we'll send out another to the other store"
"Mike, we're having a sale, order 600 blisters, get another 100 free" "umm, guys!? you know I'm going to hurt the hell out of you on this, and order 600 cheap blisters, and take the free ones in stuff like demon princes and wraithlords?" "Oh, sure, whatever, just put in that order for 600 blisters".

I think I did more bullying at GW than the other way around, actually.

When I was asked to do something I didn't want to do, I just said no.

mikhaila wrote:I do remember some of the Harsh bullying back in the day though. Harsh I say!.

"Mike, order some stuff today, we'll give you a Forgeworld Battlewagon for your orcs"
"Mike, place a big Christmas order, and we'll send you a 1200.00 display case for each of your stores".
"Hey, Ernie, both case came to one store" "Oops, our bad, we'll send out another to the other store"
"Mike, we're having a sale, order 600 blisters, get another 100 free" "umm, guys!? you know I'm going to hurt the hell out of you on this, and order 600 cheap blisters, and take the free ones in stuff like demon princes and wraithlords?" "Oh, sure, whatever, just put in that order for 600 blisters".

I think I did more bullying at GW than the other way around, actually.

When I was asked to do something I didn't want to do, I just said no.

Soooo, basically because of all the advantages you took of GW back in those days we get punished by all the insane prices and evil business methods they need to make up for it's losses!

Good to know who caused GW to become the way it is today

Somehow I doubt mikhaila's few stores were the cause of GW's price policies . That's just smart business!

RiTides wrote:Somehow I doubt mikhaila's few stores were the cause of GW's price policies . That's just smart business!

Well, on the 'buy 600, get 100 free', I know I made an impact. Call it a learning experience.)

I warned my rep of what I intended to do, reminded him I game a lot, reminded him I have a Masters degree in Statistics. Despite the warning, I was encouraged to place the order.

The 100 blisters had a value of just over half the value of the 600. It was something like spend 2000.00, and get 3000.00 (wholesale values). I was happy. GW got a lot of sales. That sale was never repeated, and I was told that I was probably the cause. Of course, with their cost of goods vs. wholesale value, they still made money on the deal. And it was in Jan/Feb where sales drop off anyway.

You know, I understand many stores in larger states like California. I don't understand having 13 stores within reasonable driving distance. My closest LGS is 45 minutes away and the closest GW store is about 90 minutes away. I would also venture to say(without scientific proof) that the Inland Empire portion of southern California is likely more densely populated than say Maryland. I would also guess that you could fit Maryland within LA county but I would have to go research that further.

My end point being, while I despise GW stores, I want more LGS options locally, being so damn populated out here as it is.

EDIT: ok, maryland is 3x the size of LA county but has 1/2 the population. WTB game stores.

jehjr1337 wrote:

Finally today, there's some extra good news if you live in the Baltimore are of the US. We've just opened a new store in Owing Mills, bringing the total in the area up to 13. If you're in the area then pop down and see what exciting stuff manager Nathan Carrol has in store for the local gaming community.

- Games-workshop.com http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=8200014a

This is getting ridiculous....13 in 1 area??? It's annoying when I live in Newport News, VA with 2 or 3 local independent retailers (all of them at least 45 mins apart from each other) with no Games Workshop store nearby. Closest one is DC or Richmond I believe....it gets frustrating. I personally like only 1 of those independent retailers but he doesn't always have everything I need. It would be really nice if they would build one here so I can stop buying stuff online and wasting gas driving store to store.

This is just a rant posting...maybe others feel the same frustration?

it's a small (1 man plan I believe) store in a strip mall with limited hours (from what i've been told) near high price condos and housing developments. It's also apparently closer to the home of the guy that is the worst of the "that guy" for my local GW store, so hopefully it keeps him down there.

And we have no real -good- independent retailers around Baltimore anymore. So get over it. if your area is serviced in some way, you're doing better than other places.

To be fair, Nathan is an awesome guy. He's pretty much the anti-redshirt that you hear about all the time. When he was training at my Bel Air store he was always very friendly and literally did not ONCE pressure me to buy anything from him. He even came out for a beer with us one night. If you are in the area go check it out; if you've had bad GW experiences in the past I'm sure Nathan will give you a better go this time around.

Hmm, good to know! I'll definitely swing by when I'm in the area (not today, though, since everyone's still recovering from SNOWPOCALYPSE!)

RiTides wrote:Hmm, good to know! I'll definitely swing by when I'm in the area (not today, though, since everyone's still recovering from SNOWPOCALYPSE!)

Great! You won't be dissapointed! Tell him Tom from Bel Air sent you. And wait till you see the beard!

Indiana does not have a single GW store in the state. We do, however, have about 40 independent sellers that are placed throughout the state. I couldn't care any less about the lack of GW store, because the FLGS's in the area won't ever pressure you into buying anything and seem to be more helpful..

Howlingmoon wrote:

jehjr1337 wrote:

Finally today, there's some extra good news if you live in the Baltimore are of the US. We've just opened a new store in Owing Mills, bringing the total in the area up to 13. If you're in the area then pop down and see what exciting stuff manager Nathan Carrol has in store for the local gaming community.

- Games-workshop.com http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=8200014a

This is getting ridiculous....13 in 1 area??? It's annoying when I live in Newport News, VA with 2 or 3 local independent retailers (all of them at least 45 mins apart from each other) with no Games Workshop store nearby. Closest one is DC or Richmond I believe....it gets frustrating. I personally like only 1 of those independent retailers but he doesn't always have everything I need. It would be really nice if they would build one here so I can stop buying stuff online and wasting gas driving store to store.

This is just a rant posting...maybe others feel the same frustration?

it's a small (1 man plan I believe) store in a strip mall with limited hours (from what i've been told) near high price condos and housing developments. It's also apparently closer to the home of the guy that is the worst of the "that guy" for my local GW store, so hopefully it keeps him down there.

And we have no real -good- independent retailers around Baltimore anymore. So get over it. if your area is serviced in some way, you're doing better than other places.

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/storelocator/results.jsp?searchCat=store-finder&showIndependantRetailers=on&searchMode=filter&searchFilter=MD&origin=&return=null

Link shows Maryland Independent Retailers, I count 24 within baltimore and dc on top of the "13" gws in the area = 37.

Also it's not about the game space, independent retailers have proven to provide better play areas. Like I said this was just a rant post, not to bash anyone or any city but just as a way to vent my frustration when I need a model for the upcoming weekend and none of the stores have it and I would have to still pay taxes ordering online and wait a week to receive the item that I needed last weekend. Thanks come again!

There's always some fanboy who shows up with a post count of 2 or 3 to defend GW to the death.

As for what Jehjr said, that brings me back to the point of how many GW stores or FLGS there are in southern California versus the population.

Baltimore has 600,00 people versus L.A's 3.8 million. We have over 6 times the population in a single city, and yet we have 35 total stores spread over roughly 140 miles versus the 37 stores you counted from Baltimore to DC which is less than 50 miles.

Adding DC's and Baltimore's population it's still less than 1/2 of LA's alone, and that is not counting the rest of LA county, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego counties that all encompass our whopping 35 or 36 stores.


So with so many options available within a meager 50 mile range, don't talk to me about no good retailers. My closest one is 36 miles away and no I don't live out in the desert.

I don't think anyone's defending GW to the death here, aerethan. I'm happy since the store is in my area... but of course I understand that other people might deserve a store more.

I don't make the decisions... I'm just the customer

aerethan wrote:There's always some fanboy who shows up with a post count of 2 or 3 to defend GW to the death.

As for what Jehjr said, that brings me back to the point of how many GW stores or FLGS there are in southern California versus the population.

Baltimore has 600,00 people versus L.A's 3.8 million. We have over 6 times the population in a single city, and yet we have 35 total stores spread over roughly 140 miles versus the 37 stores you counted from Baltimore to DC which is less than 50 miles.

Adding DC's and Baltimore's population it's still less than 1/2 of LA's alone, and that is not counting the rest of LA county, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego counties that all encompass our whopping 35 or 36 stores.


So with so many options available within a meager 50 mile range, don't talk to me about no good retailers. My closest one is 36 miles away and no I don't live out in the desert.

If you had actually bothered to read my post I was only commenting on the fact that Nathan is actually a pretty good guy and the best red shirt I've ever come across.

aerethan wrote:There's always some fanboy who shows up with a post count of 2 or 3 to defend GW to the death.

As for what Jehjr said, that brings me back to the point of how many GW stores or FLGS there are in southern California versus the population.

Baltimore has 600,00 people versus L.A's 3.8 million. We have over 6 times the population in a single city, and yet we have 35 total stores spread over roughly 140 miles versus the 37 stores you counted from Baltimore to DC which is less than 50 miles.

Adding DC's and Baltimore's population it's still less than 1/2 of LA's alone, and that is not counting the rest of LA county, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego counties that all encompass our whopping 35 or 36 stores.


So with so many options available within a meager 50 mile range, don't talk to me about no good retailers. My closest one is 36 miles away and no I don't live out in the desert.

I fail to see how not having a gaming store near you is GW's fault. It's been pointed out constantly that they can't cover the US with their stores. They also can't make a FLGS appear where they aren't.

mikhaila wrote:
I fail to see how not having a gaming store near you is GW's fault. It's been pointed out constantly that they can't cover the US with their stores. They also can't make a FLGS appear where they aren't.

Not with that negative attitude MR!!!!! Sounds tome more like the OP is complaining more then stating. We lost all of our GW's here in mass and ya it sucks but what can one do. Also some of the FLGS aren't so friendly yet again what can we do. Move on wife our lifes yep that sounds about right

GW has all of 7 stores in the area I mentioned earlier, compared to the 13 in Baltimore area.

Given the population disparity, I'd say they don't know what they are doing when they declare to open a new store in an area.

jehjr1337 wrote:http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/storelocator/results.jsp?searchCat=store-finder&showIndependantRetailers=on&searchMode=filter&searchFilter=MD&origin=&return=null

Link shows Maryland Independent Retailers, I count 24 within baltimore and dc on top of the "13" gws in the area = 37.

At least one of those shut down years ago, so I consider the list a bit iffy at best.

jehjr1337 wrote:

Finally today, there's some extra good news if you live in the Baltimore are of the US. We've just opened a new store in Owing Mills, bringing the total in the area up to 13. If you're in the area then pop down and see what exciting stuff manager Nathan Carrol has in store for the local gaming community.

- Games-workshop.com http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=8200014a

This is getting ridiculous....13 in 1 area??? It's annoying when I live in Newport News, VA with 2 or 3 local independent retailers (all of them at least 45 mins apart from each other) with no Games Workshop store nearby. Closest one is DC or Richmond I believe...

DC, they closed all the Richmond ones.

I live within easy driving range of several of the GW stores in the "Baltimore area", ie N VA. Hardly ever go to them, as there are just as many (if not more) indy retailers with far better staff, services, product, clientele, etc etc etc.

To continue my ranting, the population difference between ALL of Maryland+ DC is less than 1/3 of what constitutes "southern California".

I personally don't care if it's a GW or LGS, I just want more people to play against within a decent drive.

jehjr1337 wrote:

Howlingmoon wrote:

jehjr1337 wrote:

Finally today, there's some extra good news if you live in the Baltimore are of the US. We've just opened a new store in Owing Mills, bringing the total in the area up to 13. If you're in the area then pop down and see what exciting stuff manager Nathan Carrol has in store for the local gaming community.

- Games-workshop.com http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=8200014a

This is getting ridiculous....13 in 1 area??? It's annoying when I live in Newport News, VA with 2 or 3 local independent retailers (all of them at least 45 mins apart from each other) with no Games Workshop store nearby. Closest one is DC or Richmond I believe....it gets frustrating. I personally like only 1 of those independent retailers but he doesn't always have everything I need. It would be really nice if they would build one here so I can stop buying stuff online and wasting gas driving store to store.

This is just a rant posting...maybe others feel the same frustration?

it's a small (1 man plan I believe) store in a strip mall with limited hours (from what i've been told) near high price condos and housing developments. It's also apparently closer to the home of the guy that is the worst of the "that guy" for my local GW store, so hopefully it keeps him down there.

And we have no real -good- independent retailers around Baltimore anymore. So get over it. if your area is serviced in some way, you're doing better than other places.

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/storelocator/results.jsp?searchCat=store-finder&showIndependantRetailers=on&searchMode=filter&searchFilter=MD&origin=&return=null

Link shows Maryland Independent Retailers, I count 24 within baltimore and dc on top of the "13" gws in the area = 37.

Also it's not about the game space, independent retailers have proven to provide better play areas. Like I said this was just a rant post, not to bash anyone or any city but just as a way to vent my frustration when I need a model for the upcoming weekend and none of the stores have it and I would have to still pay taxes ordering online and wait a week to receive the item that I needed last weekend. Thanks come again!

Mystical Keep = Out of Business
The Arena = Out of Business

Brainstorm = very little warhammer and no gaming space
Legends Comics = the only warhammer stuff they have is clearanced stuff they haven't been able to dump

also factoring in the I will not travel farther than 20 minutes to go to a game store. I have exactly -one- game store. GW Westminster. Period. If that store closes, I'm out. Period.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

aerethan wrote:To continue my ranting, the population difference between ALL of Maryland+ DC is less than 1/3 of what constitutes "southern California".

I personally don't care if it's a GW or LGS, I just want more people to play against within a decent drive.

is that counting illegal aliens?

If your area is lacking a game store, open one, it's a business oppurtunity.