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I believe it is show number 20 and around the 2 hour mark, Romeo and his underling talk about the GW territory embargo.

They repeatably ask to not be raked over the coals for their opinions.

They seem to believe this embargo is good for business. Their argument centers on the idea that limiting competition will make the FLGS able to survive, that out of territory sales are killing off FLGS. They ignore that fact the the AUS $ has moved in relation to the UK pound and our fellow AUS players have been grossly over charged for years because GW set prices when currency values were at one point and have since moved and GW hasn't altered the AUS prices to affect this.

Romeo says he looked at the "data" and decided that this is a move GW was required to do to stay in business. In other words, their new store front welcomes less competition. Just like Sabol, right Romeo?

In his rant, he doesn't seem to be able to keep the level of discount in mind, he vascilates between 10% and 1%. I'm having trouble dealing with the ignorance on this podcast.

I've defended Battlefoam in the past and I have many of their bags. I'm done listening to 40k radio (I can't deal with that level of ignorance) and I'm done buying battlefoam.

I see a lot of the 'GW 's just a company, stop hating on them' comments come from us Americans, and I think that's where the problem is.

We're lucky in the fact that we 1. can afford GW at still semi-reasonable rates, and 2. have great online services like the Warstore and Miniature Market.

We don't pay as much as the Aussies do - no where near as much, in fact. Hell, the conversion rate for the USD to AUD is 1:.95. Now, I do believe that getting products into Australia is a bit of a hassle (video games do cost, on average, $110, if I remember correctly). But the prices that the Australians have to pay for their GW products is exorbitant.

I believe, in fact, that it's GW killing their own hobby in Australia. Prices are incredibly high, so no new members or veterans will think about buying products in store, unless its an FLGS they're particularly loyal to. So, they went to Maelstrom and Wayland to buy GW, since they could get it at affordable prices, with free shipping. Now, they can't even do that.

There's also something H.M.B.C. brought up, bless his fury-laden soul. Apparently, Aussies can still order straight from GWUK, meaning that they've gone and circumvented their own embargo. This means you can buy from GWAUS at extreme prices, or from GWUK for slightly lower prices and huge shipping. Either way, GW wins. Or so they believe. After all, it's not like anyone who the embargo affected has friends in the UK who could ship items to them at discounted prices. And, of course, it's crazy to think that retailers will pull the product out of their boxes and sell the sprues alone. Because who's crazy enough to try that?

I think Battlefoam's problem is they so much want to make GW bags that they can't take their eye off that prise. I think Romeo bought 40K Radio to show GW how much he supports them.

infinite_array wrote:We're lucky in the fact that we 1. can afford GW at still semi-reasonable rates, and 2. have great online services like the Warstore and Miniature Market.

We don't pay as much as the Aussies do - no where near as much, in fact. Hell, the conversion rate for the USD to AUD is 1:.95. Now, I do believe that getting products into Australia is a bit of a hassle (video games do cost, on average, $110, if I remember correctly). But the prices that the Australians have to pay for their GW products is exorbitant.

hahaha, you think Australians somehow can't afford GW? Everything in Australia is inflated compared to us here in the US. They get paid more, and everything costs more. The GW trade embargo brings an end to the era of Australians getting a massive discount compared to other companies.

evancich wrote:I think Battlefoam's problem is they so much want to make GW bags that they can't take their eye off that prise. I think Romeo bought 40K Radio to show GW how much he supports them.

Eh. The problem with that theory is that Battlefoam also produces bags for:
Flames of War - Win!
Heavy Gear Blitz - (Don't really know anything about it, but...) Win!
Mantic - Win!
Privateer Press - Win!
Malifaux - Win!
Spartan Games - Win!

As well as their generic bags (actually, they don't even have 40k-devoted bags). Now, I will admit, 40k Radio has become a bit too Battlefoam-centric since Romeo took over, but I think that was to be expected.

ph34r wrote:

infinite_array wrote:We're lucky in the fact that we 1. can afford GW at still semi-reasonable rates, and 2. have great online services like the Warstore and Miniature Market.

We don't pay as much as the Aussies do - no where near as much, in fact. Hell, the conversion rate for the USD to AUD is 1:.95. Now, I do believe that getting products into Australia is a bit of a hassle (video games do cost, on average, $110, if I remember correctly). But the prices that the Australians have to pay for their GW products is exorbitant.

hahaha, you think Australians somehow can't afford GW? Everything in Australia is inflated compared to us here in the US. They get paid more, and everything costs more. The GW trade embargo brings an end to the era of Australians getting a massive discount compared to other companies.

And that didn't take too long! Could we get some Australians - and people from other countries that GW's embargo has affected - to point/counter-point this statement?

It has been stated that GW is 85% of the mini war gaming market. So, those other named bags are great, but BF (if you listen to their podcast, Romeo has made trips to the UK to attempt to broker this deal) wants to be the bag maker for GW.

evancich wrote:It has been stated that GW is 85% of the mini war gaming market. So, those other named bags are great, but BF (if you listen to their podcast, Romeo has made trips to the UK to attempt to broker this deal) wants to be the bag maker for GW.

And apparently he's been turned down. After all, GW does make their own cases, and came out (relatively recently) with their own 'Monster Case'. Why would they try to share the profit with other companies, especially after we've seen their actions with the online 'freeloaders'?

But, to be honest, I've never really been a big fan of Battlefoam. I'd much rather pick up something from KR Multicase.

Guys, I'm a little surprised at some of the comments here. I find the majority of Romeo's comments (in other eps) to be quite critical of GW. This ep jumped out at me because I was surprised he was supporting them, as it is usually Kyle or Rick who are more GW fanboys.

I mean agree or disagree, that's up to you, but, I don't think it's accurate to say Romeo is a GW butt-kisser...

MajorTom11 wrote:Guys, I'm a little surprised at some of the comments here. I found the majority of Romeo's comments to be quite critical of GW. This ep jumped out at me because I was surprised he was supporting them, as it is usually Kyle or Rick who are more GW fanboys.

I mean agree or disagree, that's up to you, but, I don't think it's accurate to say Romeo is a GW butt-kisser...

To be honest, I was surprised as well! Romeo really ripped into GW during the 'GW's Financials' episode, if I remember correctly, so it was a bit of a change to hear him defending GW's recent actions.

For real?

Romeo has been all about GW. He plays the "I don't like GW" card to keep in the good graces on the 40k community, but he kiss's GW all the time.

I assume one of his business models is to sell his company to GW. I think 40k radio is a step on that path.

But, to bring this back to my original post. He is an idiot and I won't listen to his podcast any more.

I stopped listening to romeo when he alienated nearly all the gamer's in AZ by acting like an ass. That's my problem with him, great product, and his new store is pretty good as well, but he's a dick in person

Battlefoam is a great bag and foam system, no question. I have many of thier bags.

I guess it is like when you hear a musician speak and you don't agree with their views. You either stop enjoying their music or you compartmentalize.

I like Battlefoam as they produce a good quality product. I do not like 40K Radio (anymore) as it seems to have changed into a show about sponsorships and advertisements with the odd segment thrown in here and there to keep things wargaming-centric.

Oh, and with Rick leaving, I'll have to listen to Romeo even more than I did previously. And that dude talks over/shouts down his co-hosts more than ANY other podcast I listen to.

L. Wrex

Most FLGS owners down under are thinking this is a good thing. GW is definitely the dominant wargame here and most stores were very much aware that we are getting our products for half the price somewhere else. The FLGS get charged 55% of AUS retail on these products, so they can't actually match the Maelstrom costs even if they wanted to.
Most of the games stores would simply prefer to be able to buy at UK trade prices. That way everyone would be happy. They could make the same profit margin, have more customers, and just generally support the hobby better.

Edited for stupidity

infinite_array wrote:And that didn't take too long! Could we get some Australians - and people from other countries that GW's embargo has affected - to point/counter-point this statement?

What's the point? I even had a fully qualified actuary come on here and explain how the whole "Aussies get paid more" argument is a load of horse-gak, and ph34r still didn't listen. It also quite wonderfully highlights how little ph34r understands supply and demand, how tax is done in this country, how health insurance is done in this country, salary packaging, global markets, the market in general, and even just how asinine the whole concept of "You get paid more, so you should pay more" is - so Africans nations should pay next to nothing for their products? What about in China? Or India?


The idea that it was done to help Australian LGS and GW stores is a load of nonsense as well (the LGS part at least). This is yet another ham-fisted attack by GW to reap short-term profits, something they always do, by taking advantage of favourable currency exchange rates. It's a move motivated by greed, not some altruistic desire to 'save' the Australian gaming market. Case in point: GWUK will still sell things to Aussies. At UK prices. Yeah. As far as LGS in Australia... I can't think of any. We don't really have that 'scene' like you guys in the States do. I can think of one, maybe two places in the CBD... but the only game store outside of GW near me sells board games and children's toys.

And if Romeo wants to go on about how this is a good mood, then that's great. He's wrong, and his secret desire to be in business to GW will always tamper his views. If he wants to pay double for his product, then he can.

evancich wrote:
How DARE this Podcast host have an oppinion that differs to my own! I don't care that he stressed how it's just his oppinion - I refuse to buy products from people who's viewpoint isn't aligned with myself!

Now if you excuse me, I'm off to question a Car Salesman over his stance on the US foreign policy in the Middle East before I complete the purchase of a car.

Sorry, your post was a little long - did I sum it up correctly?

H.B.M.C. wrote:What's the point? I even had a fully qualified actuary come on here and explain how the whole "Aussies get paid more" argument is a load of horse-gak, and ph34r still didn't listen. It also quite wonderfully highlights how little ph34r understands supply and demand, how tax is done in this country, how health insurance is done in this country, salary packaging, global markets, the market in general, and even just how asinine the whole concept of "You get paid more, so you should pay more" is - so Africans nations should pay next to nothing for their products? What about in China? or India?.

I have no idea what you are talking about when you say you had a "fully qualified actuary" come explain everything.

You are really just looking for an excuse to be mad. No troll, you are honestly just mad that you no longer have your special 50% off discount.

I assure you that i have a solid understanding of economics, probably more than you, but not as much as you think you do.

The value of the AUD went up. With respect to other currencies, rent went up, food went up, warhammer went up. Is that really so difficult for you to understand? I should hope not.

youbedead wrote:I stopped listening to romeo when he alienated nearly all the gamer's in AZ by acting like an ass. That's my problem with him, great product, and his new store is pretty good as well, but he's a dick in person

evancich wrote:Battlefoam is a great bag and foam system, no question. I have many of thier bags.

I guess it is like when you hear a musician speak and you don't agree with their views. You either stop enjoying their music or you compartmentalize.

While neither of these comments are exactly fresh opinions, they are all that's really required to understand any Romeo based drama.

MIKEtheMERCILESS wrote:

evancich wrote:
How DARE this Podcast host have an oppinion that differs to my own! I don't care that he stressed how it's just his oppinion - I refuse to buy products from people who's viewpoint isn't aligned with myself!

Now if you excuse me, I'm off to question a Car Salesman over his stance on the US foreign policy in the Middle East before I complete the purchase of a car.

Sorry, your post was a little long - did I sum it up correctly?

Sounds about right

ph34r wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:What's the point? I even had a fully qualified actuary come on here and explain how the whole "Aussies get paid more" argument is a load of horse-gak, and ph34r still didn't listen. It also quite wonderfully highlights how little ph34r understands supply and demand, how tax is done in this country, how health insurance is done in this country, salary packaging, global markets, the market in general, and even just how asinine the whole concept of "You get paid more, so you should pay more" is - so Africans nations should pay next to nothing for their products? What about in China? or India?.

I have no idea what you are talking about when you say you had a "fully qualified actuary" come explain everything.

You are really just looking for an excuse to be mad. No troll, you are honestly just mad that you no longer have your special 50% off discount.

I assure you that i have a solid understanding of economics, probably more than you, but not as much as you think you do.

The value of the AUD went up. With respect to other currencies, rent went up, food went up, warhammer went up. Is that really so difficult for you to understand? I should hope not.

... but if the exchange rate moves, imported food costs etc will fall, GW prices will remain the same.

ruminator wrote:... but if the exchange rate moves, imported food costs etc will fall, GW prices will remain the same.

Some imports may fall in price as they become relatively cheaper to import using stronger AUD currency. Other items such as video games or warhammer to name a couple luxuries, do not change.

It's not some GW specific policy for prices to be relatively higher in Australia, and it's not an arbitrary one either.

Polonius wrote:
While neither of these comments are exactly fresh opinions, they are all that's really required to understand any Romeo based drama.

I met him at GenCon. After buying a bag, he kicked me in the nuts, hit on my wife, and made fun of my accent.

I love his bags though. Can't wait to buy the new one at GenCon this year.

Edit: I enjoy 40k radio, though. The sophomoric humor gets old, but when they have a topic to discuss, they actually stay on freaking target. Almost as well as the Independent Characters do. Certainly 100% better than the Imperial Vox Cast and Eternal Warriors do. I gave up on those last 2 shows.

40k radio?

Those guys are still on?

How are the drunk fratboy inside jokes going? I stopped listening to them when they were more interested in being clever tools, then they were discussing 40K.

As to the point about "Battlefoam"?
Yes, that just shows you that prospective gets twisted when you are dancing to advertising interests in the mix of what your trying to objectivly talk about that.

They call it a conflict of interests.


I've no opinion on this guy as a person, I don't know him, but if he's trying to come across as some sort of an authority or something, I'll just go right out there and say that he's the example that people who bust on podcasts use as one as to how not to be like.
Listen to D6, Podhammer, and BOW, and then go listen to this one. The difference is there.

As for ph34r, THAT spout off was pretty off the cuff. Where did that come from?

I'll just post one thing on the exchange rates discussion then get out: Some products do not change much. These tend to be the ones where importing is difficult, costly or timely. Importing GW products was, until recently, none of these. Neither should computer games.

More to the point, this is the first enormous currency exchange shift for UK/US/AUS in the internet age. Retailers all over don't know how to deal with what is happening. I'm not saying that its a GW-centric problem, but some retailers are changing their operation to fit with the internet and the new economy, and it is appalling to see GW actively taking steps to move the opposite direction.

I'm still trying to figure out where Aussies had this "special discount".
The point is most aussies using maelstrom ect were using them because GW prices are grossly inflated here. All prices are inflated, GWs doubly so.
Seriously i don't understand where this "you guys should pay more" mentality comes from.

*edit. Perhaps this kind of attitude shown by a fair vocal amount of a certain country is why a certain country is regarded as a bunch of funwits

Now back to the radio show....

The word we say for taking pleasure in someone elses misery is Schadenfreude.

As to the Aussies, I'm not seeing the conection of the B.S. craptastic pricing and that they are getting any sort of a deal.

GW is full of Gak to think that they have a obligation to sell a 5 dollar model for over 50 bucks. !@#$ them at any currency.

Bullockist wrote:I'm still trying to figure out where Aussies had this "special discount".
The point is most aussies using maelstrom ect were using them because GW prices are grossly inflated here. All prices are inflated, GWs doubly so.
Seriously i don't understand where this "you guys should pay more" mentality comes from.

*edit. Perhaps this kind of attitude shown by a fair vocal amount of a certain country is why a certain country is regarded as a bunch of funwits

Now back to the radio show....

Everything is "more expensive" in Australia.


Not just warhammer. GW is not doing some sort of unique feth-you to Australian players. They are doing the same thing as everyone else. Australians evaded this for a long time by buying from oversees. Now they have to pay like everyone else.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Grot 6 wrote:The word we say for taking pleasure in someone elses misery is Schadenfreude.

No.

kronk wrote:
Edit: I enjoy 40k radio, though. The sophomoric humor gets old, but when they have a topic to discuss, they actually stay on freaking target. Almost as well as the Independent Characters do. Certainly 100% better than the Imperial Vox Cast and Eternal Warriors do. I gave up on those last 2 shows.

Almost as well as the IC? They are no where near IC in terms of production value, professionalism and quality of content. Honestly, I think 40k radio was better off being dead after Spencer stopped than the crap Romeo puts out these days. I tried listening to a few of their recent episodes, the most recent one being the one talking about the price hikes. Romeo was going on about comparing inflation of a bottle of coke over the years compared to the price increases of GW models. I personally don't care that much for the price hikes but a 5 yr old can poke holes his all of his arguments. Most of his content is just him ranting or talking about infections on his co hosts nut sack. Terribly disappointed in the way the show is going these days and I no longer bother listen.

Eggroll, I wrote that. The way you quoted that shows Polonius.

And yes, I stand by what I said. "Almost as well as the IC." There is sophomoric humor, and I never said I agree with Romeo or Rick's opinions.

But, when it comes to "This segment is on topic x", they do a good job. Not as good as the IC, but pretty damn good. They will cut each other off if they deviate "Hold that for later, Rick" and so forth.