beast_gts wrote: Yeah, I got that email earlier - waiting to see what happens with the pre-orders.
Our FLGS advised that preorders from last weekend were shipped today to them prior to the lockdown. Hopefully that means individual orders were sent out prior to lockdown. Preorders over next few weeks will be blocked from ordering on the GW website.
This makes me worry greatly for the online retailers. Most of the ones I use generally only have 2-3 of any item in stock, I think they'll be hit quite hard if they can't get resupplies over the next few weeks.
As a plus point, I now have a chance to crack on with:
1. 55 Wargames Atlantic Grognards masquerading as not-Vostroyans.
2. Two boxes of first edition Kill Team scenery to assemble.
3. All of the scenery bits that have arrived with Warhammer Conquest over the last 80 weeks.
4. Constructing and painting last weekend's SoB delivery.
5. Finding somewhere to put it all without the Long Haired Admiral's head exploding.
Trading for the Group in the nine months to the end of February was in line with expectations. However, in March since the COVID-19 outbreak has spread more widely, the Group's performance globally has been impacted.
In response to official guidance announced today in both the UK and US, we will be temporarily closing globally all of our stores, headquarters, factory and warehouses with immediate effect. Where possible, our staff will continue to work from home. Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our staff, their families and our customers.
As the situation develops, we will provide an update on the possible impact of these necessary actions on the Group's performance for the year to 31 May 2020 and going forward.
Placed an order yesterday so I’d assume that will either be cancelled and refunded or put on hold.
Was hoping to get a few last minute models before everything shuts but after seeing the news last night, thought I may have been too late.
Either way, it’s fair enough with me.
I’m happy with a refund or a wait, not really much they can do in this situation.
Well, it looks like local FLG's are still staying open. Did an order yesterday for a dozen or so paints i'm running a little short of. But anything direct only people are going to be stuck for for a few weeks.
Wayland Games and Firestorm games are still open but only trading online. Of course their game stocks will run dry pretty fast now that GW is no longer able to provide any more supply. That said the 3rd party stores might last a little longer when stock comes through the distributors. So it might last a bit longer than we think before stocks are fully dry.
That said they will likely run dry on most things - just remember try not to feed the scalpers on ebay who will overcharge for products during this time of shortage. It's exceptionally unlikely that GW will close doors over this event (I mean heck the worst could happen still) so what you can't get today will be there for tomorrow. Just use the time to beat the backlog!
Oh, well. No Saga of the Beast for me then. But that's ok, it's not like I should really play any games down at the club now anyways.
So, time to get crackin' on that big pile of grey plastic sitting in my storage room. Paint until the paint runs dry, then build until I run out of plastic glue. If this lasts, I might even get to bring out that Killtank from Forgeworld that's been sitting in it's box for the past two (three?) years... those resin kits do require some time and patience to put together...
bubber wrote: re ebooks - as they're closing their offices, will there be anyone to man the computers?
I note that the usual rumour image isn't up yet...
Most likely yes - and most of their library is on the Amazon Kindle store too
bubber wrote: re ebooks - as they're closing their offices, will there be anyone to man the computers?
I note that the usual rumour image isn't up yet...
They've said Customer Service, Warhammer Community and Warhammer TV teams are working from home, so I assume most of the other non-physical production teams are as well.
Whew, no Repentias for me then. I ordered a few smaller bits and bobs from Wayland last week and it shipped on the same day, I hope it's with our domestic postal system already. Still, no new conversion projects that stop me from putting the finishing touches on older stuff - I don't *want* to fill those gaps and sand those sculpted parts though, it's so boring.
I hope all GW peeps stay safe and healthy. They can always make stuff available for order after the big lockdown.
Friends and fellow hobbyists, it seems it’s finally time to stay at home and tackle that pile of sprue you’ve been stashing under the bed and finish that half-painted unit that’s been languishing on your desk.
The safety and wellbeing of all our customers and staff are paramount to everyone here at Games Workshop. In response to the developing global situation surrounding the spread of COVID-19, and following the advice and instruction from both the government here in the UK and throughout the world – we are closing Games Workshop sites around the globe.
This means that all our Warhammer and Games Workshop stores will be shut from the 24th March until an initial date of the 14th April. We’ll also be closing our factory and distribution centres – so our online stores (Games Workshop, Forge World and Black Library) won’t be selling or shipping any physical products during this period either. If you’ve recently placed an order and are waiting for it to arrive, please give us 48 hours to contact you. If you’ve still got questions after that, then please drop our Customer Service team a line via email, they’ll be valiantly working from home to ensure you’re supported over this period.
This does NOT mean you’re on your own, though. Now, more than ever, the wonderful spirit of friendship and cooperation that binds Warhammer hobbyists together is needed. With that in mind, the Warhammer Community and Warhammer TV teams are bunkered down in their hobby rooms at home ready to update warhammer-community.com with fun Warhammer news, articles and content each and every day. We’ll be sharing our hobby with you, and we hope you’ll share your hobby with us, with #WarhammerCommunity, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and we hope you’ll be joining us on Twitch, too.
You’ll also still be able to keep yourself entertained with some cracking ebooks and audio dramas from Black Library’s digital offering, so we can finally catch up on all those books we’ve been meaning to read.
Most importantly, everyone stay safe – be supportive to the people around you, and keep your mind and body happy and healthy. When this all blows over, we’ll get back to throwing dice together soon enough!
Can't say this is suprising, public safety is obviously more important than our little wargames. Hope this helps the situation. I wonder if they'll go ahead with the previews this and next weekend seeing as the community team is working from home. I'm sure we'll get a statement if not.
Bit of a bummer, as I'm already awaiting a load of preorders that have been delayed by a week due to the store employee keeping the store shut for most of last week, so it was supposed to arrive tomorrow.
Will be interesting to see when or if I can get my stuff instead.
Also preordered a lot of stuff for upcoming Saturday, with express shipping to my home, will be interesting to see how they'll handle that as well.
Jackal90 wrote: Placed an order yesterday so I’d assume that will either be cancelled and refunded or put on hold.
Was hoping to get a few last minute models before everything shuts but after seeing the news last night, thought I may have been too late.
Either way, it’s fair enough with me.
I’m happy with a refund or a wait, not really much they can do in this situation.
I placed my order yesterday well before the 1pm cut off for same day dispatch, and I had a dispatch email at 6am (presumably late arriving in my inbox).
So there's a good chance yours will make it out before the lock if the order was placed before cut-off
Of course none of this is important given the global situation, but it's nice to have some supplies to keep me ticking for the next several weeks.
Good to see GW not holding back and ceasing operations too- keep everyone there safe!
Overread wrote: Wayland Games and Firestorm games are still open but only trading online. Of course their game stocks will run dry pretty fast now that GW is no longer able to provide any more supply. That said the 3rd party stores might last a little longer when stock comes through the distributors. So it might last a bit longer than we think before stocks are fully dry.
That said they will likely run dry on most things - just remember try not to feed the scalpers on ebay who will overcharge for products during this time of shortage. It's exceptionally unlikely that GW will close doors over this event (I mean heck the worst could happen still) so what you can't get today will be there for tomorrow. Just use the time to beat the backlog!
Jackal90 wrote: Placed an order yesterday so I’d assume that will either be cancelled and refunded or put on hold.
Was hoping to get a few last minute models before everything shuts but after seeing the news last night, thought I may have been too late.
Either way, it’s fair enough with me.
I’m happy with a refund or a wait, not really much they can do in this situation.
I placed my order yesterday well before the 1pm cut off for same day dispatch, and I had a dispatch email at 6am (presumably late arriving in my inbox).
So there's a good chance yours will make it out before the lock if the order was placed before cut-off
Of course none of this is important given the global situation, but it's nice to have some supplies to keep me ticking for the next several weeks.
Good to see GW not holding back and ceasing operations too- keep everyone there safe!
Placed the order around 6pm so I doubt it, but hey ho.
Got all the respect in the world for them closing, really can’t fault them for doing so.
I’ll live without a few more models.
Just means I’ll have to actually finish a project for once lol.
The UK government's offer to pay 80% of the wage for an employee is based on the company guaranteeing the job being held open until restrictions are lifted, so if GW want's a workforce in 3 weeks (who are we kidding, it will be longer) they need to take that offer up.
Anyway a main UK online retailer has confirmed GW shut down shipping yesterday afternoon. So no UK retailer is getting Prophecy of the Wolf or PA6.
TwilightSparkles wrote: The UK government's offer to pay 80% of the wage for an employee is based on the company guaranteeing the job being held open until restrictions are lifted, so if GW want's a workforce in 3 weeks (who are we kidding, it will be longer) they need to take that offer up.
Is the employer obliged to pay the other 20%? If not, there's no reason not to take up the offer.
Binabik15 wrote: Whew, no Repentias for me then. I ordered a few smaller bits and bobs from Wayland last week and it shipped on the same day, I hope it's with our domestic postal system already. Still, no new conversion projects that stop me from putting the finishing touches on older stuff - I don't *want* to fill those gaps and sand those sculpted parts though, it's so boring.
I hope all GW peeps stay safe and healthy. They can always make stuff available for order after the big lockdown.
I always said plastic SoB wouldn't come till the end of the world.
TwilightSparkles wrote: The UK government's offer to pay 80% of the wage for an employee is based on the company guaranteeing the job being held open until restrictions are lifted, so if GW want's a workforce in 3 weeks (who are we kidding, it will be longer) they need to take that offer up.
Is the employer obliged to pay the other 20%? If not, there's no reason not to take up the offer.
The current reading of it is they need to declare the person unemployed for them to get the 80% (so they're not allowed to do any work for that employer), but agree to offer them their job back when things get better.
Binabik15 wrote: Whew, no Repentias for me then. I ordered a few smaller bits and bobs from Wayland last week and it shipped on the same day, I hope it's with our domestic postal system already. Still, no new conversion projects that stop me from putting the finishing touches on older stuff - I don't *want* to fill those gaps and sand those sculpted parts though, it's so boring.
I hope all GW peeps stay safe and healthy. They can always make stuff available for order after the big lockdown.
I always said plastic SoB wouldn't come till the end of the world.
Gadzilla666 wrote: Can't say this is suprising, public safety is obviously more important than our little wargames. Hope this helps the situation. I wonder if they'll go ahead with the previews this and next weekend seeing as the community team is working from home. I'm sure we'll get a statement if not.
We're living history now, friends. Stay safe out there.
My friends thought I was crazy for ordering 7 more dreadnoughts a couple of weeks ago just in case everything got locked down. Now I feel like I'm crazy for not ordering more.
TwilightSparkles wrote: The UK government's offer to pay 80% of the wage for an employee is based on the company guaranteeing the job being held open until restrictions are lifted, so if GW want's a workforce in 3 weeks (who are we kidding, it will be longer) they need to take that offer up.
Is the employer obliged to pay the other 20%? If not, there's no reason not to take up the offer.
The current reading of it is they need to declare the person unemployed for them to get the 80% (so they're not allowed to do any work for that employer), but agree to offer them their job back when things get better.
Not how our HR department see it having discussed it with a number of staff today - the employee stays employed in all respects including pension contributions etc. Luckily our compnay is paying the extra 20% but that not an obligation.
TwilightSparkles wrote: The UK government's offer to pay 80% of the wage for an employee is based on the company guaranteeing the job being held open until restrictions are lifted, so if GW want's a workforce in 3 weeks (who are we kidding, it will be longer) they need to take that offer up.
Is the employer obliged to pay the other 20%? If not, there's no reason not to take up the offer.
The current reading of it is they need to declare the person unemployed for them to get the 80% (so they're not allowed to do any work for that employer), but agree to offer them their job back when things get better.
Not how our HR department see it having discussed it with a number of staff today - the employee stays employed in all respects including pension contributions etc. Luckily our compnay is paying the extra 20% but that not an obligation.
To further add to your statement, according to ACAS, people are still technically employed by the company.
The gov just pay 80% of their money and it’s down to the company if they want to pay the rest.
The gov is also pushing for a ban on companies getting rid of staff entirely too unless the company plans on closing entirely.
So they can’t let a few staff go, it’s all or none.
Last call for orders at GoblinGaming too according to email received tonight;
We have decided to close our distribution and warehouse this Friday.
Until then, all orders placed for IN STOCK ITEMS will be processed and shipped to you over the next few days.
We appreciate some customers may have backorder or in fact preorders with us. We would ask if possible for you to keep your order with us until we reopen, if you need to request a refund please email support@goblingaming.co.uk as we will have a skeleton team working remotely to do customer service.
TwilightSparkles wrote: The UK government's offer to pay 80% of the wage for an employee is based on the company guaranteeing the job being held open until restrictions are lifted, so if GW want's a workforce in 3 weeks (who are we kidding, it will be longer) they need to take that offer up.
Is the employer obliged to pay the other 20%? If not, there's no reason not to take up the offer.
The current reading of it is they need to declare the person unemployed for them to get the 80% (so they're not allowed to do any work for that employer), but agree to offer them their job back when things get better.
Not how our HR department see it having discussed it with a number of staff today - the employee stays employed in all respects including pension contributions etc. Luckily our compnay is paying the extra 20% but that not an obligation.
To further add to your statement, according to ACAS, people are still technically employed by the company.
The gov just pay 80% of their money and it’s down to the company if they want to pay the rest.
The gov is also pushing for a ban on companies getting rid of staff entirely too unless the company plans on closing entirely.
So they can’t let a few staff go, it’s all or none.
Yeah, having done a bit more reading tonight it does seem our HR have got the wrong end of the stick...
TwilightSparkles wrote: The UK government's offer to pay 80% of the wage for an employee is based on the company guaranteeing the job being held open until restrictions are lifted, so if GW want's a workforce in 3 weeks (who are we kidding, it will be longer) they need to take that offer up.
Is the employer obliged to pay the other 20%? If not, there's no reason not to take up the offer.
The current reading of it is they need to declare the person unemployed for them to get the 80% (so they're not allowed to do any work for that employer), but agree to offer them their job back when things get better.
Not how our HR department see it having discussed it with a number of staff today - the employee stays employed in all respects including pension contributions etc. Luckily our compnay is paying the extra 20% but that not an obligation.
To further add to your statement, according to ACAS, people are still technically employed by the company.
The gov just pay 80% of their money and it’s down to the company if they want to pay the rest.
The gov is also pushing for a ban on companies getting rid of staff entirely too unless the company plans on closing entirely.
So they can’t let a few staff go, it’s all or none.
Yeah, having done a bit more reading tonight it does seem our HR have got the wrong end of the stick...
TwilightSparkles wrote: Interestingly some online U.K. stores haven’t mentioned the incoming preorder debacle .....
“Debacle” is a silly term to use. Preorders are the least of the world’s concerns right now. It’s hardly a scandal/cockup worthy of the term “debacle”. Some people will get their small plastic men late is all. Perspective.
I preordered the beast set from a retailer but i doubt they knew about this as I haven't heard from them so doubt I will get mine. Ordered it a few days back but that doesn't mean they did.
I don't mind waiting, i mean Fantasy Flight almost all their releases you have to wait an extra 2-3 weeks so it will kinda be the same balance.
Funny thing is this is the first thing i have preordered from GW this year. so maybe it is just me that is the bad luck.
Oof, my order of Seraphon just shipped yesterday. I checked this morning and it's sitting pretty in Missouri - looks like it was sent out just in time.
I'm popping into the FLGS to buy some paints as they will run out before GW starts resupplies.
A fine paint brush if he has one.
Plenty minis and terrain to keep me going though.
I suspect the stuff going out via the distribution network (& maybe direct to some of the bigger clients?) was already on the way when GW decided it had to close, so some of it will get to the distributors, and some of that will go out to stores that are still open or still sending stuff out online
Yeah plus many of those big stores deal with more than just GW - chances are they are getting mixed messages and confusion on all fronts right now with companies closing, but distributors seeming to be still functioning. As said GW shutting down today might still mean that distribution stock has already entered the system.
Plus even though GW has closed down the distribution system can still have a lot of stock within it. I recall the Daughters of Khaine special set with a cauldron and witchaelves (at discount) was withdrawn by GW, but remained sold through 3rd party stores for a few months after because of how many were at distributors in stock and being teased out to the stores.
And that was at a time when DoK were selling really well as one of the first AoS 2.0 armies and being pretty powerful at the time as well (ergo all those legions of power-gamers wanting them).
I suspect those retailers just want to hold on until they know for sure; keeping in mind that they might be juggling with their own potential plans to close down as well.
I had placed an order Saturday night and got the email on Monday morning saying that it had been dispatched so I must have just made the cut off.
I'm glad that most people in my hobby circles have been very understanding of why and look at it as a great opportunity to catch up on the grey plastic backlog!
Overread wrote: Yeah plus many of those big stores deal with more than just GW - chances are they are getting mixed messages and confusion on all fronts right now with companies closing, but distributors seeming to be still functioning.
Alliance and Diamond are both shut down as of the 24th, so that's not exactly true. I have a feeling we'll be hearing of more distributors closing their doors during the pandemic soon.
This is going to be a long summer, with all non-essential economy shutting down for several months. Stores and gaming spaces especially will probably remain closed until at least June (and many will be forced out of business in the meantime).
Agamemnon2 wrote: This is going to be a long summer, with all non-essential economy shutting down for several months. Stores and gaming spaces especially will probably remain closed until at least June (and many will be forced out of business in the meantime).
Forbidden planets online service is still available, so if you're crack cocaine level addicted to getting new models, you could always buy some conquest issues.
Agamemnon2 wrote: This is going to be a long summer, with all non-essential economy shutting down for several months. Stores and gaming spaces especially will probably remain closed until at least June (and many will be forced out of business in the meantime).
NurglesR0T wrote: I had placed an order Saturday night and got the email on Monday morning saying that it had been dispatched so I must have just made the cut off.
I'm glad that most people in my hobby circles have been very understanding of why and look at it as a great opportunity to catch up on the grey plastic backlog!
Great opportunity to look busy before the other half decides that we have enough bits and bobs to redecorate the spare room before completely renovating the garden!
That's if I get home of course. I'm currently 180 miles from home base waiting for contingency tasking although I did bring all the new release Battle Sisters with me so I have some construction to do.
As you may have seen from our email yesterday, in light of the ongoing situation concerning COVID-19, and following the advice of the UK government, our webstore is closing down its virtual tills from now until an initial date of 14th April in order to safeguard all of our hardworking staff.
So what does this mean for you and your order?
This means your order will stay safe and sound inside our warehouse, or on our ordering system, until such a time as we are able to get it shipped out to you. As you can imagine, we won’t be able to despatch any orders until our warehouses reopen on that initial date of 14th April.
As soon as we get the green light, we'll set about sending your order on its way.
Once again, we are very sorry to have to contact you in this manner, but we thank you for your understanding.
Well, got the email twice as well, that still leaves me with my delayed mail order that's already under way to the store, time to write them an email about that then I think.
Unlucky GW. Cancelled Saga and boxed set order and re-ordered from Wayland Games. That's a £25 you've lost because you can't supply your own product. I ordered through GW originally because I had a voucher to spend but I've managed to get extended terms on that now anyway. Madness.
Do you know the difference between GW not being able to provide their service, and being told to shut down their operations until at least 14 April 2020 by the Government?
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: Do you know the difference between GW not being able to provide their service, and being told to shut down their operations until at least 14 April 2020 by the Government?
Do you know the difference between a strawman and an ad hominem? I made no judgement on GW for following the govt mandate. I find it a very odd situation when another company is able to supply their product and they are unable, however.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: All about shipping schedules I’d imagine. But hey, never miss a chance to knock GW I guess.
Let me know if you actually receive it from Wayland. Their track record, even without working restrictions, isn’t exactly great.
I haven't 'knocked' GW at all. You are projecting onto me for some weird reason. I simply find it peculiar when 3rd parties are able to supply GW product before GW themselves (and for less!). If that doesn't tell you there's a problem with your supply chain I don't know what does.
Wayland have been excellent in my experience. Even if I don't get my order before my GW would have arrived, what's a few more days when I'm going to have to wait a month anyway?
I doubt any of us here does not have enough plastic crack to last a lifetime. Im afraid to open all my hidden boxes.
GW decision was wise and safer for their staff so kudos. Lets all just chill and enjoy the miniatures we already have.
Numbers show UK is going to be hit really hard so be safe fellas its going to be a long one I guess.
Is it likely that GW dispatch items to the third parties in advance of sending out the goodies to those who have ordered direct?
I know my favoured store sends me an email on the Friday that the advance order has been dispatched (normally posted on a Thursday). Sometimes I even get the product on a Friday.
In this case, an extra 24 (even 12) hours could have made all the difference between FLGS being able to deliver to a customer while GW cannot.
Is it likely that GW dispatch items to the third parties in advance of sending out the goodies to those who have ordered direct?
I know my favoured store sends me an email on the Friday that the advance order has been dispatched (normally posted on a Thursday). Sometimes I even get the product on a Friday.
In this case, an extra 24 (even 12) hours could have made all the difference between FLGS being able to deliver to a customer while GW cannot.
Normally most FLGS in the U.K. get a dispatch from GW on Wednesday or Thursday. Only if it’s a massive release like a new edition does this vary. Outpost Sheffield stated they placed their order at the earliest possible point and had confirmation back faster than a typical order , but the stock still didn’t make it out as GW effectively shut down the day before the email,Outpost has been the most open about this do I see no reason for them to lie.
I’ve seen people commenting on distributors ? AFAIK in the U.K. that’s not even a thing, you buy from GW.
It’s a good move because Nottingham itself is a relative hit zone for cases , probably not helped by the fact it near forced role into using public transport which is oversubscribed with users - I’ve seen people try to manually close the tram doors to make them shut (imagine the pictures of the London tub but on a 5 small carriage tram.......)
My pre order for Ragnar from element has had the expected delivery date changes to the end of April. Just a shame they didn't attempt to communicate that to their customers, either as an email or as a Twitter/website update. I expect more on line retailers won't have theirs, it would be an odd position for gw to not fulfil their pre orders but have third party stores fulfil theirs.
Listening to the news in the UK this morning. Some companies are telling their workers to keep coming in to run non-essential factories, call-centres, etc.
In the meantime, the advice from our government has become rather murky. It has now changed to 'stay at home unless you need to go to work' Which, I think would result in a continued spread of C-19.
GW shutting down their shops and factories was the right call. It helps to protect their staff, customers and hopefully society in general.
Promethius wrote: My pre order for Ragnar from element has had the expected delivery date changes to the end of April. Just a shame they didn't attempt to communicate that to their customers, either as an email or as a Twitter/website update. I expect more on line retailers won't have theirs, it would be an odd position for gw to not fulfil their pre orders but have third party stores fulfil theirs.
This what I meant by debacle.
I am not for one minute saying that toy figures are important in this beyond the fact that fir some who are staying as isolated as possible it provides an aid to mental health.
What I am saying is that I believe all the GW retailers know about this and that some are failing to communicate the issue for fear of having to refund.
Customers appreciate honesty rather than sneakily changing dispatch dates or radio silence.
I’m still wondering if they sent out my subscription of WD. I saw some reviews but it would have been nice to get an email or something saying WD was delayed. Just my luck that the for the first time I get a WD subscription it doesn’t go out...
Souleater wrote: Listening to the news in the UK this morning. Some companies are telling their workers to keep coming in to run non-essential factories, call-centres, etc.
In the meantime, the advice from our government has become rather murky. It has now changed to 'stay at home unless you need to go to work' Which, I think would result in a continued spread of C-19.
GW shutting down their shops and factories was the right call. It helps to protect their staff, customers and hopefully society in general.
Stay safe folks.
A lot of government level legislation is very generic in tone - they rely on an underlaying body of key companies and groups to interpret the legislation into policies and best practice for specific niches of the country. This allows government to enact new policies without getting bogged down in the complexities of specific niche industries and business and individuals.
Saying you shut down unless your job is essential services and giving a rough list of essential services basically shifts things down to the company and industry levels. They then have to start making calls on if they qualify or not based on the guidelines. So a model company is, in some way, left to its own to work itself out if its essential or not. Of course government also runs checks on the policies adopted.
It's why you get companies like Weatherspoons trying to argue that they are "essential services". They are basically trying to take simple government legislation and interpret it in their own favour. Of course you can only twist interpretations so far before they break.
Promethius wrote: My pre order for Ragnar from element has had the expected delivery date changes to the end of April. Just a shame they didn't attempt to communicate that to their customers, either as an email or as a Twitter/website update. I expect more on line retailers won't have theirs, it would be an odd position for gw to not fulfil their pre orders but have third party stores fulfil theirs.
This what I meant by debacle.
I am not for one minute saying that toy figures are important in this beyond the fact that fir some who are staying as isolated as possible it provides an aid to mental health.
What I am saying is that I believe all the GW retailers know about this and that some are failing to communicate the issue for fear of having to refund.
Customers appreciate honesty rather than sneakily changing dispatch dates or radio silence.
It might be that many of those companies are running without their full compliment of staff. The person in charge of mass emails about product release changes might well be working from home within a company not setup for it. They might be running short staffed; running confused about not just GW but perhaps a dozens to hundreds of other product lines all with parent companies and distributors all doing various different things at different times. Heck even staff that they have might be leaving early or starting late as they have to care for kids now at home; or trying to use public transport and miss the crowds.
Basically this isn't like normal operations where one company delays something in isolation; there's delays, confusion, mixed messages and staff getting jumpy; vanishing etc..... Basically its a chaotic situation for companies so I can appreciate that their normal communication lines might be clogged.
Heck chances are they might just be swamped with 1001 emails asking "are you open - are you shipping - where is my order - can you get XYZ - are GW really shut etc..." More than one company has had a small service team (which in small firms is often staff doing it inbetween other tasks) get overwhelmed by masses of emails at once; esp when some of those will be repeats from people who don't like waiting.
Triple Helix Wargames did not receive the weekly resupply from Games Workshop. We have been contacting customers with outstanding orders and giving them options.
We have also been shipping out as many orders (or part-orders) as possible so that people have things to do while they are at home.
The website now only shows those items that we have in stock (normally it shows the items we can order in) and we will ship orders while we are allowed to do so.
Triple Helix Wargames wrote: The website now only shows those items that we have in stock (normally it shows the items we can order in) and we will ship orders while we are allowed to do so.
I saw that, so placed an order. Hopefully I'll get it before the country grinds to a halt...
GaroRobe wrote: Hopefully the reveals Saturday will be juicy and not make the wait for next Saturday's reveals all the more tantalizing.
It stands to reason that GW would not switch around their previews, so this weekend's reveals will be what we would have seen at Adepticon. and since that's the biggest event, I think we'll see what GW thinks of as the biggest news then.
It's quite possible that if you're not into Space Marines and new editions the preview the week after will be more interesting, though.
Just received a GW package of an order I placed on Saturday - so assuming you got an email Monday to say the order was dispatched you should be ok.
My LGS that is still operating (in somewhat reduced capacity) also got their weekends preorders (Saga of the Beast etc) delivered earlier in the week so some distribution sites may have already sent their boxes before the lock down took place.
Souleater wrote: Listening to the news in the UK this morning. Some companies are telling their workers to keep coming in to run non-essential factories, call-centres, etc.
In the meantime, the advice from our government has become rather murky. It has now changed to 'stay at home unless you need to go to work' Which, I think would result in a continued spread of C-19.
GW shutting down their shops and factories was the right call. It helps to protect their staff, customers and hopefully society in general.
Stay safe folks.
A lot of government level legislation is very generic in tone - they rely on an underlaying body of key companies and groups to interpret the legislation into policies and best practice for specific niches of the country. This allows government to enact new policies without getting bogged down in the complexities of specific niche industries and business and individuals.
Saying you shut down unless your job is essential services and giving a rough list of essential services basically shifts things down to the company and industry levels. They then have to start making calls on if they qualify or not based on the guidelines. So a model company is, in some way, left to its own to work itself out if its essential or not. Of course government also runs checks on the policies adopted.
It's why you get companies like Weatherspoons trying to argue that they are "essential services". They are basically trying to take simple government legislation and interpret it in their own favour. Of course you can only twist interpretations so far before they break.
Legislation - the original RAW vs. RAI scenario...
The store I pre-ordered from apparently managed to send out the box set and book. I according to them GW sends out some product for pre-orders way ahead of schedule, so they can make sure that people get their stuff on release days. Meaning they already had the stuff in stock before GW closed down. It's probably the same for "let's see where your package ends up this time"-wayland games.
I usually spend more time salivating over new previews and releases than actually buying them anyway... But I think it's good they're being open and realistic about this. Obviously it's very wise that they've closed down all their physical locations and activities for the time being.
Looking forward to the new previews, hoping for Necromunda stuff, even if for the moment only to help with planning for the stuff I already have.
May makes a lot of sense - April 14th IF we hit that date for reopening would only be their factories going online toa huge backorder log and supply demand. It would probably take them a week or two to clear that; plus produce extra for a new release. So May sounds quite sensible.
Be surprised if it is even then, the UK seems likely to introduce tighter restrictions very soon thanks to various sectors trying to squeeze into "essential" status . A local bargain store bought chest freezers and has a pretty pathetic range of frozen food now whilst still having about 100 times the space of usual junk available.
GW definitely doing the right thing and in the fortunate position that they can afford it.
Assuming they don't just move the schedule back (which would be sensible), that'd be a sisters restock, zoat, saga of the beast + boxset, machine war + 3 admech kits and the high elf peeps probably as a minimum all on 1 weekend, which would be awesome!
I wouldn't be shocked if every week they put the items up on 'preorder' like normal, as the stuff should be in country and warehoused a month or two in advance.
Kanluwen wrote: I wouldn't be shocked if every week they put the items up on 'preorder' like normal, as the stuff should be in country and warehoused a month or two in advance.
And do what? What's the point when nobody can order anything anyway. Not case of order and get delivered sometime but flat out can't orderl
GW has confirmed via WHC that no new items will be offered until May assuming the UK lockdown ends on April 14th.
Which, short of a miracle ,it won’t as we’re still tracking around 2 weeks behind Italy and all the U.K. government financial assistance is targeting a 3 month period.
I am cancelling my outstanding orders since it is very unclear if/when these can be fulfilled. A difficult position for everyone but I can't help but think that gw have shot themselves in the foot here as they would seem to be a prime industry to benefit from people being stuck at home with nothing to do.
Promethius wrote: I am cancelling my outstanding orders since it is very unclear if/when these can be fulfilled. A difficult position for everyone but I can't help but think that gw have shot themselves in the foot here as they would seem to be a prime industry to benefit from people being stuck at home with nothing to do.
They didn't really get a choice - they are non-essential and thus would have to close their factories down. With those shut they simply cannot keep up with supply at all. Plus with the global market shutting down transport here and there ad-hock its likely a nightmare for them to actually organise things like a single release date for a new model/boxed set. Their support lines would get swamped with requests for products etc... when they couldn't start the factories up.
Basically its a lot easier and safer for them just to shut down.
TwilightSparkles wrote: Wilkos/B+M/Home Bargains all have superglue and are "essential" stores.
Yeah think I'm going to hit b&m tomorrow so will pick some up. Going to try and get some compost so I can plant some flowers with my daughter while we're stuck at home. That is if the police don't stop me. Ridiculous.
queen_annes_revenge wrote: I'm good for paint, but superglue! Most of my models are assembled, but still. I believe there maybe some hardware stocked places still open.
Smaug wrote: Has anyone heard if Black Library’s POD books will be available to order after the shutdown ends?
All the GW/BL print on demand stuff has always been short term on their site. Once it vanishes (typically 1 or 2 weeks) its gone until/if they decide to run it again. So I'd say if you want them order them - GW is a pretty solid and safe company to invest in at this time for orders even with a delay. Heck its normally something like 56 weeks before they say your order will arrive anyway.
Promethius wrote: I am cancelling my outstanding orders since it is very unclear if/when these can be fulfilled. A difficult position for everyone but I can't help but think that gw have shot themselves in the foot here as they would seem to be a prime industry to benefit from people being stuck at home with nothing to do.
That... is completely missing the point.
It isn't practical or effective (or safe) to operate manufacturing equipment and move warehouse stock around on minimal staff, and there isn't any reason to risk people in close proximity in the workplace.
The designers and whatnot can do remote meetings from home, but that doesn't work on the manufacturing and shipping end.
queen_annes_revenge wrote: I'm good for paint, but superglue! Most of my models are assembled, but still. I believe there maybe some hardware stocked places still open.
Glue was the first thing I thought of.
Friend of mine bought an entire box of 24 Revell Contacta plastic glue to divvy up amongst our group.
Promethius wrote: I am cancelling my outstanding orders since it is very unclear if/when these can be fulfilled. A difficult position for everyone but I can't help but think that gw have shot themselves in the foot here as they would seem to be a prime industry to benefit from people being stuck at home with nothing to do.
Unfortunately not much they can do. Or what? Go against the goverment? Bad idea even with the current goverment. You can hardly claim they are essential store...
GW has done MORE than the Government has asked for. The law allows you to go to work if it cannot be done from home and IF that place of work has not been ordered closed.
If the place of work is not ordered closed then it can operate provided the distancing measures are in place.
However, there is a divide between companies staying legal and companies going above and beyond. GW is one of those and the cumulative efforts will shorten this because they are stopping movement.
GW had to close its retail stores. It didn't have to stop manufacturing/distribution. It's the same with some UKFLGS/indie wargames, some have totally stopped , others are still making staff operate online sales. Warlord Games followed GW and stopped completely.
GW really hasn't "shot themselves in the foot" because there is already growing sentiment of anger in the UK towards companies still legally making staff work when it's seen to be a non essential product and as the deaths clock up that will grow.
Once the recovery begins GW will have large orders, and a more loyal workforce.
On a side note I am disappointed but not surprised to see various European LGS ebaying Prophecy for 3-4 times the retail. Karma will even that out.
GW has done MORE than the Government has asked for. The law allows you to go to work if it cannot be done from home and IF that place of work has not been ordered closed.
If the place of work is not ordered closed then it can operate provided the distancing measures are in place.
However, there is a divide between companies staying legal and companies going above and beyond. GW is one of those and the cumulative efforts will shorten this because they are stopping movement.
GW had to close its retail stores. It didn't have to stop manufacturing/distribution. It's the same with some UKFLGS/indie wargames, some have totally stopped , others are still making staff operate online sales. Warlord Games followed GW and stopped completely.
GW really hasn't "shot themselves in the foot" because there is already growing sentiment of anger in the UK towards companies still legally making staff work when it's seen to be a non essential product and as the deaths clock up that will grow.
Once the recovery begins GW will have large orders, and a more loyal workforce.
On a side note I am disappointed but not surprised to see various European LGS ebaying Prophecy for 3-4 times the retail. Karma will even that out.
Being slightly more cynical, these facts tell me that GW discovered that it wouldn't receive any insurance payouts or government bailouts unless it shut down its mail order service as well as the physical stores
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: Bright side? GW just posted on Insta with a preview countdown for Saturday.
So at least we’ll get to see pretties and that.
Well, I wouldn't be surprised that these previews we're done weeks ago and are only waiting to be posted.
Well duh. They're the previews that were supposed to be at Adepticon, they were probably made and done months ago in preparation for that.
Though only the video reveals of models and the pictures will have been.
Adepticon is usually a live seminar right?
This being a twitch stream, a large portion of it will be live potentially? Just from someone’s house I suppose. (On that, can twitch streams just be a recording? I’ve only ever seen live ones to be fair..)
queen_annes_revenge wrote: I'm good for paint, but superglue! Most of my models are assembled, but still. I believe there maybe some hardware stocked places still open.
Amazon?
theyre de-prioritising non essential items, so it depends if they deem it a necessity or not. DIY things seem to be a grey area. is fixing things in my house necessary?
Smaug wrote: Has anyone heard if Black Library’s POD books will be available to order after the shutdown ends?
All the GW/BL print on demand stuff has always been short term on their site. Once it vanishes (typically 1 or 2 weeks) its gone until/if they decide to run it again. So I'd say if you want them order them - GW is a pretty solid and safe company to invest in at this time for orders even with a delay. Heck its normally something like 56 weeks before they say your order will arrive anyway.
The Horus Heresy books where supposed to be available to order for 2 weeks, but the web site stop taking orders 3 days into the run. Neither the community site or FB have any information if these will be after May 2. So I was wondering if the ordering window is paused or if you only had the first 2 or 3 days to get a order in.
Wish people would stop ragging on GW based on supposition.
To receive Government assistance you have to furlough staff. GW staff have not been furloughed in the U.K. business interruption loans - “loans” - make no sense to GW as they simply have no need for them as could effectively borrow from themselves at 0%. GW are just paying staff contract hours as far as I know based on friends employed by them.
Assistance with National insurance and pension payments is applied equally to all business regardless of trading or not. Insurance being applicable kicked in a week before lockdown as stated by the government. If you had pandemic cover included under interruption.
GW will sort out the POD Heresy I imagine once they reopen.
“Homeware/Hardware” are classed as essential but have to implement distancing or risk forced closure. People still need to repair, buy cleaning products , grow stuff etc though I expect soon that we will see the concept of approved retailers to stop some of the rampant category expansion some stores are engaging in. Amazon has been classed as essential because they are prioritising certain goods and being used by the Government itself and is one of the companies chosen for this.
queen_annes_revenge wrote: I'm good for paint, but superglue! Most of my models are assembled, but still. I believe there maybe some hardware stocked places still open.
Amazon?
theyre de-prioritising non essential items, so it depends if they deem it a necessity or not. DIY things seem to be a grey area. is fixing things in my house necessary?
Just tell them you need the superglue for liquid stitches. Last I heard hardware stores are essential kind of like grocery stores. I would say if you have water leaking across the floor or a light switch or socket that is arcing repair is a necessity. I know that doesn’t help with paint, but you can at least build and base stuff.
queen_annes_revenge wrote: I'm good for paint, but superglue! Most of my models are assembled, but still. I believe there maybe some hardware stocked places still open.
Amazon?
theyre de-prioritising non essential items, so it depends if they deem it a necessity or not. DIY things seem to be a grey area. is fixing things in my house necessary?
In the last year I've had to repair a collapsed walk-in wardrobe shelf/clothes rack, and a hole in the roof tiles that led to water pouring in through the downlight holes. So maybe you don't need to putty the corner right now, but yes - access to items for home repairs and not needing to call a tradie in to do it is pretty nessecary.
Friend on a black library Facebook group has had a reply re: Heresy POD. Once GW recommence operations then they will be back up for two weeks. All orders placed before the stop remain valid but obviously the shipping will just be 56 days out from the end of the two weeks after the restart.
