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After reading several different topics about several different things and seeing repeatedly that GW has increased their prices multiple times.

I'm just curious, have they ever lowered the prices?

Of course not, who does?

Inflation is the default position in all economies, deflation would is huge news as it is so rare (and invariably bad).

Sucks but it seems to be a basic fact of life.

They did here in Canada when GW Canada got folded into the US. The price disparity dropped from around +40% over US MSRP back down to around +15% on random portions of the range. For example, battleforces went from $130CAD vs $90USD to $108CAD vs $90 USD. I say random because things like the Predator dropped in price, but things like the Razorback stayed expensive.

They have since climbed back to +25-30% oer US MSRP despite the Canadian dollar being worth more AND the Canadian stores being supplied by the same distribution arm as the US.

There's been some 'price adjustments' were specific items went down.. mainly bringing product pricing in line by packaging/categories. I don't know of any time they've down an across-the-board price decrease.

It would be rare, as wargames aren't a 'commodity' like gasoline (which fluctuates while generally trending up) so prices are almost always going to go up slowly due to inflation.

Not until they are forced to compete.

Then, hopefully, they will become a more interactive and realistic company.

Until then, the beatings will continue until moral improves...

I'd love to see the meeting at GMHQ on the morning they come to the conclusion that they have to consider cutting prices to compete.

I envision trying to explain charging less to make more in the long term would be somewhat akin to the scene in Blackadder the Second where the eponymous character tries to teach Baldrick addition: "Ah, some beans."

Riffzor wrote:After reading several different topics about several different things and seeing repeatedly that GW has increased their prices multiple times.

I'm just curious, have they ever lowered the prices?

I once had a GW redshirt correct me when I walked into a store a week after a price raise and commented that everything had gone up (this was years ago before the price raises were an annual expected event... back then, they were somewhat random). He said it wasn't a price raise but an adjustment... and said enthusiastically that some things actually went down! When pressed with for details about what went down in price, he could only name 2 or 3 blisters, all of which were older editions that were being discontinued (like 2nd edition clown metal ork blisters during the 3rd edition days of non-clowny orks and the old crab-claw Yarrick after the current one came out). So, yes, they do lower some prices by a dollar when they go into GW's version of clearance.

I can think of one - the Ushabti, who are now in Finecost, are now individually cheaper then they were before!

Of course, now you have to buy them in packs of 3, and deal with all the problems that Finecost provides... but that's something, isn't it?!

As for actual price decreases? Unless GW takes a look at areas where FLGS's are already selling their product and close stores nearby, or go through some radical change at the highest level, I don't see them actually lowering prices.

But you know what would bring some people back? In-store sales, or holiday sales. 30% off at the GW Online store and GW shops around the world during the winter holidays-of-traditionally-buying-gifts-for-each-other-to-show-some-small-amount-of-affection time would go a long way.

Prices will never go down... what I am MORE interested in, is when does a GW host a sale? I have yet to see them do this.... A lot of places host sales for whatever reason, and while it probably doesnt do them much overall, it excites customers and builds loyalty..... oh well, any sale they could on couldnt not be matched by a whole-sale discounter....

poda_t wrote:Prices will never go down... what I am MORE interested in, is when does a GW host a sale? I have yet to see them do this.... A lot of places host sales for whatever reason, and while it probably doesnt do them much overall, it excites customers and builds loyalty..... oh well, any sale they could on couldnt not be matched by a whole-sale discounter....

I have the feeling that GW would be more likely to burn everytihing that was up to be included in a sale in full view of their loyal customers and then reissue the minis on their website as online exclusives at a significantly higher price than ever offer a "sale" of any kind.

poda_t wrote:Prices will never go down... what I am MORE interested in, is when does a GW host a sale? I have yet to see them do this.... A lot of places host sales for whatever reason, and while it probably doesnt do them much overall, it excites customers and builds loyalty..... oh well, any sale they could on couldnt not be matched by a whole-sale discounter....

In the US, they used to have a single 20% off grand opening sale for a store a few months after it opened but I don't recall ever seeing a traditional sale afterwards. A manufacturer having a sale (while being a hard ass on companies that discount at the same time) is a fine line that I guess GW prefers not to risk crossing.

I have not heard of any price drops for Games Workshop. Maybe competition from Mantic Warpath will cause some price drops as Mantic stuff is cheaper then GW.

ALL OF YOUR DOLLARS ARE BELONG TO US!

warboss wrote:

poda_t wrote:Prices will never go down... what I am MORE interested in, is when does a GW host a sale? I have yet to see them do this.... A lot of places host sales for whatever reason, and while it probably doesnt do them much overall, it excites customers and builds loyalty..... oh well, any sale they could on couldnt not be matched by a whole-sale discounter....

In the US, they used to have a single 20% off grand opening sale for a store a few months after it opened but I don't recall ever seeing a traditional sale afterwards. A manufacturer having a sale (while being a hard ass on companies that discount at the same time) is a fine line that I guess GW prefers not to risk crossing.

I recall a similar type of sale on the birthday thing or whatever they did locally, conveniently, that was also when they were clearing their stock out with the apocalypse size kits..... I regret not having bought the 10 tanks for the $400??? odd...

Of course when the closest competition are PP and BF who charge roughly the same and increase to match you have to ask where the "real competition" will come from.

I don't think it will be Mantic (ATM) as I do not think their product compares. They would have to match quality of sculpt at a lower cost to be truely comparable for me.

Only time they had lower prices in the Uk was when VAT was down to 15%. Glorious days when a Tac squad was £15. BUt that was VAT-driven, not company driven. So I'd think no, they haven't taken the initiative and dropped their own prices.

GW used to do sales and buy one, get one free type offers about 20 years ago.

Some items go down. Cauldron of Blood went down to £20, with no change in model.

Also, Finecast Ushabti in their box of three are cheaper than their metal equivalents. There's the odd other, but never a drop in the same way as an across the board rise.

notprop wrote:Of course not, who does?

Inflation is the default position in all economies, deflation would is huge news as it is so rare (and invariably bad).

Sucks but it seems to be a basic fact of life.

Well actually...
There have been times of deflation, house prices are generally lower than 5 years ago.

Laptops are cheaper than my old computer and a billion times more powerful
Price of oil and exchange rates go up AND down.

The "oh it is economics get used to it" argument is a tad simplistic and very patronising.
But just another way of people justifying to themselves their hobby is worth paying way over the odds for.

Suckers, they see you guys coming and the dollar signs pop up in their eyes and go ding!

I remember when you used to get a a box of marines or something when you subscribed to White Dwarf. Then there was the Troll Cave where random stuff would be on sale....and they used to sell bits and sprues on the website....

The thing is that they can't just drop their prices across the board overnight, because that would immediately devalue how much the existing inventory is worth (for GW, suppliers, and LGS's). That would screw over a lot of people who depend on selling their products and have already committed to selling them at their current value.

(Although it's funny how they can instantly create wealth by raising prices overnight, even on older models like Eldrad Ulthuan, who has been around since 2nd Edition and has more than doubled in price since he was first released).

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:

notprop wrote:Of course not, who does?

Inflation is the default position in all economies, deflation would is huge news as it is so rare (and invariably bad).

Sucks but it seems to be a basic fact of life.

Well actually...
There have been times of deflation, house prices are generally lower than 5 years ago.

Laptops are cheaper than my old computer and a billion times more powerful
Price of oil and exchange rates go up AND down.

The "oh it is economics get used to it" argument is a tad simplistic and very patronising.
But just another way of people justifying to themselves their hobby is worth paying way over the odds for.

.......................

Woh there trigger!

You seem to have read an awful lot of definitives into a few basic comments.

I appreciate anti GW is most people default setting atm but you should really not be quite so veracious.

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:Suckers, they see you guys coming and the dollar signs pop up in their eyes and go ding!

I shall assume that that wasn't meant to be quite so barbed so I will leave you with this;

"Fly-girls scream then they holla,
I get paid in pounds not in dollars"

Just a bit of Old Skool UK style to lighten the mood a little.

Believe it or not some of us critics don't actually need basic lessons in life or economics.

Negative opinions of GW are not likely to be changed by basic statements, especially when they don't hold true.

Sorry Notprop but as much as some chaps get fed up with complaints about GW pricing, some of us get equally tired of the unconvincing defence put forward on the latter's behalf.

Take it how you want.
Obviously someone wasn't raised on "Old School" Loony Toons.

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:Sorry Notprop but as much as some chaps get fed up with complaints about GW pricing, some of us get equally tired of the unconvincing defence put forward on the latter's behalf.

Unfortunately, you chose some really bad examples, which is why you came across as so inflammatory and ignorant of how basic economics work in your post.

I don't believe so. I originally thought the rhino went from 35$ to 33$, but it turned out my FLGS was just overpricing them

Most likely not because that don't have the competion to need to.

Riffzor wrote:After reading several different topics about several different things and seeing repeatedly that GW has increased their prices multiple times.

I'm just curious, have they ever lowered the prices?

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Not overly constructive, but I did find it amusing. Basically, no. I doubt you will see price decreases.

Unless there is a mass exodus, and by mass exodus I mean GW loses 50-75% of their sales, I honestly do not believe that you will ever see anything but a price increase in their ranges.

I no longer buy their paint and hobby supplies, because the discontinuation of popular colors and cheaper alternatives to tools already exist.

I personally think you'll sooner see a ten foot Lady Bug tap dancing across Vatican Square on Easter Sunday morning before you see a GW price reduction...but hey, I'm a pessimist.

See, I would pay good money to see that.

You are wasted here, Impressario Fitzz.