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Let's face it: We have a very expensive hobby.

GW is not lenient on prices and is even worse when it comes to bigger objects eg titans and stompas

This is less of a guide and more of a caution to players. Here I have a few tips that I use and should help you save some money

Tip 1: Games workshop is your last resort
GW prices are incredibly expensive these days. Go figure. Last time I checked, Ghazgull thraka is $50 in plastic. You should not have to pay that much for a piece of plastic. There are so many other ways to get your mini's, and for less than half the price. EBay, Warhammer online stores are a great way of saving bucket loads of cash. Generally EBay is reliable and isn't too much hassle.
You can buy a codex at GW for $50 or so, why do that when you can get it for $20-$30 on EBay? The only time you should buy from GW is paints ( It's hard to find good paints other than Citadel) and maybe for the occasional AOBR or a start from a squad. GW are ripping of hundreds of people and they think they are getting a good deal. Employees will try to convince you it is, but that's a load of junk.

Tip 2: Why buy when you already have?
GW ends up selling you stuff that you can probably find lying around the house. They sell paintbrushes, glue and even pots to wash out your brush in. Most of this stuff you should already have.
Another great example of this is the modelling sand they sell. I went to look at it over the weekend, thinking it was something special, but all it really is sand. Just plain ol' sand you can get anywhere on the beach at Redcliffe etc. They sell a small pot of sand for $15. They probably spend about 2.50 on the sand and the container. That’s $12.50 profit, which is more than 80%.
Ridiculous. What else is there to say?

Tip 3: Mix and match
Here is a great example of how to save money. I needed a 11 man loota squad for an upcoming tournament. I got the squad for around $55; the normal price for an 11 man loota squad is $82. All you need is one GW boxed loota set, 2 extra torsos and 4 ork boys in a boxed set. Assembly the 4 lootas with the mek. Next using the rokkit launcher and big shooter that is in the loota box, make 2 converted lootas. Now you have 6 lootas and one mek. Now, I have a friend who’s crazy about burnas. He bought the boxed set as well, and we decided to trade, my burna bits for his loota bits. Then, using the ork boys set, make yourself another 4 lootas. You now have an 11 man loota squad, At only half price. Easy or what?

I hope this is a help to new players about to spend thousands of dollars on GW products. Enjoy!

Not buying from GW stores is cool, but people still need to support the FLGS.
I know there are a lot of home gamers out there, but I prefer to let someone else cover the cost of tables, and such.
Plus the local stores are the ones who host tourneys, and events. You could do that in your house too; but who's paying the bill for the prizes?

The easiest way for us dutchies to save money is simply ordering from resellers in the UK. With the exchanges rates as they are, and the difference in prices for UK/EU residents you can get up to 30-50% savings (e.g. battleforce boxes cost 95,- euro, while UK resellers sell them for 48,- pounds, which currently is ~57 euros). Shipping isnt that much from the UK either, and especially Wayland often has no-shipping specials as well.

cricketofdeth wrote:Not buying from GW stores is cool, but people still need to support the FLGS.
I know there are a lot of home gamers out there, but I prefer to let someone else cover the cost of tables, and such.
Plus the local stores are the ones who host tourneys, and events. You could do that in your house too; but who's paying the bill for the prizes?

Pretty sure the bill for the prizes is covered by the entry fees that most tournaments have.

Most FLGS in my area rely on donations and players scratch-building terrain.
Thank God the newest store in our area promises real terrain.

I know the prize support is partly covered by the entry fee, but GW offers prizes to local "Full Partner" stores for bi-monthly tourneys, and warmahordes/WotC both have prize packs available for purchase.

But say the average tourney brings in 20 players, at $5.00 a head, the store is only bringing in $100.00. That's not a lot of goodies when split between 1st-3rd place.
Most tourneys offer $175ish (1st gets a battalion/battleforce, 2nd get a troop box, 3rd a blister) in prize support, so either the store is eating the rest, or it comes from the manufacturer.
I know I don't want to shell out a ton of cash to just play my buddies in a basement tourney, half the fun is playing new people, and the entry fee for tourneys when run through a store is quite cheap.
If you lose $5.00 in a store tourney to a bad beat (dice), you live you learn, It was $5.00.
If you shelled out $20,00+ for comparative prize support for a basement tourney*, and now one to three of your buddies are walking out the door with everyone else's money, it's just not the same. Plus, I don't know too may players with that kind of disposable income. They'd much rather just spend the $35.00 on new minis.
If you host a basement tourney just for bragging rights; more power to you.
(Please note; this is based off my experience playing local tourneys in the central Texas area, your region/FLGS may vary.)
* I have never seen a basement tourney bring in more than a handful of people, and your avage basement, or even house won't support a full 20+ player event.
I guess the point is; save a dime when you can, but support your FLGS, and the economy.

Magenwolf, first of all I love your Avatar.

Secondly, I really sympathise with your situation, living in Aus and having to put up with the dated exchange rate prices that GW sets.

TBH I'm amazed anyone there buys GW stuff at all, especially considering the amount of alternatives there are from other manufacturers, most of which goes to Aus at comparable prices to what we pay in the West. Look at the new Vampire Counts for instance - now for me, living in the UK, if I was starting a new army while I might buy special characters and monsters from GW, I know that a good chunk of my core infantry is going to be a Mantic undead horde boxset, which is about a 3rd of the price compared to GW stuff. For anyone buying in your neck of the woods, it has to be an absolute no-brainer (with the exception of course of those who have money to burn).

Now there is some way this could go to the FLGS owner's advantage. If I owned a store, even though I would continue to sell some GW product, I would choose now as a time to start getting in stuff from other manufacturers. The prices in Aus are utterly insane now, and I think even players who have only ever experienced the GW core game might start looking at alternatives when they are so much cheaper, especially if those other products are displayed side by side. Most of us who have played those other games know that they are a similar sort of experience, they are just miniatures on a board with dice, there is no 'magic dust' that GW sprinkles on its games and miniatures. I've seen first hand, many times, someone playing Warmachine or Infinity for the first time, their apprehensions are gone within moments. It's up to the store owner to set up games to try and accomplish this.

I feel the alternative is the death (or at least mortal wounding) of miniature wargaming in that part of the world - FLGS owners should stop flogging a dead horse with their GW stuff, and try and use that current player base to try and switch to reasonably priced alternatives. At least until GW sees sense and decides to bring the price of their products into line, or at least somewhere near, that of their competitors.

MagenWOLF wrote:The only time you should buy from GW is paints ( It's hard to find good paints other than Citadel) and maybe for the occasional AOBR or a start from a squad.

Why on earth would you buy paints from GW when there are "good paints" available elsewhere (Vallejo is less expensive and, IMO, a superior product).

There are a lot of other ways to save money, mostly by converting.

Instead of paying $10 for Goblin (big- and war-) bosses, I bought a box of Goblins ($35) and converted a standard bearer (BSB), two warbosses (different weapon loads), and three big bosses. The Bretonian Hero on Pegasus costs $30. A single Pegasus knight is $18, or you can get 3 for $42. Throw in some bits from the Empire General box and you've got a decent Captain on Pegasus.

The Chaos Daemon Prince box comes with enough parts - except part of the torso and legs - for two Daemon Princes. Converting a second one is easy with some spare parts and green stuff (I used a High Elf Griffon from the IoB set).

I have a GW store in my area... I buy paint from them. Thats it.

I buy my models ONLINE at a discount. Even after shipping etc im saving money....

I try to buy from the one and only LGS that sells GW but he sells at GW prices and just bitches and moans about GW so much I gag going in there....

So my #1 tip for saving money = Buy online... EVERYTHING you can..... Are just simply trade with people here on DakkaDakka....

Yes, I never buy models or modelling supplies direct from GW anymore.

Ebay is my first port of call and if I can't find what I want after a few weeks of searching (rare), it's off to Darksphere or the like.

On occasions, the stuff I find on ebay is such a good deal, I've been able to sell it on for a profit (e.g. 2 Necron Warrior boxes and 1 Ghost Ark box - still sealed! - bought for a paltry £41 and which I then sold separately for £57). This then pays for more stuff

Milisim wrote:So my #1 tip for saving money = Buy online... EVERYTHING you can..... Are just simply trade with people here on DakkaDakka....

Pay where you Play. If you can play online, then by all means, spend all your money there. If you are exclusively buying from discounters online, then I expect you never should leave your house to play then.

Not saying anyone should never buy online, but your purchases should be directly proportionate to the ammount of time you game at any location. If you are gaming every weekend in some dude's store, youshould be paying his retail price to help support the store.

Even if you are buying from a second-hand source like Weyland or Miniature Market, you are supporting GW and, therefore, the local GW store which is owned by GW. GW still makes a profit selling to them; if they didn't make a profit they wouldn't sell stuff to them. That these online resources can make a profit at such a discount speaks well of their volume of sales, and should be a message to GW.

Now if you play at an independant store, then yes, you should buy where you play to the maximum extent the shop will accomodate you and your tastes.

Of course, if you (for example) want Mantic dwarves instead of GW, and your independant shop not only won't stock them but won't even order them for you... well, then go online. Likewise, if you prefer vintage and out-of-production minis, E-bay and the like is pretty much your only source.

But at least buy your paints and whatnot there. Sodas and snacks too; they make a nice profit on that stuff that helps cover the rent.

Vulcan wrote:
But at least buy your paints and whatnot there. Sodas and snacks too; they make a nice profit on that stuff that helps cover the rent.

I declare bs on this. They are not in the business to sell snickers bars and the hassle to keep it stocked is as a courtesy to make the store more fun for gamers. They have to buy the snacks almost retail at the grocery store or a warehouse store, so they are not getting the profit like selling from a food distributor. They are not paying the rent because you passed up on 200$ of GW models to an internet discounter and bought a snickers bar and a paint pot instead.

nkelsch wrote:I declare bs on this. They are not in the business to sell snickers bars and the hassle to keep it stocked is as a courtesy to make the store more fun for gamers. They have to buy the snacks almost retail at the grocery store or a warehouse store, so they are not getting the profit like selling from a food distributor. They are not paying the rent because you passed up on 200$ of GW models to an internet discounter and bought a snickers bar and a paint pot instead.

What nkelsch said. If you regularly play in a game store, you should support it. It doesn't mean 100% of your purchases should be from them, but you should be giving them your support. And that means more than sodas and paint.

I play at Maeslstrom Games twice a week, and i am known for being a tight, cheap arsed player. Yet if i have some extra cash lying around, i'll either buy a box of models that i've always wanted, look pretty or just i think they seem okay on paper, lets give 'em a whirl. Hell sometimes i have some left over change that equates to just enough to buy a Magic Booster Pack.

I NEVER buy from GW directly if i can help it. But Maelstrom games let me play in their gaming hall twice a week and have a VERY attractive Chef and Barmaid... Why shouldn't i supoort them?

nkelsch wrote:

Milisim wrote:So my #1 tip for saving money = Buy online... EVERYTHING you can..... Are just simply trade with people here on DakkaDakka....

Pay where you Play. If you can play online, then by all means, spend all your money there. If you are exclusively buying from discounters online, then I expect you never should leave your house to play then.

Not saying anyone should never buy online, but your purchases should be directly proportionate to the ammount of time you game at any location. If you are gaming every weekend in some dude's store, youshould be paying his retail price to help support the store.

This.

I purchase all my GW from my FLGS. Yes, I'm paying full price, yes you probably average a 10-20% savings over me, but at least I'm supporting local business, giving an honest, hardworking gamer an avenue to fill a small local niche that I care about, and helping him provide a place for us geeks to hang out, talk shop, and have a few laughs, and foster some good, sociable, will for the new crop of gamers coming on the scene.

If everyone acted like the OP, and people preaching the "Only buy online" mantra, then the gaming community as a whole would suffer a great loss. And you'd have no one to blame but yourself.

The internet has it's uses, but there are some things it cannot replace, such as the real world.

I trade and support my FLGS

I use mainly Ebay and Amazon, the latter of which can usually have products a good degree cheaper (10% saving or so).

90% of my current army was bought/traded on Dakka! And I got better prices than ebay!

Just think out side of the box!!!

I support my local GW

I'm fairly new to the hobby so this is all great stuff to keep in mind, thanks!

matphat wrote:

nkelsch wrote:

Milisim wrote:So my #1 tip for saving money = Buy online... EVERYTHING you can..... Are just simply trade with people here on DakkaDakka....

Pay where you Play. If you can play online, then by all means, spend all your money there. If you are exclusively buying from discounters online, then I expect you never should leave your house to play then.

Not saying anyone should never buy online, but your purchases should be directly proportionate to the ammount of time you game at any location. If you are gaming every weekend in some dude's store, youshould be paying his retail price to help support the store.

This.

I purchase all my GW from my FLGS. Yes, I'm paying full price, yes you probably average a 10-20% savings over me, but at least I'm supporting local business, giving an honest, hardworking gamer an avenue to fill a small local niche that I care about, and helping him provide a place for us geeks to hang out, talk shop, and have a few laughs, and foster some good, sociable, will for the new crop of gamers coming on the scene.

If everyone acted like the OP, and people preaching the "Only buy online" mantra, then the gaming community as a whole would suffer a great loss. And you'd have no one to blame but yourself.

The internet has it's uses, but there are some things it cannot replace, such as the real world.

When I still purchesed GW stuff, I got it at 20% off form the store I goto. But, EVERYTHING at that store is always 20% off. The other store I go to I what for his sales. There I got the Dust Tactics for 50 bucks, the old box set not the new one.

Support the stores, but the should support you as well. Thats one reason to never by from a GW store right there.

MagenWOLF wrote:Let's face it: We have a very expensive hobby.

...

The only time you should buy from GW is paints ( It's hard to find good paints other than Citadel)

Or you could use Vallejo Model Colour, Privateer Press P3 or Coat d'Arms (amongst others). Some GW paint is ok (foundation and washes are good) but you generally can find higher quality paint at lower cost if you shop around.


On a more general note, Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance . If money is tight, think carefully about your hobby. What game system and army/fleet truly inspires you? If you hop from game to game and army to army you will spend a lot of unnecessary cash (believe me, I know ).

When you pick an army, design it and discuss the hell out of it with gaming buddies and/or on the forums before you buy. When you are totally happy with your list, work out a plan for how you will collect it. Start with the essentials - e.g an HQ and 2x troops for 40k - build and paint, play a couple of test games and refine your list. Only buy what you need as and when you need it and finish your projects one at a time.

Think ahead, too - if you're collecting a Space Marine army, an early purchase of a devastator box will give you all the heavy weapons you need to equip your squads as you get them, rather than 'making do' with the tac squads missile launcher. Look at the options you want to take in your squads/regiments, see which boxes contain those components and plan your purchases accordingly.

Both my armies (Orks & Empire) had their starts as a big 'trades' - so there is half my stuff.

I have filled it out with lucky finds on Ebay (I am cheap) trades here on Dakka, cool bits form bits websites, but I also make sure buy full price at my LGS - because sometimes you just need something in particular - and that is a good time to splurge and support the store.

Now, of course, I have way too much - but I am a collector by nature. I couldn't afford to buy it all new from my LGS, but I try to spend whenever I am there - and pitch in too. Help them start/run a league to get them more business. Teach interested people to play, explain the game to kids.

This thread is titled how to save money with GW products...

not a How to support your local LGS.....

The cheapest way to get a NEW GW ARMY is online....

100% TRUTH... Now what kind of impact that has on Local business etc is another thread in its self....

In all fairness i DO first go to my LGS before buying anything.... its jsut when I get there full retail price is something I expect from GW stores not a LGS.... A no TAX incentive woudl most likely be enough fo rmy to shop at my LGS.

On a side note.... I have my own 4x8 and full complement of scenery so I never use anybodies gear.

MagenWOLF wrote:Let's face it: We have a very expensive hobby.

GW is not lenient on prices and is even worse when it comes to bigger objects eg titans and stompas

This is less of a guide and more of a caution to players. Here I have a few tips that I use and should help you save some money

Tip 1: Games workshop is your last resort
GW prices are incredibly expensive these days. Go figure. Last time I checked, Ghazgull thraka is $50 in plastic. You should not have to pay that much for a piece of plastic. There are so many other ways to get your mini's, and for less than half the price. EBay, Warhammer online stores are a great way of saving bucket loads of cash. Generally EBay is reliable and isn't too much hassle.
You can buy a codex at GW for $50 or so, why do that when you can get it for $20-$30 on EBay? The only time you should buy from GW is paints ( It's hard to find good paints other than Citadel) and maybe for the occasional AOBR or a start from a squad. GW are ripping of hundreds of people and they think they are getting a good deal. Employees will try to convince you it is, but that's a load of junk.

Tip 2: Why buy when you already have?
GW ends up selling you stuff that you can probably find lying around the house. They sell paintbrushes, glue and even pots to wash out your brush in. Most of this stuff you should already have.
Another great example of this is the modelling sand they sell. I went to look at it over the weekend, thinking it was something special, but all it really is sand. Just plain ol' sand you can get anywhere on the beach at Redcliffe etc. They sell a small pot of sand for $15. They probably spend about 2.50 on the sand and the container. That’s $12.50 profit, which is more than 80%.
Ridiculous. What else is there to say?

Tip 3: Mix and match
Here is a great example of how to save money. I needed a 11 man loota squad for an upcoming tournament. I got the squad for around $55; the normal price for an 11 man loota squad is $82. All you need is one GW boxed loota set, 2 extra torsos and 4 ork boys in a boxed set. Assembly the 4 lootas with the mek. Next using the rokkit launcher and big shooter that is in the loota box, make 2 converted lootas. Now you have 6 lootas and one mek. Now, I have a friend who’s crazy about burnas. He bought the boxed set as well, and we decided to trade, my burna bits for his loota bits. Then, using the ork boys set, make yourself another 4 lootas. You now have an 11 man loota squad, At only half price. Easy or what?

I hope this is a help to new players about to spend thousands of dollars on GW products. Enjoy!

New players should buy from thier pals. Don't get sucked into the hype, and look for deals wherever they can find them.

GW is gak on new players, thats the first rule of GW.


If you want to save money on GW, don't start arbitrarily just buying everything in the store and plan before you purchase. Small shifts of a unit each. then move on to the gratuatous stuff from places like Dakka's Swap section. qft, GW is a expensive minis game. If your turned off by the price, don't start trying to sophise throwing money at it.

If price scares you, stay away.

Play thier skirmish games, one off sets, or just play smaller point battles.

The "Support your local sheriff" line is a bit tired. If a store is garbage, let it fall. if it is a good one, it will stay in business, while cultivating the local gaming community.

There are more then enough money grubbers out there to give gaming a bad name, so let the free market rule.

cricketofdeth wrote:Not buying from GW stores is cool, but people still need to support the FLGS.

This.

Most game shops have good amount of gaming space, some even great amount. Also a great way to just get out of the house. I like to support local game and hobby shops because I enjoy the atmosphere.


I buy online only when there are games or parts I just can't get in a local shop (out of print for example). Or if there is just some mad unbeatable sale, like I do on black friday online.

I also have to buy my Vallejo paint online as no store in my area carriers it nor do any of them want to special order paint.

The biggest problem is independent retailers. MY FLGS
is independent and is owned by a few guys opening there dream shop. So i love to support them. also pump some money in into your local economy.
I mean, they even have an entire room dedicated to gaming where two events can go on AT ONCE.
and independent isn't always the best. most of them now involve way to much hassle to order or ship, so the 3 bucks i save buying assault marines with shipping isn't worth it.

I don't support my FLGS because they're even bigger thieves than the GW that's three miles closer. GW sells chaos marines for 35, and they're 40 at the FLGS, plus they never have what I want, and they have nowhere to sit if you aren't playing.

Anyway. I like ebay, and I wish I had more patience to actually snipe items I want. I save the most money by just buying bulk models on the dakka swap shop (sometimes in horrendous condition) and then taking them apart, and mixing the old parts with a new box of marines. That way I can remove the absolutely ruined bits an use them to make plague marines, and I still have a unit of CSM

There are other ways to support your local gaming store then buying GW products from them. I just simply cannot support their price points and won't be buying any more GW products. If I do play GW games, I will be using alternative and used models whenever possible.

The ONLY way to get them to lower their prices is for us to stop buying them. The market will react.