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derek wrote:
They know, and they're working on it. I believe they just recently opened another US production facility. It may take them longer to get items to stores, but their excellent customer service otherwise makes the wait bearable. Add in the excellent communication the community enjoys with Privateer employees as regular posters on their message boards, show that they're not ignoring the internet like it is a passing fad. Not to mention they love previewing things instead of keeping it secret until they're on the shelf.

*company voice*
Just to offer a correction, we do not have a second US production facility, we have just been bulking out what we have in Bellevue, WA. As noted in the linked announcement, we have more than doubled our production staff in recent months, and are looking at even more means to increase production and efficiency.

The rollout of MkII last year was an amazing success for us (even as it was a breakneck pace on design, development, writing, art, and layout to get the books done) and, while we came into 2011 flying high and with every plan to carry that momentum forward, it continued to accelerate at a rate we would have scarcely dreamed off. One of the realities of being a business is that sometimes it takes more time to adapt to circumstances - or, moreover, implement those adaptations - then it does for the circumstances to develop in the first place. It takes time to train new casters and moldmakers. It takes time to establish new manufacturing processes. It takes time to see if this growth is a transitory spike, or something that is sustainable.

That last point ties into one of our core values: we value everyone who works for us, and want everyone that comes onboard to know this is a place they can stay. We don't want to hire someone for just a few months and let them go. To date, even during our leanest times, we've never had to issue layoffs. What we're all seeing right now is our growing pains, and we are working hard to make sure that we not only can address these immediate issues, but do so in a way that leaves us strong and ready for what lays beyond them.

Alendrel wrote:

The rollout of MkII last year was an amazing success for us (even as it was a breakneck pace on design, development, writing, art, and layout to get the books done) and, while we came into 2011 flying high and with every plan to carry that momentum forward, it continued to accelerate at a rate we would have scarcely dreamed off. One of the realities of being a business is that sometimes it takes more time to adapt to circumstances - or, moreover, implement those adaptations - then it does for the circumstances to develop in the first place. It takes time to train new casters and moldmakers. It takes time to establish new manufacturing processes. It takes time to see if this growth is a transitory spike, or something that is sustainable.

That last point ties into one of our core values: we value everyone who works for us, and want everyone that comes onboard to know this is a place they can stay. We don't want to hire someone for just a few months and let them go. To date, even during our leanest times, we've never had to issue layoffs. What we're all seeing right now is our growing pains, and we are working hard to make sure that we not only can address these immediate issues, but do so in a way that leaves us strong and ready for what lays beyond them.

And this right here is what makes my investment and communications with you over on the PP forums and purchase directly from the company a bit more worthwhile.

H.B.M.C. wrote:Hmm... interesting thread.


GW announces something bad (or, rather, someone finds it out and posts it here because GW never 'announces' anything bad) - thread is filled with GW bitching.

PP announces something bad - thread is filled with wishlisting upcoming products and hope for the future.


Isn't it amazing what treating your customer base like adults and actually fostering goodwill will do, even when the news is bad?

I'm just amused that PP's version of "something bad" is that their sales have been growing faster than their ability to make stuff, but they're implementing steps to try to fix the issues. Oh, and the constant stream of new stuff will slow down a bit.

It's one of those double-edged sword things.

It's never good to not be able to meet your production requirements, but if you were ever allowed to pick the reason why can't meet production requirements then "demand is outstripping supply" is probably the best one to have.

First, yeah - this is the kind of reaction you get when you treat your customers like, well, customers.

And, second, I'd also agree. While not being able to meet your required production level isn't good, the reason 'demand is outstripping supply' is just below '[insert omnipotent divine entity here] just ordered our entire stock, so we're going to be a bit behind this quarter'.

Don't want to turn this into a PP lovefest, but they have always done right by me...I'm excited to see what's too come.

cough, cough...HordesPlasticBattleBoxPlease.

PPS_Jen over on the privateer forums said they'll be rolling out an updated customer service approach shortly.

Tronbot2600 wrote:Don't want to turn this into a PP lovefest, but they have always done right by me...I'm excited to see what's too come.

cough, cough...HordesPlasticBattleBoxPlease.

Too late.

I've already emailed Matthew Wilson and applied to be his personal footstool.

Tronbot2600 wrote:cough, cough...HordesPlasticBattleBoxPlease.

I could've sworn I saw something from Lock & Load that indicated this might well be happening next year

Alendrel wrote:

derek wrote:
They know, and they're working on it. I believe they just recently opened another US production facility. It may take them longer to get items to stores, but their excellent customer service otherwise makes the wait bearable. Add in the excellent communication the community enjoys with Privateer employees as regular posters on their message boards, show that they're not ignoring the internet like it is a passing fad. Not to mention they love previewing things instead of keeping it secret until they're on the shelf.

*company voice*
Just to offer a correction, we do not have a second US production facility, we have just been bulking out what we have in Bellevue, WA. As noted in the linked announcement, we have more than doubled our production staff in recent months, and are looking at even more means to increase production and efficiency.

Whoops, must have misunderstood some second hand knowledge out of Lock and Load. Thanks for the correction. I got the Bellevue, but could have sworn they said Illinois.

Dysartes wrote:

Tronbot2600 wrote:cough, cough...HordesPlasticBattleBoxPlease.

I could've sworn I saw something from Lock & Load that indicated this might well be happening next year

They didn't say anything definitive about battleboxes but a plastic warpwolf kit was confirmed

Dysartes wrote:

Tronbot2600 wrote:cough, cough...HordesPlasticBattleBoxPlease.

I could've sworn I saw something from Lock & Load that indicated this might well be happening next year

You mean the plastic warpwolf sculpt they were showing off?

This is all great!

The only thing that anonoys me about PP though is the lack of product available on their site, and ordering from it is a bit convoluted i feel. Would be far easier to buy direct instead of via online retailers.

I'm glad they don't sell their whole product line online. They've always been about supporting their trade accounts.

H.B.M.C. wrote:It's one of those double-edged sword things.

It's never good to not be able to meet your production requirements, but if you were ever allowed to pick the reason why can't meet production requirements then "demand is outstripping supply" is probably the best one to have.

The economist would say that if demand is outstripping supply, then you have priced your product too low.

Redbeard wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:It's one of those double-edged sword things.

It's never good to not be able to meet your production requirements, but if you were ever allowed to pick the reason why can't meet production requirements then "demand is outstripping supply" is probably the best one to have.

The economist would say that if demand is outstripping supply, then you have priced your product too low.

The customer in me says you should shut up before PP realizes this fact and raises their prices on us.

themocaw wrote:

Redbeard wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:It's one of those double-edged sword things.

It's never good to not be able to meet your production requirements, but if you were ever allowed to pick the reason why can't meet production requirements then "demand is outstripping supply" is probably the best one to have.

The economist would say that if demand is outstripping supply, then you have priced your product too low.

The customer in me says you should shut up before PP realizes this fact and raises their prices on us.

But if they do, they will present it to us in a mature, reasonable way with plenty of legitimate reasons why. This will make it easier to swallow and keep them in good standing.

It won't be an "It's that time of year again!" anal reaming like GW.

Platuan4th wrote:

themocaw wrote:

Redbeard wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:It's one of those double-edged sword things.

It's never good to not be able to meet your production requirements, but if you were ever allowed to pick the reason why can't meet production requirements then "demand is outstripping supply" is probably the best one to have.

The economist would say that if demand is outstripping supply, then you have priced your product too low.

The customer in me says you should shut up before PP realizes this fact and raises their prices on us.

But if they do, they will present it to us in a mature, reasonable way with plenty of legitimate reasons why. This will make it easier to swallow and keep them in good standing.

It won't be an "It's that time of year again!" anal reaming like GW.

^^ This.

Good customer relations are worth a packet. Feeling valued can increase perceived value and loyalty.

Redbeard wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:It's one of those double-edged sword things.

It's never good to not be able to meet your production requirements, but if you were ever allowed to pick the reason why can't meet production requirements then "demand is outstripping supply" is probably the best one to have.

The economist would say that if demand is outstripping supply, then you have priced your product too low.

As a professional economist, I would actually say that if PP's goal is to reduce quantity demanded for an enduring period, then they should raise their prices. Seeing as they are actually increasing their production capacity, their goal should not be to reduce the quantity demanded, but to increase their supply to the maximum sustainable by quantity demanded at their current relative price. Although they are under-utilizing their price elasticity curve CURRENTLY given that supply is insufficient to meet demand, over a longer time horizon them keeping prices constant and features high will allow them to grow revenue while also supporting growth of volume (and possibly market share as well).

And as a professional economist, it has been both interesting and gratifying to see the stark contrast between GW and (anecdotal) PP sales volumes. This theory stuff that I work with all day isn't simply ivory tower vacuuming, but has real application and resolution in the market place and in consumer preference.

As an avid gamer, however, it has become an epic ordeal to get my hands on a freaking Kayazy Underboss or that final blister of 2 Winterguard Infantry to round out my Khador collection!

Ok question for you economists then. What will happen if the prices stay the same and supply is able to match demand? Should they still raise the price?

Regardless of price, if "supply is able to match demand" then you have theoretically maxed out your utility curve; you have found the theoretical sweet spot at which you make the maximum possible revenue on your production.

As to where that sweet spot is, that depends on PP's long term goals as a company.

Thanks for expounding I felt that the initial response of "They should raise their prices" wasn't quite insufficient to explain what is actually occurring with PP.

In my opinion, key word there, opinion. PP should definitely ride the coattails of GW's antics by not mimicking their actions but by placing themselves distinctly separate from GW. They should take actions that set them as a better all around company the GW or any other competitor and establish themselves as a company capable of pleasing their customers as well as provide a trusted product that brings home the money to any interested parties that they associate themselves with.

If this involves them stating the facts like they have but then making the effort to support and or change those facts than so be it. As long as the show the public, which includes any share holders they may have, that PP is aware of the situation they are in and willing to face those challenges head on. Then this should set them in a completely different and better position than any of their competitors especially GW.

I have to applaud PP for their actions, yes it is a disappointment that the scheduling and production has been adversely affected for whatever the reason but at least they are being transparent about it.

Never liked their mini's, style or game universe but I do like the company and how they interact with the community.

I keep hearing talk about plastic infantry, any more info on that, or is it just rumors ?

HudsonD wrote:I keep hearing talk about plastic infantry, any more info on that, or is it just rumors ?

Rumors of them being developed at this point. At the moment, I'd rather they focus on the distribution/supply problems than more resiny plastics.

HudsonD wrote:I keep hearing talk about plastic infantry, any more info on that, or is it just rumors ?

The plan has been to convert 'medium base', and larger, models to plastic for quite some time.

There already are some plastic kits. Protectorate has Bastions & Cinerators. Legion of Everblight has Warspears. In Septmeber, the Man O War Bombardiers are released for Khador and the new two player starter has plastic Man O War Shock Troopers.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it it's not real plastic, is it? It's a resin-type substance. Real plastic (i.e. polystyrene, which can be assembled and converted easily) is a much bigger leap.

Yeah it's the hybrid stuff. Kinda like Finecast except with less fail.

It's real plastic. It's just not polystyrene. They're easy to cut, assemble, and convert. The only difference is that you can't use plastic glue.