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Hello, Is there an online discount retailer ( so not GW direct) that will sell finecast models?


Thanks.

There are many.

Maelstrom sells them, as I just got one.
But most will have them as on-demand stock, and you'll have to wait for them to get them in for you.

Finecast is the greatest ploy GW has come up with recently. :(
If your model is miscast, you take it to a GW store to get it swapped, no matter where you bought it from.
So, they get more people through the door, and the reason doesn't matter to them.

from a recent mail i got from GW customer service, If you buy from a third party retailer you have to return through them.

Not saying that your local store won't replace a faulty item if you take it in, but that is the official line

Yeah, the store has to deal with the returns if its miscast.

Real pain to have to deal with, considering the high return rate... and pretty much a no-go if you live in a foreign country.

A lot of online retailers stopped selling GW altogether because they couldn't afford to pay for the postage/admin costs to return the masses of faulty finecast models, especially if they were operating on a low margin.

That's interesting, my lgs said if theirs a miscast I have to go through GW. Did they say if that policy was for all stores or just online retailers?

LGS's probably can't do part swaps to fix miscasts.

My local GW will pull a model off the shelf to get that one piece that was miscast, then they write it off as a return.
Luckily I have that option. Otherwise, buying finecast online is a no no.

Aerethan wrote:Otherwise, buying finecast online is a no no.

I sense a plot to destroy the online retailers.

Do you guys sense it too? Do you, guys?

wowsmash wrote:That's interesting, my lgs said if theirs a miscast I have to go through GW. Did they say if that policy was for all stores or just online retailers?

I only asked about online retailers but i would guess that the same would hold true for stores as well, considering that you have to have a brick and mortar store to have a GW trade account.

The quality of finecast is still a major problem. Many miniatures have small flaws. For certain figures it is almost impossible to find one without such a flaw. The good news is that it is usually possible to fix small flaws. Unfortunately, quite a few figures have major flaws. GW should not be shipping these figures. Sadly they do.

If you buy finecast online, be prepared to call GW customer service to obtain a replacement. It is my understanding that they are obligated to replace the product if it has a major flaw, as they are the manufacturer. Note that even these replacements may have flaws. GW sent out more than half a dozen replacements to one dakka user. Thus the process to obtain a satisfactory miniature can take a long time.

Yes, it's also quite possible to return finecrap bought online through your local GW (presuming you have one), though - at least in my case - I was obliged to wait for them to order replacements, rather than being given one off the shelf.

Oddly, they were willing to accept the return of just the damaged parts, not the whole model, meaning that I now have three perfectly-cast terminator chaplain and two librarian bodies all of them missing one arm waiting for me to find the inspiration to do something with them.

niceguyteddy wrote:There are many.

Well, can you give me some names, Mr. Helpful?

I've looked at maelstrom. Not bad, although I'd prefer a north American based supplier, to save on shipping costs.

English Assassin wrote:Yes, it's also quite possible to return finecrap bought online through your local GW (presuming you have one), though - at least in my case - I was obliged to wait for them to order replacements, rather than being given one off the shelf.

Oddly, they were willing to accept the return of just the damaged parts, not the whole model, meaning that I now have three perfectly-cast terminator chaplain and two librarian bodies all of them missing one arm waiting for me to find the inspiration to do something with them.

Is this a standard? I've got some models I'd like to order from a site but if they end up awful I don't want to embarrass myself in the GW store.

GW is legally bound to replace defective parts that were sold as brand new, working and proper parts.

I had a conversation about this with my local GW manager over some other items I wanted to return and it boiled down to this:

GW can't exchange entire boxes or models for others if the originals were not bought at a GW store. So if I bought something online and wanted to swap it out, I'd need my receipt. If I bought it in the same store then it wouldn't be a problem as the manager would remember selling it to me.

GW will exchange dollar for dollar if you bought from them.

GW will ALWAYS replace defective parts regardless of where you bought them. In the case of finecast my store opens a new box and gets the part you need replaced, then they zero out the defective parts with the other box. If the store can't replace it, then an order is made with customer service, who often replace the entire model or box.

The law will differ depending on where you are.

In the UK the law says the contract is between the purchacer and the RETAILER who would be the one obliged to provide a repair/replacement.

GW has no legal obligation (in this regard) to the final purchacer (although they may help as a 'gesture of goodwill')

I'm almost positive that miniature market has lots of finecast stuff on their price sheet. Send them an email and ask.

pitboy2710 wrote:[you have to have a brick and mortar store to have a GW trade account.

When did this come in, and how does it work in regards to say Total Wargamer or some of the other online only retailers?

1.) I wouldn't yet recommend, generally, ordered Finecast online if you have a retail presence available to you whom you can swap out parts immediately. I bought 6 of the Necron ones a few weeks ago, and, in my anecdotal evidence, there were some pretty significant issues still, although it appears that with some of the newer models, they're getting better. Cryptek was awful, and Nemesor and Anrakyr were near-perfect. If you absolutely must get a discount, be prepared to do an exchange if the dice roll against you.

2.) As GWS is both the retailer and the producer they will replace them without complaint wherever they were bought from, as with any of their other models. I don't think it matters what their legal obligations are from country to country, I believe their corporate policy is such. To put it differently, I've yet to hear a single story of anyone who has not had a Finecast request honored, and the only one I've heard of that was not a no-questions-asked return was a guy who bought 5 or 6 of the 25th anniversary marine models; who was eventually asked for evidence and maybe a return of the damaged product, I forget.

K3 wrote:

pitboy2710 wrote:[you have to have a brick and mortar store to have a GW trade account.

When did this come in, and how does it work in regards to say Total Wargamer or some of the other online only retailers?

Total Wargamer has got a shop, a great one in fact near Evesham

Pacific wrote:

K3 wrote:

pitboy2710 wrote:[you have to have a brick and mortar store to have a GW trade account.

When did this come in, and how does it work in regards to say Total Wargamer or some of the other online only retailers?

Total Wargamer has got a shop, a great one in fact near Evesham

I stand corrected. Thankyou. So now there are no online only retailers?

Speaking only for the US: If you want a trade account with GW, you must have a brick and mortar location. Some online dealers go through 3rd parties to get models and sell online without a store.

A LGS in the US with a trade account with GW has no problem at all getting replacement models.

If I were you I would avoid finecast altogether. Try finding a plastic or metal version on ebay. Finecast models are too delicate, heat sensitive and very expensive. Finecast was GW's way of getting us to buy the no-name models that no-one wanted in the first place.

OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:The law will differ depending on where you are.

In the UK the law says the contract is between the purchacer and the RETAILER who would be the one obliged to provide a repair/replacement.

GW has no legal obligation (in this regard) to the final purchacer (although they may help as a 'gesture of goodwill')

Wrong, GW is the manufacturer of course they have a legal obligation to make sure their products for fit for purpose.

There is the SOGA, sale of goods act, that is made when buying from a business in the uk but in no way does that affect your stautory rights.

Also in the UK we have the long distance selling rules, basically if you buy nearly anything online you can decide to send it back within 7 days for refund no questions asked

MarkyMark wrote:

OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:The law will differ depending on where you are.

In the UK the law says the contract is between the purchacer and the RETAILER who would be the one obliged to provide a repair/replacement.

GW has no legal obligation (in this regard) to the final purchacer (although they may help as a 'gesture of goodwill')

Wrong, GW is the manufacturer of course they have a legal obligation to make sure their products for fit for purpose.

There is the SOGA, sale of goods act, that is made when buying from a business in the uk but in no way does that affect your stautory rights.

Also in the UK we have the long distance selling rules, basically if you buy nearly anything online you can decide to send it back within 7 days for refund no questions asked

Reread what was said. Under the SOGA GW's responsibility is to the independant, not the end user.

According to SOGA, your contract of sale is with the person you purchase from, so the end user has a contract with the online retailer, and the retailer has the contract with GW, but GW is not legally required to provide the swap to the end user (they can force them to go through the online retailer). However, GW wont do this in most cases, as it is alot of work for what will eventualyl end up going back to them in the end anyway.

You are right on the distance selling rule though, but if you are returning for a non faulty item, you are required to cover the cost of postage for the return of the item (but the initial postage to get the item from the retailer to you must be returned)

Karl

Sorry my bad had a bad mirgraine earlier and missed the in this regard!.

Sorry this goes against the OP but if you really want a Finecast model and are worried about it then the best place is GW. 20% or whatever saving you might get isn't worth the hassle.

I don't think any online seller will check their stock before it goes out so miscasts may abound. I'm not sure GW would either but are more likely to given they are aware of their liabilities.

I've bought 3 FC models now (inc the infamous 25th edition SM), all we're fine and all were bought from GW shops.

While I am a fan of GW [NOT THIER PRICES AND THE ANNUAL RAPE (I mean Rate) HIKE] I hate Finecast or as I refer to it as "FINECRAP" (this word is trademarked, copyrighted, IP’d by Ricky Bobby Inc. etc.) is the worst product they have ever made. (I do like the post above as to it being a marketing ploy/strategy). I generally am a fan of their return policies, with minor irritations below.

I saw some while I was stationed in DC when it first came out (at the Fair Oaks and the Keene Mill Road Stores). They showed me the lovely (and no doubt highly screened/selected) store demos. I fell in love with the ones I saw – I bought one – it was crap. I had to go to both stores to go through three packages to find a suitable one for a diorama I am working on. This project is SECRET no mention of the model is intentional– only my advisor (a multiple Golden Demons and Sword awardee) has seen it (no really I have one advising/coaching – not doing for me mind you- as I have ZERO Talent in the arts- if I ever post pics I’m sure it will FAIL ).

My wonderful wife even feeds my Resin-Crack addiction from time to time. She bought three Finecast miniatures from a store near where we used to live in Schweinfurt, Germany, while visiting her cousin who is there. All three were crap – no intent to deceive her or rip her off, the owner there has always been nice and supportive of all his clients – just the prevalence of crappy product this line is. Where my wife and I have issues with the seller is – his price tag machine is still in Deutschmarks vice Euros otherwise it might have been easier to exchange here. (I had a fit that my wife paid Euros for the miniatures compared to dollars which is cheapest for us compared to Euros or Pounds.)

My wife and I are now based in another European country and I drove to the nearest GW store – 96 KM away and they refused to exchange them for us. I contacted the GW on the England site – no issue – they asked for the products SKU/numbers and if I had a receipt for them – my wife did – he explained the issue was multiple stores were returning these for multiple issues/defects. I sent the receipt via a scan – three weeks later three new items with very minor issues – greenstuff fixable at my level. The time and effort that were wasted incalculable – frustration/irritation – high. I had some issues with the pewter – but they were few and far between and to a far lesser degree than Finecrap. I did get to keep the faulty Finecrap for future conversions/trade (1 went to my advisor because he wants to do a conversion off of it). But the same would have been said/done with the pewter. I hate that I now have to use greenstuff on almost 75% of the miniatures I use just to get them ready (I’m including some of the plastics here – gaps, etc.)

Here comes the kicker though. Anyone remember the limited edition 25th Anniversary issue? I bought 6 of them. 2 for myself, 1 for my kid, 1 to sale trade at a future date and 2 for friends deployed ISO OEF. I had to open three of them. First two out of three had major issues – head/helmet malformed and the collar was missing on the body, another had the arm malformed as well as a big chunk missing from the banner. The third one was perfect mind you. I opened the two for my friends upon their request to make sure the issue could be fixed prior to their returns. One had the same banner issue and the other had the same arm issue. I went to the local store – 96 KM again – love to help – but this is a GW direct issue only. We are out of stock and cannot help. OK – in this case I kind of understand – but to have this many mistakes in so many kits – CRAP.

The thing with GW here that pisses me – I got exact parts made for each one that had a defect and only after I sent pictures and the receipts from the stores showing they were bought at GW stores (two were from online four from the local store). I laid them all out so they could see the issues – all 5 arms good and bad, etc. They told me this was an extreme exception to normal and there was a high amount of QA/QC involved with these models. I had several of the other gamers in the area including my advisor have had issues with these. I think I may have a link on these on one of the sites as being an issue in general. I’m angry as to have paid so much and have had so many issues with one product line.

I’ve been buying GW products since 1989. I remember the blister boxes of IG, Space Marines etc. The great deal of three Rhinos/Two Land Raiders per box. The army sets of Forces/Terminators/Harlequins that are so in demand on Ebay.

I got my first job when I was 14 to pay for my comic books and toys addictions/hobbies. The money I earned was in line with the cost of living – cost of hobbying. Nowadays I make a hell of a lot more money than when I was a teenager – I can barely afford my hobbying (not whining – just observing). I truly wish there was a way to boycott the line – effect a change, but I don’t see this happening – because of the Resin-Crack addicts like me and our supportive, if not well meaning enablers.

My advice – buy direct in case you need to exchange the items. Avoid or lessen the issues or BETTER YET – like smoking – don’t start GW hobbies – at least not Finecrap if you’re smart/strong willed.

PanzerTC wrote:Massive wall of text ranting about how he hates Finecast

This is old, off topic, and uninteresting. The OP wanted to know where he could go to buy the stuff, not where to read a novella detailing your opinions about it. If you really feel the need to rant, please find an existing thread dedicated to that topic and post there instead of derailing someone else's.

To the OP: I suggest you go to web sellers such as Dicebucket, TheWarStore, or MiniatureMarket and see what they have. Otherwise you'll want to look at what people are selling on eBay.

Breotan wrote:

The OP wanted to know where he could go to buy the stuff, not where to read a novella detailing your opinions about it. If you really feel the need to rant, please find an existing thread dedicated to that topic and post there instead of derailing someone else's.

Wow - a sharpshooter that missed the point as to why direct is better in case the OP has issues with product line.

Breotan wrote:

PanzerTC wrote:Massive wall of text ranting about how he hates Finecast

This is old, off topic, and uninteresting. The OP wanted to know where he could go to buy the stuff, not where to read a novella detailing your opinions about it. If you really feel the need to rant, please find an existing thread dedicated to that topic and post there instead of derailing someone else's.

To the OP: I suggest you go to web sellers such as Dicebucket, TheWarStore, or MiniatureMarket and see what they have. Otherwise you'll want to look at what people are selling on eBay.

Old? No, there are still topics relating to finecast QC.
Off topic? No - he's relaying his own experiences of it, and why it might not be the best idea to buy online from a discounter.
Uninteresting - I agree with you that the subject matter is, but not the write-up itself. I'm sure everyone would prefer that the QC improves to an acceptable level, and we can move on to moaning about other things..

Personally I think you could have made that final bit of your post without coming down like a sack of spuds on a brand new user of the forum...