Forgeworld and the Russian federation.

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**Largeblastmarker**

So a while ago i was on ebay looking for a few decent deals on models when I encountered a listing for 20 or so mk IV assault marines and a Mk III boarding sergeant with a stormsheild (who is oop) from forgeworld. The price is probably a third of what this would have been direct from forgeworld. I thought it was probably too good to be true. So can anyone tell me why the prices are so low from russia? Were they recasts? something else?

PS: This was not someone trying to liquidate something they had no idea about.

**Shamanlord1961**

Those would more than likely be re-casts. From what I understand the Russian Federation doesn't have the same copyright laws so recasters dont seem to get into the same trouble as you or I.

**ironicsilence**

pretty much any and all FW that comes from Russia is a recast

**ScootyPuffJunior**

It's a recast, don't buy it.

**UnCool Villain**

Big time recast. If you buy FW from China or Russia you have a 99% it would be recasts.

**Marshall Ragnar**

ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
It's a recast, don't buy it.

And why not? They are about the same quality but much cheaper

**skkipper**

Marshall Ragnar wrote:
ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
It's a recast, don't buy it.

And why not? They are about the same quality but much cheaper

because it is like buying a "stolen" car stereo from vinny on the corner. it is black market goods and though the quality may be similar there is nothing saying what you get is safe.

**Tommy**

I just received a DKoK Commissar today from Russia, it was a recast, and I will not be doing any more business with the country. Didn't know this kind of thing was going on, I mean the model isnt garbage, it need a lot of cleaning, but I'd rather get it from the right source.

**Largeblastmarker**

Is it even legal to recast for yourself only?

**Tommy**

Largeblastmarker wrote:
Is it even legal to recast for yourself only?

I dont see why that would be a problem for your own use, as long as you're not making a profit.
A recast will probably never amount to the same quality as the original cast anyway.

**Alleton**

Look up your local laws. Some are more flexible than others. If I recall in some parts of Europe (Spain I believe specifically but I could be wrong) YOu can cast up to three copies yourself for personal use only. While here in the states, that could get you in trouble regardless of whether it was for personal use or not. GW would prefer that no self-casts are made at all, but your local laws are what decides for you.

**Rented Tritium**

It's generally not legal, but also largely unenforceable, so in actual practice, it's more an ethics discussion than a legal one.

**Tommy**

Alleton wrote:
Look up your local laws. Some are more flexible than others. If I recall in some parts of Europe (Spain I believe specifically but I could be wrong) YOu can cast up to three copies yourself for personal use only. While here in the states, that could get you in trouble regardless of whether it was for personal use or not. GW would prefer that no self-casts are made at all, but your local laws are what decides for you.

Who would ever find out that you cast a few models yourself?

And what law would I be breaking by casting a model for myself, from my own property (assuming I bought the original), your statement just doesn't make much sense to me.
I would think you could cast any number of whatever object in your own house any number of times, and no-one could say anything about it..

I'm not saying I would do it, its way too much work compared to just forking out for another model from the original manufacturer, I'm just hypothesizing.

**AstraVlad**

You should be very lawful person to buy original FW models when there is a recast one at 1/3-rd of a price

. As for me I think FW prices are just rudiculous and thrifty ones should look for the replacement, be it some third-party models (PuppetsWar, Scibor etc.), conversions (I prefer this way), scratchbuild or recasts. And yes, we in Russia have some very good studios doing both their original models (Brother Vinni) and recasting FW and GW ones.

**Howard A Treesong**

skkipper wrote:
Marshall Ragnar wrote:
ScootyPuffJunior wrote:
It's a recast, don't buy it.

And why not? They are about the same quality but much cheaper

because it is like buying a "stolen" car stereo from vinny on the corner. it is black market goods and though the quality may be similar there is nothing saying what you get is safe.

What are the risks exactly? It's resin, even from FW direct, you already should treat it with some respect given health issues.

**illuknisaa**

Tommy wrote:
Largeblastmarker wrote:
Is it even legal to recast for yourself only?

I dont see why that would be a problem for your own use, as long as you're not making a profit.
A recast will probably never amount to the same quality as the original cast anyway.

What I've heard recasts of finecast minis are usually better.

**Gunzhard**

They are definitely recast, but they've made a lot of people happy. Personally I think they use a better/harder resin.

I would have no problem ordering from them as I hate Forgeworld so much... Over the last 10 years I've had 7 orders from FW and EVERY one had bad unfixable mistakes; and for the last two FW was unreachable via email and when I tried emailing every name in the darn company (with pictures) I finally got a reply saying I need to call; though of course I have no international-call service. They never resolved my issue...

**ScootyPuffJunior**

The bottom line is you are supporting piracy (copyright infringement), regardless how justified you personally feel that it is.

You should also know discussing recasting (even the merits of it) is usually a quick way to get a thread locked.

**dkellyj**

GW should take a long hard look at this and re-examine their pricing schemes. The recast market is actually what the commercial price will bear. GW/FW should look at their true cost of production, create savings were they can (contracting production to BRIC), create legal paths in those countries to shut down the recast market, and lower the prices for the consumer.
The sad part is their is no reason any FW model should even be in resin anymore. Between CAD and automated prototyping any FW model could be made in plastic in half the time for pennies on the dollar...opening an entire new product line for the younger gamer with not quite the dispossable income needed to buy a Resin Warhound.

**Manchu**

I have had excellent experiences with FW and find that they are very quick to try to resolve problems when they arise. In any case, personal horror stories about quality control or customer service aren't justifications for violating the civil law.