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2016/01/15 21:32:27
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
It depends entirely on the store and the relationship you have with the manager. The one time I played in an actually GW store, the manager told us if it was one or two models to represent something interesting he was cool with it but if it's a large chunk of your army corporate policy kicks in and he would have to ask us to stop.
2016/01/15 23:51:23
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
Fafnir wrote: Oh, I certainly vote with my dollar, but the problem is that that is not enough. The problem with the 'vote with your dollar' response is that it doesn't take into account why we're not buying the product. I want to enjoy 40k enough to buy back in. It was my introduction to traditional games, and there was a time when I enjoyed it very much. I want to buy 40k, but Gamesworkshop is doing their very best to push me away, and simply not buying their product won't tell them that.
2016/01/16 00:09:50
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
Frozocrone wrote: Don't think either of mine do. My home time one doesn't even approve of FW.
Oh god, do they at least allow models you bought from GWs online store then?
I've heard of places, (both GW and independent) that don't want you playing with models you bought anywhere but them directly. That to me is a sure sign that a store is heading down the toilet and you need to get the hell out.
Fafnir wrote: Oh, I certainly vote with my dollar, but the problem is that that is not enough. The problem with the 'vote with your dollar' response is that it doesn't take into account why we're not buying the product. I want to enjoy 40k enough to buy back in. It was my introduction to traditional games, and there was a time when I enjoyed it very much. I want to buy 40k, but Gamesworkshop is doing their very best to push me away, and simply not buying their product won't tell them that.
2016/01/16 00:28:14
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
If it can be bought in store its allowed. They do aggressive sales pitches too. Just bought a model? You got the paints and glues needed? How about this for the formation? Yeah. I think every GW does, based on experiences, except Warhammer World. I prefer them most of all, Bugmans bar serve delicious grub and they have the table space for small games or 40000 pt battles.
I much prefer my term time address. They do more events, allow FW, except in beginner games (might have to go unbound as per house rules) and have more tables.
Ideally I would just love to game in the comfort of my own home, but I don't have a gaming table at my student address and don't really have anywhere to play in my parents house .
YMDC = nightmare
2016/01/16 00:41:35
Subject: Re:can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
HoundsofDemos wrote: I feel like GW would make a lot more money, atleast in america if they dropped out of the retail business and cooperated more with third party stores.
They wouldn't need to make any more money, if they simply made the same money their profits would skyrocket because of how expensive it is to keep those stores open.
So... what about those 1300 or so items that GW seem to proudly announce are direct only from the web store? Do they count because you can order through the web terminal in the GW or are a lot of special characters and the entire finecast range just not allowed?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/01/16 01:55:35
Fafnir wrote: Oh, I certainly vote with my dollar, but the problem is that that is not enough. The problem with the 'vote with your dollar' response is that it doesn't take into account why we're not buying the product. I want to enjoy 40k enough to buy back in. It was my introduction to traditional games, and there was a time when I enjoyed it very much. I want to buy 40k, but Gamesworkshop is doing their very best to push me away, and simply not buying their product won't tell them that.
2016/01/16 05:46:28
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
Mine is pretty laid back about it. I regularly use 3rd party models, though admittedly this is for individual characters, or small pieces rather than whole unit replacements.
I'm pretty sure one model won't get most stores up in arms. Especially if it looks good. Just don't flaunt or tell everyone about how much better/cheaper/nicer the other store is. It's a respect thing.
warboss wrote: Is there a permanent stickied thread for Chaos players to complain every time someone/anyone gets models or rules besides them? If not, there should be.
2016/01/16 07:31:02
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
Crazyterran wrote: I'm pretty sure one model won't get most stores up in arms. Especially if it looks good. Just don't flaunt or tell everyone about how much better/cheaper/nicer the other store is. It's a respect thing.
Very much this. A model here and there, some bits here and there are not going to have you thrown out. But going in and undermining the store's ability to to business is going to get you thrown out. While I'm all for cheaper alternatives, remember that the person immediately hurt by them is the poor sap behind the counter who knows they are extremely replaceable.
I have a tail of two gamers, that illustrates the differing sides of this argument.
Gamer #1 was a college acquaintance that I have been in contact with (but haven't physically seen) over the years. He told me that the store he gamed at put rather EXTREME pressure on him to not use his 100% GW marine army, as they were all older, OOP models that were not purchased at their store. Apparently they prefer all models used there be current editions only purchased there (or at least a bulk of the army). They feel that anything less is simply using their gaming area without contributing anything.
On the flip side of this is Gamer #2, a guy that I have sold a number of custom models to. He told me that his store does have a 60% GW rule (60% of the army needs to be GW, 60% of any model needs to be GW or scratch built). This seems fair, however he flaunts this in the store's face by using a Marine army that is made up almost entirely of knock-off marines from an old company (I want to say they were called Eureka, but possibly I'm wrong). These models look almost EXACTLY like early 90's GW marines cast in metal. If you stood more than 2 feet away you would automatically think they were OOP marines. I think they eventually got sued by GW.
2016/01/17 06:00:37
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
cuda1179 wrote: They feel that anything less is simply using their gaming area without contributing anything.
I hate this attitude form stores. I think it's more understandable from GW's shoebox sides stores where space is a premium but my FLGS is a lot bigger with many more tables and the owner has said he's quite happy to let people bring their laptops into the store and play computer games if they wanted to because having a customer in the store is contributing to his business.
A store might not have sold you the models you're playing with, but the job of the person in the store is to sell you NEW models, so what does it matter?
Fafnir wrote: Oh, I certainly vote with my dollar, but the problem is that that is not enough. The problem with the 'vote with your dollar' response is that it doesn't take into account why we're not buying the product. I want to enjoy 40k enough to buy back in. It was my introduction to traditional games, and there was a time when I enjoyed it very much. I want to buy 40k, but Gamesworkshop is doing their very best to push me away, and simply not buying their product won't tell them that.
2016/01/17 06:16:07
Subject: Re:can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
HoundsofDemos wrote: I feel like GW would make a lot more money, atleast in america if they dropped out of the retail business and cooperated more with third party stores.
That would require common sense.
Which we all know went out the door with the old Warhammer Fantasy system a looong time ago
Gwar! wrote:Huh, I had no idea Graham McNeillm Dav Torpe and Pete Haines posted on Dakka. Hi Graham McNeillm Dav Torpe and Pete Haines!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I have an Autograph!
Kanluwen wrote:
Hell, I'm not that bothered by the Stormraven. Why? Because, as it stands right now, it's "limited use".When it's shoehorned in to the Codex: Space Marines, then yeah. I'll be irked.
When I'm editing alot, you know I have a gakload of homework to (not) do.
2016/01/17 07:27:03
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
You can use any model you want in private, but using anything but GW models in a GW store or in an event/tournament is poor taste i would say. Sure kit bash all you want from GW kits but leave anything else out. Seeing an opponents army consisting of different assortment of 3rd parties/knockoffs just makes me wonder why one plays at all.
2016/01/17 07:29:18
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
cuda1179 wrote: They feel that anything less is simply using their gaming area without contributing anything.
I hate this attitude form stores. I think it's more understandable from GW's shoebox sides stores where space is a premium but my FLGS is a lot bigger with many more tables and the owner has said he's quite happy to let people bring their laptops into the store and play computer games if they wanted to because having a customer in the store is contributing to his business.
A store might not have sold you the models you're playing with, but the job of the person in the store is to sell you NEW models, so what does it matter?
To be fair, to a certain extent I can see this policy being reasonable.....under one instance. If you game at their store regularly, but buy from other stores (or online) almost exclusively, while contributing almost nothing to the store, then yes, you are a leach. However, if you are new to the area and have an existing army you should be allowed to game with it, especially if you are still buying something half the time you are in the store.
2016/01/17 07:35:22
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
I have played a few times in Warhammer World with non-GW models as part of a larger GW force or GW models extensively converted with non-GW bits and had no issue. If you don't draw attention to them you will probably be fine, same if you mix them in with GW stuff.
Hell, GW's product and ex-product line is so extensive just claim it is oop and converted/scratch built
X078 wrote: You can use any model you want in private, but using anything but GW models in a GW store or in an event/tournament is poor taste i would say. Sure kit bash all you want from GW kits but leave anything else out. Seeing an opponents army consisting of different assortment of 3rd parties/knockoffs just makes me wonder why one plays at all.
To be fair, there was a time when GW didn't have a model readily available for every option. Other people just want a slightly different look and feel for a background army. I'm 100% okay with head swaps, and some knock-off bits for esthetics reasons. Scratch building has always been a part of this hobby and was even promoted by GW at one time.
2016/01/17 07:36:52
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
We've been told you can use a hero or two, but not whole units. That seems fair, but on the other hand our manager is a very, very good guy so I'd assume he's being lenient here.
2016/01/17 12:00:41
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
X078 wrote: You can use any model you want in private, but using anything but GW models in a GW store or in an event/tournament is poor taste i would say. Sure kit bash all you want from GW kits but leave anything else out. Seeing an opponents army consisting of different assortment of 3rd parties/knockoffs just makes me wonder why one plays at all.
You have a point regarding GW stores, but GW don't sponsor any tournaments anymore, so they have no rights there, and in context, that's a silly attitude to have.
Spoiler:
One of these three Goblins is not a GW Goblin. All three are by the same sculptor, Kev Adams, in the same style that he developed. Do you know which one it is without having to look it up? Tell me how using it amongst its brothers diminishes anything at all.
Tell me how using these female troops in your IG army diminishes anything at all. Do GW make female IG line troopers? No? Can you tell when they are at a glance? So what would you say to people wanting to have females in their Guard?
Tell me how using these non-GW alternative Castellan heads diminishes anything at all. Perhaps not everyone likes the Easter-Egg heads the official ones come with. Why should people have to scratchbuild one using GW bits instead of buying these?
Tell me how using these non-GW zombies dininishes anything at all. They're clearly zombies. They're miles better than the GW ones. Probably cheaper, too - I don't care about that, but better and cheaper? How is that in any way unreasonable to play against.
This Ogre? Big, impressive and very much in the official style.
Or this Ogre? A nicely sculpted model. Clearly an ogre. You know that not everyone likes the current GW-Ogre style - are they not allowed to play Ogre Kingdoms with different models that clearly match what they're representing?
These legs carrying a Space Marine? How does this diminish anything? Anything at all?
I could go on and on - pretty much forever - but I'd hope I've made my point. 40k, WHFB and AoS are rulesets. Rulesets made by GW, who are within their rights to demand that people use only their stuff (or 60% or whatever) within their own stores, or tournaments that they (used to) support - but have no agency outside of that small, closed environment.
I'm sure the official company policy is stricter on it, but I've found the guys in my local store surprisingly lenient when I asked them about it - they siad they wouldn't mind marines with 3rd party shoulder pads, legs, heads, etc, just not to show up for a game with a case full of Warmachine.
I let the dogs out
2016/01/17 12:08:33
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
To be fair, to a certain extent I can see this policy being reasonable.....under one instance. If you game at their store regularly, but buy from other stores (or online) almost exclusively, while contributing almost nothing to the store, then yes, you are a leach. However, if you are new to the area and have an existing army you should be allowed to game with it, especially if you are still buying something half the time you are in the store.
Hmm, this is what I'd expect and understand from a FLGS, but GW is a large company with dozens of stores, so obviously while keeping sales figures up in a given store is important to the staff there in maintaining their worth as employees, with a large company you expect a professional attitude towards sales i.e. if you buy their product from one place you should receive the same support for it no matter what branch you visit.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2016/01/17 12:16:49
I let the dogs out
2016/01/17 12:38:39
Subject: can you walk into gamesworkshop and play with non-GW models?
oldzoggy wrote: Can you walk into a bar and drink your own beer ?
Terrible example that's not in any way relevant or equivalent. Can you walk into a bar and drink the beer you bought from them last time you were there? What about beer that you bought 6 months ago from an affiliated bar?
To be fair, to a certain extent I can see this policy being reasonable.....under one instance. If you game at their store regularly, but buy from other stores (or online) almost exclusively, while contributing almost nothing to the store, then yes, you are a leach. However, if you are new to the area and have an existing army you should be allowed to game with it, especially if you are still buying something half the time you are in the store.
Hmm, this is what I'd expect and understand from a FLGS, but GW is a large company with dozens of stores, so obviously while keeping sales figures up in a given store is important to the staff there in maintaining their worth as employees, with a large company you expect a professional attitude towards sales i.e. if you buy their product from one place you should receive the same support for it no matter what branch you visit.
The GW store managers are in an unfortunate situation, as they all have targets that they need to hit. GW models you buy from another GW store, FLGS, eBay or the webstore obviously don't count towards their targets. Not that it's the customers' problem either. It's no wonder that store managers seem to turn over so often.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2016/01/17 12:42:31