Is Maelstrom games legit

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**Kogwar**

I think this all points to a big fat resounding yes i will be bying from them this christmas gonna get me some grey knights.

**BrookM**

Thanks for the heads up Rob and thanks for the wonderful services rendered thus far!

**ph34r**

Kogwar wrote:I think this all points to a big fat resounding yes i will be bying from them this christmas gonna get me some grey knights.

Why order from maelstrom for GKs? If you are in the US, it's cheaper to get them from the Warstore.

**Kanluwen**

ph34r wrote:
Kogwar wrote:I think this all points to a big fat resounding yes i will be bying from them this christmas gonna get me some grey knights.

Why order from maelstrom for GKs? If you are in the US, it's cheaper to get them from the Warstore.

This.

I'm not sure why people think it's so much easier to order exclusively from Maelstrom. It's not hard to spend a few extra minutes filling out a GW order from The Warstore, and end up paying less and waiting less for the items to arrive.

No offense intended to Maelstrom, but I'd rather see a US business get some support

**Fateweaver**

Don't even have to fill out paperwork. 99% of us gamers probably have cell phones or access to one. Unless your cell plan sucks you probably get nationwide long distance at no extra cost so it's so easy to call Neal, run down what you want and quantity and perhaps needing to know the SKU which is provided on the site of what he CAN get his hands on from GW and voila, 5 minutes later your order is placed.

I buy lots of paints and bits from Neal so he does have a shopping cart for those making it even easier (and only $3 shipping per bitz order isn't bad).

**H.B.M.C.**

Why do people immediately assume that someone buying from Maelstrom is somehow an affront to Neal and TheWarStore?

**Kanluwen**

H.B.M.C. wrote:Why do people immediately assume that someone buying from Maelstrom is somehow an affront to Neal and TheWarStore?

When it's a Yank placing GW orders, that's why I just get annoyed about it.

It seems like everyone automatically discounts Neal for ordering GW stuff. That's not true, he can get his hands on exactly the same things as Maelstrom. He, just like Maelstrom, ships worldwide and has great customer relations. The only difference is that Maelstrom can show you the pretty pictures, while Neal can't.

If pretty pictures and not having to copy/pasta or call to place your order is that much of an issue for you--God forbid you ever order from Forge World.

**lord_blackfang**

It's exactly the same, except more difficult!

**Kanluwen**

Except it's not, provided you're not a windowlicker.

**lord_blackfang**

You heard it here first, folks. Shopping carts are for retards!

**Kanluwen**

Copy/Paste is for geniuses, apparently.

As is actual human communication!

KNEEL BEFORE YOUR GENIUS OVERLORDS, MAELSTROMERS!

**H.B.M.C.**

Kanluwen wrote:He, just like Maelstrom, ships worldwide and has great customer relations.

And I don't think that at any point has anyone said any different. I had ordered from TheWarStore in the past, and will continue to do in the future.

Kanluwen wrote:The only difference is that Maelstrom can show you the pretty pictures, while Neal can't.

For you maybe. Not for me.

**Kanluwen**

H.B.M.C. wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:He, just like Maelstrom, ships worldwide and has great customer relations.

And I don't think that at any point has anyone said any different. I had ordered from TheWarStore in the past, and will continue to do in the future.

Kanluwen wrote:The only difference is that Maelstrom can show you the pretty pictures, while Neal can't.

For you maybe. Not for me.

Meh. Maybe I just find it silly that there's swarms of people always hollering, whenever asked about discounting, for Maelstrom. It's the amount of exposure they get that frustrates me I suppose.

**Dolemite**

Kanluwen wrote:
H.B.M.C. wrote:Why do people immediately assume that someone buying from Maelstrom is somehow an affront to Neal and TheWarStore?

When it's a Yank placing GW orders, that's why I just get annoyed about it.

It seems like everyone automatically discounts Neal for ordering GW stuff. That's not true, he can get his hands on exactly the same things as Maelstrom. He, just like Maelstrom, ships worldwide and has great customer relations. The only difference is that Maelstrom can show you the pretty pictures, while Neal can't.

If pretty pictures and not having to copy/pasta or call to place your order is that much of an issue for you--God forbid you ever order from Forge World.

Actually, the fact that Maelstrom ships for free worldwide and usually has a slightly better discount than 20% off USD is why I use them. Nothing to do with pictures.

**SagesStone**

Kanluwen wrote:
H.B.M.C. wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:He, just like Maelstrom, ships worldwide and has great customer relations.

And I don't think that at any point has anyone said any different. I had ordered from TheWarStore in the past, and will continue to do in the future.

Kanluwen wrote:The only difference is that Maelstrom can show you the pretty pictures, while Neal can't.

For you maybe. Not for me.

Meh. Maybe I just find it silly that there's swarms of people always hollering, whenever asked about discounting, for Maelstrom. It's the amount of exposure they get that frustrates me I suppose.

Maybe because the Warstore is best for those living in the US and those advising Maelstrom haven't used the Warstore because of this. I'm sure Canada has its own one that's best for it as well. I know both the Warstore and Maelstorm are good, it's just that Maelstrom is much better, here in Australia at least.

**Fateweaver**

Neither I or Kan have problems with non-US citizens ordering outside of the US as it probably IS cheaper.

It's just easy to get rankled at the idea of people in the US wanting to save $4 on a $100 order because shipping is free from Maelstrom, thereby denying Neal profit. Last time I checked the US is in worst shape economically than any other part of the world.

Though even if a $100 costs $20 more than Maelstrom I'd still order from Neal. Way less hassle if something should happen during shipping if it's intercontinental vs international.

**H.B.M.C.**

Or maybe people should be allowed to order from wherever the feth they want and not be lambasted for their choice on the grounds of them not being patriotic enough.

**Fateweaver**

Some of us only get riled because certain others only ever copy/pasta into cute little linkies the Maelstrom website and act as if Maelstrom is the only online retailer in existence on the entire planet.

How about whenever someone from the US asks what a good retailer is people link ALL online sites, US or international instead of just automatically pursing their lips and making kissing sounds while burying the Maelstrom website inside of a word or sentence? If I saw someone kissing Apples ass that much or PepsiCo's ass that much I'd have to assume they were getting paid to promote or work for either corporation.

If Neal ever tried to screw me over on an order I probably would quit ordering from him and order from Maelstrom or just get stuff off ebay or some other trade/auction site but until then Neal deserves as much recognition, especially to someone based in the US, as a foreign online retailer does.

We get it. Maelstrom is great. The Warstore is great too and even if Neal doesn't ship free the whopping $6 charge on anything weighing less than 5 pounds really should be of no concern to anyone in the US. If it is you should give up your smoking habit, loosen the purse strings a little bit or get out of the hobby as $6 is apparently way too much money.

**H.B.M.C.**

Fateweaver wrote:Some of us only get riled because certain others only ever copy/pasta into cute little linkies the Maelstrom website and act as if Maelstrom is the only online retailer in existence on the entire planet.

And then there are some of us who have a sense of humour and aren't thin-skinned spades that take everything so damned personally or think that a vote for Maelstrom is somehow a vote against TheWarStore (which is both absurd and asinine).

**Howlingmoon**

This turned into a 4 page fight? really?

Pro-tips at random:

Maelstrom is a perfectly good place to get miniatures from.

The Warstore is a perfectly good place to get miniatures from.

Mr. Neal is a great person.

The guys at Maelstrom are great people.

Dakkahowlers need to relax.

**VictorVonTzeentch**

I order from Maelstrom because they were the first ones I got around to using, and frankly I've never had problems getting what I ordered. My orders generally arrive with in a week.

**LunaHound**

I know where the confusion comes from.
There have been a certain individual that claims 10%-15% off Maelstrom offers is = 40% off in their country. Which is true , however he forgets that the following:

Wayland Games/ Europe ( not as much % off , but they offer bundle deals )
Warstore / USA (20% 0ff i think? )
G.C.M / Canada ( 30% 0ff )

ALL offer great discounts , it not cheaper than Maelstrom.
I guess when people see the *omg 40% off they all rush to Maelstrom.
So while Maelstrom is a great store , us North American customers shouldnt forget we have our own
great online discounter as well !

Not to forget , customers should consider possibility of getting hit with heavy tariff when ordering from foreign country.

**Fafnir**

I use Great Canadian Miniatures for GW stuff, but they really only carry GW stuff, and that's why I ended up using Maelstrom. For what I wanted, I'd have to order from out of the country anyway, and with free shipping, might as well take a shot at maelstrom.

...just gotta wait for it to get here.

**LunaHound**

Fafnir wrote:I use Great Canadian Miniatures for GW stuff, but they really only carry GW stuff, and that's why I ended up using Maelstrom. For what I wanted, I'd have to order from out of the country anyway, and with free shipping, might as well take a shot at maelstrom.

...just gotta wait for it to get here.

Woo! i have a few questions

With exchange rate fluxing every day , who picks when to charge the order? ( is the currency the exact moment we place an order? or the store can choose a day when it benefits them? )

Foreign discount stores dont charge taxes , how often do Customs catch that? and tag tax + tariff on? ( i used to order from USA , but every time i get hit by Canadian customs really really hard )

**Fafnir**

Well, I don't know if this applies to normal transactions, but when I used some prepaid credit cards for my Maelstrom order, they were used right away.

As for customs... I've never ordered miniatures abroad, but I've ordered plenty of gundam and kotobukiya kits from HLJ, and there have been times where I've been horribly boned by customs, and times where I've gotten stuff almost for free.

**number9dream**

Maelstrom Games wrote:Hi guys

Rob Lane here, MD of Maelstrom Games.

I just want to say, first of all, thanks to all who have commented on this thread - all feedback is greatly appreciated, good or bad, but obviously especially good ;o)

The main point of this reply is to reassure customers, both prospective and existing, that we are indeed ligit [sic]. We've been around for six years now and have grown exponentially in that time, and are still growing, but we are also all wargamers ourselves and generally know the products we sell inside out, and if we don't, we're in the process of finding out.

I'm quite keen to reassure those customers who have had a bad experience that, firstly, a bad experience with us is certainly not what we want to give you. We are not in the business of deceiving people, we are in the business of giving customers good service, and if we have fallen down in the past I can only apologise personally and hope that any problems have been dealt with efficiently and quickly. Whilst we don't always get everything right, we are only human and do strive to correct any mistakes we make as soon as possible. We are bound by many DSRs (Distance Selling Regulations) here in the EU and these are quite onerous to retailers, so rest assured - if you don't receive your goods, don't want them or your goods are faulty, we're bound by law to replace them or refund you. In short, we are a legitimate business.

Secondly, we do have problems with e-mails just like any other retailer. Webmail, especially hotmail, seems to dislike our e-mails, as does AOL; so if you have had problems or haven't received a reply to an e-mail you have sent, please a) check your spam folder, b) ring us or c) try the contact us form on the website. We have a dedicated customer service team and Tom (the manager) is always available for a call at some point during the day. Obviously if you are overseas that could prove costly and difficult in terms of the time difference, but I can reassure everybody that we reply to *every* e-mail we receive.

If you can't get in contact with us via any of the above, for whatever reason, send a PM here. I hesitate to say that because the proper channel is via our customer service team, so only use it in emergencies!

Our website is currently undergoing a revamp and hopefully that will improve everybody's experience, because we will have better ways of contacting us as well as proper tracking of your orders.

I don't like to badmouth suppliers, but it has to be said that we are currently experiencing problems with Games Workshop in terms of the supply of their goods. Whilst we keep everything in stock, GW have placed a limitation on how many times we can order from them a week (once) and how long they can take to send us the goods (if the order is over £5,000, which our orders always are, they can take however long they like). Thus, sometimes our GW orders are well over a week late, which - if your item is not in stock - will delay your order. We do try to split orders to ensure you get something quickly, at least, but that is not always possible.
I'm not going to go into the whys and wherefores of GW's new terms and conditions, but it has to be said that they cause independent retailers problems, but - unlike our friends in the United States, and I sympathise with every one of them - at least we can order from GW and sell online. Please bear the above in mind when you order GW stuff from us.

Lastly, I'd like to say a big thank you to those who have responded positively to the original question - it's you guys that ensure we are still around. Kudos to you!

Cheers

Rob

Ahh, this would explain the delay. Last time I ordered (quite a while back now), I got an email confirming it'd been shipped really quickly so now that I haven't heard anything in a week I was starting to worry something went wrong =]

By the way, does anyone know if the email address they contact you from to confirm you placed an order, is the same as the one they use when replying via the "Contact Us" form? (hopefully this isn't too big of a bump)

**chaplaingrabthar**

Fateweaver wrote: Last time I checked the US is in worst shape economically than any other part of the world.

Wait, what? Isn't the entire nation of Iceland now bankrupt?

Also, there are a bunch of LEDC's in Africa and Asia that are probably in significantly worse shape economically than the country with the #1 GDP on Earth.

**lord_blackfang**

chaplaingrabthar wrote:
Fateweaver wrote: Last time I checked the US is in worst shape economically than any other part of the world.

Wait, what? Isn't the entire nation of Iceland now bankrupt?

Also, there are a bunch of LEDC's in Africa and Asia that are probably in significantly worse shape economically than the country with the #1 GDP on Earth.

You'd be in the same boat if anyone dared call you on your debts

**Fresh**

patriotic people. sigh.

**Erasoketa**

I've voted yes. I've only placed two orders. The first one had a problem in one of the items, it was a box of four minis of Infinity wich had no arms and heads inside. I was told I would receive a new one in December, and something about a 28-day period for international orders that I didn't fully understand. After that I made a second order and I received everything perfectly. At first I was afraid, because the box of a Dark Eldar Ravager was slightly crushed to fit into the package box, but once I opened it I saw that the sprues and metal components were perfect, so no problem at all.

The experience for Spanish people: 1 week till it knocks your door, and cheaper prices. GW Battallion boxes are 80€ here, and with the currency change they worth 50€ in Maelstrom. In Spanish GW site the DE Hellions are 10'50€. I bought 9 in Maelstrom at 6€ each. Infinity minis, 7€ in Spain, 5€ in Maelstrom.

It totally worths a try for us.

P.S.:

I'm still waiting for my 45th Highlander Rifles replacement box!