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 Jehan-reznor wrote:
Replacing parts that shouldn't be broken in the first place, isn't great customer service In my book (1 man store, no game tables, no more GW tournaments is also not good Customer service)

Broken parts are always going to happen, and different companies deal with it in different ways. Look at Corvus Belli - they pack a 'complaint code' with every part, so when a customer rings them to complain, they know what it was and can immediately ship them a replacement. Are Corvus Belli the terrible hobby ogres GW are for doing this?

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
GW plastics don't lead the industry, shop around, Tamiya, Bandai, even Dreamforge has better detail/price value

'The industry' being wargames. GW's plastic really are the best in this industry. No other company has gotten the same detail, parts packed in per sprue, or even sheer size of kits. You might not like the aesthetics or, obviously, the price, but GW's plastic development amongst other wargaming companies hasn't been surpassed yet.

One way that GW is like Ferrari - Buy vintage, not new....

The Auld Grump, but then my idea of a great sports car is Morgan, not Ferrari....

 -Loki- wrote:

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
Replacing parts that shouldn't be broken in the first place, isn't great customer service In my book (1 man store, no game tables, no more GW tournaments is also not good Customer service)

Broken parts are always going to happen, and different companies deal with it in different ways. Look at Corvus Belli - they pack a 'complaint code' with every part, so when a customer rings them to complain, they know what it was and can immediately ship them a replacement. Are Corvus Belli the terrible hobby ogres GW are for doing this?

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
GW plastics don't lead the industry, shop around, Tamiya, Bandai, even Dreamforge has better detail/price value

'The industry' being wargames. GW's plastic really are the best in this industry. No other company has gotten the same detail, parts packed in per sprue, or even sheer size of kits. You might not like the aesthetics or, obviously, the price, but GW's plastic development amongst other wargaming companies hasn't been surpassed yet.

So like with the first Xbox 360 the Finecrap failures are within normal Tolerances? Yes most companies have this, but people making that Ferrari anology about GW having so much quality , then i want no flash when i buy plastics and no deformed resin from GW or forgeworld, if they are the supposed leader, i don't see it in their quality control.

Well wargames factory and Dreamforge plastics are just as good as the GW plastics IMHO

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
Well, wargames factory and Dreamforge plastics are just as good as the GW plastics IMHO

I kind of disagree - when GW makes a good plastic kit they do it up fine.

I have the very old plastic Empire halberdiers, and the more recent Empire Archers and Crossbow/Handgun units - and like them all.

The more recent stuff has been more hit than miss, and I have not bought any GW in a year and a half, but they can make some fine models.

Wargames Factory... I will not deal with them after the methods used during the takeover. In the sets from when I used to buy from them... I like the trench coat infantry....

Defiance (the folks that used to run Wargames Factory) also has some very nice plastics, including some not-USMC-in-Space. (Not GW style space marines - USMC style marines.... good for IG, maybe - I use them for 2300.)

The Auld Grump

 -Loki- wrote:

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
Replacing parts that shouldn't be broken in the first place, isn't great customer service In my book (1 man store, no game tables, no more GW tournaments is also not good Customer service)

Broken parts are always going to happen, and different companies deal with it in different ways. Look at Corvus Belli - they pack a 'complaint code' with every part, so when a customer rings them to complain, they know what it was and can immediately ship them a replacement. Are Corvus Belli the terrible hobby ogres GW are for doing this?

Very true

 -Loki- wrote:

 Jehan-reznor wrote:
GW plastics don't lead the industry, shop around, Tamiya, Bandai, even Dreamforge has better detail/price value

'The industry' being wargames. GW's plastic really are the best in this industry. No other company has gotten the same detail, parts packed in per sprue, or even sheer size of kits. You might not like the aesthetics or, obviously, the price, but GW's plastic development amongst other wargaming companies hasn't been surpassed yet.

I'm in no position to compare detail on the models as I haven't handled them but I do believe Dreamforge beat GW on parts packed per sprue and defiantly on size of the kits.

 jonolikespie wrote:

I'm in no position to compare detail on the models as I haven't handled them but I do believe Dreamforge beat GW on parts packed per sprue and defiantly on size of the kits.

The detail on both models are amazing, I can only compare the 20 man stormtroopers (DF) to the 10 man cadian (GW), but if you roughly halved the stormtrooper box I think they'd be kind of similar, maybe a tiny bit more in the DF box, but not enough to either confidently say DF has more, or to say that it is a better kit because of the additonal bits. I like the DF kit more because of the scale and I like their armour, but then we are just getting into personal taste territory

TheAuldGrump wrote:One way that GW is like Ferrari - Buy vintage, not new....

This is very true. Buying used just makes so much more sense for GW product.

And while some don't like the 90s style, I still love the 2nd edition 40k models as well as the 3rd and some 4th edition WFB miniatures. They have a true unique character.

While I feel that GW will ignore any amount of concerned letters, all the while in denial of the multitude of leaks and the circling sharks, I do applaud your sentiments.

I have been in the hobby since I was 11 with a hiatus between 16-22. During that time I hate to think how much money I have spent in GW. I play both wh and 40k go to gamesday most years and typically spend £150-£300 at the Forgeworld stand every time.

Now I feel this makes me more valuable to GW than any teenager dipping into the hobby. However do I feel that GW recognises this? Do I bollocks! I no longer shop in GW stores, I will still continue to buy discount from the Internet and second hand from ebay. Mainly because of the prices and because of the irritating GW employee teenager in my local store who tries to tell me what I should be buying, I wouldn't normally mind but he knows jack. What's worse is he uses the same gak to sell crap kits to some of my students that they don't need. Recently however I have spoken to their parents and pointed out that its cheaper online from independents.

My only hope for GW these days is that someone with some sense who isn't a sue-happy totalitarian fascist buys them out when they go under.

Just to derail the thread momentarily, where in Devon are you Ugly Green Trog?

Ugly Green Trog wrote:


Now I feel this makes me more valuable to GW than any teenager dipping into the hobby.

Adult collector fans overestimating their personal value. Hasbro has to do a presentation every year to put 'the fandom' in their place showing how insignificant they really are.

Adult collectors are always like 'I have disposable income! I can spend 200$ at the drop of a hat! That 8 year old turd can barely get Grandma to buy him a 20$ birthday present. The truth is, those 8-year olds with granny outnumber the adult collector to drastic extremes.

Hasbro every year says 'this is how much of our revenue came from 'adult collectors' and it is usually between 7-10% total. Considering how GW has said things in the past like 2/3rds of their customers never play the game and they want turn over to new kids... and Collectors admitting they mostly do second hand market, GW might have valid reason to discount a large portion of the FANDOM as the FANDOm is a small portion of the actual customerbase. I know this to be documented empirical fact for a lot of 'FANDOMs' on the internet so I don't expect that Wargaming is an exception without data proving otherwise.

Ugly Green Trog wrote:
.

My only hope for GW these days is that someone with some sense who isn't a sue-happy totalitarian fascist buys them out when they go under.

Wow, misplaced hyperbole, much?

 azreal13 wrote:
Just to derail these thread momentarily, where in Devon are you Ugly Green Trog?

I'm based in Exeter mate.

@ nkselch: while they may outnumber me I have given the company more profit over the years than them as individuals. I appreciate I am not the target market but GW doesn't even give a nod to people like me these days. By all means focus on the target market but don't go out of your way to alienate all other customers.

@cincydooley: so I exaggerate but you have to admit that GWs attitude of issuing cease and desists left and right as well as denying that any other game system or miniature company exists is rather far right. Not to mention killing off any individuality in terrain within stores. My local GW used to have some really awesome boards that really inspired hobbyists, now its just so meh I don't even bother to look at it.

Im actually going to write my own letter now... thank you for inspiring me OP.

For those who would rather nit-pick or scold because it makes you sound, I pity you... It must feel nice to know that some people who suck are willing to accept your demeaning personality but the OP shouldnt be getting it, it should be the "model" company who has assumed the self-appointed title of "best model makerz evar!!!" who get those comments.

You would rather roll over and let them do what they wish? Or are you that self-deluded that you think inaction fixes anything?

If everyone who is frustrated with GWs pricing, shock-sale tactics and overall disregard for the buyer wrote to them, Im sure the number is in the hundred thousands by now, something tells me they wouldnt be able to get by on pre-printed response letters... you voice enough opinion, and they'll have to do something... you vocalize your concern and others will read it and realize "oh I dont like that they're doing that either". Or we can just follow you suggestions and quit the hobby, because you assume they wont replace you with some other kid, or some other parents money...


So stop being lazy, write a letter, call them, PM them twitter them, blog them, do something!

Be part of the solution, not the problem...

 WarlordRob117 wrote:
Im actually going to write my own letter now... thank you for inspiring me OP.

For those who would rather nit-pick or scold because it makes you sound, I pity you... It must feel nice to know that some people who suck are willing to accept your demeaning personality but the OP shouldnt be getting it, it should be the "model" company who has assumed the self-appointed title of "best model makerz evar!!!" who get those comments.

You would rather roll over and let them do what they wish? Or are you that self-deluded that you think inaction fixes anything?

If everyone who is frustrated with GWs pricing, shock-sale tactics and overall disregard for the buyer wrote to them, Im sure the number is in the hundred thousands by now, something tells me they wouldnt be able to get by on pre-printed response letters... you voice enough opinion, and they'll have to do something... you vocalize your concern and others will read it and realize "oh I dont like that they're doing that either". Or we can just follow you suggestions and quit the hobby, because you assume they wont replace you with some other kid, or some other parents money...


So stop being lazy, write a letter, call them, PM them twitter them, blog them, do something!

Be part of the solution, not the problem...

GW is not the Hobby, no one ever said quit the Hobby. They said prove you upset and stop giving them your money, or all the letter is doing is saying "Hey GW, I really dislike how your doing thing. But, it doesn't really matter, here some more cash anyways. Hope you change how you do thing, so I can still spend what I do now." Why would they change, it would just cost money to change, money they don't have to spend because it not going to change to amount they make. Show me there reason for GW to change there market plan, please.

 WarlordRob117 wrote:
Im actually going to write my own letter now... thank you for inspiring me OP.

Make sure you sharpen your crayons before doing so.

For those who would rather nit-pick or scold because it makes you sound, I pity you... It must feel nice to know that some people who suck are willing to accept your demeaning personality but the OP shouldnt be getting it, it should be the "model" company who has assumed the self-appointed title of "best model makerz evar!!!" who get those comments.

Sound what? Pithy? Clever? Mean? Might want to finish your sentence there, slugger. And you put quotations around the word model. Why? Are you making a pun about GW being a "model" miniatures company. Or are you in fact questioning that that produce models? Elaborate.

You would rather roll over and let them do what they wish? Or are you that self-deluded that you think inaction fixes anything?

Quite a few people on this thread have advocated for voting with your wallet if you have a problem. Or are you that self-deluded that you think writing a letter they won't bother reading fixes anything?

If everyone who is frustrated with GWs pricing, shock-sale tactics and overall disregard for the buyer stopped buying product, Im sure the number is in the hundred thousands by now, something tells me they wouldnt be able to get by on pre-printed response letters... you put a big enough dent in their bottom line, and they'll have to do something...

Fixed that for you.

So stop being lazy, write a letter, call them, PM them twitter them, blog them, do something!

Be part of the solution, not the problem...

Your proselytizing is adorable.

 cincydooley wrote:

 WarlordRob117 wrote:
Im actually going to write my own letter now... thank you for inspiring me OP.

Make sure you sharpen your crayons before doing so.

For those who would rather nit-pick or scold because it makes you sound, I pity you... It must feel nice to know that some people who suck are willing to accept your demeaning personality but the OP shouldnt be getting it, it should be the "model" company who has assumed the self-appointed title of "best model makerz evar!!!" who get those comments.

Sound what? Pithy? Clever? Mean? Might want to finish your sentence there, slugger. And you put quotations around the word model. Why? Are you making a pun about GW being a "model" miniatures company. Or are you in fact questioning that that produce models? Elaborate.

You would rather roll over and let them do what they wish? Or are you that self-deluded that you think inaction fixes anything?

Quite a few people on this thread have advocated for voting with your wallet if you have a problem. Or are you that self-deluded that you think writing a letter they won't bother reading fixes anything?

If everyone who is frustrated with GWs pricing, shock-sale tactics and overall disregard for the buyer stopped buying product, Im sure the number is in the hundred thousands by now, something tells me they wouldnt be able to get by on pre-printed response letters... you put a big enough dent in their bottom line, and they'll have to do something...

Fixed that for you.

So stop being lazy, write a letter, call them, PM them twitter them, blog them, do something!

Be part of the solution, not the problem...

Your proselytizing is adorable.

Cincy, with as much as you defend the almighty GW, at least have some decorum and pick apart peoples complaints without resorting to base insults like "sharpening your crayons". If you want to defend GW, at least act like an adult about it. The endless insults to anyone who speaks ill of them is getting old.

Where's the defense there?

If you don't like their practices, speak with your wallet. I've said that about 4 times in this thread.

Writing a letter (especially one with the content like the OPs) isn't going to do a damn thing. Not a thing. Bitching about it online, though I realize is certainly a right, isn't going to do a damn thing about it.

Here, so I can fit in, I'll criticize GW some:

I don't like their limited release policy for their Horus Heresy novellas, especially when they there limited in number and not time frame (whoops, that's almost an admission that they fixed a problem. My bad).

Finecast had a lot of problems at the outset, particuarly when it came to models like the Terminator Librarian. There were some truly abysmal casts produced that they should be ashamed of.

I wish for Chaos Space Marines they'd have updated the normal marine box with the new models. There's a real discord between the DV models and the Raptors and the old releases.

Um..lets see. What else. I guess I'd like their prices to be lower, but I'd also like gas to be cheaper, a St. Elmo's or Ruby's steak to only cost $20 bucks, and for the markup on my favorite bourbon at the bar to not be 400%.

That's all I've got for now. I'll try to think of some more so I can better fit in.

 cincydooley wrote:
Where's the defense there?

If you don't like their practices, speak with your wallet. I've said that about 4 times in this thread.

Writing a letter (especially one with the content like the OPs) isn't going to do a damn thing. Not a thing. Bitching about it online, though I realize is certainly a right, isn't going to do a damn thing about it.

Here, so I can fit in, I'll criticize GW some:

I don't like their limited release policy for their Horus Heresy novellas, especially when they there limited in number and not time frame (whoops, that's almost an admission that they fixed a problem. My bad).

Finecast had a lot of problems at the outset, particuarly when it came to models like the Terminator Librarian. There were some truly abysmal casts produced that they should be ashamed of.

I wish for Chaos Space Marines they'd have updated the normal marine box with the new models. There's a real discord between the DV models and the Raptors and the old releases.

Um..lets see. What else. I guess I'd like their prices to be lower, but I'd also like gas to be cheaper, a St. Elmo's or Ruby's steak to only cost $20 bucks, and for the markup on my favorite bourbon at the bar to not be 400%.

That's all I've got for now. I'll try to think of some more so I can better fit in.

I believe it wasn't your viewpoint, in this or any other thread, that was being questioned, but your manner of expressing it?

I was trying to respond to his claim that I was defending GW. I wasn't. I was simply speaking against useless endeavors, of which writing letters to GW is.

I made the crayons comment to imply that I think the posters comment was childish. Perhaps I should have made less if an attempt to be witty and simply said, "your attitude is childish "

I really wish that I thought that a letter, or any number of letters, would help with GW.

As for Hasbro and adult fans.... the situation with GW may be closer to Paizo's Pathfinder and adult fans - where most of the purchases are made by adult fans, who then play with the toys they bought along with other adult fans that bring the stuff that they bought. (And I... am one of those adult fans. )

That the younger players likely play because they know older players or play with younger players that do.

The adult fans audience is why Paizo has been more willing to approach mature topics than WotC has been.

And why they treat their fans as adults.

WotC, on the other hand, tried for the younger crowd with 4e... and has since abandoned the line.... They tried to follow their parent corporation's demographic, and it failed.

The Auld Grump

 cincydooley wrote:
I was trying to respond to his claim that I was defending GW. I wasn't. I was simply speaking against useless endeavors, of which writing letters to GW is.

I made the crayons comment to imply that I think the posters comment was childish. Perhaps I should have made less if an attempt to be witty and simply said, "your attitude is childish "

See, now saying "your attitude is childish" would have been the adult way to convey that thought. It's being critical without being condescending, and it goes a long way.

For all the complaining I've got about GW, I still buy their products, albeit in smaller quantities spread out over more time, but that only really has to do with prices being what they are now. What used to be $500-800 a year is now about $250-300 with some years being far less depending on new releases.

So while GW hasn't lost all of the money I've got to spend, they have lost a lot of it, and they could easily earn it back if they wanted to. Do I feel inclined to write them letters? Not in the least, only because I know that with a company that size said letter goes in a bin that gets replied to by some twit who makes minimum wage and uses boilerplate responses.

At the end of the day, all I'm saying is if you're going to be critical(which is fine and is your right) then please be polite about it. You don't have to "jump on the GW complaint wagon".

 cincydooley wrote:
I was trying to respond to his claim that I was defending GW. I wasn't. I was simply speaking against useless endeavors, of which writing letters to GW is.

I made the crayons comment to imply that I think the posters comment was childish. Perhaps I should have made less if an attempt to be witty and simply said, "your attitude is childish "

There's ways n means mate. I feel less inclined to read your posts because of the attitude that comes across in them, making barbed comments and ignoring arguments while picking apart a posters writing style or lack of grammar just comes across as aggressive.

Rightly or wrongly I feel you have a chip on your shoulder. We are mostly on Dakka for the same reason, our love of war gaming and miniatures, even if we disagree with someone we should argue in a constructive way as opposed to pulling apart their sentence structure. Being better at grammar doesn't make your point more valid than his.

Ugly Green Trog wrote:
My only hope for GW these days is that someone with some sense who isn't a sue-happy totalitarian fascist buys them out

Maybe Apple Incorp- Oh, wait.

In seriousness, though, OP, I'd echo the sentiments regarding tidying the letter up a bit, and shifting the focus away from your inability to personally afford the product.

Ugly Green Trog wrote:

 cincydooley wrote:
I was trying to respond to his claim that I was defending GW. I wasn't. I was simply speaking against useless endeavors, of which writing letters to GW is.

I made the crayons comment to imply that I think the posters comment was childish. Perhaps I should have made less if an attempt to be witty and simply said, "your attitude is childish "

There's ways n means mate. I feel less inclined to read your posts because of the attitude that comes across in them, making barbed comments and ignoring arguments while picking apart a posters writing style or lack of grammar just comes across as aggressive.

Rightly or wrongly I feel you have a chip on your shoulder. We are mostly on Dakka for the same reason, our love of war gaming and miniatures, even if we disagree with someone we should argue in a constructive way as opposed to pulling apart their sentence structure. Being better at grammar doesn't make your point more valid than his.

I hardly attacked his sentence structure. I made a comment about an incomplete sentence. There's a difference there, IMO.

I argue in constructive ways plenty, but only when they warrant constructive and articulated responses. As much as Azrael and I disagree on gak, he can attest to this. So can plenty of other people here. I actually DID that earlier in this thread, but we keep having people coming back to these childish, "I'm going to write an ineffectual letter" comments and we're spinning in circles. If writing a letter is going to sate your desire for action, well by all means, do it. Just understand it isn't going to make a bit of difference.

Ways to "get back" at GW more effective than writing a letter:

1. Stop buying GW product yourself. Pretty self explanatory
2. Take up a NEW wargame and introduce it to your local gaming group. If you can convince them to take up the game, it's like way #1, except now you've got more people on board.
3. Protest a Large GW Event - Make some signs, gather a few friends, and exercise your American right to peaceful protest at Games Day Memphis. Or Warhammer World. It's really easy to delete an email or throw away a letter. You can't simply throw away people with signs protesting on public land.

I mean, I'll be honest. I don't have a ton of sympathy for people complaining about prices. You're not entitled to be able to buy any of this stuff. It isn't bread. It isn't milk. It isn't water. Hell, it isn't even gasoline. These toys that we construct and play with are completely disposable non-essential goods. Again, you aren't entitled to ANY of it. If stuff becomes more expensive than you're willing to pay, don't buy it. If you want a more expensive model, save for it. And while you're saving, go paint some of the grey plastic you have in your garage. That's what I've been doing.

If you were the Overlord of Games Workshop with singular unquestionable power over every aspect of the companies process and policy (just for the sake of argument), what would you do if you suddenly had a completely unexplained drop in sales? Raise prices, cut expenses. However, if a group of concerned customers had written you letters detailing why they weren't spending money on your products anymore, you may actually figure out an effective way to save your company rather than entering into a positive feedback loop in which you continue to raise prices to combat the lack of customers.

skink007 wrote:
If you were the Overlord of Games Workshop with singular unquestionable power over every aspect of the companies process and policy (just for the sake of argument), what would you do if you suddenly had a completely unexplained drop in sales? Raise prices, cut expenses. However, if a group of concerned customers had written you letters detailing why they weren't spending money on your products anymore, you may actually figure out an effective way to save your company rather than entering into a positive feedback loop in which you continue to raise prices to combat the lack of customers.

Well, no.

Your "explanation" is dependent on the notion that the "Overlord of Games Workshop" would have no insight as to the 'why' of the declining sales. Even if that were the case, the typical outlook for a business losing sales in one area is to other innovate and find other avenues of revenue growth, NOT automatically increasing prices. Some real world examples:

-Coke was seeing a decline in their sales. They innovated with the "Freestyle" machines you can now find at tons of restaurants that allow you to make your own soda.
-Microsoft has steadily seen a decline in PC sales, so they introduced their tablet to the market.

And, quite frankly, this is precisely what GW has done as well. Do they have price increases? Sure. But they've also found other avenues of revenue through video games, the Black Library publishing arm, and through the "Mystery Box" releases that they have every so often to boost that revenue.

So no, I don't think your "group of concerned customers [writing] you letters detailing why they weren't spending money on your products anymore" has any bearing. Why? Because they already know why you're not spending your money. I realize it's like, the SUPER popular thing to do on here, but give GW the tiniest bit of credit in that they know how to run their business. As a publicly traded company, their shareholders demand it. Their methods to ensure their bottom line satisfies those shareholders may not appeal to you, but let's quit pretending they don't know what they're doing.

A letter can make a difference. Yeah, it's just anecdote, but I wrote a letter once to a big company, pointing out they should be doing something they weren't - and they gave me a job.

But, sadly, this letter won't do anything apart from allow the OP to express his frustration. For one thing, you need to empathise with the addressee - understand and anticipate their concerns, and what drives them. this letter expresses the OP's point of view, without caring about the addressee's POV, and will fail for that reason alone.

the fact that the OP hasn't even considered a named individual to whom the letter is addressed, says it all. If no single person is addressed, no single person will care. (I'm amazed that people still do this on job application letters, too, then complain they don't get a response. If you can't be bothered to find out the name of the person who has a job to offer, then that person won't be bothered to give a damn, either).

Finally, in terms of the OP's point of view, which is something that's pretty unanimous on this board, he looks at this from his own perspective without even addressing the issue of recruitment, beyond merely "lower prices". How do the OP's concerns relate to potential new buyers? He needs to address that - and understand that other people's concerns are not the same as his, and incorporate those in the case he is making.

I doubt this letter tells them anything they aren't aware of already, and worse still it doesn't suggest any real course of action for them to take to address the OP's concerns, other than "lower prices."

 cincydooley wrote:


And, quite frankly, this is precisely what GW has done as well. Do they have price increases? Sure. But they've also found other avenues of revenue through video games, the Black Library publishing arm, and through the "Mystery Box" releases that they have every so often to boost that revenue.

This is a good point, in that the OP simply criticises, without first questioning what innovations GW are introducing. Even if they're not innnovating, they must think they're innovating.

From what I've read by those who've actually quizzed people there, , GW are actively recruiting, and have more sculptors than previously. THey've also invested in new machinery to make larger kits than previously. Now, even if you think that's a wrong move, you have to acknowledge they have a business strategy which goes beyond "keep shoving up prices" .

Hivefleet Oblivion wrote:
Now, even if you think that's a wrong move, you have to acknowledge they have a business strategy which goes beyond "keep shoving up prices" .

You make very valid points, however I disagree that this strategy goes beyond shoving up prices. In my mind, and perhaps I'm the only one that sees this, but both 40k and WH have been increasingly dependent upon large models or large units. In fantasy, it is the era of the horde, MSU strategy is all but dead, and so, in the rules themselves, players are encouraged to simply buy more models. They are sacrificing game-play for profit. Maybe that's what a company thinks it needs to do, but if they sacrifice much more they will further degrade their customer base. In 40k, monsters/large models are becoming almost necessary. You hardly see a Tau list without a riptide or an Eldar list without a Wraith knight. Yeah those are the flavors of the recent months, but thats my point. Perhaps you see the fact that they disguise their price hikes as a 'different' business strategy, but to me it is hardly better than simply shoving up prices.

skink007 wrote:

Hivefleet Oblivion wrote:
Now, even if you think that's a wrong move, you have to acknowledge they have a business strategy which goes beyond "keep shoving up prices" .

You make very valid points...Perhaps you see the fact that they disguise their price hikes as a 'different' business strategy, but to me it is hardly better than simply shoving up prices.

Well, neither of us know, so you could well be right. I am suggesting, though, that even those who think that this is primarily their strategy - and that's your prerogative - have to acknowledge that this is not their only strategy. The designers themselves, for instance, are enthusiastic about the fact they can bring out more new models, and more big models. they obviously see a broader choice of more exciting stuff as their strategy.

More fundamentally, few MDs or marketing managers or other executives could get away with announcing a strategy and a budget for the forthcoming year, and simply say all theu're doing is pushing up prices. Not everyone is that cynical - it simply wouldn't fly. Now I (to my misfortune) have sat in on a lot of those sorts of meetings, especially when margins are being squeezed, and there will indeed be questions about elasticity of demand, whether we can charge more for new limited edition goodies, whether consumers will notice a price rise if it's packaged in a particular way (ie halving numbers of models in a pack but only reducing the price by 35%). When you're making budget, the money men will squeeze in every price rise they think they can get away with. But... you'd never get away with having price rises as your only strategy. It simply wouldn't wash. Price rises are a tactic, not a strategy.

I do of course acknowledge that some people in GW will be idiots. For instance, the people who oversee White Dwarf, who have managed to excise all the loving, DIY aesthetic which made it interesting, and have in the process made a number of fundamentally wrong decisions, which any publishing professional could instantly pinpoint. (For instance, wasting the same space on the same coverlines every issue, something only an idiot would countenance).

But I don't accept that all the people at GW are idiots, and even if I did, were I to write a letter to GW, I wouldn't make it obvious that this was my opinion.

Writing a letter and letting your feelings be known is better than staying silent. It costs you almost nothing, so why not? Worse case scenario, they ignore you.

I once wrote a letter to David Brooks of the New York Times. I will never know if he read it, but literally the next week, his column addressed the exact issue I raised in my email, word for word. Was it my email? Was it that he received a bunch of similar emails in that time-frame? Coincidence? No idea. But I felt good for raising my voice and maybe being heard.