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I went into my local independent retailer shop today and really had a great time. They guy that owns the place has been running it in the same location for 40 years. I posted something last week about how I felt so uncomfortable in a GW store, but today I really felt at ease to browse. And considering the fact that I have been really into advanced basing techniques lately, I was pleased to see so many bottles of flock, snow, gravel, etc. I even got a huge tube of green stuff for $20. I was wondering if they were making a point by selling this monster amount and placing it next to GW's pittly amount for $10. Plus when I asked a few questions about Flames of War, the guy took me back, opened up some boxes, and showed me what it was all about. But even after that, he didn't push me to buy it (which made me want some tanks more, ha!). I have definitely found my go to place in the future. And a huge plus that it is about a block from my house.

I haven't posted the name here because I wasn't sure if the forum would consider it soliciting and if it is against the rules. If it isn't then I'll post the location. Just wanted to give a shout out to the people that have been modeling for decades and really get a young gun like me excited about the hobby.

I'm glad you found a more comfortable venue.

Sounds great. I wish we had game stores around here, but such things are rare in my part of the world.

It is just really cool to see guys who have been building and painting models for over half a century. I definitely have a lot to learn.

So are they ancient grognards who are heavily into historicals, looking down upon the plebs and their "fantasy" and "science fiction", or are they a bit more fun than that?

I'm actually not sure that stereotype really exists. Almost all the old guys I know who are into historicals dabble into all sorts of sci-fi and fantasy. A lot of these guys grew up with the classics of fantasy and sci-fi.

The stereotype is alive and well.

I'm 100% okay with not having people like that around me and continuing to think it's just something that happens on the internet.

Glad to hear you found somewhere you feel ok visiting, shopping (and hopefully hanging out too from the sound of it)

 frozenwastes wrote:
I'm actually not sure that stereotype really exists. Almost all the old guys I know who are into historicals dabble into all sorts of sci-fi and fantasy. A lot of these guys grew up with the classics of fantasy and sci-fi.

Agreed, we have been playing a lot of X Wing recently, and the small group of historical players at our club occasionally play Wings Of War.

When they found out it was essentially the same ruleset, they were really enthusiastic to find out the differences, and I suspect a little jealous of the miniatures!

 AesSedai wrote:
The stereotype is alive and well.

It's a thing that happens. My grandparents had an acquaintance who does historical wargaming, and they knew that I did something with minatures and painting and stuff, so they thought it would be worthwhile to introduce us when I was out there for a visit.

When I said that I was mainly into GW stuff and sci fi minis, the look he gave me was like I'd just dropped trou and took a gak on his shoes.

Every few weeks at my FLGS a game of historicals breaks out... usually Warhammer Ancients... its the same 3-4 guys each time.


Usually they get half the people in the store standing around and watching them play and talk about the models and how cool and retro it is. (mostly its warmachine players saying that, but I suspect that's mostly because 90% of the gamers at this store play warmachine)

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
Sounds great. I wish we had game stores around here, but such things are rare in my part of the world.

Depends if you want to drive for 45 minutes.

Yikes! A friend of mine used to live in Sutherland and we used to joke about him need to bring his passport whenever he visited us. This is further away than that!!!

The Shire's great for other things .

Closest store I got is GW Hurstville. But it's worth the hour drive to Hall of Heroes - it's a very friendly place.

GW Hurstville is close to Singapore???

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
GW Hurstville is close to Singapore???

If you live in Hurstville, Hall of Heroes quicker to get to than Sutherland, thanks to Bob Carr (Seriously, I work near Hurstville and live in Campbelltown, and on a day with no traffic, it takes me 25 minutes to drive to work). Make the drive out to Hall of Heroes if you're looking for a good FLGS. A 45 minute drive is worth a great store.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
So are they ancient grognards who are heavily into historicals, looking down upon the plebs and their "fantasy" and "science fiction", or are they a bit more fun than that?

They are into historical stuff, but they carry more sci-fi and fantasy models than I have ever seen between living in two states. They have a lot of stuff from companies I have never even heard of. A little awkward at first, but the minute they hear you are into that stuff, they open right up.

gohkm wrote:
The Shire's great for other things .

Closest store I got is GW Hurstville. But it's worth the hour drive to Hall of Heroes - it's a very friendly place.

Please excuse my ignorance, how did you get a Singapore flag next to your name if you live in Australia?
I do not remember being able to choose a flag when I signed up. I could be mistaken though.
I only ask this because seeing it there has piqued my interest from another thread.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
GW Hurstville is close to Singapore???

No, mate, I shuttle between Sydney and Singapore quite regularly.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Bloodmagic wrote:

gohkm wrote:
The Shire's great for other things .

Closest store I got is GW Hurstville. But it's worth the hour drive to Hall of Heroes - it's a very friendly place.

Please excuse my ignorance, how did you get a Singapore flag next to your name if you live in Australia?
I do not remember being able to choose a flag when I signed up. I could be mistaken though.
I only ask this because seeing it there has piqued my interest from another thread.

I think this is tied to the location specified in your profile.

 -Loki- wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
GW Hurstville is close to Singapore???

If you live in Hurstville, Hall of Heroes quicker to get to than Sutherland, thanks to Bob Carr (Seriously, I work near Hurstville and live in Campbelltown, and on a day with no traffic, it takes me 25 minutes to drive to work). Make the drive out to Hall of Heroes if you're looking for a good FLGS. A 45 minute drive is worth a great store.

I'll second this as well. Friendly staff, lots of gaming tables, food and beverages available while you play, and no one is going to pull you up for non-citadel glue on your miniatures. Albeit I don't play games in store as it is more a time issue for me and my mates just like to play at home. I regularly pop in for supplies though, living in Camden area it's only a 10 min drive for me.

I rarely go to the GW store here in Campbelltown, although the guy at the store is friendly and doesn't try to force feed you the White Dwarf. I preordered the Eldar codex and went to pick it up the other day, but my order had not come in as I did it too late during the week (last Wednesday). I didn't have my printout for the order and had done it via a guest checkout as my online account is bugged; it has 4 items in the basket which cant be cleared! I told the guy I would go home, get it and come back, he said don't worry about it and handed me an Eldar Codex. Top bloke imo, this is great news.