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There are no GW stores within 2 hours drive of me. Several FLG however. When we did have a GW store, around 4th ed(?), it was in a mall. The staff was cool (not pushing me to buy anything), normal gamers were good to new players. The mall rent killed the store despite good sales.

As for 7th, I dont care what leaked rumor you have and from what source. When 7th hits, I will let the dust settle and borrow a copy. IF I like what I see, Ill buy a copy from the FLGS. IF I dont like it its time to rethink this hobby (GW and 40k wise) and my collection.

Thats the problem with written words sometimes. Thry get interpreted wrong I guess.

 McManiak wrote:
If you buy fro a GW store and game there then buy it from them or they won't be there much longer. I am simply saying don't by it through GW website as the store GW/FLASH need the support.

We understood this was your point. You don't understand our point that GW stores actively harm the hobby and so we don't *want* them there anymore. I also don't play at retail stores (clubs and forum organised groups/games are superior imo) so I'm not going to pay 20-30% extra for an expensive product.

You haven't said whether you find these legitimate concerns or issues at all, you just started insulting people who disagreed with you.

 McManiak wrote:
Thats the problem with written words sometimes. Thry get interpreted wrong I guess.

 McManiak wrote:
I never started this thread to have so many GW haters post but as predictable as ever the level of intellectual replies never ceases to amaze me.

There's no room for misinterpretation here.

Discount online somewhere probably

 ninjafiredragon wrote:
Discount online somewhere probably

Discount Games Store in the US is where a lot of Aussies get their 40k stuff when we buy legit, they've been great for us. Good discounts, shipping and customer service and we skip the horrible GW regional pricing. Can usually get stuff for half the price we'd pay in a local GW store - hence a lot of the rage directed at GW from us.

 McManiak wrote:
If you buy fro a GW store and game there then buy it from them or they won't be there much longer.

Yes, and the point that you keep missing is that a GW store not being there much longer is a good thing for the community.

 Peregrine wrote:

 McManiak wrote:
If you buy fro a GW store and game there then buy it from them or they won't be there much longer.

Yes, and the point that you keep missing is that a GW store not being there much longer is a good thing for the community.

At a time when they hosted games and actually fostered a community, this would be a different case. With one-man stores, it's not the owners fault, but they just can't do it because of horrible business practices from the higher-ups.

 Andilus Greatsword wrote:
With one-man stores, it's not the owners fault, but they just can't do it because of horrible business practices from the higher-ups.

The owner is Games Workshop. So yes, it most definitely is their fault.

The "manager" is indeed at the mercy of GW's ridiculous business practices, though.

I won't be buying direct from mt local GW store. I will let the money change hands from my FLGS to GW that way atleast the comic book store that I've been going to since the 90's can have some money. Plus the GW store, despite the operator being a good man that I used to work with at my current job, is a lot farther of a drive.

I won't be buying the 7th ed book right as it comes out either. I want to see the pros and cons of it before I dump that kinda of money into it. I bought the 6th ed book first thing, come to find I did not like it and only played it a few times.

 Ruberu wrote:
I won't be buying the 7th ed book right as it comes out either. I want to see the pros and cons of it before I dump that kinda of money into it. I bought the 6th ed book first thing, come to find I did not like it and only played it a few times.

Definitely this. If it turns out great I'll pay for it, until then definitely not.

 McManiak wrote:
You all seem to have missed my point. .

No, I think your condescension came through pretty clear.

I do what I can to avoid supporting my local GW store, as I feel GW's policies have stopped them supporting my friends and I, as gamers.

Let's see:

I can't recall the last time I wanted to buy something and they actually had it in stock. It's all "we don't carry that, but we can order it online for you" - as if I'm too stupid to order online on my own?

They've cut back on their store hours to the point where even if I wanted to go in, it's not really feasible. The closest shop to me is closed on Sundays and Mondays, two of the days when I have easiest access to transportation. What's more, the "one-man" store approach seems to fail when the one man gets sick. I've seen facebook postings that read, "Sorry, I'm not feeling well, so the shop is closed today." I mean, I feel bad for the guy getting sick, but it's a touch ridiculous. What other multi-million pound international corporations close up shop because a clerk got a cold.

The company goes out of its way to gouge customers on prices. The recent toolkit release was sold for twice what it would cost to buy equivalent, or better, replacements from micromark.

So, really, I feel no reason to support a company that shows no evidence of supporting their customers.

i buy all my toy soldier related stuff from Gauntlet Games, the FLGS about 25min from my house. Not only is that where i play, but theyre cool people and provide a discount card the more you buy. Need to spend i think its around 100USD to get the card to do anything though, but then your next purchase is a huge discount.
May not be the best discount deal ive seen, but better than GW website offering zilch lol

My FLGS Atlantis Norfolk gets all my money when I'm not trading or buying used models online from private owners.

We didn't spend enough at GW stores.... so they punished us with Escalation....

Everyone ignored it.... so they reprinted the rulebook.....

znelson wrote:We didn't spend enough at GW stores.... so they punished us with Escalation....

Everyone ignored it.... so they reprinted the rulebook.....

I laughed.

Peregrine wrote:

 McManiak wrote:
If you buy fro a GW store and game there then buy it from them or they won't be there much longer.

Yes, and the point that you keep missing is that a GW store not being there much longer is a good thing for the community.

I disagree. You're wrong, mostly because you don't understand how the community works. GW stores exist to attract all the kinds of people who you don't want in your FLGS. If my local GW store went out of business, those folks would start coming to my FLGS, and that would ruin everything.

We have to support the GW stores to keep them contained! Think of it like a tax on your hobby money to support the local animal control center.

I only buy and order through my local shop (except really big purchases where discount makes a meaningful discount).

I don't want the stores to disappear, I lived in my local one in my youth and my current local one is fantastic, honest about the products and has given me heaps of advice since getting back into the hobby.

A lot of the time I'm happy to pay a little more in the brick and mortar GW store just to chat and get advice face to face for what I'm buying.

These stores closing would be a bad thing, especially in an area with no alternative.

I preface every purchase from my flgs with, "As long as you'll still give me 10% off, I'd like to buy this..." It still ends up more than ebay, but not usually much more once shipping is factored in, and I do like the idea of giving a local store my business where practical.

I've been to 1 GW store near my mom's house. I was pretty shocked at how pushy the sales staff was. I was just there to see what a GW store was like and maybe make an impulse buy, but was bombarded with unsolicited suggestions, some of which didn't even make sense. I basically got the car dealership treatment at a friggin toy store.

Hopefully for their sake this was just an aberration.

 jasper76 wrote:
I've been to 1 GW store near my mom's house. I was pretty shocked at how pushy the sales staff was. I was just there to see what a GW store was like and maybe make an impulse buy, but was bombarded with unsolicited suggestions, some of which didn't even make sense. I basically got the car dealership treatment at a friggin toy store.

Hopefully for their sake this was just an aberration.

Nope. Standard practice. My buddy went in with me one time when he was just getting started and want to try IG and the first thing the redshirt tried to get him to buy was a Baneblade. Umm.... if you wanna swing for the sales fences, how about starting with trying to sell him a battleforce?

I live in Berlin. We have lots of flgs and around 3 or 4 gw stores. I'd rather lose a leg than entering a gw store anytime soon.

The flgs on the other side are a gamers paradise. May gw stores find a horrible horrible end!

 jasper76 wrote:
I preface every purchase from my flgs with, "As long as you'll still give me 10% off, I'd like to buy this..." It still ends up more than ebay, but not usually much more once shipping is factored in, and I do like the idea of giving a local store my business where practical.

I've been to 1 GW store near my mom's house. I was pretty shocked at how pushy the sales staff was. I was just there to see what a GW store was like and maybe make an impulse buy, but was bombarded with unsolicited suggestions, some of which didn't even make sense. I basically got the car dealership treatment at a friggin toy store.

Hopefully for their sake this was just an aberration.

Yep, thats normal. Been to gws in 4 different states, all the same.

Clearly, the Baneblade is a great starter for your beginning army. You may not be able to field it from the start, but you have such a cool model! And it's a great inspiration for you! Just buy a few more models to get a legal army and you are one step closer to finally field it! Buy it now and you get 1 pack of IG Cadian infantry for FREE!!!!*

*"free" means "free of additional charges"

 Peregrine wrote:
Yes, and the point that you keep missing is that a GW store not being there much longer is a good thing for the community.

I think what the OP/some of the GW store supporters are missing is with GW cutting back on specialist games that a GW store literally sells a few hobby supplies and 3 games. It's like having a Pepsi beverage store...if you shop there you not only lose the opportunity to try Coca-Cola products, but you also take business away from stores that not only sell Pepsi but also bread, chips, and frozen pizzas.
At a non-GW store, I can mingle with the rest of the hobby, which is way bigger than GW's market share. I can see how someone painted their warmachine minis, and buy the best paintbrush from a plethora of brushes. I can even try out different games! Most importantly, it's an opportunity to meet more people with similar interests to mine.
At a GW store, I can meet people who play 40K, WHFB, or LOTR. That's the only aspect of the hobby and the community GW stores support.

 greyknight12 wrote:
At a GW store, I can meet people who play 40K, WHFB, or LOTR. That's the only aspect of the hobby and the community GW stores support.

I'm curious...what would happen if you went with a friend to a GW store, and started playing Warmachine on one of their tables?

 jasper76 wrote:
I'm curious...what would happen if you went with a friend to a GW store, and started playing Warmachine on one of their tables?

I don't know, but it would probably involve lawyers.

I would like to advocate to support where you play as it's great to get all the discounts in the world but if you can't play then it's all wasted.

With that said I go out of my way to never purchase anything from GW direct. I have access to some wonderful FLGS that are run by great people who appreciate the fact you are spending money in their store. Both of these stores also offer discounts as means of incentive for me to purchase from them.

I like the FLGS because they have more choices of things to buy. Even if I only were to play 40k I can buy cheaper and better quality paint, tools, terrain, basing items etc which are universal.

 jasper76 wrote:

 greyknight12 wrote:
At a GW store, I can meet people who play 40K, WHFB, or LOTR. That's the only aspect of the hobby and the community GW stores support.

I'm curious...what would happen if you went with a friend to a GW store, and started playing Warmachine on one of their tables?

I expect you would be asked to leave.

ids1984 wrote:
These stores closing would be a bad thing, especially in an area with no alternative.

Sure, but the only reason there isn't an alternative is that the GW stores exist. Get rid of the GW stores and they'll be replaced by far superior independent stores.

 Peregrine wrote:

ids1984 wrote:
These stores closing would be a bad thing, especially in an area with no alternative.

Sure, but the only reason there isn't an alternative is that the GW stores exist. Get rid of the GW stores and they'll be replaced by far superior independent stores.

And also the entry point for most people getting into the hobby disappears.

Just using my area we have loads of gaming clubs but only 1 brick and mortar store. That GW store also supports the bigger gaming club and has supported the club I'm member of.

There also always people painting and playing in there.

I have been in there in a past when a stand in manager and been there and I've got the hard sale, I walked out. Similarly when the usual manager was in I went in to buy some clippers and he pointed me towards amazon lol

It looks to me GW has its policy but a robust manager can still keep the hobby alive and be a 'good guy'.

I'm no fanboy and can see peoples resentment but how many of our first steps into the hobby where via a GW shop? No new blood no hobby.

ids1984 wrote:

 Peregrine wrote:

ids1984 wrote:
These stores closing would be a bad thing, especially in an area with no alternative.

Sure, but the only reason there isn't an alternative is that the GW stores exist. Get rid of the GW stores and they'll be replaced by far superior independent stores.

I'm no fanboy and can see peoples resentment but how many of our first steps into the hobby where via a GW shop? No new blood no hobby.

Did you miss the part you quoted where it was mentioned it would be replaced by a superior store? The new blood wouldn't miss out on anything - they'd gain tremendously by not being introduced to a sheltered subsection of the hobby, but to the entire hobby.