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I do not have a local GW, instead I have a semi decent FLGS that sadly seems to have been overrun by merchendize and boatloads of comic releated stuff.

 Gimgamgoo wrote:

 Tamwulf wrote:

This is what I remember from that time: We would get new players from the GW store because it was small and had only two tables, and they would hear about the FLGS and "Warhammer Saturday" and our large game room, tables, and terrrain. So these new players would roll in with the worst possible lists filled with garbage units and starter set models. They could maybe play 1000 points, but most likely 750, and they would be in awe of a 2,000 point list. They would be all cute and innocent, and not realizing that most games are played at the 1500-2000 point levels, and just could not believe that people could actually paint so well and so many models...!

Wow. I've read some bizarre stuff on Dakka in my time. I think this takes the award for why there's a lot less youngsters in the wargaming hobby these days.

To summarise... you hated the local GW because they got new players to buy starters to start gaming, then your cliquey gaming store put them off because they hadn't managed to paint up 1500+ points and used starter models.

Hope I just misinterpreted your story.

I must admit that these were my thoughts on reading this comment as well.

Terrible attitude.

The nearest GW is closed on Sunday. My best "Free Day" to browse and shop and gak is Sunday. Saturday is lawn care day and chores, and my work week generally involves a lot of travel or long days. Sunday is a nice day to be out and about, swing by the store and see what's what. I guess I've saved a feth-ton of money on impulse buys, then...

My nearest FLGS is a great place. They have a wide variety of board games, miniatures, and RPGs. The staff is more MtG focused, but I've had them make GW orders before to support them.

 alanmckenzie wrote:

 Gimgamgoo wrote:

 Tamwulf wrote:

This is what I remember from that time: We would get new players from the GW store because it was small and had only two tables, and they would hear about the FLGS and "Warhammer Saturday" and our large game room, tables, and terrrain. So these new players would roll in with the worst possible lists filled with garbage units and starter set models. They could maybe play 1000 points, but most likely 750, and they would be in awe of a 2,000 point list. They would be all cute and innocent, and not realizing that most games are played at the 1500-2000 point levels, and just could not believe that people could actually paint so well and so many models...!

Wow. I've read some bizarre stuff on Dakka in my time. I think this takes the award for why there's a lot less youngsters in the wargaming hobby these days.

To summarise... you hated the local GW because they got new players to buy starters to start gaming, then your cliquey gaming store put them off because they hadn't managed to paint up 1500+ points and used starter models.

Hope I just misinterpreted your story.

I must admit that these were my thoughts on reading this comment as well.

Terrible attitude.

Neckbeards gonna neckbeard.

I don't have a problem with the local GW. Never been in there, but I don't have any problem with it at all. Its a shop.

 Gimgamgoo wrote:

 Tamwulf wrote:

This is what I remember from that time: We would get new players from the GW store because it was small and had only two tables, and they would hear about the FLGS and "Warhammer Saturday" and our large game room, tables, and terrrain. So these new players would roll in with the worst possible lists filled with garbage units and starter set models. They could maybe play 1000 points, but most likely 750, and they would be in awe of a 2,000 point list. They would be all cute and innocent, and not realizing that most games are played at the 1500-2000 point levels, and just could not believe that people could actually paint so well and so many models...!

Wow. I've read some bizarre stuff on Dakka in my time. I think this takes the award for why there's a lot less youngsters in the wargaming hobby these days.

To summarise... you hated the local GW because they got new players to buy starters to start gaming, then your cliquey gaming store put them off because they hadn't managed to paint up 1500+ points and used starter models.

Hope I just misinterpreted your story.

Ill tell you from a complete noob myself, this is exactly why I hate going into any hobby store. I picked up some models after being a fan of some PC Warhammer games, and was excited to see a GW store in my city. I got excited to start an army!

I am in the middle of painting my SM army (Tact Squad, Term Command, and Dark Vengeance Box). I have not played a single game yet, as I am painting and reading rules and trying to get a good understanding of the hobby.

They guy at the store is "OK". A little used-car salesman-ish but not horrible. Has some decent advice, but almost disregards me for wanting wanting to take my time painting and building, and is more in the line of "buy this, and paint it QUICK to get it on the table"! Even after having spent hundreds of dollars in a matter of weeks, on models, paints, brushes, tools, and other related materials. I understand hundreds is small in this hobby, but for someone who started at 0 40k inventory purchases to a small collection....its a huge step.

The thing that irks me more is the fact the "regulars" or "vets" seem to scoff of noob questions. The same guys that are playing or painting seem to only discuss things with themselves or others that have been in the hobby for a long time. Asking a simple question about a unit or advice on a new smallish army is met with upturned noses. Let alone paint.....god forbid if I ask for a color suggestion. Since I am making a custom SM army I am way out of bounds and way out of my league. Now understand, I am a soft spoken person and not nagging folks for advice in the middle of a game or when someone is painting. Ill ask a question when 4 people are hanging at the counter talking about their next purchases. I cant imagine ever having a game against guys like this, let alone even wanting to.

From my point of view it amazes me. I am sad to see this is not a rare outlook. Back in my combat flight sim days, my online squadron LOVED new blood. We took months training them on the game (DCS sim), giving advice on flight sim gear....after factoring budget, etc etc. It kept the game new and fresh and made some great virtual combat pilots at the same time.

This hobby seems like if you start late, dont bother, or at least dont bother till you have 3 armies at 2k points each and read front to back every single rule/codex/supplement there is.

Sorry for such a rant but this post hit a nerve to what I see as once a cool new hobby....to possibly painting plastic guys that will sit on a shelf.

Vaxx wrote:

 Gimgamgoo wrote:

 Tamwulf wrote:

This is what I remember from that time: We would get new players from the GW store because it was small and had only two tables, and they would hear about the FLGS and "Warhammer Saturday" and our large game room, tables, and terrrain. So these new players would roll in with the worst possible lists filled with garbage units and starter set models. They could maybe play 1000 points, but most likely 750, and they would be in awe of a 2,000 point list. They would be all cute and innocent, and not realizing that most games are played at the 1500-2000 point levels, and just could not believe that people could actually paint so well and so many models...!

Wow. I've read some bizarre stuff on Dakka in my time. I think this takes the award for why there's a lot less youngsters in the wargaming hobby these days.

To summarise... you hated the local GW because they got new players to buy starters to start gaming, then your cliquey gaming store put them off because they hadn't managed to paint up 1500+ points and used starter models.

Hope I just misinterpreted your story.

Ill tell you from a complete noob myself, this is exactly why I hate going into any hobby store. I picked up some models after being a fan of some PC Warhammer games, and was excited to see a GW store in my city. I got excited to start an army!

I am in the middle of painting my SM army (Tact Squad, Term Command, and Dark Vengeance Box). I have not played a single game yet, as I am painting and reading rules and trying to get a good understanding of the hobby.

They guy at the store is "OK". A little used-car salesman-ish but not horrible. Has some decent advice, but almost disregards me for wanting wanting to take my time painting and building, and is more in the line of "buy this, and paint it QUICK to get it on the table"! Even after having spent hundreds of dollars in a matter of weeks, on models, paints, brushes, tools, and other related materials. I understand hundreds is small in this hobby, but for someone who started at 0 40k inventory purchases to a small collection....its a huge step.

The thing that irks me more is the fact the "regulars" or "vets" seem to scoff of noob questions. The same guys that are playing or painting seem to only discuss things with themselves or others that have been in the hobby for a long time. Asking a simple question about a unit or advice on a new smallish army is met with upturned noses. Let alone paint.....god forbid if I ask for a color suggestion. Since I am making a custom SM army I am way out of bounds and way out of my league. Now understand, I am a soft spoken person and not nagging folks for advice in the middle of a game or when someone is painting. Ill ask a question when 4 people are hanging at the counter talking about their next purchases. I cant imagine ever having a game against guys like this, let alone even wanting to.

From my point of view it amazes me. I am sad to see this is not a rare outlook. Back in my combat flight sim days, my online squadron LOVED new blood. We took months training them on the game (DCS sim), giving advice on flight sim gear....after factoring budget, etc etc. It kept the game new and fresh and made some great virtual combat pilots at the same time.

This hobby seems like if you start late, dont bother, or at least dont bother till you have 3 armies at 2k points each and read front to back every single rule/codex/supplement there is.

Sorry for such a rant but this post hit a nerve to what I see as once a cool new hobby....to possibly painting plastic guys that will sit on a shelf.

I hear ya bud.

Game stores can be incredibly cliquish, and worse wargamers seem to adopt an almost e-sports like attitude towards their games sometimes. I would recommend finding a place that is newbie friendly, usually running a start-up league, and try to get in then. This isn't always an option, so good luck.

I just wish I could use my own glues there. Theirs are terrible.

Take a leaf out of every teenager or alcoholic's book since time immemorial, get some Citadel glue pots, decant decent glue into them, use them when painting at the store!

 Azreal13 wrote:
Take a leaf out of every teenager or alcoholic's book since time immemorial, get some Citadel glue pots, decant decent glue into them, use them when painting at the store!

Too much work. Just get a piece of tape and scrawl 'Citadel' on it and stick it to your glue. Problem solved

I'd just fill an empty Citadel glue bottle with my preffered brand.

It isn't local.

The biggest problem that these "New" GW stores have is that they are too small. No gaming, and one table is a bad joke in a game store. Just saying.

Ghaz wrote:
Too much work. Just get a piece of tape and scrawl 'Citadel' on it and stick it to your glue. Problem solved

It's what citadel does after all.

Having never been in my local GW I couldn't say.

This might be controversial but I don't actually "Hate" anything about my local GW.

Compared to other retail outlets they are one of the best on the high street.

However that in itself is the issue - GW stores are just retail outlets now, not "Hobby Stores".

I rarely if ever go into my local GW because my local independents (Darksphere and Warboar) do everything GW does but better.

They are cheaper.

They stock a wider range

They are open longer hours and don't close 2 days a week

They have gaming space

They sell drinks and food and don't mind you eating in store

Less of a hard sell (if any)

The sad thing is my local independents are only really doing what GW stores used to do when I first started going to them.

So although I don't "Hate" anything about my local GW store that doesn't mean to say I don't think they couldn't be improved, but I'd probably still go to DS or WB simply because I fell part of both communities which GW doesn't (IMO) have any more.

 Alex Kolodotschko wrote:

Ghaz wrote:
Too much work. Just get a piece of tape and scrawl 'Citadel' on it and stick it to your glue. Problem solved

It's what citadel does after all.

You're forgetting to slap some gold leaf on there... FOR THE SIGMAROR!

That I don't get to go there as often as I would like to due to life. I haven't been very lucky the times I have been down there recently. The first time was when I was one of three people there and didn't get a game and the latest it was AoS campaign night and didn't get a game in again. I just turn up as and when I can and hope for the best. I at least get to watch what's going on and talk to some of the peeps down there.

I do hate that they haven't had a sale for many many years now. I would probably spend some proper money if they had a sale on. This isn't branch specific though.

 oldzoggy wrote:
High prices -> It makes me not buy stuff


Automatically Appended Next Post:

SNAAAAKE wrote:
Getting curbstomped by a kid without an army list taking nine Dreadnoughts

Lol a allmost all walker army krumped you that kid is a hero : D

if you have 2k in a 1k match what do you expect...

Generally I only go in for paint these days but the thing that bugs me it the one man store opening hours. Maybe I'm just unlucky but the days and times I'm actually in the vicinity of the shop mean that it is closed about half the time.

Often this means I will buy paint off ebay rather than the local shop as it means I will get it quicker and that also opens up my choice to other paint brands.

Other people on this thread are saying their "local" GW is over 3 hours away so I can't really complain, but my closest GW is 2 30 min bus rides and a 1 hour train ride away.

And when I do get there...
It's not toooooo bad. My main complaint is that people there a loud and smelly. VERY loud and smelly. It's really gross in there. And since it's so cramped, it's impossible to ignore it.

 SixT4Pixels wrote:
Other people on this thread are saying their "local" GW is over 3 hours away so I can't really complain, but my closest GW is 2 30 min bus rides and a 1 hour train ride away.

And when I do get there...
It's not toooooo bad. My main complaint is that people there a loud and smelly. VERY loud and smelly. It's really gross in there. And since it's so cramped, it's impossible to ignore it.

THIS. Loud bothers me more than smelly. Insta-cringe when you over hear (not hard to do) conversations.

Not a reason that I hate the local shop to me, but the manager shut the store to go look for pokemon. I guess it comes with the territory.

I'm lucky, my local GW is ran by a top-notch red shirt, who garners sales by being extremely knowledgeable and friendly, without being pushy. The store is clean and bright, room for three games at once, and the local players are really cool.

My issue is just the one-man store model. closed monday and tuesday, open noon to seven, and half-hour break in the middle of the day. Due to the location, parking is a real issue on the weekend too, with the max street parking of two hours. All that together means really small games are the only real possibility in the shop.

My local GW:

It's pokey, cramped and it stinks in summer (srsly, the aircon has needed complete replacement since before they opened - and that's about 20 years ago).

It's also closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, the only two days I'm usually in that specific area (weekends I'm usually out of town, and wed-friday I don't usually have the time to get in.

Around here GW's put a store in a city that already has four gaming stores within a 200m vicinity, run by people who are just about as enthusiastic about the hobby, not to mention way more knowledgeable on what they sell and what a customer might need to expand their army.

He tried to sell our resident Tau player a Devilfish after hearing he played that army, pushing the sale with the argument that "it's got a big gun, so it can do a lot of damage!" We're talking about the APC here, not the tank variants..

Plus, they're closed on Sunday and Monday, so on the odd chance I do want to pop in to get that can of coloured primer that the other stores don't sell, I can't, because he's closed on my only days off.

I've not been to a GW in years. They don't have any stock, last time I asked for a few things and they were all direct only, even the more recent releases. Apparently going to their corporate stores isn't direct enough. As I couldn't go back to the store often I'd need to mail order and pay postage on top, because they don't stock it in their shops.

Going to their shops is a waste of time, no wonder their staff feel pressured to meet targets.

Went to a (somewhat) nearby GW today. 1 gaming table (AoS only until October), naff all stock, underpopulated for a Saturday. The manager seemed nice though.

Hygiene. My standards are not high but are consistently violated at the local GW store. Not just BO, but things like munching on fried rice at the gaming table and bits spraying on the minis everytime someone opens their mouth. Have had to wipe down entire armies after games there.

And the stench, it's next to a Chinese restaurant and all you can smell is the contents of the dumpsters on a hot day. Some people take it in stride but I can't really deal with the smell of rot when I am trying to think.

I drive an extra 20 minutes to get to the FLGS rather than visit the GW store.

A single GW store is open in the state, on the other side of the water so more than an hour away when I have a FLGS only 10 minutes away. I would bear it no ill will, except for the fact that it's mere existence means FW has to charge me sales tax on my orders!

 Howard A Treesong wrote:
They don't have any stock, last time I asked for a few things and they were all direct only, even the more recent releases. Apparently going to their corporate stores isn't direct enough

That's largely why I stopped visiting; even the large GW stores seem to have less stock than the FLGS, anf having been working on an army for over a decade all the stuff I wanted was direct only. My last 3 visits were to pick up online orders.

We had six local shops that carried GW stuff. Then GW opened a store and everyone started getting rotating delays and late shipments on new releases. Then the year over year price hikes started happening as well as accelerated edition changes and the community went from huge to tiny and now only the GW store (which has since been converted to a single employee store that is only open 40 hours a week) and one other sell their products and all the other stores have moved on to selling other things (Magic: The Gathering, X-Wing, etc.,).