Private Frazer Strikes Again

Private Frazer for those of you who don't know is a cantankerous old Scottish git (a bit like myself), whose catchphrase in the show Dad's Army was, well it's in the picture. Now it takes some doing for me to post a picture of this old bugger instead of DR, but it seems that this link has heralded the forthcoming Apocalypse.

I originally posted it yesterday lunchtime (UK time) over on Relic Forums regarding the recent slump in the GW profits and share price and it's appeared on sites such as BoLS. What has accompanied it is; you've got it, the internet equivalent of Frazer running about shouting 'We're doomed' and the usual rants about GW prices.

Yes, we all know that it's cheaper to buy our products online, in fact my previous post mentions it and I do it myself. But before having a pop at GW for their pricing policy and declaring that we'll never step inside one of their stores again, it's perhaps prudent to see exactly what you get for your money.

1. Games Development and Production Costs - I know, it gets trotted out every time by someone trying  to defend GW prices. Unfortunately for the naysmiths, it's a fact. Wayland Games, MiniWarGaming and ebay etc. simply do not involve themselves with developing the fluff or designing new models. They don't employ people like the Perry Twins or Dan Abnett to bring us a Universe that is the envy of the wargaming world.
2. Places to Play - I live in the UK, so I can't speak for people in places like the US or Australia and won't attempt to do so. What GW does provide for people like me is a place to play whenever I can get to one of their stores. I've just done a quick search on their online store locator. The parameters I used were within 25 miles of my postcode, all GW shops, independent retailers and clubs. It brought up 4 GW stores, 6 independent retailers and 2 gaming clubs. Now, having been in 4 of those independent stores I can assure you that there is nowhere to have a game. No tables. No terrain. No-one to play. In my neck of the woods, independent stockists aren't interested in providing a gaming area and it's certainly not an online option is it? Now this may not be the case in your local area and if so, I'm jealous.
3. Sensei - Ok, I'm kicking the arse out of it here because even I wouldn't describe GW employees as uber teachers, but there is a point to be made. How many of us were attracted to the game by walking past a store and seeing the painted models in the window and when we entered, were introduced to the game through a one turn demonstration by one of the employees? Quite a few I would imagine. How many of us have been half way through a game and asked an employee for a rules clarification? Again, quite a few; and that's something you don't get online.

There are probably a few more reasons for going to a GW store; although in my experience to pick up a girlfriend isn't one of them. 

There is another side to the story, that of the online store and let's not beat about the bush here, they're out to make money as well. What overheads do they have? Well probably -

• Cost of a website. 
• Employee wages.
• Storage facilities.
• Transport.
• Utility costs.

All on a much smaller scale than GW. And there's another thing before you go off on 'it's 10% cheaper on blah, blah, blah'.

GW operate a tier system for their independent stockists, with cost prices varying depending on what level of customer support they offer. By customer support I mean providing somewhere to play, information on how to paint your models etc. So all of those sites who have suddenly put up video tutorial links aren't doing it for your benefit, they're doing it for theirs to try and get an extra percentage discount.

Independent stockists who offer a full GW experience without the GW name above their door get the greatest discount, with purely online stockists getting the least, however, GW do not set a minimum purchase price on their products. This means that www.blahblahblahminiatures.com can sell you GW products at whatever price they want. They themselves have a valid argument; GW makes money from them as well, so it's still lining its pockets.

I know money's tight, I've got a mortgage and 2 kids to support and with a 2 year pay freeze to look forward to, I know that I'm not going to have as much disposable income to spend on luxuries. So any purchases I make from GW stores will be impulsive ones when I'm in gaming. Any large ones will probably be made online; however, I'm also fully aware of the big part GW play in our hobby, and how much of a loss to the gaming community a single store would be.

Oh, here's DR