GW Price Increase

Yup, we all know its that time of the year so I figured I'd say my bit and then leave it be.

Prices are going up AGAIN. A Tactical Squad (the most common single infanty) and a Rhino (your most common vehicle each are selling for US$37.25 or something like that.

a little history.

When I got into the game (2004; release of 4th) it was pretty simple. Tact squad was $30, Rhinos ditto. Most of the specialty squads (command/vet/dev) all cost $35, assualt squad $25, tanks were $40 (Rbacks $35) etc etc etc..... These prices had been static since around 1999.

2007: We seeing the release of Dark Angels, a swing in design theory, and cries of Codex creep because they were so much better than vanilla marines.... sweet irony. Price HAVE NOT CHANGED.

2008: release of 5th, this began the now yearly price increases....

US inflation stating in 1999 (something that cost $30 in 1999 will cost X in Y year) Price of Tactical Squad
1999 $30 $30
2004 $34.02 (13% inflation) $30
2007 $37.34 ((24.5% inflation) $30
2012 $41.43 (38.1% inflation) $37.25

My point is mainly that GW locked their prices up for a good long time, and are now having to jack up prices on a yearly basis to make up for it.

Well this was fore seen. I beat there will be a modest price increase next year. GW Marketing, Production, and Shipping team need to sleep together. Or at least work in the same area... It would be better for all. I would go on but it would seem that I am repeating myself from past posts on this subject. Its all about the MONEY folks...

Of course it's about the money. It's a business. I don't like to see the prices go up, but if GW marketing knows they'll still make money then they'll go for it. We'll (for the vast most part) still buy it.

Yep, I think the things to remember are:

1) GW is a business. They are trying to make as much money as possible.

2) If you think it cost too much, don't buy it. This hobby is a need, not a want. I don't think it requires a boycott/protest etc. That's like protesting a club that raises it's cover charge.

3) Yes the last several years LOOK bad at 5-15% incresase every year.... but when looked at over the long haul, they actually DID put off raising prices as much as possible. Note that those figures are inflation only, that doesnt include the price of oil going up (which would raise the price of resin/plastic). Plainly put if it costed $5 in 1999. it should run about $7 today. Most kits fall within this range.

If you're like me, I have a 40k budget. I set aside the same amount each month for buying models/terrain etc. This simply means I buy 5 models rather than 6 or what have you.

businesses often fall into the trap of "holding price increases" to make customers happy, and they assume customers appreciate this. unfortunately the blow back from your customers when you drop a 30% price increase on them is much more pronounced than when its 3-5%.

I've experienced this in my own place of business, and let me tell you. yearly increases are much better than giant leaps. There can be a lot of bad mojo from people that feel like they are being gouged.
(not that GW doesn't gouge, and trying to defend their "goblin standard" pricing scheme wont happen from me, but in general i agree with the new practice.)