So....this is the first time since 2006 that I have purchased anything from Games Workshop, and at that time it was the Lord of the Rings Mines of Moria Set.
Thus, I drove to my local store and already knew their price would probably match GWs aka $125, and it did.
But, i know this store hosts a ton of events, so even though I did not have enough money to also buy the AoS set, I decided to at least support them by purchasing other items I would need:
Citadel/GW:
1) File Set - $21
2) Project Box- $69
3) Several Paints-$4.50 ea
4) Brush Set - $135
5) Age of Sigmar Hard Cover Book - $75
OVER $300!!!! US
Now, I am an older working professional and I am also into O Gauge model trains from Lionel and MTH, and whose prices average from $300-$2100 depending on the Diesel or Steam Locomotive you are buying, they are digital with ful sounds and effects.
Thus, I buy things I want...however...
These are plastic figurines, made in CHINA? I recall getting beautiful sculpted pewter Napoleonics at $25 a bag for 100 15 mm's from "Old Glory" miniatures back in 1996...
Also, I wonder if I had been better off going to Lowes or Home Depot or Michaels to get brushes and tools?
Maybe even a plastic tool box instead of a GW/Citadel project Box?
How do you younger people afford this stuff?
Frankly, I dont see High School or lower kids buying at these prices...even worse asking their parents.
The parents would have their heads explode!
Is it just me or has Games Work Shop products like Age of Sigmar now become an expensive toy just for collectors? The same way Lionel trains have?
Gone are the days for a child, Teen Ager, or College age person to be able to buy this stuff?
While I was at the store, there was a young man and his friend who came in to buy one large Warhammer item, it was a single figurine in a large box, and he made the comment "There goes my paycheck".
Although, I understand the store needs to make a profit and that is tough these days, but I do feel Games Workshop is to blame....
I learned my lesson though, there are less expensive and better alternatives for the brushes, project, box and tools.
But, I guess I am stuck with the paints.
To be honest with you, as much as I love the products Games Workshop has, i.e. I buy all their PC and IOS games, had Mantic games with their Kings of War sets been available, I would have just gone that route.
But I have found that finding starter sets for Kings of War except for the Undead and Orks is difficult if not impossible here in the USA.
Despite all this, I drew the line and purchased the AoS set from Amazon for $96 and free shipping thru their market place, and saved almost $30.
However, I do plan on buying the remainder of my needs from my local store when I go there to watch or play games.
I feel obligated to do that, its the right thing despite no discounts...plus, they are the only store nearby, the remainder are too far away or difficult to get to.
Also, the $75 book is not needed unless you want to collect it, as all the rules are already free online, and this book albiet top quality and totally beautiful, is more like a collectors item and not something you want beaten up at game events.