"Stupid dollar! Be less wimpy!" Topic

Some of my favorite game companies are in Britain, but the exchange rate just keeps creeping up and up. I'm worried that it'll hit the 2:1 mark again (or close to it), like it did a year or two ago. And I can't remember the last time the US/Canadian exchange rate was less than a dime apart.

Can our British cousins do us the favor of doing something to bring down the value of the Pound? Maybe foment a market scare by counterfeiting a bunch of those colorful bills of yours? We here in the Colonies would be greatly appreciative!

Why is the Pound so high, anyways?

I recall when the Euro was $.80 USD a dollar. Now it's $1.45.

Jesus, you lot were all marching around in triumph at how low the Pound was a few months ago.

It's either triumphalism (I seem to remember some TMPers announcing how they were going to 'buy Britain' and take all our wargaming stuff, or some such nonsense) or Chicken Licken "The sky is falling on our heads" with you fellas. If we all just chilled a bit, maybe our currencies wouldn't fluctuate so much.

But I can't say I really sympathise, after all the crowing there was when the Pound was low and I wanted to buy stuff from the States.

Maybe "the Colonies" should do something to strengthen the value of the US Dollar. However, any further discussion of this probably crosses the Blue Fez line so I won't indulge.

Sorry for you guys, but now it's great for Euros. I'm buying several things I couldn't in the past thanks for the change. Now, if the pound gets a little more lower compared to the Euro I'll then make that big order for Grand Manner I've been wanting to do since a year.

In the bright side, though it's no consolation for you at all, this means more exports for your country.

Looking at XE.com, I see the exchange rate at: $1 USD = $1.08 CAD , €1.00 EUR = $1.44 USD and £1.00 GBP = $1.66 USD . That's about where things were last summer and more or less where things have been since 2007. I remember when the pound was regularly two dollars.

Without going into Blue Fez territory, the US government has a lot of money in the system to stimulate the economy. That has the effect of depressing the value of a buck. The fact that imports increase in price can be an intentional or unintentional side effect depending on fiscal policy and which monetary theory you subscribe to. In the 1970s, it was used to stimulate domestic production.

While Plynkes is clearly vying with AECurtis for title of "grumpiest TMPer", I will point out that my Swiftian call to "Buy Britain" worked as the Pound has regained some of its luster and Hasslefree is still in business. QED.

Wyatt

Buy American. We are a bargain.

The $CDN has been pretty stable against the GBP for a few months now. Which suggests that it is *not* the pound going up…

Difficult timing. The pound jumped up to 1.18 euros (or close) a while back. I don't think we will be back there for a long time.

As for pound vs dollar it is a question of which takes a nose dive at a particular time.

Okay forgive me for being out of the loop. But I keep hearing the term "Blue Fez". What the heck are you referring too????

The pound jumped up to 1.18 euros (or close) a while back. I don't think we will be back there for a long time

It's not that far off now, actually

I was getting 1.42 euro to the pound in 2006, the best deal I can find now is 1.10 euro/pound. That's tourist rates of course, business rates were 1.14 euro/pound at close today

As for the pound vs dollar, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The Dollar:Pound ratio has been 2:1 in the past- it was close to that just about all the times I visited Britain in the late 90's/early 2000's, iirc. I think the lower exchange rate right now is actually an aberration.

-Will

My solution to this is actually to kidnap Jon Tuffley and Jez Plumridge and chain them to sculpting and casting benches in my basement.

Yes, now is a great time for Europeans to order American miniatures!

Damn Jav…you and I think alike…now how large a crate do we need for them?

My solution to this is actually to kidnap Jon Tuffley and Jez Plumridge and chain them to sculpting and casting benches in my basement.

I wonder if one could reach through GZG's shipping wormhole as Jon prepares to toss a package through and nab him?

-Will

No really, what does Blue Fez refer too?

It's the Current Affairs discussion area of TMP. Ask Bill if you want to subject yourself to it. And good luck!

Yeah, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. The exchange rate US vs UK is where it's been for the last 8 months and isn't likely to change much in the next six.

Thanks,

John

Do we actually make any decent miniatures in the US of A? All of the good stuff comes from the UK, sad to say.

I'm with Fritz, almost all the good minis (IMHO) are made overseas…

Being paid in Euros, I'm making hay while I can in terms of figure purchases. Unfortunately, we've just been told our BFPO at NATO is closing in a year. That will push the shipping costs up a bit.

Hmmm… I was under the impression the the Gov had wanted the dollar to go a bit low… to encourage folks into buying our stuff… that there had been intentional moves to make it do so.

It's the "buy American" bid for a low dollar. I've been telling everyone to vacation in America. It's cheap and the buying is good. Some UK companies are even outsourcing services to the US! Thanks UK! Sure, we don't have Perry Brothers or Marmite, but you can buy all of the steak dinners and coca colas you can drink.

I think we Americans are spoiled. The pound, historically hits around $1.75. It is $1.66 USD right now. Sure it is not the $1.35 USD it was a few months back but it is still lower (a little) than what it should be.

Do we actually make any decent miniatures in the US of A? All of the good stuff comes from the UK, sad to say.

Says you – I've been buying from Wyrd Miniatures and Privateer Press recently. Also stuff for Hell Dorado, which is soon to be a US-owned game. The only UK-made ministures I've bought recently are from GW!

I'm in the Eurozone and the US is pretty cheap right now. Wargames Factory, Ravenstar Models, Brigade are all getting my money and I'll be spending at Fall In.

it isn't high for australians, at a bit of a rock bottom low for us , we are happy!!!I even bought a load of Warloard ECW something I noemally wouldn't consider..

I can tell you all it's a great time to be Australian. We're at $1.00 AUD = $0.86 USD and = £0.52 GBP I've bought stuff when it was = $0.58 USD and = £0.35 GBP

Have been happily buying from Caliver Books, the Warstore, Maelstrom and others, it's never been this good to buy from you guys. Please keep up the good work keeping your currencies down.

"Do we actually make any decent miniatures in the US of A? All of the good stuff comes from the UK, sad to say."

Aside from Wyrd and Privateer, there's also Crocodile Games, Darkson Designs' Weird War 2 stuff and the list goes on. If you're hung up on historicals, then talk to Tom Dye at GFI. His stuff may be British in origin, but it's made in Colorado.

Wyatt

dont overlook Reaper minis

…talk to Tom Dye at GFI. His stuff may be British in origin, but it's made in Colorado.

But is he allowed to ship to the UK?

Buy Bongolesian…it's cheaper!…Waaaaaayyyy cheaper…

Well, the Krona is doing fine against the pound so it's not the pound going up, rather the dollar going down. I'm going to use that to buy some stuff from the States that I could not otherwise afford.
And Murhp, there is a reason it's cheaper to buy Bongolesian and I'm not falling for that again!

I bought American last year when I was over there. 2 dollars to the pound, happy days.

And Murhp, there is a reason it's cheaper to buy Bongolesian and I'm not falling for that again!

Do you have something against the unique 46mm scale used by the Bongolesians?

Inkpaduta, blue fez refers to Bill, the editor of the miniatures page. Due to his blue fez icon.

Garnham Ghast,

Ah, now it makes sense thanks.

I also think there are some good US companies that make historicals, Old Glory has an extensive range, Brigades WWI line and Musket Miniatures, GHQ in 6mm. Wish there were more companies though that covered more periods.

Instead of complaining, we should do something!

Let's round up all the TMP members and have them start heavily shorting the U.K. pound. Either due to the rise in supply or a sudden panic/rumor, the price of the pound will plunge and we can all buy our miniatures much cheaper. . .

not to mention make a ton of money when we all cover our shorts at the dramatically reduced price!

As a membership group, we have the wealth of nations at our fingertips! Its time we flexed our economic muscles and made the world currency markets dance to our tune!

I got into this hobby when I was a kid in the late 50's, early 60's. Then the pound was $2.40.

With the defecits being run up here in the U.S., in time even $2.40 USD may look good if inlfation kicks in.

Tom

Why is it that our cousins across the pond assume the US is the centre of world wargaming?

It isn't and never has been.

The vast majority of wargames products originate in the UK. Deal with it. If you don't like the exchange rate find another hobby.

I believe Tom is allowed to sell some items to the UK, not others. At the moment, Minifigs UK is in transition – just been sold so it's moving to Nottingham, so not sure about the sales situation – may be that Tom has more leeway at the moment?

Hey, Luddite. Get over yourself. If you can't take a joke find another hobby. We American cousins fully realize that in England the wargame streets are paved with gold and there's a club on every corner. We look in awe at the British wargaming scene! We can only envy your freedom of choice -- which is why the exchange rate is such a fun topic of conversation.

As wargamers it's just a matter of riding the exchange rate wave. When it's against you, buy locally. When it's in your favor, buy from the other side of the pond.

streets are paved with gold

Not Gold..Lead.

*cackles as he feeds the cat dollar bills rather than tinned offals* :)