Editor in Chief Bill | 24 Apr 2011 6:05 p.m. PST |
Which miniature wargaming companies do the worst job of promoting their own products? The ones that make no announcements, or make too many announcements, or in some way drive you away instead of into a purchase? |
Cardinal Hawkwood | 24 Apr 2011 6:43 p.m. PST |
or make it really really hard to buy their stuff Raventhorpe |
Scott MacPhee | 24 Apr 2011 7:17 p.m. PST |
Black Tree Design. They have had such trouble filling orders that I'm wary of ever ordering from them again. |
sharps54 | 24 Apr 2011 7:25 p.m. PST |
Any company that doesn't have good photos of their products (all their products) online. If distributors have links to the manufacturer's website that is fine but the manufacturers should have photos of what they make regardless. Jason Stafford, VA |
Space Ghost | 24 Apr 2011 7:28 p.m. PST |
I'm currently interested in naval gaming, so Viking Forge & Navwar come to mind. For Viking Forge, I couldn't even tell you if they are still in business
. much less if they're still releasing product, which is a shame. |
I didnt do it | 24 Apr 2011 7:28 p.m. PST |
Any online store without pics of their products. P.S. Oops! Too slow. |
Space Ghost | 24 Apr 2011 7:29 p.m. PST |
Tumbling Dice
it took Dom's Decals to get me into 1/600 aircraft. TheGhost |
On The Lamb Games | 24 Apr 2011 7:38 p.m. PST |
I'm fairly sure we do a bad job of promotion at times, but we're working on improving that. |
WarrenB | 24 Apr 2011 7:53 p.m. PST |
Jason speaks the truth. I can't understand why manufacturers wouldn't show photos. ----- Warren B. minisculpture.co.uk |
Flat Beer and Cold Pizza | 24 Apr 2011 8:04 p.m. PST |
"Any online store without pics of their products." This. I've read all the usual excuses, i.e. photography takes too much time; it's too expensive; etc. I just don't buy these excuses, nor will I buy products from manufacturers who make such excuses. No piccie, no buyee. It's that simple. |
Sundance | 24 Apr 2011 8:15 p.m. PST |
There was one minis company in Britain that offers pretty unique stuff, but has mediocre pics of the stuff and for a long time (IIRC) would only accept checks Pounds or Euros – and wouldn't deal in PayPal or credit cards. Not sure if he does now as I've given up any thought of purchasing the stuff. |
Cheomesh | 24 Apr 2011 8:57 p.m. PST |
I'm with the lack of photo's guys – this is why I have not gotten a thing from GZG. M. |
Whirlwind | 24 Apr 2011 9:07 p.m. PST |
Liberation miniatures. Stronghold miniatures. Regards |
Mapleleaf | 24 Apr 2011 9:10 p.m. PST |
Agree that sites without photos are my biggest beefs. My second are companies that only accept PayPal. I do not have an account so could not buy even if I wanted |
Wargamer Blue | 24 Apr 2011 9:27 p.m. PST |
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IUsedToBeSomeone | 25 Apr 2011 2:02 a.m. PST |
Mapleleaf You don't need a paypal account to use the paypal payment method – it is a convenient way of also accepting credit cards from customers who don't have paypal accounts. Mie |
shaun from s and s models | 25 Apr 2011 2:23 a.m. PST |
we used to be rubbish at pro-mo stuff, but we have gotten better over time. but it's all very well promoting yourself if you can't make it and get it out to customers! |
dayglowill | 25 Apr 2011 3:12 a.m. PST |
I have to admit that sometimes I find the constant stream of press releases from Mantic a little off putting. I know they want to keep themselves in the public eye but I think they could do with scaling it back just a little. I also dislike Peter Pig's "in your face" approach to copyright infringement. To me it's a bit like those shops that have life size cut out policemen and anti shoplifting signs everywhere you look. I fully understand that copyright infringement and shoplifting are wrong. I understand that businesses must deal robustly with both. However when I'm shopping I want to be treated like a customer not a suspect. It won't stop me buying from Peter Pig, it just means I'll look at the other options first. |
6sided | 25 Apr 2011 3:17 a.m. PST |
You dont need a paypal account to pay by paypal – you just select to pay by credit card instead of logging into a paypal account. This is one of the most common misconceptions people complain about. As for companies making it difficult, Heroics and Ros for me. Before they were sold it was paper order forms posted omly and no pics on their site. Two or more years after the range was bought out, still no online shopping cart and still no photos. So one of the premier gaming ranges is still living in the 1990's. Jaz 6sided.net |
Angel Barracks | 25 Apr 2011 3:19 a.m. PST |
My second are companies that only accept PayPal. I do not have an account so could not buy even if I wanted Not only what Mike said about credit cards but even better for debit cards. It can be very difficult at times to get a refund if you have been ripped off and used a debit card. If buying through a Paypal vendor using your debit card (no paypal account needed) you are quite often better protected. |
Fonthill Hoser | 25 Apr 2011 3:39 a.m. PST |
Gotta second Viking Forge. Don't seem to recognize the wonders a decent website & Paypal account can do for business. Or maybe they just don't care. Either way, they don't get my business. Hoser |
Warbeads | 25 Apr 2011 5:23 a.m. PST |
Interesting that GZG is mentioned in both best and worst polls. Eye of the Beholder thing? Gracias, Glenn |
whill4 | 25 Apr 2011 5:42 a.m. PST |
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messy 1958 | 25 Apr 2011 5:49 a.m. PST |
Have any of you guys ever heard of Timeline-Minatures? If not then you had better put us at the top of the list. We have some very nice products, but like a few others I am crap at the business side of the hobby. I despair of ever being able to make a success of it. Ofcourse trying to earn a living in the real world doesnt help, but if anyone has any really good business advice( up to and including, support from a real businessman) then please let me know Regards Barry |
Timbo W | 25 Apr 2011 6:03 a.m. PST |
Hi Barry, some nice scenery there! I must say 15mm Burmese are a bit of a niche product, so I guess they'll naturally be lower-profile than WW2 or Napoleonics. I'm probably showing my age here but I'm not much of an internet buyer. I like to see what's available but prefer to do my shopping at wargames shows. I like to see the product 'in the flesh', pick things up, have a quick flick through rulebooks etc. So I'd say, in the UK at least, either get to the shows or do a deal with a distributor who does. |
messy 1958 | 25 Apr 2011 6:27 a.m. PST |
Thanks I should say that some of the problem seems to be that we spend a lot of time and effort getting a product made, to the accompaniment of many people who say they cant wait till its out, then when released these people are nowhere to be found This was the case with the trenches etc for example
its very disheartening |
Valator | 25 Apr 2011 6:55 a.m. PST |
Black Orc Games. They have the Hundred Kingdoms system and some very nice and incredibly reasonably priced miniature lines to go along with it, but you wouldn't know it. Instead, the general gaming public might, if they pay close attention, have heard of their minisculpt line of mediocre or worse minis for a buck. Normally, a company with a plethora of sculpts by Sandra Garrity, Bob Murch, Drew Williams, and Jason Weibe would market those items and names, as there are fans of those sculptors. |
Scorpio | 25 Apr 2011 8:55 a.m. PST |
Interesting that GZG is mentioned in both best and worst polls. As someone who's been to the GZG-ECC a few times, I can say that GZG has a very dedicated fanbase, if not an overly large one. And they were one of the very early sellers of more generic scifi, and have done an excellent job over the years of building a reputation as a dependable and professional organization. But even I've skipped over ordering things from them because I couldn't find a picture of the product online, anywhere. And I fear they are going to lose out on sales as a new generation of gamers replaces the older. |
Giles the Zog | 25 Apr 2011 9:14 a.m. PST |
GZG bad ? Hmm, well, there was the issue that their main website and store were or seemed to be separate web sites, but as a new customer last year I could find everything I wanted to with a photo. A photo is ESSENTIAL, and MANDATORY for internet stores. No photo, no sale. Full stop. Comparison with competitors (if they exist) is useful. A clear statement of scale, again with comparisons is good. A clear statement of intent for what the company will produce. Regular and clear communications of what product is upcoming, and what product is already available. GW have all this down to a T – regardless of what you think of their status, product or whatever, they are profitable and dominate their markets. |
MST3Klover | 25 Apr 2011 7:04 p.m. PST |
I totally agree with the no picture no buy philosophy. Whatever the reason/excuse I will not buy miniatures sight unseen. This is no different from any other product that I might buy on the web. I want to either see a good picture or at least a review from a trusted source before I would buy. But even a review isn't always as useful as you'd like. A picture is truly worth a thousand words when it comes to something as visual as miniatures. |
nevinsrip | 25 Apr 2011 10:49 p.m. PST |
By far and away Eureka. I love Eureka AWI figures. But, for the life of me, I cannot navigate their website or figure out which "club" figures are actually in production or not. They have very few pictures of their figures on their website and zero announcements when they produce new figures. Case in point, are the new AWI cavalry and Legion figures. Tarletons Quarter has some information on the figures but there is nothing on the Eureka site. If you are reading this Nic, please, please, do something about your site. Your figures are the equal of Perry. Take a lesson from them about promotion. |
GeoffQRF | 26 Apr 2011 6:25 a.m. PST |
Hmm, we still seem to be slightly swamped with orders, and as many from ranges with photos as without. |
Dasher | 26 Apr 2011 8:26 a.m. PST |
The one's who think a spell-checker can replace proofreading by someone who catually knows how to spell. i.e. "
it's a lead-pipe sinch[sis]
" <shudder> |
GeoffQRF | 26 Apr 2011 1:11 p.m. PST |
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Rudysnelson | 26 Apr 2011 4:07 p.m. PST |
Me! I never put money into adverts for my 15mm ranges of Saheal Africa, Native American pre-columbians or the 12/15mm SciFi infantry. |
(I make fun of others) | 29 Apr 2011 11:49 a.m. PST |
But, for the life of me, I cannot navigate their website or figure out which "club" figures are actually in production or not. There you are, Eureka, that's just the wargaming community's way of saying thank you for your interactive "Club" feature. They have very few pictures of their figures on their website and zero announcements when they produce new figures. Both demonstrably untrue, at least with respect to Eureka's own ranges. Your figures are the equal of Perry. Take a lesson from them about promotion. More than a few of whose miniature sets have no photographs to show them
. |
nevinsrip | 29 Apr 2011 11:17 p.m. PST |
Listen, I am a big fan of Eureka. I love their figures. But I have no clue as to what is being produced in the 100 ranges. Perhaps I am missing smething? Maybe you would be kind enough to guide me to the photos and pricing. Thanks |
Tumbleweed | 03 May 2011 1:11 p.m. PST |
Fonthill Hoser: So good to hear from you again. I believe we have had this conversation before. Weren't you involved with another company that produced 1/600 scale naval miniatures? Your sole criticism centered on our website, but then again we don't sell websites. Space Ghost: Yes, we are still in business and new products are released on a continuous basis. If you can't remember our website address, just do a web search with the words "Viking Forge." As an alternative, go to the manufacturer's section of The Miniatures Page and look us up under the letter "V". TMP has provided a brief synopsis of our products and a link to our website. As another alternative, visit our website at the following: vikingforge.datasquire.net |
Oh Bugger | 03 May 2011 3:06 p.m. PST |
Stronghold would make you weep. |
Gennorm | 04 May 2011 5:29 a.m. PST |
Navwar. He makes it difficult to contact him – phone calls on a Saturday afternoon only ((and then he won't accept orders) and no e-mail, with no chance of any on-line ordering, photos or show appearances. His mail order is excellent though. |
IronMike | 04 May 2011 7:50 p.m. PST |
People who refuse to drag their butts into the 21st century. I once wanted to place an order online with a certain company (I'm not naming names) and was told to send them an email with what I wanted and my credit card number! WhenI balked about this I was told "If you're concerned about security, just send two emails: one with one half of your credit card number and a second with the other half." When I asked if they had secure online ordering, the person said that they didn't use it because (and this is a quote) "I prefer to interact with my customers." |
Fonthill Hoser | 08 May 2011 6:03 a.m. PST |
"Fonthill Hoser: So good to hear from you again. I believe we have had this conversation before. Weren't you involved with another company that produced 1/600 scale naval miniatures? Your sole criticism centered on our website, but then again we don't sell websites." No, I'm not involved with any miniatures or games company; I don't even own any 1/600 scale ships. You are almost right in saying that my sole criticism of your company is of your website; I also wish you would hook up with Paypal. I bought a bunch of your figs when you showed up at Migscon a while back. I also liked your modern ships, but only had the cash on hand to buy a few. I would like to buy lots more, but I'm not going to jump through hoops to buy from anyone. If you don't want my business bad enough to step into the 21st century, that's certainly your right. Hoser |
Tumbleweed | 08 May 2011 9:08 p.m. PST |
Fonthill Hoser: Migscon was a great show. We met a lot of nice people there and the sidewalk cafes were delightful. We are working with a business services company to accept credit cards in a secure manner, but have decided not to accept Paypal. This is a part-time business and they just want too much money per transaction. Thank you for your input. I hope I can count on you to identify any more areas where we can improve. |
GeoffQRF | 09 May 2011 1:36 a.m. PST |
This is a part-time business and they just want too much money per transaction. May be different in the US, but we don't find the charges significantly different from credit card charges levied by the bank, and the increase in business outweighs the costs. |
Nic Robson | 16 Nov 2011 7:38 p.m. PST |
Nevinsrip, my apologies for bnot answering this earlier. The AWI cavalry are here on our web site: link All 100 Club items that are being produced are listed on the 100 Club In Production secetion of our web site. They stay there until we give them an official release. At that point we inform TMP and several other web sites that we have a new line. This happens every two to three weeks. All other 100 Club items haven't attrcated enough pre-orders. Only the In Production listing is of figures that are being made. If you ever have any doubts, or questions, please write to me at Eureka Miniatures. I don't see all of TMP, hence me replying now to your question from April. Nic Eureka Miniatures |