"Sample First? No..." Topic

You were asked – TMP link

In general, do you purchase sample figures before making a large order?

54% said "no, I order without buying samples first"
18% said "yes, I buy sample figures first"
15% said "I only order figures I have seen in person already"

Not yet, so far I'm only buying stuff that I've had previous first hand experience with.

The last time I did that I was 14 (43 years ago). Totally new to the hobby. Didn't know about shows, very few pics in gaming / modelling magazines, and no internet.

Can't imagine anyone would do it now, or any manufacturers who could be bothered to send one if asked.

If memory serves, I got samples from Mikes Models (for a TYW collection), and Heroics and Ross and Skytrex (for 1:300 micro armour). Bought from them all.

Good photos on the seller's website help a lot.
As noted above it's a VERY long time since manufacturers posted out a catalogue with sample figure.

Years ago, I lobbied, here on TMP, for manufacturers to post photo's of their lines. Most do, now. However, the word, "scale", is virtually useless, with scale creep, but also with the idea that there is no one standard for fantasy race sizes: some view Elves (insert fantasy race of choice, here) as being Human-sized, and others adhere to the idea that Elves are shorter/taller than Humans. I like replicating the proportional sizes as listed by Gary Gygax, in his 1977 1e AD&D Monster Manual. I need a photo for style purposes, so I can decide what race they best resemble for my games, but without a ruler to show me exactly how tall the figures are, I can't place a full order -- so I order, and pay for, a sample figure, first. Shipping can be expensive for a single figure, but it is better than buying a large number of figures I will never use.

For me, not much has changed. Sample figures are still a requirement, unless there is a ruler in the photo… Customer review sites are spotty, or non-existent. Rulers are not always used, by customers, either! Oh, well. The search, and the lobbying, continues. Cheers!

I don't buy "samples" as such but I do limit the size on my first order to a new (to me) manufacturer. This has more to do with shipping time and reliability then the miniatures.