Finecast Availability

[wittdooley]

So it's my turn to gripe. For those of you following the other threads, you know I've been relatively supportive of GW in regards to the price raises and 'embargo'--to protect the IRs overseas--think Tom Kirby is a douchenozzle, and really empathize with the Aussies for the absurd prices they're paying. So there's some background on for the following:

The release of Citadel Finecast is about to be handled really, really poorly. My LGS owner, who stocks the full line of GW products and sells quite a bit of it (I believe he moves the most product in the area) sent me the list of Finecast models to be released about 10 minutes after he got it. I emailed him back with 8 models I wanted.

He's able to get ONE into his store.

Further, Azhag the Slaughterer was one of the miniatures I'd ordered. Can he get that one? Nope. Will anyone in the region be able to? Doubtful. Why? His GW rep informed him that they had ONE FOR THE REGION.

Listen, I'm all about the move to this new material. But GW... wait to roll out the new minis until you have enough to meet demand at the outset. In general, I'm a GW, and miniatures as a whole, supporter. However, this just reeks of rushed, crappy planning. I also feel a bit like I'm being punished because I don't have a GW store near me. I have a buddy going to the one in NYC this weekend, and he's going to scope out the amount of product they have. I actually hope their stock is low as my IR will be; otherwise, the whole situation, compared side-by-side with "wanting to protect the overseas IRs," will just stink of hypocrisy.

[eldargal]

Yes the limited stock thing does sound rather stupid, one hopes they are doing an initial 'splash' release and saving the bulk of the stock they are producing to re-stock all their stores with the new blisters over the next few weeks.

[TheBitzBarn]

They told me that the issue is that resin is a slower process than metals and they stock levels are not up yet and they will they are working to release the first round then the second and third and so one and while they are doing that rebuilding supplies as they go. Seems like they sound have rebuild supplies before a release.

They are also check each mold the first time through to make sure all works fins so slower start up I was told the full roll out will take 6 months before they are back to old metal stock levels

[wittdooley]

They told me that the issue is that resin is a slower process than metals and they stock levels are not up yet and they will they are working to release the first round then the second and third and so one and while they are doing that rebuilding supplies as they go. Seems like they sound have rebuild supplies before a release.

They are also check each mold the first time through to make sure all works fins so slower start up I was told the full roll out will take 6 months before they are back to old metal stock levels

I'm great with all of this. But release them in bunches then, so you have plenty of stock at the release. Again, just seems very poorly organized and handled to me.

[addamsfamily36]

I'm great with all of this. But release them in bunches then, so you have plenty of stock at the release. Again, just seems very poorly organized and handled to me.

Agreed, but from a GW perspective, splash releasing them like this enables them to almost have like "temporary" limited edition models causing rash buying from those unwilling to wait. But it could backfire on them if the demand far out ways the supply over a long period.

[Gotthammer]

Perhaps the rumours and leaks forced them to release earlier than intended, lest too much information get out and ruin the big reveal?

[Wildeybeast]

Perhaps the rumours and leaks forced them to release earlier than intended, lest too much information get out and ruin the big reveal?

Not sure about that. The the models up for pre-order are TK and DE, so this has obviously been planned to link up with army releases. Several of the TK models are photographed in the army book so they have been ready to go for a while.

[PalinMoonstride]

The last GW release event I attended at my local store was a disappointment. After gaming for about 7 hours waiting for the midnight release, I was 10th in line at the register. By that point everything my friends and I had waited for was gone. I expect all of the fine cast models to be gone just as fast this Saturday.

[templarboy]

What I am worried about is the mail order angle. I order models frequently from the GW website. There isn't a GW Retail Store within a 10 hour driving radius of my home. I really want some light and easy to build vanguard veterans with jump packs. I don't want to order them from GW and get the last of their metal stock instead of the new resin. I wonder if there will be a way to tell if I am getting finecast or not.

[Defenestratus]

Don't gripe too much - seems that the finecast stuff, at least some of the 1st runs, are absolutely horrible casts:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/371719.page

[lobster-overlord]

my store, being a partnership level store was told we could order up to 3 of any item. Now we have a ton of metals and didn't need to order a lot, but everything we did order was in stock. Perhaps it is based upon what time the order was place, what shops were ahead of that one and to what level the shop is normally able to order.

I plan to ask about ordering an astorath to replace my metal, and so I'll see what is still available, but also, I've not been impressed by the actual product in teh blisters i've seen.

John M>

[Brass Scorpion]

Was at a local GW store today. When I asked for an idea how many of the new Finecast models they'd have for sale on Saturday I was informed that even the store staff aren't allowed to know till Friday night after closing! Store operators have been instructed not to open their Finecast shipments till close of business Friday to avoid their discussing it or showing it in any way before Saturday morning. And you can guess the likely penalty for violating that edict.

They've also been told to clear all the existing metal stock off the shelves including hybrid kits. If you didn't buy the metal you may have wanted already, it's gone.

[eldargal]

To be fair, the review finishes with:

The weight savings and lack of primer is nice, time and experiance will tell if this was a smart move by Games Workshop. Do i think a price jump is needed? NOPE. Do I like the finecast more then metal. Absolutely!!!
Hardly a negative review.



Don't gripe too much - seems that the finecast stuff, at least some of the 1st runs, are absolutely horrible casts:

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/371719.page

[Defenestratus]

To be fair, the review finishes with:

Hardly a negative review.

I guess you didn't read the whole thread. Its hardly that dude's review which is the scathing part of the picture review. One look at the back of the sprue will settle any question of whether or not this was a poor cast.

The "buttplate" looks like it had an ork take a bite out of it, the eagle on the top of the bannerpole is just a mangled hot mess. The bubbles along the armor ribs on the back of the legs are hideous and the storm bolter is missing its whole top half.

Thats just the big stuff. There are tons of others little issues with the cast - in addition to the warped staff he mentioned.

[eldargal]

I read most of it, and I've seen some finecast myself which had no problems. If you get a kit with a problem, GW will replace it as per their standard policy. They usually let you keep the old one too, so I don't see a problem.

[addamsfamily36]

I read most of it, and I've seen some finecast myself which had no problems. If you get a kit with a problem, GW will replace it as per their standard policy. They usually let you keep the old one too, so I don't see a problem.

Totally agree. I brought a metal lemartes and one side of it (not viewable in its blister) was completely deformed. I showed a staff member and he just gave me a new one and when i went to give him the old one he said keep it as a test piece for your painting.

I can't see finecast being any different. Bad cast and i'll just ask for a different one.

[sergentzimm]

I'm great with all of this. But release them in bunches then, so you have plenty of stock at the release. Again, just seems very poorly organized and handled to me.

That is the GW motto. Planning is not their strong suit, as is overall management. They change their philosophy around so often, every 6-9 months, that its ridiculous.

On the other side, this is a really tricky thing to pull off. They have to change over their manufacturing process while still keeping up demand. They are typically on the edge for profitability and staying around as a company, a poorly deployed move like this could make them tank. Go away, probably not, but it could really hurt.

Does make a little sense as to why the fantasy releases dried up. They have been working on this shift over an didnt want to release too many new metals for them. Grey Knights works because they could push through the metals pretty reliably.