US West Coast Port Labor strikes causing delay in US Harlequin releases

[JMichael]

I just pre-ordered my Harlequin items and noticed the release date was March 7th for the US, but Feb 21st for UK!
My GW store informed me (and I then confirmed) that US West Coast port labor dispute and strike is delaying our shipments.

I just wanted to let the community know. Though we may get them sooner, don't expect your Harlequin items to arrive on time.

[Erik Setzer]

Yep. Mentioned this in the Harlequins thread. Our local manager let us know earlier this week. Books are printed in China so they come into the US through the West Coast.

[Thaldin]

Yeah, I still haven't even gotten my week 1 stuff yet =(

[40kGamer]

Ah well... such are the vagaries of the warp. Maybe I can get some other stuff done before these show up! :p

[zanth]

Thus far everything has shown up on time in my store?

[JMichael]

Thus far everything has shown up on time in my store?

Anything that was already at the US warehouse before the strike began would be unaffected. It is mostly the new releases.
I already have a ton of Harlequin models from 2nd edition, so I'm just waiting for the codex!

[Denzark]

I'll just reserve this post for someone who wants to blame the port action on GW.

[lobster-overlord]

Why does the GW UK to US shipments come through the West Coast of the US? Wouldn't it be smarter to bring them in via the East Coast? Or has GW gone to Chinese manufacturing while still putting "Made IN UK" on their sprue? (Honest question, as I would have figured NYC or Norfolk would be the best stops for UK stuff).

John M

[Mr Mystery]

Already covered.

Books are printed in China, and the occasional large kit (Warhammer scenery in particular was made in China, and very nice it is too. Really should fix up my Skullvane Manse!)

[Erik Setzer]

Yeah, print stuff is China, which is why the cards and books are delayed, but models aren't. And from China, it's easier to go through the West Coast.

[zanth]

Man, I thought that strike stuff had been resolved already. That's been delaying stuff for months. Especially stuff from Fantasy Flight.

[lobster-overlord]

OK, I knew about books and things like Skullmane, didn't even think it would be the books that were the problem, I don't focus on much other than the models these days. Thanks guys for clearing that up for me.

John M>

[HsojVvad]

What happened to the pride and joy of everything being made in Nottingham? When did production go to China? My oh my, I guess pride takes a seat back to profit every time.

[Mr Mystery]

Books left the UK ages ago, because printing is cheaper elsewhere.

Vast majority of stuff is made in Nottingham still.

As for profits, anyone would think they're a company like any other.

[HsojVvad]

Books left the UK ages ago, because printing is cheaper elsewhere.

Forgot about that. Haven't bought a GW book in a very long time. Just too expensive to keep buying a lot of 40K books. I just buy what I collect.



Vast majority of stuff is made in Nottingham still.

I guess with you statement below, for how long? If it's feasible for China to make books, wouldn't it make more sense for China to produce the plastic minis as well now?



As for profits, anyone would think they're a company like any other.

Just because a lot of other companies do that, doesn't mean GW have to follow suit. I remember when GW use to be so prideful of that statement "EVERYTHING made home."

No wonder GW is a shell of what it once was.

[marful]

The printing is marginally cheaper in China than the US, but not by that much, ESPECIALLY when you factor in shipping.

Given the markup on the books the difference between printing in the US vs China is only about the difference between $3.25 and $4.00 a book. Given the retail price is $50, the difference of 75¢ is negligible. But hey, gotta maximize profit; f*ck everyone else!

[HsojVvad]

Well considering GW is selling what only 1000 books at a time that is what $750 savings. GW tactics really mind boggle me at times.

Well that is the savings are really 75 cents.

[Path Walker]

The differences are likely a lot more on short print runs, you have to print large volumes before savings kick in. Printing books in china is one thing, the manufacture of miniatures is another story, its a highly skilled job and requires hands on knowledge and experience, look at the trouble Mantic have been having with their plastics from China, took 3 moulds to get one sprue done right.

[Mr Mystery]

Who said they only sell 1,000 copies at a time?

If it's a Ltd Ed codex or army book type thing, sure, because that's how many they get printed (numbers do of course vary - Harlequins got a run of 900).

But in general? Where are you getting that figure from?

[Path Walker]

Yeah, GW sell hundreds of thousands of books a year, at which point even $0.75 savings are attractive, again though, thats likely an utterly made up figure.

[Mr Mystery]

Marful and Hsojvaad, can you cite your sources for the figures you're quoting?

[HsojVvad]

Who said they only sell 1,000 copies at a time?

If it's a Ltd Ed codex or army book type thing, sure, because that's how many they get printed (numbers do of course vary - Harlequins got a run of 900).

But in general? Where are you getting that figure from?

Yes I ment limited edition codices. Should have clarified more. Sorry.

[zanth]

Rep confirmed today that this delay did not just affect web orders, but all orders, and that date on the site is merely a placeholder, they don't know when they are going to come in. Does not seem to be affecting White Dwarf. Codex, LE CodeX and Datacards are all affected.

[JMichael]

Dispute is finally over (Friday 2/20) and workers have begun to unload and move the containers in Long Beach/LA area.

[Cap'nSmurfs]

Thanks for the update!

[Thaldin]

Wonder how much food spoiled and wasted during that.

[40kGamer]

Wonder how much food spoiled and wasted during that.

This is America man... a little bleach, a dash of ammonia and a healthy portion of msg and ta-da it's safe for human consumption. :p

[JMichael]

Whoo Hoo!
I had ordered the Harlequin deck online (objectives and Psychic powers) and just received an email that they were 'en route' from TN. I live in San Diego, so I guess at least the main US GW warehouse received their items and have dispatched them out. Expected delivery to my local GW store is this Friday the 6th!
So I'm hoping that is a good sign that they, along with the codices have left the port and should be arriving to our stores this week!

[Thaldin]

Yeah, I just got my notification as well that my Codex and such are on the way... Happy Times.