Dreadfleet / Customer Complaint email to GW

[schwager]

Hi Folks

Not sure how many of you have heard about (or are in fact interested in) GWs newest boxed game offering Dreadfleet. Well, being old and fondly remembering most of GWs boxed games of the distant past, I have... and got rather excited about it, too.
Needless to say, my jaw dropped when I saw the $220 price tag. It also prompted me to write the below email to GW. Probably a pointless exercise, I know, but I just had vent my frustration.
If anyone is interested I'll post GWs reply, too, if I ever get one...

Dear GW Team

I realise that my complaint is probably above your pay-grade, so I would kindly ask that you forward this email to the powers that be, if necessary. Having said that, I would very much appreciate a response/explanation of some sort... although I don't really expect to get one.

Anyway, I have been avid collector of GW models since the early 90's. However, due to extremely unreasonable price hikes over the last few years and business practises that only seem to serve the purpose of alienating GWs long-term fan base, have led me to quit the GW hobby altogether (with the exception of Blood Bowl, which remains GWs best game to this day).
Since I've been involved in the hobby for such a long time, and fondly remember games like Man o' War, it comes as no surprise that I got very excited about the release of Dreadfleet. I even made my way down to the local GW store this morning (first time in years) to check out what the fuss is all about.

Needless to say, my disappointment was much greater than my previous anticipation.. . a state that, sadly, I have become very used to where all things GW are concerned.
Not only was there not a single model from the box on display anywhere, the box itself wasn't anywhere in sight either. All I found was a terminal where one could pre-order a copy... are you serious?
What really tipped me over the top, though, and prompted me to write this email, was the price tag... NZ$220, you must be joking! In fact, just how far beyond a joke this price is became really apparent when I did some research to see what the price for the same box is in other countries. My findings were truly baffling:
US - NZ$138.74
UK - NZ$133.32
EU - NZ$149.78
NZ - NZ$220.00

Can you see what's wrong with this picture?

Sure, with the exchange rates fluctuating so much these days, there needs to be a buffer... and would have happily spent NZ$150 on this marvellous looking box. But NZ$220... no way ever!

Well done GW, blown another chance to entice a long-time fan back into the hobby.

Sincerely,
Christian

[Rasputin]

The game looks very cool ..... but as you say given the $220 price tag is it ultimately worth it ....

For that price I could almost get Wyrds new Puppet Wars and Soda Pops Super Dungeon Explore....

[Big D]

Luckily Wayland Games still ship to NZ so you could get it that way.

[Rasputin]

Far as I know they still have not set up "rest of world" ordering

[Big D]

bah, humbug

[wouster7]

GW still bring the best sculpts out every time with their boxed games releases. This is the most fantastic salty sea dog eye candy I've seen. The Man o Wars and every model are sic and well worthy of adding to the collection. Yes I agree with you totally Christian that the price has driven me off collecting this as well.

[Lezle]

Good show, Christian - the price is rydiculous!

[Rasputin]

Its not even really the price .... its the "look at what is out in two weeks now pull two hundred out of nowhere cause it is only limited" concept .... If they gave you more time to save for it would be nice....

[Weasel-Fierce]

Yes, Lezle, it is ridiculous.  

I must admit I had no idea this was coming (save for a cryptic video teaser I spotted on Beasts of War last night), so my anticipation isn't what others might have been. Having said that I was also appalled by the price and it swiftly put paid to even a passing interest in the game.

What it HAS done, is make me curious about other, more competitively priced alternatives like Uncharted Seas and Dystopian Wars. Don't worry, Christian. I felt similar outrage when GW placed the embargo on ROW shipping for certain online retailers who shall remain nameless, but it led me to search for other alternatives made by some really creative companies (I discovered Mantic Games through that fiasco). At the end of the day, GW has made a huge mistake with this and I don't think the Limited Edition status will do them any favours.

I agree with Warren on BoW, who suggested it would've been much better to re-release Warhammer Quest. Supply stats for major WFB figs and you would've had a real winner for existing WFB players as well as those just interested in the standalone product As it stands, underwhelming product with little existing target market and a whopping price tag = FAIL.

[Timothias]

Continued pricing woes, yes. Hopefully Wayland can get their new warehouse sorted so we can continue to exploit the foreign exchange.

The rumours for Dreadfleet have been circulating for a few months now (originally it was thought to be a re-release of Man 'O War), but it didn't really pique my interest.

Phil's right though, these guys still make some quality shizz; the main reason I can't even look at the Mantic range. Though I won't be buying this one, I know for a fact I would have paid $220 NZ (assuming our overseas options were closed) for a re-release of Warhammer Quest. Or even HeroQuest or AHQ.

Sucks to be me I guess!

[daemion]

meh. gw are ballz. reinforces my decision to carry on my boycott untill they give us a fair deal here in nz. go to hell. im now going to build my man o war norse fleet using cardboard cut outs.

[Vaul]

I know the GW fanboys don't have much love for the W and H words thrown around in threads like this, but its felt like total heaven when ordering from defiant.  Being able to buy a 'large creature' type model similar to something like a daemon prince in the GW 40k/fantasy range but for a third of the cost, even though it's solid metal instead of plastic...

There's a boxed set coming out this month which will be the equivalent of BFSP or Isle of Blood, i've got it on pre-order and will be doing an online review of it as well as bringing the contents to various clubs and showing it off.  It's a hundred bucks.  Rulebook, mini's for two armies worth, and so on.  Good times.

http://defiantgaming.com/shop/warmachine/rule-books-and-templates/warmachine-two-player-battle-set/prod_2429.html

[daemion]

indeed luke. indeed.

[Lord GreyWolf]

I had a guess something like Dreadfleet was on the cards it was either going to be that or a Re-make on BloodBowl [Now a Blood-bowl re-launch now that would be good]

those mofos from the U.K had to do something like Dreadfleet they were/ARE loosing ground in that genre with Spartan games Uncharted seas, and now the Dystopian set [which looks amazing and one I'd buy before I'd pay $220 on Dreadfleet]

next we'll see a revamped Battle fleet gothic? Re-vamped Gorka Morka? re-vamped Epic40k? Shrug!!!!

I am always looking for ways to play a games I like; yet not pay the full price for the minis. Hence why I made my 6mm Micro-FoW [alot cheaper then 15mm] and why I use other companies minis when re-making my Necromancer Blood Bowl Team.

maybe we need to do a more vocal boycott.... seen a few on youtube the movement is spreading but it needs to be louder!!!!

just my random rants.....

good day gentlemen
LGW

[wouster7]

Had an early morning thought and yeah I do like GW games without being labeled a Fanboy by the Grumpy twins. At least one o the Twins freely admits to coming back to the game the other is in denial and counselling So in fear of derailing the thread further...

Dreadfleet is unfortunately looks wise superior in every way than the naval battles you mentioned LGW. I'm a member of the local boardgames club and it pains me to say it that a decent boardgame costs about $80 which means for an Warham army thats about a dozen or more boardgames I could have collected. Yes GW pricing is rydiculous (the rallying cry). I haven't checked the youtube pages but marketing decisions that alienate your consumer base never end well.

... underwhelming product with little existing target market and a whopping price tag = FAIL.

Dreadfleet =one off cross genre release with familiar customer base tie in = Lump sum revenue win

Pricing anomaly = Alienated consumer base = boycott and potential business suicide

[richardbarby]

to be honest i would be keen to see revamped bfg, epic or necromunda i mean i cant afford them but it would be nice to look at the boxes through the window of gw 

[PaW]

You guys forget.... NZ Is only 4 million people!
We are small fries in the system. You can rage all you like.. But as with addias as if they are going to budge.

The game is actually priced very reasonably if you look at overseas prices. Very reasonable.

GW just need to update there Pricing model in nz.  Align it more with the exchange rate, and there NZ prices are suddenly alot more reasonable.
Thats all there is too it.

Just for the record IF they do fix there model, everyone will be back to GW,
Why? A company that rights the wrong builds a stronger foundation with the consumer than if there was no wrong at all

[juiced]

agree

You guys forget.... NZ Is only 4 million people!
We are small fries in the system. You can rage all you like.. But as with addias as if they are going to budge.

The game is actually priced very reasonably if you look at overseas prices. Very reasonable.

GW just need to update there Pricing model in nz.  Align it more with the exchange rate, and there NZ prices are suddenly alot more reasonable.
Thats all there is too it.

Just for the record IF they do fix there model, everyone will be back to GW,
Why? A company that rights the wrong builds a stronger foundation with the consumer than if there was no wrong at all

but its not just NZ the latest sales figures for OZ in the GW annual report where down by a hudge margin compared to europe and the states, its also Canada whos dollar is doing well but the price has not changed to match it.

i think continue to complain on line or send letters to GW is good thing, i'm sure they have people who follow the trends and flow on the interwebs .

back on topic , i love the look of this game, and the qaulity of the ships and the fabric board looks great, i would rather play with good looking minis than card board cut outs.
BUT $220 for a game that would be played as a distraction from normal gaming, and that will get no further support is way to steep
 i would pay $120-$160 gladly  

[Philfy]

Incidentally..  the new re-sculpts for Uncharted Seas look pretty gorgeous.  Enough to have me convinced to re-place my US Fleets with the newer models.

[Ugrat]

Incidentally..  the new re-sculpts for Uncharted Seas look pretty gorgeous.  Enough to have me convinced to re-place my US Fleets with the newer models.

Dread fleet prices are $135-$165 based on northern hemisphere priceing, with UK obviously being the cheapest
PAW is bang on imo. Fix the price model policy for international markets and bring it inline with exchange rates
GW haters aside, GW actually make a very competitive product. They are better value compared to the competition in the home markets (UK and US)
We just get shafted on exchange rates.

[Lord GreyWolf]

my wife found this thought it would make me laugh:



she was right...

[Lazarus]

I think i am out of the game for buying anything new all my cash is gone now on my two boys and the house. I think my eldar will be my last for a long time. Thank god i still have two backup armys that need painting to keep me hooked on that. I would of been keen to buy this also if the price was better. Some of the models did look cool, but bugger $220 i can get my new FW land raider for cheaper than that + some more figs. All they are doing is making other company's look better and there Expensive side company forgeworld look cheaper.

[Simon]

it looks perfectly normal for GW to put 30 to 40% mark up on all their products in NZ, it was like that for many years. Why are we start complaining again now?
If you don't like their NZ retailer price then don't buy their stuff in NZ, the only reason why they can be so arrogant is because people are still buying from them at NZ retailer price and they are still making a huge profit.


 

[Lazarus]

You are dam right that's why i dont relay care to much, i still can buy from over seas. But would hurt for the people who buy from nz what are normally the young ages who dont have creditcards but why would they care mum and dad are the ones who need to pay. The one bonus to high prices my insurance company covers my models on NZ price not prices i can get from the uk so they are covered for twice as much as they cost me :-)

[daemion]

its not fair. it sux ballz. i dont shop online. i have very little disposable income. i will not buy, play or endorse gw untill our nz prices are lowered to match the row.

[Lazarus]

So you will be playing 40k in your next life then 

[Tuatara]

So you will be playing 40k in your next life then 

Maybe not even then

[daemion]

u got it. im happy with my other games. pop over and say hi at the flames of war tables at guardcon.

[Chaos Butterfly]

Vagabond are apparently gonna be doing it for $168 so I'm gonna get it from there (even tho I still have a $50 voucher to spend at GWS) coz it looks really cool and about halfway thru next year I'll finally be finished Uni and have loads more time to get back into all this stuff.

[wouster7]

Shameless plugg... Vagabonds in the City are doing Dreadfleet for a unbelievable $168!!!.

@Butterfly

If you have it bring it to the club Martina Navratilova!!!! I'm sure everyone will be your friend and play