I like this thread. It has offered some perspective.
It has been my plan, since Abington has the space to host events, to experiment more and more with FW. You can expect to see the events there incorporate FW more and more.
One thing that I think should be discussed is the incentive that allowing FW offers a person to NOT start a new army either ever, or for an extended amount of time. How much longer does the life of an army last when you're not only limited by mixing and matching codex units to form army lists, but also the FW options for your army?
I really, truly want people to love the army or armies they have. I also want them to start new armies as often as possible. I am not sure the widespread allowance of FW at our events helps this more than it hurts it, although based on what people here are saying it might be closer than I first thought.
If it's fair to assume people start new armies because they are bored or mostly "done" experimenting with their current choice (which may or may not be true), does allowing FW extend or eliminate the time in between army 1 and army 2?
Does it end a players incentive to buy, say, 4 boxes of Thunderwolves or Bloodcrushers just so they can try something crazy at an event? (in favor of spending the extra 150 on something cool from FW) A bad example, but it happens.
Does the new, younger player save up for something awesome from FW instead of buying 2-3 more boxes of stuff, which represents 2-3 months worth of his spending?
Do people start buying FW models primarily because they're veteran gamers who have explored the hobby to the extent that they see fit? Will these people buy FW models anyway? Is BG worried about this?
How much do people actually consider their spending when new army books come along? Do people think about and consider the investment or do they just do what they want? If they do consider it, would they also consider investing X hundred dollars in the FW stuff they've been eyeing instead of the new army book now that they know they can use it in all / some / most of BG games and events?
How do people / players weight their "wants" and how does allowing FW factor in to that? If a player skips out on the Chaos Demon release because he'd prefer to pick up 2-3 models for FW instead, that hurts quite a bit long term. (And comes back to the delaying of a new army due to FW. Same point really.)
These are just some of the easier points to communicate via text.
If we are assuming that the allowance of FW is primarily based on the impact it'll have on sales at both BG locations in the present and near future the discussion boils down to:
Are there more players that would be incentivised to buy GW models from BG by the allowance of FW than there would be players that use FW to supplement exsisting armies / ideas, therefore delaying or totally eliminating GW purchases into the future?
It is my belief that the allowance of FW in all /many events increases the "life" of an army a considerable amount. Secondarily, it's likely to increase FW awareness and FW "culture" in and around the stores (Plainville, mainly). I believe that both of these things are less than ideal for the business. This is also to say nothing for the buying habits / trends in the long term (years), and how I believe the allowance of FW to adversely effect that.
It would be fantastic to be convinced that I am wrong and that these are not legitimate concerns. Either way I think players can expect to see more BG events that do allow some or all FW models than we've ever done before. I'm a lot less against FW now than I was 1 year ago. Lots of what's going on here is dramatized for effect, although the points are probably not less valid.
I'm interested in how many events out there allow FW and are NOT put on by clubs. I feel like every time I see an event that allows FW it is not put on buy a store (a for profit business). I suspect there's a reason for that.
I suggested we tacked the monetary issue first because it seems more important.
My opinion is that anything that gets or keeps people more "into" the game, is good for business. Like magic, if there are kids who buy most of their cards on ebay, but make awesome decks that are hard to beat, doesn't that incentivize the rest to make better decks to take him down. Wouldn't that increase BG sales?
I personally buy some models on ebay if they are particularly expensive/overcosted. Or if I go to a solid event at another store from time to time, if I need something I will buy it there too. But I spend most of my gaming money at BG. This percentage probably won't change. I will always likely get 70-80% of my stuff from BG, what might change is the ebay/other store stuff.
I've already suggested that I would pay more for FW through the store. Like slapping a 20$ on top of the order. I mean, when you buy a unit of bloodcrushers, don't you make around that per box?
Here is the point, I am already paying more than I have to in order to support the store. I do this because I want to, I do this because it is good for our local community, and for a store I like to stay in business and run events I want to play in. Why do you think a large percentage of this wouldn't still do this just because the vendor changes to FW? If the main barrier is simply because BG makes no money off them, then ban all models from vendors you don't carry.
You make money due to the customers in the community. Case and point. Troy recently wanted some mantic models. He came to you to ask if you could get them for him. He didn't have to do that.
BG has always done well because You and Derek have always been open and honest and fair with all of us, and we appreciate it greatly.
I'll be open and honest with you. I literally NEVER make impulse buys. I know what I want typically for weeks before I purchase them. I always have models in mind to purchase if I win/place in an event, and I will wait to see if I do(and then often buy it anyways if I don't place). Everything is planned out and I have no incentive other than supporting you guys to ever buy anything at BG, but that is enough of a reason for me.
Also, many FW models still require base GW models to be purchased also as a base for the addons.
