I think that this video certainly presents a plausible theory for GW's seemingly increasing hostility towards independent retailers, online and in person. I remember when Beasts of War were doing a video discussing price increases, and Darrel mentioned that, for him, 40K IS the hobby; GW is certainly good at making people dependent on them. For example--since I decided to abstain from GW after the switch to Finecast, I have inevitably bought Elrond & Gil-Galad in Finecast, a Grey Knight Brother-Captain, and the War of the Ring rule book. I'm positive, also, that I'll be back when The Hobbit miniatures are released. It's almost impossible to stay away, and GW knows this. They have determined they can maximize profits by slowly eliminating alternate places to purchase their miniatures, and by continually raising prices using premium quality as justification. I remember reading somewhere, in an interview with a GW higher-up, that they justify their prices with their quality, and with the fact that people with pay them. It would also give credence to the idea that more and more models are becoming direct only. There are no official Games Workshop stores in North Carolina, and there are none within a reasonable distance where I go to school in Texas. Assuming that Games Workshop made it impossible for me to order from The WarStore, FRP Games, Amazon, or buy from HobbyTown USA, and I really, really, was wanting one of their new models, I would have no choice but to buy from their store online. Maximum profits! Clever GW. Clever. Literally the only way to stop this is to "vote with our wallets" and stop buying GW products, but if you aren't buying GW, then their prices and practices would be irrelevant.
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