ok so not really new to the hobby myself (although I'm getting back into it after a few years away) but I happened to find on GW's North American page something about direct services (link below) which I presumed to be a slightly different way of ordering items based on the description (I've never tried it before and it refers to the products being 'exclusively available to order'). There was a pdf catalogue of what was available (dated 2009) at the bottom of the page which I had a look through.

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/conte ... Id=3400070

It featured the discontinued original Halbarad model which I'm very keen to get seeing as I'm not overly keen on the two newer poses (also had the metal Faramir's Rangers which I believe are also discontinued). So I intended to do an order for some metals anyway and thought I'd ask about it in store and I was told unless it appears to buy on the website then it isn't available. So what I don't get is what is the point in direct services if you can't order items listed in the catalogue? Has anyone had any experience in ordering through direct services? I wondered if me being in the UK had any bearing on it but based on what the store guy said it sounded like it was a non-starter regardless.

Apologies if this isn't an appropriate place for this or its already been asked before.

It's almost two years old stuff and I think it's something that's left on their web pages accidentally, so I wouldn't hold my breath... but you may be lucky. If I were a GW sales troll I'd send the Halbarad model to you just because you were able to find it but well, ...

-- Pasi

So it might be worth sending an email to that address to see what the response is then? All I've done so far is ask a GW store guy because I thought it was like direct order (something I never used but remember from white dwarf several years ago). I know direct order used to be a bit different from buying in store because I think you could buy items that came in blisters separately (like for instance from the Cirion and Madril blister you could order one of those characters separately which wasn't possible in store).

I suspect as you say it isn't possible, but its bad on GW's part to include things that aren't available on their website.

I have a couple of the old poses still new in blister. If you look at my trade thread; perhaps we can make a deal.

I've just had a look (great collection btw) and I think you already own everything I have to trade. I've got Radagast, 2x Witch-King (Weathertop one and the Eowyn and Merry boxed set one) and the King of the Dead. Also got Eomer and Eowyn (Heroes of the West) but they aren't in top condition tbh.

I was hoping that someone here may have used direct services before but it's looking unlikely. I may email them after christmas and see what they say (I think I know but I might get lucky).

Not sure if it would be different in North America, but in the UK I've always found GW staff really helpful if you are looking for something. There's always ebay of course.....

_________________
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Just to wrap up the story I thought I'd mention that I managed to buy the Halbarad model on ebay so I didn't try my luck with GW in the end. I've kept an eye on that GW page though and the file is still there. I would still be interested in hearing from anyone thats used direct services to know how they got on. If they no longer sell those models then they really shouldn't be advertising them.