Where have all the gamers gone?

[finnian3@yahoo.com]

All,
It has been several months since I last posted, but I have not been idle.
I was checking on ebay to see what's on the market, and I was taken aback. The lack of stock worried me.
Are people still gaming out there? I ask because I love the game. I support wargaming, FOG primarily, by painting armies for cheap.

This isn't a plug, but I have just finished painting up blocks and blocks of battle groups, which I hope to sell on ebay, but it doesn't look like there are
any takers. What gives. I know it has been some time since I sold anything, but the action looked dead. What says the forum?
Does FOG still live? Is there a market for my lead besides ebay? I can't support a hobby that lacks members.

[berthier]

Painted lead is currently dominated on ebay by two groups out of Hong Kong. They charge anywhere from $3 to $4 per foot. If your style is at least wargame quality and your price is reasonable, I would say you have a decent shot of selling your wares. Make sure you have good pictures.

[grahambriggs]

The problem with ebay listings for me are as follows:

- I don't like the 'buy it now' approach, as the price per piece is always too high.
- for auctions, it seems to work best if there's a reasonable entry price but not too low. e.g. the £300, no bids army puts me off. But also if you start the army at £0.99 I might not see it (often select highest price first as I don't want to wade through 30 different packs of unpainted figures)
- reasonable photographs of each unit are really helpful so you can see what the paint job is like. Without though, I'll assume the paint job is not great.
- the volumes are often wrong. For example, DBA armies are next to useless for FOG - not enough bases and not in the right configurations.
- I'm usually looking to fill specific gaps. For example, recently I was looking for 6 Cretan LF and 8 armoured thorakitoi. The chances of that being available at the right time are slim. What I suppose i really need is a 'paint to order' approach but those are not compatible with ebay.
- I will buy on ebay when I'm getting into a new period - say WW2 or renaissance, as I'm not then gap filling.

I'd suggest try a few sales and see how it goes. Sounds like you enjoy the painting and aren't particularly trying to make your millions through ebay so I'd give it a go and see what happens

[finnian3@yahoo.com]

Gents,
Thank you for your responses. I am well aware of the painters out of China. I get worried that people will get turned off from the hobby when they see prices that high.
I will be flooding the market with well painted lead. I sell for cheap to keep this hobby going and as a bullocks to those who over charge. This coming year will be the
year of the cheap lead. I will be selling battle groups and individual stands. Most of the first batches will cover medieval ranges like Teutonic Knights, Outer Reamer knights, bowmen, crossbow, foot knights etc.... Few of my sales will start at anything above $25.00 with some as low as .99c. Knowing the hobby thrives is the big payoff for me.

[berthier]

Look forward to seeing your work.