GHQ Models Forums

Eureka Miniatures in Australia has a novel idea I would like to see GHQ adopt. For their 15mm figure lines they have a 600 club. Customers can request a figure to be made. They provide credit card authorization for the purchase of said figures and are charged only upon completion of the project. They post and track the requests. When they receive confirmed orders for 600 of the figure, or 300 in their 28mm lines (what I assume must be their break-even point), it goes into the sculpting/production que.

Let's say I propose a model of a UK Saxon APC. It would go on a page with everyone elses requests. When the preorders reach whatever magic number GHQ decides is appropriate, it gets produced. Simple, right? We put our money where our mouths are and GHQ satisfies their customers' desires.

Hi Everyone,

While this might work for their Armour, Troops and 1:285 Aircraft, Tis will never work for their Micronaughts range. simply because as far as I know there have never been any Warships from corvette, to Capital Ship size built in those sorts of numbers.

Nice idea, but a non-starter I fear.

Mark (SeaHarrier2006)

SeaHarrier2006 wrote:
While this might work for their Armour, Troops and 1:285 Aircraft, Tis will never work for their Micronaughts range. simply because as far as I know there have never been any Warships from corvette, to Capital Ship size built in those sorts of numbers.

Of course, it really depends on what their break-even point is on the figure, right? Presumably they sell enough Micronaughts to pay for production, or they would keep making more.

Another point to consider...

How does GHQ decide what models to produce? I know they do read the posts from this forum, and sometimes select models from it (re: US90 M4A1 Sherman).

I also know that in other "genres" -- specifically, the 1:1200 / 1:1250 scale ship "world" -- the models chosen are often up to the individual who makes the model. In other words, they are a "work of art" or a "labor of love", rather than "oh, I got to make a model of such-and-such next"... Also, whether a model is made or not depends upon specific, detailed plans being available. Often, a model maker would like to model a particular ship... but there are not sufficient (or sufficiently detailed) plans available.

It would be interesting if the good folks at GHQ would take a few minutes and related their selection process to us. Actually, that might make a good addition to their web site -- an illustrated story of how the models are made, from inception to retail availability!

Regards,
Tom Stockton

Clash Of Arms do the same thing. Their number is 200, and I think those that preorder these get them at a discounted rate. I ordered one book this way. They require something like 6 months C/C validity remaining when you preorder. Obviously they're not charged until shipment. I don't know how long it took to reach 200, but I had it arrive in no time.

As for having credit card numbers held, I'd be surprised if they didn't have them recorded. Then if you're buying from someone that doesn't have a secure website (or use Paypal) you only have to confirm the expiry date in an email in later orders, which is no use to anyone who doesn't have the rest of the number. I've worked with COA on this basis for at least five years.

I suspect that reaching 600 for some things would be simple - 120 packs of tanks is only about 40 companies, and a lot of people would buy them in company (or two) lots.

Two years later and we are no closer to seeing this happen. It seems to work pretty well for other manufacturers. It seems like GHQ is missing an opportunity here.

I think it's a great idea! At GMT I pre-order games all the time. When they get enough orders they send out "warning orders" that they're charging for certain games and then you get an e-mail when the game has shipped. It certainly reduces risk for the company. For the customer it also ensures access to certain products. I basically subscribe to certain GMT product lines. Whenever a new Combat Commander or Command & Colors expansion comes out I'm immediately on the pre-order list.

I would certainly participate. Seems like a very good way to handle these types of requests.

Well, at $9 per pack, they wouldn't need that many orders to break even--200 maybe?