Upcoming price increase

[GHQ]

We want to announce that we are going to raise our prices. Did you know that in 2001 we charged $8.95 for the same pack of Micro Armour that we currently are selling for $9.95? A lot has happened in those 14 years, and a lot of expenses have gone up. Admittedly, we should have raised our prices more often to keep up with the increases in our expenses. Every year our raw materials, packaging supplies, moldmaking supplies, facility costs, employee wages, taxes, professional fees, etc. go up 2-5%. There have even been times when our metal costs have doubled in a year. Despite all of these growing expenses GHQ has only had one price increase in the last 14 years. All of you know about the price increases that you have seen from other manufacturers in our industry. A basic Flames of War pack that used to cost the same as a basic GHQ pack now costs $13-14.50, and they are made in a Third World country! We don’t even need to go into what goes on with Games Workshop over the years. In July a basic pack of Micro Armour will be $11.95. How did we come up with this price? We put our 2001 $8.95 price into a US Department of Labor CPI calculator, and that’s what it says is the equivalent price in 2015.

We know that some people will complain about any price increase. However, we know that most of you will understand that all of our miniatures are designed by hand under a microscope, all of our models then go through a very time consuming process that is done by hand (also under a microscope) to get them ready to go into our production molds. Our production molds are all made by hand. All of our production castings are made by hand, and quality controlled by human eyes looking at each casting, and then the parts are all put into packs with human hands. In addition, this is all done in the USA, and paying First World wages. The price increase is something that we must do to continue to supply you with the finest detailed miniatures in the world.

Thank you for your support,
GHQ

[piersyf]

It had to come eventually. Appreciated and long since noted how long you held off.

[CBoy3]

I can understand your situation. Offhand I can't think of many things that have held off on raising prices like you have. I don't go back as far as 2001, but about 10 years, or so. I appreciate that you have held off on raising your prices, and that you have kept making them in the USA! You have given me a lot of enjoyment over the last 10 years, and I will definitely stay with you.

Now I'm just looking forward to seeing the releases for 2015-16!

Thanks!

[33YearsGHQ]

I have no issues with the long overdue price increase. Hopefully this will allow GHQ to maintain their molds and castings to a high standard.

[pibber]

I totally understand your arguments GHQ, thank you to inform your customers and be honest with them. I expected a price increase of the blister one day, it was too long as the GHQ rates were stable...
However, for me, this price increase will be a serious constraint because, although I want to stay loyal to GHQ to support them, I'll be forced to reduce my monthly order by taking a blister less.
Finally, it should be noted, that at this time, the rate conversion of Euro to the dollar is no longer as favorable to Europeans customers who want to buy products from the United States, the increase prise of blister is added to the unfavorable exchange rate...

The most important is like "33YearsGHQ" said, : Hopefully this will allow GHQ to maintain their molds and castings to a high standard.

This being said, I'm excited to see the 2015-16 news !

[Brutzel]

The price increase is ok. Good quality has its price. The GHQ price was stable for a long time. I buy still GHQ models.

Could we see in a movie, such as the great GHQ models designed and produced?
That would be very interesting for me.

[BurtWolf]

Thanks for the explanation and I will continue to steadily buy your great products. I am impressed with your efforts to explain things, to hold down costs, but also be responsible employers. I for one would pay more on most products if I knew the additional amount was supporting a living wage...

You run a great company, thanks!!

[Donald M. Scheef]

Could you tell us when the price increase will come into effect? I've been saving up for the past few months for a big order during the Summer sale, but I think I'll be better off beating the price rise.

Don S.

[StVF101]

Don: I believe the e-mail they sent out with the new releases, specials and price increase info said it was taking effect in July. Didn't have a specific day though.

[BurtWolf]

Any information on the summer sale would be appreciated - dates, type of discount, etc? Would it be before the price increase?
Thanks!!!

[catseye72]

Finally, it should be noted, that at this time, the rate conversion of Euro to the dollar is no longer as favorable to Europeans customers who want to buy products from the United States, the increase prise of blister is added to the unfavorable exchange rate...

The Euro has nothing on the fall of the Canadian dollar, pibber! Two years ago, the dollar was worth more than the US dollar. A month ago, I paid a 30% exchange. Today, I pay a 25% premium for the same dollar.

The Euro hasn't been that volatile

The local shop adjusts prices daily based on the exchange rate. They have everything marked in US funds, and the exchange is done at the till. It can be ... shocking.

Compared with two years ago, this is a 50% increase for me - but don't get me wrong, I won't even hesitate to buy GHQ. Like you, I will just end up getting a blister less at the shop.

I am with Cama! We Canadians deal with this every day on everything we buy. I believe GHQ has been more than fair over the years. I will continue to support them with a price increase. Keep up the great work GHQ!

[John Secker]

It's never great to see prices going up, but I certainly don't come to GHQ for cheapness. I do come for quality, and value for money. A glance at the stack of unpainted GHQ minis on my shelf tells me that price is not the limiting factor for me - it is the time to build and paint the models to the standard that they deserve. Of course other people have different amounts of income and time, and when I was a poor student I would use the cheapest models I could find. So I don't criticise anyone who has to cut back, but for me I would rather GHQ put their prices up, then cut back on quality or the expansion of their range.

[SKeeM]

Long over due, no worries

[kiasutha]

Any information on the summer sale would be appreciated - dates, type of discount, etc? Would it be before the price increase?
Thanks!!!

Seems to usually be in August, so probably not...

[av8rmongo]

So I have a couple of questions. Are all models being adjusted including ships? If the answer to the first question is 'yes', was the same method used to adjust prices for all models? What was the base price in 2001 for battleships and larger models?

As an example, the new release of the JMSDF Hyuga Class currently lists for $19.95. If one applies the US DOL CPI calculator (http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl? ... year2=2015) then the price in July would be $26.95. [note this is rounded up from $26.44 in the same way the new price is $11.95 rounded up from $11.86 from the calculator] This is about a 35% increase where normal blister packs have about a 20% increase over current prices.

If one applied a straight 20% increase in line with normal blister packs then Hyuga would cost about $23.95 in July.

Or is the $19.95 list price already adjusted since there is no historical price?

A better example might be the venerable Nimitz class carrier (HUS4) GHQ currently offers at $29.95. I don't think that price has changed much since 2001 but I could be wrong - please correct me with the 2001 base price if anyone knows. Applying the CPI calculator the new price would be $39.95 (rounded from $39.69). About a 33% increase over current prices. A straight 20% increase would be $35.95.

I really need the correct 2001 baseline numbers for these larger packs because a 33-35% jump in current prices is pretty significant no matter how justified they might be.