As everything sells out hobby-wise in minutes, here’s how GW could help stores and hobbyists out, but doesn’t seem to want to.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll probably say it again, why doesn’t GW just MTO the big box sets after they sell out? It just makes financial sense for GW, helps hobbyists get the product they want, and stops people from having to go to scalpers every time a release comes out.
Update: Bad News for the New Be’lakor Release
We thought the issue may get better and allocations wouldn’t be as bad, but that’s not really been the case. If anything, the last few boxes have been worse than ever. MTO seems such a simple answer where GW would make more money, could work the orders into their schedule, and keep people happy.
MTO is Still the Answer for Cursed City & Piety & Pain
Cursed City was allocated like crazy, and sold out on the site in about an hour. Meaning they didn’t have nearly enough for everyone who wanted them, and money left on the table by GW. Either you structured your day around getting the box, or you missed it. Not really how you want your hobby to go.
Since they did MTO on Indomitus months after it was released, why couldn’t they do the same here? While obviously, the hobbyists want it. It would also help GW make more money and cut down on scalpers. They could probably get another giant set of sales, which would play into this quarter’s profits, meaning they aren’t throwing off how much they are actually making.
It’s just frustrating beyond belief to get all excited about a release that GW has been hyping for a long time, then bam, they’re all gone if you don’t wake up and immediately order it.
Piety & Pain
When they come out with boxes for multiple factions, they always sell out so fast it’s ridiculous. Piety and Pain was in the store for what felt like 30 minutes because people love Sisters and with Drukhari getting the new book, it was obvious it was going to happen.
Especially when they put the new characters in these boxes and nowhere else. It means if you didn’t grab this box, you’ll be waiting months for the single release.
Again, MTO is the answer! Even if you have to wait 4 months, it’s better than having to go through the secondary market. You are guaranteed your minis and GW is guaranteed the money.
It seems strange they are so hesitant about the idea, but then randomly decide to do it every once in a while. That means they have the capability, but just choose not to do it. Either way, please just finally MTO these big boxes!
Would you order these boxes MTO if they did it? Do you think they should MTO all the big sets?
Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and make sure you enter the latest monthly giveaway for FREE today!
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
