Our hobby dollars don’t stretch as far as they used to at this day in age. So here are some options to get the most mileage out of your time and money.
If you’re getting into the hobby or want to maybe start a new army, here are some useful things to keep in mind when you’re going about getting your models.
Pro tip: they don’t all have to be bought directly from GW.
Search for eBay Rescues
If you’re not new to the hobby, you probably know that starting an army from scratch is an investment all on its own. Beyond that, sometimes certain models are hard to find or might be out of your price range to begin with. A great place to find building blocks for armies or cheaper units by themselves is eBay. The key things to look for are the fixer-uppers that only require a little elbow grease to have them fit into your army’s paint scheme.
You might be able to find an entire Battalion of Guard already assembled and primed for cheaper than what it would cost to buy everything new. Once you get them in, all you’d have to do is throw three colors and a wash on and you’re golden! Plus, with the bidding mechanic, you could steal something for what it would normally cost. Just keep in mind that you’re taking a risk on the buyers and the pictures they put up.
Facebook Barter Groups
If you don’t have the money but have an army for trade, you might get some luck on barter/trading pages on websites like Facebook. Keep in mind that these groups are usually private and you have to ask to join. But beyond that, you’re also taking a risk on the buyer. Generally speaking, these established groups are good and trustworthy but you’ll always be taking a risk.
Split Boxes With Friends
Instead of buying each unit box-by-individual box, you can always split them with a friend. Periodically, GW will release Starter Boxes featuring two factions. These have units that serve as basic building blocks (usually an HQ and a Troop choice) that get you started on the right foot. You can find a friend and split the box taking one faction for yourself and dropping the cost in half.
A worthy side note: Start Collecting boxes have gone up in price recently but this Thousand Sons box is a fantastic value. You get THE named character that everyone is taking on the competitive side of things as well as infantry units that are great options. (You would just need to get more Tzaangors).
Trade Days
Also, it’s probably worth noting that going to a trade event that some stores put on (like GW’s Bizarre Bazaar) is also another way to grab new hobby projects on the cheap. The flea market like atmosphere and trade mentality makes for a pretty fun time in general. Plus it helps your local store as they collect all the money and issue store credit back to the sellers to bank or use that day on new hobby purchases.
All in all, the hobby is as expensive as you want to make it. (to an extent). Just know that there are more options out there than going directly to GW. Take some time and shop around on sites like eBay and see what you can dig up. You might find some incredible deals that will fit right into your army!
Do you have any secret ways to get the most mileage out of your hobby bucks? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook Hobby Group, and sign up to get your free hobby updates newsletter (with discount coupon codes) each morning as well!
About the Author: Wesley Floyd
Wesley Floyd
Job Title: Staff Writer
Joined: 2018
Socials: @RealmbrushPainting
About Wesley Floyd: Wes has been in the Warhammer hobby since 2015 and joined the Spikey Bits writing team in 2018. He is known for his satirist takes on trending topics and imaginative yet amazingly affordable hobby solutions to painting Warhammer miniatures.
Imperial fanboy, tabletop fanatic, and the self-proclaimed King of Sprues. He knows for a fact that Mephiston red is the best-tasting paint and is the commission painting equivalent of a Wendy’s 4 for $4. If you like what he writes and want to contact him or have your tabletop minatures painted (to a mostly okayish standard), message him on Instagram.
