So your starter set is assembled and painted, and it’s time to expand the army, except GW’s prices are a little hard on the wallet. What can you do?
Looking at GW’s website prices sure are steep for new models and free shipping is only included if you order more than $65! Have no fear used and unwanted models can be a great find on the cheap. Just don’t be afraid of half painted models or ones missing arm. Bits can be bought online and paint removed to get these guys table top ready. The three main avenues for used miniatures are garage/yard sales, EBAY, and through a website like Craig’s List.
Rarely is there stuff at a garage sale but if you find it and it’s cheap gobble it up. Generally it is someone who is out of the hobby (or parents who want it gone) and are just looking to get rid of the clutter. It can be a little bit of a gamble because there are no returns and pieces can be broken or missing parts. Collections tend to be in subdivisions of more populated areas, look for places with GW or local gaming stores nearby, and finally as the hobby is pricey higher income areas offer a better shot at finding something.
With EBAY a lot of the “buy it now” deals are not great, but where you can score some deals is the auctions. My go to strategy is to add the model I am interested in to a watch list (with text alerts) and then on the last hour throw my hat into the ring. My rule is if it is 40% or more off from retail price I will bid but once it gets higher I walk away. Also do not forget to include the cost of shipping in this price, some auctions will look great but then when you look at shipping it is stupid expensive. Don’t be afraid the stop bidding on an item it is not going to be gone forever, eventually another one will be back online for bidding.
The last thing to do is to make sure you are getting what is in the picture by READING THE ITEM DESCRIPTION. If it says model is as shown they zoom over the picture and make sure it has got everything you are looking for. Don’t worry about walking away from the seller if you have a bad feeling, find another one with more positive reviews and a better description.
Craig’s List, Let Go, or other meet up and sell websites that are out there are great ways for someone who is unloading their collection to move it fast. Three things when buying via one of these websites to follow. First when contacting introduce yourself and say you would like pictures of the items there selling and a complete list of the items (if not provided). If the pictures look good you can try to negotiate a lower price, so it is $200 for the entire collection maybe offer $150 and see what they come back to you with.
If there unwilling to back down on price I again use my 40% off or greater rule, there is no harm in replying that you are no longer interested. Finally if you agree upon a price that works meet in a public place at a busy hour, like the middle of a coffee shop, outside a police department, anywhere where there is a lot of people. You are going to have cash on you and the seller knows how much so use your head and don’t make yourself a target. Once you meet look over all the models and make sure it matches the pictures sent and the agreed items before handing the cash over.
On a final note if there is a brand new model you want to buy at cost go through your FLGS, to help out the local smaller business. The cost is generally the same if not a little cheaper to go through them and they get a cut of the profit rather than it all going to GW.
