I noticed that either Christmas devastated Armada stocks or something slightly worse is going on.
Has there been any word as to why Amazon (and many other places) seemingly have nothing from Armada in stock, including the new ships and squadrons?
I don't mind buying from Miniature Market occasionally, but their shipping charges (and slow speed) are not ideal. It would be a shame if Amazon is moving out of this market (as I've noticed them do with a few other collectible-type lines).
Well, that's an Amazon seller, but good lord.
Wasn't there something last year about FFG changing their distribution policies to favour FLGS rather than large discount web traders.
Perhaps they just sent Amazon 6 of everything in wave 5. This would be fine for one FLGS but would probably last Amazon an hour or so.
That would be an odd strategy given that FLGS's are rarer and rarer.
But it fits with Amazon basically having nothing from Armada any more.
FFG seems to have major product distribution problems lately. I hope it gets worked out soon - X-Wing's newest ships and Destiny have both had some terrible problems with getting products on shelves lately.
Remember for Armada's next wave - preorder preorder preorder.
Maybe it requires religion but I really avoid Amazon in favor of FLGS. Without them there just isnt any way to support and build a local gaming scene.
Maybe it requires religion but I really avoid Amazon in favor of FLGS. Without them there just isnt any way to support and build a local gaming scene.
Agreed. Unless there's something on special on Amazon, it's a better investment to put it into the store itself.
As I don't actually play Armada (I just want the ships), that investment usually doesn't make any sense for me.
Plus there just aren't many stores left that carry this type of stuff. The FLGS's around here are comic and collectible card game focused, rather than board game and miniature focused. I don't really need to invest in that kind of environment.
And on top of that I'm fairly pro-Amazon given how Prime works, plus how it made a great deal of things much more accessible than they ever were before.
If FFG thinks it can completely roll back gaming to the 80s and sell that way, I guess good luck to them. Seems to run completely counter to how retail is trending.
As I don't actually play Armada (I just want the ships), that investment usually doesn't make any sense for me.
Plus there just aren't many stores left that carry this type of stuff. The FLGS's around here are comic and collectible card game focused, rather than board game and miniature focused. I don't really need to invest in that kind of environment.
And on top of that I'm fairly pro-Amazon given how Prime works, plus how it made a great deal of things much more accessible than they ever were before.
If FFG thinks it can completely roll back gaming to the 80s and sell that way, I guess good luck to them. Seems to run completely counter to how retail is trending.
I don't think it's rolling back to the 80's at all. It's a miniature table top game first, collectible second. In order to attract folks to the game, they really need to see it played. In order to do this there needs to be a space available to gather players to to watch it. This is the FLGS. If your FLGS is only into cards and comics, maybe there should be a dialogue to let them know what the community wants.
Amazon doesn't have a local space to try and then buy boardgames, and this is coming from an avid Amazon supporter. What I will say is that FLGS's I have been to that have had boardgames I could pull playable copies off the shelf and try, I turned around and spent money in that store. If I walk into a "game" store and I see comics and M:TG only, I turn around and walk out.
I didn't really mean to turn this into a debate between FLGS and Amazon/online retailers. That's too heated a topic.
I will say that trying to favor small, local retailers (who are disappearing in rapid numbers across the country) is very much a throwback technique to how this type of game was sold in the 80s. I don't see how that can possibly be successful for any length of time.
I didn't really mean to turn this into a debate between FLGS and Amazon/online retailers. That's too heated a topic.
I will say that trying to favor small, local retailers (who are disappearing in rapid numbers across the country) is very much a throwback technique to how this type of game was sold in the 80s. I don't see how that can possibly be successful for any length of time.
okay, when you put it that way I totally see where you are coming from. But going to the OP, I think there is a combination of reasons for the lack of stock currently. The main one being some un-announced shipping discrepancy in the FFG ranks. we shall see how it shakes out.
I didn't really mean to turn this into a debate between FLGS and Amazon/online retailers. That's too heated a topic.
I will say that trying to favor small, local retailers (who are disappearing in rapid numbers across the country) is very much a throwback technique to how this type of game was sold in the 80s. I don't see how that can possibly be successful for any length of time.
Because an anecdotal set of 'evidence' in a single country is, of course, the world...
As an anecdotal counterpoint - we have more games stores (And BoardGame Cafes!) in Calgary now that what we did when I moved here 7 years ago...
In fact, I would be confident in saying, if I included Boardgame cafes that sell games as well as playtime and food - the number of stores as easily doubled.
I didn't really mean to turn this into a debate between FLGS and Amazon/online retailers. That's too heated a topic.
I will say that trying to favor small, local retailers (who are disappearing in rapid numbers across the country) is very much a throwback technique to how this type of game was sold in the 80s. I don't see how that can possibly be successful for any length of time.
Because an anecdotal set of 'evidence' in a single country is, of course, the world...
As an anecdotal counterpoint - we have more games stores (And BoardGame Cafes!) in Calgary now that what we did when I moved here 7 years ago...
In fact, I would be confident in saying, if I included Boardgame cafes that sell games as well as playtime and food - the number of stores as easily doubled.
We are so desperate for game stores here down south in Alabama ( I typed that with an accent... 
) that some buddies and I have talked about what it would take to open a game store when I retire in a few years....M:tg still rules around us, and is followed closely by yu gi o and pokemon....
It was one of my possible plans - but the scale of expansion here has actually put me off doing so.
I'd love to open a game store someday. Kind of my ultimate dream to have a game store and coffee shop.
I mean, even to add to it - P&M Hobbycraft - a Superstore that stocks just about everything, even started offering Games Nights for FFG Products... And they've traditionally been a "Stock on Shelf, everything from Model Kits to Resin to Board games to Candy Crafts" kind of superstore.
The keys to standing out in a game store-centric environment, are being comfortable, welcoming, and even having something new. Perhaps as a store, you have special play areas designed for non-standard play. Maybe a Death Star Trench map that people can run, or one of those Mario-Kart boards that are always open for people to play. Hire some scenery people to develop some nice gaming boards for some custom gameplay surfaces, so people feel like playing at your shop is MUCH better than playing at home.
Oh, and play some GOOD music. (Yup, I do realize Good is a subjective term - so you'll have to take requests most likely).
I didn't really mean to turn this into a debate between FLGS and Amazon/online retailers. That's too heated a topic.
I will say that trying to favor small, local retailers (who are disappearing in rapid numbers across the country) is very much a throwback technique to how this type of game was sold in the 80s. I don't see how that can possibly be successful for any length of time.
Because an anecdotal set of 'evidence' in a single country is, of course, the world...
As an anecdotal counterpoint - we have more games stores (And BoardGame Cafes!) in Calgary now that what we did when I moved here 7 years ago...
In fact, I would be confident in saying, if I included Boardgame cafes that sell games as well as playtime and food - the number of stores as easily doubled.
Same here as well. There are more stores now then when I moved here in the 90s. Stores back then were just product focused and that's it. Stores now include quite a bit to entice players to come in, play and come back to keep playing.
I don't think the 80s/90s store then to now comparison works to suggest that game stores are in decline, likewise I don't think the 'amazon' is the [only] way of the future makes sense either. We sure had mail order back then.
I hope to see armada and especially the gaming mats listed on amazon prime again soon. Right now most of the armada stuff is marked up really high. I don't play competitively so I have no reason to suppprt the marked up prices of an flgs. I play on my kitchen table against a few friends. Also there are no gaming stores in my local area.
I'm hoping it is just a temporary supply issue. I order half my stuff on Amazon (including Imperial Assault), as my local store only has wave 2 Armada and no Imperial Assault stuff (except the core). I buy my X-Wing stuff from there though, they're relatively up to date with that.
From what I've gathered, it seems to be just a supply issue. I'm crossing my fingers because I'd like to get a few more ISDs and maybe the new Rebel squadrons with some Christmas gift cards.
Edited by jscott991I've had no trouble finding Armada on amazon.co.uk after my FLGS had sold almost all their stock.
I'm always fascinated by the American culture of gaming stores and pick-up games. Growing up in England in the 80s and 90s Games Workshop was the only thing similar. We played wargames with our friends at home, or at clubs in schools and church halls.
I live in one of those wretched hives of scum and villainy in which no games store has survived to run even a full 2 years. When we e had games stores, I bought through them. There hasn't been one locally for at least 8 years.
Hence, if online market dies, so does my gaming hobby.
Edited by MarekMandaloreThere are online markets that exist outside of Amazon. Try the TheWarStore.com, or MiniatureMarket.com. You're still supporting the hobby even if you're not buying from a FLGS (or if you don't have a FLGS). I've personally found TheWarStore's customer service to be much better and friendlier than any local game store I've supported.
I still go out of my way to support my local FLGS when I can afford to, but as they never do deals, it's not always something I can justify for a larger order.