Acquiring Miniatures on a Tight Budget

Let's face it, miniatures are an expensive hobby. As miniatures get more and more expensive, how does a gamer get his or her figures without taking out a new mortgage on the house? Here are some ways that I've been able to get discounts on figures. Other suggestions come from your fellow gamers.

1. If you own one of the game starter sets (e.g., Warhammer Fantasy) and don't play one of the factions, (e.g., High Elves or Goblins), either trade them to a new player who is starting to build an army, or trade them to someone more experienced who is looking for a couple new regiments to fill out allies.

2. You can possibly trade other things for minis too. I used to play a lot of Magic, which got me started on the trading, and I've been able to trade cards for miniatures at the local gaming store or at conventions. Not only did I not have to put out any cash, I got them at cost.

3. If you paint well enough, you can strike a deal with a store to paint demo figures for them in exchange for figures.

4. I used to belong to a wargaming club which negotiated either a 5% or 10% discount for all of its members at the local gaming store. If you have a large enough gaming group, maybe you can negotiate a price break too.

5. Take advantage of White Dwarf/GW mail order specials. I remember one renewal deal I was able to take advantage of (a long time ago), where they offered random blisters at $2.00 each. In my package, I got several war machines and greater demons/large monsters. While I couldn't use everything in my armies, I traded my unwanted figures to a friend. As a result, we both ended up with more usable minis at a cheaper price. The leftovers will be saved for conversions or role playing figures.

6. Go to your local conventions and look for the flea markets, bring and buy tables, or the loose lead boxes. Sometimes you can find great deals there. At Historicon, I found terminators, a catapult, and lots of other stuff for $1 a piece. If nothing else, you can always find a couple of "one off" figures that are just neat to have.

7. Trade miniatures for miniatures. All of use find that we have unused miniatures lying around that we have no use for or never intend to paint. Find someone who can use them and trade. You can trade lead for lead or even painted miniatures for unpainted lead. Check out the trading forum at Warseer.com or Bartertown and see what other people are looking for or have to trade.

8. There are mail order discount clubs out there too. I have never used them, but people have told me that you can get great discounts.

9. Get your miniatures from cheaper game like Battle Masters. Marc DeArmond found plastic minis of Orcs, Goblins, Chaos riding something, and Wood Elf Archers in packs of 10 for 7$. They come with Warhammer sized bases and work just fine for all other needs. I'm sure there are other games with cheaper prices just look there.

10. If there is a group of people who like to play Warhammer or Warhammer 40K but don't have the money to shell out for miniatures you can just get them together and play a game. Charge them a few bucks for the day, night, or whatever. Save this money. After a game or two you should be able to but a blister. After larger amounts of time you can start to get larger war machines or chariots or monsters.

11. Another way to get money that would be normally wasted is to make a change jar. When ever you have change leftover put it in there. You'd be surprised at how fast you can save enough to buty a blister pack.

12. Some game stores that sell minis or other gaming stuff might hire you (or give you a sales discount) to teach people to play and run games. All you have to do is try to get people into the game. By letting you run a game in a back room they could get over $500 in sales to someone who becomes interested.

13. Paul Mitchell funded his army by painting armies for friends. While it meant that his army remained unpainted for a long time, he spent almost no money of his own building it up. It helps to be a passable painter and have rich friends, however.

A note of caution. If you think it's too good to be true, it just might be. There are tons of stories about E-Bay where someone only sells the battlion box, but not the minis inside, or how someone buys a painted baneblade tank, only to receive a painted EPIC SCALE baneblade. Check the sellers feedback and past auctions, do your homework, and don't let yourself get screwed.

Just a passing note: There are thirteen entries here, one each for the thirteen Skaven Lords of Decay. Coincidence????