tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post4611007920652529127..comments2024-01-10T06:17:13.721-06:00Comments on Dick Move: Business 101 or the Whiteness of the WhaleDethtronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07257162715130436403noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-8664891552819094192010-05-28T11:03:31.277-05:002010-05-28T11:03:31.277-05:00Man, I wish I'd read this article earlier this...Man, I wish I'd read this article earlier this week. I would have borrowed (stolen) some of your ideas.<br /><br />I wrote a guest article that's supposed to post on Blood of Kittens later today - anyway, it touches on the topic but doesn't try to analyze it the way you did...<br /><br />...since frankly I'm not a business student; I'd end up looking stupid!<br /><br />If it comes up, I'll be sure to point folks here. Great article.<br /><br />BrentBrenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07426628265866457542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-89402231902881588732010-05-26T17:25:43.764-05:002010-05-26T17:25:43.764-05:00You had me until you said the recession is over. I...You had me until you said the recession is over. It's not. <br /><br />We have that illusion, such as it is, because the banking sector is being flooded with free bailout money created from thin air. As the banks spend it, the funds will work their way through the economy, inflating earnings in the businesses which serve that sector first. Until finally those funds reach all sectors and we have a general inflation of the currency.<br /><br />For anyone not providing services to the banks, business is still very, very bad. <br /><br />In addition, we still have 2 more waves of sub-prime defaults coming. One this fall and another in 2012. Not to mention the $1.5 Quadrillion in derivatives contracts, whose value is based on those shaky loans actually being worth something.<br /><br />This isn't over yet by a long shot.SandWyrmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02265244938930651317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-21142523990738657502010-05-26T11:54:57.381-05:002010-05-26T11:54:57.381-05:00Shit, Mcuhammadbutt looks like you're my first...Shit, Mcuhammadbutt looks like you're my first spammer, thanks for the compliments, though.....Dethtronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07257162715130436403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-55942454534742329572010-05-26T06:43:54.415-05:002010-05-26T06:43:54.415-05:00If only every person in the world would follow all...If only every person in the world would follow all the rules that you gave... I think that everyone should come and visit your website<br /><a href="http://paypalfees.info/" rel="nofollow"><b>paypal fees</b></a>Mcuhammadbutthttp://paypalfees.info/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-68375722528473971062010-05-26T03:38:12.222-05:002010-05-26T03:38:12.222-05:00I was about to roll my eyes as I started to read t...I was about to roll my eyes as I started to read this (since I never give bloggers the benefit of the doubt), but you've succinctly provided an informative primer! Thank you for this level headed analysis.<br /><br />The only thing I would question is the margin per unit, but the math itself is sound. This is a refreshing alternative to the "GW owes it to us to not raise prices" nonsense.Zerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01835692989146152150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-8196939373035947032010-05-25T23:56:46.275-05:002010-05-25T23:56:46.275-05:00yay for moneys! Thanks Dethtron. I'd just like...yay for moneys! Thanks Dethtron. I'd just like to chew on the bone you threw out there regarding the 'recession...'<br /><br />FOR CRYING OUT LOUD KEVIN RUDD (Aussie PM), I TOLD EVERYONE NOT TO VOTE YOU IN BECAUSE YOU HAD NO IDEA HOW TO USE MONEY AND THEN THE THREAT, THE DAMN THREAT OF A RECESSION IN AMERICA BECAUSE OF THEIR, NOT OUR, THEIR, BANKS' INVESTMENTS SCREWING OVER AND YOU LITERALLY THREW THE MONEY AT US.<br /><br />How much do you have now? None. How many projects have you canned because you have no money? All of them. What did your treasuer say was the reason you believed your cash throwing about was successful...let's see:<br /><br />"Socks and jocks are selling and this tells me the cash hand outs worked. The economy is stable."<br /><br />What happened a week after that statement. Did the ONLY Australian manfacturer in the country which produced those items of clothing move overseas? Are you serious? So your money was for...nought. And al those jobs you "saved", well they're overseas you wankers.<br /><br />10 bucks labor gets in again this election.<br /><br />/endrant :).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07693773850422698445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-68895064431064936302010-05-25T23:53:22.034-05:002010-05-25T23:53:22.034-05:00Sweet Jesus Lord of Excess, you've certainly e...Sweet Jesus Lord of Excess, you've certainly earned your namesake today. First, thanks for the feedback. Second, I will readily admit that the oversimplification of this matter using an econ 101 view of things can be slightly problematic, but in the big picture, I feel it's correct enough to apply here. <br /><br />As to your main point being that eventually a price will be hit that can no longer sustain the hobby. I agree, it's even burried in my post somewhere. Believe me, with the post length I can see skimming over something like that :) I feel that GW is currently operating to the left of the most efficient point on a S&D graph. So they can raise their prices all they want until they reach that efficient point. Not having all the data available I can't say when or where that will happen, but I think that they have a way to go before it matters.<br /><br />In response to the recession, I agree and disagree :). Believe me, I know that it sucks for a lot of people and I know that unemployment rates and GDP are not the only factors to measure- just look at this week's trend of people ditching stocks for US treasury bonds right now in the wake of Greece's implosion. That is a sure sign that things still suck and bad. The main theme relevant to my argument is that the majority of people who could afford gaming products in 2007 will still be able to afford them in 2011 and beyond. Any further debate on this will quickly fall into a pointless political discussion that I don't want to have :)<br /><br />Last Re: competition. I don't think I ever said that GW's demise would collapse the gaming industry. I do think it would take some time for the competition to absorb the new demand following GW's collapse though, since you brought the subject up. Moreover, I think a lot of that marketshare would probably flock to other related industries, like video games, to spend their disposable income.<br /><br />...and off my high horse. Thanks for keeping the discussion alive lord.Dethtronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07257162715130436403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-46194992009905359152010-05-25T23:37:54.471-05:002010-05-25T23:37:54.471-05:00Sorry for the massive posts ... lol ... didn't...Sorry for the massive posts ... lol ... didn't mean to rant. I really do agree with your post ... lol.The Lord of Excesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844701226225155792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-57438323671041609982010-05-25T23:37:05.320-05:002010-05-25T23:37:05.320-05:00I think also when prices get so high that people a...I think also when prices get so high that people are willing to start considering just making their own minis via home resin casting, sculpy, etc. and/or proxying more and more. Most players never play in a tournament and don't really need to worry about that side of the equation. So I would argue that the danger to GW is losing market share and or encouraging home grown converting on larger scale and/or just plain piracy of their stuffz. I can only speak to what I'm doing personally. Five years ago I had ... and I'm not lying or bragging ... just saying ... literally 2000 to 4000 points of every main 40K list available to play. I was a fiend for the stuff ... couldn't get enough. I've slowly sold off big chunks of what I used to own ... now I have 4 40K armies left that I still play and add to (Orks, Eldar, and Guard ... which is dormant for now but I want to play soon! I have enough marines in a box to do up 2000 points-ish at some point too). I've considered firing up a new 40K army but just feel a bit .. meh ... about it. Now just a small % of my angst at GW is related to the price increases ... I generally agree that they have a ways to go yet before it really makes me quit. But to me its just one more thing that GW is doing to sour the spirits of their fanboys. My personal pet peeve is the lack of solid support (at least out west) ... but I hear (anecdotally ... just my own experience here) more and more people each year complain about price hikes ... its the tourney scene/store scene killing it for some people ... perception of unjustified price hikes for others (I said perception not reality) ... and just general dissatisfaction with . At some point if the current trend continues ... bad stuffz could happen. They've kept the ship off the rocks for a good number of years I remain optimistic that they'll continue to do so ... I'm just looking over the side of the boat going ... whoa ... those rocks are getting closer. Oh and I would say you grossly oversimplified the recession bit ... dude ... I have a masters degree in pulic admin and I'm currently working on my PhD in poly sci ... and mentioning the recession in any of my classes causes an eruptive debate. I don't think you'd find five economists right now who agree on how bad it was ... or whether or not its still was or is. GDP is a key determining factor in declaring a recession but it isn't the only variable. For example employment, investment spending, capacity utilization, household incomes, business profits and inflation all fall during recessions; while bankruptcies and the unemployment rate rise. Many of those variables are still very much at play. But ... in the case of impact on GW ... I agree that they've largely been unscathed. One last thing I'll say is GW has a really odd model going. I would argue that its not straight econ 101 ... there is some complex shit at play man. You know it too. Factors like big numbers of its customer base being heavily invested in time, money and social ciricles ... being so bought in one way or another how could they leave, etc. Those types of factors are hard to quantify. I think GW currently enjoys a bit more insulation from immediate reactions to price increases because of some of those intangible ... GW oddities. What can I say they are British and make some damn cool stuff ... I can't stop buying it ... even if they piss me off more and more ... I'm still buying!!The Lord of Excesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844701226225155792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-15657980036061629472010-05-25T23:36:55.560-05:002010-05-25T23:36:55.560-05:00Good post and I generally agree with you. On two p...Good post and I generally agree with you. On two points I disagree though ... one is ... GW has to exist for there to be a viable mini gaming hobby scene. On that point ... if GW died tomorrow someone would pick up where they left off with surprisingly similar games. Second is that GW can do whatever they want with prices and not have any effect. The big thing from an econ 101 perspective that they risk ... if they do in fact raise prices too high ... is competition. We are already seeing it. Mantic Games ... www.wargamesfactory.com and on and on. Plastic 28 MM minis seem to be something alot of other companies are starting to put out. (cont)The Lord of Excesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844701226225155792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-55859521106690908972010-05-25T21:08:21.780-05:002010-05-25T21:08:21.780-05:00It's been a while since I've taken an econ...It's been a while since I've taken an economics course, but now it's all coming back.<br /><br />Way to put things in perspective dethtron.<br /><br />Now if only this would stop the incessant bitchfitting...Chumbalayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543857960730597490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4922229106412042875.post-90913284107834068302010-05-25T18:13:17.399-05:002010-05-25T18:13:17.399-05:00Aww, I got my very own dedicated post! Tell you w...Aww, I got my very own dedicated post! Tell you what though, this certainly helps to put things into a proper perspective. I'm unsure as to what I'll be purchasing after I finish my Tau, but it is still the case that I'm willing to pay that extra 10-15 percent for the product that I enjoy. So this means that I get to reference this every time I hear people complaining about the price increase.<br /><br />Thanks bub! :DIshamaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15275252157445215532noreply@blogger.com