Fool wrote:
I would like to know that people ARE using our sponsors and if not, why not though (or know of potential other places to get minis)
I don't have problems with the sponsors, I always check these places out for cases. I just don't think their prices are realistic and I think it is because they have overhead to pay for. I also would never buy a case of a huge set. Here is what I see when a set comes out-
Pre-sell price on ebay where people guess what the rate will be
Set is released- we start seeing regular auctions, which to me, are what really tells me what a piece is worth. Buy it nows change to new reflective price up or down depending on playability and rarity. The stores on the other hand never seem to change. I mean 2 of the sponsors have Vader Unleashed at $32 and I can get him on ebay without trying for $15. So my choice is made for me. The only one that comes close is Popular Collections. They combine realistic prices with a chance at free shipping which is always a nice way to go. They have Revan for $29.99, I saw 2 revans go for $50 on ebay! Luckily I pulled 2 so I didn't have to play the Revan game.
I think it also depends on what kind of player you are. I for one, am not a completist, I pretty much look at the set when it comes out design some squads in mini manager and then use that to tell me what guys I want to buy. So, for me singles make more sense than buying cases. I just don't want 100 of the same common unless it has a purpose to be in a squad. One can never have too many stormies or gran raiders
It also depends on which side of the pond you are on also.