tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post7525983674354083448..comments2023-11-26T03:26:35.985-05:00Comments on Lair of the Uber Geek: A Perspective on Architects of WarMileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09738324194285127894noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-19479522329245149292016-07-18T12:38:41.452-04:002016-07-18T12:38:41.452-04:00Well I am sorry to hear what happened. I never ha...Well I am sorry to hear what happened. I never had any problem with them and had only good experiences. Hate to see this happen.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11732053234225751254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-90215066735638204572016-06-16T11:45:10.825-04:002016-06-16T11:45:10.825-04:00Thank you for taking the time to write this. It th...Thank you for taking the time to write this. It think this might end up a good business primer for the war-games community as a whole. I know it would intersect with your day job, but I would be interesting in reading your thoughts on how companies can succeed in this environment. <br /><br />Hope to see you at historian this year.<br /><br />-john (from bolt action tournaments)John Stieninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860350974000948346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-42466076498070854752016-06-13T23:05:57.037-04:002016-06-13T23:05:57.037-04:00Well written Miles, good insight into the juggling...Well written Miles, good insight into the juggling act that is the table top games industry. KS users (both sides of the equation) do need to think long and hard before pushing off, I dont think it is going to happen any time soon but at least they have your thoughts to thunk over.PaintPighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09047331820540221681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-85756416814812236022016-06-02T14:07:09.773-04:002016-06-02T14:07:09.773-04:00What a shame. despite not being interested in the ...What a shame. despite not being interested in the AQOMF game I really liked the idea of the game and the fluff being a logical continuation of the war of worlds novella.<br /><br />I bought a few things from Architects of War and was completely delighted with their good customer service. I hope this is not the end for Ernie and Barb on the wargaming businessMartinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08313205766810785473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-27908793368336255462016-06-01T09:58:01.434-04:002016-06-01T09:58:01.434-04:00There is one thing that I believe Miles could add ...<br />There is one thing that I believe Miles could add to his post, and it something that I heard Ernie say over and over again when he was talking about his AQ kickstarter. Basically, when the kickstarter ended, most of Ernie's suppliers, those in the miniatures industry, stated they had miscalculated their cost and had to raised their prices.<br /><br />Basically, when your Kickstarter is over and your available funds are known to all, and you have not secured your quotes on prices from subcontractors, you are bond to be paying more than you expected. There is a great difference between "I believe it can be done for this much" and "This is what it is going to cost to get this done!" Yes, there are times that materials and products go up between the bids and the actual time of production, but when someone actually knows or perceives how much you have to spend, they will want a larger piece of the pie unless there is something to bind them to original agreement.<br /><br />I have seen kickstarters were the person who received the funding had to delay production while looking for new subcontractors due the original ones inflating prices, and that issue was understood by the backers. joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11954733918434077099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-88850786931839813102016-05-31T23:21:32.542-04:002016-05-31T23:21:32.542-04:00Yes, we will be at Historicon. One last time in th...Yes, we will be at Historicon. One last time in the hopes sales actually are good.<br /><br />And yes, we will have frostgrave. The new Gnickstarter preorder just started today BTW.<br /><br />Link is on my home page<br /><br />b/r<br /><br />Lon<br />brigadegames.combrigadegameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645299238582663093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-54383239889342648842016-05-31T19:38:51.483-04:002016-05-31T19:38:51.483-04:00A few more responses
J Witrout:
I chose not to dw...A few more responses<br /><br />J Witrout:<br />I chose not to dwell to much on the taking cash before placing an order because it really wasn't a cause of the business failure. The decision to do so was wrong and really not defendable but came through an act of desperation which was doomed to fail. I didn't intend to sweep it under the rug but it wasn't a driving force of the business failing<br /><br />Lon<br />Great response and yes Ernie definitely has his personality challenges and I learned after investing doesn't really "play well with others" which is an unacceptable character trait in such a small industry. The business didn't really hire a bunch of people except for the shows where they had a lot of temporary help<br /><br />I think Ernie is another example of the difficulty of making the jump from a large corporate role into a small business. <br /><br />I do hope you'll be at Historicon - I bought a bunch of Frostgrave stuff from you at Cold Wars this year and my sone wants a good bit more!<br />jmilesrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17961624317410579611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-67265326172550435472016-05-31T13:06:45.238-04:002016-05-31T13:06:45.238-04:00I wish the long comment I made actually posted. I ...I wish the long comment I made actually posted. I will try again:<br /><br />As DerAltFritz said, Kickstarter is exactly for preproduction funding. Unless one is dreaming of doing something, one has to have a good grasp of all costs , especially of production, for a KS to be successful in the fulfillment section. Let's be honest. That is the most important part.<br /><br />As one of the larger historical vendors in the US marketspace and a long time vendor at HMGS East events, I never got a chance to really know Ernie. From the beginning he was aloof, always seemed pissed off at something and event though I would say hi unloading my trailer, I never got the same back. I understand alot of things were said by him about other longtime vendors and how AoW would be taking them down and capture the market as we didn't know what we were doing. As you can understand, this didn't sit well with any of us. I had one interaction with Ernie during his lead up to Fantacide. He inquired twice. I responded and never got responses back. From a businss perspective I dont think he respected most of us in any way as he was the gaming expert from GW.<br /><br />Imports. I can say that your calculation on many imported brands is very close to the mark. However, I have been importing from Australia and the UK for over 15 years so there is definitely a way to generate some profit. However, this requires mfrs that you are importing to work with their overseas outlets and not look at it as lost income. This means they must support you with a decent discount and not have absurdly low shipping rates which do not allow overseas vendors to succeed. I never understood Ernies pricing model, as in some cases even early on, he was selling items at a rate that I bet cost him money. How could one with his business pedigree make those mistakes? Then a few years ago he started to go after some of my long terms brands with the same pricing mentality. I never understood it. In the end, I was more than correct. Unfortunately, Ernie leaving some UK vendors with unpaid bills only makes it more difficult for others to pick up those ranges as all Americans will be painted with a similar brush. Look at it this way, for most, he was someone with serious business creds and they were still screwed. <br /><br />The last say 6-8 months of AoW, you could tell there were issues. Constant sales and crazy promotions. Stories of retailers getting KS items before backers. And as Jeff said above, there sounded like there were a bunch of people in that same boat. Tough to say but those examples are fraud, plain and simple. Totally unacceptable.<br /><br />As you also said, lack of communication can really hurt a company with customers. This is key these days.<br /><br />One thing I never understand from day one of any new small business is the need to hire a bunch of people. Crikey, get your plan worked out and fine tuned and operating well before committing to hiring help. The hardest thing to do it let someone go because you miscalculated and your business is failing. Starting and running any business is not easy, no matter what anyone tells you. It takes hard work with very long hours. As you said above, it also takes capital. It also takes capital you can risk losing. So it you are not willing to put in the long hours needed to make it successful, losing weekends, sleep and investing lots of money, don't even attempt to open any business. <br /><br />L.Weiss<br /><br />brigadegameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09645299238582663093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-52105799867395419782016-05-30T22:45:38.626-04:002016-05-30T22:45:38.626-04:00Don't know why it came out as Unknown. That w...Don't know why it came out as Unknown. That was not intended to be anonymous. <br /><br />J WiltroutAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09639703995211052908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-56302153447467544102016-05-30T22:42:52.875-04:002016-05-30T22:42:52.875-04:00I am not upset about the kickstarter. I know that...I am not upset about the kickstarter. I know that Barb and Ernie made some mistakes and misjudgments. The problem I have is with the theft that occurred and just seems to be dismissed by Mr. Miller. (They took payments for items that they did not have.) Here is what happened in my case. About a year ago, I e-mailed them about whether I should get an item from them or should I get it straight from England. I was told that they would be sure to get it, so I should go ahead and order from them. When I next saw them, they told me face to face that they had my product in hand and I handed them the money: however they had left it back at the house. But I was promised that it would ship the next day. I found out a month later (after numerous unanswered e-mails and phone calls) that they had never even ordered the product from their supplier. So I was lied to my face and money was handed to them in good faith. According to PA law that is theft by deception ( I could quote Article and Section of the law but that is unimportant at this moment.) Kickstarter going bad is understandable, outright lies and theft are inexcusable.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09639703995211052908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-19012238187586888682016-05-30T13:23:41.876-04:002016-05-30T13:23:41.876-04:00Wow - lots of great comments - I'll try to add...Wow - lots of great comments - I'll try to address some of the points here:<br /><br />Der Alte Fritz - We may be more similar than different - a kickstarter is great when you know your costs of production and have confidence you understand and control the production process - the larger the scope of a project, the more complexity and risk that your estimates are off so for a project of the complexity of AQMF it was the wrong call. For something more limited - like casting some tanks for the Trenchworx kickstarter it works great.<br /><br />Social Media - it wasn't that the Bakers didn't know about it's importance they just didn't have a professional grasp of how to use it. Ernie used to be CEO of GW - USA and had a very good grasp of the trade sales and that became the primary thrust because it was the only area with traction. Business social media is a skill which needs to be learned. Having a Facebook account doesn't make anyone a professional user. This is not a knock on Ernie - I would suck at it too, but more a "learning" for other small business vendors to really study the tools.<br />jmilesrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17961624317410579611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-46385143002618399532016-05-30T12:07:45.575-04:002016-05-30T12:07:45.575-04:00Well, this was such a well written, basically obje...Well, this was such a well written, basically objective piece, but with just the right amount of praise, emotion and friendship. I know exactly the problems they encountered as I did in my own miniatures venture. I "failed" because I was too successful and didn't have the funding/access to take the next step. Luckily I was able to sell it and recoup a lot. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193289456558445971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-1668297733461666322016-05-30T11:54:15.623-04:002016-05-30T11:54:15.623-04:00Excellent post Miles. Regarding the failure to use...Excellent post Miles. Regarding the failure to use social media and online promotion: was that something the Bakers knew was a weakness of theirs going into this project, or only in hindsight?Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03300726634407646984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-73490322853312607392016-05-30T11:33:38.563-04:002016-05-30T11:33:38.563-04:00A very well written and comprehensive study of wha...A very well written and comprehensive study of what went wrong. One little nit to pick is the purpose of Kickstarter:<br /><br />Funding pre-development and start up costs is precisely why a company or individual uses or needs KS. They have an idea but need funds to develop the idea and turn it into a product. I don't view KS as an inventory funding mechanism, although it can be used in that manner.<br /><br />What kills failed KS projects is under estimating costs ( free shipping is insane) and under pricing the product ( the "add ons").<br /><br />Der Alte Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01578422757511400566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-80915323373815232152016-05-30T09:39:34.955-04:002016-05-30T09:39:34.955-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.366_Zoh6https://www.blogger.com/profile/03276482728167675294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-27488358987850071852016-05-27T09:17:46.312-04:002016-05-27T09:17:46.312-04:00As a small business owner I will never forget this...As a small business owner I will never forget this bit of wisdom:<br /><br />When starting a business be prepared to lose three things; your money, your friends, and your family. If it is still worth it then go for it! <br /><br />Very few businesses survive the first 5 years so no one should be surprised when one fails, but we always are! <br /><br />This is the best article I have read on this topic. Thanks for writing it! Blood and Spectacles Publishinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04553070461794152273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-23430263260291371092016-05-26T12:31:16.784-04:002016-05-26T12:31:16.784-04:00Well said Miles and excellent post mortem. I wish...Well said Miles and excellent post mortem. I wish your friends well. The biggest lesson is same for starting a small business and investing in a Kickstarter. It's a risk and you shouldn't invest what you aren't prepared to lose. I have yet to invest in a KS, but I'd treat my investment the same way I treat the money in my wallet when I walk into a pub!<br /><br />Cheers, PeterPeter Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14118894381672707297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-6611852151884244612016-05-26T07:15:47.689-04:002016-05-26T07:15:47.689-04:00Thank you Miles. It's good to have your opinio...Thank you Miles. It's good to have your opinion put out there, especially with the line of work you're in.AHunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08148857673973402238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-4764441908530337002016-05-26T02:04:37.530-04:002016-05-26T02:04:37.530-04:00You have describe all the points very carefully. T...You have describe all the points very carefully. Thanks.<br /><a href="http://www.martynpattie.co.uk/services-view/house-extensions/" rel="nofollow">House Extensions London</a><br /><a href="http://www.martynpattie.co.uk/services-view/interior-design/" rel="nofollow">Office Interior Design London</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10580438347131906180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-77508841228089867092016-05-25T22:29:09.342-04:002016-05-25T22:29:09.342-04:00Well written and very fair. It's good to see ...Well written and very fair. It's good to see your insight, Miles! Praying that the Bakers find some solace and peace as all the dust settles.<br /><br />In other news, it looks like AQMF will continue. It seems that new company "Ironclad Games" out of St. Louis, MO, is purchasing the game rights, molds, and all remaining inventory. The dream lives on.<br />Pastor Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17163283263898739367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-30528097880912870892016-05-25T15:48:08.406-04:002016-05-25T15:48:08.406-04:00A very educational write up. You certainly sound l...A very educational write up. You certainly sound like you know your stuff. <br /><br />Thanks!Daihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04978439841611727387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-16429128557008844742016-05-25T15:36:40.243-04:002016-05-25T15:36:40.243-04:00I have to admit that many times I considered email...I have to admit that many times I considered emailing you to get your sense of what happened. I bought a lot of figures and terrain from Architects of War and their service was first rate. I was not involved in AQMF project, not really a fantasy gamer but I have to admit being tempted as it was such a great idea.<br /><br />Your analysis is very interesting on many levels, thanks for posting it.<br /><br />I do feel sorry for the Bakers, I always felt confident that there was no malice.<br /><br />Johnjohn de terre neuvehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03898285039988448895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-20870093023073626932016-05-25T15:08:10.765-04:002016-05-25T15:08:10.765-04:00Thanks for posting this, more analysis and thought...Thanks for posting this, more analysis and thought on this sort of subject is always beneficial. Lasgunpackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13529298072677726064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-41776247244810015862016-05-25T14:44:38.261-04:002016-05-25T14:44:38.261-04:00Very interesting. Always a shame when good intenti...Very interesting. Always a shame when good intentions back fire. MartinChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04465653471454483708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4117445952543844790.post-63510403007960521552016-05-25T13:55:12.482-04:002016-05-25T13:55:12.482-04:00A very interesting read and well arguedA very interesting read and well arguedmarinergrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393687295535460527noreply@blogger.com