(this post is not meant to read snarkily or anything other than professional)
Completely agree with regards to pricing. I'm amazed that they sell so much. But they do. Why? My theory is that GW got their hooks in when we were in our late teens/early 20s way back when and know that we'll come back.
Personal example (which explains my theory):
I would assume that lots of us recall "back in the day" pricing. GW was probably getting their foot in the market; heck I remember coupons in White Dwarf! I was in college at the time (so for sake of this post just say 20).
They've now not only got their foot in the market, they basically booted the damn door off its hinges. They're the heavyweight champ and with that comes a certain standard of living that they are now accustomed to. And I'm now almost 52.
My theory is that during those three decades GW knew that they would have me repeat as a customer over the years as life dictated:
* I bought some in college, but had to mind my dollars
* I got a "real job" and had some disposable income. Let's dip a foot in the GW pool...
* Got married, bye bye disposable income. Had kids. GW got put on the backburner
* Kids got older and saw old 40k stuff. Kids wanted to get into it. Hello, GW...
* Kids got older older and things like cars, college, etc. Bye bye GW
* Kids are out of the house. I have some disposable income. Hello GW...
* Long-term stuff and expenditures hit. Property, housing upgrades, replacement vehicles, etc. Bye bye GW...
* Now I'm at the end of the job, almost to retirement. Life's expenditures and long-term stuff are pretty stable. And thus, I'll probably say hello to GW again. Well, first the pile of shame since I still haven't addressed kits that we got when the kids were young.
I love the 40k universe, love the lore, have a metric sh*tton of the books, etc. etc. Fan for sure. And they know this.
The point of my post? I cut my teeth on GW stuff. Wasn't aware of other things at the time. Now, with 3d printing and all sorts of third party sellers there are plenty of options. I can vote with my wallet, for sure. Just as I have been able to this entire time. But kind of hard when that entire timeline there are new game editions, etc. and pretty much forced upgrades. Don't even get me started on Primaris... I have piles of firstborn so wondering what the heck I'll use them for. /shrug
I gotta find some friends to play games with first! ha ha
But I feel your pain and understand your post for sure. Look at the new Fulgrim model. That's a heavy price, but folks aren't batting an eye.
I'm still trying to figure out Mr. Shoemaker's website/pricing/how I do this, but until I retire everything is put off as I triage life. I think that 3d printing is definitely appealing.
Stay safe,
don