Go Crazy!

 

The Store is now open.

Check out the new Berserker items.

Three half-sheets, available individually, or as a bundle.

Scrooge, or... Ebenezer?

It’s been 8 years (2017) since I started this adventure of providing alternate counters for ASL. I’ve also managed to branch out into scenarios, boards, and most recently HASL maps. It’s been fun, and challenging at times (which can be fun, too).

From the beginning, I’ve relied on St. Jacobs Printery Ltd for all my printing needs, and they found a company in Waterloo to do the mounting on cardboard and die-cutting the counters. Based on those earlier quotes, I calculated that I could cover hard costs (i.e. not my time and effort) and have some profit for future orders with a price point of U$11 per full sheet. And that was enough in the early years to carry me through the losses of the covid years and still have cash in the bank today! Hurra!

Coming out of covid, I began to notice quality control issues with the die-cutting. Unable to get a satisfactory resolution from the die-cutter, we dropped that company, and the Printery found another company down Scarborough way to do the mounting and die-cutting – and they are excellent! I’m very pleased that I can still call this a Made in/Fait au Canada operation. Only two products aren’t sourced from the Great White North: the MausMouse (China) and the MapPad (USA). Together with my febrile... er... fertile imagination, everything else is local stuff.

Last year I placed my first order (small-medium-ish) with the new die-cutter, and the pricing seemed a bit higher, but still reasonable given the times we be living in. Honestly, I’ve had other distractions this past year and a half, so I wasn’t really paying attention. Last month I placed my second order, which was a bit larger (new-ish stuff plus re-stocking depleted or damaged stuff). I hadn’t bothered to get a quote beforehand as I was in a hurry and was willing to live with the consequences.

At the beginning of the month the order came in and I’ve been sorting and collating since. Earlier this week the bill came in...

I ran the numbers. And checked them twice. And I’ve been letting the result sink in.

The most reasonable thing to do going forward is to...

LOWER. MY. PRICES.

To be clear, this only applies to countersheets. Pricing for other products remains the same.

This isn’t a sale or a promo. No coupons, passwords, codes, or secret handshakes required. If you choose to indulge in interpretive dance while placing an order, well... that’s on you. Far be it for me to criticize your predilections.

I’ll post again when I’ve got everything squared away with the Store.

The world continues to spin on its axis.

The Store is open again for US customers. Thank you for your patience.

Déjà vu, all over again.

Apologies to my American customers.

In light of today's announcement on trade talks, I'm temporarily halting sales to US addresses until things get sorted out.

Current orders to US addresses are being processed today so they can cross the border with minimal fuss or delay.

Stay tuned!

PS no political commentary, please.

Brick Works HASL now available for sale!

 

Store is Open again. New Product added!

 Family festivities were successfully festive!

And now the Store is open again, and a new product has been added.

A set of 6 standard size boards depicting Steppe (F13.2) graphics on one side and Broken Terrain (F13.1) graphics on the other side.

Store Closed

 The Store is closed until May 25th, due to family festivities.

 ATTENTION: US Customers

Due to uncertainties regarding next week's tariff event, I have disabled orders for US addresses.

The central issue for my store is the "Section 321 de minimis" provision which currently allows my type of shipments to enter the US without tariff considerations. There is the possibility that this provision will be phased out, which will complicate my shipping procedures, with greater levels of reporting (and possible charges). Until I can figure out if/how I will have to deal with this I will err on the side of caution so that American customers don't find their orders hanging in limbo.

Currently, I have 2 orders outstanding for US addresses. These will be processed and shipped this week, in time to avoid implications of what happens on April 2nd. 

My apologies for the inconvenience to my many American customers.

Alan

PS Please, no comments about politics/politicians. I don't care about your opinions on those matters, and I don't offer mine.

ATTENTION: US Customers

Now that the 'hammer' has dropped, the "Section 321 de minimis" provision remains in place*, so I've un-disabled orders for US addresses. Please resume ordering with enthusiasm and gusto!

* the provision is no longer available to items sourced from China, which means the MausMouse shouldn't be ordered by Americans. (honestly, very, very few orders include this item, so not much of a loss there)

Alan

The Store is OPEN!

To usher in this new era of commerce, I've created a discount coupon, It's All Greek to Me, that will give you 24% off all products. This sale continues until Jan 7th, 2025, a.k.a. Greek Orthodox Christmas.

Use the coupon code GREEK at checkout to unlock the savings!

Wise Words