In these times when we are short of money.
On a lighter note how about we design some scams to make us millions.
1. "Wargaming companies don't want you to see this" (lots of testimonials but no pictures)
Offer to sell some D6 that are assured to win all games. 6 dice for £37.67. If you don't win you are not folloiwng the instructions corectly.
2."This amazing invention will make your wargames rules easy to read"(show a completely different item and describe it as "for illustration only".
Send them a plastic strip that they can place under each line of text as you read.
3."Do this one thing to make your games better"(no picture given)
"It's changed my life"
Send them a box which they can stand on to reach over the table.
4. 8 out of 7 gamers say "this is great". Make up an interesting name; funometer?
Show 3 attractive young women really enjoying using the canister template.
You need to sign up to get this "free sample" (small print =next 11 months at £18.34 per month for the same template in various colours for french,Spanish,Dutch armies etc.)
Can be contacted via their PO box.
Add yours.
martin :)
Send out a mass email saying they have been specially chosen to receive a free gaming army of their choice for review. All that is needed is to pay the postage.
Derek
Send a phone text message saying that a rogue figure has been placed in their soldier box at the last show they attended. If they don't pay £100 by 5 o'clock today the figure will be activated locking the soldier box for good. Click on the link below to arrange payment. Link sneofmsg/36\seofnghufm.
John
An anonymous message arrives in your email in-box. A Nigerian millionaire has heard that you have some model soldiers that you may be willing to sell. He does not know their period or scale but he is keen to purchase these for $100 each. All you have to do prior to shipping the figures is pay for the contact to arrange for the necessary import papers for such valuable items. Luckily the millionaire knows a solicitor who can arrange such paper work. Despite being a highly reputable firm of solicitors they will only accept Western Union transfers.
Derek of Cambridge
"I have hacked your computer and accessed all the records of your miniature purchases over the last ten years - unless you send me £1000 within three days I will send all this information to your wife/girlfriend/mother..."
Jon
Or, the easiest scam of them all... take peoples' money for a product, then never send them anything! ;D
It could be something like, say, cloth game mats.... maybe you could call the Company something like "Medium-Sized Wargames"....?
Jon
(sorry, somehow this one seems less funny now that I've typed it out...) :(
It is all too common for businesses to over promise and find they cannot cope. Often in the wider world it is builder and home improvement(?) companies.
They then often tend to withdraw from the problem and blame the customers as a way to rationalise/cope it all. It has happened with a couple of online gaming stores. We had a local gaming and hobby store which disintegrated and left some unhappy chaps.
A famous gaming one is Danny with Battle Honours. Also a famous figure sculptor who made a run for it.
There is/was a trader who would turn up for a show and promise to pay on the day. At the end of the day he would say"I have not had good takings this day so I cannot/will not pay the stand fee" (I saw this).
martin :)