My mat woes

[Colonel Kilgore]

So sorry, Sean.

Stewart and I did spend some time with said purveyor of wargames mats at this year's Beachhead show. We explained the travails that a number of us have faced over the years, shared the RFCM standard mat sizes, proposed a very simple way in which people could order very simply and precisely what they need in an unambiguous way.

The proposal was greeted enthusiastically and a mockup of a PP-specific web page designed on the same day. However after a single exchange of emails to help refine the offer, all enthusiasm seems to have evaporated and I've heard no more on the subject since February.

It's such a shame. The mats aren't cheap, but are very practical to store and transport. I don't have the space for mousemat material mats, so I guess I just hold on for a while longer on the half-dozen mats I've been trying to order for the last few years...

Simon

[Colonel Kilgore]

I see that Geek Villain now produce competitively-priced double-sided cloth mats.

If they could add grids, and do a few more plainer designs, I think we could have a deal on here!

Simon

[Smoking gun]

Sean,
It just gets worse, I'm sorry you have had to endure this poor service.
The Geek Villain mats are excellent. I did ask Geek Villain if they could supply a 6 x 3 ft mat but they declined. They are easy enough to cut down to size and hem if you can use a sewing machine.

Best wishes,
Martin Buck

[Sean Clark]

The Geek Villain mats are as portable as Tiny Wargames  but they are more fixed on their sizes. I know Martin has no trouble buying the larger mat and cutting them down and then adding his own grid. The 6x4 cut down to 2 nice 4x3 mats which might be useful in the future should two of us wish to endulge.

With PBI on the horizon 4x4 will be the order of the day which I think Geek Villain can accommodate. And of course there's always the option of making one. There are a few guides online regarding how to do them.

[Sean Clark]

In an interesting turn of events Geek Villain are having a small sale tomorrow as they couldn't make it to Salute today.

[Moggy]

Sean, So sorry to hear its still going on.

Just explained the lengthy saga to the misses. She has now asked if it is going to be turned into a musical stage show.  Can see it now, Gaming Mat, The Musical.  A magical script of almost mystical wit, stirring score of martial music, complicated plot with so many turns it would make Agatha Christie blush, cast of thousands (all 15mm tall), more horses fallen than with Cecile B DeMill.

When can we buy tickets!


Derek

[Colonel Kilgore]

I see this more as a Greek Tragedy than a comedy musical, Derek... 

Simon

[Sean Clark]

The film rights might make me enough to afford a Geek Villain mat.

I've seen that Deep Cut Studios now do cloth mats, and something close to 5x3 for around €60. I've no idea what shipping costs however or if there is a UK stockist.

[Panzer21]

The film rights might make me enough to afford a Geek Villain mat.

I've seen that Deep Cut Studios now do cloth mats, and something close to 5x3 for around €60. I've no idea what shipping costs however or if there is a UK stockist.

Simon Miller (Big Red Bat) stocks them, as well as Geek Villain, with grids, no grids and corner crosses for his "To the Strongest" rules:

https://bigredbatshop.co.uk/collections/all

I've had great service from Simon.

Neil

[martin goddard]

There are all sorts of approaches to mats.
Stewart has gotten some very good deals with the correct mats from TW in the past.
Maybe that is the way to go?

I have really climbed into the idea of having mats for games.
In my opinion they are so much better than plain mats.
They give an instant "texture".
I have thrown out my older mats ('terrain mats", Felt etc + tiles).

The flames of war mat is a lovely piece of product.
The green and sandy sides are both nicely detailed and an easy to manoeuvre troops over.
They don't crumple up.

In the last few years I have picked up 10  Geek villain mats.  They are good value for me if I get at least 25 games on one.  As said. I am quite happy to chop and mark them.

Tiny W mats are still in regular use at PPHQ. This is very true for pirate games land and sea as there are no preferable alternatives.  PP are stockist for these in case someone wants to buy one.

I personally mark my mats myself with dots.


martin

[Smoking gun]

The film rights might make me enough to afford a Geek Villain mat.

I've seen that Deep Cut Studios now do cloth mats, and something close to 5x3 for around €60. I've no idea what shipping costs however or if there is a UK stockist.

A internet search will reveal a few including Element Games whose Stockport branch you're visiting later this year. I asked Element Games how long they hold "click and collect" orders for, the answer was "Three months and then we'll contact you to see if you still want it".

Best wishes,
Martin Buck

[Leslie BT]

Sorry to hear of your problems Sean.