Tistaminis Review: Canadian Warhammer & Hobby Shop for Used Minis, Pre-Orders and Paints
Tistaminis is an independent hobby store based in Hamilton, Ontario, and one of the more useful places in Canada to buy Warhammer and tabletop gaming supplies online. It stocks new Games Workshop releases and pre-orders, a large catalogue of used miniatures, paints from several brands, terrain, Black Library novels and trading card games — and it ships across Canada and internationally.
This review covers what Tistaminis sells, how its prices and shipping work, the return policy you should know before ordering, and who will get the most out of the store.
What Tistaminis sells
The shop describes itself as a one-stop shop for hobby needs, and the catalogue backs that up. The main sections are:
- Games Workshop — new and pre-orders. Warhammer 40,000 and Age of Sigmar releases, with upcoming kits listed as pre-orders before launch.
- Used miniatures. A deep second-hand section organised by army — Chaos Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Aeldari, Blood Angels, Dark Angels, Death Guard and many more — plus used BattleTech.
- Paints and tools. Citadel (base, layer, shade, contrast, technical, air and dry), Army Painter (Warpaints, Speedpaints, sprays, brushes, basing), AK Interactive, Abteilung, Formula P3 and Coat D'Arms.
- Terrain and mats. Games Workshop terrain, Battlefield in a Box, Battle Systems and Deepcut Studios terrain footprints.
- Books and card games. Black Library novels in paperback and hardback, Japanese Pokémon, One Piece, Digimon and Union Arena products.
- Historical miniatures. Pulp Figures ranges for skirmish and historical gaming.
Beyond the shelves, Tistaminis also offers commission painting, custom orders for items it does not carry, and trade-ins for your old miniatures — useful if you want to turn a shelf of unpainted plastic into store credit.
The used miniatures section is the standout
For many buyers the second-hand catalogue is the main reason to shop here. Used kits let you fill out an army for less than buying every box new, and they are the only practical way to find older sculpts that are no longer sold. Listings are grouped by faction, so you can browse, for example, all used Chaos Space Marines in one place.
As with any second-hand miniatures, check each listing's photos and description for completeness, paint and missing bits before you buy — condition varies from item to item.
Prices
Prices are shown in Canadian dollars by default, with a currency switcher for other countries. Across the products we checked, prices ran from about CA$7 for single items to CA$400 for premium trading card boxes, with a typical item around CA$40. A few examples at the time of writing:
- Japanese Pokémon 30th Celebration pack: CA$18
- Pulp Figures historical weapons set: CA$22
- Deepcut terrain area footprints: CA$50
- Used BattleTech Clan Command Star: CA$60
- Used Chaos Lord in Terminator Armour, well painted: CA$75
The store also runs a sale section of marked-down items, advertised as 40% off, so it is worth checking before paying full price for anything that is in stock.
Shipping
According to the store's shipping policy, orders ship within 1–2 business days and you should receive a tracking number by email. There is free shipping on orders over CA$200.
One thing to watch: if an order contains a pre-order item, the whole order is held until every item is ready to ship. If you want in-stock items quickly, place pre-orders as a separate order.
Hamilton-area buyers can also visit the physical location at 162 Parkdale Ave North.
Returns: only 7 days
This is the policy to read before you order. Tistaminis offers returns or exchanges within 7 days of purchase, for items that are unused and in the same condition you received them. You pay the return shipping. That is shorter than many online stores, so inspect your parcel as soon as it arrives.
Payment and community
Checkout accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Shop Pay. The store also runs community events and a Discord server, which is a good sign for a hobby shop — it suggests the people behind it actually play.
Who should buy from Tistaminis
- Canadian Warhammer players who want new releases and pre-orders shipped domestically, priced in CAD.
- Army builders on a budget who can save by mixing used kits with new ones.
- Painters who want several paint brands in one order.
- Collectors looking for older or out-of-production miniatures.
Think twice if you need a long return window, or if you plan to combine an urgent in-stock purchase with a pre-order in the same basket.
Tistaminis coupon codes
We did not find a verified public coupon code at the time of writing, and we do not publish codes we cannot confirm. The most reliable savings are the store's own sale section and the free-shipping threshold. Any working offers we find are listed on our Tistaminis coupons page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Tistaminis located?
Tistaminis Inc is based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with a store at 162 Parkdale Ave North.
Does Tistaminis sell used Warhammer?
Yes. Used miniatures are one of its largest sections, organised by army, along with used BattleTech.
Does Tistaminis offer free shipping?
Yes, on orders over CA$200, according to the store's homepage.
What is the Tistaminis return policy?
Returns or exchanges are accepted within 7 days of purchase for unused items in their original condition; the buyer pays return shipping.
Why hasn't my Tistaminis order shipped?
If your order includes a pre-order item, the entire order waits until all items are ready. Otherwise orders ship within 1–2 business days.
The bottom line
Tistaminis is a genuinely useful store for tabletop gamers, especially in Canada: wide Games Workshop coverage, a large used section, many paint brands and fast dispatch on in-stock items. Split pre-orders from in-stock purchases, check used listings carefully, and remember the 7-day return window.
Disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on the Tistaminis website at the time of writing and may change.