Wow (2 Viewers)

[Harrytheheid]

I collect K&C Napoleonics, both British and French since they first came out, but I don't think of them as an investment....their part of my "current model soldier collection". I've never bought any retired figures at above original retail and haven't thought about selling any because of the retired prices are going up.

If you think the WW2 guys look down on Napoleonics, try getting them interested in the Streets of Old Hong Kong!

Jeff

I love that post Jeff.
It reflects my attitude towards our collection as well.
To be fair, quite a few of our WWII collectors do appreciate the inherent attractiveness of SOHK/IC - but I guess they prefer to spend their cash on WWII - and that's okay. Each of us is different in our collecting preferences, and I believe that's the way it should be. Besides, it sounds like my Figarti LRDG Chevy has arrived in China and I'll pick it up around 20th May.....Yippee..!!

Meanwhile, I reckon our SOHK collection will be completely up to date at the end of May - if not, then certainly by the end of July. Just in time to be receiving K&C UK's TRL.....
Never stops does it..??

Cheers
H

 

[Kiwi]

WELLINGTON

I'm defending the NAPS line of K&C figures ....I'm hoping someone else who collects this line will stand up and defend them as well...some reenforcements would be good...even if you are on Napoleons side...[/QUOTE]

Wellington, I only collect NAPS and amost exclusively K&C. I've been reading this thread with interest, especially what you and Tony both have had to say about the value of K&C NAPS. I've got to say I agree with both of you. I'm sure all NAP collectors do value their collections - as collectors of all ranges do. I collect mine because I love the colour and history of this period - everything else dulls by comparison in my opinion.

However, I must also agree with Tony regarding value. Lately there have been some really stupid bids for K&C NAPs on ebay. There seems to have emerged just 3 or 4 'new' ebayers who have bottomless pockets paying crazy prices for K&C NAPs which are not that rare on ebay as touted by some sellers and as Tony rightly pointed out, are still available through some retailers (I bought a number of the KGL from Tonys shop in Feb this year - Thanks Bob!!

These 3 or 4 are pricing it out of the reach of most, and unfortunately for the rest of us with our collections, I do feel it is only 'a flash in the pan'. It won't last and when these persons have finished playing catch-up, prices will uniformally settle back to what the market will bear. Its auction fever. Its basic Psychology 101 if you like and why I will never buy a house/property by auction. I'll sell mine by auction but never buy. You always pay an inflated price at auction - the competing thing is in our blood. Point at hand I was bidding for a 71st Highlander Pioneer the other day. Retired yes. Rare yes. "Very Very Rare" - no. With less than a minute to go the price sat at $52 approx. it sold a minute later for $228... I mean what the..!!?? It wasn't even a limited edition Last night the same guy bought the same figure for $53 - would he not be asking himself some questions by now?? Same thing with a Voltigeur - not "very hard to find" (there were 3 of them on ebay at the time and more since) and sold for $228 or thereabouts. Shheeeeesssshhh. Inflated prices for a very short time until these guys wives/girlfriends whatever find out their boys are spending the retirement fund quickly and unnecessarily.

Anyway Wellington, I know you will enjoy your K&C as much as I do. The value is always secondary - if it was primary we'd be investing in gold, not toy soldiers. The support we can give guys like Tony and Bob and all the other retailers is primary along with enjoying collecting NAPS and that to me is worth more than the insanity of ebay or any other auction.

Ok..I am now stepping down off my soap box and am gently being led away to that white van over there..... **** they found me again!!

Kiwi

 

[wadepat]

Hi Kiwi,

I find your post to be very insightful. I think it contains much wisdom and I appreciate you sharing your opinions and perceptions with us. I certainly agree with you concerning "auction fever" and inflated prices on the secondary market.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Kiwi]

Hi Kiwi,

I find your post to be very insightful. I think it contains much wisdom and I appreciate you sharing your opinions and perceptions with us. I certainly agree with you concerning "auction fever" and inflated prices on the secondary market.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

Thanks Pat! Good to hear from you.

Hope no-one minded my ranting. I don't often jump in like that (being one of the forum fringe dwellers) but ebay gives me the runs..

Cheers, Hang Loose!!

Kiwi

 

[kilted vampire]

WELLINGTON

I'm defending the NAPS line of K&C figures ....I'm hoping someone else who collects this line will stand up and defend them as well...some reenforcements would be good...even if you are on Napoleons side...

Wellington, I only collect NAPS and amost exclusively K&C. I've been reading this thread with interest, especially what you and Tony both have had to say about the value of K&C NAPS. I've got to say I agree with both of you. I'm sure all NAP collectors do value their collections - as collectors of all ranges do. I collect mine because I love the colour and history of this period - everything else dulls by comparison in my opinion.

However, I must also agree with Tony regarding value. Lately there have been some really stupid bids for K&C NAPs on ebay. There seems to have emerged just 3 or 4 'new' ebayers who have bottomless pockets paying crazy prices for K&C NAPs which are not that rare on ebay as touted by some sellers and as Tony rightly pointed out, are still available through some retailers (I bought a number of the KGL from Tonys shop in Feb this year - Thanks Bob!!

These 3 or 4 are pricing it out of the reach of most, and unfortunately for the rest of us with our collections, I do feel it is only 'a flash in the pan'. It won't last and when these persons have finished playing catch-up, prices will uniformally settle back to what the market will bear. Its auction fever. Its basic Psychology 101 if you like and why I will never buy a house/property by auction. I'll sell mine by auction but never buy. You always pay an inflated price at auction - the competing thing is in our blood. Point at hand I was bidding for a 71st Highlander Pioneer the other day. Retired yes. Rare yes. "Very Very Rare" - no. With less than a minute to go the price sat at $52 approx. it sold a minute later for $228... I mean what the..!!?? It wasn't even a limited edition Last night the same guy bought the same figure for $53 - would he not be asking himself some questions by now?? Same thing with a Voltigeur - not "very hard to find" (there were 3 of them on ebay at the time and more since) and sold for $228 or thereabouts. Shheeeeesssshhh. Inflated prices for a very short time until these guys wives/girlfriends whatever find out their boys are spending the retirement fund quickly and unnecessarily.

Anyway Wellington, I know you will enjoy your K&C as much as I do. The value is always secondary - if it was primary we'd be investing in gold, not toy soldiers. The support we can give guys like Tony and Bob and all the other retailers is primary along with enjoying collecting NAPS and that to me is worth more than the insanity of ebay or any other auction.

Ok..I am now stepping down off my soap box and am gently being led away to that white van over there..... **** they found me again!!

Kiwi[/QUOTE]

You are right of course but some of less than well to do can not afford to get into gold.

 

[theBaron]

I agree with the obersvations here; I just posted some similar observations on another thread earlier. They're things I've learned from the general field of antiques and collectibles.

One is that the price of an object in the secondary market is whatever the seller and buyer agree to at the time of the sale. The second is Rinker's Thirty Year Rule, from Harry Rinker, an author, collector and expert on collecting and collectibles. His rule is that for the first 30 years of an object's life, its value in the secondary market is purely speculative. I think those both apply to our specific field of toy soldiers.

And you're spot on about human psychology and auctions. Whether it's on eBay, or in an auction hall, the adrenaline gets flowing, and you have to be very careful not to lose control.

I can appreciate Mr. Neville's frustration, too, as a manufacturer, to see someone shelling out far more than the retail price for a set, when he has the same set in stock, sitting on the shelves. Buyers need to educate themselves, too. I think that some of the prices paid on eBay, at shows and in live auctions are paid by people who don't yet know enough about the subject, so they're not aware of current pricing for the same object.

Prost!
Brad

 

[HAWKEYE]

its not only kc naps , look at the recent sales of trophy naps on ebay, a polish lancer officer for $180 wow

 

[Spitfrnd]

Ebay is indeed a very quirky place. For many reasons, including the examples referenced here, you cannot get a reliable indication of true value from spot pricing there. At most, it represents the value to one or two buyers at that limited point in time. Of course it is a useful place too since, apart from the bidding mania that will show up, you can find things that are difficult to find anywhere else. You can also find things quickly that would take much search time to find a different way. In the end, it is just a market place option that anyone can take or leave or use as they like. I do not think that there is anything wrong with buying at auction there or anywhere else as long as you know what you want and what it is worth to you.

 

[Rob]

Thanks Pat! Good to hear from you.

Hope no-one minded my ranting. I don't often jump in like that (being one of the forum fringe dwellers) but ebay gives me the runs..

Cheers, Hang Loose!!

Kiwi

You know i can't see ebay using that as a tag line!!

Rob

 

[wellington]

Notice my Thread title WOW...I never said I thought they were worth that...I buy mine when they are released....and I always shop around...I think MANY of the WW2 sets are over priced and have sold on EBAY for too much as well ESPECIALLY sets like the FLAK Gun .....as I said before something is worth what someone is willing to pay....I don't care sell your NAPS for 25.00..I won't be. If I wanted to sell my KGL and make a profit I'd put mine on EBAY now while it was hot to sell...but...I'm a collector and they are not forsale..

WHY DON'T WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ON WW2 SETS THAT ARE OVER PRICED AND SHOULD SELL FOR WHAT THEY RETAILED AT??????


WELLINGTON