Retired Figures - What happens to them? (1 Viewer)

[Cornwallis]

When a range of figures, vehicles etc are retired what actually happens to those not sold?


1. Does each individual dealer across the world just hold onto any remaining sets in a stock room until they are eventually sold?

2. Do the dealers have to return remaining sets to main K&C production headquarters to sit in a giant warehouse of all unsold retired sets?

3. Are they melted down and recycled?

I would be interested to know as an AWI collector the new forthcoming 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers have seen the retirements of the Hessians and the old tricorne wearing range of redcoats.

I am still hoping to add some of these retiring sets but cannot commit to one big purchase of those I am missing and am concerned I wont be able to complete my display.

 

[wayne556517]

Most go straight to ebay at twice the price..................

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I think retired just means that K&C will not produce any more and once K&C inventory is depleted, dealers won't be able to order any more. Retired items can still be bought from dealers until they sell out, and then it's e-bay to find sold out items.

Terry

 

[Vezzolf]

Most go straight to ebay at twice the price..................

Sadly,I believe you will find a dealer (I believe) on e-bay who is currently selling or I should say "attempting" to sell many retired K/C at 3-4X's original price....Unfortunately this has been the pattern for retired pieces

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Sadly,I believe you will find a dealer (I believe) on e-bay who is currently selling or I should say "attempting" to sell many retired K/C at 3-4X's original price....Unfortunately this has been the pattern for retired pieces

It really depends on the piece. If it is a long retired, popular piece with a low production volume, that is true. But most retired pieces still in dealer inventory are sold at their original price and many pieces made in the past few years show up on e-bay and can be had from individuals for less than their original price.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

When a range of figures, vehicles etc are retired what actually happens to those not sold?


1. Does each individual dealer across the world just hold onto any remaining sets in a stock room until they are eventually sold?

2. Do the dealers have to return remaining sets to main K&C production headquarters to sit in a giant warehouse of all unsold retired sets?

3. Are they melted down and recycled?

I would be interested to know as an AWI collector the new forthcoming 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers have seen the retirements of the Hessians and the old tricorne wearing range of redcoats.

I am still hoping to add some of these retiring sets but cannot commit to one big purchase of those I am missing and am concerned I wont be able to complete my display.

Some dealers will put aside the pieces for you for a while. And you can ask dealers what their inventory is like - that may give an idea as to how long they will last. And check e-bay to see if the pieces you want show up frequently or not.

Terry

 

[Capitolron]

I have found that most K&C dealers keep the figures in their inventory and continue to sell them at the original price - there are a few dealers who quickly take the figures off their shelves and sell them at inflated prices.

This is unfortunate since they bought the figures from K&C below retail at a Dealers Price - which other collectors cannot.

 

[marco55]

There seems to be some dealers who have older sets but don't have websites.There is a couple in Gettysburg like that and I'm sure around the country.
Mark

 

[mikemiller1955]

I know Martin at KingsX treated me really nice...when I went to the San Antonio show he got me a "long retired" MK-08 off the shelf at retail...

 

[damian]

Most of the retired figures initially have a great deal of trouble adapting. They are not used to so much free time. They tend to hang around the house and upset their wives. Eventually most of them try their hands at selling real estate to give them something to do.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Most of the retired figures initially have a great deal of trouble adapting. They are not used to so much free time. They tend to hang around the house and upset their wives. Eventually most of them try their hands at selling real estate to give them something to do.

LOL

Sounds like someone is suffering from vouvouzela shock.

Terry

 

[Wraith]

Most of the retired figures initially have a great deal of trouble adapting. They are not used to so much free time. They tend to hang around the house and upset their wives. Eventually most of them try their hands at selling real estate to give them something to do.

So, the retired figures have contributed towards increased divorce rates and worldwide recession?

 

[kilted vampire]

I have found that most K&C dealers keep the figures in their inventory and continue to sell them at the original price - there are a few dealers who quickly take the figures off their shelves and sell them at inflated prices.

This is unfortunate since they bought the figures from K&C below retail at a Dealers Price - which other collectors cannot.

Ron is absolutely correct. There are many dealers who are very reputable.

 

[Vezzolf]

Most of the retired figures initially have a great deal of trouble adapting. They are not used to so much free time. They tend to hang around the house and upset their wives. Eventually most of them try their hands at selling real estate to give them something to do.

LOL LOL....very good

 

[arnhem44mad]

I thought 'that retired' meant that companies could make their last orders for sets, then 'discontinued' when there are no more of those sets being made, so companies can no longer order those sets.

 

[King & Country]

“Going… Going… Gone!”

Hi Guys,

When K&C tells dealers and collectors that an item or items are “being retired” it usually means that no more production re-orders are being issued and all remaining stock will be sold off once and for all.

When we make these announcements we usually have anything between 50-150 examples of that item still available at K&C HQ.

From past experience most dealers will snap these up in order that their favourite customer/collectors will still be able to get this or that “special piece” for their collection… at the regular price.

On very, very rare occasions dealers will request that K&C do a “Special Reorder One-off” for very popular items such as some LAH figures. In those occasions we will ask dealers exactly how many they wish and then make that one-off “Reorder”.

However, I must stress that generally this does not happen… “Retirement” in the vast majority of cases means exactly what it says.

On a related matter…​

Our old chum Vezzolf informs us that he knows an ebay dealer who “sells off many retired items at 3/4 of the original price”… and, according to Vezzolf, “this has been the pattern for retired pieces”. I am indeed grateful to Mr. V. for this information as I know he keeps an eagle eye on everything we do. So, can you please inform all of us “Treefroggers” and K&C who exactly is the mystery ebay dealer?

I would appreciate personally all your help and advice on this matter

Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Re: “Going… Going… Gone!”

Hi Guys,

When K&C tells dealers and collectors that an item or items are “being retired” it usually means that no more production re-orders are being issued and all remaining stock will be sold off once and for all.

When we make these announcements we usually have anything between 50-150 examples of that item still available at K&C HQ.

From past experience most dealers will snap these up in order that their favourite customer/collectors will still be able to get this or that “special piece” for their collection… at the regular price.

On very, very rare occasions dealers will request that K&C do a “Special Reorder One-off” for very popular items such as some LAH figures. In those occasions we will ask dealers exactly how many they wish and then make that one-off “Reorder”.

However, I must stress that generally this does not happen… “Retirement” in the vast majority of cases means exactly what it says.

On a related matter…​

Our old chum Vezzolf informs us that he knows an ebay dealer who “sells off many retired items at 3/4 of the original price”… and, according to Vezzolf, “this has been the pattern for retired pieces”. I am indeed grateful to Mr. V. for this information as I know he keeps an eagle eye on everything we do. So, can you please inform all of us “Treefroggers” and K&C who exactly is the mystery ebay dealer?

I would appreciate personally all your help and advice on this matter

Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C.

Andy - I think Vezzolf was complaining that a few dealers were selling retired items at 3 times to 4 times the original price - he was really talking about a few dealers speculating in some popular pieces.

Terry

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

I just read Terry (Phantom Warrior) and his reply… and also re-read Mr. V’s original email…

Apologies Vezzolf I misread your post I thought it meant three quarters i.e. 3/4 instead of “3-4 times original price”… Sorry, once again, time for me to eat a piece of humble pie!

Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C.

 

[wayne556517]

Hi Guys,

I just read Terry (Phantom Warrior) and his reply… and also re-read Mr. V’s original email…

Apologies Vezzolf I misread your post I thought it meant three quarters i.e. 3/4 instead of “3-4 times original price”… Sorry, once again, time for me to eat a piece of humble pie!

Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C.

Ive tried that pie dont taste to good.......................

 

[Cornwallis]

Ive tried that pie dont taste to good.......................

Wash it down with a few beers, it does wonders!