A question on retiring sets (1 Viewer)

[Cornwallis]

I was re-arranging my display the other night and had a pang of regret that there are several multiples of certain figures that I need from a series that is now retired.

I'm sure i'm not the only person in that position so why do sets etc get retired when there is still demand for them, surely from a business point of view it would make sense to keep them going.

Also as we all appreciate the average cost per figure is going up, so this means particularly for me less figures per purchase and therefore by the time the figures are retired I am nowhere near where I want to be, but still have intent to purchase if they were available!

 

[Rob]

I was re-arranging my display the other night and had a pang of regret that there are several multiples of certain figures that I need from a series that is now retired.

I'm sure i'm not the only person in that position so why do sets etc get retired when there is still demand for them, surely from a business point of view it would make sense to keep them going.

Also as we all appreciate the average cost per figure is going up, so this means particularly for me less figures per purchase and therefore by the time the figures are retired I am nowhere near where I want to be, but still have intent to purchase if they were available!

There are a variety of reasons why sets and figures are retired. Sometimes its because new versions are on the way, sometimes its because space is needed for newer items, not easy to store so much stock,and sometimes it just because they've had a long run and its time to make something else. Some retired items are around for sometime after they retire whilst others are gone very quickly, its another element that makes collecting K&C addictive,to buy or not to buy, that is the question?!:smile2:

Rob

 

[Mitch]

A lot of sets when retired by K&CHK are still available from dealers for quite some time and you could always look around and pick them up that way. Many sets don't go sky rocketing just cause they are discon. You could always ask whoever your local dealer is about holding them for you and picking them off when you can. I am sure a good dealer would do this for you

Rob has answered the why and wherefore of some of the reasons for disco items
Mitch

 

[Rob]

And part of the fun is learning how to pick which set will be gone almost right away and which may be around for some time. Not too many retirements in this last Dispatches luckily enough.

Rob

 

[Guy]

A lot of sets when retired by K&CHK are still available from dealers for quite some time and you could always look around and pick them up that way. Many sets don't go sky rocketing just cause they are discon. You could always ask whoever your local dealer is about holding them for you and picking them off when you can. I am sure a good dealer would do this for you

Rob has answered the why and wherefore of some of the reasons for disco items
Mitch

Mitch is absolutely right. Dealers and local shops have almost always retired items in stock .I just purchased last week through my local shop WS 117 retired last may.
guy:smile2:

 

[MC BOWEN]

Just think of the amount of inventory k&c would have to keep if it did not retire sets,mike b.

 

[Blowtorch]

its another element that makes collecting K&C addictive,

On the other hand it makes me very cautious about buying a new series or style. Two recent examples: For AWI, the sculpt style of AWI Brits was changed from the previous marching set, now they are chunkier. I had bought the previous AWI marching Brits with intentions to massively expand, but now that is dashed. I will not be buying AWI again, ever.

Crete paratroops, abandoned.

What these examples are telling me is not to buy

 

[Rob]

On the other hand it makes me very cautious about buying a new series or style. Two recent examples: For AWI, the sculpt style of AWI Brits was changed from the previous marching set, now they are chunkier. I had bought the previous AWI marching Brits with intentions to massively expand, but now that is dashed. I will not be buying AWI again, ever.

Crete paratroops, abandoned.

What these examples are telling me is not to buy

I don't get it,what's your point about the Crete Paratroops. They were retired, they remained around a little while and then they were mostly gone, pretty normal procedure?

Rob

 

[Mitch]

Rob..

I think it may be that there was not sufficient in the range before they went. No follow on's or a greater amount of sets in the two series of FJ's
Mitch

I don't get it,what's your point about the Crete Paratroops. They were retired, they remained around a little while and then they were mostly gone, pretty normal procedure?

Rob

 

[Rob]

Rob..

I think it may be that there was not sufficient in the range before they went. No follow on's or a greater amount of sets in the two series of FJ's
Mitch

I see Mitch, I think they were around for quite a while and maybe Andy considered they were not as popular as say Normandy might be.But it was done in the normal way and sooner or later most things are retired. I guess you can't please all collectors all the time. Personally the Crete FJ's are my favourite of these elite troops, that blue/grey uniform is really nice.

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Rob..

I think it may be that there was not sufficient in the range before they went. No follow on's or a greater amount of sets in the two series of FJ's
Mitch

I'm assuming that, financially, it wasn't a big winner.

 

[Mitch]

Surprising for me that they were not. especially, with the popularity of the original FJ releases. the new ones were good figures with decent fighting poses and, its all the more surprising with the popularity of TG's FJ's
Mitch

I'm assuming that, financially, it wasn't a big winner.

 

[jazzeum]

Yes, they were nicely done. Perhaps more than one release was never in the cards.

 

[Mitch]

You may be right
Mitch

Yes, they were nicely done. Perhaps more than one release was never in the cards.

 

[Rob]

The Crete figures are great examples of K&C work, lifelike, action poses and nicely painted. I especially like the lying down sets and the guy with weapons container. Great range and glad I snapped them up, they didn't last too long at stockists I don't think.

Rob

 

[Blowtorch]

I don't get it,what's your point about the Crete Paratroops. They were retired, they remained around a little while and then they were mostly gone, pretty normal procedure?

Rob

Mitch summed it up, I was disappointed that there weren't follow ups.

Now, as for them sitting in store shelves, this brings up a good point. Were they sitting in stores because of people reluctant like me, or was there in fact no interest? It's a what came first question, the chicken or the egg?

This isn't something I complain about, however I mention my stories to illustrate that reading market interest by sales alone may not be painting an accurate picture, at least for new theme figures. I have a lot of hesitation now about new topic pieces, & I may not be alone. I made the wrong call on AWI, and thought that those Brits would be a core range. I made the right call on Crete...as much as I love them, I didn't buy them & now don't regret it. I would have been very unhappy with those few sets.

I also wonder if those early 4 walking DDAY Brits had a similar situation. They lasted on the market forever (maybe still there) and by coincidence, they were loners. They never had a companion set or anything. I didn't get those either & don't regret it. Could it be that others didn't buy them because they were out there all alone?

 

[Rob]

The ' Tommy Patrol' D day Brits although alone when it came to other figures, were released around the same time as the Churchill and Staghound armoured car in a Brit/ commonwealth release. I know they are very popular over here with many Brit collectors owning them , those of us who did buy them are now very pleased we did as they look very good either leaving the landing craft or walking alongside any of several Brit AFV's.

As for the Crete FJ's although not that many compared to other ranges, again when you have all of them together they look superb and are easily the best FJ's K&C have produced so far.

I think if you like a set or number of sets but are not sure if they will have anything to go with (am talking WW2 here) it's better to get them and enjoy them and often something will come along you can use them with;

Cheers

Rob

Mitch summed it up, I was disappointed that there weren't follow ups.

Now, as for them sitting in store shelves, this brings up a good point. Were they sitting in stores because of people reluctant like me, or was there in fact no interest? It's a what came first question, the chicken or the egg?

This isn't something I complain about, however I mention my stories to illustrate that reading market interest by sales alone may not be painting an accurate picture, at least for new theme figures. I have a lot of hesitation now about new topic pieces, & I may not be alone. I made the wrong call on AWI, and thought that those Brits would be a core range. I made the right call on Crete...as much as I love them, I didn't buy them & now don't regret it. I would have been very unhappy with those few sets.

I also wonder if those early 4 walking DDAY Brits had a similar situation. They lasted on the market forever (maybe still there) and by coincidence, they were loners. They never had a companion set or anything. I didn't get those either & don't regret it. Could it be that others didn't buy them because they were out there all alone?

 

[King & Country]

Re : RETIREMENTS

Hi Guys,

Items are retired for a variety of reasons and here are the most common…

1. They’re been in production for several years and it’s time to introduce newer, better versions.
2. They’ve sold as many as we think they’re going to sell and it’s time to move on…
3. The company needs the warehouse space for newer items coming in.
4. Sales have underperformed and the production capacity would be better utilized on certain “sure-fire” sellers,
5. A series or set of figures does not always have the “legs” for a long-running range like “Normandy ‘44” or “Berlin 38” or even “Streets of Old Hong Kong”… but is still worth doing on a limited release schedule.
A final point… some collectors would like all items (or at least their particular favorites )to remain in the catalogue for as long as it takes them to decide whether to purchase that certain piece… or not.
Other collectors want a cast-iron guarantee that a series or range will be extended and added to indefinitely.
Alas no company (certainly not K&C) has that kind of crystal ball that can predict what will sell or not or for how long any series will continue.

As a collector myself the best advice I can offer is this… “If you like it – buy it… if more comes out later – that’s terrific. If not well be happy with what you got and have fun with it. To make a great scene, diorama or display all you need most of the time are a few good soldiers… a vehicle or two… a nice piece of “setting” and… a little creativity!

Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!!!
Best wishes and happy collecting.
Andy

 

[Mitch]

Brit patrol was IMO probably one of the best D-Day sets released (troop wise)
Mitch

The ' Tommy Patrol' D day Brits although alone when it came to other figures, were released around the same time as the Churchill and Staghound armoured car in a Brit/ commonwealth release. I know they are very popular over here with many Brit collectors owning them , those of us who did buy them are now very pleased we did as they look very good either leaving the landing craft or walking alongside any of several Brit AFV's.

As for the Crete FJ's although not that many compared to other ranges, again when you have all of them together they look superb and are easily the best FJ's K&C have produced so far.

I think if you like a set or number of sets but are not sure if they will have anything to go with (am talking WW2 here) it's better to get them and enjoy them and often something will come along you can use them with;

Cheers

Rob

 

[The Military Workshop]

Regarding the first post figures that can be bought in multiples (ie marching, standing or kneeling firing type) have in my experience a tendency to have a longer shelf life than others for the reason some will buy in multiples.

The FJ series sold less than I was thinking they would but were a nice group.

Brit Patrol DD64 was very popular which explained why it was around for quite a while. A similar set would be EA009 4 Desert rats which is one of the last 4 man sets.

Regards
Brett