What to buy for resale. (1 Viewer)

[Gideon]

I think they did some ad spots on the history channel - I have no idea if it was that successfull.

I really think that the toy soldier PRODUCERS should take up some of the initiative in regards to search engine PPC advertising.

We dealers go to great expense to attract new customers to our site via paid clicks on Google, Yahoo, etc.

I think it would be a great idea to display a text ad to attract people to the manufacturers websites. Like, put a paid ad on the keyword WWII or German Soldiers - something like that.

That is an enourmous audience and huge number clicks are generated monthly on these keywords.

If any vendor is interested in doing a marketing campaign of that nature I would be happy to help craft the campaign. I have a lot of successful experience in these campaigns. It does have a cost but it is much more reasonable than television. The audience is targeted based on those keywords so it is more like sniper shots versus buck shot.

I've made this offer with no takers and the initiative not being taken up - that shocks me.

Everyone seems to have tunnel vision in this regard. It's like "I'm going to hold my turf no matter what and collaborate with noone". Short term, I guess that's ok. Long term the hobby fades away.

 

[Capitolron]

I really dont think the Toy Soldier Hobby is going to fade away - because the producers dont advertise on the History Channel or any other TV Channel for that matter.

The individual stores can produce and run in their own markets a TV spot at a great reduce cost than a National campaign. Maybe if Andy - want to produce a "can" TV spot generic so everyone could use - I could see that.

But, the fact remains that our hobby has changed from Shows-to-internet for alot of the purchases with collectors. Its more out of time economy than lack of interest.

Also the hobby has changed from low-end production items at a small cost to a high-end item (like K&C) with a greater cost.

I think the predictions of the demise of the Toy Soldier Industry is very premature. Now - the demise of the Toy Soldier Store - that is a very different argument and you have the internet to blame for alot of that.

Ron

 

[damian]

Whatever industry you are in if you ask the professional body controling it to give a report on the current state of the industry then the words looming crisis are used. No body ever goes away and reports back that everything is fine just hunky dory ,couldn't be better thank you very much No-one wants to hear that sort of happy talk. It will depress them. better to say things like I have grave concenrs about the furture of our organization, industry whatever blah blah blah. So the current thread is very much in that spirit. Gloom and doom. Toy soldiere are a dying hobby the bublle will burst soon. We are going to stop collecting toy ssoldiers and get something else.

 

[Capitolron]

Whatever industry you are in if you ask the professional body controling it to give a report on the current state of the industry then the words looming crisis are used. No body ever goes away and reports back that everything is fine just hunky dory ,couldn't be better thank you very much No-one wants to hear that sort of happy talk. It will depress them. better to say things like I have grave concenrs about the furture of our organization, industry whatever blah blah blah. So the current thread is very much in that spirit. Gloom and doom. Toy soldiere are a dying hobby the bublle will burst soon. We are going to stop collecting toy ssoldiers and get something else.

Amen - Brother - Amen.

 

[kilted vampire]

About 1/4 of my collection are Britains recasts that I painted myself. The other day my teenaged son was looking at some of the more expensive Imperial and Mignot sets of mine. I told him one day they'd be going to him. He said the figures he'd want the most are the ones that I painted. So that made them the most valuable figures I have even though they're worth zilch on the secondary market.

Did he ask for the keys to the car after that?

I think that is great! I get the greatest enjoyment from painting. It will be worth nothing to the outside world. Maybe my son will appreciate mine as well

 

[vandilay]

Whatever industry you are in if you ask the professional body controling it to give a report on the current state of the industry then the words looming crisis are used. No body ever goes away and reports back that everything is fine just hunky dory ,couldn't be better thank you very much No-one wants to hear that sort of happy talk. It will depress them. better to say things like I have grave concenrs about the furture of our organization, industry whatever blah blah blah. So the current thread is very much in that spirit. Gloom and doom. Toy soldiere are a dying hobby the bublle will burst soon. We are going to stop collecting toy ssoldiers and get something else.

Except Real estate agents,if you talk to them its all a box of fluffys no
matter whats going on

 

[Capitolron]

Lets ask Andy - if he feels the Toy Soldier Hobby is crashing??? - I think NOT

 

[Steven Chong]

Lets ask Andy - if he feels the Toy Soldier Hobby is crashing??? - I think NOT

Andy touched on this subject during his 2006 Chicago talk.

... Andy first spoke about the general toy soldier industry. Unlike some, he felt there was great potential. He disclosed that K&C for the last 10 years increased its business 30 to 40% EACH year! He did not think K&C could be getting this type of increases unless it was bringing new collectors into the hobby. In 2007, Andy's intent is to make K&C more known to non-collectors by doing more advertising. "K&C will continue to improve." He then mentioned Figarti, Honour Bound and the new Britains were all companies that were also improving.

... 2) Advertising? Andy mentioned he was looking into advertising on the History Channel, mentioning that it averaged about 1 million viewers and if only .25% of these viewers discovered K&C via advertising, that would be 2500 new collectors. K&C also considering advertising in non-toy soldier magazines, and joint venture advertising with dealers similar to what it does with K&C UK.

3) Join other toy soldier manufacturers to do general advertising about the hobby? Did not want to do advertising with its competitors.​

 

[Capitolron]

Andy touched on this subject during his 2006 Chicago talk.

... Andy first spoke about the general toy soldier industry. Unlike some, he felt there was great potential. He disclosed that K&C for the last 10 years increased its business 30 to 40% EACH year! He did not think K&C could be getting this type of increases unless it was bringing new collectors into the hobby. In 2007, Andy's intent is to make K&C more known to non-collectors by doing more advertising. "K&C will continue to improve." He then mentioned Figarti, Honour Bound and the new Britains were all companies that were also improving.

... 2) Advertising? Andy mentioned he was looking into advertising on the History Channel, mentioning that it averaged about 1 million viewers and if only .25% of these viewers discovered K&C via advertising, that would be 2500 new collectors. K&C also considering advertising in non-toy soldier magazines, and joint venture advertising with dealers similar to what it does with K&C UK.

3) Join other toy soldier manufacturers to do general advertising about the hobby? Did not want to do advertising with its competitors.​

Thanks Steven

That should help our "chicken littles" on the future of the hobby.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I think both Gideon and Andy are correct - because they are talking about two different hobbies. Gideon is correct in his assessment that the traditional toy soldier hobby, the one that centered around nostalgia for the old hollowcast figures from Britains, Mignot, Heyde and the like, is dying, and for a very simple reason, the people who feel nostalgic about those figures are either in their 80's, 90's or, well, dying. When you go to the Chicago Show, you can pass many rooms where an elderly gentleman or couple have neatly set out their collection of these "true" toy soldiers (i.e. originally intended to be sold to children as toys), and the only people showing interest are other octegenarians.

Andy, on the other hand, is correct in his assessment of the new, non-traditional matt "military miniatures", the market for which is growing among the same group of people who have made the History and Military chanels so popular. The market for these "adult toys", fairly well educated people, interested in history, primarily in their 30's through 60's, with enough disposable income to spend an average of $500 to $1,000 per month on a hobby, hasn't even been tapped yet. When I had my office in the City set up with a few hundred soldiers and about 10 armored vehicles, other attorneys would constantly be poking their noses in and asking questions about the hobby, and where they could get these figures. I believe that if Andy can reach this market, via TV or print advertising in combination with "brick and mortar" stores located where potential new collectors can easily go and actually view and handle the products, the hobby will grow exponentially.

As far as the value of K&C on the secondary market, I really don't care, as I have no interest in selling my collection. With that as a disclaimer, I think the value of K&C products will expand or contract with the growth or decline of the hobby in general. If new collectors keep coming in every year, there will always be a percentage of "completists" like myself who will want everything K&C has made, which will keep the price on retired items high. If the number of collectors becomes static, or declines, retired K&C figures will decline in value, except among the few remaining collectors who retain an interest and have a completist viewpoint. As most of us, Andy included, have said, collect what you like. If it goes up in value, that's a bonus, but if you really enjoy your collection, you already have got your money's worth.

 

[jazzeum]

As made clear in the last two paragraphs of Louis' post, you have to distinguish between new collectors and the hardcore. The key to keeping the hobby vibrant is to keep bringing the new collectors in who eventually become the hardcore. Any hobby will always have the hardcore but if new blood does not come in, well, you know how that story ends.

The key is how to get them to come in. It would appear to be mostly word of mouth, certainly there is no concerted organized effort. Andy has been talking about advertising for awhile but there have been no concrete plans in that direction as far as I can see. As with any marketing effort, you probably need to sign up with an agency to develop an advertising campaign and probably hire a PR firm in that regard. Firms such as these have a way of measuring results of campaigns so only time will tell.

With respect to the two posts prior to Louis', I have yet to know of a manufacturer who is not bullish on the prospects of his profession. If they're not, they are either in the wrong business or looking for ways to exit that business.

 

[Capitolron]

Louis

I agree with your assesment of the Toy Soldier World. However, from what I read in Gideon's remarks it was his concern for a "general soon to be demise" of the entire hobby itself - Which I dont agree.

It would be wise for Andy to invest in targeted marketing and making available generic ad materials that Toy Soldier Shop could use in their small media markets. If the shop owners business grows so does demand and revenue for profit.

I for one was truely amazed at your collection and the effort you put into displaying it all. Your hospitality during the NYC event was second to none. And your collection is wonderful. The amount of time and money you have put into is impressive as well.

However, I personally have a different collection. My is based on:
1) What I like at the time
2) Space to display (I am not a big beliver in keeping things in boxes in a closet)
3) My enjoyment
4) What new - and exciting that I would like to have.
5) Willingness to replace and make the investment in my collection work for my collection.

For that I am one of those collectors who from time to time put things on ebay and sell them when my direction changes or desires change with new ranges. I am not a believer that once I have bought something - I must keep it forever. Quite on the contrary - I am the guy who helps others - like you - fill out your collections and help you buy things that are long retired or hard to find. Without people like me in the hobby - it makes the hobby hard for your collection needs.

Thats why I have never understood this mean - negative attitudes towards collectors who rotate their collections? - Not pointing fingers at you personally Louis - Myself and others who sell helps due to my examples above and it helps you - because you get the chance to buy more items you want - that are not up for retail sale. That doesnt make you a better collector than me or vise versa. What it does mean is that we both have an important part in the collectors world.

Anyway - I think there is room for everyone in the hobby and as I have said before: WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR COLLECTION IS YOUR BUSINESS.

Those are my thoughts

Ron

 

[kilted vampire]

Not to offend, but anyone and I mean anyone who speculates on this hobby is either lucky or a fool. The changing attitudes of the hobby make speculation a hit or miss proposition. Most dealers who are reputable do not take old stock and start marking up according to the secondary market. For instance our hosts , Sierra Toy Soldiers and London Bridge Toys.
But hey if you don't want to buy and enjoy your figures buy from them in multiples. You'll at least make them happy. I almost always lose money when selling off my stuff. I know from experience what a fool is.

If you turn a hobby into a business, you lose a hobby.

 

[OzDigger]

Very true KV, speculation on collectables is rarely good for a collectable hobby, or the individual. Speculation creates a false market that invariably collapses, leaving many poorer and bitter people in its wake. Especially those that came in late on the game to discover they paid way to make for their sets on eBay.

Which is why I have been suggesting that we should pay less attention to speculating on retired pieces on eBay and focus more on the rapidly improving items that are available from the different manufacturers and their dealers. To be frank I think these people need and deserve our support.

 

[Capitolron]

To be honest - I only have interests in King and Country and John Jenkins.

I dont buy products to support companies - I buy what I like for my own collection and amusement. Nothing against the other guys - but, with King and Country products I really dont see the need for me to buy anything else.

 

[jazzeum]

I'm really principally interested in the 1/30 scale (K & C and Honour Bound) and Figarti, plus the glossy toy soldier that K & C used to make (although I do have a couple of BG sets). I know some people here love the traditional toy soldier and I think that's wonderful as it's an area I don't know enough about as I should and I'm glad those sections of the Forum are becoming more vibrant such as the Delhi Durbar sections (I find them fascinating reading) and developing more of a following as this Forum should not just be a King and Country forum but one for all kinds of toy soldiers and military minatures.

 

[Rob]

I guess i must take some of the blame for that.When i first arrived here i thought it was a sort of unofficial K&C fan club and to a point have treated it as such.However i now enjoy the other threads and enjoy reading about other producers and other peoples collections.Its also fascinating reading how similar my interests to other people.We were having a discussion the other day and lots of us had collected 1/72 1/35 soldiers, Commando comics,Action man etc.

My law of collecting 1/30 is this.If i like it AND it fits with my K&C without looking out of place i will buy it.So far i have only brought three things other than K&C.HB's winter Panther which is Stunning(you really should check it out Ron)and from NMA the Mortar set and the winter Sturmtiger.These are all very good examples of my criteria and am very happy with them.

As i have said before one of the things i like about this forum with all the different threads is that i learn a lot and am inspired to do more.

Rob

 

[Capitolron]

Rob

I will check out that Tank - need to see it up close.

I am always amazed at this conversation - THIS IS THE KING AND COUNTRY THREAD - Most of us love K&C here and we want to talk about why we love K&C. This thread has the most people by a factor of many - over other threads. So why do people come on this thread and get upset to find ANDY's FAN CLUB here? We dont talk about K&C on other threads - of talk them down on theirs.

So why cant the BIG FANS of K&C and of Andy - be simply left unjudged here?

Brad - Lets start another thread on WHY I HATE KING AND COUNTRY or WHY I THINK ANDY IS A BAD GUY - then for those guys who agree with that thread can leave this thread and trash Andy and K&C morning - noon and night. Or maybe we can put a disclaimer at the top of this thread : WARNING - K&C and ANDY WILL BE PROMOTED AND PROTECTED HERE!

I mean I am getting sick of the complaining about people talking good about K&C on the K&C Thread - Am I missing something here???

If all this positive talk about K&C and Andy bothers you - then you will really be bothered by me forever on this thread. GOT IT!

Ron

 

[kilted vampire]

I guess i must take some of the blame for that.When i first arrived here i thought it was a sort of unofficial K&C fan club and to a point have treated it as such.However i now enjoy the other threads and enjoy reading about other producers and other peoples collections.Its also fascinating reading how similar my interests to other people.We were having a discussion the other day and lots of us had collected 1/72 1/35 soldiers, Commando comics,Action man etc.

My law of collecting 1/30 is this.If i like it AND it fits with my K&C without looking out of place i will buy it.So far i have only brought three things other than K&C.HB's winter Panther which is Stunning(you really should check it out Ron)and from NMA the Mortar set and the winter Sturmtiger.These are all very good examples of my criteria and am very happy with them.

As i have said before one of the things i like about this forum with all the different threads is that i learn a lot and am inspired to do more.

Rob

That is right Rob! There is more to live than (close your eyes C-ron) K&C

 

[OzDigger]

My law of collecting 1/30 is this.If i like it AND it fits with my K&C without looking out of place i will buy it.So far i have only brought three things other than K&C.HB's winter Panther which is Stunning(you really should check it out Ron)and from NMA the Mortar set and the winter Sturmtiger.These are all very good examples of my criteria and am very happy with them.

Rob

Hi Rob, I'm like you in that I don't just stick to the one manufacturer. I bought the HB Barkmann Panther, the NMA Summer Sturmtiger and A/Korps Armoured Car, and scored two bonus NMA Mortar Sets which have excellent detail. And they fit in nicely with my K & C pieces.

Btw guys, forums are for discussing all aspects of this hobby which includes critical comments, praise, demand/wish lists, etc. I agree that K & C are the best company overall. But some companies have made different and or better pieces than K & C, which is why I pick and choose from a variety of manufacturers. This ensures more variety in my collection and also provides support for the smaller companies that we need to keep K & C looking over their shoulder.