Thoughts on the new Romans. (1 Viewer)

[villagehorse]

Brian,
I haven't collected any of your ranges but only because you haven't made what I collect but I have always loved your animation and you always try to improve your figures (up to now).I don't know if your trying to be sarcastic or what but I would rather pay $40-$50 for one figure if the quality is there.I might not be able to buy as many figures but would enjoy what I got.Would you rather sell 10 figures of good quality at $40 a pop or 0 figures at $30 each.
Mark

Sorry Mark, seems a little silly you making any comment when you do not collect any TCS. No offense intended, but those of us that have spent time and money with TCS should be the ones making the observations. Cheers, Robin.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Brian has shown once again that customer service is a top priority for him. He has worked out a return/refund of the figures with me and has been very understanding in the process. I believe he truly intends to rectify the problem and bring his figures to that same excellent level that we have all come to expect from a CS product.

Now...that is nice to hear...it's comforting that someone will stand behind their product...I like the way both you guys are handling this...

 

[marco55]

Sorry Mark, seems a little silly you making any comment when you do not collect any TCS. No offense intended, but those of us that have spent time and money with TCS should be the ones making the observations. Cheers, Robin.

I thought this was a free forum to be able to voice our opinions.Could the guys from the far north be right?I've also talked very positive about CS products but I've heard no one complain.I think their Napoleans,ACW and the first batch of Romans were very good.I have bought a few sets from them and thought they were good but I didn't keep them as I decided not to collect that particular range.As a potential customer I think I do have a right to voice my opinion.One final say,Sahara did ask for people's opinion and did not limit it to only people who buy CS.
Mark

 

[mikemiller1955]

Mine are on the way, now I am worried, never considered they would be any different from the first releases. The only point I would say that occasionlly when I Photo my collection of all TS figures up too close, some strange things appear that the normal eye does not pick up from the usual viewing distance. Hopefully this is the case here. Cheers, Robin.

Robin...I quit taking extreme close ups of all my figures...they are neither flattering to the figure or show an accurate rendition of what the naked eye sees...in all fairness to Brian...this is a rough way to view the preview of the painting on these figures...the drybrushing...the washes...the shadowing and shading...they don't look that good up close on any figures...and I mean any figures...I think everyone would be surprised if they saw their figures magnified to this extreme...

 

[Sahara]

I agree that the close up shots were sort of unfair. That is why I posted 2 more shots from further back. Even further back you could still tell the difference. Maybe not as much but I still noticed. The thing that I couldn't get over was the faces and the holes in some of the figures. The holes really had me perplexed.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Robin...I quit taking extreme close ups of all my figures...they are neither flattering to the figure or show an accurate rendition of what the naked eye sees...in all fairness to Brian...this is a rough way to view the preview of the painting on these figures...the drybrushing...the washes...the shadowing and shading...they don't look that good up close on any figures...and I mean any figures...I think everyone would be surprised if they saw their figures magnified to this extreme...

I look at it a bit differently. Most companies figures look better to the naked eye than in extreme closeup photos. They are painted to a level of detail to be viewed by eye and not through a macro lense or magnifying glass. FL figures are an exception. They seem to be painted with finer detail and to me look better in a closeup photo than I can see them by eye alone.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Looks like CS hit the same problem I suspect have hit/will hit other manufacturers - having to go to a cheaper, less experienced factory and not getting the quality expected. If the plan was to lower quality for cost savings in the first place, that is a double hit.

There is no way around it. With rising production costs and shortages of trained workers, expect big price increases or much lower quality, or somewhere in between as the TS companies try to balance cost vs quality. And expect more variation in quality as the manufacturers go from their mainstay factories to new and untried sources of production.

Even as we speak of this, Vezzolf is computing a whole new set of value to price ratios to reflect the new reality. ^&grin

And I have to compliment Brian for giving us the straight story. ^&cool

Terry

 

[Mitch]

Terry...

Some of franks pics of the FL stalingrad range are not flattering and, I mentioned this and, was kindly reminded how brilliant these figures really are by their watchmen!!!!

I do think FL will be the winner in these quests for quality and cost control as, whether its palatable for some or not they do not seem to have some of the issues other mainstream manufacturers are having
Mitch

I look at it a bit differently. Most companies figures look better to the naked eye than in extreme closeup photos. They are painted to a level of detail to be viewed by eye and not through a macro lense or magnifying glass. FL figures are an exception. They seem to be painted with finer detail and to me look better in a closeup photo than I can see them by eye alone.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Terry...

Some of franks pics of the FL stalingrad range are not flattering and, I mentioned this and, was kindly reminded how brilliant these figures really are by their watchmen!!!!

I do think FL will be the winner in these quests for quality and cost control as, whether its palatable for some or not they do not seem to have some of the issues other mainstream manufacturers are having
Mitch

FL is at the top of the quality spectrum and it's market niche is of collectors who want the best quality and will pay for it. They still have room to raise prices without complaint and maintain their quality. But I think they are the only ones. CS market position seems to be as a slightly lower price alternative to K&C and Figarti, and recently some of their figures have been very good and possibly better than those of other manufacturers. But if price is one of their defining market constraints - they must keep prices down. Many comments on CS items is the quality for the money - the collectors obviously value that.

Terry

 

[mikemiller1955]

I look at it a bit differently. Most companies figures look better to the naked eye than in extreme closeup photos. They are painted to a level of detail to be viewed by eye and not through a macro lense or magnifying glass. FL figures are an exception. They seem to be painted with finer detail and to me look better in a closeup photo than I can see them by eye alone.

Terry

I'm don't know why anybody should tout or discuss other figures on this Collector's Showcase thread...especially to comment how superior they are...I'm sure Brian would prefer FL praise to stay on FL's thread...but since you mentioned how FL was the exception to the rule on magnifying...I need to disagree...and while I own only 2 of them...here's a couple of close ups for you of one of them...while this detail looks good to the naked eye...I don't think it looks as good magnified...but that's just my opinion...this figures seems to be in need of a dentist and a podiatrist...

ps...note the holes in the base...

 

[Gazza]

I think Sahara’s post was totally valid and shows the value of a forum – just a shame too many people feel the need to defend their manufactures. Not just here but elsewhere on the forum.

Sure, any close ups will be brutal – none of the manufacturer’s products look that great close up.

What was valid from what I saw, was the holes in the figures which seem strange and are poor. I would send figures like that back.

Pictures 6 and 9 I believe show the difference between the first and second release (first release on left) and from the pictures the comparison it is noticeable that they appear very different with regards to the standard of finish.

Not everyone gets to shows / toy soldier shops so posts like this are useful; if only to ensure all manufacturers are kept on their toes

Gazza

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

In order to avoid any outbreak of hostilities on this thread, I encourage everyone to exercise patience, tolerance, and good judgement in presenting your posts. Too often, these discussions degenerate into raging and conflicting shouts designed to determine which skunk stinks the most. Simply stated, we do not want to see this thread evolve into such a discussion. Otherwise, moderator intervention will certainly be required.

Thanks for listening.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[mikemiller1955]

Pat...if you're referring to my post...which I hope you're not...hahaha...I apologize to the entire forum...I sincerely apologize if it's me you're referring to...not trying to start a battle...just want collectors to know that close ups are sometimes a tad brutal...these figures are not intended to be photographed in this way...it certainly shows all the imperfections...sorry Pat...

 

[ChestersRonkonkomaNY]

I just brought this series into the shop. I opened a bunch of the figures and with the naked eye I did not see any major imperfections. I think instead of panicking some might want to head to a shop with inventory and check them out for themselves. Chester

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

I have noticed the same thing in regards to quality amongst a few of the majors over the last couple of years as they sort their way through the process of bringing new manufacturing facilities up to speed in terms of quality and preventing prices from skyrocketing upward. One company experienced major delays in releasing products due to these problems and I commend them for not releasing the product unless it is somewhat up to par with what they have released previously in better days and at a still reasonable price point. 2 companies seem to have been consistent throughout this period in terms of quality but their prices have been steadily increasing. I was surprised by another 2 companies how things have deteriorated... I had in the past, purchased items from all of these companies in keeping with my desire for a diverse collection but that has changed for a number of reasons and quality/price was a major consideration. I'd rather purchase sets made several years ago by some companies when I thought the quality was much better than it is today. {eek3}

Definitely, raising prices is not the whole answer to this issue... Other options need to be considered... There is more to this than meets the eye and I am not sure if everything possible is being considered...

 

[fmethorst]

If you want to shoot high magnification miniatures you'll need a 9/10 or > connoisseur figure and it's going to cost you more than 10x the price of the CS figures. All figures at lower levels of sculpting and painting are a compromise in some fashion. The various manufactures all have to choose how much they are willing to compromise to meet a specific price point. If production costs go up at the source something has to give, either the price has to go up or a larger compromise must be accepted.

 

[uksubs]

I think Sahara’s post was totally valid and shows the value of a forum – just a shame too many people feel the need to defend their manufactures. Not just here but elsewhere on the forum.

Sure, any close ups will be brutal – none of the manufacturer’s products look that great close up.

What was valid from what I saw, was the holes in the figures which seem strange and are poor. I would send figures like that back.

Pictures 6 and 9 I believe show the difference between the first and second release (first release on left) and from the pictures the comparison it is noticeable that they appear very different with regards to the standard of finish.

Not everyone gets to shows / toy soldier shops so posts like this are useful; if only to ensure all manufacturers are kept on their toes

Gazza

Well said mate

 

[uksubs]

price is one of their defining market constraints - they must keep prices down. Many comments on CS items is the quality for the money - the collectors obviously value that.

Terry

Think you make a very good point Terry .

 

[marco55]

I was the first to bring other manufacturers into this and for that I also apoligze.I think what I was surprised at was the holes which could be a defective set which we have all got.I have also praised CS for their style of figures and vehicles but it can't always be rah rah,great job,love it and so on and that's with all the companies.All credit to Brian for jumping in and stating his position.This is the place to discuss any problems and overall I think it helps so the manufacturers know what were thinking and in the end it helps us all.
Mark

 

[debrito]

I am sorry to say that, but they are very UGLY special this one here....Sorry...{sm3}