“If dealers were allowed to discount prices would be lower to collectors” (5 Viewers)

[Vezzolf]

Mate how did you come to this conclusion ??
Is it that you just don't like K&C ^&confuse i check ebay everyday and a lot of K&C on ebay isn't discounted......................^&confuse
I NEVER look for FL because i don't collect the over rated product so i don't waste my time searching for it BUT i did today and
found a GLUT of FL on there and FIGARTI and Collectors Showcase and TGM so im a bit confused how its only K&C being off loaded.
I collect as a hobby not a investment so what something is worth has JACK to do with if i buy it or not,its not or doom and gloom mate no new collectors etc etc
not everyone who collects is on TS forums mate.
I suggest you ask some dealers how the hobby is going as im sure they have more contact with collectors than you,i don't see any TS shops selling up so i think you just take every chance you can to bag K&C !!

Wayne, You can believe what you want:wink2:...But in the not too recent past when prices were lower, multiples were purchased and it was easier to re-sell K/C and other manufacturers products on e-bay for profit ......Not so today. That's just very plain to see...I have also noted that a speculator is trying to sell retired FL at 2x the cost on e-bay....I don't know if he is a dealer or not????......Again without much success....I do believe that prices cannot continue to rise much higher for K/C or FL without collectors pulling back on purchases...There's a limit to everything....This horse is dead and buried...The End.

 

[Desertkiwi]

When Britains was owned by Racing Champions/Ertl they were quite mismanaged. Discounting of their products became the norm, to the point where people learned not to buy something when first released because they knew that they could pick it up at bargain basement prices later. Many dealers quit carrying it because of the drop in quality and profit margins. It all led to a downward spiral. Before First Gear purchased the line there was a question as to whether Britains would continue on.

Thanks for posting that Pete, much appreciated. I remember it being a very messy period for Britains, which was a real shame, because it turned a lot of collectors and dealers away from them. However it's been great to see them bounce back under the 'First Gear' banner and although I don't purchase much from them now-a-days, I really do like their scenic/dio stuff.

Cheers!!

 

[larso]

The issue of figures loosing value, to the point they can't even be 'given away' always leaves me bemused. Given the glum attitude about this coming through this thread, I raced off to have a look for the French Voltigeurs (NA17-24), Mounted Dragoons (NA39-46 & NA78-81) and Chasseurs (NA92-95) that I've been interested in and there are hardly any! Even the ones for sale seem to be going for 3 - 4 times their original sale price! One example is here for $195 -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KING-COUNTR...oy_Soldiers&hash=item58a1368da4#ht_1793wt_679

Obviously it all depends on the range but this give-away and bargain market is sadly not in my experience.

 

[uksubs]

The issue of figures loosing value, to the point they can't even be 'given away' always leaves me bemused. Given the glum attitude about this coming through this thread, I raced off to have a look for the French Voltigeurs (NA17-24), Mounted Dragoons (NA39-46 & NA78-81) and Chasseurs (NA92-95) that I've been interested in and there are hardly any! Even the ones for sale seem to be going for 3 - 4 times their original sale price! One example is here for $195 -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KING-COUNTR...oy_Soldiers&hash=item58a1368da4#ht_1793wt_679

Obviously it all depends on the range but this give-away and bargain market is sadly not in my experience.

I checked the old Mg range couple of week back with the idea of selling mine but after seeing some sell for only £16.00 each went of the idea and don't think it a problem just we KC but across the field , it just a buyer market out there

 

[rpk]

The issue of figures loosing value, to the point they can't even be 'given away' always leaves me bemused. Given the glum attitude about this coming through this thread, I raced off to have a look for the French Voltigeurs (NA17-24), Mounted Dragoons (NA39-46 & NA78-81) and Chasseurs (NA92-95) that I've been interested in and there are hardly any! Even the ones for sale seem to be going for 3 - 4 times their original sale price! One example is here for $195 -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KING-COUNTR...oy_Soldiers&hash=item58a1368da4#ht_1793wt_679

Obviously it all depends on the range but this give-away and bargain market is sadly not in my experience.

Hum... I don't think I'd use that individual's auctions as a baseline. You've hit upon one of the biggest buy low, sell high, speculators I've seen on eBay. Filter him out and you'll see a more reasonable picture.

 

[Warrior]

Hum... I don't think I'd use that individual's auctions as a baseline. You've hit upon one of the biggest buy low, sell high, speculators I've seen on eBay. Filter him out and you'll see a more reasonable picture.

195.00 as an opening bid?

Unreal.

Yes, shop around, you'd be surprised what some dealers have on hand regarding older pieces vs someone peddling goods on Ebay.

No wonder why Frank gets so torked off at some of these aftermarket prices..............:wink2:

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Hum... I don't think I'd use that individual's auctions as a baseline. You've hit upon one of the biggest buy low, sell high, speculators I've seen on eBay. Filter him out and you'll see a more reasonable picture.

even better, look at the completed listings on ebay. You can look up DD136 Austin light utility truck. Limited production run of 250. Big hoopla to get them before they sold out. Original price $99. Retired 2010. Here's the recent sales activity on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...t=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=100

No recent sales (red means not sold)


Here is the activity for Tank Riders WS062. Original price $89. Retired 2008.

[url]http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=king+country+ws103&_ipg=100&_sadis=200&_adv=1&_sop=12&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_osacat=220&_from=R40&_dmd=1&LH_Complete=1&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xking+country+ws062&_nkw=king+country+ws062&_sacat=220
[/URL]
WS180(SL) Jagdtiger. Limited to 250. Original price $289 retired 2011 http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...ntry+ws180&_nkw=king+country+ws180&_sacat=220

WS103 - 88 Flak18. Original$239 Retired 2008
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...ntry+ws103&_nkw=king+country+ws103&_sacat=220

Results vary depending on the set, but overall, prices are at or below recent retail prices for items produced in the past 3 - 4 years for all manufacturers. And of course there are a few exceptions.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

195.00 as an opening bid?

Unreal.

Yes, shop around, you'd be surprised what some dealers have on hand regarding older pieces vs someone peddling goods on Ebay.

No wonder why Frank gets so torked off at some of these aftermarket prices..............:wink2:

There are a few high sellers on ebay who do often get the high price they ask. They may offer better service and check the models for condition on resale, But there are usually better prices around.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

And here's another one for the gloom and doomers. There is not a flood of toy soldiers on ebay. It just looks that way because of the huge number of new sets released in the lat 5 years by a growing number of manufacturers. A lot of the listings as in most of them are by dealers or commercial sellers. Many searches turn up no current listings and no recent sales. Some sets have lots of them listed and few sales. And everything in between. So there are problems in the TS market with some items, but it isn't all bad by a long shot.

Terry

 

[Vezzolf]

Hum... I don't think I'd use that individual's auctions as a baseline. You've hit upon one of the biggest buy low, sell high, speculators I've seen on eBay. Filter him out and you'll see a more reasonable picture.

I wonder if he actually finds someone foolish enough to pay 4-5x the retail price.....NO WAY.....Keep it.

 

[rpk]

I wonder if he actually finds someone foolish enough to pay 4-5x the retail price.....NO WAY.....Keep it.

Been sniped way to many times trying to pick up older sets from a couple different manufacturers by him, to only turn around and see it listed for a ridiculous amount. Turns me right off even wanting the piece any longer. There will always be something new of more interest vs. feeding a scalper.

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

As a gentle reminder, you are best served to share your critical comments concerning specific eBay sellers via the PM system. While you might have experienced a frustrating situation, another person might have enjoyed his interaction with that same seller. Please use caution when discussing specific selling practices.

Thanks for your understanding.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[uksubs]

And here's another one for the gloom and doomers. There is not a flood of toy soldiers on ebay. It just looks that way because of the huge number of new sets released in the lat 5 years by a growing number of manufacturers. A lot of the listings as in most of them are by dealers or commercial sellers. Many searches turn up no current listings and no recent sales. Some sets have lots of them listed and few sales. And everything in between. So there are problems in the TS market with some items, but it isn't all bad by a long shot.

Terry

Terry so what are you saying mate lol ? There a lot of toy soldiers on ebay or there not ^&grin^&confuse Joke

 

[Vezzolf]

Been sniped way to many times trying to pick up older sets from a couple different manufacturers by him, to only turn around and see it listed for a ridiculous amount. Turns me right off even wanting the piece any longer. There will always be something new of more interest vs. feeding a scalper.

Yes it is ridiculous and a major turn off....and this is what inflates prices in this hobby....If this person is a dealer its pretty sad....Simply refuse to buy from him.

 

[Northgate Woods]

The issue of figures loosing value, to the point they can't even be 'given away' always leaves me bemused. Given the glum attitude about this coming through this thread, I raced off to have a look for the French Voltigeurs (NA17-24), Mounted Dragoons (NA39-46 & NA78-81) and Chasseurs (NA92-95) that I've been interested in and there are hardly any! Even the ones for sale seem to be going for 3 - 4 times their original sale price! One example is here for $195 -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KING-COUNTR...oy_Soldiers&hash=item58a1368da4#ht_1793wt_679

Obviously it all depends on the range but this give-away and bargain market is sadly not in my experience.

Bob mate,
Patience is a great virtue. IMO with ebay you just have to sit and wait and bide your time and set your own value on the figure or AFV you want to purchase.
The gentleman in question has had quite a few old K&C Dickens figures, which I have been after for some four years, listed at USD$150. I passed, because once again IMO I valued them at about USD$60 to USD$70. So on my trip to the London TS Show I was lucky enough to obtain all these figures plus many more (total 17) at am average cost of USD$47. Now some would say that, even that is to expensive, but I think that the value of a 10 year old retired figure is for the individual collector to set.
Just my three pence worth. ENJOY your collecting.
Cheers Howard

 

[larso]

Yes Howard you are quite right. There are other (and better) ways to get old figures than just on ebay, though it's the most accessable for many.

Thanks all for your replies. Some sellers are indeed shameless in what they'll charge (or try to charge). Even old plastic train tracks for my son can be ridiculous. I've only paid a very high price once but that was for a figure I really needed. Otherwise, I just chuckle and move on. This is when I could be bothered to look that is, for the great part I have chosen to ignore the figures that came out before I became a collector.

All this said bargains can be had, as the examples given on here show. I want the following and this one is listed below recommended retail. Is someone - a dealer even - taking a loss then? I don't know. Whether it stays at this price once bids come in remains to be seen. But at this point $35 below the rrp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/King-and-Co...3&prg=1011&rk=2&sd=370679222968&#ht_299wt_890

 

[Jack]

Yes Howard you are quite right. There are other (and better) ways to get old figures than just on ebay, though it's the most accessable for many.

Thanks all for your replies. Some sellers are indeed shameless in what they'll charge (or try to charge). Even old plastic train tracks for my son can be ridiculous. I've only paid a very high price once but that was for a figure I really needed. Otherwise, I just chuckle and move on. This is when I could be bothered to look that is, for the great part I have chosen to ignore the figures that came out before I became a collector.

All this said bargains can be had, as the examples given on here show. I want the following and this one is listed below recommended retail. Is someone - a dealer even - taking a loss then? I don't know. Whether it stays at this price once bids come in remains to be seen. But at this point $35 below the rrp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/King-and-Co...3&prg=1011&rk=2&sd=370679222968&#ht_299wt_890

Larso

When you married and sold your bachelor pad were you absolutely shameless in trying to get the best price you could? Did you sell it to someone on the basis of what they would like to pay or did you let the market decide? Did you knock back offers that were lower than you wanted but higher than you initially paid? Were you 'shameless' in trying to make as much as you could? Did you then approach the owner of the house you eventually bought and try just as shamelessly to talk them down? In that instance you approached each situation with a different 'hat' - one as a buyer and the other as a seller. Extend to the ebay merchants the same courtesy.

TS shop tomorrow - try to be on time!!

Jack

 

[larso]

"When you married and sold your bachelor pad were you absolutely shameless in trying to get the best price you could? Did you sell it to someone on the basis of what they would like to pay or did you let the market decide? Did you knock back offers that were lower than you wanted but higher than you initially paid? Were you 'shameless' in trying to make as much as you could? Did you then approach the owner of the house you eventually bought and try just as shamelessly to talk them down? In that instance you approached each situation with a different 'hat' - one as a buyer and the other as a seller. Extend to the ebay merchants the same courtesy.

TS shop tomorrow - try to be on time!!"

Shameless in the sense that I didn't put it on the market for $500,000 when there were similar units on sale next door for $250,000. It takes real brass to look someone in the eye (well, metaphorically given it's ebay) and ask double what the local shop is charging.

Not sure about tomorrow. The small boy is a bit sick and there is a worrying point of view from my wife that I should be using my holiday to care for him. It is quite disheartening....

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Yes Howard you are quite right. There are other (and better) ways to get old figures than just on ebay, though it's the most accessable for many.

Thanks all for your replies. Some sellers are indeed shameless in what they'll charge (or try to charge). Even old plastic train tracks for my son can be ridiculous. I've only paid a very high price once but that was for a figure I really needed. Otherwise, I just chuckle and move on. This is when I could be bothered to look that is, for the great part I have chosen to ignore the figures that came out before I became a collector.

All this said bargains can be had, as the examples given on here show. I want the following and this one is listed below recommended retail. Is someone - a dealer even - taking a loss then? I don't know. Whether it stays at this price once bids come in remains to be seen. But at this point $35 below the rrp.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/King-and-Co...3&prg=1011&rk=2&sd=370679222968&#ht_299wt_890

I belive they are a toy soldier dealer for several manufacturers, but not for K&C. The have listed the item not as a K&C dealer and in used condition. Who knows what they paid for it?

 

[Jack]

"When you married and sold your bachelor pad were you absolutely shameless in trying to get the best price you could? Did you sell it to someone on the basis of what they would like to pay or did you let the market decide? Did you knock back offers that were lower than you wanted but higher than you initially paid? Were you 'shameless' in trying to make as much as you could? Did you then approach the owner of the house you eventually bought and try just as shamelessly to talk them down? In that instance you approached each situation with a different 'hat' - one as a buyer and the other as a seller. Extend to the ebay merchants the same courtesy.

TS shop tomorrow - try to be on time!!"

Shameless in the sense that I didn't put it on the market for $500,000 when there were similar units on sale next door for $250,000. It takes real brass to look someone in the eye (well, metaphorically given it's ebay) and ask double what the local shop is charging.

Not sure about tomorrow. The small boy is a bit sick and there is a worrying point of view from my wife that I should be using my holiday to care for him. It is quite disheartening....

You only refrained from 500 000 on practical grounds. It was not a question of what was 'right'. If there was a chance for a higher price you would have put the higher price on it. How many quotes did you get for your landscaping - five was it? You look for the best price so why can't an ebay seller do the same? Now get yourself over to Guy's Belgium thread - I have made a really funny pun about ice hockey and the drug ice. You'll love it.