“Many Thanks … and a few thoughts” (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

As most of you know I am very fortunate to get the opportunity to do a fair bit of traveling on behalf of King & Country.
Two weeks ago I got back from Europe after visiting Italy, France and the U.K. Across three countries I was lucky to meet and talk with many, many K&C collectors (and quite a few dealers and distributors too).
From these talks and meetings K&C and myself get an enormous amount of positive and constructive feedback on what we are doing… What collectors would like to see… and how we can all work together to make this great hobby better… and even more fun!
What impressed me time and time again was the overall enthusiasm and knowledge of the collectors I met in every place I stopped by… and their kindness.
It’s my experience that when you meet toy soldier collectors in groups or individually they are invariably polite, pleasant and more than happy to share their likes, dislikes, “wants” and “must-haves” in a friendly, helpful way. Events such as Collector Shows… “Meet ‘n’ Greets”… Dinners and Lunches… Symposiums – I love all of them. They provide that vitally important face-to-face opportunity for collector, dealer and manufacturer to really get to know and appreciate each other’s viewpoint. I honestly believe there is no better substitute for this kind of personal communication.
By comparison the internet is a whole different “kettle of fish”… As most of you guys already know this Forum is professionally run and properly “policed”… when any of us intentionally or unintentionally “step over the line” we’re politely moved, warned and/or deleted. I know this myself from personal experience… and, on reflection, I’ve usually deserved it! Elsewhere other folks can say other things that are not quite so polite and definitely not-so-friendly. They usually defend themselves with the cloak of “Free Speech” and “I have the right to say anything I want to anyone in any manner or way I see fit”.
What I find truly amazing is that with just two notable exceptions never have I knowingly encountered any of these critics at a toy soldier show or indeed any kind of public or private gathering anywhere. I think the fact of the matter is that they are often a small disgruntled collection of individuals who enjoy the anonymity of the internet and the ability to adopt and adapt multiple false identities to expound on this and pontificate on that… all from a safe distance of course.
Toy soldiers, or if you prefer, military miniatures should be and most often is a fantastic fun hobby for a lot of people… so, a very big thankyou to the vast majority of collectors who never forget that plain, simple fact and…
Very best wishes to all of you this Festive Season… Happy Collecting!



Andy C. Neilson

 

[Mitch]

And a Merry Christmas to you!!
Mitch

 

[waynepoo]

Merry Xmas Andy and keep'm coming mate.
Wayne.

 

[wayne556517]

All the best to you and your crew Andy have a good one.
(Im going to a Scottish new year party.....^&grin)

 

[ostrein]

Best wishes to you and your family from the german K&C nuts.

BTW:

... Toy soldiers, or if you prefer, military miniatures should be and most often is a fantastic fun hobby ...

... and certainly the reason for me being broke by mid of the month (latest) {sm2}


But I can't think of a better way spending my hard earned euros and getting such a long lasting return/joy.

Oliver

 

[TomNT]

Keep cruising around the world and meeting us collectors Andy, we will always be up for a yarn, many suggestions and many beers!{sm3}{sm4}

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Helen and all the gang at K&C!

Tom

 

[Guy]

A verry Merry Christmas to you Andy, may 2013 be a productive year for K&C.
PS: We are dying here in Belgium to meet you one day in person !!!!!!!!!
guy

 

[buffalohibernia]

Hi Guys,

As most of you know I am very fortunate to get the opportunity to do a fair bit of traveling on behalf of King & Country.
Two weeks ago I got back from Europe after visiting Italy, France and the U.K. Across three countries I was lucky to meet and talk with many, many K&C collectors (and quite a few dealers and distributors too).
From these talks and meetings K&C and myself get an enormous amount of positive and constructive feedback on what we are doing… What collectors would like to see… and how we can all work together to make this great hobby better… and even more fun!
What impressed me time and time again was the overall enthusiasm and knowledge of the collectors I met in every place I stopped by… and their kindness.
It’s my experience that when you meet toy soldier collectors in groups or individually they are invariably polite, pleasant and more than happy to share their likes, dislikes, “wants” and “must-haves” in a friendly, helpful way. Events such as Collector Shows… “Meet ‘n’ Greets”… Dinners and Lunches… Symposiums – I love all of them. They provide that vitally important face-to-face opportunity for collector, dealer and manufacturer to really get to know and appreciate each other’s viewpoint. I honestly believe there is no better substitute for this kind of personal communication.
By comparison the internet is a whole different “kettle of fish”… As most of you guys already know this Forum is professionally run and properly “policed”… when any of us intentionally or unintentionally “step over the line” we’re politely moved, warned and/or deleted. I know this myself from personal experience… and, on reflection, I’ve usually deserved it! Elsewhere other folks can say other things that are not quite so polite and definitely not-so-friendly. They usually defend themselves with the cloak of “Free Speech” and “I have the right to say anything I want to anyone in any manner or way I see fit”.
What I find truly amazing is that with just two notable exceptions never have I knowingly encountered any of these critics at a toy soldier show or indeed any kind of public or private gathering anywhere. I think the fact of the matter is that they are often a small disgruntled collection of individuals who enjoy the anonymity of the internet and the ability to adopt and adapt multiple false identities to expound on this and pontificate on that… all from a safe distance of course.
Toy soldiers, or if you prefer, military miniatures should be and most often is a fantastic fun hobby for a lot of people… so, a very big thankyou to the vast majority of collectors who never forget that plain, simple fact and…
Very best wishes to all of you this Festive Season… Happy Collecting!



Andy C. Neilson

Andy,

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

See you at the West Coaster.

Your Mate,
Fran Farrell

 

[Rob]

Hi Andy,

A very merry Christmas to you and yours my friend and hope 2013 is a great one for you. Good catching up with you in London mate and very much looking forward to the goodies K&C are producing next year, going to be a good year for us collectors!{bravo}}

Cheers

Rob

 

[Harper (aka Spitfrnd)]

Hi Guys,

As most of you know I am very fortunate to get the opportunity to do a fair bit of traveling on behalf of King & Country.
Two weeks ago I got back from Europe after visiting Italy, France and the U.K. Across three countries I was lucky to meet and talk with many, many K&C collectors (and quite a few dealers and distributors too).
From these talks and meetings K&C and myself get an enormous amount of positive and constructive feedback on what we are doing… What collectors would like to see… and how we can all work together to make this great hobby better… and even more fun!
What impressed me time and time again was the overall enthusiasm and knowledge of the collectors I met in every place I stopped by… and their kindness.
It’s my experience that when you meet toy soldier collectors in groups or individually they are invariably polite, pleasant and more than happy to share their likes, dislikes, “wants” and “must-haves” in a friendly, helpful way. Events such as Collector Shows… “Meet ‘n’ Greets”… Dinners and Lunches… Symposiums – I love all of them. They provide that vitally important face-to-face opportunity for collector, dealer and manufacturer to really get to know and appreciate each other’s viewpoint. I honestly believe there is no better substitute for this kind of personal communication.
By comparison the internet is a whole different “kettle of fish”… As most of you guys already know this Forum is professionally run and properly “policed”… when any of us intentionally or unintentionally “step over the line” we’re politely moved, warned and/or deleted. I know this myself from personal experience… and, on reflection, I’ve usually deserved it! Elsewhere other folks can say other things that are not quite so polite and definitely not-so-friendly. They usually defend themselves with the cloak of “Free Speech” and “I have the right to say anything I want to anyone in any manner or way I see fit”.
What I find truly amazing is that with just two notable exceptions never have I knowingly encountered any of these critics at a toy soldier show or indeed any kind of public or private gathering anywhere. I think the fact of the matter is that they are often a small disgruntled collection of individuals who enjoy the anonymity of the internet and the ability to adopt and adapt multiple false identities to expound on this and pontificate on that… all from a safe distance of course.
Toy soldiers, or if you prefer, military miniatures should be and most often is a fantastic fun hobby for a lot of people… so, a very big thankyou to the vast majority of collectors who never forget that plain, simple fact and…
Very best wishes to all of you this Festive Season… Happy Collecting!



Andy C. Neilson

I am not sure I follow what you are saying Mr. Neilson? If the point is that criticism is useful, however recieved, and any criticism should be polite, I quite agree and hope that is what you experience.

 

[Sentaapua]

I wish you and all K&C staff wonderful holidays and a great 2013! I'm sure you will as usual deliver great releases next year!

 

[villagehorse]

Sort of reminds me Andy, when out driving sometimes I am heard to say 'how did that driver ever get a license', we have to share this world with some ODD people. Have a great holiday period and let's keep driving next year regardless, cheers, Robin.

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to K&C and all my fellow Treefroggers! Here's wishing all of you a super collecting 2013. I know I'm really looking forward to what the year will bring especially OMG! {sm3}

 

[wwiibuff]

Hello Andy and a very Merry Christmas to you too. It sure was a pleasure to meet you in Jacksonville this year and have a chance to talk about one of my favorite subjects... toy soldier collecting! Keep up the good work.

 

[Napoleon1er]

Quite agree with you there! If ever I have a chance (by the time I have any real free time, I will probably be a general officer{sm4}) I would love to meet you! Unfotunatly, I'm probably one of those exceptions, and assuredly, as anyone here who knows me can attest, I am a pretty horrible person!
Merry Hogmanay,
Sandor

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Definately words of truth spoken Andy. I know exactly what you mean ! Here's Looking forward to a great 2013, A Merry Christmas to All :smile2:

 

[MarkeytMaker]

I think it falls into the same catergory when drivers cut people off, flip them the bird or tailgate. It's easy to do when there is distance between people. Though If you were to follow the lunatic driver to their destination after such a road rage incident you would likely see that person has become patient in line at the bank and politely opens doors for people! I myself got out of the car one day and cussed a person out because they were tailgating me at a very uncomfortable distance...I later pulled into the same parking lot as that person, turned out we were both going to the same establishment...really uncomfortable position, more so for the tailgater! I think many of us treat each other with more respect face to face...except Howard from down under who I believe treats all people with the utmost respect no matter where he is:rolleyes2:

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

 

[PanzerAce1944]

It is quite sad that some people on Toy Soldier Forums show their negative side while telling brave and bold tales while hiding behind a computer key board,critisizing anybody and everybody.
The same types rarely show theirselves at shows nor post a photo of themselves for obvious reasons. I agree there are and have been multiple players out and about acting as one person
but actually being completly another. Like Andy mentioned at the actual shows or events people never argue or get into heated debates while in person face to face. I think if we all let the
little comments and inuendos roll off by the wayside and refrain from sniping at each other things would be that much more enjoyable ! :smile2:

 

[Mitch]

Are we saying that some would not say an item is poor quality, historically incorrect if we were to meet the makers in person? Really, what have we to fear if we are in the right? I know for a fact that if I were talking to say Andy as this is a K&C thread I would say exactly the same some items have been excellent some good, some poor why not? That is the truth of the matter whether some want it to be or not.

I know for me that I would say what I feel regardless. I may or may not get to a show because of family illness but, if Andy or any manufacturer are ever in my neck of the woods the kettle would be on and I would talk all things toy soldiers good and bad and, explain why I think that way.

I do think some use this hiding behind a computer, show a picture !!! as a way to further belittle those who critique sets or, do not just constantly applaud whatever is released by any manufacturer as simply superb. for me, that's doing what they castigate others for doing. I do agree that some of those who have threatened posters are more likely not to do it should they ever meet the persons they abuse in person but, that's always the way.

Not sure for me that this hiding behind computers holds water
Mitch

 

[Isandlwana]

Elsewhere other folks can say other things that are not quite so polite and definitely not-so-friendly. They usually defend themselves with the cloak of “Free Speech” and “I have the right to say anything I want to anyone in any manner or way I see fit”.
What I find truly amazing is that with just two notable exceptions never have I knowingly encountered any of these critics at a toy soldier show or indeed any kind of public or private gathering anywhere. I think the fact of the matter is that they are often a small disgruntled collection of individuals who enjoy the anonymity of the internet and the ability to adopt and adapt multiple false identities to expound on this and pontificate on that… all from a safe distance of course.
Toy soldiers, or if you prefer, military miniatures should be and most often is a fantastic fun hobby for a lot of people… so, a very big thankyou to the vast majority of collectors who never forget that plain, simple fact and…
Very best wishes to all of you this Festive Season… Happy Collecting!
Andy C. Neilson

I trust I am not one of these unmentionables but the vernacular employed here does lend itself unfortunately well to the tainted scent of hyprocrisy.

The word 'cloak' is used as a somewhat provocative noun yet the object(s) of vexation is/are not revealed. Strange post.