2009 News (1 Viewer)

[desk11desk12]

Why can't they put more effort into improving their figures? I was excited when I saw the news about Wake Island. But after seeing the initial photos, I don't think I'll get them.

More effort? Interesting, be specific how should they look and if they look like that, would you dedicated a fair portion of your toy soldier budget to acquiring them?

Carlos

 

[nmrocks]

That being said, I agree with Brad that Figarti suffers from a lack of direction. When they do choose to run with a theme, like the "Vengence Weapon" V1 and V2 series, or the LRDG/SAS series, they do it well and have developed a following which permits them to sell out the series.

However, all too often, they release one really cool item, like the "Shock and Awe" Tiger, and fail to follow it up with the related releases that will generate a K&C type following and K&C type sales. Imagine if when the Tigers were released, they were accompanied by, or followed shortly by, all of the other vehicles one would expect to find with a Heavy Panzer group, like Hanomags, Kubelwagons, Prime Mover Halftracks, 88mm Guns, Krupp trucks, etc., at usual Figarti quality and prices? Those people who could afford a Tiger would have bought the rest, and the people who could not afford a Tiger would have bought some of the other, more affordable vehicles.

Rick has told me that he sees K&C as the "Mercedes Benz" (i.e. overall luxury product leader) of the Toy Soldier industry, and wants Figarti to be more like a "Maserati" (i.e. a more unique, handcrafted, exclusive and very limited production approach). This is all fine and good, but making disjointed, unrelated products that leave collectors wanting, but never getting, more, just doesn't make sense.

I think their U.S. and European Distributors would prefer a more uniform and regular approach, because they have created market share for themselves, and have not yet fully exploited it. That's the way I see it.

Louis,
I still don't agree, what you are talking about with all the followup products is following the K&C model and going directly Head to head with K&C and i don't think Figarti has the will or the desire to do that. They do have a "Niche" market and there seem to be very comfortable there. regardless of what anyone says they want, especially now, talk is cheap and how many people would truly buy all the products you listed coming off the Tiger when going head to head with K&C? I hope the Maserati approach continues to work for them, I can imagine it would cause some problems with there dealers. Frankly I think they honestly recognize there own shortcomings in figure quality (I agree there making much, much progess but there not there yet). If they couldn't keep the stuff on the shevles I'm sure production would increase to some degree, but to have a realistic picture of there capabilities at this point is I think financially very wise. Kick production in to gear when you've found your footing, but not until then.

 

[Alexdakar]

I think their sculpting might need some improvement but their painting is unreal. Who else paints finger nails and individual teeth on their figures.

 

[jrsteel]

More effort? Interesting, be specific how should they look and if they look like that, would you dedicated a fair portion of your toy soldier budget to acquiring them?

Carlos

I just think their sculpting needs to be better. They make nice looking vehicles so I don't get why the quality of the figures doesn't match that. If they improved the sculpting yes I would certainly buy the Wake Island sets. At least they're doing Pacific War figures. I'll give them that.

 

[Capitolron]

Louis and Brad - I simply don't agree with your view of "lack of direction" with Figarti. I have found that they have expanded lines around the V-1 and V-2 releases, created a great line of Tiger Tanks and even come up with a fantastic AK range that unfortunately - K&C was working on the same items - but, it does show there is great direction in the business decisions of Figarti.

I also agree with Ray - that not everyone has to be the next King & Country. Remember - these guy are part artists - with that come great creativity. I wouldn't dream of trying to control, mold or shape that wonderful effort.

Yes - we all know the figures of Figarti are not up to par with K&C - but, if Rick doesn't want to go the way of K&C in their quality of figures - then he should find his own path like John Jenkins and simply tell everyone - "THATS MY WAY " - like it or leave it. I am sure he is probally tired of reading all this "boy - they sure aren't K&C quality..." If he is trying to get to the K&C - Britains type figure ... well he does have a long way to go. IMHO. But, it is his Choice !

I say - GO - RICK - GO - Shock & Awe Us, make the splash, make the fun - many of us out here really enjoy your work. From what I have seen from others collections - FIGARTI SHOCK & AWE DOES SELL !

 

[RWFigarti]

GUYS,

Appreciate all the comments! Good or Bad, we learn from it. But you guys keep me going, and that's what makes this business FUN!

Rick
RWFigarti

 

[RWFigarti]

I am a big fan of Figarti's products, and a person who counts Rick Wang as a friend and was honored to have James Wang as a guest in my home at the 2007 Symposium. I am very impressed by the development of Figarti's products over the short 5-6 years of their existence, and consider their vehicles the best in the industry and the best of their figures to be among the finest available in the hobby. I love the "shock and awe" pieces, and when the economy recovers, hope to purchase the Leopold Gun.

That being said, I agree with Brad that Figarti suffers from a lack of direction. When they do choose to run with a theme, like the "Vengence Weapon" V1 and V2 series, or the LRDG/SAS series, they do it well and have developed a following which permits them to sell out the series.

However, all too often, they release one really cool item, like the "Shock and Awe" Tiger, and fail to follow it up with the related releases that will generate a K&C type following and K&C type sales. Imagine if when the Tigers were released, they were accompanied by, or followed shortly by, all of the other vehicles one would expect to find with a Heavy Panzer group, like Hanomags, Kubelwagons, Prime Mover Halftracks, 88mm Guns, Krupp trucks, etc., at usual Figarti quality and prices? Those people who could afford a Tiger would have bought the rest, and the people who could not afford a Tiger would have bought some of the other, more affordable vehicles.

Rick has told me that he sees K&C as the "Mercedes Benz" (i.e. overall luxury product leader) of the Toy Soldier industry, and wants Figarti to be more like a "Maserati" (i.e. a more unique, handcrafted, exclusive and very limited production approach). This is all fine and good, but making disjointed, unrelated products that leave collectors wanting, but never getting, more, just doesn't make sense.

I think their U.S. and European Distributors would prefer a more uniform and regular approach, because they have created market share for themselves, and have not yet fully exploited it. That's the way I see it.

Mercedes Sold over 1 Million cars in 2008, Maserati 15,000 (by choice)

 

[Eazy]

Is there any further news on the PzIV ausf J that we were showed the rather cool prototype of a while back?

 

[Louis Badolato]

Mercedes Sold over 1 Million cars in 2008, Maserati 15,000 (by choice)

Absolutely Rick, and that's fine, but I bet every Maserati had lots of available options to completely satisfy the wants of the buyers who were attracted in the door by the "shock and awe" of Maserati's reputation.

 

[Combat]

Some of the early Figarti sets were terrible, but the figures that came with the V-2 were as good or better than most I've seen from other manufacturers.

 

[JPB]

I also find that the last V2 figures are a lot better.
The sculpting is a lot better.
Still the faces remain to dark to my taste.

JPB

 

[joesgis]

You simply gotta love Figarti! We are spolied to have a manufacturer that tries so hard! They just keep getting better and better, IMHO. Although their admitted forte is armor, their figures are cathcing up in a hurry! I love the Lost in the Desert GI's and the Westcoaster Rommel figure is phenomenal! Like KV said on this thread or some other Figarti thread, "who else paints individual teeth and fingernails?!?" Figarti is wonderfully detail focused, and they continue to rise w/ all of their projects, whether big or small. And the people behind it all are magnificent as well. (Am I showing my Figarti bias? ) Well I collect a lot of different manufacturer's lines, and Figarti is becoming a bit more prominent in my collection. As of late I am impressed not only by their overall creativity & committment, but also by their unsurpassed paint jobs for figures in the general $25 price range. A lot of time is spent making those figures look nice (it's a bit of a combination of Conte's dark realism mixed w/ an equal part of K & C's instant eye appeal). And if their sculpting continues to improve along the accelerated curve they are currently forging, then watch out! Improved figure sculpting matched w/ their current unparellelled painting level would be unstoppable. OK, I'll stop now! That actually just flowed out of me spontaneoulsy!

 

[sceic2]

That actually just flowed out of me spontaneoulsy!

Kind-a-like projectile vomiting or explosive diarrhea

Seriously, I agree. I have become very attached to my 1:30 Figarti vehicles and figures. It all started with the 1:32 Honey.

 

[The Templar]

Where do i find pics of "The Last Supper" set?

 

[jazzeum]

It should be on the West Coaster threads.