A changing hobby (2 Viewers)

[sammy719]

May I be so bold as to reiterate my original thought;

"It may by many be deemed heresy, but I will be emphatic. Collecting “toy soldiers” is no longer the collection of toy soldiers! It has become the collection of military miniature figures, armored fighting vehicles/transport, aircraft, other ancillary equipment ((all of varying scale, predominately 1/30 and to a lesser degree 1/32), and the building of dioramas, to incorporate and present all of them for display. Hopefully these diorama groups, within themselves are in reasonably consistent scale. There is nothing wrong with this fact, but within a period of approximately a decade and a half (perhaps longer), that my fellow collectors and friends is what has occurred."

Adding that it is one thing to by "toy soldiers", however something entirely different to buy " toy soldiers" plus all the other "trappings". And don't try and tell me that this "diorama" thing represents only a fraction of the current market. Don't try and rationalize, the facts are there in front of you. Just read the threads and responses on this and the other toy soldier forum.

Arnhem Jim

Arizona Territory

Your reply makes it sounds as though there is something wrong with displaying dioramas with any type of toy soldiers, which if so I must ask, what's the difference if I display my collection in a diorama setting, shelf, or leave in a box in a closet somewhere??? I'm confused as well.

 

[Jack]

From latest Rivets newsletter....

TREEFROG FREE International Shipping Orders INcreased to $500

TreeFrog delivering diorama supplies for free over $75
Free Shipping
U.S. orders over $75 and International orders over $500 ship for free.


For International it used to be $250. It is a business decision but this hobby is indeed getting more expensive {sm2}

I suppose it has got easier to hit $500 now ... although that sounded a more positive observation in my head!

 

[DM101]

From latest Rivets newsletter....

TREEFROG FREE International Shipping Orders INcreased to $500

TreeFrog delivering diorama supplies for free over $75
Free Shipping
U.S. orders over $75 and International orders over $500 ship for free.


For International it used to be $250. It is a business decision but this hobby is indeed getting more expensive {sm2}

For me, there is no customs tax if the value is less than ~$280 - so the figure $250 "works" for me {sm4}

For a $500 purchase I would be slapped with a 7% tax {sm2}

 

[cnq]

For me, there is no customs tax if the value is less than ~$280 - so the figure $250 "works" for me {sm4}

For a $500 purchase I would be slapped with a 7% tax {sm2}

I wonder why not buying direct from K&C Hong Kong since you're located in Singapore ( if you're collecting K&C products). It's so much closer and shipping must be cheaper too.

 

[sammy719]

As I look over the forum these last few weeks I do realize there is much to be excited about.

1. The most ever talked about Jadgpanther ^&grin from JJD has been a huge hit and seems to be selling well from what I hear, although I do wish it were cheaper then the 278.00 price tag it's still a good value for a quality tank.

2. the new Collectors Showcase Sub/crew look to be hit with collectors, a great idea that doesn't cost a arm for a neat display piece.

3. King & Country's new 6 day War range has many collectors discussing the new releases and some very sharp looking scultps,designs through out the range and prices are holding steady instead of rising is even better.

4. First legion just announced new product coming out as well, along with the very nice Tigers recently produced, now have a great winterized BBG Jeep/driver, again I wish the price were more affordable, as I'm not sure 219.00 will be in my budget this year for a Jeep, but non the less a great looking vehicle.

5. William Britian return to WWII has been a solid addition both with quality and of course the prices have held up very nice for what they are producing, looking forward to seeing the new Fall catalog for WWII collectors.


These are just a few things going on in the toy soldier world that I am interested in mainly, I know TG has many offers as do other companies with different ranges that are not WWII related, but just pointing out there is plenty of good news out in the hobby world even it today's higher priced markets.

 

[jazzeum]

There's always a lot to be excited about. After seeing the movie Dunkirk I'm rediscovering my Fields of Battle colllection -- and adding to it.

If you like WW II, how could you not fail to be excited by JJD's entry into WW II (or re-entry if you count the airplanes JJD made a few years back).

 

[DM101]

I wonder why not buying direct from K&C Hong Kong since you're located in Singapore ( if you're collecting K&C products). It's so much closer and shipping must be cheaper too.

The K&C website is unsecured i.e. the web browser does not show a padlock. Not sure they accept PAYPAL

I buy mostly from TF - they host this wonderful forum. SERRIA TOY still ship for free at $250 {sm4} do hope they keep it that way....

 

[Arnhemjim]

Your reply makes it sounds as though there is something wrong with displaying dioramas with any type of toy soldiers, which if so I must ask, what's the difference if I display my collection in a diorama setting, shelf, or leave in a box in a closet somewhere??? I'm confused as well.

Gentlemen (sammy and jazzeum),
My apologies for any inferences, as none were intended. My only observation is that it is a lot more challenging and expensive to buy toy soldiers with the primary objective of incorporating them into dioramas, than merely displaying them in simple coordinated groupings. And you are to be commended for choosing to do so. Please gentlemen don't get so up tight. These forums are already so hypersensitive, and P.C. filtered.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

 

[sammy719]

Gentlemen (sammy and jazzeum),
My apologies for any inferences, as none were intended. My only observation is that it is a lot more challenging and expensive to buy toy soldiers with the primary objective of incorporating them into dioramas, than merely displaying them in simple coordinated groupings. And you are to be commended for choosing to do so. Please gentlemen don't get so up tight. These forums are already so hypersensitive, and P.C. filtered.
Arnhem Jim
Arizona Territory

No problem here Jim....and here I was thinking you were being up tight about displaying dioramas.

 

[Desertkiwi]

The K&C website is unsecured i.e. the web browser does not show a padlock. Not sure they accept PAYPAL

I buy mostly from TF - they host this wonderful forum. SERRIA TOY still ship for free at $250 {sm4} do hope they keep it that way....

K&C do free shipping as well DM101 and knowing Andy and the team I'm sure they could accommodate you in some way if you drop them a line.

 

[Desertkiwi]

As I look over the forum these last few weeks I do realize there is much to be excited about.

1. The most ever talked about Jadgpanther ^&grin from JJD has been a huge hit and seems to be selling well from what I hear, although I do wish it were cheaper then the 278.00 price tag it's still a good value for a quality tank.

2. the new Collectors Showcase Sub/crew look to be hit with collectors, a great idea that doesn't cost a arm for a neat display piece.

3. King & Country's new 6 day War range has many collectors discussing the new releases and some very sharp looking scultps,designs through out the range and prices are holding steady instead of rising is even better.

4. First legion just announced new product coming out as well, along with the very nice Tigers recently produced, now have a great winterized BBG Jeep/driver, again I wish the price were more affordable, as I'm not sure 219.00 will be in my budget this year for a Jeep, but non the less a great looking vehicle.

5. William Britian return to WWII has been a solid addition both with quality and of course the prices have held up very nice for what they are producing, looking forward to seeing the new Fall catalog for WWII collectors.


These are just a few things going on in the toy soldier world that I am interested in mainly, I know TG has many offers as do other companies with different ranges that are not WWII related, but just pointing out there is plenty of good news out in the hobby world even it today's higher priced markets.

Great post Sammy, I've read way too many moans and groans on TF lately (although I've probably added a few myself) so this was excellent mate!:salute::

 

[jazzeum]

The K&C website is unsecured i.e. the web browser does not show a padlock. Not sure they accept PAYPAL

I buy mostly from TF - they host this wonderful forum. SERRIA TOY still ship for free at $250 {sm4} do hope they keep it that way....

They take PayPal so your payment information is secure; it doesn't seem as if they process payments directly. In addition, there is a privacy policy so thinks look generally secure to me.

 

[zulucollector]

I think the common themes beyond changing demographics are expense (higher price for toy soldiers, higher shipping costs for international customers along with higher tariffs and never mind a lot of currencies have depreciated against the US greenback) and of course space. Personally I think collector fatigue is also coming into play as TSC overlap with each other or reaching with more niche lines. Due to space issues I have focused on rounding out existing collections as opposed to new ones with some exceptions (TG Spartans) and shock and awe with the new collectors submarine or TG roman elephants. The hobby will evolve with aging demographics but I think you are going to see consolidation within the industry as there is too much product chasing too few customers. Both conte and figarti have basically exited and it was not like they did not have some great products and concepts while others have reduced the frequency of new issuances. Now saying all that.... I have benefited from collectors exiting the industry and putting up hard to find items.

 

[DM101]

They take PayPal so your payment information is secure; it doesn't seem as if they process payments directly. In addition, there is a privacy policy so thinks look generally secure to me.

Yup, the online K&C website takes PAYPAL ! {sm4}

Thanks