A Poll Suggestion that might make sense... (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

Actually, Ron is a capital fellow, for a lobbyist

All in good fun, Ron, mon avocat!

A votre santé, which is to say, prosit!
Brad

 

[Njja]

Have them delivered to your neighbour then John,you don't want to cut back.I too have a system but it seems to go out the window these days,so much stuff i want.I had to let the Rammjager go,its so difficult choosing priorities.

Rob

Rob:

Thats to bad those two pieces combined make a wonderful little display. I

do agree, it is very difficult to keep up, and choices have to be made.

It seems everytime I set a plan in place its time for a new series of releases

and everything goes out the window

Now when I add in Lionel, dinky, and all the other little gems out there

well what the heck

 

[Rob]

Rob:

Thats to bad those two pieces combined make a wonderful little display. I

do agree, it is very difficult to keep up, and choices have to be made.

It seems everytime I set a plan in place its time for a new series of releases

and everything goes out the window

Now when I add in Lionel, dinky, and all the other little gems out there

well what the heck

Absolutely,after all we are only young once!.Somehow though that excuse doesn't go down well with my wife!

Rob

 

[Warrior]

"Why bother to make it then? Just the speculators alone, will clean out this piece in a few hours."

That's become more and more of an issue with the hobby over the past several years IMO, the "I'm going to buy these and put them away and peddle them on Ebay in a year" types who buy on speculation. I had a customer recently who wanted three of NA 158; nope, sorry, you get one and that's it. Why would anyone buy more than one of these other than to set one or two or ten aside to peddle on Ebay.

I would love to see what happens to the speculators out there when the dollar gets back on track and is close to the Euro or the pound and the Europeans stop buying raftloads of items on Ebay, that is whats driving the Ebay bus now, foreign collectors because the dollar is so weak. Can just see the speculators now "But honey, when I dropped 1145.00 on those five of NA 158's, I thought for sure they'd be worth at least twice that by now, who'd have guessed the market would be flat, I'm sorry"........right before a frying pan off the head.

Or those who see a set at a show they already have for a good price and buy it for no other reason than to peddle in on Ebay. The "Why should I leave it for someone else when I can snap it up and peddle it on Ebay" attitude.

Last time I checked, there were plenty of legit toy soldier dealers in the world.

Regarding Honour Bound, I as an HB dealer find all of this angst amusing; prior to announcing the sets would be limited to runs of 35, I sold a decent amount of all the previous sets, but I sold out of both new sets within a day of the announcement and could have sold TWICE the amount I had here very easily; something about attaching a number to a set or a vehicle drives people into a frenzy..............

 

[theBaron]

...I would love to see what happens to the speculators out there when the dollar gets back on track and is close to the Euro or the pound and the Europeans stop buying raftloads of items on Ebay, that is whats driving the Ebay bus now, foreign collectors because the dollar is so weak. Can just see the speculators now "But honey, when I dropped 1145.00 on those five of NA 158's, I thought for sure they'd be worth at least twice that by now, who'd have guessed the market would be flat, I'm sorry"........right before a frying pan off the head...

No, you know what'll happen? They'll ask for a taxpayer-paid bailout

 

[theBaron]

Time for another Lexington and Concord...

 

[desk11desk12]

Wow,

Where have I been these past few days? Interesting thread less the political discussion; I’ve been wondering about the general collector’s feeling about the escalating cost of the hobby.

There have been some many great comments made already I’ll just make two more. They are:

1. Limiting a production run to 35; sounds like a great way of creating demand initially than can easily lend itself to increasing production for new figure sets in the future.
   
2. This disruption in market place presents an opportunity to someone to produce good quality figures on mass at affordable rates. Perhaps an idea like supplementing FOV vehicles with 1/32 WWII metal figures and support vehicles.

Just some thoughts,

Carlos

 

[Njja]

"Why bother to make it then? Just the speculators alone, will clean out this piece in a few hours."

Ah George I'm confused here, do you sell items or give them away? I know

you make an investment, you go to shows......but don't you sell items for a

profit? Why the anger and hostility against possibly one of your customers

selling an item he paid you for? Did he make a deal to toss it away should he

ever decide he wants to replace it with something else?

Dealers are in business for one reason.....to make money! All this I'm limiting

my customers to 1 piece each does anyone really believe that?

I do agree someone buying items strictly to make a profit is certainly taking a

chance. First off they are paying full retail, and with no guarantee they will

make a dime, the posibility of a frying pan to the dome is certainly present.

I do think dealers, those that make a profit should be careful who they are

critical of......less they hurt themselves in the marketplace.

I was stunned when Tony from King & Country UK whinned about people

selling DD65 sherman on Ebay All because he had 9 left at retail?

I can't imagine selling nearly 600 pieces (or whatever production was) and

complaining because someone sold one they paid him full retail for on

Ebay On an on he went about how stupid the buyer was for not finding

his at his website

In my opinion very bad for business. Why not be glad your item is still

selling? Why not place your remaining inventory on Ebay yourself? Could it be

the selling fees? What?

My advice to dealers.......consider your customers......all of them, smile

sell your products, and be happy.

Who is your #1 customer? Thats easy the guy that pays you, up front with

no problem. What he chooses to do with the items is his business, as long as

he pays.

I just don't get all this hositality? When I see an item sell on Ebay I'm glad

not mad. First of all, if it brings a nice price tomorow another one will apear

case in point Vietnam series, 3 sets just sold (after not appearing on ebay for

awhile) today more sets are up. This gives collectors a chance to pick up a

long retired series. If it is out of your price range why not be patient? Right

now there are two WS20's far below previous prices on Ebay.

If you are upset becasue things bring more then you can afford to pay, get

over it that life. The wife would love to have a Van Gogh in the living room

instead of my Dogs en Cards on Velvet......but I'm cheap

 

[Vezzolf]

"Why bother to make it then? Just the speculators alone, will clean out this piece in a few hours."

That's become more and more of an issue with the hobby over the past several years IMO, the "I'm going to buy these and put them away and peddle them on Ebay in a year" types who buy on speculation. I had a customer recently who wanted three of NA 158; nope, sorry, you get one and that's it. Why would anyone buy more than one of these other than to set one or two or ten aside to peddle on Ebay.

I would love to see what happens to the speculators out there when the dollar gets back on track and is close to the Euro or the pound and the Europeans stop buying raftloads of items on Ebay, that is whats driving the Ebay bus now, foreign collectors because the dollar is so weak. Can just see the speculators now "But honey, when I dropped 1145.00 on those five of NA 158's, I thought for sure they'd be worth at least twice that by now, who'd have guessed the market would be flat, I'm sorry"........right before a frying pan off the head.

Or those who see a set at a show they already have for a good price and buy it for no other reason than to peddle in on Ebay. The "Why should I leave it for someone else when I can snap it up and peddle it on Ebay" attitude.

Last time I checked, there were plenty of legit toy soldier dealers in the world.

Regarding Honour Bound, I as an HB dealer find all of this angst amusing; prior to announcing the sets would be limited to runs of 35, I sold a decent amount of all the previous sets, but I sold out of both new sets within a day of the announcement and could have sold TWICE the amount I had here very easily; something about attaching a number to a set or a vehicle drives people into a frenzy..............

GREED.....Knows no Bounds........

 

[OzDigger]

"Why bother to make it then? Just the speculators alone, will clean out this piece in a few hours."

That's become more and more of an issue with the hobby over the past several years IMO, the "I'm going to buy these and put them away and peddle them on Ebay in a year" types who buy on speculation. I had a customer recently who wanted three of NA 158; nope, sorry, you get one and that's it. Why would anyone buy more than one of these other than to set one or two or ten aside to peddle on Ebay.

I would love to see what happens to the speculators out there when the dollar gets back on track and is close to the Euro or the pound and the Europeans stop buying raftloads of items on Ebay, that is whats driving the Ebay bus now, foreign collectors because the dollar is so weak. Can just see the speculators now "But honey, when I dropped 1145.00 on those five of NA 158's, I thought for sure they'd be worth at least twice that by now, who'd have guessed the market would be flat, I'm sorry"........right before a frying pan off the head.

Or those who see a set at a show they already have for a good price and buy it for no other reason than to peddle in on Ebay. The "Why should I leave it for someone else when I can snap it up and peddle it on Ebay" attitude.

Last time I checked, there were plenty of legit toy soldier dealers in the world.

Regarding Honour Bound, I as an HB dealer find all of this angst amusing; prior to announcing the sets would be limited to runs of 35, I sold a decent amount of all the previous sets, but I sold out of both new sets within a day of the announcement and could have sold TWICE the amount I had here very easily; something about attaching a number to a set or a vehicle drives people into a frenzy..............

George, good on you for saying what must dealers would like to say.

 

[Warrior]

John,
I am more than happy to address your points.

I do sell items, I don't give them away and I do make a profit as well (thank God for that). I have no anger or hostility towards a customer selling an item he paid me for, but it will be the only one he gets from me, so once he sells it, it's long gone and hard to find.

Here is my business philosophy right or wrong; I want to have stock on retired or limited edition items, I am in no (read zero, nil) hurry to sell my inventory as fast as it comes in on SL items. Why; because six months from now and all dealers are sold out a SL item and the speculators are busy peddling them on Ebay, I will still hold stock and when a NEW customer contacts me for the first time looking for said item, BINGO, I've got it AND I've got it at the old retail price.

The point of being in business John is to grow your customer base, not to make a fast buck by selling 10 NA 158's to one customer. Sorry, I am not playing that game, I'd prefer to hold them for a newbie down the road. He is happy as a clam, did not get screwed on Ebay and I just cultivated what I hope is a new customer.

Let me give you an example; had a new customer contact me looking for the Figarti V2 rocket. I still have stock on that item, sold it to him at retail and guess what; he has since preordered the command truck, all of the new K & C 8th Army sets, both of the new HB sets, and all of the upcoming K & C Germans.

I had a chance to sell someone three V2's awhile ago but I only sold him one and because I did not jump for the fast buck, I cultivated a brand new customer. Does that sound like a good business strategy to you, it's called growing your customer base, not going for the quick buck. So yes, I limit people to one of any SL item from K & C or anyone else for that matter.

Listen, I appreciate everything you said, no offense taken at all, you are entitled to your opinion and I respect that.

 

[Warrior]

"George, good on you for saying what must dealers would like to say."

Thanks Oz, I call them like I see them ...............

 

[maddadicus]

Wow,

Where have I been these past few days? Interesting thread less the political discussion; I’ve been wondering about the general collector’s feeling about the escalating cost of the hobby.

There have been some many great comments made already I’ll just make two more. They are:

1. Limiting a production run to 35; sounds like a great way of creating demand initially than can easily lend itself to increasing production for new figure sets in the future.
   
2. This disruption in market place presents an opportunity to someone to produce good quality figures on mass at affordable rates. Perhaps an idea like supplementing FOV vehicles with 1/32 WWII metal figures and support vehicles.

Just some thoughts,

Carlos

This only works, if the next sets are as appealing or unique as the offending low run sets. Nothing like aggravating the mass of your regular collectors, that gave a mfg. a chance in a K/C collector world. To assume their regulars will respond like lemmings to the fake demand of a now you see it, now you don't set, might be setting any mfg. up, for the self fulfilled propecy of truly no longer being able to compete..I am sure those dealers made alot of money, selling their allottment of 10 sets....Michael

 

[Vezzolf]

John,
I am more than happy to address your points.

I do sell items, I don't give them away and I do make a profit as well (thank God for that). I have no anger or hostility towards a customer selling an item he paid me for, but it will be the only one he gets from me, so once he sells it, it's long gone and hard to find.

Here is my business philosophy right or wrong; I want to have stock on retired or limited edition items, I am in no (read zero, nil) hurry to sell my inventory as fast as it comes in on SL items. Why; because six months from now and all dealers are sold out a SL item and the speculators are busy peddling them on Ebay, I will still hold stock and when a NEW customer contacts me for the first time looking for said item, BINGO, I've got it AND I've got it at the old retail price.

The point of being in business John is to grow your customer base, not to make a fast buck by selling 10 NA 158's to one customer. Sorry, I am not playing that game, I'd prefer to hold them for a newbie down the road. He is happy as a clam, did not get screwed on Ebay and I just cultivated what I hope is a new customer.

Let me give you an example; had a new customer contact me looking for the Figarti V2 rocket. I still have stock on that item, sold it to him at retail and guess what; he has since preordered the command truck, all of the new K & C 8th Army sets, both of the new HB sets, and all of the upcoming K & C Germans.

I had a chance to sell someone three V2's awhile ago but I only sold him one and because I did not jump for the fast buck, I cultivated a brand new customer. Does that sound like a good business strategy to you, it's called growing your customer base, not going for the quick buck. So yes, I limit people to one of any SL item from K & C or anyone else for that matter.

Listen, I appreciate everything you said, no offense taken at all, you are entitled to your opinion and I respect that.

I for one commend your integity and honesty.Your service to customers creates a loyal customer base......This type of dealer attitude goes a long way in deciding whom I personnaly will purchase from......Regards Vezzolf

 

[Pierre]

Discussing each and other's philosophy in respect of eBay is everything except BS... but I can easily understand why some people are uncomfortable with that

 

[damian]

John,
I am more than happy to address your points.

I do sell items, I don't give them away and I do make a profit as well (thank God for that). I have no anger or hostility towards a customer selling an item he paid me for, but it will be the only one he gets from me, so once he sells it, it's long gone and hard to find.

Here is my business philosophy right or wrong; I want to have stock on retired or limited edition items, I am in no (read zero, nil) hurry to sell my inventory as fast as it comes in on SL items. Why; because six months from now and all dealers are sold out a SL item and the speculators are busy peddling them on Ebay, I will still hold stock and when a NEW customer contacts me for the first time looking for said item, BINGO, I've got it AND I've got it at the old retail price.

The point of being in business John is to grow your customer base, not to make a fast buck by selling 10 NA 158's to one customer. Sorry, I am not playing that game, I'd prefer to hold them for a newbie down the road. He is happy as a clam, did not get screwed on Ebay and I just cultivated what I hope is a new customer.

Let me give you an example; had a new customer contact me looking for the Figarti V2 rocket. I still have stock on that item, sold it to him at retail and guess what; he has since preordered the command truck, all of the new K & C 8th Army sets, both of the new HB sets, and all of the upcoming K & C Germans.

I had a chance to sell someone three V2's awhile ago but I only sold him one and because I did not jump for the fast buck, I cultivated a brand new customer. Does that sound like a good business strategy to you, it's called growing your customer base, not going for the quick buck. So yes, I limit people to one of any SL item from K & C or anyone else for that matter.

Listen, I appreciate everything you said, no offense taken at all, you are entitled to your opinion and I respect that.

This sounds like what I said about the difference between an investor and a speculator.
Regards
Damian

 

[Rob]

Ah George I'm confused here, do you sell items or give them away? I know

you make an investment, you go to shows......but don't you sell items for a

profit? Why the anger and hostility against possibly one of your customers

selling an item he paid you for? Did he make a deal to toss it away should he

ever decide he wants to replace it with something else?

Dealers are in business for one reason.....to make money! All this I'm limiting

my customers to 1 piece each does anyone really believe that?

I do agree someone buying items strictly to make a profit is certainly taking a

chance. First off they are paying full retail, and with no guarantee they will

make a dime, the posibility of a frying pan to the dome is certainly present.

I do think dealers, those that make a profit should be careful who they are

critical of......less they hurt themselves in the marketplace.

I was stunned when Tony from King & Country UK whinned about people

selling DD65 sherman on Ebay All because he had 9 left at retail?

I can't imagine selling nearly 600 pieces (or whatever production was) and

complaining because someone sold one they paid him full retail for on

Ebay On an on he went about how stupid the buyer was for not finding

his at his website

In my opinion very bad for business. Why not be glad your item is still

selling? Why not place your remaining inventory on Ebay yourself? Could it be

the selling fees? What?

My advice to dealers.......consider your customers......all of them, smile

sell your products, and be happy.

Who is your #1 customer? Thats easy the guy that pays you, up front with

no problem. What he chooses to do with the items is his business, as long as

he pays.

I just don't get all this hositality? When I see an item sell on Ebay I'm glad

not mad. First of all, if it brings a nice price tomorow another one will apear

case in point Vietnam series, 3 sets just sold (after not appearing on ebay for

awhile) today more sets are up. This gives collectors a chance to pick up a

long retired series. If it is out of your price range why not be patient? Right

now there are two WS20's far below previous prices on Ebay.

If you are upset becasue things bring more then you can afford to pay, get

over it that life. The wife would love to have a Van Gogh in the living room

instead of my Dogs en Cards on Velvet......but I'm cheap

John,i think to be fair Tony was saying that if people looked at his website they could still get a Sherman at the original price rather than pay a much higher price on ebay.I don't think he was complaining that he had six left,he was saying 'Hey if you are quick i still have them at the original price'.

Me i never go near ebay,anything i want i buy when it comes out if i can.However i missed out on the Rammjager so who knows in a years time i may be complaining about the ebay price of it

ROB

 

[desk11desk12]

This only works, if the next sets are as appealing or unique as the offending low run sets. Nothing like aggravating the mass of your regular collectors, that gave a mfg. a chance in a K/C collector world. To assume their regulars will respond like lemmings to the fake demand of a now you see it, now you don't set, might be setting any mfg. up, for the self fulfilled propecy of truly no longer being able to compete..I am sure those dealers made alot of money, selling their allottment of 10 sets....Michael

Maddadicus,

I get it, you're psst off and you have some grounds to be. I feel very confident that you'll continue to voice your displeasure over marketing/ production decisions made by companies like this and punish them by not buying from them. That is your right.

IMO, HB's strategy centers on profitability and eventually expanding their offerings as quantifiable market demand grows. Long term this is the only way a boutique operation like HB can survive and prosper. Short term they risk alienating some collectors (like yourself). However, it's been my experience given HB's quality and creativity continues to be improve they will gain more than they lose.

Good luck with your crusade,

Carlos

 

[Njja]

Must be nice to be able to express your opinion........wonder what thats

like

Nice day isn't it........looks like rain though

 

[nasirkasmani]

Must be nice to be able to express your opinion........wonder what thats

like

Nice day isn't it........looks like rain though

Nice avatar John, its Pinocchio isnt it?

Its nice to be Pinocchio, i'm sure his missus wants him to lie during love making