My comments are :
I am an Aussie dealer and obviously if a manufacturer plans to do direct Club sales it is of no benefit to my business. I am therefore biased.
As I stated, not lining your pocket or increasing your bottom line.
If the figure is Aussie then I would consider it a wasted opportunity to build interest in the brand or series within Australia. Australian figures are the first ones I point out to somebody that might be a potential collector. My biggest collector started this way.
TGM has to start some where and see how a Aussie figure goes, before producing 300 sets and being stuck with them. Smart move in my book. As his dealer one would think you would be over the moom about possible future Aussie sets and even push the Club Aussie figure, with the hope to building up an interest in the product and a Aussie series. But again not lining your pocket or do we want him to go out of business like others.
It should be noted that Australia only became a country in 1901 and many do not relate to European history. From my own experience with my kids the current generation is not learning much history at all.
If TG did release a single Aussie Club figure and sold direct how many would actually end up in Australia out of say 100 ? I don't think it would be too many and I would not be too surprised if one Aussie collector was able to get more than the rest combined.
You can always become a Gunn Club Memeber and buy your own. Wait on you would have to pay what the rest of use pay then. Again Brett you seem to have a problem with a free market, were you, me or anyone can buy 1 or 100 of anything they like. You want it so dealers are the only ones who can buy sets and make a profit.
If this post had been started by any other Aussie Forum member my reaction would be a little different. In view of the comment by Andrew aimed at me "As always if it is not lining your pocket it is a bad thing" I think this needs to be put in context. Andrew is no mere collector interested in getting one Club figure. He has taken his collecting to the next level and buys multiples for onselling via Ebay.
Did you have a point to this, anyone who cares knows I buy and sell sets on eBay for profit, no secert there, as I have stated the fact here and on a number of other threads many times.
Particular areas of interest have been K&C AWI, K&C Club figures, K&C AK Camels and then John Jenkins because I guess they are more limited.
You missed Frontline, Collectors Showcase, Patriot and First Legion all of which I have sold and am selling.
I don't have my copy with me but 2 or 3 issues ago Toy Soldier Collector magazine had an article duscussing the role of speculators in the hobby and high prices. Three of Andrew's Jenkins Ebay items were used as images as well as an image of a K&C AK Camel.
I made Toy Soldier Collector magazine did I, well I will not be going to Toy Soldier heaven then. Am I on the ten most wanted posted at the post office also. I will have to get a copy of that, what issue was it. I have always wanted to be the best (worst in your option) at something, finally made it.
Some of his recent Forum posts have been
14 AUG on Jenkins Forum
I just noted that Treefrog had BAL-01 & SRR-04 noted as retired on their web site.
I checked with a couple of other dealers and they confirmed that they have been retired by John.
On TG Forum
31 JULY
It was only a matter of time, but the first Thomas Gunn set has hit eBay. Item number: 280378972540
31 JULY
The one on eBay has sold.
If anyone is look for some sets the Manufacture sells them with free shipping world wide if you buy two set or more, 19 sets left last time I looked.
I think Thomas told me last week his second release will be out on 5 August.
www.tomgunn.co.uk
I should be on comission here
My reply
Aussie Monty,
Regarding your commission I think forum members will be wondering how many you bought and iif and when you will be listing any on Ebay.
Regards
Brett
and on 1 AUG
I spoken to Thomas Gunn by email last week, nice guy, nice product, nice price.
He told me the dealers for his products around the world are - Saimex & Hadiansvilla (Europe), Tin Soldier (Canada) and Treefrog, Hobby Bunker & Minutemen (USA) and Military Workshop (Australia) was come on board.
I am pretty sure Tin Soldier, Treefrog, Hobby Bunker & Minutemen are out of B sets, but you can try them, you may get lucky with the two Europe dealers. But as nasirkasmani stated there were only 100 sets manufactured and 200 of the A sets."
Note the informative updates about sales status.
I am very glad to see you take such a interest in my postings.
Yes I keep an eye on what is selling and what is not, I like to buy things that will resell well, funny that, sorry if that upsets you also. Probobly the same thing you do but you keep it to yourself so you can sell the items, fine by me.
Yes my posts are usually about products I like and products I think are worth buying, instead of running products down if they are not another manufactures product.
The debate about guys buying multiples for resale has been discussed before and whilst there is nothing wrong with it it does mean some collectors paying more than retail becuase somebody has bought up multiples. Is TG the new JJ as far as Ebay goes ?
Yes there are a number of TGM sets being sold on eBay at the moment. You can still get all except TGM001 A & B from a number of dealers. Can not blame me for these, not me. But I am the one you can have a go at on the forum. OK by me if you are picking on me you are leaving some other poor guy allow.
In relation to the other comments :
"As you are well aware to get a manufacturer to product a Aussie range on anything is near impossible and if they do not sell, even harder.
Hopefully if a Single Aussie Figure moves well for Tom he may even do some 3 Figure Aussie Sets which will line your pocket.
As a dealer for Tom's figures and a Aussie, one would have thought you would be pushing anything of Tom's or Australian but some peolpe can not help themselves.
For anyone who does not get Brett's comment "However this would be good news for those who buy multiples to sell on Ebay at higher prices.", he is talking about people like me who buys multiple sets of products and then sells them on eBay at a higher price "One of the Evil Ones".
I more than most would have an interest in any good Australian related items. It would not be unreasonable for me to claim a little credit for getting a forthcoming Aussie series done and arranging for a well known manufacturer to visit Australia. In addition I managed to convince the same manufacturer to not make a particular WWI Aussie figure a Club figure and as a result far far more Australians now own that figure than otherwise had been the csae. Many are first time buyers.
Yes Brett you did a great job of there, sales must of gone through the roof that week. But you did it for the good of the toy soldier industry, not your pocket and I am the one feathering my nest. Have a look in the mirror and this time open your eyes. the halo over your head is not there.
As regards "lining my pocket" yes I would have to admit figures I sell do pay for rent, advertising, sales tax, free postage within Australia etc and horror
of horrors supports my family. As the song goes "I work hard for the money".
As regards "one of the evil ones" I think most would rather buy at RRP than buy higher on Ebay. As I said I am just putting this into context as I admit I am biased being a dealer but then again Andrew is not your normal collector.
Funny how when I brought off you there were no issues with me or selling to me. You were very happy to sell thousands of dollars of other manufacturer's products at discounted prices.
You have an issue with reselling, that is your problem. Last time I looked I lived in a free country and I can buy and sell what I like, how and for what I like. I do not need to ask anyones approval to do so, either does anyone else.
Regards
Brett
Just my options and comments.
Andrew
