BB009-BB018 German Waffen SS & Heer Panzer Grenadiers Pre-Order (2 Viewers)

[FirstLegion]

Matt, I am not trying to be difficult....Any chance of a "Mass Battle Series"??....I know that you were considering this a while back....It would be helpful to those feeling the pinch.. Best amd Respectfully Frank

Sure, there will be MB figures coming for certain ranges, but WWII definitely isn't one of them. And don't worry about being perceived as difficult, you have every right to your opinion and to express it as much as you'd like. I'm just providing insight into First Legion's view of the world.

 

[lenswerks]

That WB 12th Regiment of Cuirassiers – Battle of Friedland June 14 1807 was $250 and does not come anywhere close to even the least expensive FM mounted figure.

 

[joesgis]

Do you purchase less food, water, heating etc?

I know that this is a chosen hobby and is somewhat ‘put-downable’ yet the prices have grown in real terms only. People are talking about a 20 buck increase over a number of years which is no different to the price of many commodities, essentials and ‘other fun things’

Maybe many members of the forum have experienced deflative costs in their daily or professional lives (please tell me, I want to live there) however from a personal point of view, I’ve needed to increase my costs to my customers in similar or greater than levels than the price increases FL have listed.

I’d be interested if anyone would like to list the price increases on a separate thread for K&C, JJD, FL and TG figures. Some, not FL, have increased by 50-60% in recent years. Inflation is a must in this business when you factor in factory door prices and anyone who complains about a price without first acknowledging this needs to think again about the hobby they are in.

I like others struggle with the costs involved in this hobby yet I’m realistic about what I’m buying and what it costs a producer to make. These are works of art not physiologically inaccurate glossies from 1956 (or 2018 as they are still produced)

Another aspect to consider is that as the cost of living rises all around, a lot of folks were making more money 10 years ago.
Joe

 

[katana]

Many Russian Toy Soldier makers offer several levels of paint quality utilizing the same figure. When facing the possibility of a shrinking market share due to increasing price such an approach may be a prudent consideration. Increasing prices in a shrinking market segment results in an economic spiral of diminishing returns on investment. Aero Art is an example of what can occur!

 

[joesgis]

Many Russian Toy Soldier makers offer several levels of paint quality utilizing the same figure. When facing the possibility of a shrinking market share due to increasing price such an approach may be a prudent consideration. Increasing prices in a shrinking market segment results in an economic spiral of diminishing returns on investment. Aero Art is an example of what can occur!

What is occurring with Aero Art (SP)?


Joe

 

[TomNT]

I do wonder though why the existing and new WW2 winter German William Britains figures are priced at $38 to $40 USD when compared to $80 USD for a FL German BB figure ^&confuse

I know the FL figures are a tad better detailed but in my view I think the WB figures are up there in detail.

Tom

 

[FirstLegion]

I do wonder though why the existing and new WW2 winter German William Britains figures are priced at $38 to $40 USD when compared to $80 USD for a FL German BB figure ^&confuse

I know the FL figures are a tad better detailed but in my view I think the WB figures are up there in detail.

Tom

Honestly, if you have to ask then you should definitely stick with Britains.

 

[TomNT]

Honestly, if you have to ask then you should definitely stick with Britains.

Thanks Matt, I will and I'm very happy with them and the price I pay.

Again, I'm not knocking your products as I think they look great, I'm just curious on why there is a price disparity between the figures.

Tom

 

[katana]

Many collectors ask this same question for good reason. The price disparity between WB and FL far exceeds the quality difference IMO. Quality is subjective and price is a factor in determining quality. Example; Aero Art has a 4 Star General figure with a dog that is supposed to be Patton for $149.00. The TCS Patton figure is far superior for $45.00 and actually looks like George S. Patton! Some manufacturers figures may have excellent detail; but they use the same head sculpt on multiple figures and this detracts from the figure quality by eliminating individual figure character.

Honestly, if you have to ask then you should definitely stick with Britains.

 

[FirstLegion]

Thanks Matt, I will and I'm very happy with them and the price I pay.

Again, I'm not knocking your products as I think they look great, I'm just curious on why there is a price disparity between the figures.

Tom

Because of the massive difference in the cost to produce them.

 

[FirstLegion]

Many collectors ask this same question for good reason. The price disparity between WB and FL far exceeds the quality difference IMO. Quality is subjective and price is a factor in determining quality. Example; Aero Art has a 4 Star General figure with a dog that is supposed to be Patton for $149.00. The TCS Patton figure is far superior for $45.00 and actually looks like George S. Patton! Some manufacturers figures may have excellent detail; but they use the same head sculpt on multiple figures and this detracts from the figure quality by eliminating individual figure character.

Yeah....ooooooookkkkk Katana.

As I said previously and I'll repeat for the final time, anyone who feels that way should purchase WB figures and definitely not First Legion. There is a world of difference between the two and those who don't or can't recognize it, shouldn't waste their money paying a premium on something that they don't see. Not knocking WB, they are certainly nice figures for the price, but a totally different animal to First Legion figures.

 

[jazzeum]

Many collectors ask this same question for good reason. The price disparity between WB and FL far exceeds the quality difference IMO. Quality is subjective and price is a factor in determining quality. Example; Aero Art has a 4 Star General figure with a dog that is supposed to be Patton for $149.00. The TCS Patton figure is far superior for $45.00 and actually looks like George S. Patton! Some manufacturers figures may have excellent detail; but they use the same head sculpt on multiple figures and this detracts from the figure quality by eliminating individual figure character.

You never fail to take a shot at FL when you can, do you :rolleyes2:

 

[FirstLegion]

You never fail to take a shot at FL when you can, do you :rolleyes2:

Funny, because for someone who doesn't collect our figures, he spends an inordinate amount of time discussing them and why they're this or that or the other thing. But thousands of very satisfied customers certainly can't be wrong. :salute::

Honestly, it's really silly folks such as this why I rarely engage on the forums any longer. And now that I have spent a little time talking on the forum today, I clearly remember why I stopped. A few outliers dominate the conversation with overly repetitive posts which lack any basis of fact or reason who just wear you down with more and more nonsense.

Best,

Matt

 

[jazzeum]

Unfortunately, I can hardly blame you. However, as you noted there are thousand of satisfied customers (including myself) and an outlier will not disturb our enjoyment in collecting First Legion.

Brad

 

[King Tiger II]

As for me, im a very satisfied FL customer/collector.
Nothing to say negative about their products.

Serge

 

[TomNT]

Because of the massive difference in the cost to produce them.

Fair enough on the above statement and I guess it is in the eye of the beholder as I do have some FL figures along with my WB's and I can only see a slight increase in detail in favour of FL when compared to WB. For me paying $80 USD for a slight increase in detail for a figure (my opinion of course) is not going to make me happy.

But as you say, thousands of customers are happy so in the end that is all that matters.

Tom

 

[FirstLegion]

Fair enough on the above statement and I guess it is in the eye of the beholder as I do have some FL figures along with my WB's and I can only see a slight increase in detail in favour of FL when compared to WB. For me paying $80 USD for a slight increase in detail for a figure (my opinion of course) is not going to make me happy.

But as you say, thousands of customers are happy so in the end that is all that matters.

Tom

You see, here's the thing....the overwhelming majority of FL collectors would never buy a WB Britains figure and the overwhelming majority of WB collectors have difficulty understanding why they should pay what a FL figure costs. In the end, if WB collectors are happy with those figures, they should buy them and be happy and if FL collectors are happy with our figures they should buy them and be happy.

WBritains has been around a long time. However, I was a collector prior to starting FL. If WB figures met my needs as a collector, FL wouldn't exist. And for those who don't see the difference or only see a marginal difference, i really have nothing to say about that because for me the difference is incredibly obvious but if it's not to others my saying it is isn't going to change anything. But for most FL collectors the difference is massive.

Matt

 

[Alexander the Great]

There is no doubt in my mind that FL quality is way above the rest not to mention the excellent customer service. I for one will continue to collect even within my budget constraints.

 

[egonzinc]

The "toy soldier" hobby is one big house and the variations in style, detail, finish etc is huge. There is a large variation in what is produced to fit what collectors see as good value for their money. I have collected "toy soldiers" for about 30 years and before that I used to paint miniatures for another 20 years. I enjoy many different manufacturers, from flats, to glossy traditionals, to more realistic glossy figures, to matt figures in all sorts of quality levels. The range of prices is as dramatic as the range of style and detail.
FL does not produce "toy soldiers", they produce "military miniatures".
I have professionally painted Military Modelles figures next to FL offerings, and there is no visible difference. I have some Aero Art/St Petersburg Collection miniatures and the FL miniatures can be displayed side by side and hold their own easily. The only other miniatures I would compare to FL (particularly those produced lately, Tercios, Winged Hussars, Burning of the Eagles, Roman Praetorians, the XXX Legion and the Tiger I(WOW!) to name a few)in detail, quality and finish are those produced by Aero Art, and the price of the FL miniatures is about half.
I do not collect FL WWII range, but these new offerings look amazing. I wish I could afford to collect all the FL offerings. But after so MANY years of collecting toy soldiers, figures and miniatures, NOTHING compares to opening a box of a newly arrived FL miniature and getting that "wow factor, jaw hitting the ground" effect.
Please continue your magic Matt!
Que siga la fiesta!!!

 

[TomNT]

You see, here's the thing....the overwhelming majority of FL collectors would never buy a WB Britains figure and the overwhelming majority of WB collectors have difficulty understanding why they should pay what a FL figure costs. In the end, if WB collectors are happy with those figures, they should buy them and be happy and if FL collectors are happy with our figures they should buy them and be happy.

WBritains has been around a long time. However, I was a collector prior to starting FL. If WB figures met my needs as a collector, FL wouldn't exist. And for those who don't see the difference or only see a marginal difference, i really have nothing to say about that because for me the difference is incredibly obvious but if it's not to others my saying it is isn't going to change anything. But for most FL collectors the difference is massive.

Matt

No worries Matt and I'm referring to the newer WB figures (when Ken took over William Britains) and not the older WB figures as I agree, the older one's aren't all that great in detail. I have both the old and new WB figures and the new one's are miles ahead in detail when compared to the older one's. The old WB figures didn't meet my needs either and I stopped collecting them, but as soon as I saw the new one's I was hooked straight away.

Anyway, I have said my piece and I'm happy where I am and if collectors are happy to pay for your figures then again, good on them and happy collecting!

Tom