Britains at the London Toy Soldier Show 24 March 2018. (2 Viewers)

[graycap]

I visited the Britains stand at todays show and spoke to the Collectors Club reps in an effort to glean any information about what was going on. To summarise:

1. They "understood" that a consignment would soon be on "the water" from China. This consignment would include some ACW, the Nassau Napoleonics, but nothing from the War on the Nile or WWII. It might arrive in time for the next Toy Soldier Show - in June.
2. Bachmans in the UK had had little contact with Ken recently and were as frustrated as the rest of us.
3. They had no information regarding the next issue of The Standard.

All in all very disappointing and depressing. We shall just have to wait and see regarding future developments.

 

[Horus]

Thanks for posting this. Sure is frustrating for everyone, but until Ken or another of the owners of WB says something I guess all is only speculation.

Steve

 

[BHogan]

Thanks for the sitrep. Sounds like some production issues are getting sorted out now. Hopefully, it won't take too long to get Britains back on track.

Brendan

 

[aujj65]

I visited the Britains stand at todays show and spoke to the Collectors Club reps in an effort to glean any information about what was going on. To summarise:

1. They "understood" that a consignment would soon be on "the water" from China. This consignment would include some ACW, the Nassau Napoleonics, but nothing from the War on the Nile or WWII. It might arrive in time for the next Toy Soldier Show - in June.
2. Bachmans in the UK had had little contact with Ken recently and were as frustrated as the rest of us.
3. They had no information regarding the next issue of The Standard.

All in all very disappointing and depressing. We shall just have to wait and see regarding future developments.

I've just got back from the show and couldn't agree more! Total lack of information from WBritains - no wonder there are so many rumours going around.

You have to feel sorry for the Bachmans team, just as much in the dark as the rest of us.

Jeff

 

[jomartvr]

Well in the plus column at least Bachman's was there representing Britains, if they were not then it would be belly up. Ignoring customer's concerns does not make WBritains problems go away, rather it fuels speculation. IMHO Britains has become the Faulty towers of the toy soldier world.

Benjamin

 

[nysoldiers]

No way to run a business! Hopefully they will survive but they have lost me as a customer.

 

[Guest]

I want to echo the thread and I heard the same from the Britains team, lot of people in the dark and many not renewing their membership, in no way the UK reps fault, but membership figure did not arrive last year until late Nov 17, plus lack of releases means there is very little reason to join until the situation has been sorted. Asking about the 88mm get the same response as when you ask about Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster, there is a slight smile and a raised eyebrow, as we have all seen pictures and want to believe it is 'real' but we have no proof.

 

[WeekendWarrior]

No commo and no product is bad news all around. I'd hate to see Britains fold, but all of the evidence is pointing to a massive collapse.

 

[jomartvr]

Agreed!

 

[7th OVI]

Also agree, no communication and no new products is not a good sign for any firm. I am also hoping for the best but I am expecting the worse. I only collect ACW and may have find a new hobby. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Chris

 

[vandilay]

I want to echo the thread and I heard the same from the Britains team, lot of people in the dark and many not renewing their membership, in no way the UK reps fault, but membership figure did not arrive last year until late Nov 17, plus lack of releases means there is very little reason to join until the situation has been sorted. Asking about the 88mm get the same response as when you ask about Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster, there is a slight smile and a raised eyebrow, as we have all seen pictures and want to believe it is 'real' but we have no proof.

Love the Loch Ness monster analogy , The brand deserves better from the current owners .

 

[vandilay]

Love the Loch Ness monster analogy , The brand deserves better . Not to mention customers and suppliers.

 

[Thin Red Line]

Thanks for the updates from the london show , unfortunately things seem to be carrying on from last year, poor communication from britains and the constant moving backwards of delivery dates. I don't understand why they've not put a update on Facebook or there website at any point telling there customers the position. I've not rejoined the club this year mainly due to the lack of updates last year with the Club figure limping home in Dec.
So over to you W Britains we want you to succeed and come through whatever problems your going through, but you'll need to communicate better with your customers because my confidence in preordering from you has evaporated .

 

[Guest]

Been thinking back through the conversations I had at the show and a couple of other things come to mind,
1/. There was some new stock on the way, it was "On the Water" I was told but have heard this before and can I pay with "a cheque that's in the post?".
2/. A lot of people had not renewed their membership, firstly because why? there is no benefit, lack of exclusives and Brochures/Standards. Secondly, they were worried if there is a problem they could just lose their money and receive nothing? This is particularly worrying as membership must be a big source of ongoing income.
3/. There quite a few W Britains figures for sale on their stand [not MKL] and they were being sold at a discount, cannot blame Britains UK as they must find some way to bring in some income.

Finally, I have not looked at the WB website for a while, but someone pointed out at the show that the last few new releases on the site were Hudson and Allen and not Britains, plus looking at the Members Exclusives there has been nothing that has been 'exclusive' for a while and the so called 'exclusives' have been for open sale to anyone at the TS shows.

I have been critical of the latest ownership of W Britains for a while and make no apologies, as this is a company I grew up with and is the reason I started collecting toy soldiers, to see such a brilliant and inspiring brand be managed like this.

 

[Ghostrider]

For myself, I'm going to stick with them and hope the China shipping rumor is true in order to pick up the NAP Nassau group. That's what will help complete a Hougoumont Dio. Maybe that order from China will start WB back onto the right track again. Let's see.

Joe

 

[The Breaker]

For myself, I'm going to stick with them and hope the China shipping rumor is true in order to pick up the NAP Nassau group. That's what will help complete a Hougoumont Dio. Maybe that order from China will start WB back onto the right track again. Let's see.

Joe

Amen Ghostrider. Take the flyby the pattern is not full. I'm with you I'm a patient man I can wait a little longer for the WAN Tel El Kebir figures and the WWII figures. Gotta have the Steiner....err ah the German NCO figure.

 

[Warrior]

For myself, I'm going to stick with them and hope the China shipping rumor is true in order to pick up the NAP Nassau group. That's what will help complete a Hougoumont Dio. Maybe that order from China will start WB back onto the right track again. Let's see.

Joe

Joe,
On a positive note, can you tell us about your Hougoumont diorama; the layout, the size, I know you're waiting on me to get you the south gate and garden wall set from CTS, just curious is all........................

 

[Napoleon1er]

I understand how frustrating things are right now, but I think we should all give Ken & Co. a chance. It can't be easy doing what he is doing, and it is kind of sad that people here are preaching doom instead of engaging with the company or offering supporting words. Ken and Erika have always been a kind and generous figures in this hobby and they deserve our support.

 

[theBaron]

...but until Ken or another of the owners of WB says something I guess all is only speculation...

I understand how frustrating things are right now, but I think we should all give Ken & Co. a chance. It can't be easy doing what he is doing, and it is kind of sad that people here are preaching doom instead of engaging with the company or offering supporting words. Ken and Erika have always been a kind and generous figures in this hobby and they deserve our support.

Exactly, on both points.

 

[nysoldiers]

I understand how frustrating things are right now, but I think we should all give Ken & Co. a chance. It can't be easy doing what he is doing, and it is kind of sad that people here are preaching doom instead of engaging with the company or offering supporting words. Ken and Erika have always been a kind and generous figures in this hobby and they deserve our support.

They don't deserve our support as they have disrespected their customers with no communication or explanations for non-performance. I have orders going back more than one year and no responses on deliveries. Not saying they are evil people, just lousy business people who don't appreciate their loyal customers.
Maybe they are going to file bankruptcy and try to reorganize but how can we trust them going forward when they have exhibited such bad behavior.
There is always room for redemption if you come forward and admit your mistakes and tell the truth.
Ken is a great artist but I believe he is way over his head and has chosen hiding from instead of engaging with his customers.