Britains at the London Toy Soldier Show 24 March 2018. (1 Viewer)

As much as I like Ken I couldn't agree more with the above assessment by Rich. They have been given the benefit of the doubt by most here. If you had ordered a car from a dealer and were told that you'd have to wait several years to receive it, would you be as patient. I doubt it (and please don't tell me Tesla; that's a different situation).
 
A car is not a toy soldier.

More importantly, please hash out this stuff in person. I have never had any trouble getting in touch with Britains -- they always answer the phone. This forum is not a place to air dirty laundry.
 
I called WB today and talked to Ericka (Ken wasn’t around; he’s just returning from China). I mentioned that a lot of people are frustrated, some longtime collectors are cancelling orders, etc. She said they’re aware of some of the frustrations and hope to have new product within the next few months. I emphasized that they need to communicate more often on the Forum and let collectors know what’s going on with the company, to be transparent in other words. I further emphasized that other companies do this such as Andy and Matt. I also repeated that collectors look to the Forum to hear from the manufacturers and that it was essential that they communicate better. She said she understood the concerns and would discuss it with Ken.

I did not ask about specific products so I have no news there.
 
You guys are brutal, it's toy soldiers for goodness sake. Where is it written that they owe us an explanation on their business practices?



Hopefully you won't tie Ken to the stake.
 
thebritfarmer said:
You guys are brutal, it's toy soldiers for goodness sake. Where is it written that they owe us an explanation on their business practices?



Hopefully you won't tie Ken to the stake.
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It may be toy soldiers but it is a business. Collector's are tired of advertised products that never appear on shelves. To be charitable WB's lack of communication may be attributed to embarrassment that their products are not arriving at dealers. Alternatively, it could be read as incompetence and/or arrogance.

No one is going to tie Ken to the stake, rather his business model is akin to a self inflicted gunshot wound. By the way are they recovering from the flu?
 
jazzeum said:
I called WB today and talked to Ericka (Ken wasn’t around; he’s just returning from China). I mentioned that a lot of people are frustrated, some longtime collectors are cancelling orders, etc. She said they’re aware of some of the frustrations and hope to have new product within the next few months. I emphasized that they need to communicate more often on the Forum and let collectors know what’s going on with the company, to be transparent in other words. I further emphasized that other companies do this such as Andy and Matt. I also repeated that collectors look to the Forum to hear from the manufacturers and that it was essential that they communicate better. She said she understood the concerns and would discuss it with Ken.

I did not ask about specific products so I have no news there.
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Thank you Brad

I really like Ken and the increased quality of sculptures since he's taken over. I'm especially happy with and all their efforts in keeping the price down.

Yet, there are new expectation in all markets including toy soldiers in communicating with their base regularly. Especially, in the toy soldier field. IMO, we're more forgiving unless communications goes dark over an extended period; then we think the worse.

I have pre-ordered several Britain's WWII and USMC figures over the last year. I will be canceling these orders very soon unless we receive believable news back from Britians. Andy (KC) keeps on getting my monthly budget because he delivers what he promises. Dang, I hate saving that, but truth is truth. I'm starting to buy JJ Designs and TGM more too.

Looking forward to a better outcome,

Carlos
 
Napoleon1er said:
A car is not a toy soldier.

More importantly, please hash out this stuff in person. I have never had any trouble getting in touch with Britains -- they always answer the phone. This forum is not a place to air dirty laundry.
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The forum is the place to discuss these things, that is what a forum is? Without the TF forum we would know next to nothing. it allows us to know the overall situation, if not we in the UK might just think it is a UK problem, when it is a William Britains management problem, for whatever reason, but we do not know as there is no information from Ken or anyone! It takes moments to put something on this forum, the team at K & C, T Gunn and J Jenkins regularly update us.

There is a solution, as you have no problem getting in touch with Ken and Britains then please call him and ask him what is happening, then feed it back to us on the forum.
 
Walsingham said:
The forum is the place to discuss these things, that is what a forum is? Without the TF forum we would know next to nothing. it allows us to know the overall situation, if not we in the UK might just think it is a UK problem, when it is a William Britains management problem, for whatever reason, but we do not know as there is no information from Ken or anyone! It takes moments to put something on this forum, the team at K & C, T Gunn and J Jenkins regularly update us.

There is a solution, as you have no problem getting in touch with Ken and Britains then please call him and ask him what is happening, then feed it back to us on the forum.
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Jenkins never updated regularly like it is now and even then it is the UK dealer giving us the information. If I am not mistaken not much has been heard of from FL either, where is that elephant?. Gunns posts used to come through Wayne I believe. There has only really been Andy over the years that has presented us with consistent monthly updates and releases.


Let's be clear I am not making excuses for WB, but just trying to lay all the cards on the table. The forum is run by a TS seller and the manufacturers contribute but they are not obligated to do so. WB aren't the only makers out there where there is no information about what is going on. I have a few different hobbies and this seems to be par for the course.
 
Maybe it's a generational thing. I still do business with a lot of independent craftspeople, so I am used to waiting longer than expected for quality products. You young guys might remember, but back when I was a kid, we aired our grievances in private.
 
Napoleon1er said:
Maybe it's a generational thing. I still do business with a lot of independent craftspeople, so I am used to waiting longer than expected for quality products. You young guys might remember, but back when I was a kid, we aired our grievances in private.
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Wait a minute-aren't you 20? ;)
 
theBaron said:
Wait a minute-aren't you 20? ;)
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I'm 23 -- I was wondering if someone would remember! :eek:

In all seriousness, I hope no one takes my comments as a personal attack. Ken and the folks at WBritain played an important part in my entry to the hobby.
 
The forum is for exchanging information and commentary on toy soldiers.
No one is attacking WB or the Osens. We are just expressing our views on their company's performance, nothing wrong with that and in fact
they should appreciate the honest feedback from customers.
This all could have been avoided with just a few lines of explanation from the company. Our hobby is discretionary, no one is going to die or get sick (hopefully) from late deliveries or non-deliveries of toy soldiers. As customers we just want information and good products. Tell us there are problems but they are being addressed and we will keep you updated......collectors for the most part are understanding and patient.
In the mean time if WB intends to stay in business they are not helping themselves by hiding.
 
I have a theory..... But I won't explain . I will say this, they should have put Richard Walker in charge!
 
I was looking through the pictures from the London Toy Show and the pictures of new figures from Britains with a label stating they are ready for pre-order, but no delivery confirmation.
 
Ken, Erica and Ted are personal friends as they are to many here. Of course, I wish them all the best and most success, but agree it is frustrating, but end of day, everyone wants Britains to succeed. I don't pretend to know the issues, nor will speculate. A lot of good points on here and as a business, I am sure the feedback is appreciated even if you don't want to hear it , end of the day, you want to know what customers think so you can improve. And take a step back here from being collectors. Think about how dealers are dealing with this, very frustrating when a big seller no longer is available to sell.

Everyone in every part of this hobby from collector, to dealer to competitor wants Britains to succeed, when one does well, most do well!

TD
 
In defense of WB, this is an incredibly niche hobby. It's all too easy to think of WB and K&C as large corporations but consider the fact that there are probably less than 1000 serious collectors worldwide... It must be quite difficult to keep a toy soldier company afloat, much less to turn a profit. I truly wish Ken and Ericka the absolute best, they are terrific people.
 
jazzeum said:
If Sandor is not a young guy anymore Brad, you and I have Methuselah status.
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I joined this forum when I was 15. I have been collecting in some capacity since I was nine years old. My first figure was a souvenir ACW drummer from my mother. Then two ceremonial Britains from my father. Next came some 28mm mounted natives from a nice dealer at a train show. That all changed when I purchased a box of Britains at Epcot and found the Britains club. The rest is history!

I am now 23, have two jobs (one as an officer int he National Guard), and live in my own apartment filled with antiques, firearms, militaria, art, and of course toy soldiers.

I owe a lot to people here -- for putting up with a teenager, and for support along the way. I have met some true friends on or through this forum, some of whom I owe a lot more to.
 
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