Buying strategy. (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

Was just wondering if any of you guys have a particular buying strategy that you tend to stick to.I collect only K&C WW2,with my fave lines being D Day,Bulge and North Africa.As i have a limited budget for this i buy approx two items a month.Now this means that i am behind on the new releases but have gradually been getting all the older sets.My main reasoning for this is that the older sets are likely to be retired much sooner than the new ones.

Does anyone else do this or do you have a more scattergun approach,do you just buy what takes your fancy and not worry if something is retired and you miss it.?

Rob.

 

[vandilay]

I tend to buy the sets i like without any particular stradegy,
if I see a set that I have been after has become retired then
that jumps up the priority list .I dont realy stick to a set budget as
such ,
I only have so much space to display my sets ,so if theirs
no room or I,m not willing to make room I dont bother.
Having said that though my shelves are begining to look like a parking lot

 

[jazzeum]

Rob,

It depends on how much the older sets mean to you. If they do mean a lot, I would continue that strategy. If it's just because they're older and not because you're crazy about them, then I would change the strategy. Otherwise, I think it's a sound one. The only exception would be buying the limited edition sets as you do have to get them now for the most part. I think sooner or late you will catch up.

Generally, it's hard to predict what Andy is going to retire so it's kind of a crap shoot. Obviously anything with early numbers is sure to be on the hit list.

 

[desk11desk12]

Rob,

The first decision I had to make was which era (e.g. WWII) I wanted to collect first. This was important since I'm limited by funds but more importantly space.

Second, the decision was to buy the retired items I liked the most (e.g. DD39, DD40, WS31, etc.) that were still available from dealers. Go to shows, and smaller KC dealers (in person or phone) to accomplish this. eBay is always an option but many times you'll be outbid by some "deep pocketed" new hobbyist or collector. However, sometimes you get lucky.

Read the Forum (dah!, LOL) to find out what's going to be retired in the future. Always buy the items that appeal to you the most regardless of potential future value; you'll enjoy the hobby more.

If you still have money and space available buy to complete a diorama scene or theater you want the most. Buy some newly released sets that appeal to you the most while you collected the rare items. Like Brad said, eventually you'll catch up.

That's how I do it. Again, have some fun.

Carlos

 

[Rob]

Thanks you guys they are interesting viewpoints.I should have said Brad that i do make exceptions for the ltd editions.(couldn't resist the winter tiger/Grief etc!)I am happy with how i do it and i probably will stick with it,but its always good to hear the views of others.Its One of the reasons why i enjoy this forum so much.As Brad said i am gradually catching up and the nearer i get to newer releases the less worry i have about 'retirements'.

Rob

 

[wadepat]

Thanks you guys they are interesting viewpoints.I should have said Brad that i do make exceptions for the ltd editions.(couldn't resist the winter tiger/Grief etc!)I am happy with how i do it and i probably will stick with it,but its always good to hear the views of others.Its One of the reasons why i enjoy this forum so much.As Brad said i am gradually catching up and the nearer i get to newer releases the less worry i have about 'retirements'.

Rob

Rob,

For whatever it might be worth to you, my purchasing strategy closely parallels yours. I, too, am on a budget and my interests are quite diverse. Therefore, I first concentrate on sets that have been on the market longer because I am assuming they are more in danger of retirement than are the more recent releases. And,...I refuse to chase retired items on eBay. I also keep a reserve of funds in order to purchase those "Strictly Limited Editions" that I cannot resist.

I should also add that my interests include far more than just King and Country, so there are really some special challenges for me in terms of decision making. I am further hampered by the frequently heard statement on this forum: "I want it all!"

Having said all of the above, I feel very grateful for the collection I have. It will never be "complete" but, best of all, its mine and I love it! Isn't that what collecting these wonderful figures is all about anyway?

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Rob]

Pat,you are quite right.I really enjoy the collection i have and its fun to watch it gradually growing bigger.I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing i started with one set and now have bought around forty sets/tanks.

Now if i could just get those six lottery numbers...

Best wishes

Rob

 

[wadepat]

Pat,you are quite right.I really enjoy the collection i have and its fun to watch it gradually growing bigger.I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing i started with one set and now have bought around forty sets/tanks.

Now if i could just get those six lottery numbers...

Best wishes

Rob

Rob,

You know, as long as were are fortunate enough to be able to regularly add to our collections, we should be reasonably satisfied. Even the few people with the deepest pockets all want more.

About the lottery: I figure my chances of winning the lottery are about the same if I purchase a ticket or if I do not buy one, so I don't play the lottery. Instead, I am counting on winning the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Njja]

Pat:

I have this Lottery thing down to a science! My local gas station guy sells

me used losing tickets for half price! So at the end of a year I have an extra

$26 which almost covers a large soda & popcorn at the movies!

Njja

 

[wadepat]

Pat:

I have this Lottery thing down to a science! My local gas station guy sells

me used losing tickets for half price! So at the end of a year I have an extra

$26 which almost covers a large soda & popcorn at the movies!

Njja

John,

That is an incredibly brilliant strategy! You are so lucky! Doesn't that local gas station guy know he can get a great deal more money for those used tickets on eBay?

Warmest personal regards,

Pat