The Military Workshop
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2005
- Messages
- 4,778
Found the old thread. Below are relevant extracts from my responses (look at the thread link below and you will see the two people I was replying to).
2 years ago my comments were as below :
I do think weight is an important factor. My reasons for this view are based on the following :
a) In 1998 before I started a shop I produced a diecast Titanic. The two top people in the company that made it for me were ex Matchbox (the guy who set up their Chinese production) and Corgi. As per their advice my Titanic was "weighted" when in reality it did not need to be as heavy.
b) In same year I also produced some 120mm and 200mm resin figure kits. Made by a different place and again deliberately weighted as per the advice from the guy I was dealing with who said "weight equals value". Same goes for the completed painted Queensland Fireman figure and bronzed resin soldier we made. I now sell other 300mm figures and these are much heavier than they need to be (Update : see Khaki Army figures now sold by our hosts).
c) I used to sell Dragon 1/72 tanks and I had comments from people who did not like the plasticky feel and lack of weight in the later ones.
c) Some may recall the reaction to the first vehicle produced by FL 2 years ago where some commented upon its lack of weight. That was a decision made by FL and I am not knocking the quality of the item. John Jenkins subsequently brought out his first tank and it was also very light. Those currently posting in this thread may not have bought Jenkins vehicles but I can tell you he has since made his vehicles heavier. It is simple. If you had two identical tanks in every aspect except one was twice as heavy I would bet the majority would buy the heavier version as they would believe it has more value. The ones who bought the lighter version would probably have some modelling background and would not be so bothered.
When people come into my shop and I am introducing TS's to them I will put a K&C figure in their hands. All have the same surprised reaction and that is that the weight of the figure adds to any good impression they have. When Andy of K&C brought down his prototype unpainted Lighhorse figures recently they were very light compared to finished items. I asked if they could painted as they were and he said no reason why could not be. However as we know they are made heavier.
and
Many of my customers who come in are seeing this kind of item for the first time and I can assure you when they feel the weight it makes an impact. The first thing you have is the visual appeal of whatever it is. Then the sense of touch (ie weight) adds to their visual impression and never fails to impress the first timer.
As a dealer I would much rather the manufacturer make the item heavy than light. I gave examples why in my previous post.
The obvious other example coming will be when K&C brings out their WWI aircraft which will be heavier than the current Jenkins aircraft. I have no doubt that with the majority of my "walkins" they would automatically assume the heavier would be more expensive even if they are actually a similar price and same aircraft. The fact John Jenkins has increased the weight of his vehicles suggests there might be something in this viewpoint.
I have no problem if you think otherwise about the weight issue. If your source of income was derived from this type of product you might appreciate that every little bit that helps towards a sale is a good thing. Being light weight is not a negative but in my view it does not add anything to saleability. A bit of extra weight does.
Anyway, we will have to disagree on this one.
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2 year old post ends.
Full thread at http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/fo...D-Mustang-£92-00-!!!&highlight=corgi+mosquito
Saved myself some time repeating myself :smile2:
2 years ago my comments were as below :
I do think weight is an important factor. My reasons for this view are based on the following :
a) In 1998 before I started a shop I produced a diecast Titanic. The two top people in the company that made it for me were ex Matchbox (the guy who set up their Chinese production) and Corgi. As per their advice my Titanic was "weighted" when in reality it did not need to be as heavy.
b) In same year I also produced some 120mm and 200mm resin figure kits. Made by a different place and again deliberately weighted as per the advice from the guy I was dealing with who said "weight equals value". Same goes for the completed painted Queensland Fireman figure and bronzed resin soldier we made. I now sell other 300mm figures and these are much heavier than they need to be (Update : see Khaki Army figures now sold by our hosts).
c) I used to sell Dragon 1/72 tanks and I had comments from people who did not like the plasticky feel and lack of weight in the later ones.
c) Some may recall the reaction to the first vehicle produced by FL 2 years ago where some commented upon its lack of weight. That was a decision made by FL and I am not knocking the quality of the item. John Jenkins subsequently brought out his first tank and it was also very light. Those currently posting in this thread may not have bought Jenkins vehicles but I can tell you he has since made his vehicles heavier. It is simple. If you had two identical tanks in every aspect except one was twice as heavy I would bet the majority would buy the heavier version as they would believe it has more value. The ones who bought the lighter version would probably have some modelling background and would not be so bothered.
When people come into my shop and I am introducing TS's to them I will put a K&C figure in their hands. All have the same surprised reaction and that is that the weight of the figure adds to any good impression they have. When Andy of K&C brought down his prototype unpainted Lighhorse figures recently they were very light compared to finished items. I asked if they could painted as they were and he said no reason why could not be. However as we know they are made heavier.
and
Many of my customers who come in are seeing this kind of item for the first time and I can assure you when they feel the weight it makes an impact. The first thing you have is the visual appeal of whatever it is. Then the sense of touch (ie weight) adds to their visual impression and never fails to impress the first timer.
As a dealer I would much rather the manufacturer make the item heavy than light. I gave examples why in my previous post.
The obvious other example coming will be when K&C brings out their WWI aircraft which will be heavier than the current Jenkins aircraft. I have no doubt that with the majority of my "walkins" they would automatically assume the heavier would be more expensive even if they are actually a similar price and same aircraft. The fact John Jenkins has increased the weight of his vehicles suggests there might be something in this viewpoint.
I have no problem if you think otherwise about the weight issue. If your source of income was derived from this type of product you might appreciate that every little bit that helps towards a sale is a good thing. Being light weight is not a negative but in my view it does not add anything to saleability. A bit of extra weight does.
Anyway, we will have to disagree on this one.
---------------------------------------------------------------
2 year old post ends.
Full thread at http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/fo...D-Mustang-£92-00-!!!&highlight=corgi+mosquito
Saved myself some time repeating myself :smile2:
