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The Military Workshop
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Alex made the comment
"For me, Mr Neilson sounds a little bit cocky sometimes when writting posts in these forums BUT I don't know the man in person and someone can be cocky if he wishes..."
From what I have seen on the Forum Andy quite rightly sticks up for his brand but seems to be held to a higher standard of expectation than other brands. Why is it that some forum members who appear to be fans of other brands complain about K&C not doing something when they don't make the same complaints about the brand they seem to prefer ?
I have spoken to Andy plenty of times and seen him talking to collectors and cocky is not a word that I would use to describe him. Perhaps Alex should try to get to an event in the USA and actually meet him.
In relation to "cocky" I can think of some posts by other manufacturers that make Andy look very humble.
Regards
Brett
"For me, Mr Neilson sounds a little bit cocky sometimes when writting posts in these forums BUT I don't know the man in person and someone can be cocky if he wishes..."
From what I have seen on the Forum Andy quite rightly sticks up for his brand but seems to be held to a higher standard of expectation than other brands. Why is it that some forum members who appear to be fans of other brands complain about K&C not doing something when they don't make the same complaints about the brand they seem to prefer ?
I have spoken to Andy plenty of times and seen him talking to collectors and cocky is not a word that I would use to describe him. Perhaps Alex should try to get to an event in the USA and actually meet him.
In relation to "cocky" I can think of some posts by other manufacturers that make Andy look very humble.
Regards
Brett
jazzeum
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I just took another look at this thread after having spent the day touring the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing. I think it hit 100 F today. Pretty hot, which might also describe this thread. Wouldn't even know where to begin to comment. Andy is justifiably proud of what he's done and should be and what some may perceive as cockiness or in your face is not really so, particularly when you talk to the man on the phone or at shows. He is passionate about history and his business, which is also his hobby. Although some may see that negatively, I think it's a big positive.
On another note, K & C can't possibly make everything, which is why you have other companies, such as Figarti and Thomas Gunn, filling a niche. When you have a market leader in any industry, I think you will have several niches manufactures. No different here.
On another note, K & C can't possibly make everything, which is why you have other companies, such as Figarti and Thomas Gunn, filling a niche. When you have a market leader in any industry, I think you will have several niches manufactures. No different here.
Tom, If you read Andy's Post, you will see that I simply made a concise and complete reply to all his points......He asked who among the toy soldier manufacturers was filling "the void"?... I believe the question was answered. Sorry but K/C and Andy only seem to accept the acolades.....Heaven forbid that someone should critque K/C in any way......Sorry but that's not open discussion......If we can communicate with our manufacturers without sarcasim or over-reaction it might be beneficial.....K/C produces MANY good products....BUT....not everything produced by K/C is a "gold nugget"......Sorry but......Other manufacturers and their products are here to stay...... open discussion of products is essential to the value of this forum in regards to purchasing decisions...Also benefits manufacturers since they can get an idea of what collectors like and "dislike" about there products.....The days of replys like... "start your own toy soldier company" if you don't like what we make are long gone........We have choices these days...Respectfuly Vezzolf
That's precisely why I feel that it's very difficult to perceive someone's opinions sometimes on this forum. Nothing like meeting someone in fresh. I would be very happy to meet Andy N. one day that's for sure.
Alex
Alex
Louis Badolato
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Gentlemen,
I will not speak to the underlying merits of K&C and its competition in the industry, but I will speak in defense of Andy Neilson, who is a good friend.
Is Andy cocky? No, Andy is (1) justifiably proud of his company, which is the industry leader and the original innovator of the matt 1:30 scale hobby, and (2) understandably chaffed about (a) our constant calls for umpteen additional products every month (despite the fact that he releases way more products each month than I can afford to collect) and (b) our constant complaints about everything from his camo choices to the numbering of his vehicles.
A point that has already been made on this thread (and that I have made in similarly acrimonious threads in past) is that it is hard to really appreciate a person's tone on a post on a forum. Is Andy being humorous? Gently ironic? Just plain mean and cantankerous? His post can be interpreted in any of these ways. You have to speak to a person on the phone, or better yet in person, face to face, to really understand his tone and meaning.
I have been proud to call Andy my friend for more than 12 years, and in that time I have spent several days twice each years in his company. I can assure you that we have had arguments that would definitely get deleted from this forum, and he has made some sarcastic statements to me far more biting than those he addressed to our friend Vezzoff (you should have seen some of our exchanges over some of my more critical comments about polystone vehicles - it would make your hair stand on end). Yet, because we always did it face to face or over the phone, we always understood the comments directed by each of us to the other were made as friends, having a passionate disagreement over the course of a hobby we both loved, and to which, in Andy's case, he had devoted the better part of his adult life.
Andy makes himself available all over the world each year. The Westcoaster and NY Symposium in March, Australia in June or July, Chicago in September, London in December, and usually an appearance in France as well. I would respectfully suggest that anyone who has a bone to pick with Andy, or who just wants to meet the man and get to know him, do it at one or more of these many gatherings. I think that once you meet the real Andy Neilson, in person, you will have a very different flavor for these little on line tempests in the proverbial tea cups. And you will get a much longer, well reasoned answer to your questions. It may not be any more satisfying to get a well reasoned "no, because . . ." than a "no!" on one of these threads, but at least you will understand why your pet project isn't happening anytime soon.
And finally, for the sake of harmony on this forum, if you flat out just have a personality conflict with a manufacturer, I respectfully suggest you do what I do, to keep both you and the manufacturer out of trouble, just censor yourself on that manufacturer's section of the forum. I recently had my own "tempest in a tea cup" with one of the other manufacturers whith a forum on Treefrog. After some very polite and reasonable conversations via e-mail with one of the other members of this forum who explained to me how my post (which was genuinely intended as constructive criticism meant to help the other manufacturer) had come across as a deliberate provocation, I have censored myself - I will neither read nor post on that forum ever again. In this way there will be no more misunderstandings.
I will not speak to the underlying merits of K&C and its competition in the industry, but I will speak in defense of Andy Neilson, who is a good friend.
Is Andy cocky? No, Andy is (1) justifiably proud of his company, which is the industry leader and the original innovator of the matt 1:30 scale hobby, and (2) understandably chaffed about (a) our constant calls for umpteen additional products every month (despite the fact that he releases way more products each month than I can afford to collect) and (b) our constant complaints about everything from his camo choices to the numbering of his vehicles.
A point that has already been made on this thread (and that I have made in similarly acrimonious threads in past) is that it is hard to really appreciate a person's tone on a post on a forum. Is Andy being humorous? Gently ironic? Just plain mean and cantankerous? His post can be interpreted in any of these ways. You have to speak to a person on the phone, or better yet in person, face to face, to really understand his tone and meaning.
I have been proud to call Andy my friend for more than 12 years, and in that time I have spent several days twice each years in his company. I can assure you that we have had arguments that would definitely get deleted from this forum, and he has made some sarcastic statements to me far more biting than those he addressed to our friend Vezzoff (you should have seen some of our exchanges over some of my more critical comments about polystone vehicles - it would make your hair stand on end). Yet, because we always did it face to face or over the phone, we always understood the comments directed by each of us to the other were made as friends, having a passionate disagreement over the course of a hobby we both loved, and to which, in Andy's case, he had devoted the better part of his adult life.
Andy makes himself available all over the world each year. The Westcoaster and NY Symposium in March, Australia in June or July, Chicago in September, London in December, and usually an appearance in France as well. I would respectfully suggest that anyone who has a bone to pick with Andy, or who just wants to meet the man and get to know him, do it at one or more of these many gatherings. I think that once you meet the real Andy Neilson, in person, you will have a very different flavor for these little on line tempests in the proverbial tea cups. And you will get a much longer, well reasoned answer to your questions. It may not be any more satisfying to get a well reasoned "no, because . . ." than a "no!" on one of these threads, but at least you will understand why your pet project isn't happening anytime soon.
And finally, for the sake of harmony on this forum, if you flat out just have a personality conflict with a manufacturer, I respectfully suggest you do what I do, to keep both you and the manufacturer out of trouble, just censor yourself on that manufacturer's section of the forum. I recently had my own "tempest in a tea cup" with one of the other manufacturers whith a forum on Treefrog. After some very polite and reasonable conversations via e-mail with one of the other members of this forum who explained to me how my post (which was genuinely intended as constructive criticism meant to help the other manufacturer) had come across as a deliberate provocation, I have censored myself - I will neither read nor post on that forum ever again. In this way there will be no more misunderstandings.
The Military Workshop
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Louis,
Well said.
Now if you could get the same person you mentioned to write to another forum member who posts over here that would be appreciated.
Regards
Brett
Well said.
Now if you could get the same person you mentioned to write to another forum member who posts over here that would be appreciated.
Regards
Brett
Mitch
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Louis....
Fair comment about Andy. However, should it not be part of the 'job' that he must get thousands of requests from collectors each year and indeed, since he started the business about products they want. Surely, it goes with the territory.
The fact that a number of people want things for their own collection and voice these 'wants' on a site which, is (though I may be wrong) is all about the hobby and particular manufacturers wares is expected and, necessary in the continuance of the hobby. I did note CS asked collectors for ideas recently and, thats a good way for manufacturers to note what collectors want.
I do not know which way Andy works it was quoted Andy releases what he wants (no idea and, to be honest could not care if this is true or not) but, he should not get frustrated over some calls for specific things.
I said recently, that his posts do come over as from someone who speaks his mind and, thats no bad thing I do that myself. But, surely, we should not censor ourselves from certain comments or sections of the site just because we differ in opinion with either collectors or manufacturers should someone take umbridge to what is written they can question whether it was meant in a certain manner or not and develop from there.
I know things can get out of hand recent events have shown that but, as I said there will always be disagreements on here due to the nature of the hobby copying emotive factual issues some, clearly, though not correctly, are still raw but, we should all be able to comment how we feel at a certain time about certain things???
Its always going to be a problem when manufacturers join in with the customers on a site like this. Hope they do not stop contributing but, they must realise the psyche of a lot of collectors when they do.
Mitch
Fair comment about Andy. However, should it not be part of the 'job' that he must get thousands of requests from collectors each year and indeed, since he started the business about products they want. Surely, it goes with the territory.
The fact that a number of people want things for their own collection and voice these 'wants' on a site which, is (though I may be wrong) is all about the hobby and particular manufacturers wares is expected and, necessary in the continuance of the hobby. I did note CS asked collectors for ideas recently and, thats a good way for manufacturers to note what collectors want.
I do not know which way Andy works it was quoted Andy releases what he wants (no idea and, to be honest could not care if this is true or not) but, he should not get frustrated over some calls for specific things.
I said recently, that his posts do come over as from someone who speaks his mind and, thats no bad thing I do that myself. But, surely, we should not censor ourselves from certain comments or sections of the site just because we differ in opinion with either collectors or manufacturers should someone take umbridge to what is written they can question whether it was meant in a certain manner or not and develop from there.
I know things can get out of hand recent events have shown that but, as I said there will always be disagreements on here due to the nature of the hobby copying emotive factual issues some, clearly, though not correctly, are still raw but, we should all be able to comment how we feel at a certain time about certain things???
Its always going to be a problem when manufacturers join in with the customers on a site like this. Hope they do not stop contributing but, they must realise the psyche of a lot of collectors when they do.
Mitch
Peter Reuss
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I've been away for the 4th...guess I missed the fireworks.
It's time to move on, gentlemen.
It's time to move on, gentlemen.
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