costings (1 Viewer)

[Mitch]

Guys...

I found this in the Askari site and thought it was very interesting and thought it would be an interesting topic across the board. Especially, as this is from a manufacturer.
Mitch

''A large and well known miniatures company recently announced that a price increase is coming. They write that they have not changed their prices for nearly two and a half years and during that time the prices of postage, materials and services have risen, especially "the price of metal having almost doubled in the last twelve months."

I may not make any friends among fellow manufacturers for saying this, but what is really annoying to me is that while they say the price of metal has risen recently, what they DON'T say is that the price of metal had dropped by half in 2009, making the net price today a little less than it was at its height in 2008.

What they also don't say is that the really big cost--unless they do a huge volume of sales, which perhaps they do--is the cost of making masters. The metal cost is actually a relatively trivial amount of the total cost of the figure. I can assure you that over the years, my scuptors have made a lot more moneythan I have--and not that I begrudge them either. The quality and detail found on figures today far exceeds those 25-cent figures of fond memory.

So without getting into a technial discussion of the various metal alloys and the prices thereof, let me simply say that Askari Miniatures will not be raising figure prices anytime soon and that I haven't had a general price increase for over three years. In fact, while I have adjusted prices to reflect economic realities over the years, there are quite a few models--such as the artillery and animal packs--whose prices have remained the same since I began in 2004''.

 

[trooper]

Interesting post, but several points need to be clarified. First, Askari produce wargames figures. They are very nicely done and these comments are in no way meant to denigrate them in any way. However, wargames figures do not require some of the finer detail which is evident in their larger brethren. There are endless discussions on this forum regarding scale for example where the thickness of a rifle barrel can generate lengthy arguments. In wargaming such things are more acceptable and rifles are often made slightly overscale in order to aid casting. This also means a coarser, and consequently cheaper, metal can be employed. This can also be seen in the surface of the casting. Wargames figures are usually greyish and matt whereas larger figures using a more refined alloy are shiny. The more refined alloys are more expensive, I use MMX42 made by Summit Solder and the last delivery I had at the begining of December had increased in cost by 25%. The price is largely governed by the world price of tin which has been escalating due to demand from China and India. Tin is necessary as it's flow qualities enable sharper detail and more delicate pieces to be cast. With regard to master costs, well this is down to the individual as to what they are prepared to pay. In my experience the average sort of cost for a wargames style figure is in the £40-£50 range but I am sure that this can be trumped by other people with a closer affinity for the discipline. We are fortunate in the UK in that most of the small companies keep their prices fairly constant and avoid the large increases that have given rise to the extensive correspondance elsewhere on the forum.

 

[Mitch]

I do agree with the differences in size detail etc but, I think its seems clear he was making the point about the prices of material and, saying that using this as reason for increasing figures was arguable in terms of a singular reason for rising prices.
Mitch

 

[trooper]

I do agree with the differences in size detail etc but, I think its seems clear he was making the point about the prices of material and, saying that using this as reason for increasing figures was arguable in terms of a singular reason for rising prices.
Mitch

It is on a par with a maker of bicycles comparing his costs with a car manufacturer. It is possible to produce 4 wargames figures for the amount of metal it takes to make one 1/32nd scale piece. If it was possible to achieve the high level of detail needed with a cheap mix of metal then makers would do so. I can recall at least one maker who used scrap metal which included old gas pipes and he nearly poisoned his entire staff! Needless to say he quickly realised that it was better to use a quality metal that had been correctly refined. As for it being a single reason, that is just toffee. Everyone knows that ALL prices are escalating, postage, power, rent, rates etc. Metal is not the only cost but it is the major one in terms of customers understanding.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Have never heard of Askari and would have no idea who the manufacturer is that they are referring to.

I do however note their wargaming products are sold unpainted. No idea if they make their own product or have it made in China. Being wargaming products I would guess they make them in many multiples compared to Toy Soldiers figures. I agree with Trooper in that it is hard to compare with any TS soldier company.

Last month I thought about mentioning news in Australia. Was tallking about importers of wool products / linen / bedsheets. The company supplies hotels and major Dept Stores in Australia and has dealt with some China suppliers for over 10 years. The story was talking about increasing costs in China and the factories seeking more money even though they had signed contracts for delivery. Despite the contracts they were asking for more money. Increasing labour and wool prices were mentioned. The Chinese factories were getting more money from USA and Europe and simply decided not to honour their Australian contracts unless more money was paid.

Unfortunately the world has let China become the main manufacturing place and many non China factories closed down as could not compete. Now they are in a position to demand more for their labour and for benefits etc.

Regards
Brett

 

[trooper]

Have heard that this also applies to our own trade. Have heard rumours that at least one of the "China" companies has been looking to Bangladesh in search of cheap labour.