Deflation comes to Toy Soldier prices? (1 Viewer)

[HistoryfortheAges]

I wonder if we are hitting a ceiling in toy soldier prices in this hobby. My best guess is a resounding YES... I can't see prices increasing anymore and price drops may be in the works in the near future... What say you?

 

[DMNamiot]

That is an interesting question. One which will probably draw a lot of opinions that will seem conflicting I am sure. I would love to say no more increases are possible but there is a thing called costs for the manufacturers to make, ship, paint market etc etc etc. These all add up rapidly and arent likely to decrease in the near term let alone in the future so I dont think the folks who make the sets and figures we all covet will be lowering the costs and eating the price increases so we dont have to pry open our wallets as deeply. I wish I could agree that costs will stablize in the near term but I cant. I dont think we're likely to see major price increases but I suspect we'll some some minor ones.

Dave

 

[marco55]

I think figures will go up slightly over a period of time at $3-5 a clip.Jenkins started out around $69 for a 3 piece then went up $72-75 then $81-84 now around $87-90 so like $2-3 a figure.I think that will continue for a while.A lot of figures are around $32-35 for a single now.Don't forget that we are paying for the boxes also which some have real nice artwork on them.
Mark

 

[Spitfrnd]

As long as costs go up, prices will follow until demand is reduced and the cycle renews. Such is life.

 

[Rutledge]

Lots of concern these days about "fiat" (paper) currencies. The big bailouts, first by the US, then the Eurozone, combined with profligate govt spending, huge budget deficits and weak global economic growth have undermined confidence in the four major currencies: Dollar/Pound/Euro/Yen. Sure, the dollar is the "tallest midget" right now, but that position is tenuous, given our huge deficit issues.

Commodity prices are currently under pressure, while labor costs are basically holding steady. Combined with sluggish economic growth, I would be surprised by any price increases in near term.

More likely to see price deflation for the time being. Longer term inflation is a bigger threat.

Ongoing supply and demand forces will always exert influence on price movements. Especially in the secondary/resale markets, where sellers have more pricing flexibility.

 

[PJDeluhery]

Lots of concern these days about "fiat" (paper) currencies. The big bailouts, first by the US, then the Eurozone, combined with profligate govt spending, huge budget deficits and weak global economic growth have undermined confidence in the four major currencies: Dollar/Pound/Euro/Yen. Sure, the dollar is the "tallest midget" right now, but that position is tenuous, given our huge deficit issues.

Commodity prices are currently under pressure, while labor costs are basically holding steady. Combined with sluggish economic growth, I would be surprised by any price increases in near term.

More likely to see price deflation for the time being. Longer term inflation is a bigger threat.

Ongoing supply and demand forces will always exert influence on price movements. Especially in the secondary/resale markets, where sellers have more pricing flexibility.

This is how I see it as well. With the recent dip in the Euro and strenght of the dollar - both temporary in my view - I would not expect prices to decrease, but I think they certainly will not increase as long as labor and other cost factors remain constant. Is this the finance geek website?

 

[steveo]

Personally i think prices will stabilize but no doubt sooner or later they will increase in an upward spiral such is life,that's unless the global market uncovers a workforce that can match China for prices and output etc,(Africa)which even China sees as a developing market?

 

[sceic2]

What I have learned over the years, I work in a small sector of finance - economic development (gap lending, loan programs, grants, etc.), is that I can only say that I doubt very much that anyone can predict the economic future with any sense of certaincy. The world's economy being tied so much more closely than at any time in history coupled with the split second actions of automatic software programs in the stock and commodities markets are just, IMO, the greatest unknown that we have faced in the history of human nature. And then throw in a rising world population with a multitude of political agendas and the very uncertain nature of human actions - well, your guess is as good as mine and as good as the next persons. IMO

 

[gi546]

well if deflation comes to toy soldiers, i think i might fiinally be able to buy the other brands.