EC toys closing (2 Viewers)

[rekp]

Theres nothing like blowing your own trumpet on a thread about the woes of other competitors/retailers ...... a new low even for you

I agree with many of the points 'Vicknor' is making and would like to add a few of my own...As far as 'Retail' goes our own K&C store in Hong Kong just had its best-ever December this last year!

....Add to that January was our 2nd. Best Sales Month for ALL sales, Mail Order, Wholesale & Retail (after November) in our entire Financial Year (April-March)...

So, I would say the 'Gloom'n'Doom' predictions for the Hobby and the Business are a wee bit misplaced...Of course there are challenges and difficulties going forward...There always have been and there always will be... But, hopefully nothing we can't meet and face up to!

All the best, Andy.

 

[OzDigger]

Theres nothing like blowing your own trumpet on a thread about the woes of other competitors/retailers ...... a new low even for you

Toot your own horn Thomas, they closed because of retirement.

 

[Vicknor]

Theres nothing like blowing your own trumpet on a thread about the woes of other competitors/retailers ...... a new low even for you

Good grief - troll

 

[rekp]

If rumours are to be believed then W Britains is in trouble . EC Toys only really stocked Britains so therefore the lack of new releases appearing means a lack of business for the likes of EC Toys which makes the rretirement decision that little bit easier

Toot your own horn Thomas, they closed because of retirement.

 

[Horus]

If rumours are to be believed then W Britains is in trouble . EC Toys only really stocked Britains so therefore the lack of new releases appearing means a lack of business for the likes of EC Toys which makes the rretirement decision that little bit easier

Hi rekp

EC are selling their remaining stock which does happen to be mostly WB, but in the past I've bought K&C and FL from them when they were one of the larger stockists of both these manufacturers, which they started selling off at reduced prices a long time ago, no doubt due to their planned retirement.

Just because WB are not constantly monitoring a collectors forum doesn't mean that there are problems.
For all we know there may be workload/ health / personal issues which are no of our business or perhaps even they just aren't inclined to respond at present.
Whilst K&C and TG do read the posts and WB have often in the past and answered questions, not all makers have the time or inclination. Remember they have their own Facebook page as do many makers as well.

Also take a look at how many times you yourself have posted on the forum in all the years that you have been a member and you'll see my point about there being times when you are having other things to do that take you away from the hobby and forum !

Regards
Steve

 

[rekp]

No releases in the last 12 months and announced new releases slipping continually by months tends to intimate there are issues . Even the market I work in has delays but items eventually emerge .

I only collect one area so my interest is waning fast as there are now no or very few new releases in the specific area ( hence my knowledge of WB delays as they have 6 Museum Collection pieces due ) . I am considering putting my collection up foir auction and starting afresh in a new hobby / interest .

My initial post was not aimed at EC ( who I have bought from in the past ) or WB but more at the hijacking by "he who we are not allowed to criticise" .

Regards
Steve[/QUOTE]

 

[King & Country]

No releases in the last 12 months and announced new releases slipping continually by months tends to intimate there are issues . Even the market I work in has delays but items eventually emerge .

I only collect one area so my interest is waning fast as there are now no or very few new releases in the specific area ( hence my knowledge of WB delays as they have 6 Museum Collection pieces due ) . I am considering putting my collection up foir auction and starting afresh in a new hobby / interest .

My initial post was not aimed at EC ( who I have bought from in the past ) or WB but more at the hijacking by "he who we are not allowed to criticise" .

Regards
Steve

[/QUOTE]


Welcome back REKP (Steve)...Nice to see you return once more...Beginning to think you were 'missing in action'!
TTFN,
Andy.

 

[Horus]

No releases in the last 12 months and announced new releases slipping continually by months tends to intimate there are issues . Even the market I work in has delays but items eventually emerge .

I only collect one area so my interest is waning fast as there are now no or very few new releases in the specific area ( hence my knowledge of WB delays as they have 6 Museum Collection pieces due ) . I am considering putting my collection up foir auction and starting afresh in a new hobby / interest .

My initial post was not aimed at EC ( who I have bought from in the past ) or WB but more at the hijacking by "he who we are not allowed to criticise" .

Regards
Steve

[/QUOTE]

As you'll see from my original post in this thread, EC were had held off cancelling peoples pre orders for Britains figures as long as possible before their retirement, but with no delivery date had had to cancel the pre orders such as my own so I would think there are a lot of people disappointed with them. My own response to their lack of regular releases of figures I would like to collect has been not to just stick with WB, which is what I started out collecting only and have figures from many other makers from small makers.
Such as Emilio of Kronprinz who do a good variety of ranges and Iwan at Cold Steel who's range is limited but quality has been within a gnats whisker of being equal to FL but cheaper, to the major and newer players K&C, TG and FL.

Whatever Britains current state is, one thing I think is clear from what other makers do is that the days of being able to churn out the same figures for years on end has ended and more limited numbers with regular and reliable new additions is the game now and without Britains keeping up they may be the losers. Which would be a shame !

Good luck if you choose to part with your collection. But don't be surprised if you do that you don't just find yourself migrating to another manufacturer that suits your interests !

Steve

 

[Thin Red Line]

Hi Thanasis

Hi,
What worries me is that Ken has not posted on this site for a while. He used to answer queries on a regular basis. He has a good following here in the UK, I collect just about everything in 3 ranges ! I feel that our loyalty warrants some kind of explanation (good or bad). Over to you Ken.

I like you have collected just about everything in two ranges ,however the problems with the club figure last year and the silence from WB on any explanation (UK end did there best but I suspect they knew no more than us) has led me to hold back this year on renewing . The napoleonic figures okay but doesn't really fit in with anything recently , I also feel the standard has reached the end of the line I appreciate the effort that goes into it but in the internet age it all feels dated. Prehaps the time spent on it would be better spent regularly up dating the website and Facebook page as is how most of us get our information.

I don't it want to seem like I'm just just knocking WB for the sake of it , Ive collected hundreds of there figures the price range and subject matter have been great for me . However were now half way through February and still no sign of anything ,many online sites have constantly moved delivery dates back with many now stating sometime in 2018!!!!

Consequently I've moved over to First Legion there Retreat from Russia range is fantastic also the new panther is great but there a lot more expensive so it will reduce my buying!

Hopefully WB promises of a lot more napoleonic figures up for realise this year will tempt me back.

 

[thanasis67]

Well guys, I was a WB collector's club member for 20 years (1997 to 2018). I did not renew my subscription. I don't know exactly why, but I have a feeling that something goes wrong with Britains. I have all the Sudan sets including the Nile Boat and most all the Zulu War sets including the gloss ones amongst other gloss and mat sets produced from 1990 to this date. But now I found it boring to continue buying for the 12th year figures from the same two battles. How many standing firing, kneeling firing etc? I am afraid it is not fascinating any more. But I will still continue to collect the Britains Toy Soldiers (the gloss series from the 90's starting with 8800), because they have a charm. I believe that Britains needs a more balanced catalogue with some good quality gloss sets and I mean sets, not singles (where are the bands, the pipes and drums, the colour parties?) The gloss collectors want to open a box and find a gloss bunch of 6 to 12 toy soldiers. WB won't loose from this. Furthermore I believe the mat series figures need "something" to make them more fascinating or give them more "character". Who's going to buy the same figure dressed in different uniforms?

 

[thanasis67]

Dear collectors

I have heard that WB had a problem with the quality of production and had to reject a lot of products and change the factory where they are produced. Therefore, a lot of items that were in the pipeline are not being produced as quickly as they hoped. There are some items that have been marked as pre-order for some considerable time.
I suppose this is reasonable explanation for the delay. And if the delay is for maintaining the desired quality then we must be patient!!

 

[Johnboy]

Dear collectors

I have heard that WB had a problem with the quality of production and had to reject a lot of products and change the factory where they are produced. Therefore, a lot of items that were in the pipeline are not being produced as quickly as they hoped. There are some items that have been marked as pre-order for some considerable time.
I suppose this is reasonable explanation for the delay. And if the delay is for maintaining the desired quality then we must be patient!!

OK, It has been remarked that most of us are from the "greying" side of the hobby....EG - adults. It's like when you are travelling by rail and the train stops with no explanation -you make your own story up until the guard eventually lets you know the reason, even if it's bad news at least we know. Going back to the adult bit......just tell us and we'll understand.
JB.

 

[OzDigger]

If rumours are to be believed then W Britains is in trouble . EC Toys only really stocked Britains so therefore the lack of new releases appearing means a lack of business for the likes of EC Toys which makes the rretirement decision that little bit easier

No releases in the last 12 months and announced new releases slipping continually by months tends to intimate there are issues . Even the market I work in has delays but items eventually emerge .

I only collect one area so my interest is waning fast as there are now no or very few new releases in the specific area ( hence my knowledge of WB delays as they have 6 Museum Collection pieces due ) . I am considering putting my collection up foir auction and starting afresh in a new hobby / interest .

My initial post was not aimed at EC ( who I have bought from in the past ) or WB but more at the hijacking by "he who we are not allowed to criticise" .

Regards
Steve

I wasn't aware there were rumours that W Britains were in trouble, now would be the time someone from that company came forth to explain the situation. Hopefully it's temporary and they can overcome the production issues mentioned by some members. Meanwhile it's sad to see that past WB collectors are no longer supporting them, however I can understand their decision. I have noted an increasing trend for TS companies to start new ranges from a variety of battles and eras hoping to attract new collectors. A sound business strategy, provided you don't neglect current ranges collected by existing customers. Which is obviously where Britains lost your support, and others.

As for K & C, obviously you have some issues with Andy, perhaps making you over biased in your assessment of his comments. I didn't see his comments as 'hijacking, more like an observation of the industry from a TS company perspective. Andy is one of the few owners that actively participate in this forum, it doesn't matter to me if you want to criticise what he says, but don't be surprised if he, and other members disagree with your comments, especially if you appear over zealous.

 

[rekp]

WB is a very small percentage of my collection as they have only ever done a small amount of Alamo figures in the past . They have 6 new figures listed in the Museum Collection range and even though they are the main protagonists once again they look a better quality than the alamo tourist fodder other companies have been spitting out lately .

I wasn't aware there were rumours that W Britains were in trouble, now would be the time someone from that company came forth to explain the situation. Hopefully it's temporary and they can overcome the production issues mentioned by some members. Meanwhile it's sad to see that past WB collectors are no longer supporting them, however I can understand their decision. I have noted an increasing trend for TS companies to start new ranges from a variety of battles and eras hoping to attract new collectors. A sound business strategy, provided you don't neglect current ranges collected by existing customers. Which is obviously where Britains lost your support, and others.

As for K & C, obviously you have some issues with Andy, perhaps making you over biased in your assessment of his comments. I didn't see his comments as 'hijacking, more like an observation of the industry from a TS company perspective. Andy is one of the few owners that actively participate in this forum, it doesn't matter to me if you want to criticise what he says, but don't be surprised if he, and other members disagree with your comments, especially if you appear over zealous.

I dontt have any issues whether people agree or disagree with my views and comments as they are purely that ...my views and comments . It was more the quoting of his companies performance in a thread examining the issues of another company . Some companies including mine also had a fantastic 2017 and are having an even better 2018 but I dont go posting that on my competitors sites and forums as it shows a lack of respect .......

 

[Guest]

Been reading through the thread and it is getting a bit 'hot'. The original thread was about EC Toys, the guy is getting on in years, I thought he was due for retirement when I last visited the shop 5 yeas ago. His shop also stocks diecast, trains and other collectables, which I have bought, but have noticed his lack of new Britains and K & C [no K & C UK wholesaler to buy from and WB just do not deliver]. It was time for him to retire and probably the returns on the stock and time were not worth carrying on and getting up in the morning, paying the business costs etc.

Andy from K & C comments - think a few people were a bit harsh, I have been a critic of K & C on this forum [at times on price, quality and accuracy], but I think Andy has done more for this hobby than anyone I can think of, K & C have consistently delivered and have pushed our passion for collecting forward, it is a business and he is there to make money, which I have no issue with of course, but his comments I think were about the TS market and was showing that the market is doing OK and the only way he can give evidence for this is to tell you what is happening with K & C. He was telling people how it is with his company and sales, pure and simply saying he thinks the TS is strong and he knew this through what is happening with his sales etc.

W Britains - this is the bit where I upset people, the problem with Britains is it is a poorly ran and manage company when compared with the other main TS companies such as K & C, F Legion, T Gunn and J Jenkins. I am not talking about quality, as quality is subjective and when compared with price it become relative, I will buy K & C at a certain price, but if it is too high I would rather spend my money on a F Legion figure as I think they are better quality for the money, but if a K & C set in an era I collect is cheap at the London show or on ebay I will buy it. Where I do think Britains are poor is on ranges and delivery. The ranges are very stale - Nap, US Civil War and Zulu have been done to death by them and they are churning out figures which are a bit "sameish" for me. They have tried new eras such as Viking, Clash of Empires, War of the Nile, but these have been let down by the lack of releases. The WW2 stuff looks good but I will not collect because of the poor release dates, I am beginning to think the 88mm gun is a myth, just pictures. Question, which will come first, Britains 88mm gun or proof that Big Foot exists, as I have only seen pictures of both.............

But everything at Britains is delayed and it not a new problem, this has been going on for years, but has got worse in the last 5 years, I know people who did not get their 2017 club figure until Dec 2017. it took too long for the new War of the Nile figures for me and I just stopped collecting the range and am in the process of selling them to buy K & C, T Gunn or F Legion. These 3 companies manage to release on a month basis. I go in the 2 main shops in the UK, Magpies at Evesham and The Toy Soldier Centre at the Guards Museum and they both go months and months with no release of Britains. It is a good job they stock other makes.

 

[Guest]

Been hearing that for yrs now on this site, yet K&C, TGM, FL, and JJD continue to have a robust release schedule every month. They don't seem to be "dying on the vine." Chris

I agree, some manufacturers are going well and we are living in a golden era for toy soldiers, but the major thing is having something to sell. Regular releases and good quality wide ranges.

 

[OzDigger]

WB is a very small percentage of my collection as they have only ever done a small amount of Alamo figures in the past . They have 6 new figures listed in the Museum Collection range and even though they are the main protagonists once again they look a better quality than the alamo tourist fodder other companies have been spitting out lately .



I dontt have any issues whether people agree or disagree with my views and comments as they are purely that ...my views and comments . It was more the quoting of his companies performance in a thread examining the issues of another company . Some companies including mine also had a fantastic 2017 and are having an even better 2018 but I dont go posting that on my competitors sites and forums as it shows a lack of respect .......

Maybe you should read Andy's posts again, you seem to have missed the point he was making.