EC toys closing (1 Viewer)

[Horus]

Just had an email from EC Toys saying that they are closing their shop at the end of the month due to retirement.
They have already taken their own website down today and stated in their email that they had held of as long as possible but as their suppliers, which I think can only be Britains now, (as they stopped selling FL a while ago and are down to the last half dozen of K&C ) and that they are having to cancel all pre orders as they still have no release date for them ! I had some Naps on preorder myself.

Steve

 

[Thin Red Line]

Thats a shame as EC Toys service was great ,I've brought loads of Britains from them over the years.

 

[Smendy]

A truly great dealer and pleasure to buy from. I wish Edward much success in his retirement.

Regards

Smendy

 

[Blackcat]

A very reliable source for purchases and sadly another option less in the UK.
Nigel

 

[jomartvr]

Sad to hear that another vendor is closing. Personally, I wonder if Britians is the next Conte.

Benjamin

 

[thanasis67]

Sad to hear that another vendor is closing. Personally, I wonder if Britians is the next Conte.

Benjamin

Dear Benjamin

Why do you wonder that Britains is possibly the next Conte? I am really curious.

Thanasis

 

[jomartvr]

Hi Thanasis

Glad to address your question. My perception is that Britains is like Conte in that there is a lot of talk about releases, however, in the end there is very little to show for it. For example, I love the War on the NIle range and have more than 70 figures. I was looking forward to the Krupps gun crew and the Egyptian infantry, where are they? The Britains website has on offer two figures but you have to be a club member to purchase them and they are less than exciting. Reloading and defending, really? In my opinion this range is moribund, and I am considering dumping my WON on ebay, however, I fear that I would take a beating.

As of last year 2017, I have stopped collecting Britiains and moved to R4a and Kronprinz. Both manufacturers provide deadlines, albeit they run a bit late, however, the communication is outstanding.

I trust that this answers your question.
Benjamin

 

[Johnboy]

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.

 

[Warrior]

It's always sad when a retailer closes up shop, one who has a number of loyal and steady customers. I don't know this particular dealer, but my hope is his retirement is planned and he's decided he wants to enjoy his life now and closed down the business on his own terms, which is the way myself and any other dealer would prefer to go out............best of luck to him.

 

[robyd]

I don't know if EC Toys reads this forum, but if you do I just wanted to say thank you for the very good and reliable service over the years.
You have been a pleasure to buy from and whilst your shop will be missed I wish you a long and happy retirement.
All the best,
Rob

 

[Spanish soldier]

Unfortunately, over the years there will be fewer distributors, there is no generational change in this hobby.

 

[King & Country]

Unfortunately, over the years there will be fewer distributors, there is no generational change in this hobby.

To some extent that's true BUT it's worth remembering that the entire retail industry is changing dramatically, due in large part, to the internet and internet shopping...In the present and the future, retail outlets may have to be more 'specialist' and perhaps offer a 'unique shopping experience' that customers do not get buying online.
Our world is constantly evolving...we have to evolve with it in whatever ways we can and are comfortable with.
Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Sounds like more of a good news story than a bad one. Closing shop to retire after a long tenure is one thing.
Closing shop due to lack of business which was not the case here, is another. The smarter shops selling niche
hobby collectibles have evolved with online selling as well, to include not only their own websites but E-Bay,
Amazon and Facebook. As far as Britains it will be interesting to see what develops in the coming months.

Wayne

 

[jomartvr]

Building on Andy's point, look at the excellent plastics coming out of Russia. They are expensive, but they sell. Publius' Crusaders and Saracens are outstanding.

 

[Charlie Brown]

The smarter shops selling niche hobby collectibles have evolved with online selling as well, to include not only their own websites but E-Bay,Amazon and Facebook.

I for one don't spend large sums without seeing a product first. Sooner or later someone will reinvent a new concept. A viable bricks and mortar shop.

 

[Spanish soldier]

The problem will be in a few years when there are not enough new collectors to keep this hobby

 

[Terp152]

To some extent that's true BUT it's worth remembering that the entire retail industry is changing dramatically, due in large part, to the internet and internet shopping...In the present and the future, retail outlets may have to be more 'specialist' and perhaps offer a 'unique shopping experience' that customers do not get buying online.
Our world is constantly evolving...we have to evolve with it in whatever ways we can and are comfortable with.
Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy.

To further illustrate, just tonight, my wife discovered we can buy same dog food online that we buy at the local store for 10% less with free shipping. Another example, we give a set of wind chimes to co-workers who experience a family death. Online price is 40% less than the local merchant we were using (past tense). I do want to support local merchants but sometimes the price gap is too great. I know this is a rehash of previous threads but economics drives shopping habits. Chris

 

[Terp152]

The problem will be in a few years when there are not enough new collectors to keep this hobby

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

 

[Vicknor]

The problem will be in a few years when there are not enough new collectors to keep this hobby

Yet I’d say the industry is booming (relatively) with JJD and TG flying compared to a few years ago and K&C producing their best ranges (possibly) ever. FL also continue to awe.

You may see less people at Toy Soldier shows and you may see less Toy Soldier shops, but that doesn’t mean less people are buying.

We have a TS Whatsapp group here in Asia and the purchases seen there would blow some people away and we aren’t even ‘Whales’.

 

[King & Country]

Yet I’d say the industry is booming (relatively) with JJD and TG flying compared to a few years ago and K&C producing their best ranges (possibly) ever. FL also continue to awe.

You may see less people at Toy Soldier shows and you may see less Toy Soldier shops, but that doesn’t mean less people are buying.

We have a TS Whatsapp group here in Asia and the purchases seen there would blow some people away and we aren’t even ‘Whales’.

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.