Eh yo andy (1 Viewer)

[rws591]

Andy have you ever thought of putting different numbers on er..... things with numbers? I mean instead of every single winter tiger having 416 they could have 001-999 and for non limited editions with more than 999 you could just start over. I doubt that any one would ever get the same number, because a dealer would probably get something like 115-125.

 

[Pierre]

Andy have you ever thought of putting different numbers on er..... things with numbers? I mean instead of every single winter tiger having 416 they could have 001-999 and for non limited editions with more than 999 you could just start over. I doubt that any one would ever get the same number, because a dealer would probably get something like 115-125.

Unless I have numbers 001, 500 and 999, it is a very bad idea

Pierre.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Andy have you ever thought of putting different numbers on er..... things with numbers? I mean instead of every single winter tiger having 416 they could have 001-999 and for non limited editions with more than 999 you could just start over. I doubt that any one would ever get the same number, because a dealer would probably get something like 115-125.

Its a great idea for those like me who would like to have options. Unfortunately, its probably a non-starter for the same reason as my suggestion for supplying alternative heads, bases and weapons for figurines, which would also allow some options. The investor crowd don't like it.

 

[Wraith]

It might work in more limited numbers.

HB have got the 3 Barkmann Panthers, which although they have got different crew figures and are very slightly different in terms of stowage and side skirts, allow for a nice set up with 2 or 3 of the same tank, without duplicating pieces. NMA are also doing this with the pair of desert Tigers.

I've got 2 of the HB Panthers and will probably get drawn in to getting the pair of Desert Tigers as well.I suspect that there are other collectors who would appreciate a few slight variations.

Simon

 

[jazzeum]

I don't think it has anything to do with investing and I actually think they would like it. Anything that's different will draw a higher price. Customizing something requires more labor, different effort, especially when you're making more than one of a piece. HB can do it because they're not making the same quantities of K & C.

 

[Harrytheheid]

I don't think it has anything to do with investing and I actually think they would like it. Anything that's different will draw a higher price. Customizing something requires more labor, different effort, especially when you're making more than one of a piece. HB can do it because they're not making the same quantities of K & C.

Well, that's kind of what I meant when I suggested offering different heads with some figurine sets. For example; a Royal Marine Commando set supplied with heads left off, and the option of attaching heads with, beret, cap comforter or steel helmet (or even bare heads). They don't necessarily need to be attached permanantly as a smear of superglue would suffice for display purposes. I wasn't talking about taking a hacksaw, file or craftsman's drill to the figures and radically altering them as this gets into modelling territory.

 

[OzDigger]

Its a great idea for those like me who would like to have options. Unfortunately, its probably a non-starter for the same reason as my suggestion for supplying alternative heads, bases and weapons for figurines, which would also allow some options. The investor crowd don't like it.

I seem to recall Andy saying that he started up K & C for collectors, or did I just imagine that

 

[jazzeum]

Well, that's kind of what I meant when I suggested offering different heads with some figurine sets. For example; a Royal Marine Commando set supplied with heads left off, and the option of attaching heads with, beret, cap comforter or steel helmet (or even bare heads). They don't necessarily need to be attached permanantly as a smear of superglue would suffice for display purposes. I wasn't talking about taking a hacksaw, file or craftsman's drill to the figures and radically altering them as this gets into modelling territory.

Harry,

I actually agree with you. I think it would be nice if collectors could get these kinds of things. However, I think that because of the various factories Andy uses and the assorted production schedules that they need to meet to deliver product when they say they'll deliver product it's not feasible anymore. Several years ago it would have been and but because of the above factors, I just don't think it can be done. Smaller companies, as I mentioned, can do it.

 

[rws591]

Harry,

I actually agree with you. I think it would be nice if collectors could get these kinds of things. However, I think that because of the various factories Andy uses and the assorted production schedules that they need to meet to deliver product when they say they'll deliver product it's not feasible anymore. Several years ago it would have been and but because of the above factors, I just don't think it can be done. Smaller companies, as I mentioned, can do it.

I kind of figured that but thought i might as well try. Maybe he could at least do it for strictly limited

 

[Steven Chong]

I am reminded of Henry Ford's purported statement: "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black." By keeping variants to just the one Model T in black, Ford produced half of all cars in the U.S. by 1919; and by 1920, half of all cars in the U.S. were Model T's. I suggest Ford's early dominance of the U.S. auto industry is mirrored by K&C's current market dominance of the toy soldier industry. Having variants like different numbers and different heads increases the sculpting, production and inventory costs, ultimately impacting retail prices. Keeping things simple keeps costs lower. K&C is praised for its comparatively lower prices, so K&C probably does not want to mess with a business model that works.

 

[rws591]

Well he cant paint them i all black but i would like different numbers.

I dont care about the heads or the numbers for that matter but it would be more enticing to buy more than one of a vehicle if they had different numbers. Plus it would be cool to be able to say "Eh Yo Jimmy, what number did you get"
"I got 666" "O Well i got 008 so boyacache"

 

[Harrytheheid]

I seem to recall Andy saying that he started up K & C for collectors, or did I just imagine that

Hear Hear on that one Oz.

 

[rws591]

Hear Hear on that one Oz.

Seriously the investors are bad guys. I give them a big booo. I mean its nice to know what you have bought will go up in value but i dont buy because of that.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Seriously the investors are bad guys. I give them a big booo. I mean its nice to know what you have bought will go up in value but i dont buy because of that.

I've just read through this entire thread again because it does throw up some interesting thoughts. One thing I've noticed though; it comes shining through that every poster here is in this hobby for the pleasure that collecting and displaying their figurines/AFV's brings them. I for one have no intention of ever selling any items from my collection. Individual items added to each range we collect were ordered after careful consideration; "How can this complement what we already have?"
None of them were bought with a view to "cashing in".
Nice though to contibute to a thread which does contain views/opinions that are not in 100% agreement - without it becoming acrimonious.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Oh, and another problem I can foresee with the different numbers idea is the minute accuracy crowd.
"No, that's not right, Feldwebel Shultz's 120th Alpine Panzer Pioneer Company never had a Tiger 1 with a 999 turret number. They did have a 998 but that tank was held back from the Kursk battle because the air filters were the wrong shape for Major General Snooty's elite LAH division".

 

[Wraith]

Don't ya just hate it when the engineers send up the wrong air filters.. Same happened to me the other day, when they tried to fob me off with a standard exhaust system for my Panther Ausf XR4, not the straight through, large bore, stainless system I asked for....

Simon

 

[rws591]

I've just read through this entire thread again because it does throw up some interesting thoughts. One thing I've noticed though; it comes shining through that every poster here is in this hobby for the pleasure that collecting and displaying their figurines/AFV's brings them. I for one have no intention of ever selling any items from my collection. Individual items added to each range we collect were ordered after careful consideration; "How can this complement what we already have?"
None of them were bought with a view to "cashing in".
Nice though to contibute to a thread which does contain views/opinions that are not in 100% agreement - without it becoming acrimonious.

I dont think its bad to sell items, but i do think its bad to buy items with only the intention of selling. Except for dealers.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Don't ya just hate it when the engineers send up the wrong air filters.. Same happened to me the other day, when they tried to fob me off with a standard exhaust system for my Panther Ausf XR4, not the straight through, large bore, stainless system I asked for....

Simon

Panther Ausf XR4 - LOL

 

[Harrytheheid]

I am reminded of Henry Ford's purported statement: "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black." By keeping variants to just the one Model T in black, Ford produced half of all cars in the U.S. by 1919; and by 1920, half of all cars in the U.S. were Model T's. I suggest Ford's early dominance of the U.S. auto industry is mirrored by K&C's current market dominance of the toy soldier industry. Having variants like different numbers and different heads increases the sculpting, production and inventory costs, ultimately impacting retail prices. Keeping things simple keeps costs lower. K&C is praised for its comparatively lower prices, so K&C probably does not want to mess with a business model that works.

Steven,
There's no denying what you're saying. And yes, K&C ought to be4 praised for keeping prices down. We're really just bouncing ideas around. For those like me who have no interest in selling items on, maybe Hornet/Wolf heads (or an equivalent) as an alternative to standard might be an option.
I don't know for sure, but might dry transfers be an answer for different numbers on vehicles? I would think these would be easily enough removed if you want to restore the vehicle back to how it was originally sold.

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Re Oz’s comment, “I seem to recall Andy saying that he started up K&C for collectors, or did I just imagine that?”

What Andy said (and has said many times) is that I started up K&C as a collector myself. My main intention was, is, and I hope, ever will be to make all the soldiers, vehicles and dioramas that I always wanted as a little kid but either

a) Couldn’t get (because they just were not available) or

b) My hard-working, working class parents couldn’t afford

And that is what drives both me and K&C forward even to this day.

As I’ve also written before on this forum there are hundreds… thousands of

suggestions and ideas floating around just waiting to be picked up on. Some are great… some are good… and some are just plain daft! The not-so-great secret is in the selection process of deciding what is a diamond and what is a piece of dross.

My good friend and fellow collector Steven Chong as usual “nailed” the subject right down on his most recent post. What he wrote is what I believe, Stay focused… don’t go off at a tangent… no matter how tempting these little “brainstorms” some collectors come up with. I read what you post… I listen to what you say… I try to look at the overall big picture… and finally, I trust my own “gut instinct” and knowledge of the hobby and the business to make my decisions.

Sometimes I get it wrong… mostly I believe, I get it right. Fortunately the vast majority of K&C collectors and dealers seem to agree… most of the time. I’ll settle for that… what d’ you think?

Best wishes and happy collecting!

Andy C.