Encouraging New Blood into the Hobbie. (1 Viewer)

[Mitch]

If its negative and short sighted then Andy stating that he aims his releases at people with money on numerous occasions that I could mention must also be short-sighted. Wonder how many kids Andy has as members and regular buyers???

I also was not talking about any top end of the hobby this one 1/30th is not aimed at children TG, CS FL, K&C, Figarti are all aimed at people with disposable income and, that have money.

You see it your way I see it mine. What is seen as by a couple is just a realist approach IMO. how can anyone attract children to a hobby where the average price for AFV's is over £200 and figures range from £40 to £75. If you do or can then you require an adult with money. How many children do you know with that type of income???

If you wish to try and attract children then good for you I surely don't see how or even have an interest in doing so as its not a hobby that sells toys or is aimed at them that I am involved in
Mitch

I kind of think you're missing the 'guts' of the thread Mitch, it's all about discussing ways of encouraging interested people into the hobby, regardless of age.

You're absolutely right you're never going to make people collect if they don't want to or have no interest in the subject, but then i don't think anyone is suggesting that.......certainly not on this thread, that I'm aware of ??

I must say too, that I totally disagree 100%, that the hobby is for adults with money. I can only presume you are referring to the top end of the market, regardless there are a ton of cheaper options out there for those of us (including children) with 'light' wallets.

Also I can think of many companies that carter to the lower end of the market.....Airfix products are a great example. 'Conte' too has done wonderful things with their plastic & metal ranges over the years.

Without companies such as these and the likes of K&C, CS and so many many others, the hobby simply wouldn't have evolved to where it currently is now. To assume that the hobby will just 'tick over' on it's own accord, with little problem and without much input from collectors or manufacturers, is in my opinion very shortsighted to say the least.

 

[Desertkiwi]

If its negative and short sighted then Andy stating that he aims his releases at people with money on numerous occasions that I could mention must also be short-sighted. Wonder how many kids Andy has as members and regular buyers???

I also was not talking about any top end of the hobby this one 1/30th is not aimed at children TG, CS FL, K&C, Figarti are all aimed at people with disposable income and, that have money.

You see it your way I see it mine. What is seen as by a couple is just a realist approach IMO. how can anyone attract children to a hobby where the average price for AFV's is over £200 and figures range from £40 to £75. If you do or can then you require an adult with money. How many children do you know with that type of income???

If you wish to try and attract children then good for you I surely don't see how or even have an interest in doing so as its not a hobby that sells toys or is aimed at them that I am involved in
Mitch

Ok, I think I'm stating the obvious here, but here goes......there's a reason why I started this Thread in the 'General TS Discussion' section of the forum.... it's because the topic relates to all TS, which in my mind includes all scales, made from any product, including paper, plastic's all the way through to ploystone and metals......which of course covers a huge range of different prices.

I'm not sure why you think this thread is simply about collecting 1/30th scale figures? The Thread certainly isn't titled that way nor do I mention it in my original post, so I'm a little mystified as to why you think I'm only referring to that scale?

 

[swalterh]

If its negative and short sighted then Andy stating that he aims his releases at people with money on numerous occasions that I could mention must also be short-sighted. Wonder how many kids Andy has as members and regular buyers???

I also was not talking about any top end of the hobby this one 1/30th is not aimed at children TG, CS FL, K&C, Figarti are all aimed at people with disposable income and, that have money.

You see it your way I see it mine. What is seen as by a couple is just a realist approach IMO. how can anyone attract children to a hobby where the average price for AFV's is over £200 and figures range from £40 to £75. If you do or can then you require an adult with money. How many children do you know with that type of income???

If you wish to try and attract children then good for you I surely don't see how or even have an interest in doing so as its not a hobby that sells toys or is aimed at them that I am involved in
Mitch

I agree that the fully finished hand-painted figure and AFV market is more for adults with disposable income. There is a plethora of toy soldier related options out there for kids. Plastics are probably the option that most immediately comes to mind. The big bucket of Green and Tan "Army Men" is most assuredly a gate-way drug (even though many brave Green and Tans become KIA from being melted or MIA in the sand box).

IMO there is only going to be a certain percentage of the population that is going to have an interest in this stuff. Personally I love it, but my buddies from college always thought I was a geek for being into it. Frankly there are only so many "history geeks" like us out there (and lovely ladies that are supportive of such a ridiculous addiction). And unfortunately, there is going to be a limited number of new "geeks" born each year. Any TS business that sets its strategy around increasing the market is cruising for trouble because you can't make new "geeks". We're just born this way. There is only so much of a market out there and the competition for those dollars is increasing every year.

I really don't see a crisis in the industry. Only for certain manufacturers who are finding it difficult to keep pace with the changes in the market.

 

[swalterh]

Ok, I think I'm stating the obvious here, but here goes......there's a reason why I started this Thread in the 'General TS Discussion' section of the forum.... it's because the topic relates to all TS, which in my mind includes all scales, made from any product, including paper, plastic's all the way through to ploystone and metals......which of course covers a huge range of different prices.

I'm not sure why you think this thread is simply about collecting 1/30th scale figures? The Thread certainly isn't titled that way nor do I mention it in my original post, so I'm a little mystified as to why you think I'm only referring to that scale?

Along these lines, I think gaming with 1/72 plastics is a good introduction to the hobby. Hat Industries has really done a lot for this section of the industry. Their extensive range covering multiple periods is an amazing accomplishment. Gone are the days to the horridly inaccurate, but splendidly charming Airfix troops.

 

[Desertkiwi]

I agree that the fully finished hand-painted figure and AFV market is more for adults with disposable income. There is a plethora of toy soldier related options out there for kids. Plastics are probably the option that most immediately comes to mind. The big bucket of Green and Tan "Army Men" is most assuredly a gate-way drug (even though many brave Green and Tans become KIA from being melted or MIA in the sand box).

IMO there is only going to be a certain percentage of the population that is going to have an interest in this stuff. Personally I love it, but my buddies from college always thought I was a geek for being into it. Frankly there are only so many "history geeks" like us out there (and lovely ladies that are supportive of such a ridiculous addiction). And unfortunately, there is going to be a limited number of new "geeks" born each year. Any TS business that sets its strategy around increasing the market is cruising for trouble because you can't make new "geeks". We're just born this way. There is only so much of a market out there and the competition for those dollars is increasing every year.

I really don't see a crisis in the industry. Only for certain manufacturers who are finding it difficult to keep pace with the changes in the market.

Couldn't agree more mate, well said.......I'm all for us 'history geeks', the more the merrier{bravo}}

 

[TomNT]

Ok, I think I'm stating the obvious here, but here goes......there's a reason why I started this Thread in the 'General TS Discussion' section of the forum.... it's because the topic relates to all TS, which in my mind includes all scales, made from any product, including paper, plastic's all the way through to ploystone and metals......which of course covers a huge range of different prices.

I'm not sure why you think this thread is simply about collecting 1/30th scale figures? The Thread certainly isn't titled that way nor do I mention it in my original post, so I'm a little mystified as to why you think I'm only referring to that scale?

Toddy, I also think you stated the obvious so I don't know why it's getting side tracked. It's a good thread mate.

Tom