ETG-017 and ETG-018 Panther G (1 Viewer)

[HobbyBunker]

We just got a surprise shipment of the the Panther Tanks that were released in Chicago.

Quantities are limited. There will not be anymore available after this batch.

 

[TomNT]

This is good news, they are excellent tanks and very well priced considering the detail. I purchased the ETG-018 Area Defense version and I'm very happy with it. For those umming and arring about buying one, I would recommend getting one while there are some left at this good price.

Tom

 

[katana]

I have the first Figarti Panther G and I consider it one of their best Panzers. Completely blows away K&C and TCS Panthers IMO. I also consider it superior in detail to the Honor Bound Panther A in a side by side comparison with my examples. I just wish Figarti would get moving on the mythical King Tiger!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jazzeum]

Will dealers be getting these?

 

[bradleyl30]

Will dealers be getting these?

I think only Matt will have them since they are in such small numbers right now.

Oh, and I think mine are excellent as well. If I had the cash I would pickup extras for repaints.

 

[rpk]

These look nice. What's the history on the air defense Panther? Are there war time pictures of these? Guess I've never seen that variant, but admittedly haven't thoroughly researched the Panther variations.

 

[bradleyl30]

I think only Matt will have them since they are in such small numbers right now.

Oh, and I think mine are excellent as well. If I had the cash I would pickup extras for repaints.

I probably should have specified that Matt at Hobby Bunker will have them since he is helping them get off the ground (including fronting them cash).

 

[OzDigger]

I probably should have specified that Matt at Hobby Bunker will have them since he is helping them get off the ground (including fronting them cash).

Good to hear someone has put some cash up front and let's hope Figarti get's going full time again.

Personally I think they have a better chance with selling limited numbers of variants/repaints like this rather than larger production runs. Most collectors prefer to have something that's in a limited editions in color schemes they like. Figarti are a small company with experienced artists, their niche and best business success imo is producing a lot of different repaints of popular vehicles such as a Panther tank. Collectors are prepared to pay for rarity in this market sector.

 

[jazzeum]

I think only Matt will have them since they are in such small numbers right now.

I probably should have specified that Matt at Hobby Bunker will have them since he is helping them get off the ground (including fronting them cash).

I realize that Figarti is financially strapped and that they need some sort of financing. I also realize that if he is going to provide the financing, he should realize a benefit from being the source of financing. However, that doesn't mean the dealers should be ignored.

The larger question, though, is there even a point to the dealer system for Figarti if so few quantities are being made. During the Wang era, only 100 of an item, on the average, were being made; there were exceptions. Now, it is much less than that, maybe 50, maybe less. One cannot know for sure. If you are only making a handful or a couple of handful, a company of this size hardly needs a dealer system.

 

[katana]

A way to finance a small companys production would be by subscription. The company produces a prototype of the product and diplays it for its potential customers. Orders are taken with a 50% prepayment per order to finance production. A similar process was used by Honor Bound to finance and produce the Gold Tiger I.

I would appreciate Matt's comments on the viability of this process from his point of view as a distributor for Figarti.

 

[HobbyBunker]

Firstly I have offered this second batch to dealers. Only a couple have ordered them. Going forward it is hard to say how items may be sold. It made sense for me to release them wholesale to move sales along and help cash flow to pump more in.

taking deposits is an option. Right now communication is the issue. It always has been. I was unaware they even shipped these to me. A month ago I asked them if they were sending more Panthers. They said they were all gone. But neglected to tell me they shipped some.

If I could get timely and meaningful information we could do a kickstarter of sorts.

 

[jazzeum]

Dealers may not have ordered them because you initially said that you would have them in small quantities and consumers may have gone to you first to buy them. Once a manufacturer is off the market for awhile, it takes time to build up a customer base again.

Moreover, the amounts you have may be too small to interest dealers.

 

[katana]

Lack of communications is a huge problem to overcome; is it a language problem? Sales into the local market may be maxing out the new owners capabilities. Recovering the old customer base world wide will require something new; not just variations on a theme.