Figarti Winter T-34......A change in Production Numbers !!! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter PanzerAce1944
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PanzerAce1944
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Jack
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Always good to see old friends enjoying a joke!
6th Wisconsin
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Wow...guess I missed the fireworks...more "Thread Cleansing":rolleyes2:....some things never change{sm4}......Anyway I vote for Figarti increasing production numbers to 150-200.... Increase in Production#'s would be more desirable for both Figarti and Collectors and most important BAD FOR SPECULATORS...Most of us are NOT INTERESTED in funding future purchases of speculators........Figarti will just be missing potential sales $$$$$$$ by not increasing production numbers and Collectors will be missing out
on great products.
on great products.
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TomNT
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He is indeed a naughty boy^&grin^&grin^&grin
OzDigger
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Production Numbers is a valid concern for some Collectors, same as Scale and whatever else they feel is important to them, and it seems complaining about the complaining is also a high priority to some members.
It is no surprise to me that there is still confusion about the subject of production numbers as those waters have been muddied a number of times over the years. The original 'official' version I recall from Rick was 160 in total, i.e. 100 pieces for the US plus a further 60 for the Rest of the World being the number Figarti believed would sell out within a reasonable time frame.
More recently is was mentioned that the molds could not handle much more than 100, I don't know if Rick said this or it was attributed to him, but you can't blame collectors for wondering why the number dropped from 160 to 100. If there was an explantion for the reduction to 100 I guess I missed that memo, and no doubt I wasn't the only person.
Subsequently a number of Treefrog members found it problematic to get hold of the new sets, especially those featuring a popular personality such as the recent Rudel Stuka and decided to stop collecting Figarti. If I owned Figarti I would think that was of some concern, but maybe it isn't, time will tell I guess.
It is no surprise to me that there is still confusion about the subject of production numbers as those waters have been muddied a number of times over the years. The original 'official' version I recall from Rick was 160 in total, i.e. 100 pieces for the US plus a further 60 for the Rest of the World being the number Figarti believed would sell out within a reasonable time frame.
More recently is was mentioned that the molds could not handle much more than 100, I don't know if Rick said this or it was attributed to him, but you can't blame collectors for wondering why the number dropped from 160 to 100. If there was an explantion for the reduction to 100 I guess I missed that memo, and no doubt I wasn't the only person.
Subsequently a number of Treefrog members found it problematic to get hold of the new sets, especially those featuring a popular personality such as the recent Rudel Stuka and decided to stop collecting Figarti. If I owned Figarti I would think that was of some concern, but maybe it isn't, time will tell I guess.
jazzeum
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Matt,
I believe the number has been 100 since they produced the 1/32 Tiger, 60 for the USA and 40 for the rest of the World.
If you wish, I can follow up on this question with Peter or Rick, more likely Peter since he is the operational leader of the company.
Brad
I believe the number has been 100 since they produced the 1/32 Tiger, 60 for the USA and 40 for the rest of the World.
If you wish, I can follow up on this question with Peter or Rick, more likely Peter since he is the operational leader of the company.
Brad
Peter Reuss
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Anyway I vote for Figarti increasing production numbers to 150-200.... Increase in Production#'s would be more desirable for both Figarti and Collectors and most important BAD FOR SPECULATORS...Most of us are NOT INTERESTED in funding future purchases of speculators........Figarti will just be missing potential sales $$$$$$$ by not increasing production numbers and Collectors will be missing out
I don't believe that it's as simple as 'if Figarti produced more they would obviously make more money.' Not every items sells so quickly, so increased production would mean increased inventory on hand (which cuts into profits!). They would have to 'guess' at which items would sell quickly, and that's not an easy task. Higher production runs also mean more factory time per item, so they can release a smaller variety of vehicles.
At the end of the day, Figarti (and other toy soldier companies) are in business to turn a profit. Figarti has taken a more conservative approach towards production numbers and it has seemed to work for them.
Just a viewpoint from the other side of the hobby.
Rob
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OzDigger
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Brad, I have resurected some old posts from Rick about production numbers.
I disagree....I think you are wrong especially when we are talking about iconic items like Desert Tigers, Stukas, and Winter Tigers....Obviously these are items which will DEFINITELY sell and Figarti would definitely make more money$$$$$ on these items......Also Figarti would have enough product out there to compete with other manufacturers similar products thus not losing sales to their competitors.....Lastly better that Figarti should profit$$$$ rather then unscrupulous speculators due to panic buying.....This is the viewpoint of most collectors....a win win.
jazzeum
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Matt,
I then stand corrected if he said that. I do remember that when they made the Tiger several years ago, each camo was 200 pieces and I think it took awhile for all of them to sell. I believe they were disappointed by that.
Brad
tdubel
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This whole thread is silly. Pete is absolutely correct, it is what any good business does. 1 product does not make an annual bottom line. You have to look at the whole program as a manufacturer and know that some will be winners, some losers. Figarti has the approach of the "Even it out over time" and that works for them. K&C are somewhat larger and take a different approach - "model by model, make as many as you think you can sell". Both work.
Speculators - please give this one up, who cares. It is their money, they are free to do what they want in this great Nation. If someone wants to try and make a buck, so be it, its their money. It doesn't affect me because I am an active collector and I decide at the moment of availability what I want to buy and what I can afford to at the time. I don't think it is my right to demand that a product be available if and when I have the inkling and financial wherewithal to purchase. I have never seen any industry or market that employs that philosophy. THere are new products coming to market all the time.
Collectibles are and always will be an active market of selling/trading/buying, which is healthy. If you miss something, don't worry you will get another chance, sometimes cheaper, sometimes costly, but that is the way the ball bounces.
I think I will try an experiment on the next really limited release. I am going to commit $5000 and buy 1 from every dealer I know until my money runs out. Let's see how much I can make. WHY, because I can, it is a free market and I am going to test it. I am so sick of this specualtor making a killing topic, I am willing to bet by the time I sell the extras, pay the fees, pay the transaction costs, pay the postage, pay for gas, packing materials and finally pay myself my normal business hourly rate I use for private consulting, I bet in the end I am going to lose money.
The only real killing in my opinion that is ever made is when a long retired or rare or vintage item is sold years later, that is where appreciation overcomes the costs and you actually make good money. Also, if you buy a collection at a reduced rate, you can make good money.
Buying current limited items yields a few bucks at the end of the day IMO. For example, make a $100 on a Stuka, then pay back $20 in fees, $10 in shipping, $3 or $4 in packing/gas, leaves you with 65 and probably at the end of the day 1/2 hour of time in. Ok, so for 100% risk and 1/2 hour of my time, I made 60 clams. That doesn't even pay my own time. Not getting rich that way IMO.
TD
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Well I do not like the speculators because I see them making a fast buck off the hard work of others.
I am not talking about the person who buys maybe an extra set or but people who try and corner the market of a certain product, or who repeatedly flip their new purchases within weeks.
Speculators do not invest in bricks and mortar and have shops that promote the hobby such as Iwan at Centurian Soldiers and Darren at Magpie. Nor do they have to place minimum orders with manufacturers, without the luxury of being able to discount slow moving stock.
Speculators do not graft at shows month after month, setting up and travelling round the country like George (Minuteman), David (TMTerrain), the Nevilles (KC-UK) and Clive (Figarti).
Seculators do not support the hobby through hosting forums like Treefrog and the Canadian Forum that are a great window for the hobby.
Speculators do not take the great personal and financial risk of investing in manufacturing and all the associated costs like WB, CS, FL, HB, Conte, JGM and KC.
Now, I accept that speculators are somewhat inevitable but personally I think that a community that challenges such behaviour, because of the impact that it has on fellow collectors and the hobby in general, is a good one.
Gazza
(All of the above companies I chose to mention are because I have dealt with them).
I am not talking about the person who buys maybe an extra set or but people who try and corner the market of a certain product, or who repeatedly flip their new purchases within weeks.
Speculators do not invest in bricks and mortar and have shops that promote the hobby such as Iwan at Centurian Soldiers and Darren at Magpie. Nor do they have to place minimum orders with manufacturers, without the luxury of being able to discount slow moving stock.
Speculators do not graft at shows month after month, setting up and travelling round the country like George (Minuteman), David (TMTerrain), the Nevilles (KC-UK) and Clive (Figarti).
Seculators do not support the hobby through hosting forums like Treefrog and the Canadian Forum that are a great window for the hobby.
Speculators do not take the great personal and financial risk of investing in manufacturing and all the associated costs like WB, CS, FL, HB, Conte, JGM and KC.
Now, I accept that speculators are somewhat inevitable but personally I think that a community that challenges such behaviour, because of the impact that it has on fellow collectors and the hobby in general, is a good one.
Gazza
(All of the above companies I chose to mention are because I have dealt with them).
Well Said...Excellent response.....{bravo}}{bravo}}{bravo}}......Increasing production numbers would help to discourage this behavior and allow legitimate collectors to purchase Figarti products for the reasons mentioned....I empahtically reaffirm everything in POST#33...Vezzolf
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Jack
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I have no real concern one way or the other about speculators so it is easy for me to express a rather disinterested opinion. I do recognise the right of others who have stronger opinions and a more personal experince to voice them as I equally recognise the rights of peple to spend their money where they wish - a right enshrined in law.
My question is this - why the hang up with numbers? If a person buys an extra one to help fund their hobby, that is surely no less right or wrong than someone who buys multiples? Can I sell my possessions at a profit only if I purchased them without the intention of doing so?
As I said, I have no strong opinion but it still counts as a post!
My question is this - why the hang up with numbers? If a person buys an extra one to help fund their hobby, that is surely no less right or wrong than someone who buys multiples? Can I sell my possessions at a profit only if I purchased them without the intention of doing so?
As I said, I have no strong opinion but it still counts as a post!
Blowtorch
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Just like someone is free to sell a flaking Figarti tank on Ebay as 'new' to make a buck. Funny seeing you participate on a topic regarding ethics.
Before the mods destroy this post, this is a matter of public record on Treefrog
tdubel
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Excuse me? What public record and please enlighten me on this one. Are you questioning my ethics? I have no problem with anything public, I am the first one to fully put my name address and phone number to anyone who wants it. I am easy to find by my username obviously as I have nothing to hide. SO, please do enlighten me as I don't really care whether this post gets blown away or not as I have seen it and that is all that matters. Take that for what you will, but I think I am fairly clear on this one. Personally, I hope you have the wrong person because if you are questioning ethics, then we have a serious problem.
Mods, I am personally requesting that this be left up as this is an issue that I am not taking lightly.
TD