First Legion on EBAY (1 Viewer)

[FirstLegion]

For Matt /Bill

Matt I personally dont believe my polite request " Could Matt please respond" could in anyway be considered demanding " especially having previously posted basically the same question addressed to all users of this forum without any response. It seems on reflection that the question could only have been answered by your good self. I regret not directing my concerns to you in person. However this is a toy soldier forum and a collector should be able to air his or her views as they see fit, it is not moderated by Manufacturers and in fairness I believe this forum has only ever shown FL in a good light as is only fair given the quality of the work produced.

Just to clarify this, my comments about being expected to respond were not directed solely at you, that was a general commment for all. It's a trend I've noticed of late where because of my participation level, people ask me a lot of direct questions and expect answers to each of them. I try to answer many of them as best I can but the reality is that anyone who really wants a question answered should contact us off the forum. You are then free to post the answer you receive to such a question of course for all forum members to share and discuss. Forum members are also free to continue to ask whatever questions they want of us here, but they shouldn't read too much into it if i answer some and ignore others. Such is my prerogative.

As I said in my response, your basic question about why no numbered cards in the boxes is certainly a fair one. The reality is because it's not a requirement so I never really considered it. Moving forward in 2010 this is something that we might add to our Special Collectors Sets as conceptually the idea is fine with me. For our other sets, we'll most likely move forward by eliminating the concept of production limits altogether as we have done with our WWII range. In the end, after market value will be determined by supply and demand, not by a card in a box. And, once we retire more figures and as our customer base continues to grow and grow, I think you'll all see that many of our figures may be harder to get in the after market than our stated production limits would imply in any case. If sufficient demand exists for those figures, then obviously the value will increase. Time will tell on this...

Best,

Matt
First Legion Ltd

 

[Vezzolf]

Panda,

I can only speak for myself, but I could care less weather the figures come with numbers. It sounds to me just another thing adding to the production costs which would add nothing to the quality of the figures.

The main reason I was slow to start collecting First Legion in the beginning was my fear that the production runs were so low. If I am going to spend a lot of money building up a unit in miniature; I don’t want to hear that the figures were sold out before I have been able to buy all I wanted. Since I am not wealthy I use the “Ants can build Mountains theory”. I buy a little bit each month, the maximum I can afford that month. Over a period of time I was able to buy over one hundred French Infantry figures. I wasn’t finished when the figures started going out of stock, just what I had feared. I was very happy to hear that the first run of the figures wasn’t the full allotment for each so First Legion would be re-stocking. Thank you Matt!!

Britains is making its Napoleonic French Lancers a limited edition and on that forum thread I am reading they are hard to found. So I won’t be trying to build a French cavalry charge using those figures. Great for the few people who found some, they may have a figure that becomes more valuable, but not good for the guys wanting to build a diorama.

As First Legion continues to grow in popularity the limited runs of 500 or so may become a problem. As of now my main problem is not being able to buy everything I want because there are so many super figures to choose from.

King’s Man

Absolutely and Completely Agree.....I personally do not care in the least about box numbers or limited production runs.....I want to collect toy soldiers because "I like them"....NOT as an investment or for speculation and RE-SALE on the secondary market......I am personnally disgusted by the speculators, horders and the manufacturers who produced limited #'s of items in order to create "panic buying"......So far First legion has not adopted these manipulation tactics......in my view First Legion does not need to resort to these ploys to sell their product.....I hope we will be able to make purchases without pressure......It ruins this hobby to do otherwise.

 

[Gebhard]

Panda,

I can only speak for myself, but I could care less weather the figures come with numbers. It sounds to me just another thing adding to the production costs which would add nothing to the quality of the figures.

The main reason I was slow to start collecting First Legion in the beginning was my fear that the production runs were so low. If I am going to spend a lot of money building up a unit in miniature; I don’t want to hear that the figures were sold out before I have been able to buy all I wanted. Since I am not wealthy I use the “Ants can build Mountains theory”. I buy a little bit each month, the maximum I can afford that month. Over a period of time I was able to buy over one hundred French Infantry figures. I wasn’t finished when the figures started going out of stock, just what I had feared. I was very happy to hear that the first run of the figures wasn’t the full allotment for each so First Legion would be re-stocking. Thank you Matt!!

Britains is making its Napoleonic French Lancers a limited edition and on that forum thread I am reading they are hard to found. So I won’t be trying to build a French cavalry charge using those figures. Great for the few people who found some, they may have a figure that becomes more valuable, but not good for the guys wanting to build a diorama.

As First Legion continues to grow in popularity the limited runs of 500 or so may become a problem. As of now my main problem is not being able to buy everything I want because there are so many super figures to choose from.

King’s Man

Well said , Diddo that one ... I have seen what you have been able to accomplish over time with your “Ants can build Mountains theory” and it is a thing of beauty ! Can you use beautiful to describe a ton of First Legion French Line figures ? Well I did and it is to me . I can't wait to see your finished diorama .. All the Best Gebhard

 

[Gebhard]

absolutely and completely agree.....i personally do not care in the least about box numbers or limited production runs.....i want to collect toy soldiers because "i like them"....not as an investment or for speculation and re-sale on the secondary market......i am personnally disgusted by the speculators, horders and the manufacturers who produced limited #'s of items in order to create "panic buying"......so far first legion has not adopted these manipulation tactics......in my view first legion does not need to resort to these ploys to sell their product.....i hope we will be able to make purchases without pressure......it ruins this hobby to do otherwise.

Amen brother , You said it all

 

[Panda]

Gebhard

Unfortunately Gebhard you may not care about Limited production runs but all First Legion figures are actually offered for sale as Limited, Extremely Limited or as special collectors sets with fixed maximum numbers in each edition. Which is why I raised a concern about the absence of number cards I too am a collector not a speculator. but given the range of excellent figures on offer I anticipate my collection growing significantly into a sizeable investment. Therfore its retained value is of interest to me. whether anyone who purchases any collectable wishes to retain or sell a peice is entirely their business, I personnally do not anticipate selling any of my FL collection unless I was in fact helping out a fellow serious collector who was perhaps missing something.

I am entirley satisfied with Matts response to my question.

 

[Gebhard]

Gebhard

Unfortunately Gebhard you may not care about Limited production runs but all First Legion figures are actually offered for sale as Limited, Extremely Limited or as special collectors sets with fixed maximum numbers in each edition. Which is why I raised a concern about the absence of number cards I too am a collector not a speculator. but given the range of excellent figures on offer I anticipate my collection growing significantly into a sizeable investment. Therfore its retained value is of interest to me. whether anyone who purchases any collectable wishes to retain or sell a peice is entirely their business, I personnally do not anticipate selling any of my FL collection unless I was in fact helping out a fellow serious collector who was perhaps missing something.

I am entirley satisfied with Matts response to my question.

Panda.. Why is unfortunate that I'm not concerned ? It seems maybe you have a problem with me as I am not the only one to respond in such a way anyway I can read English very good thank you . As your response points out all you need to know is on the First Legion web site as to edition sizes etc ....I never question the ethics of Matt or of First Legion , I don't feel I need a Card , Numbered box etc.... to prove to me it is limited when they say they are sold through that is good enough for me . All my dealings with them have been perfect. I already have a sizable investment in the Thousands of dollars and I also only see my collection growing significantly . My only concern is that someday I would miss out on a Limited release ,one that may be only 150 or so and I would have to buy it on ebay from someone who has no love of the item and only bought it with the hope of turning a profit. As to resale of my collection that will be something for my children to worry about and I hope to God they will not be looking to my collection as a means of being taken care of when I am gone that is why there are such things as a financial advisors my Figures are not part of my portfolio ,they are strickly for my earthly enjoyment. Hope this explains to you were I'm coming from if not please feel free to PM me . Thank you and Happy Collecting Gebhard

 

[Vezzolf]

Most of us collect toy soldiers: "because we enjoy them" and appreciate the fine detail of First Legion......not as an "investment" or for speculation on secondary markets......Therefore asking First Legion to number boxes or soldiers is a non issue for most of us......If one has no interest in selling them for profit why the concern for the numbering of items..... Creating an intentional short supply or limited run only prevents sales to prospective buyers who need to make their purchases gradually.....and feeds the egos and greed of speculators......I have gone on record and today re-affirm that I will not be manipulated and pay inflated prices for "RE-TIRED" items on EVIL-BAY......Best regards

 

[Panda]

Boys As the man said it was a fair question. My original point was a valid one. Only those with very deep pockets indeed can afford to buy all of the very fine figures produced by FL especially if multiples of rank and file units are desired. So basically it is about decision making And anticipation of forthcoming releases it is difficult to decide what ranges to buy and to determine which direction FL designers will take.

On a light hearted note I wouldnt trust a financial advisor as far as I could throw one.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Boys As the man said it was a fair question. My original point was a valid one. Only those with very deep pockets indeed can afford to buy all of the very fine figures produced by FL especially if multiples of rank and file units are desired. So basically it is about decision making And anticipation of forthcoming releases it is difficult to decide what ranges to buy and to determine which direction FL designers will take.

On a light hearted note I wouldnt trust a financial advisor as far as I could throw one.

I think your questions on the French line production, whether FL would consider numbering and clarifying which releases would be limited were all fair. We simply disagree on the significance of numbering for our personal uses; a simple matter of preference. I do tend to agree with your light hearted note as well; can we throw one your way?

 

[Warrior]

On a light hearted note I wouldnt trust a financial advisor as far as I could throw one.

You're sort of painting with a broad brush with that one.

Despite the stock market going into the toilet around 16 months ago, my financial advisor managed to reduce my losses early by shifting some funds around and as of my statements for quarter ending 12/31/09, he has basically managed to get my protfolio back to where it was before the crash.

If you are self employed like I am, you need a good financial advisor.

Just like you need a good accountant and a good lawyer.

I am blessed to have all three.

Specifically the lawyer.

 

[VIRIATO]

You're sort of painting with a broad brush with that one.

Despite the stock market going into the toilet around 16 months ago, my financial advisor managed to reduce my losses early by shifting some funds around and as of my statements for quarter ending 12/31/09, he has basically managed to get my protfolio back to where it was before the crash.

If you are self employed like I am, you need a good financial advisor.

Just like you need a good accountant and a good lawyer.

I am blessed to have all three.

Specifically the lawyer.

Yes, lawyers are always very useful!

Portuguese one,
Paulo

 

[Warrior]

Yes, lawyers are always very useful!

Portuguese one,
Paulo

My lawyer is top shelf, just aces, a former Boston Police officer.

Have seen him in action twice.

Would not want mess with him, he's a shark, ie, when he smells blood in the water, look out.

As someone who is self employed, you need a good one, I've got a great one.....

 

[marco55]

Numbered or not numbered is fine with me.I've collected Jenkins and I like the cards stating the set number.Whether not they are numbered or not there are only so many sets made anyway.
Mark

 

[Vezzolf]

My lawyer is top shelf, just aces, a former Boston Police officer.

Have seen him in action twice.

Would not want mess with him, he's a shark, ie, when he smells blood in the water, look out.

As someone who is self employed, you need a good one, I've got a great one.....

Yes, but even lawyers are subject to the Law.....NO ONE including a Supreme Court Judge is exempt from the Law.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Yes, but even lawyers are subject to the Law.....NO ONE including a Supreme Court Judge is exempt from the Law.

Well not to put to fine a point on it but lawyers attempt to apply and, if needs be, argue the law; judges interpret the law. Laws actually provide the reason for lawyers; if there were no laws, there would simply be warriors. Of course, that is the way human history started.