Has wbritains lost its way (1 Viewer)

If Britains is having trouble with production in China, why not bring production to US or UK? I'd pay a little more or accept less detail in the figures.
 
Bring production back the UK or US would be great if it could happen but I seriously doubt that a move like that would be or could be done because of costs. I once talked to Ken about costs and production and its amazing how much a new figure costs to develop. So with that in mind I cant see them moving.

Dave
 
I would think that if anything manufacturers would have products made in Southeast China if things get expensive there. Over the years products, not necessarily toy soldiers, have moved as the country of manufacture has become more economically developed and moved beyond piece manufacture, e.g. Japan to Korea to Taiwan to China. That trend is taking place in China.
 
Production snags aside, I think WB is doing just fine.I buy up 3 of their ranges as fast as I can allow for them. 4 IF they do a few more WW2 . British Airborne please.
 
Up to recently, I was collecting most of their ACW and Zulu War (Rourke's Drift only) ranges. My ACW collecting is winding down as I concentrate on the FL Agincourt range to diversify my collection. I may wind-up my Zulu War collecting soon as well. I did start to pick-up their recent British 44th Foot Napoleonic sets to create a square for my Waterloo diorama but that's pretty much it. I still think Britains produces the best, animated figures out there for the price with a good selection of ranges. :salute::
 
Yes yes yes they have.

This must be the worse people/organisation to run WB since I have been collecting over 30 years ago.
They could not organise a drink in a brewery........

Now the Zulu exclusive is postponed - it is one thing to miss a deadline but another to miss a deadline that YOU SET YOURSELF.

Sets are late released more often than on time. Collectors club figures are months after the start of the new year and membership.

Will be spending more at the Thomas Gunn stand at the London show.............
 
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Peiper007 said:
Yes yes yes they have.

This must be the worse people/organisation to run WB since I have been collecting over 30 years ago.
They could not organise a drink in a brewery.

Now the Zulu exclusive is postponed - it is one thing to miss a deadline but another to miss a deadline that YOU SET YOURSELF.

Sets are late released more often than on time. Collectors club figures are months after the start of the new year and membership.

Will be spending more at the Thomas Gunn stand at the London show.............
Click to expand...

That's a little harsh isn't it ? {eek3}
 
I joined the collectors club over a month ago and have received nothing,not even a email thanking me for joining.I had pre-ordered most of the new Clash of Empires figures but I canceled them as I now see they have been pushed back to March.I may still get them but I will wait until they are actually in stock before I order them.I don't know what the problem is as Richard Walker and Ken Osen are both good men.It must be the people below them.
Mark
 
I agree Mike. WB is a a terrific manufacturer. They set a lot of trends in this hobby. I view their products as top flight, very accomadating to the wishes of their custumers. It is virtually impossible to be all things to all conflicts, interests or areas of collecting. It is clear they are in a period of transition and being cognizant of where the products are manufactered is pertinent to the discussion. There ACW line is the gold standard, the WW1 line is stellar, they do the Zulu line, Napoleonic era and AWI quite competently. There historical depiction discipline is outstanding. The sculpts are excellent and the painting is basic but uniform, clean and consistent.Quite clearly they are not an AFV centric manufacturer. I judge the firms by their actions and the body of work. They have not lost their way, they are evolving but so is the whole hobby. I think they have motivated other makers to adopt their quality,consistency, packaging, marketing and other trend setting axioms and have elevated the whole hobby to what it is today. Give credit to K&C, CS, First Legion,Figarti and others for accelerating the pace but the WB brand is still a joy to collect. They will reinvent themselves going forward. No worries.
 
There are plenty of delays in China that is a fact across the board with lots of manufacturers. I have been waiting for my 00 scale HST locomotive for 18 months now.

I don't think expecting delivery of a figure in March and then receiving a letter saying it will not be until April/May is all that bad to be honest. Britains unlike other makers release photos of what they are making way ahead of when it is due.........maybe this is the problem?

As WB are really the main contender for the ACW focusing on it for the anniversary was to be expected and I think what anyone would do in their shoes.

It just gives me more time to save up...........and am thankful when the releases are spread out a little, not everyone has bags of cash.


Marco as you are joining at the beginning of the year nothing has been released yet so you will not receive anything until the first Standard is printed. It should be along soon though. Remember the club figure doesn't usually appear until May.
 
marco55 said:
I joined the collectors club over a month ago and have received nothing,not even a email thanking me for joining.I had pre-ordered most of the new Clash of Empires figures but I canceled them as I now see they have been pushed back to March.I may still get them but I will wait until they are actually in stock before I order them.I don't know what the problem is as Richard Walker and Ken Osen are both good men.It must be the people below them.
Mark
Click to expand...

Just a note Mark, Richard is long gone, Ken's the man now. When I joined the club January 2011 nothing came for months, than the welcome pack suddenly appeared, followed by the club figure a few months later. Britain's releases have been on the back foot since late 2011 and have never recovered. I have found it's best not to think about receiving releases, as they are often are pushed out 1 to 6 months regularly. They will come eventually, but if you do not pre order you run the risk of not getting one, as it appears figures are now often sold out before their release date, suggesting the numbers produced may now not be as many as previously. Hope this helps. Robin.
 
I would like to think it I s quality control. they are not in Asia, perhaps they send a lot of product back- or wait until the lines are done. May then they go over there for a final inspection (one trip) to keep costs down.....
I have met Ken (and Ericka) they are passionate about this- I would say they may be frustrated as well. Ken is a very serious gent, He and I had a long talk few years ago about some things- he was very honest and forthright with me- mucho Respecto!

Now lets temper this with how many angry customers there are on this forum, and how many worldwide, as well. when the stuff arrives, it is squared away- there is no denying that~! my WW1 sets are amazing, and I cant wait to see the Indians- (my idea I would like to think-)
Here I am plugging WB and I dont even qualify t be a dealer-
Grant
 
WB has had a lot of changes over the past few years and this bound to have had an effect on planning and production. As to the ACW, well let's just say that they've put out a lot of ACW items over the past few years and with the 100 year anniversary of WW1 here, perhaps it's time to move on. And don't forget . . . they're primarily the reason that anyone collects toy soldiers at all!

Bosun Al
 
Hi Guys,

Al and Scott and a lot of other guys here make all the points necessary to sum up what I was also thinking. But here I go anyway...

So while I love getting new stuff I also don't mind a delay because it allows me a chance to catch up on a missed set or even get a figure or two from one of the other makers out there. It doesn't get me all upset when the Club stuff takes a while to show up because its always great to get mail that I want as opposed to the usual bills etc. Being stationed overseas has probably had something to do with that. I will also state that this hobby isn't a flash in the pan its a long slow burn or marathon so enjoy it and don't get so stressed out if the mail/shipping is slow...

Dave
 
The Standard will begin shipping tomorrow along with the 2014 Spring & Stock Catalogue and a free shipping voucher (not sure how this will work unless it is for Club purchases only?).
 
Britains will make what sells, like any other toy soldier manufacturer. For those who believe that the Civil War period is over-produced, consider that those of us who like the artillery figures are still waiting for the limber and caisson sets with horses to accurately portray artillery in action. One has to put the cannons on the edge of a display since the back-up limbers have not been produced. One has to imagine that the limbers and horses are off the table. Also, how many figures are available without knapsacks? One would think that in every battle scenario, the union troops fought with knapsacks on--totally inappropriate in most of the battles where union troops were in defensive positions. Do you really believe that generals (eg. Reynolds) rode into the field alone. These guys had huge staffs in addition to color and corps flag bearers with them. Britains made some attempts at this for the Reynolds' Iron Brigade set, but left it go afterwards. Why two separate sets of 114th PA (one with turbans and one without) instead of fulfilling other sculpting deficiencies in other sets?
 
gettysburgbuff said:
Britains will make what sells, like any other toy soldier manufacturer. For those who believe that the Civil War period is over-produced, consider that those of us who like the artillery figures are still waiting for the limber and caisson sets with horses to accurately portray artillery in action. One has to put the cannons on the edge of a display since the back-up limbers have not been produced. One has to imagine that the limbers and horses are off the table. Also, how many figures are available without knapsacks? One would think that in every battle scenario, the union troops fought with knapsacks on--totally inappropriate in most of the battles where union troops were in defensive positions. Do you really believe that generals (eg. Reynolds) rode into the field alone. These guys had huge staffs in addition to color and corps flag bearers with them. Britains made some attempts at this for the Reynolds' Iron Brigade set, but left it go afterwards. Why two separate sets of 114th PA (one with turbans and one without) instead of fulfilling other sculpting deficiencies in other sets?
Click to expand...

Ken has told me several times we will be getting limbers, with teams. :smile2: Think we will see them some time this year. Would like to see some artillery casualties as well. There is one in the Cushing set, but hope there will be individual figs. Chris
 
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