How do you all like the new K&C packaging? (1 Viewer)

[Showman]

I do not like the new packaging. It reminds my of opening up the toy I just purchased for my eight year old at Toy r us. CHEAP CHEAP, not the image I think K&C wants in my opinion. I do understand a balance is needed between secure shipping /labor costs / presentation. But this is tacky. Come up with something else. I'd pay a few extra bucks for a nice foam insert and a more sound box.
I just got all the new AK sets and was impressed with the models once again. Anyone think the MG 34 on Rommell Half Track a little too big?? Otherwise A+

 

[wellington]

I have not seen this new packaging yet but it is starting to scare me guys.....if it looks cheap and tacky then that is the image it will portray....Does this plastic come in the usual K&C BOX????? I remember a Britains collector telling me once that part of the reason Britains sets went up in value and part of the reason he started collecting Britains was because of the Packaging and layout of each figure showing care and pride in what they were making!!!

How about this can someone post some pictures of this packaging?

Cheers
WELLINGTON

 

[Steven Chong]

... can someone post some pictures of this packaging?

Here are two pictures of the 10.5 canon. Base is black "flocked" plastic. The pictures do not show the clear, molded plastic top that fits over the black base. Because foam is an oil-based product, its cost has increased like the price of gasoline. Besides reducing breakage, K&C should be able to save a lot of money on materials (foam) and labor (don't need all the workers cutting spaces in the foam) and keep the prices of sets from increasing too much.

 

[wellington]

Thanks Steven.......doesn't look too bad to me....man I wish the Napoleonics had some nice sets like that...that is one thing I can say I don't like about the Napoleonics no sets with multiple figures etc!!!!! I do see Andy trying with the 4 French calvary sitting...BUT....Some sort of hospital wagon, more artillery etc would be nice or something other than one piece sets would be nice maybe a rocket battery.....

WELLINGTON

Hey I know a set of figures having hand to hand fighting might be nice.
I GUESS IT'S LIKE COMPARING APPLES AND ORANGES........

 

[Combat]

I just got all the new AK sets and was impressed with the models once again. Anyone think the MG 34 on Rommell Half Track a little too big?? Otherwise A+[/QUOTE]


Yes, I had the same impression. If Rommel is not placed exactly right it is a very tight squeeze. The Half Track itself is not that impressive a vehicle. I think the hoopla about the limited edition and Rommel make it seem more desirable. Would give it a C+ for aesthetics and a A+ for "collectibility."

 

[jazzeum]

It is a very tight squeeze with his head touching or almost touching the braces on top.

As far as the packaging, as long as it gets the figures and vehicles to me safe and undamaged, it doesn't really much matter how it looks because I won't be looking at the packaging again unless I move or sell the set (unlikely).

 

[OzDigger]

Ironically Wellington, most of us WWII collectors want more individual pieces. But I have to agree that 10.5 cm cannon set looks sweet. I'm be a bit worried about that tie over the barrel, best to remove it if you don't intend to display it soon as it could cause some damage.

 

[sceic2]

Once you get the 105 cm gun set out of the package, what a great model the gun is. The detailing and the craftsmanship is class A stuff. The men look very good too but the gun's the thing. Michael

 

[Tony Neville]

Again a dealer perspective.............

I think it is awesome, makes checking before sending harder but at least it does not move and you guys will get less damges.

AK27 a lot of box for what you get!!

Awesome stuff mind you we have moved so much of the stuff today it is amazing.

By the way looking for a sympathy vote here...... i fell whilst moving some box's and bashed my elbow and all Dispatch Dave could do was laugh..... So anybody got skin and blood on their Greif i am sorry. All you will need is some sweat and tears for the full set........

Tony Neville

 

[OzDigger]

The Half Track itself is not that impressive a vehicle. I think the hoopla about the limited edition and Rommel make it seem more desirable. Would give it a C+ for aesthetics and a A+ for "collectibility."

What a shame about that reality check. I've never been a fan of K & C's tracked vehicles because of the lack of track detail, but this model looked ok to me in the pictures I've seen.

Btw guys, don't forget the Sd Kfz 250 half track (5.5 tons) was the baby brother of the 'standard' 251 half-track (8 tons) you most often see in movies etc, so the machine gun may look 'oversized'.

 

[Njja]

Packaging must have been a tough decision for Andy C.

I think it holds the items more securily, and will protect the items better

both of which are very important. But the plastic is less appealing and

may not attract new customers like the old packaging with the foam.

The old package really made the item look like a "Valuable Treasure" you

were opening.

Shows you the difficult decisions Andy C has to make on a daily basis.

Njja

 

[Steven Chong]

The funny thing about new K&C packaging is that the Imperial Chinese Collection comes in very solid boxes which are similar to the very early black K&C boxes (before the green ones) and die-cut dense foam. This packaging and foam is very similar to the Britains' packaging.

 

[maddadicus]

Packaging must have been a tough decision for Andy C.

I think it holds the items more securily, and will protect the items better

both of which are very important. But the plastic is less appealing and

may not attract new customers like the old packaging with the foam.

The old package really made the item look like a "Valuable Treasure" you

were opening.

Shows you the difficult decisions Andy C has to make on a daily basis.

Njja

I agree with this. Bought the AK gun and crew, and the clear packing made it seem more like an Foces of Valor on the shelf presentation than the usual anticipation involved in carefully opening and unwrapping and revealing a K/C piece for pieces or the first time. Even though the quality of product is still there, the bubble pack makes it seem like it is worth only a couple bucks. It will be a perception issue to get used to...Michael ...the shock and awe was underwhelming.......

 

[OzDigger]

Btw, has anyone noticed if K & C prices have dropped since the 'cheap' packaging policy was introduced?

 

[jazzeum]

Btw, has anyone noticed if K & C prices have dropped since the 'cheap' packaging policy was introduced?

Prices wouldn't drop on current items because of the no discounting policy. Older items on which there are price swings do not, of course, contain this kind of packaging.

 

[Chuck Harris]

I don't think I like the new packaging it has a Wal-Mart look. The appearance wants to cheapen the product.
Thats the way it looks to me.

 

[Steven Chong]

Btw, has anyone noticed if K & C prices have dropped since the 'cheap' packaging policy was introduced?

While prices have not dropped, they also have not increased since 2003. New vehicles are still $89 or $99 even though the cost of materials have skyrocketed and the quality of the workmanship and painting have improved. In China, I know that the cost of foam has doubled or tripled in the last three years, and that the cost of tin and other metals have doubled. I think the new packaging allows K&C to not increase list prices while absorbing increased material costs.

 

[jazzeum]

That's not actually true Steven. At last year's Symposium, Andy announced a slight increase and they were increased. For example, a four figure set went from $79 to $85. Still a great price in my opinion.

 

[desk11desk12]

Well, I wasn't too thrilled with the bubble packaging at first but aren’t you guys tiered of opening up a KC box in the past to reveal bent rifles or a bent grenade at the tip of rifle? I am.

Yes, the tie raps are a hassle but keep them and bubble packaging and it will simplify the shipping in the future to someone else when you sell it.

I hope, LOL.

Carlos

 

[OzDigger]

I would have prefered K & C used other alternatives to reduce costs rather than cheapen the look of their products with the new packaging. But if they were running out of options I guess we just have to wear it.