How do you buy your toy soldiers? (1 Viewer)

[Empire MM]

Hi all,

I was sat in the garden yesterday afternoon just relaxing and thinking and one thought that came to me was this.

In the 21st Century, how do we make our purchases of toy soldiers? We have fewer and fewer bricks and mortar stores, the internet is awash with a variety of product and in the UK we have 4 shows a year (3 LTSS and Birmingham).

Establishing a store in the UK is a waste of time these days as the turnover would not provide a living (I believe). While we have 4 shows here, only 1 of the LTSS is a major success, the other two cost most people money to attend and trade so, where are the sales being made? In fact, are sales slowing down in the UK in general? I don't know but I do wonder.

The USA appears to have more stores and shows but, per acre / head of population, maybe not that different to the UK so, what is the way forwards?

We then have a lot of releases from a good number of manufacturers on a monthly basis, is this still viable? Do these releases influence you and make a change of mind on previous decisions?

Like I say, a thought whilst pondering over a dram and a cigar yesterday afternoon and one I just thought I would share. Be interesting to see what you guys think.

Happy collecting,

Malcolm. :salute::

 

[braddinpa]

Most of what I buy is from a Brick and Mortar shop in Gettysburg. John's shop. I buy some from the internet. But I would say about 80% is from John's shop. It is always nice to see 1st hand. Honestly, I didn't have any intention of purchasing the PZ3 from FL until I saw it in person and thought Wow! So I think there is an advantage to keeping the brick shops around.

Oh, and I purchase from shows I attend. So far just 2 shows attended though

 

[Obee]

Here in Australia there are 3 'bricks and mortar shops, all on the east coast, and as I live in the south west corner of 'the wide brown land', that means its a 5 hour fight to get to one !!!

Therefore I do all my purchases via the internet, either using on-line shopping to makers, and shops, or via email. I also buy on eBay, and again that's internet.

One of the joys of travel for me is when I go to Europe, is visiting into shops that sell toy soldiers and when in UK going to the London Toy Soldier Show and meeting many of the makers and sellers who I only otherwise correspond with via email.

John

 

[zblang]

Almost all of my purchases are online (from stores and eBay) - mostly due to my admitted laziness as I do have shops near me. The rest of my purchases are from shows. Mostly Chicago, Valley Forge, Hackensack and Woburn, MA. then there is a small minority from auction sites.

 

[wayne556517]

Slowly ^&grin^&grin

 

[katana]

Treefrog Treasures, Hobby Bunker, Sierra Toy Soldiers and Ebay. No local shops with specific Toy Soldier products; just general hobby shops and fewer of those every year. The internet is the future of retail sales. On Ebay I buy products directly from sellers in the Russian Federation, Hong Kong Germany, England, Japan, et.al. Treefrog Treasures is on Amazon!

 

[theBaron]

I buy nearly all of my toy soldiers on the secondary market, since I don't really collect any of the new lines. So, I buy mostly at shows and via the Internet (eg, eBay and other auction or online market sites).

Prost!
Brad

 

[jazzeum]

Slowly ^&grin^&grin

And with $$$$ :wink2:

Seriously, it depends on what I'm purchasing.

If it's new un-retired soldiers, I purchase them mostly via my dealers of choice (Minuteman and Treefrog), whether online or at shows; I will be picking up some new items this week from Minuteman at the Valley Forge Toy Soldier Show. There are no toy soldiers stores near me so that is not an option.

If retired items, principally via eBay, but also through some contacts, occasionally on the Forum, if a person lists items that I want, and at shows.

 

[lancer]

Mobility issues have restricted my buying. I no longer get the shops in Gettysburg and it has been a long time since I have attended a show. I buy, basically, from one dealer that I have dealt with for years and I keep up on what is new via the internet. -- Al

 

[bradleyl30]

From major manufacturers:

1. My preferred dealer who will keep inventory on hand for me if new releases are more than my budget will hold. This helps both of us plan. I keep him updated on what I plan to purchase and he provides me a buffer for high value items.
2. The manufacturer. Sometimes I buy straight from the manufacturer.
3. Occassionally from another dealer (usually) on eBay. This could be due to having eBay Bucks, or a rare item.

Sometimes I buy rare items or from Russian artisans off of eBay. I have used large eBay Bucks deals to bring down the cost of high priced items.

It was only when I started getting nervous about the First Legion vehicles and their availability that really focused on cultivating the relationship with my dealer to a new level. Btw, I am keeping my dealer anonymous out of respect to our hosts. I don't think he is doing anything other dealers don't do.

When I was selling my older collection off, I got a feel for the eBay Bucks schedule and was able to time a couple of the big listings with eBay Bucks promotions. I got several big paydays on K&C Tigers and other highly sought after vehicles doing this. I was only able to get one to confirm this was exactly what he was waiting for. The others never confirmed so they may have been coincidences, and were all from Asia (China, Singapore, etc.)

 

[Al Fisher]

From anyone who has what I want . . . usually eBay, dealer, or friend. Like many of us, I specialize in a particular period (WW1) and scale (54mm) and have to search out those items I want from past sellers. In many cases I look for items to convert or restore to what I have in mind.

Bosun Al

 

[thebritfarmer]

Everything is online for me, no toy soldiers shops around at all.

 

[johnnybach]

I don't think I'm typical of the usual TS purchaser - but............as you asked.

I buy either unpainted castings - or used TS in areas that I like - to re-paint, repair or convert. These can be anything that I fancy - BUT, have to be reasonably priced.

I do visit a bricks and mortar shop about twice per year - and keep in contact by e-mail - with a running list of what I will collect at my next visit. These are always either castings - or secondary market figures to fix up for myself. (Dorset Soldiers - about a two-hour drive from me - when in the UK).

I also buy via the Internet and/or e-bay - items as above. I buy flats too - which is a more specialist area - usually direct from the supplier by e-mail and use Paypal to purchase wherever possible. ( usually from Germany - and we are still in the EU - so no import taxes).

If I could no longer paint, repair/convert etc., for my hobby - in all honesty - I simply wouldn't be in the hobby at all. I quite simply couldn't possibly justify the expenditure of buying ready-painted figures at the prices asked by most manufacturers/dealers, nowadays - to my family.

Sorry about that Malcolm - but that's the way I see it - for me. jb

 

[7th OVI]

I buy everything on line now since I moved away from Sierra Toy Soldier and the West Coaster. I really miss Sierra and the great people at the store. I will take a look a trying to get to a show once a year to maybe buy a few things. Chris

 

[REVWARBUFF]

I purchase 90% online from established dealers like Minuteman and Treefrog.

I also buy at the Valley Forge show and sometimes at the local brick & mortar store in my area--Dutkins. Unfortunately for me, Dutkins carries only a small variety of manufacturers and not a whole lot of what I collect.

Mark

 

[DMNamiot]

For me it is like this: stores where I find them, flea markets for the vintage figures I am seeking, auction sites and ebay and of course on line from dealers or from shows when I can make them. So for me it is where ever I find them...

Dave

 

[Empire MM]

I don't think I'm typical of the usual TS purchaser - but............as you asked.

I buy either unpainted castings - or used TS in areas that I like - to re-paint, repair or convert. These can be anything that I fancy - BUT, have to be reasonably priced.

I do visit a bricks and mortar shop about twice per year - and keep in contact by e-mail - with a running list of what I will collect at my next visit. These are always either castings - or secondary market figures to fix up for myself. (Dorset Soldiers - about a two-hour drive from me - when in the UK).

I also buy via the Internet and/or e-bay - items as above. I buy flats too - which is a more specialist area - usually direct from the supplier by e-mail and use Paypal to purchase wherever possible. ( usually from Germany - and we are still in the EU - so no import taxes).

If I could no longer paint, repair/convert etc., for my hobby - in all honesty - I simply wouldn't be in the hobby at all. I quite simply couldn't possibly justify the expenditure of buying ready-painted figures at the prices asked by most manufacturers/dealers, nowadays - to my family.

Sorry about that Malcolm - but that's the way I see it - for me. jb

Hey Johnnybach, nothing to apologise for I love the idea of the way you collect and what you, it is individual.

Malcolm. :salute::

 

[Empire MM]

This is really interesting guys, thank you for the input so far.

Great to see the same names coming up regarding retailers too, that really is great. Shows you guys appreciate the efforts they take and that you have a healthy win - win relationship.

Malcolm. :salute::

 

[Mirof]

Toy Soldiers
I buy only second hand ( marked or ebay or auction; price target max 35% of original value )

for figures in kit form metal or ...
as there is no shop anymore in Belgium ( or shop without stock except the last production of 3/4 makers ) as above; second hand...
as basic rule 10€ for a 54mm 20€ for a 90mm

But sometime I can break the rules when realy attracted and pay/bid more

 

[Jack]

Almost without exception I buy everything from my local shop. There are more TS on the market than I could ever afford or display. I cannot buy everything I want in his shop so I figure why look elsewhere? That said, I buy a few glossies when on holiday in the UK, or I at least I did last time. When I am there in September I might try to make a tradition of it.