ideas... (1 Viewer)

[Poppo]

I wonder why K&C and other manufacturers don' t make new interesting collections like: " Conquistadores and Maya"; " pirates of caraibes or of malesya"; " mexican revolution"; " foreign legion in Morocco 19th century".

Personally I don t find the recent series so interesting, or adding something new to what have already made in the past...Do you agree?

 

[Larry Allen]

Evening Poppo,
While I agree that it wouldbe nice to see "different" sets be designed and produced the answer to your question is simple .... money / business. This discussion has been thrashed about in many different threads on this forum and with slightly different twists. But it (ALWAYS) comes down to what Andy at K&C; John at JJD; or any of the other see that they can made a profit at producing. I would LOVE to see a series of Allied Prisioners and Stalag guards to do a dio on POW camps. Another thread going now is on V1 and V2 rockets.

If there is a large enough demand then good chance that it will appear one day. There is always ... HOPE!
Larry

 

[MarkeytMaker]

I think a commemorative set of NY Fire & Police would be great...they went forward into a war zone on that day!

 

[Mitch]

more POW's and camp guards would be interesting. Would not even have to be a series just some releases every now and then so you could build up a decent camp scene.
Mitch

 

[The Military Workshop]

I wonder why K&C and other manufacturers don' t make new interesting collections like: " Conquistadores and Maya"; " pirates of caraibes or of malesya"; " mexican revolution"; " foreign legion in Morocco 19th century".

Personally I don t find the recent series so interesting, or adding something new to what have already made in the past...Do you agree?

Poppo,
As mentioned it is a matter of what sells and the risk for the producer.

I believe somebody, Morgan, does Conquistadores already. The fact no mainstream producer is doing these subjects is probably because they think they will not sell. As a dealer I know limited demand from my collectors for those subjects. The most commercial subject in your list would be Foreign Legion and Conte has indicated they will be doing some in the future.

This thread might be better placed in TS general discussion area.

Regards
Brett

 

[Bayern]

Poppo,
As mentioned it is a matter of what sells and the risk for the producer.

I believe somebody, Morgan, does Conquistadores already. The fact no mainstream producer is doing these subjects is probably because they think they will not sell. As a dealer I know limited demand from my collectors for those subjects. The most commercial subject in your list would be Foreign Legion and Conte has indicated they will be doing some in the future.

This thread might be better placed in TS general discussion area.

Regards
Brett

I completely agree. It is because the producers think they wont sell.

Ludwig

 

[arnhem44mad]

Simple answer: Andy knows what sells and what his collectors like to see?

Simples

Scott

 

[Poppo]

Well, I understand that the manufacturers make business....I am just amazed that many collectors aren t interested in historical periods and uniforms of the period and wars I mentioned.....Probably I am an original....

 

[Bayern]

Well, I understand that the manufacturers make business....I am just amazed that many collectors aren t interested in historical periods and uniforms of the period and wars I mentioned.....Probably I am an original....

Poppo, I share your enthusiasm for ideas and history. Unfortunately they do not all get picked up over marketing and sales strategies. You will also find mixed reactions so do not take it personally. Welcome aboard!!

I think the Mayan and Conquistadors would be great!! 2012 and all you think someone would be into it.

Here is a picture of one of my Mayan Warriors I bought in Mexico City from a Toy Soldier Maker/ Aficionado.

You like?

Ludwig!!

 

[jules118]

I wonder why K&C and other manufacturers don' t make new interesting collections like: " Conquistadores and Maya"; " pirates of caraibes or of malesya"; " mexican revolution"; " foreign legion in Morocco 19th century".

Personally I don t find the recent series so interesting, or adding something new to what have already made in the past...Do you agree?

Well as has been stated, it probably does come down to business and what the manufacturers will sell. I've got about eight or nine of the Conquistadores and Aztec figures from Morgan Miniatures and they are excellent, more than a match for K&C in terms of quality, although until recently much more expensive... but this gap is closing rapidly. I'd buy more if their website wasn't so user unfriendly. Gareth Morgan is releasing French Foreign Legion figures from their 'adventures' in Mexico too btw.



I recall that K&C did toy with the idea of releasing Pirates of the Caribbean type figures and a hint was featured in one of their Collector magazines, but nothing eventuated, unfortunately. Guess it came down to cost and the potential for sales. In today's economic climate and with rising production (and retail) costs it probably makes more sense to the manufacturers to look for something 'different' but at the same time stay within the confines of wars or periods where the customer base already exists rather than take a risk on something that may be totally new.

In fairness though, Andy has explored some interesting new areas, USMC / USN, SOE, the recent Chinese releases etc. So it's not just the same old stuff... but I suspect the priority is sticking to the periods that one knows will sell.

Jules

 

[Poppo]

Well as has been stated, it probably does come down to business and what the manufacturers will sell. I've got about eight or nine of the Conquistadores and Aztec figures from Morgan Miniatures and they are excellent, more than a match for K&C in terms of quality, although until recently much more expensive... but this gap is closing rapidly. I'd buy more if their website wasn't so user unfriendly. Gareth Morgan is releasing French Foreign Legion figures from their 'adventures' in Mexico too btw.

View attachment 96310

I recall that K&C did toy with the idea of releasing Pirates of the Caribbean type figures and a hint was featured in one of their Collector magazines, but nothing eventuated, unfortunately. Guess it came down to cost and the potential for sales. In today's economic climate and with rising production (and retail) costs it probably makes more sense to the manufacturers to look for something 'different' but at the same time stay within the confines of wars or periods where the customer base already exists rather than take a risk on something that may be totally new.

In fairness though, Andy has explored some interesting new areas, USMC / USN, SOE, the recent Chinese releases etc. So it's not just the same old stuff... but I suspect the priority is sticking to the periods that one knows will sell.

Jules

Thank you for your message Jules, and compliments for your wonderful Conquistadores, so beautiful, realistic and so well painted!

 

[jazzeum]

I don't think the argument that manufacturers will only make what sells is true any more. If you want to make a dent, you need to make some risks. That's what innovation is all about. It wasn't that long ago that some company that hadn't separated itself from the pack started making matte WW II soldiers. I think we know who that was. Similarly, John Jenkins made waves by taking a risk when when he made French and Indian War.

I think that in this business if you try something new, you can make an impact quickly, whether it be through new ranges or making a type not really done before (matte for WW II or bringing Russian style painting and sculpting at somewhat affordable prices, like First Legion).

Innovation works in all industries and this one is no different.

 

[Poppo]

I don't think the argument that manufacturers will only make what sells is true any more. If you want to make a dent, you need to make some risks. That's what innovation is all about. It wasn't that long ago that some company that hadn't separated itself from the pack started making matte WW II soldiers. I think we know who that was. Similarly, John Jenkins made waves by taking a risk when when he made French and Indian War.

I think that in this business if you try something new, you can make an impact quickly, whether it be through new ranges or making a type not really done before (matte for WW II or bringing Russian style painting and sculpting at somewhat affordable prices, like First Legion).

Innovation works in all industries and this one is no different.

I totally agree with you jazzeum, they shoud take some more risks to get the interest of many collectors tired of the mainstream themes...

 

[jazzeum]

Forget about ts for a second. Look at our daily lives. The ways we communicate is all due to someone taking a risk on a new idea. Boeing used to have an expression that they need to bet the company every few years. Now that may be extreme but you get the idea.

 

[Poppo]

Poppo, I share your enthusiasm for ideas and history. Unfortunately they do not all get picked up over marketing and sales strategies. You will also find mixed reactions so do not take it personally. Welcome aboard!!

I think the Mayan and Conquistadors would be great!! 2012 and all you think someone would be into it.

Here is a picture of one of my Mayan Warriors I bought in Mexico City from a Toy Soldier Maker/ Aficionado.

You like?

Ludwig!!

View attachment 96287View attachment 96288

Yes, I love it! Super the traditional clothes, weapons, and fierce attitude!

 

[Bayern]

Hi Poppo!!


What are you working on these days! Check my lighthorse!!

 

[Poppo]

Hi Poppo!!

Ludwig^&grin:wink2:

What are you working on these days! Check my lighthorse!!

Hi Ludwig!

I love all your displays and collections put in value by the old elegant furnitures on which you put them....I am on holidays in Poland ( Breslau!), and then to italy at the seaside( to my parents), so I just watch photos and uniforms on net for a little dio about french army in egypt ( with one wonderful dromedar del prado). I go to sleep as it is 2. 35 here!!


ciao! Poppo

 

[Bayern]

Hi Ludwig!

I love all your displays and collections put in value by the old elegant furnitures on which you put them....I am on holidays in Poland ( Breslau!), and then to italy at the seaside( to my parents), so I just watch photos and uniforms on net for a little dio about french army in egypt ( with one wonderful dromedar del prado). I go to sleep as it is 2. 35 here!!


ciao! Poppo

Goodnight my friend!!!:smile2:

Ludwig

 

[Rob]

Whilst as Brad says its good that a producer takes the odd risk now and again, we have to be realistic and remember a TS company is a business and not out to satisfy the whims of the few. Fact is some of of the ideas mentioned would probably just not sell. Also why would a company that has thousands of collectors of popular ranges around the world just stop making them because someone wants something a tad more obscure. No it makes no sense. K&C for instance have in recent years made Life of Jesus and lately the Greeks, so they do take the odd risk now and again and that is a good thing, however its better to keep going the ranges that are very popular such as Nazi Germany's LAH or D Day, both have been round for years and still sell in great numbers. As I said, it is a business at the end of the day.

Rob

 

[yeoman]

Rob,

I have read your comments with great interest and as a manufacturer myself I can only applaud what you have said.

On the Yeomanry Miniatures stand at the London show I get, on average, 2 t0 3 customers who will say to me, "I think you ought to make ................. I think it would sell very well." It is usually some obscure Regiment or figure and upon questioning the individual it transpires that this item is something they have wanted for a long time but they only want ONE for their collection. This means that if I say yes the cost of producing the figure could be almost four times the return I will get on the figure I sell them.

Don't get me wrong, if I think the request is commercially viable, or there are sufficient numbers of people who are prepared to place orders to cover the production costs then I am happy to help a collector obtain that special item they have always wanted but it must be remembered that a manufacturer is in business to make a profit for without the profit it is not possible to continue to make new items or put little luxuries on the table, bread for example.

A case in point is that recently a Treefrog member asked if I would consider making a model of an Austin NAAFI wagon. While WW2 is not a period I normally cover I costed the exercise and told him that if he could get seven confirmed orders to cover the cost of producing the model I would make it. This he duly did and the masters are currently being made.

So if you want a manufacturer to make something out of the ordinary for you approach them in the right way with a commercially viable project.

Brian.

Whilst as Brad says its good that a producer takes the odd risk now and again, we have to be realistic and remember a TS company is a business and not out to satisfy the whims of the few. Fact is some of of the ideas mentioned would probably just not sell. Also why would a company that has thousands of collectors of popular ranges around the world just stop making them because someone wants something a tad more obscure. No it makes no sense. K&C for instance have in recent years made Life of Jesus and lately the Greeks, so they do take the odd risk now and again and that is a good thing, however its better to keep going the ranges that are very popular such as Nazi Germany's LAH or D Day, both have been round for years and still sell in great numbers. As I said, it is a business at the end of the day.

Rob