Is it just me. (1 Viewer)

[lancer]

It's just a matter of doing it until we get it right. One of these days we'll get a solution.:wink2: -- Al

 

[Currahee Chris]

No doubt we have all had to take another hard look at the prices and where are collections are currently going. I haven't bought anything since last summer. Admittedly, I have a large project on commission but I have had to take a look at where Im at collecting wise and make some choices. One big one I made a couple weeks ago centered around my Roman and WW2 collections- I built one table to display my Romans on that was 2 plywood sheets wide. I want nothing more than to fill it out with FL figures but given the prices, I just cannot see that happening. Soooooo, One mega huge Roman war table became a smaller Roman war table and a smaller WW2 ETO table (each now 1 plywood sheet instead of the planned 2). I feel like scaling down will now allow me to dabble in other collecting interests and have fun.

The good news I think is that "retired" figures are either hanging around a lot longer because of the higher price tags OR a smiliar figure is being done or can be anticipated by another company.

I went to a church retreat this weekend and the theme was "How do we find value". A lot of the discussions were focused on the proverbial "keeping up with the Jones's"- that we buy and accumulate all sorts of material goods just to keep up with the pack and never enjoy what we got. Im certainly guilty of this with toy soldier collecting. I have found there are several other things you can do with this hobby to simply enjoy what we already have. The fun doesnt always have to be in adding that new set to the curio and checking off another set off a list. Here are some ideas I have found that make this a fun hobby still:

1- read a book or two on a historical period you have been interested in. I only started getting heavily into Rome in 2008 or so. I was hooked on everything Rome and that steered me off WW2. You may find that reading something out of the ordinary may spark a new intellectual interest that may steer your collection in a whole new direction;
2- engage the community- I speak at the Local HIgh school latin class about the Roman Army. It allows me to bring in my collection. The students remark about how cool everything looks and it really makes me remember how cool my stuff is.
3- Splurge once in a while- drop like a grand or some ridiculous amount on a rare occasion to simply scratch that itch- I think we sometimes feel overwhelmed with the amount of product out there and that we are losing ground. Placing a really big order might satisfy the cravings we arent getting from the normal purchase each month
4- take your time opening what you ordered recently- I only buy once amonth. I tear into each order as soon as I get home but it may feel better spacing out enjoying the new items;
5- buy toy soldier "history". Take a look at some of the really older sets from the 30's, 40's, 50's etc- go find that old set you had as a kid- each scar those sets have tell a story of the hobby- some kid may have reenacted the charge of the Light Brigade or stormed Normandy. You could also look at buying "historical" sets from more modern companies like King and Country or someone like that. The prices of the current inventory are really starting to rival the old retired prices. It might be a lot of fun to collect some of the older sets and give you an appreciation just how far some of these newer companies have come.
6- get a camera or some kind of software- take pictures and share them on the forums. Talk about the fun you have in taking the pictures. It has been a lot of fun to see how good a lot of these guys have gotten over the years with photography.

Ultimately, I do believe we can collect still and still get what we want and even dabble into other ranges/eras- just have to pay attention and be disciplined.

 

[Combat]

I expect prices to go up on most everything. My only frustration with toy soldiers is that the explanations for increases are often dubious or not sympathetic. If manufacturers (of toy soldiers or anything) choose to do business in places like China (thereby depriving any economic benefit to your home country) then cost increases necessitated by that decision are not those that makes me feel warm and fuzzy about their dilemma. And, of course, there is never any cost decrease as during the recent recession when many of those same factors appeared to be trending in the opposite direction. Or even now that fuel costs are low (one dubious reason cited for higher prices when gas prices were high). But to go down that road is to seek aggravation in a hobby that is supposed to provide enjoyment. If the marketplace functions, then there are checks and balances to this process that will eventually correct any overpricing.

 

[jazzeum]

I expect prices to go up on most everything. My only frustration with toy soldiers is that the explanations for increases are often dubious or not sympathetic. If manufacturers (of toy soldiers or anything) choose to do business in places like China (thereby depriving any economic benefit to your home country) then cost increases necessitated by that decision are not those that makes me feel warm and fuzzy about their dilemma. And, of course, there is never any cost decrease as during the recent recession when many of those same factors appeared to be trending in the opposite direction. Or even now that fuel costs are low (one dubious reason cited for higher prices when gas prices were high). But to go down that road is to seek aggravation in a hobby that is supposed to provide enjoyment. If the marketplace functions, then there are checks and balances to this process that will eventually correct any overpricing.

Over the years, I've come to the conclusion that companies raise prices because they can.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

Some Interesting thoughts and postsand perhaps a few that are jaded but thats ok too it makes for a more interesting discussion.

Chris sums it up very well, the books and militaria and other odds and ends I have in my collection make it more interesting for me and the folks who visit and I share it with. I totally agree with him on how to make our hobby interesting for kids and to that end I am actually going to drop by my daughters history class tomorrow and show them a couple of WWI items I have that might actually also have a connection with my wife's ancestors in Germany. Wish me luck keeping a group of 15 and 16 year olds interested.

Dave

 

[sammy719]

No doubt we have all had to take another hard look at the prices and where are collections are currently going. I haven't bought anything since last summer. Admittedly, I have a large project on commission but I have had to take a look at where Im at collecting wise and make some choices. One big one I made a couple weeks ago centered around my Roman and WW2 collections- I built one table to display my Romans on that was 2 plywood sheets wide. I want nothing more than to fill it out with FL figures but given the prices, I just cannot see that happening. Soooooo, One mega huge Roman war table became a smaller Roman war table and a smaller WW2 ETO table (each now 1 plywood sheet instead of the planned 2). I feel like scaling down will now allow me to dabble in other collecting interests and have fun.

The good news I think is that "retired" figures are either hanging around a lot longer because of the higher price tags OR a smiliar figure is being done or can be anticipated by another company.

I went to a church retreat this weekend and the theme was "How do we find value". A lot of the discussions were focused on the proverbial "keeping up with the Jones's"- that we buy and accumulate all sorts of material goods just to keep up with the pack and never enjoy what we got. Im certainly guilty of this with toy soldier collecting. I have found there are several other things you can do with this hobby to simply enjoy what we already have. The fun doesnt always have to be in adding that new set to the curio and checking off another set off a list. Here are some ideas I have found that make this a fun hobby still:

1- read a book or two on a historical period you have been interested in. I only started getting heavily into Rome in 2008 or so. I was hooked on everything Rome and that steered me off WW2. You may find that reading something out of the ordinary may spark a new intellectual interest that may steer your collection in a whole new direction;
2- engage the community- I speak at the Local HIgh school latin class about the Roman Army. It allows me to bring in my collection. The students remark about how cool everything looks and it really makes me remember how cool my stuff is.
3- Splurge once in a while- drop like a grand or some ridiculous amount on a rare occasion to simply scratch that itch- I think we sometimes feel overwhelmed with the amount of product out there and that we are losing ground. Placing a really big order might satisfy the cravings we arent getting from the normal purchase each month
4- take your time opening what you ordered recently- I only buy once amonth. I tear into each order as soon as I get home but it may feel better spacing out enjoying the new items;
5- buy toy soldier "history". Take a look at some of the really older sets from the 30's, 40's, 50's etc- go find that old set you had as a kid- each scar those sets have tell a story of the hobby- some kid may have reenacted the charge of the Light Brigade or stormed Normandy. You could also look at buying "historical" sets from more modern companies like King and Country or someone like that. The prices of the current inventory are really starting to rival the old retired prices. It might be a lot of fun to collect some of the older sets and give you an appreciation just how far some of these newer companies have come.
6- get a camera or some kind of software- take pictures and share them on the forums. Talk about the fun you have in taking the pictures. It has been a lot of fun to see how good a lot of these guys have gotten over the years with photography.

Ultimately, I do believe we can collect still and still get what we want and even dabble into other ranges/eras- just have to pay attention and be disciplined.

Chris you couldn't have said it any better, no doubt most all of us are dealing with price increases in some way, (buying less, selling current stock etc.) I came to the cunclusion awhile back to enjoy this hobby for what it is, that means a 64.95 order for one single soldier maybe once a month, or not at all but when I do get lucky enough to purchase something new I cherish every bit of it and enjoy it so much more as new sets are fewer these days, I'm not scouring the land for retirements, or losing sleep because I can't afford to buy this or that, I enjoy what I have and checking out the forums as Chris mentioned with photos, discussions and hobby related material on facebook makes this hobby a blast to be a part of, I do hear and see what you're saying Simpson and the Donkey, and wish prices would come down but as you moved on to building your own dios (and doing very well at it) there are many ways to enjoy this hobby with some creativity and a little bit of research to keep it fun and an enjoyable hobby for years to come...Sammy

 

[Jack]

It is no coincidence that the best responses are those that focus of what a collector can do to maximise their enjoyment of the hobby rather than what manufacturers should do on their behalf. Mercifully it has not occurred in this thread, but it always amuses me when a collector uses the example of a now defunct or soon to be defunct business to indicate how quality and low prices can be successfully balanced.

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

I think we need at times to have these discussions about prices and quality every few months as it brings back the focus on what the collector is thinking and why may be they are no longer spending what they did in there local toy soldier shops in there area. It seems a lot of collectors are in Brad's words it is as it is attitude to this hobby and the prices are what they are. That's very true about everything and the in my opinion the best advice and the sums up this hobby . Thanks Chris.:salute::