Is the ecomony hurting your collecting choices??? (1 Viewer)

[rharry]

For me, no but rather I have come more selective in my choices.....

 

[DMNamiot]

Not really but I have always been a bit selective and I also dont spend a giant amount monthly so it is not adversly impacted by the current economy.

Dave

 

[mestell]

Not yet Rick, but then I only collect WB ACW and FL AWI . . . . keeping my collection down to two ranges really helps . . . .
Mike

 

[6th Wisconsin]

I have an odd answer to this question. No, but it should be! I reallly need to cut back.

 

[MapleLeaf]

mestell that is great discipline
more power to u
Maple Leaf

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

By all means...

My purchases are down quite a lot from several years ago. I haven't bought anything all summer and just starting to nibble at a few sets now. I'm being very selective with careful thought and no impulse buying!!! I have become much more disciplined in my purchases along with the rising prices. My main focus is Britains Rourke's Drift series and selective ACW with a spattering of other makers here and there.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Mike- I am really in the same boat you are now- I am focused on three periods- Rome, which everyone and their brother has released of late so no need to hurry and buy as it will be around for awhile..

WW2- Mostly picking up infantry
Modern- mostly infantry.

I would like to buy some more AWI or WW1 sets but asked myself- Would you rather have figures from those time periods than the ones you collect- the answer was no, so I haven't changed. Three ranges gives me enough variety each month to keep the spice in the hobby

 

[uksubs]

I'm just buying Figarti V weapon range now witch I find very interesting subject to read , saying that there nothing new from the other company's that take my fancy but find it odd they all seen to make the same stuff Stuka's & Wittmann tigers

 

[thebritfarmer]

I only collect two ranges so the economy isn't causing me any problems. My other hobby however is

 

[Currahee Chris]

....but find it odd they all seen to make the same stuff Stuka's & Wittmann tigers

I agree though I sort of chalk that up to the recession. I'm thinking Very few mainstream producers have the pockets to open up new lines and take the business risk that it might fail. Some companies have and they either a- start a new line and dip their toes in- that way, if it doesn't go, they don't loose the farm or b- they start a new line with a low production run feeling very confident they are going to sell the items. This keeps the ventured capital relatively safe but showing a profit fairly quickly. That type of strategy tends to have a direct bearing on price increases as well.

But German WW2, as I believe ACW and Napoleonics are good as gold. Even completely screwed up, these guys can still relatively hope to sell out in 18-24 months and keep the cash flow stable. No sense in taking too big a risk and putting your egss all in one basket (ie a new line release) and having it fall out and loose the company.

I think if times were a bit better/stable we'd probably see more releases on the "newer" lines.

 

[uksubs]

I agree though I sort of chalk that up to the recession. I'm thinking Very few mainstream producers have the pockets to open up new lines and take the business risk that it might fail. Some companies have and they either a- start a new line and dip their toes in- that way, if it doesn't go, they don't loose the farm or b- they start a new line with a low production run feeling very confident they are going to sell the items. This keeps the ventured capital relatively safe but showing a profit fairly quickly. That type of strategy tends to have a direct bearing on price increases as well.

But German WW2, as I believe ACW and Napoleonics are good as gold. Even completely screwed up, these guys can still relatively hope to sell out in 18-24 months and keep the cash flow stable. No sense in taking too big a risk and putting your egss all in one basket (ie a new line release) and having it fall out and loose the company.

I think if times were a bit better/stable we'd probably see more releases on the "newer" lines.

I think your spot on Chris, the good thing is there lot of choice still in the hobby

 

[Mitch]

Did you not know Wittmann also flew Stuka's. thats why he is everywhere. A one man german band wagon!!!!!
Mitch

I'm just buying Figarti V weapon range now witch I find very interesting subject to read , saying that there nothing new from the other company's that take my fancy but find it odd they all seen to make the same stuff Stuka's & Wittmann tigers

 

[Napoleon1er]

I only collect Napoleonic and a bit of Sudan, WWI, and Durbar, but in such a way it is only around 2.25 ranges worth of stuff. The economy is definatly making it so it takes more time to buy stuff, but I ultimately get 70% of what I really want.
-Sandor

 

[jomartvr]

I would say yes, and yes for dealers. Take a look on EBAY there are at least 3 dealers who are no longer accepting returns.
Benjamin

 

[MC BOWEN]

I have an odd answer to this question. No, but it should be! I reallly need to cut back.

I am trying to cut back but they keep coming out with great items.So far i just keep buying--room is getting to be my biggest problem--i see why guys sell some lines that they have had a while to make room and pay for the new stuff.Isn't addiction wonderful.Mike B:redface2:

 

[Spanish soldier]

I collect 6 ranges:
ACW: Union cavalry (WB, Frontline, K & C, CS, FL, Oryon Collection)
WWI: German infantry & armored (K & C, JJD, Regal toy soldiers)
INDIAN WAR: U.S. cavalry (K & C, Morgan miniatures, metal Airfix)
ROMAN: cavalry & infantry (K & C, FL, Conte, CS, East of India)
WW2: Stalingrado german infantry (WB)
CUBA WAR: Bufffalo soldiers (Regal toy soldiers)
Total: 118 figures, 2 armored (WWI), 1 tank, 1 car, 1 cannon(WW2)

:salute::Francisco

 

[Currahee Chris]

I think your spot on Chris, the good thing is there lot of choice still in the hobby

Cheers mate- the irony I am finding for me, is that the multitude of choices has actually allowed me to spend less than I ever have in prior years. I am baffled by the direction my toy soldier collection is going. While I am getting less product, I am spending less and getting more than enough to grow my armies. One would think that the price increase would bury collectors like a Guderian Blitzkrieg but I feel I can collect at a much more relaxed pace.

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

I have been closely following this discussion and I have been considering the question for days. For me, the question is not "Is the economy hurting my collecting choices." Rather, the question is, "how is the economy impacting my collecting behavior." In short, the economy is having a definite effect, but I am not certain this effect can be described as hurting my choices.

The economy has influenced by collecting activities as follows:

1.) As others have stated, the economy has created conditions that have made me become more deliberate in my choices. As many of you know, I embrace diversity within my collection. However, I am now almost exclusively (though not entirely) limiting my acquisitions to the following three eras/events: 1) The Delhi Durbars, 2) Monarch Regalia Samurai, and 3) the K&C Ancient Egyptians.

2.) I have become more price conscious. I spend a bit more time exploring eBay for my acquisitions and I tend to bid less in the hope of spending less of my resources.

3.) The climbing prices of our beloved products has made me spend more time considering any given potential purchase.

4.) I am more alert to "unexpected opportunities" than in the past. For example, if I suddenly have an opportunity to purchase a desired, but difficult to find, item, I tend to do so quickly while the opportunity exists for the acquisition. However, taking advantage of these infrequent opportunities reduces my purchases from established dealers.

5.) Since I am retired, I have been watching my retirement resources shrink due to the economy. The reduction in these resources has slowed the rate at which I make purchases.

However,...

I am still very actively collecting and I am very excited about the items I have been able to add to my collection. The rate at which I have added figures has been reduced, but my excitement and pleasure continues to remain high.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat :smile2:

 

[Firebat]

BSP is out there trying to promote our hobby in general, and we hope we are doing a good job. The theory being, if we bring more collectors / modellers into the hobby, the manufacturers and dealers will be happy. Feedback suggests that we are being of some help.

Not that we alone are responsible, but look at the staggering amount of releases in this economy. Yes this is presenting me with a problem. If you are into WWII, it is never ending and taxes your resources.......As they say be careful what you wish for.......The Great Crusade has cost us at least $15,000 since we started. We are currently building a 12' by 24' building as a "Headquarters" and we have 1000 sq foot in my basement ..... Nick has one bay of his garage......and we are still pressed for room........All for the love of a hobby. But there has to be some tempering soon. Alex

 

[uksubs]

BSP is out there trying to promote our hobby in general, and we hope we are doing a good job. The theory being, if we bring more collectors / modellers into the hobby, the manufacturers and dealers will be happy. Feedback suggests that we are being of some help.

Not that we alone are responsible, but look at the staggering amount of releases in this economy. Yes this is presenting me with a problem. If you are into WWII, it is never ending and taxes your resources.......As they say be careful what you wish for.......The Great Crusade has cost us at least $15,000 since we started. We are currently building a 12' by 24' building as a "Headquarters" and we have 1000 sq foot in my basement ..... Nick has one bay of his garage......and we are still pressed for room........All for the love of a hobby. But there has to be some tempering soon. Alex

With item costing up to $350 I can't see many young people coming into the hobby when for the same money you get muti function ps3 ,iPad and iphone witch for me look better buys