k&c price increase (3 Viewers)

I agree; but First Legion started out higher than anyone else and demonstrated what the market would bear in terms of price! K&C just followed the price leader to where we are today; ever upward IMO.


Hunter Rose said:
Not true.

Since 2010, K&C figures have led the hobby in price increases.

Using WW2 figures for example, price increases per figure have been as follows:

K&C figures increased around 68% or $22 ($32 to $54 per figure)
First Legion increased around 34% or $17 ($49.95 to $66.95 per figure)
Thomas Gunn increased around 28% or $9 ($32 to $41 per figure)
Collectors Showcase increased 12% or $3.90 ($33 to $36.90 per figure)
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katana said:
I agree; but First Legion started out higher than anyone else and demonstrated what the market would bear in terms of price! K&C just followed the price leader to where we are today; ever upward IMO.
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Sure, but there's a pretty noticeable difference in sculpt detail and painting detail between the two. Also, we're now in a situation where K&C figures, to include old stock since they will raise the prices on those too, will now be equal in price or more expensive than their FL counterparts (Early Stalingrad Russians/Germans, DAK, US Paras).

And then you have W. Britains with excellent detail and a similar paint level as K&C still priced at $36 per figure.

Personally I think at these price levels you will see more and more collectors exploring these other brands.
 
Hunter Rose said:
Not true.

Since 2010, K&C figures have led the hobby in price increases.

Using WW2 figures for example, price increases per figure have been as follows:

K&C figures increased around 68% or $22 ($32 to $54 per figure)
First Legion increased around 34% or $17 ($49.95 to $66.95 per figure)
Thomas Gunn increased around 28% or $9 ($32 to $41 per figure)
Collectors Showcase increased 12% or $3.90 ($33 to $36.90 per figure)
Click to expand...

I like the fact you used the words not true to start your post and then use not true comparisons to back it up.

OK I admit I might be biased being a K&C dealer and not a FL dealer but your examples are not fair representations of the situation.

US$32 is a fair starting point for K&C but I wonder where you got $54 from as not a common price point for K&C. In fact I am having trouble finding a $54 item on new price list. Much depends upon what you collect but for example most WW1 and WW2 figures are $45. There are some series with higher prices such as Paras and the Wild West Indians but $45 seems a more common price point.

I guess it helps your point also to not notice that TF has some Naps showing at $39.95 but you choose to use starting point as $49.95 thereby reducing the %age increase.
 
Many of the current WWII K&C figures are around $45.00 with multi figure sets being cheaper, per figure. Don't understand the $54.00 price stated ^&confuse

Wayne
 
Hunter Rose said:
Sure, but there's a pretty noticeable difference in sculpt detail and painting detail between the two. Also, we're now in a situation where K&C figures, to include old stock since they will raise the prices on those too, will now be equal in price or more expensive than their FL counterparts (Early Stalingrad Russians/Germans, DAK, US Paras).

And then you have W. Britains with excellent detail and a similar paint level as K&C still priced at $36 per figure.

Personally I think at these price levels you will see more and more collectors exploring these other brands.
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Great post and right on the money
 
PanzerAce1944 said:
Many of the current WWII K&C figures are around $45.00 with multi figure sets being cheaper, per figure. Don't understand the $54.00 price stated ^&confuse

Wayne
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Good point. I missed the bit where he said using WW2 as an example. So his comparison is totally out of sync with real situation.
 
I am reticent to contribute to a straight out comparison of figure/paint quality because it can be quite circular and emotive. I really only collect two ranges at present - WBs Vikings and TG Romans (with a few JJD and K&C WW1 depending on diorama needs) - but I do feel that the suggestion that K&C and Britains offer similar paint jobs might be a bit of a stretch. I have seen too many of the latest Napoleonics from K&C at my local shop and being purchased by my friends to agree to that. This is not a criticism of Britains as I quite happily collect them and see them as good value but while some K&C collectors might be reticent to see fault, just as surely some K&C critics might be inclined not to see the good.
 
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Much ado over nothing..Some folks are throwing around dollar figure comparisons that can be dismissed just by looking at the respective mfg. forums or dealer shops...There is still a 20$ difference in price per foot figure between FL and KC, never mind the bigger dollar difference in mounted and flags. Also to compare KC quality with a Britains mfg. that is putting out almost no figures, and with constant promissary notes that something will be offered soon, is a non starter in this discussion. Also Ebay is the great equalizer in regards to " rising prices ", so the idea that the collectors world is doomed seems most affecting members that must also have fallout shelters in their back yards..:rolleyes: Michael
 
Hunter Rose said:
Sure, but there's a pretty noticeable difference in sculpt detail and painting detail between the two. Also, we're now in a situation where K&C figures, to include old stock since they will raise the prices on those too, will now be equal in price or more expensive than their FL counterparts (Early Stalingrad Russians/Germans, DAK, US Paras).

And then you have W. Britains with excellent detail and a similar paint level as K&C still priced at $36 per figure.

Personally I think at these price levels you will see more and more collectors exploring these other brands.
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Only if you like what the other brands are doing.
 
Interesting thread. The points of focus are surprisingly diverse. The fact that collectors have been paying 100 dollars AUD for FL foot figures for quite some time could make it difficult to prove that price is a concern worth discussing.
Casting and paint quality varies across manufacturers in all products and generally is linked to retail price. The competitive market forces are complex and the subject of much research and ongoing analysis. But taste is a personal matter. I have the final say in what I buy and how I budget for purchases of my choosing. If I wanted a particular figure, the price would not force me to buy a totally different figure that was cheaper. I may not buy as many multiples or I may vary my dio to accommodate fewer figures but I would not forego the choice I had made. Overall, the capacity of the retail market, the demand, will impact supply and forcibly affect prices. But I have seen no evidence to date of a decline in the hobby. There have been some fabulous releases across all manufacturers of late, and I've just sent off my third gold ticket. World peace would be great but toy soldiers make for great retail therapy 😎😃
 
The Military Workshop said:
I like the fact you used the words not true to start your post and then use not true comparisons to back it up.

OK I admit I might be biased being a K&C dealer and not a FL dealer but your examples are not fair representations of the situation.

US$32 is a fair starting point for K&C but I wonder where you got $54 from as not a common price point for K&C. In fact I am having trouble finding a $54 item on new price list. Much depends upon what you collect but for example most WW1 and WW2 figures are $45. There are some series with higher prices such as Paras and the Wild West Indians but $45 seems a more common price point.

I guess it helps your point also to not notice that TF has some Naps showing at $39.95 but you choose to use starting point as $49.95 thereby reducing the %age increase.
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As for the comparison I used WW2 figures starting in 2009-2010.

I took the $5 figure price increase to mean it would be applied to figures going forward. Current K&C US Paras are $49 so I added $5 to that to get the $54 figure. If that's wrong I have no problem admitting it. They still increased prices by the largest percentage. If K&C's new top price for WW2 figures is $49 then the percentage increases are as follows:


K&C figures increased around 53% or $17 ($32 to $49 per figure)
First Legion increased around 34% or $17 ($49.95 to $66.95 per figure)
Thomas Gunn increased around 28% or $9 ($32 to $41 per figure)
Collectors Showcase increased 12% or $3.90 ($33 to $36.90 per figure)

Collect K&C if that's your preference. I have no issues with that. My original post was just in response to what I took as a dismissal that all manufacturers have raised prices equally. To me, K&C leads the price increase front and they're also the only manufacturer I know that increases prices on old stock that is already sitting on dealers shelves. That one is a head scratcher to me.
 
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Can I just say that no-one has shown any information from K+C HK stating that suppliers must add X% to past, current or future figures.

Apparently the Treefrog newsletter had information with regards to this point.

As stated, it makes little or no difference to me as a collector and I've enjoyed the back and forth of the thread.

However, could someone PLEASE show me where all this information is coming from?

Many thanks

Vicknor
 
To state a truism, this has never been an inexpensive hobby. Companies, whether its FL or K & C, raise their prices from time to time. When I saw the notice from Treefrog, frankly it didn't register or get me upset; just another piece of news in the Rivet. It seems that people get more upset about these kinds of increases than increases in basic necessities. Apologies if I have offended anyone by being blunt but neither Matt nor Andy are holding a gun to our heads. If you don't like the increases, don't buy or buy less.
 
Hunter Rose said:
As for the comparison I used WW2 figures starting in 2009-2010.

I took the $5 figure price increase to mean it would be applied to figures going forward. Current K&C US Paras are $49 so I added $5 to that to get the $54 figure. If that's wrong I have no problem admitting it. They still increased prices by the largest percentage. If K&C's new top price for WW2 figures is $49 then the percentage increases are as follows:


K&C figures increased around 53% or $17 ($32 to $49 per figure)
First Legion increased around 34% or $17 ($49.95 to $66.95 per figure)
Thomas Gunn increased around 28% or $9 ($32 to $41 per figure)
Collectors Showcase increased 12% or $3.90 ($33 to $36.90 per figure)

Collect K&C if that's your preference. I have no issues with that. My original post was just in response to what I took as a dismissal that all manufacturers have raised prices equally. To me, K&C leads the price increase front and they're also the only manufacturer I know that increases prices on old stock that is already sitting on dealers shelves. That one is a head scratcher to me.
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I think you should give up your comparisons as you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Current KC Paras are not $49 but as is well known those figures are the most expensive WW2 figures KC make. The vast majority of KC WW2 figures will be $45 even after the increase.

Perhaps if you got over your bias against KC you might actually use accurate figures to prove your point.
 
Hunter Rose said:
Collect K&C if that's your preference. I have no issues with that. My original post was just in response to what I took as a dismissal that all manufacturers have raised prices equally. To me, K&C leads the price increase front and they're also the only manufacturer I know that increases prices on old stock that is already sitting on dealers shelves. That one is a head scratcher to me.
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Most manufacturers and retailers clear old stock with promotional activity. Not increase the price even further every year. Something which I agree is head scratching. Money tied up in obsolete/slow moving stock is the downfall of many a retailer.
 
It's not as much fun, but let's talk widgets. A once thriving and vital industry, widget-making is facing some harsh economic headwinds. Political instability, volatility in currency exchange-rates and lackluster economic growth have all served to undermine demand for what was a seemingly "must-have" consumer-good. Widgets are a luxury, BTW, so demand is highly elastic. It's against this backdrop that we consider the fate of the once mighty widget and its humble host of makers and sellers.

When makers raise the price of a widget, unit sales will decline. Fewer sets of widgets sold translates into lower production and increased unit-cost of additional product. To sustain short-term profitability, the widget-maker will likely have to raise prices again. Once this cycle takes hold, the widget-buying public will be begin to shrink. The number of buyers, in absolute terms, will begin to erode. When the resulting imbalance created by a declining number of buyers and ever more costly production becomes great enough, manufacture will cease as there's simply no more profit to be had in the production or sale of widgets.

Sorry, but that's just the way that it is in widget-land. Widgets can be an emotional topic, BTW, so I'm glad to be able to comment on the subject at a safe distance...from the widget-buying public.:wink2:

-Moe
 
ivanmoe said:
It's not as much fun, but let's talk widgets. A once thriving and vital industry, widget-making is facing some harsh economic headwinds. Political instability, volatility in currency exchange-rates and lackluster economic growth have all served to undermine demand for what was a seemingly "must-have" consumer-good. Widgets are a luxury, BTW, so demand is highly elastic. It's against this backdrop that we consider the fate of the once mighty widget and its humble host of makers and sellers.

When makers raise the price of a widget, unit sales will decline. Fewer sets of widgets sold translates into lower production and increased unit-cost of additional product. To sustain short-term profitability, the widget-maker will likely have to raise prices again. Once this cycle takes hold, the widget-buying public will be begin to shrink. The number of buyers, in absolute terms, will begin to erode. When the resulting imbalance created by a declining number of buyers and ever more costly production becomes great enough, manufacture will cease as there's simply no more profit to be had in the production or sale of widgets.

Sorry, but that's just the way that it is in widget-land. Widgets can be an emotional topic, BTW, so I'm glad to be able to comment on the subject at a safe distance...from the widget-buying public.:wink2:

-Moe
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The problem with your widget company is not that there is a shortfall of widgets, but a declining marketplace ( as in collectors ). Thus my widgets which has constantly increased in production costs, is no longer generating enough capital to keep the business afloat. Thus, my widgets have to increase in price in order to maintain a balanced checkbook. As in all supply and demand situations, just because you build it does not mean people will buy it, ESPECIALLY if your targeted marketplace has a limited ceiling, as to potential buyers. ( in this case, age limits and relevance to a younger generation that does not get it. ) Widget land population dymamics today wants widgets to walk, talk, and be able to play by themselves through voice command. ...Just a thought from a business guy not selling widgets, but real stuff...:tongue: Michael
 
maddadicus said:
The problem with your widget company is not that there is a shortfall of widgets, but a declining marketplace ( as in collectors ). Thus my widgets which has constantly increased in production costs, is no longer generating enough capital to keep the business afloat. Thus, my widgets have to increase in price in order to maintain a balanced checkbook. As in all supply and demand situations, just because you build it does not mean people will buy it, ESPECIALLY if your targeted marketplace has a limited ceiling, as to potential buyers. ( in this case, age limits and relevance to a younger generation that does not get it. ) Widget land population dymamics today wants widgets to walk, talk, and be able to play by themselves through voice command. ...Just a thought from a business guy not selling widgets, but real stuff...:tongue: Michael
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Nail hit on head.
DO Collect £200, Dollars or whatever !
Steve
 
Companies are allowed to raise prices and it could be for a myriad of reasons.
 
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