King & Country U.K. (1 Viewer)

uksubs said:
Brad but he right , it cheaper by a mile to import your toy soldiers than buy in the UK
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Right now the US is the favoured market. Strong dollar, free shipping and out of State internet purchases avoid sales tax. In Canada, I can buy small items in the US or small and big items in Canada. In both cases I have to cover the 20% discount on the Canadian dollar. If I buy an item under $100 in the US I can avoid the 13% sales tax but I have to pay for shipping and when the credit card company converts the purchase to $US, they charge a huge fee. If I buy the item in Canada in $CAN, I avoid the credit card fee for currency conversion and get free shipping, but I have to pay the 13% VAT. It's quite a bit cheaper for me to buy in Canada.

But I have never understood why the prices are so high in the UK. I've heard explanations but they make no sense to me even with a career in finance.

Take the K&C 8th Army 2 Pounder selling for US$159 with free delivery and no sales tax. In Canada it sells for CAN$216 including a 13% VAT. In the UK it sells for GBP170 including VAT. But GBP170 converts to CAN$315 which is CAN$100 more. Where does the extra $100 price come from? All prices can be worked from US$ equivalents. The VAT in Canada is similar to the VAT in the UK. The items ship from Hong Kong - is it more expensive to ship to a dealer in the UK than to a dealer in Canada? Is the dealer discount lower in the UK than in Canada as Matt suggests? Is there a hidden cost in the UK that other countries don't pay?

It just doesn't add up. We can compare the US$, CAN$ and GBP exchange rates. We can compare the VAT and even the shipping costs. But we can't compare dealer discounts or hidden costs.

Terry
 
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For us in the land of the Euro is no different. In the Netherlands we pay 21% VAT.
The golden period of the KC toy soldiers is over.
They still make fantastic products.
I'm just afraid that it toys for rich boy's going to be. if it goes it this way.

How many collectors swimming in a pool of money
not me! but we try to buy what we like and can afford.
This is going to become fewer again.

maybe it's time to turn my back to KC, and look at JJD or TG.

I wait until July 4 and see what do the prices for the new sets?
maybe there is is a miracle!!!!


greeting Harry:salute::
 
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Sad to see K&C closing.

Regarding pricing in UK there are three major factors.

High VAT which can't be helped and from what others saying other European countries have some high VAT also.

Shipping cost from Hong Kong to UK. Hadrian mentioned 40% cost (ie. on top of cost price). As far as shipping goes UK would have to be the furthest from HK. Mention was made of containers and this would cut down costs but also take a while. Plenty would have to go by air as some collectors want to get the new releases ASAP after release. A shipment with planes or large diorama items is going to totally blow out shipping costs as shipping cost done by volume.

K&C UK were also a wholesaler to multiple other shops and obviously would need to hold stock to do that and charge a margin. If the other shops can now order direct from K&C HK then should be some savings but on the other hand might need to order more than when could do small top ups from UK.

The above issues have nothing to do with what is happening with the collector base and the issue of UK collectors buying from outside UK but hopefully explain high UK costs.
 
King & Country said:
To : ALL Collectors & Retailers of King & Country in the U.K.
From : KING & COUNTRY HONG KONG LTD.

This past Tuesday, 14 June 12016, Mr. Mike Neville of King & Country U.K. informed me that his company would cease trading with immediate effect.

For more than 21 years our joint companies have enjoyed a long and fruitful working relationship and it was with deep regret that I heard the news.

Although we share the same “King & Country” name K & C UK is a wholly-owned, independent company belonging to the Neville Family ... and them alone.
KING & COUNTRY HONG KONG LTD., has no financial interest in the UK operation.

Going forward ... As one chapter closes another opens ... Any UK collector or retailer wishing to purchase King & Country products will be welcome to buy directly from K&C in Hong Kong ... at www.kingandcountry.com.

Finally, on behalf of all of us in Hong Kong and Texas we would like to wish Mike, Sue & Tony good health, happiness and success in their futures.

Sincerely yours ... and happy collecting!

Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country Hong Kong Ltd. ​
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Sorry to hear of the closing of K&C UK, I know Tony from the forum here and on facebook and although we have never met in person he seems to be a top notch guy, he posts regularly on Facebook and they seem to always be on the go doing something so as Andy said I wish all the Neville's much success in all their new adventures...Sammy
 
Very interesting. I wonder what's brought this on.

To me Mike and the guys will always be the real King & Country.

Scott
 
How many dealers will continue closing by lower sales? unfortunately the hobby is losing strength
 
uksubs said:
How do you know that ?
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I don't 'know' anything - what I was trying to get across was that in business, people can often over stretch to accomodate clients/purchasers to the great detriment of their bottom line.

I was 'suggesting' that over incentivising may have been one of the contributing factors. That along with declining customer base, costs, KnC price increases, increased shipping costs, VAT levels compared to the 17% years etc etc...
 
Vicknor said:
I don't 'know' anything - what I was trying to get across was that in business, people can often over stretch to accomodate clients/purchasers to the great detriment of their bottom line.

I was 'suggesting' that over incentivising may have been one of the contributing factors. That along with declining customer base, costs, KnC price increases, increased shipping costs, VAT levels compared to the 17% years etc etc...
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I am in business too.

Why would incentivising your key customers to buy more be a contributing factor. He buys more, you get a higher rebate from the brand (mfr) because you make it past the next rebate threshold. Rebates result in lower cost of product and enables you to make more profit on the sales to your other customers. It becomes a bigger challenge when the key customers buy less than they used to.
 
Vicknor said:
More will close, but I feel 'direct sell' manufactures will start to increase.

Magazines will be next to go unfortunately.
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I'm sure there's competition between Neilson and Neville.

Nevertheless, Neville has never been a threat to Neilson, for the reasons mentioned previously by other forum members. Andy made an announcement out of courtesy, coz his wallet was never 'hurt' by Neville.

I'm sure Neville is a nice person, and guineinely loved toy soldiers. Just a bit too naive.

Having said that, I truly loved and admired the Crimea War exclusive range, best series in the market!

I wish Andy will have the passion to pursue the series!
 
Thats funny,

I make a comment about the incease in price from K&C, and just read this one,


What i said on the other Thread will reflect the near future of this Hobby for all of us.

1- thing about K&C UK, i have ordered boughted from them a few years ago, and it stopped with that single order, way to many many errors in the shipments, many items were not sent to me , and a very insulting experience.

So im not surprise at all they have closed their business.

Serge. :smile2:
 
Old Bill said:
I was deeply saddened (but not at all surprised) to hear the news of King & Country UK ceasing business -The latest and heaviest blow yet to the UK’s Toy soldier community. I wish all concerned much luck in future endeavours and thank them for the sterling service they provided me with.

Why the does the UK in particular seem to be faring so badly though?
Prices yes, are a very strong cause. Strong competition between manufacturers - yes certainly, ( summed up rather nicely by my good LTSS friend Pete: "So much to collect, not enough cash, too much choice, not enough space........"
BUT there is to my mind one deep underlining factor for this situation in the UK that no one seems to have touched on:

As has been stated, visitors to the LTSS are predominately in the over 50’s and upwards age group (People who were bought up before our State began slowly eradicating, re-writing and apologising for Britain’s Military history - Indeed Britain’s history in general) they have an understanding and appreciation – indeed pride - of their Nation’s history and past achievements. All things I think, that link most Toy Soldier Collectors.

Basically, over here hardly any young people are coming through. Nothing at all here has inspired them to collect Toy Soldiers.

Last one out please turn off the lights!

“Just thinking”………
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I concur with Roy.

Pete
 
This is really sad news, I will miss having a chat with them at the London shows.

Good People.

You will be missed.


Dave
 
King Tiger II said:
Thats funny,

I make a comment about the incease in price from K&C, and just read this one,


What i said on the other Thread will reflect the near future of this Hobby for all of us.

1- thing about K&C UK, i have ordered boughted from them a few years ago, and it stopped with that single order, way to many many errors in the shipments, many items were not sent to me , and a very insulting experience.

So im not surprise at all they have closed their business.

Serge. :smile2:
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Not sure where you are but, the Neville's especially Mike were excellent customer service people. I never had any issues with them and had a couple of items sent by error but, that is what happens sometimes. Perhaps you may have asked for that comment because Mike was an extremely polite chap whose fuse was very long
 
Please may i ask at this very difficult time for my family and especially Mike that there is a little respect given to our situation.

We agreed to HK to announce this and this post WAS NOT and SHOULD not be used to discuss what has happened.

I thank everyone for the kind words, however there are a couple of wild comments in here which ARE NOT true, both regards discounts and pricing.

My father is not a well man at 75 and we are trying to reduce the stress around him as much as possible in what is a VERY stressful time. remember there are more people READING this forum than taking part now for a reason. Mike being one of them.

It IS a blow to the industry that WE as a family whole heartedly supported for 21 years, hey we even SAVED the London show from going pop many years ago AND then ran at a loss until it broke even. We were about Toy Soldier collecting not just about K&C. its a blow to us and people including myself have lost our jobs, me and the staff for the last 10 years and Mike and Sue for the last 21 years!

respect people

Regards

Tony Neville
 
King Tiger II said:
Thats funny,

I make a comment about the incease in price from K&C, and just read this one,


What i said on the other Thread will reflect the near future of this Hobby for all of us.

1- thing about K&C UK, i have ordered boughted from them a few years ago, and it stopped with that single order, way to many many errors in the shipments, many items were not sent to me , and a very insulting experience.

So im not surprise at all they have closed their business.

Serge. :smile2:
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Do not recognise this as K & C UK, the team were always very helpful and service was great whenever I bought from the show of on line.
 
Tony Neville said:
Please may i ask at this very difficult time for my family and especially Mike that there is a little respect given to our situation.

We agreed to HK to announce this and this post WAS NOT and SHOULD not be used to discuss what has happened.

I thank everyone for the kind words, however there are a couple of wild comments in here which ARE NOT true, both regards discounts and pricing.

My father is not a well man at 75 and we are trying to reduce the stress around him as much as possible in what is a VERY stressful time. remember there are more people READING this forum than taking part now for a reason. Mike being one of them.

It IS a blow to the industry that WE as a family whole heartedly supported for 21 years, hey we even SAVED the London show from going pop many years ago AND then ran at a loss until it broke even. We were about Toy Soldier collecting not just about K&C. its a blow to us and people including myself have lost our jobs, me and the staff for the last 10 years and Mike and Sue for the last 21 years!

respect people

Regards

Tony Neville
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Hi Tony,
I'm really sorry to hear about all of this. My best regards to you, Mike and the rest of the Team.

Pete
 
Tony,

It goes without saying that I hope Mike gets better; I've always been fond of him. Please give him my best.

I'm also dismayed by what has happened to K & C UK but it appears that you had no choice. You can't imperil your family.

All the best,

Brad
 
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