King Tiger or no king tiger. (2 Viewers)

[steel wheels]

I fear that if pricing keeps skyrocketing at the current rate, we will see most collectors obviously buying less. It seems that $200.00 routine tank dispatches are not far away.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I'm going to buy it - it is way too good to pass up on. But at this rate, with costs rising they way they are, I am only going to be able to afford the pieces that are really spectacular. At this rate 3 pieces of armor will cost as much as a museum quality Warbird.

I finally gave in & ordered an Honour Bound Gold Edition Snorkel Sherman (and am trying to order a second Gold edition Sherman, this one with foliage camouflage). I had passed on them to this point because two of them equal a Warbird. With K&C's prices approaching a similar level, I felt it was time to go gold.

 

[Vezzolf]

Even though prices for K/C tigers and other items have gone up; the quality has kept pace with the increases in cost......Yes unfortunately they are more expensive HOWEVER....... I have seen ridiculous prices asked on e-bay for items which have recently sold out.....I guess the speculators will just have to buy fewer multiples and make less profit per item on e-bay in the future.....I would still rather pay the manufacturer then the speculator.....

 

[Sahara]

Well you won't see any post from me for awhile. I told the wife today no internet, cable or telephone service for the month so I can afford the Tiger Its a win/win situation. I get a great addition to my collection and I don't have to put up with her mother calling every night at exactly 2100hrs. However when I told her no more Dr. Phil that seemed to be the deal buster Seriously, I will scrape the money together somehow because I just think its gonna be one of those pieces you just can't pass on.

 

[jazzeum]

Even though prices for K/C tigers and other items have gone up; the quality has kept pace with the increases in cost......Yes unfortunately they are more expensive HOWEVER....... I have seen ridiculous prices asked on e-bay for items which have recently sold out.....I guess the speculators will just have to buy fewer multiples and make less profit per item on e-bay in the future.....I would still rather pay the manufacturer then the speculator.....

Do we have to turn posts into a lecture about ebay?

 

[Vezzolf]

Do we have to turn posts into a lecture about ebay?

Brad, my point is that although K/C prices have risen, its nothing compared to what has been going on in the secondary market for quite some time.....At least K/C is the manufacturer of their products and rising overhead costs to produce improved quality products may warrant their price increases.......Why should K/C produce products at low cost only to have the same items re-sold weeks latter on the secondary market for 2-3x the original retail price......I beleve that speculation practices have contributed at least in part to rising prices......

 

[Eazy]

Brad, my point is that although K/C prices have risen, its nothing compared to what has been going on in the secondary market for quite some time.....At least K/C is the manufacturer of their products and rising overhead costs to produce improved quality products may warrant their price increases.......Why should K/C produce products at low cost only to have the same items re-sold weeks latter on the secondary market for 2-3x the original retail price......I beleve that speculation practices have contributed at least in part to rising prices......

I just can't see the market sustaining models at this price in the longer term. Yes the odd exceptional piece like the new KT maybe but it seems people will soon be priced out of the hobby if prices continue to rise with each new dispatch.

 

[Vezzolf]

I just can't see the market sustaining models at this price in the longer term. Yes the odd exceptional piece like the new KT maybe but it seems people will soon be priced out of the hobby if prices continue to rise with each new dispatch.

I agree with you I think prices have just about topped out for most people.....there is a "limit" for most "reasonable" toy soldier enthusiasts.... yes there will always be someone who will mortage the house to keep collecting......but I think most of us do not fall in that catagory and will be disciplined,wise, and careful with their purchases......

 

[Rob]

I just can't see the market sustaining models at this price in the longer term. Yes the odd exceptional piece like the new KT maybe but it seems people will soon be priced out of the hobby if prices continue to rise with each new dispatch.

Yes and that is a sad and scary thought,that one day i may simply not be able to afford my favourite hobby

Rob

 

[Gustavflyer]

I just can't see the market sustaining models at this price in the longer term. Yes the odd exceptional piece like the new KT maybe but it seems people will soon be priced out of the hobby if prices continue to rise with each new dispatch.

I agree 100%, I am getting the new KT but I must say with the prices still climbing on these vehicles and soldiers, my buying days are getting numbered. There is just a limit here for me. It is sad because of the quality now but that is just the way it will be for myself and many others. I think the high prices hurt HB a bit and it looks like K&C may experience the same poison someday too. I can just drool over the upcoming dispatches but I am not going to break the bank!!

 

[steel wheels]

Brad, my point is that although K/C prices have risen, its nothing compared to what has been going on in the secondary market for quite some time.....At least K/C is the manufacturer of their products and rising overhead costs to produce improved quality products may warrant their price increases.......Why should K/C produce products at low cost only to have the same items re-sold weeks latter on the secondary market for 2-3x the original retail price......I beleve that speculation practices have contributed at least in part to rising prices......

I think that the secondary market is also changing. Many retired K&C vehicles, are no longer fetching as much as they used to. As for these new more expensive dispatches, I see a weak market for them in the future on the secondary market, because I've noticed that retired tanks aren't disappearing like they used to, and that is probably because of the increased pricing. Take this new KT as an example. At $225.00, it is a nice tank for sure, but don't expect the secondary market to shell out 2 or 3 times its value, because I doubt that is going to happen. All those old $89.00 K&C dispatches are still in demand because they sold out quickly. If they make 500 of these new King Tigers, I 'm not so sure they are going to sell out at that price in this economy. I wouldn't be suprised, if K&C starts marketing tanks like figarti, as 100 limited runs, because that is the only way I can see future releases doing well on the e-bay market.

 

[lancer]

i have reached a saturation point with prices. i will bust my budget to get the new KC Kingtiger but that will be it. i will continue to try and fill in my JJD collection of POA and maybe a KC Crusader here and there but no more $200.00 plus vehicles for me. Too bad but i see this hobby going the way of the sportscard hobby in the 1990's when the card companies drove out the low end collectors by issuing "limited" and "special" editions that only the rich could afford. -- lancer

 

[Deitz]

I do not have a King Tiger yet, I have only started buying KC in the last year. Glossy figures are still my favorites. I have the Tunisian Tiger, Panther and the German T-34, so I will buy the King Tiger. The funds to buy it will come out of the money I saved to spend at the Chicago Show.

Although the price is high, everything is going up in price. I do not attempt to buy all that is put out on the market.

I try to look at it this way, everything is going up in price, you just have to pick and choose what you will buy. Ten years from now $225 will look like a bargain and you will still have the piece in your collection.

This is what I tell myself... anyway, I need to justify the price one way or another!

 

[fmethorst]

I've been buying the HB Gold series tanks and before that I was buying the HB regular series which ironically cost less than the new K&C Tiger II.

The trick is to buy less pieces and be more selective. I know this is counter intuitive to those people that must complete every series regardless of whether they want all the pieces or not but it works for me. I am slowly gathering figures from a variety of theatres and I feel over time I will be able to put together decent looking diorama's and vignettes.

Just to put things into perspective check out this 1/6 all metal Tiger II from Armortek. Now somebody out there is buying these because this company has released a number of vehicles.

It weighs over 300 lbs and costs....well I'll let you look for yourself

http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Technical104.html

http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Kit104USA.html

http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Options104usa.html

 

[nasirkasmani]

I've been buying the HB Gold series tanks and before that I was buying the HB regular series which ironically cost less than the new K&C Tiger II.

The trick is to buy less pieces and be more selective. I know this is counter intuitive to those people that must complete every series regardless of whether they want all the pieces or not but it works for me. I am slowly gathering figures from a variety of theatres and I feel over time I will be able to put together decent looking diorama's and vignettes.

Just to put things into perspective check out this 1/6 all metal Tiger II from Armortek. Now somebody out there is buying these because this company has released a number of vehicles.

It weighs over 300 lbs and costs....well I'll let you look for yourself

http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Technical104.html

http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Kit104USA.html

http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Options104usa.html

enough Frank, look what you did to Louis.

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

This is the question we will all ask ourselves.What a great tank and a fine looking paint job.This is the first tank I have seen from K&C that has that wow affect.The weathering on it looks all the goods and the camouflaged paint job is one of the best I have seen.But it doesn't come cheap.Big dollars for a big tank.If I buy one it will be the most expensive thing I have bought from K&C up to now.I am wonderling who won't be able to buy one and will they regret it later.Simmo.

Well what do we all think.Have we got enougth left for our hobby .I no I will struggle.Simmo.

 

[damian]

I've been buying the HB Gold series tanks and before that I was buying the HB regular series which ironically cost less than the new K&C Tiger II.

The trick is to buy less pieces and be more selective. I know this is counter intuitive to those people that must complete every series regardless of whether they want all the pieces or not but it works for me. I am slowly gathering figures from a variety of theatres and I feel over time I will be able to put together decent looking diorama's and vignettes.

Just to put things into perspective check out this 1/6 all metal Tiger II from Armortek. Now somebody out there is buying these because this company has released a number of vehicles.

It weighs over 300 lbs and costs....well I'll let you look for yourself
http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Technical104.html

http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Kit104USA.html

http://www.armortek.co.uk/html/Project104/Options104usa.html

Yea but that is a handcrafted work of art not a mass produced wal mart style model. Just kidding. It is liek teh story of the boiled forg. You drop a frog into hot water and it jumps out. You put it in ordiarny water and gradullay heat it and it does not jump out until it is boiled. Same with prices. SLow increases adjust you to the new situation and these are gradually ratched up each month until suddenly the water is boiling

 

[vandilay]

Yea but that is a handcrafted work of art not a mass produced wal mart style model. Just kidding. It is liek teh story of the boiled forg. You drop a frog into hot water and it jumps out. You put it in ordiarny water and gradullay heat it and it does not jump out until it is boiled. Same with prices. SLow increases adjust you to the new situation and these are gradually ratched up each month until suddenly the water is boiling

I,d have to agree Damian a lot is about perception , maybe instead of
Rising prices we will see vehicles being sold minus certain additional figures/crew to hold prices. [perhaps generic crews sold seperatly]

Their may well be be a breaking point in terms of prices ,
But when you are already a collector that may be fairly high as its
A habbit that will have to be broken,

The real Negative will be in attracting new collectors as even if you
Have an interest in military history etc if you havent taken the plunge
And started down the long and winding road of collecting , having too
dish out a few hundred bucks for a single piece may keep you on the straight and narrow .

 

[uksubs]

I think it a great looking tank , but for £216.00 you would think it could be made in metal
Tanks just look better in metal
The FOV 1/16 Tigers sell for only £200.00 from Play.com
King & country with the material they us to make there armour must be on a very good profit margin

 

[jazzeum]

I,d have to agree Damian a lot is about perception , maybe instead of
Rising prices we will see vehicles being sold minus certain additional figures/crew to hold prices. [perhaps generic crews sold seperatly]

I think we already saw that with the Sherman and the new German vehicle for FoB: no or little figures.

If $225 in a few years looks good, as Dietz mentioned, then this will be a shrinking hobby.

In these economic times, when we are in or close to being a recession, I find it surprising the extent to which prices are rising. Spending money on toy soldiers or any other hobby are luxury items that will always take second place to the necessities. If the necessities go up in price and more disposable income has to be directed towards that sphere, then something has to give.