Like Clockwork... (2 Viewers)

[mikemiller1955]

I'm not saying you could set your watch to it...

but one thing I really appreciate about collect JJD is that once a month I can always count on Mike from Sierra to post JJD's next month's releases...

I may be the exception to the rule as I collect all his series except the tanks, plane, POA and early BM's...

but it's really nice to know that he will be putting up something that will interest me and conform to the series I collect...

JJD collectors are lucky that John is "Steady Eddie" on his releases...every month their is a little something for everyone...

I know production in China is a manufacturer's nightmare some time...but every month I can count on at least a couple of sets that sate my craving...

I don't know if it's compassion for my wallet or if John is just overworked...but it seems like about 6-9 months ago...he started releasing fewer sets than he did in the past...maybe it's my imagination...but it seems easier financially to keep up now days...

 

[old tank]

Mike....
AMEN...To that. Since I buy 2 or 3 sets of his Highlanders
and sets of the other series I collect.

 

[rpk]

I don't know if it's compassion for my wallet or if John is just overworked...but it seems like about 6-9 months ago...he started releasing fewer sets than he did in the past...maybe it's my imagination...but it seems easier financially to keep up now days...

Did a quick breakdown of releases. Looks like he has grown consistently each year.

2007 - 2/3/1/7/0/5/3/3/5/3/4/2 38 total
2008 - 2/5/3/0/7/3/5/6/4/8/4/3 50 total
2009 - 4/4/3/5/5/4/7/4/6/7/7/5 61 total
2010 - 4/6/6/6/6/4/8/4/7/6/9/6 72 total

Lots of bigger releases towards the end of 2010 though (tanks and planes). Really enjoy the variety of lines available, and the smattering of things each month vs. one series a month. Keeps a steady interest in a few lines going.

Take care,

-Rich

 

[mikemiller1955]

Wow...

excellent work Rich...you're results really surprised me...hard to believe...

you are now the "Official Book Keeper"...you should work for the government...

it seemed like in 2009 and early 2010...some of the months were staggering financially...

I felt like I was buying sets at a pace of 6-10 a month just to keep up on new releases...

I remember lots of comments from collectors saying the had to chose wisely as their budget wouldn't allow them to purchase every month's release...

Me and Doug even talked about it a couple of times...

I mentioned it to JJ and he told me he thought he was putting out too much a month...and was going to cut back a little...

but I'm sure you're numbers are right...

thank you for the research...I would have never believed it...

 

[rpk]

Thanks Michael. Not too hard really. Just used the "Listing by Month" report I put into the web database. Can pick off a month/year and see what was released, and what was retired. Was something I did for K&C tracking that I have working with JJD as well. JJD release dates are good, but retired dates are hit-n-miss (I put in the date when I can find it, otherwise just put in "Yes" to note it is retired). Pretty much let the computer do the work!

Take care,

-Rich

 

[10TH LA.]

Right on Mike ....it seems John does release at least one or more new items for my collection as well and even peeks my interest on others....and it's never overwhelming have to luv that !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lancer]

Very interesting data. Lots of releases, and I, for one, won't mind if he cuts back a bit. With the release of his WW1 aircraft (which I must possess in order to survive), I have fallen behind on the Jacobites, my all time favorite figures, and have quit collecting any other series altogether. I have a large POA collection which is now languishing, incomplete, on my shelves with little hope of being finished or even added to. Just need some breathing room to catch up. -- Al

 

[aujj65]

Yes it is just like clockwork.....one set each and every month for the Sudan, makes it very affordable but I'm just itching for a load of Fuzzies!

Jeff

 

[Combat]

For me it's not so much the number of monthly releases that is a concern, but the total $ amount for that month. Some months the $ amounts have reached $400 or $500 if you buy one each of the new releases. I would like to see John keep it under $300 to give a realistic chance to buy one of everything. That means in months when he releases a high priced item like the WWI plane, he might go easy on everything else.

 

[Dragoon]

For me it's not so much the number of monthly releases that is a concern, but the total $ amount for that month. Some months the $ amounts have reached $400 or $500 if you buy one each of the new releases. I would like to see John keep it under $300 to give a realistic chance to buy one of everything. That means in months when he releases a high priced item like the WWI plane, he might go easy on everything else.

No, don't like that. With the release of a $200.00 plane, we would be looking at possibly one or two sets of figures and be over $300.00.
That would leave out an addition to many of the different series for at least that month, probablely more. - This leaving a lot of collectors with nothing of interest to purchase since everyone doesn't collect ALL the different series.

 

[mikemiller1955]

I think he is releasing a very appropriate amount on a monthly basis...my outgoing monthly dollar volume of course depends on the releases...I don't collect the planes or armour...so that's a big ticket piece that doesn't affect me...for example...this month I will only receive 4 pieces...the howitzer...the Jacobite...the Gordons and Tic marching Grenadiers...that's $40...$35...$62 and $77...total $214...actually a very light month for me...I would hope to get at least four sets a month and would actually like more...on slow months I catch up on the multiples I want...I like the volume on the offerings personally...they suit me fine...

but keep in mind he's running a business and needs to do whatever it takes to show some margin of profit...and conversely...we don't want to work him to death...

his list is veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy long...

 

[10TH LA.]

Collectors club figures....Ticonderoga......WW1 British planes and figures......some BOM .....seriously...thinking of Chippewa now that Quebec has slowed........about 3 diferent sets a month for me .......$300 to $ 250 ..........

 

[marco55]

Since I can only spend about $150 it takes me longer but I'm not getting much right now as my focus was Snowshoes and not all of them.I've found out I don't need everything like before.
Mark

 

[Combat]

Like another famous toy soldier manufacturer points out, you can't satisfy everyone. Too much, too little. It depends on the individual collector. I can't believe though that many are willing to spend on average much more than $300 per month. So whatever is released really shouldn't exceed that amount or collectors will just have to decide not to collect certain lines. Rather than to collect them on a slower release schedule within that price range. About 4 new sets each month satisfies me.

 

[mikemiller1955]

that's true...no manufacturer is going to make everybody happy...

I buy a lot of Jenkins...I always have...but I don't buy everything...

I don't really have a set budget either...I buy what appeals to me...I hope to stay in the $300-$400 range monthly...or lower...

since the planes and tanks started coming out...my monthly spending has decreased dramatically because I don't collect all of his monthly offering anymore...

the planes are the largest part of his monthly offerings for sure...

I also never collected Quebec...which had 30 something sets...

the total of all 7 sets this month is $526...if you take out the plane and crew...it's only $272...

I only bought 4 sets this month as I don't collect the B of M Grenadiers anymore...

I'm very happy with 3-6 sets per month...my collection grows a little slower...but I really look forward to getting sets every month...

the months with small offerings for me...I use as a time to buy some multiples if I need them...

God Bless the guy that buys every single piece he makes...

the only other series I collect are the K&C Medieval Knights...which have not offered anything for a few months...spending has been light for me lately...

 

[rpk]

More fun with the database... these figures include all series, along with the collector's club (February 2011 includes the recent BOM CC set for example):

Monthly Costs:

2007: 183/219/92/373/0/223/192/209/276/156/243/135 - $2,301.00
2008: 211/458/184/0/314/138/334/439/208/405/476/248 - $3,415.00
2009: 258/356/264/257/404/248/433/244/392/497/392/415 - $4,160.00
2010: 250/290/303/261/333/252/381/207/505/480/448/405 - $4,115.00
2011: 563/590 - $1,291.00

Series Costs:

Battle on the Monongahela 1755 - $3,440.00
The Raid on St. Francis 1759 - $2,350.00
The Condor Legion (Spanish Civil War) - $480.00
The Jacobite Rebellion 1745 - $1,598.00
The First Sudan War 1884-1885 - $970.00
Battle of the Plains of Abraham 1759 - $2,428.00
Battle on Snowshoes 1758 - $1,412.00
Battle of Fort Carillon 1758 - $357.00
Battle of Chippewa 1814 - $1,870.00
Knights of the Skies (World War 1) - $670.00
John Jenkins Designs Collectors' Club - $504.00
-----------------
Total: $16,079.00

Interesting to see the actual figures added up.

-Rich

 

[Combat]

There were a few Monongahela releases in 2006. Not sure if you included those but great info. I feel like a candidate for that show "Hoarders" after seeing some of those numbers.

 

[marco55]

At the rate 2011 is starting the yearly total will be almost $8000.
Mark

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I have focused on Plains of Abraham, the 1812 battles , Sudan and Condor Legion.
That's about all I can handle. The WWI aircraft are very tempting, but I am going to hold out for some planes from the Spanish Civil War which I expect will be made at some point.

Terry

 

[marco55]

I started out with Monongahela,but mostly collected Snowshoes but I wish I hade kept the cabin,and blockhouse.I don't if I'll collect any Ticonderoga but I do want to get the French defensive works.I don't know what I will do with it but I still want it.
Mark