King & Country
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- May 23, 2005
- Messages
- 4,930
Hi Guys,
First of all my sincere apologies for deviating from toy soldiers to a matter that I believe to be important.
Our friend “Mitch” made the following statements about me that I find both grossly exaggerated and, in some cases, blatantly untrue! My reason for my public response is that this is a public forum and just as his “voice” is heard so should mine.
QUOTE: “I have read and been told of all the occasions that Andy has been curt even mocking customers, I find that remarkable that a person seems to have so little concern for the people who buy the products he sells… I would think he should begin to show more respect for customers in the manner he speaks with them on here… I could rail off a list of many he has spoken to rather crudely who are not anywhere near that snotty little comment which has been generated by a clan who thinks they have the right to belittle anyone who dares say anything against him or the brand… He permeates contempt for the very people who have placed him in the ‘privaleged’ (sic) position he finds himself in today… ”
Now, as you can see Mitch has accused me of virtually everything except “breach of the peace” and “concealing a deadly weapon”! He has had his say… I would like to have mine…
Let me say outright… I love this Forum and the opportunity to interact with other collectors, dealers and occasionally manufacturers. I have realized however, since its earliest days, that some people will like you… some will not… and everyone (me included) has an opinion!
On the vast majority of the times I have posted on this particular forum I have always done my best to be friendly, helpful and, when and where possible, informative. I truly value the many suggestions and ideas that collectors have put forward and have been happy to use them when practical.
On a relatively few occasions I have answered back “Like for like” when I strongly felt a statement was blatantly wrong or deliberately false or even intentionally misleading.
But let’s get down to some of Mitch’s specific comments…
1)”All the occasions…”
I am accused of being “curt and mocking”! I do plead guilty to having a sense of humor and trying to inject a degree of levity when I believe it’s required. Mitch, I honestly think, is someone who likes to “dish it out” under the guise of “It’s just my opinion” and “I’m going to tell it like it is!” (translation: “As I see it!”)
BUT and it’s a big BUT gets very easily offended if anyone in general and me in particular dares to answer him back.
As for the “CURT” bit… rarely, if ever, are my replies, responses and comments on this Forum just a pithy “Nice diorama” or snappy one-liner. Even you Mitch must recognize that fact.
2)“So little concern for his customers…”
Quite the reverse my friend, I have huge respect, concern and care for the many, many good people around the world who like, appreciate and collect K&C.
Those folks, many of whom I am proud to call friends, keep me and the whole K&C team gainfully employed and put “bread on the table” for ourselves and our families.
That’s just one of the reasons I spend almost three months of the year visiting and meeting with them in the U.S., Europe, Australia and half a dozen other places.
Why? Because I value their considerable input in the continuing development and growth of this little company. I am trebly blessed to get to meet, talk and listen to hundreds of K&C collectors every single year. I hear what they like… what they don’t like and what they want to see… I get to discuss future ideas and potential projects with them. I get to hear their suggestions and thoughts … often on a one-to-one basis. In addition I talk to our K&C dealers… large and small… working in all kinds of markets in widely different countries.
Go on Mitch, tell me one other company that takes so much time and makes the major effort to actually get out and meet the collectors around the world… in person!
At the same time I will personally answer anywhere from a few to a few dozen private emails from K&C collectors around the globe… usually on a “24- hour” turnaround.
3)“I could rail off a list…”
Could you really Mitch? I suspect a few of your list would include some of those on another internet forum that despises anything and everything K&C produces. These are also the guys who love to profess how much they hate K&C but are so addicted to knocking us that they simply cannot ignore us!
As you know a few of them are also members over here but for the most part they keep their noses clean here and reserve their spite and venom for elsewhere.
I strongly suspect that “your list” is not quite as long or as extensive as you might wish it to be…
4)“Privaleged (sic) Position…”
You are totally correct in just one (and only one) of your many assertions…
I am indeed (one of my favourite words) truly privileged and blessed to have, first of all, discovered a wonderful hobby that has permitted me to help create a successful and thriving toy soldier business. It’s a real pleasure to come into work each day and work with an amazingly talented and creative team of people who help us do what we do.
It’s also a genuine privilege to have met and made friends with so many great people all over the globe. How lucky can you get? Talking of friends… mates and buddies…
5)“The Clan”
There is no “Clan” or “Fan Club” or “Rah Rah anything” of which you Mitch speak so sarcastically of … There are just a decent bunch of blokes (some I’ve met others not) who just happen to disagree with some of your wilder statements.
Finally, I have no doubt we will all be hearing from you presently… You are, as you say, a lawyer and I am sure you will be intent on having the proverbial “last word” on this and many other matters.
However I will continue to end my words with the usual…
Best wishes and happy collecting!
First of all my sincere apologies for deviating from toy soldiers to a matter that I believe to be important.
Our friend “Mitch” made the following statements about me that I find both grossly exaggerated and, in some cases, blatantly untrue! My reason for my public response is that this is a public forum and just as his “voice” is heard so should mine.
QUOTE: “I have read and been told of all the occasions that Andy has been curt even mocking customers, I find that remarkable that a person seems to have so little concern for the people who buy the products he sells… I would think he should begin to show more respect for customers in the manner he speaks with them on here… I could rail off a list of many he has spoken to rather crudely who are not anywhere near that snotty little comment which has been generated by a clan who thinks they have the right to belittle anyone who dares say anything against him or the brand… He permeates contempt for the very people who have placed him in the ‘privaleged’ (sic) position he finds himself in today… ”
Now, as you can see Mitch has accused me of virtually everything except “breach of the peace” and “concealing a deadly weapon”! He has had his say… I would like to have mine…
Let me say outright… I love this Forum and the opportunity to interact with other collectors, dealers and occasionally manufacturers. I have realized however, since its earliest days, that some people will like you… some will not… and everyone (me included) has an opinion!
On the vast majority of the times I have posted on this particular forum I have always done my best to be friendly, helpful and, when and where possible, informative. I truly value the many suggestions and ideas that collectors have put forward and have been happy to use them when practical.
On a relatively few occasions I have answered back “Like for like” when I strongly felt a statement was blatantly wrong or deliberately false or even intentionally misleading.
But let’s get down to some of Mitch’s specific comments…
1)”All the occasions…”
I am accused of being “curt and mocking”! I do plead guilty to having a sense of humor and trying to inject a degree of levity when I believe it’s required. Mitch, I honestly think, is someone who likes to “dish it out” under the guise of “It’s just my opinion” and “I’m going to tell it like it is!” (translation: “As I see it!”)
BUT and it’s a big BUT gets very easily offended if anyone in general and me in particular dares to answer him back.
As for the “CURT” bit… rarely, if ever, are my replies, responses and comments on this Forum just a pithy “Nice diorama” or snappy one-liner. Even you Mitch must recognize that fact.
2)“So little concern for his customers…”
Quite the reverse my friend, I have huge respect, concern and care for the many, many good people around the world who like, appreciate and collect K&C.
Those folks, many of whom I am proud to call friends, keep me and the whole K&C team gainfully employed and put “bread on the table” for ourselves and our families.
That’s just one of the reasons I spend almost three months of the year visiting and meeting with them in the U.S., Europe, Australia and half a dozen other places.
Why? Because I value their considerable input in the continuing development and growth of this little company. I am trebly blessed to get to meet, talk and listen to hundreds of K&C collectors every single year. I hear what they like… what they don’t like and what they want to see… I get to discuss future ideas and potential projects with them. I get to hear their suggestions and thoughts … often on a one-to-one basis. In addition I talk to our K&C dealers… large and small… working in all kinds of markets in widely different countries.
Go on Mitch, tell me one other company that takes so much time and makes the major effort to actually get out and meet the collectors around the world… in person!
At the same time I will personally answer anywhere from a few to a few dozen private emails from K&C collectors around the globe… usually on a “24- hour” turnaround.
3)“I could rail off a list…”
Could you really Mitch? I suspect a few of your list would include some of those on another internet forum that despises anything and everything K&C produces. These are also the guys who love to profess how much they hate K&C but are so addicted to knocking us that they simply cannot ignore us!
As you know a few of them are also members over here but for the most part they keep their noses clean here and reserve their spite and venom for elsewhere.
I strongly suspect that “your list” is not quite as long or as extensive as you might wish it to be…
4)“Privaleged (sic) Position…”
You are totally correct in just one (and only one) of your many assertions…
I am indeed (one of my favourite words) truly privileged and blessed to have, first of all, discovered a wonderful hobby that has permitted me to help create a successful and thriving toy soldier business. It’s a real pleasure to come into work each day and work with an amazingly talented and creative team of people who help us do what we do.
It’s also a genuine privilege to have met and made friends with so many great people all over the globe. How lucky can you get? Talking of friends… mates and buddies…
5)“The Clan”
There is no “Clan” or “Fan Club” or “Rah Rah anything” of which you Mitch speak so sarcastically of … There are just a decent bunch of blokes (some I’ve met others not) who just happen to disagree with some of your wilder statements.
Finally, I have no doubt we will all be hearing from you presently… You are, as you say, a lawyer and I am sure you will be intent on having the proverbial “last word” on this and many other matters.
However I will continue to end my words with the usual…
Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country
