Monthly Releases (1 Viewer)

[Isandlwana]

I believe this has come up before but I couldn't locate the thread but do you think WB would benefit from releasing new items on a monthly basis?

There always seems to be a lot of excitement on here surrounding the monthly dispatches from other manufacturers and the WB thread seems to get lost amongst the hullabaloo. WB remain a giant, they are sold in over 100 stores in the UK alone and it does seem that monthly releases aide discussion, interest and arguably sales. Is it time to reconsider maybe?

 

[The Military Workshop]

As a dealer I totally agree.

I usually find out about future releases from comments made on this forum. Sometimes a Nap collector might notice some new figures and comment and then later a ACW might do the same. I do receive updates via email but these are after items have been included on the web page already.

One of the differences is that Britains puts up images on its web page months (sometimes 4-6) ahead of time.

I think it would help if Britains started a thread such as New Items added to web page or Future Releases and then let us know which series and possibly include images. This would generate some interest and discussion as you suggest.

Brett

 

[Isandlwana]

Yes, there's a lot to be said for anticipation. By giving that 4-6 months advance notice of what's coming, it is lost somewhat. Plus, a lot of us are creatures of habit. We will still collect during this period but we have to look elsewhere and it could be that in this period someone comes up with something we find more appealing and interest is therefore diverted.

 

[jomartvr]

Yes, there's a lot to be said for anticipation. By giving that 4-6 months advance notice of what's coming, it is lost somewhat. Plus, a lot of us are creatures of habit. We will still collect during this period but we have to look elsewhere and it could be that in this period someone comes up with something we find more appealing and interest is therefore diverted.

I agree. Monthly releases would be great. Frankly, WB should only post images of products that are shipped to dealers. I really dislike it when images are posted, however, the product is not available for months.

Lastly, I would like WB to produce limited run collector figures like John Jenkins.

Best wishes for the New Year
Benjamin

 

[Isandlwana]

I agree. Monthly releases would be great. Frankly, WB should only post images of products that are shipped to dealers. I really dislike it when images are posted, however, the product is not available for months.

Lastly, I would like WB to produce limited run collector figures like John Jenkins.

Best wishes for the New Year
Benjamin

I think the Zulu induna figure was a limited number CC figure was it not? But I agree. One per member for the year then if there are still some unsold after the membership year has ended then allow members who would like more than one to snap them up. Probably an administrative headache however!

 

[zulucollector]

Yes, there's a lot to be said for anticipation. By giving that 4-6 months advance notice of what's coming, it is lost somewhat. Plus, a lot of us are creatures of habit. We will still collect during this period but we have to look elsewhere and it could be that in this period someone comes up with something we find more appealing and interest is therefore diverted.

I like the monthly concept as the current system is either feast or famine. One positive of the current distribution system is you get a good understanding of where britains is going with the line before you make a purchase.

 

[The Military Workshop]

My thought is that it would still help for WB to start a thread announcing that they have added items to their web pages no matter how far ahead. The thread could then be bumped up again when the items are actually available.

 

[villagehorse]

There are short comings in release information from my perspective, which Richard can rectify if he sees it a problem. He has one big advantage as he can see the big picture of how Britain's operates and in the scheme of things, it maybe satisfactory as is. The on going problem seems to be the delayed production schedules which has been evident for 18 months now. The monthly pressure aspect is not for everyone, however in this day of communication, Britain's could get their message out there with a little more regularity and create more interest in their product, cheers, Robin.

 

[WBritain]

There are short comings in release information from my perspective, which Richard can rectify if he sees it a problem. He has one big advantage as he can see the big picture of how Britain's operates and in the scheme of things, it maybe satisfactory as is. The on going problem seems to be the delayed production schedules which has been evident for 18 months now. The monthly pressure aspect is not for everyone, however in this day of communication, Britain's could get their message out there with a little more regularity and create more interest in their product, cheers, Robin.

Hi Guys:

Agreed! I think Brett has come closest to the mark - we do need to be better about letting you know what is being shipped/released or about to be shipped and build excitement in emails etc.. With over 400+ retailers worldwide, the vast majority, 300+, are mainstream toy and hobby shops that have neither the time nor the inclination to look at and order new releases every 30 days. Ideally they want one catalog for the whole year in January, our quarterly catalogs drive many of them bonkers -too many catalogs. So, as the most ubiquitous toy soldier company we find that the old adage rings true, we can't please everyone all the time. But we do try to strike a happy medium, and I think better email communication that our core collectors and dealers would appreciate will go a along way to ameliorating this issue. As for releases, I still puzzle about this comment, 2012 was our best year ever for hitting release dates, but as you all say, the fact that we give a heads up months in advance means even when a few items are delayed it gives the impression we are late on "everything". That is of course the biggest advantage to monthly releases, no one really knows if they were late, because if they were the manufacturer would just pull it from the announcement and move it to the next month and it would be "on time".

Thank you all for a great 2102, more work to be done.

Richard

 

[zulucollector]

Hi Guys:

As for releases, I still puzzle about this comment, 2012 was our best year ever for hitting release dates, but as you all say, the fact that we give a heads up months in advance means even when a few items are delayed it gives the impression we are late on "everything". That is of course the biggest advantage to monthly releases, no one really knows if they were late, because if they were the manufacturer would just pull it from the announcement and move it to the next month and it would be "on time".
Richard

This was my first full year collecting wbritains and I got to admit I as so accustomed to items being delayed so much so that I normally tack another month or so on to the suggested release date based on my 2H/11 and 1H/12 experiences. You would go to the website and the release date would be a month later than originally planned. I was very (happily) surprised that all of the AZW items promised for later in the year were on time. Things do happen... I belive the british artillery gun team was originally going to be a birthday gift for me in early Fall and now it is a January 2013 event... now saying all that I think the product modifications will be well worth the wait. I also agreed other manufactuers likely have the same issues but you never notice because they do monthly releases not quarterly releases so they simply bump products to the following months ie not an exclusive event to wbritains but simply much more noticable than peers

Now saying all that the quarterly concept does have a downside since your winter catalogue was all ACW figures that means no new AZW figures until March outside of Modelzone exclusives, a tactical item and the much delayed gun team. One thought is that you realized that many collectors would be forking out $1000+ for the hospital and gun team in the new year...... A more balanced cataloge would be helpful as many of us do not collect across the spectrum.....

Looking foward to all the new releases in 2013!

 

[zulucollector]

I am starting to become a believer that wbritains needs to rethink their distribution/marketing strategy. I think because I was so late too the game for AZW and Sudan that I was spending a lot of time trying to repurchase all the previous releases that now that I am update to date that I have really noticed it. This year is the perfect example, there was a frenzy on the announcement of the 2013 releases and since than this board has completely dried up for any new news "crickets". To make matters worse, the catalogue which is intended to be the lynchpin of this strategy was seriously delayed. To fill this void, I have gone back and been able to pick up some missing older sets including modelzone exclusives on ebay and started to purchase my first K&C items. How are others dealing with void, as a banker I think wbritains is leaving money on the table by continuing this strategy. Now saying all that, I think wbritains has some of the best sets available, a superb ambassador in Richard, an excellent craftsman in Ken. Both Richard and Ken have done a superb job in listening to customers ie Zulu limber and gun set and keeping us up to date about ongoing releases. Never mind wbritains attention to keep costs reasonable and looking for unique cost solutions such as distribution of modelzone exclusives in North America to keep shipping in check.