New packaging again..... (6 Viewers)

[Louis Badolato]

I also hate the ties. Makes the packaging look like a cheap toy rather than a collectible. I prefer the form fitting cut out in foam as protective packaging.

 

[aujj65]

I only collect K&C Napoleonics and SOHK, so far all of the figures in my collection have the foam packaging. All of these have come from K&C UK and have all arrived in perfect condition. I much prefer the foam idea as it isn't prone to the paint rub syndrome that I have seen with the plastic tie idea on other products ie DelPrado.
Someone mentioned before about the cost of oil having an influence on the cost of the foam, but then the new style packaging is made from an oil based product and then there is the cost of the tooling for the moulds, not forgetting the labour time to tie these in, so perhaps it isn't that cheap after all!
Just my thoughts.
Regards
Jeff

 

[ucla1967]

I also hate the ties. Makes the packaging look like a cheap toy rather than a collectible. I prefer the form fitting cut out in foam as protective packaging.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[bricoleur]

Real problems!
Received today my sidecar in the new plastic package. Same history folks! No more paper around the car and by removing those **** ties the paint under the **** ties was damaged on several places. Need at least 20 minutes to put some brown and yellow paint on the spots and only the idea that this piece isn't brandnew anymore is bothering me. Can't we organize a kind of petition at the forum. A oneliner: "we want foam back" just followed by our names?
We need to bring this problem under the attention of K&C.
Just an idea
Eddy

 

[boot51]

Real problems!
Received today my sidecar in the new plastic package. Same history folks! No more paper around the car and by removing those **** ties the paint under the **** ties was damaged on several places. Need at least 20 minutes to put some brown and yellow paint on the spots and only the idea that this piece isn't brandnew anymore is bothering me. Can't we organize a kind of petition at the forum. A oneliner: "we want foam back" just followed by our names?
We need to bring this problem under the attention of K&C.
Just an idea
Eddy

Count me in, Eddy. I'm with you all way. Down with wire ties, up with foam, no more chipped paint, we're mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore!

Fred

 

[fishead19690]

I,m glad the napoleonics are still packed in the old style.

 

[Fullyautomatic]

Brad it sounds like its time for you to generate one of those fancy polls with forum member voting priviledges. That usually gets a response by Andy..Not that it might change things but at least it gets everyones opinion across in one thread.

 

[kilted vampire]

I also hate the ties. Makes the packaging look like a cheap toy rather than a collectible. I prefer the form fitting cut out in foam as protective packaging.

The del Prados are packed in hard plastic and wired and they are always breaking during shipping. And they are cheap

 

[Mr Man]

I think I'll add my opinion here, since it will be at odds with everyone else. I'm sure that the reason for the change is economy. It is probably less expensive to use the plastic vacuuformed divets than have some person with a razor knife cut each and every piece of foam. It is less labor intensive and probably less expensive all round. Andy is trying to maximize his profit margin while trying to keep the price per unit down. I see no problem here.

 

[maddadicus]

I think I'll add my opinion here, since it will be at odds with everyone else. I'm sure that the reason for the change is economy. It is probably less expensive to use the plastic vacuuformed divets than have some person with a razor knife cut each and every piece of foam. It is less labor intensive and probably less expensive all round. Andy is trying to maximize his profit margin while trying to keep the price per unit down. I see no problem here.

The problem comes from damaged figures. Andy's bottom line ought not come at the expense of his customers having to repair their K/C purchases....Michael

 

[boot51]

The problem comes from damaged figures. Andy's bottom line ought not come at the expense of his customers having to repair their K/C purchases....Michael

Exactly!

Fred

 

[Pierre]

I don't mind to pay more for undamaged figures (they should be undamaged, anyway).

For what I have read, I will not by the motorcycle set.

I have all the barbarians. They are packed in the plastic thing. I was lucky, no one was damaged but it was impossible to re-pack them with the ties.

It is a real concern.

Pierre.

 

[jazzeum]

I wouldn't pass up the set. It's a nice set. It's unfortunate it's become the poster child for this kind of packaging.

 

[boot51]

I wouldn't pass up the set. It's a nice set. It's unfortunate it's become the poster child for this kind of packaging.

Brad, it's a great set, and considering the number of motorcycles used by the Germans, I would have seriously thought about purchasing a second set, lots of display possibilities. The real unfortunate thing IS the packaging!

Fred

 

[jazzeum]

Fred,

The packaging of it is just a very small part of it. It doesn't detract from the fact that this a great military miniature. Yes, you have to be careful in opening it. But once you do that, you put the packaging away and that's the end of it. Hopefully future packaging of this type will be improved and let's not forget that in at least WW 2, I believe this is only the second item to come packaged this way.

 

[Pierre]

Fred,

The packaging of it is just a very small part of it. It doesn't detract from the fact that this a great military miniature. Yes, you have to be careful in opening it. But once you do that, you put the packaging away and that's the end of it. Hopefully future packaging of this type will be improved and let's not forget that in at least WW 2, I believe this is only the second item to come packaged this way.

Brad,

What about re-packing it? Will it be possible to do it the same way it was or when it is done, it is done?

Pierre.

 

[jazzeum]

Yes and no. However, if I were going to repack it, I would discard the old packaging and just wrap it in bubble wrap for a safe move. I actually do this with some of the old Arnhem set I've sold, just to be on the safe side. Let's just remember that the job of packaging is for an item to get there safely. After that, who cares? You put it away.

 

[boot51]

Fred,

The packaging of it is just a very small part of it. It doesn't detract from the fact that this a great military miniature. Yes, you have to be careful in opening it. But once you do that, you put the packaging away and that's the end of it. Hopefully future packaging of this type will be improved and let's not forget that in at least WW 2, I believe this is only the second item to come packaged this way.

Brad, with all due respect I think you're missing my point. I AGREE that the motorcycle set is an awesome piece, the problem is not justing the unpacking of it, it is more of a problem of how it gets packed at the factory. If those hateful wire ties are twisted TOO tight the set is damaged. Maybe if you recieved one that had the paint chipped (big chips) in no less than five places you might have a little different opinion of this terrible packaging system. Fortunately my dealer has no problem with replacing the set and I would suspect the extensive damage on this set is the exception not the rule(at least I hope it is), but there's no way you'll get me to believe this is an an acceptable method for packaging expensive collectibles.

Fred

 

[jazzeum]

I'm not privy as to the production methods Andy uses to package his collectibles and unless he's willing to take me on as a partner, I suspect he won't be telling me. However, he's interested in feedback so my suggestion is that collectors who have had bad experiences with this form of packaging email him and let him know. He takes these things seriously and if he gets enough complaints about its drawbacks I'm sure he'll fix the problem.

 

[Fullyautomatic]

This topic had been discussed months back with customer complaints in regards to the new packaging. If memory recalls correctly it all started with the release of the new Africa Korps sets. Same complaints in regards to wire ties and paint chips and repacking. Well it seems by most of these posts that the complaints and quality of the product delivered to the customer is getting worse. I agree that emailing Andy is a great idea but I also think that is why this forum was created. We are fortunate enough to have the company representatives visit very often and reply to alot of our praises,requests and yes complaints. Enough forum members sharing their stories allows other members to maybe realize that they are not the only one's experiencing the same thoughts or situations.
I still believe some sort of poll should be used for everyone to give their opinion on whether this new packaging should stay or go. I know that we don't own these companies and they can do what they want but I think our opinions for the most part hold some respect to the further buying power of their product.New product delivered should never have to be touched up or repaired by the purchaser.In regards to replacing it back in the box..it should go back in as easy as it was to come out,for storage,resale or whatever. Lots of collectors do not have the space to showcase their entire collection so switching out sets is the only way to do it for them. Brad I have heard before that the boxes are not a big deal to you but to many others they are.
I would also be interested to hear TreeFrog's or any other dealers take on return product for damages. What happens to these sets? Are they touched up by the dealer and then resold or are they sent back to HK to Andy. Are your customers returning any of the new sets in the new packaging? Just curious and maybe we are not privi to this information.....