Price Increases (4 Viewers)

[marco55]

I really dont get these "price" threads. It seems some here think the manufacturers choose to raise prices willy nilly, or do it out of greed, or maybe "to be mean".

It just isnt so. The companies that provide products to this hobby are not hobbies themselves. They are BUSINESSES, in which people make their livings creating and selling us their products. If they cant make a reasonable return on their capital (aka profit), they either cant or wont bother continuing with it.

What do folks expect? That Andy and co will take pay cuts, to sacrifice their own well being, so that each of us can afford a few more purchases? Boy, that seems a highly unreasonable request.

In these tough times companies raise prices only as a last resort. Either they have the market power to do so (unlikely) or they are forced to do so because of rising costs. As Andy has said many times, if anyone thinks they can do what K&C does better or more efficiently, by all means, step right up and go for it.

Truly, this public outburst, sort of a buyers/collectors' "collective bargaining" effort with the manufacturer, is quite unusual. Ive never heard of it happening in any other industry.

Nobody is saying that the manufacturers are raising the prices to make huge profits ar anything of that nature.A lot of us are just saying that we might have to get out of the hobby due to the price increases which have been pretty high the last 4-5 years.These are not veiled threats or a boycott it's just a fact of life.
Mark

 

[Rutledge]

Maybe its just me, but I would imagine that people who make their living, fund their retirement, pay their health insurance, mortgage etc., MAKING toy soldiers would have a MUCH greater interest in seeing that the hobby not only survives but thrives -- much more so than those of us for whom BUYING toy soldiers is merely a hobby.

The folks who run these businesses have the most serious fiscal responsibilities as it relates to toy soldiers. Above any and all collectors.

Surely most of us have enough confidence in the intelligence and character of the manufacturers that we dont suspect them of trying to sabotage.... themselves!?

 

[Rutledge]

Nobody is saying that the manufacturers are raising the prices to make huge profits ar anything of that nature.A lot of us are just saying that we might have to get out of the hobby due to the price increases which have been pretty high the last 4-5 years.These are not veiled threats or a boycott it's just a fact of life.
Mark

If these are "facts" then one of three things will happen:

1) The manufacturers will sell less product but will be able to maintain satisfactory margins.

2) The industry will change, perhaps dramatically, ie, distribution method will become more "efficient (no more dealers), competitive landscape will narrow (signifcantly), product offerings will be streamlined and limited in number.

3) Or, most dramatically, the "middle market" may basically cease to exist altogether. While the High and Low end markets will likely endure, if new low cost labor and materials cant be found to sufficiently reduce price points to attract mid price buyers, it wont survive.

I suppose one other scenario is some new technological development could come along that would make the products less skilled labor intensive. But that is only science fiction now

 

[Templar]

I really dont get these "price" threads. It seems some here think the manufacturers choose to raise prices willy nilly, or do it out of greed, or maybe "to be mean".

It just isnt so. The companies that provide products to this hobby are not hobbies themselves. They are BUSINESSES, in which people make their livings creating and selling us their products. If they cant make a reasonable return on their capital (aka profit), they either cant or wont bother continuing with it.

What do folks expect? That Andy and co will take pay cuts, to sacrifice their own well being, so that each of us can afford a few more purchases? Boy, that seems a highly unreasonable request.

In these tough times companies raise prices only as a last resort. Either they have the market power to do so (unlikely) or they are forced to do so because of rising costs. As Andy has said many times, if anyone thinks they can do what K&C does better or more efficiently, by all means, step right up and go for it.

Truly, this public outburst, sort of a buyers/collectors' "collective bargaining" effort with the manufacturer, is quite unusual. Ive never heard of it happening in any other industry.

Very well said, So you have to wonder. How many Forum members will take that Pay cut, On what ever Job they might have, to give more of themselves To their buyers/ customers/ clients.

 

[gk5717]

No one wants these companies to go out of business. I don,t believe any one is accusing them of taking advantage of collectors by raising prices. The crux of the matter is, can the average collector afford these prices, or better yet justify spending what it now cost.
Gary

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Regretably, it has become necessary to close this thread. The intrusion of political opinions into this discussion has continued unabated in spite of encouragement to remain calm and to remain focused on the original topic. And, as discussion of politics is expressly prohibited by forum rules, this thread shall remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat