Price Point Comparisons With Figarti. (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

People on the Forum have been comparing the cost of the new Figarti pieces with the estimated cost of the FL Stug, but how about the difference between the Figarti and the K&C new pieces?

The Figarti Firefly at $189 is $44 above the cost of the K&C Cromwell and approximately $111 - $161 below the estimated cost of the FL Stug. The CS armour is about the cost of K&C, usually within $20 higher or lower for different comparable pieces.

K&C ................. $145 ................. -$44

Figarti .............. $189 ................... + $44

FL................... $300 - $350 ...........+ $111 - $161


The quality difference the extra money gets you is subjective to each buyer's view of what that quality difference is and how much it is worth to him.

Terry

 

[Louis Badolato]

To me the most amazing thing is that Figarti actually substantially lowered its prices between the Grant/Lee Tanks and the Firefly/Prime Mover.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

To me the most amazing thing is that Figarti actually substantially lowered its prices between the Grant/Lee Tanks and the Firefly/Prime Mover.

Were the Grants $279? How could they cut $100 off the price of a tank down to $179? If people didn't already have the Firefly and said how good it was, I would be suspicious. There must be fewer parts and less assembly for the Firefly? Hope it's not a typo cause the Brits already have theirs.

Terry

 

[maddadicus]

To me the most amazing thing is that Figarti actually substantially lowered its prices between the Grant/Lee Tanks and the Firefly/Prime Mover.

I would like to think that is because they have now learned how to make soldiers and vehicles. Not a slam, but a compliment. Lets face it, we were pretty hard on them in their infancy and with a pretty thick skin, most of our junk was ignored and our gems absorbed, whether it was about the early primitive figures or paperlike break it if you breathe on it tanks..They learned and adapted quickly and now are a force for other mfg. to fret about. At $189, they now become a mfg. for me to consider..Had they brought out their Lee or Grant at that price, I would have one...Great job, Rick and family...

 

[Spitfrnd]

....The quality difference the extra money gets you is subjective to each buyer's view of what that quality difference is and how much it is worth to him.
...

If you mean that whether the extra quality is worth the price to you is up to each individual, then I completely agree. That is always true where you have quality and price options.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Were the Grants $279? How could they cut $100 off the price of a tank down to $179? If people didn't already have the Firefly and said how good it was, I would be suspicious. There must be fewer parts and less assembly for the Firefly? Hope it's not a typo cause the Brits already have theirs.

Terry

Terry,

I think the difference in price might have something to do with the fact that the Grant/Lee had the interior turret detail and the hinged opening side hatch, which probably added quite a bit of work to producing the earlier tank. The Firefly appears to have the same level of exterior detail, but, by eliminating the interior view of the turret (which required a good bit of detail painting) and the extra working hatch (which required the expense of photo-etched hinges) the Figarti team was able to cut quite a bit off the price. That being said, I am still impressed they cut nearly $100 off the tank and $30 off the halftrack (the V2 Command Halftrack was $199).

 

[Phantom Warrior]

If you mean that whether the extra quality is worth the price to you is up to each individual, then I completely agree. That is always true where you have quality and price options.

That is exactly what I mean. The cost table can quantify and clearly show the price differences, but it is then up to each individual as to whether the quality/features provided by the extra price are worth it to him. By Features I mean working tracks, wheel details, opening hatches, interiors, finish and camo, figures as part of the set etc. Obviously small price differences vs large quality/feature differences make the choice easy. As the quality of the manufacturers all seem to be increasing, the range of quality/feature differences between the "least" and "best" is shrinking too. With the Firefly, Figarti has increased its quality/features and substantially reduced it's price - a powerful combination.

A further consideration is availability.

K&C produce consistently good quality models with limited features at reasonable prices. They offer the greatest number and variety of AFVs and soldier sets in relatively large production runs - well over 1,000 sets. I believe K&C also has the largest number of non-WW2 ranges. They are a large company.

Figarti have the highest quality (my opinion) and most features but produce a limited number of AFV's in very small production runs of 100 - 300. Their pieces are generally compatible with K&C. At their new lower price point, collectors will not be able to take much time in deciding whether to buy.

CS is offering good quality and some above average features at low production runs (300) at competitive prices near and slightly above K&C, but also has only a limited number of AFVs. Their pieces are generally compatible with K&C.

FL is staking out the high cost/high quality range with low (200) production runs. Cannot comment about features yet. Their AFV range will initially be limited to Stalingrad and not be compatible with Figarti, K&C or CS.

I think K&C has the next move. i.e Continue as the AFV variety leader but add some small run high quality pieces at higher prices? Let's wait and see.

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Terry,

I think the difference in price might have something to do with the fact that the Grant/Lee had the interior turret detail and the hinged opening side hatch, which probably added quite a bit of work to producing the earlier tank. The Firefly appears to have the same level of exterior detail, but, by eliminating the interior view of the turret (which required a good bit of detail painting) and the extra working hatch (which required the expense of photo-etched hinges) the Figarti team was able to cut quite a bit off the price. That being said, I am still impressed they cut nearly $100 off the tank and $30 off the halftrack (the V2 Command Halftrack was $199).

Good point. The finish and quality wheels and tracks are still excellent but by eliminating a few features, and probably not the most important ones, they were able to significantly reduce the price.

Terry

 

[jazzeum]

As I mentioned elsewhere, the Grants were actually $299 but then Rick cut the price to give collectors a break.

 

[Steven Chong]

... Figarti have the highest quality (my opinion) and most features but produce a limited number of AFV's in very small production runs of 100 - 300. Their pieces are generally compatible with K&C. At their new lower price point, collectors will not be able to take much time in deciding whether to buy ...

I think the typical Figarti production runs are actually 60 to 100 sets per variant. The Japanese Type 89 Cannon was limited to 60 sets and very hard to find while the Winter Panzer IV, V1 with launch ramp, and original V2 at 100 sets sold out very quickly.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I think the typical Figarti production runs are actually 60 to 100 sets per variant. The Japanese Type 89 Cannon was limited to 60 sets and very hard to find while the Winter Panzer IV, V1 with launch ramp, and original V2 at 100 sets sold out very quickly.

Thanks Steven - I wasn't sure of the production runs of some of their ranges other than 100 is for the Firefly, 88 and prime mover each. The 300 was for their Tiger - several variations in total. Of course the point is their production runs are small.

Terry

 

[Steven Chong]

... FL is staking out the high cost/high quality range with low (200) production runs. Cannot comment about features yet. Their AFV range will initially be limited to Stalingrad and not be compatible with Figarti, K&C or CS ...

Given the price resistence faced by Honour Bound for its $350 (adding accessories and figures) Gold Edition vehicles, I hope that First Legion finds a combination of pricing and features that will make its vehicles a success. It does have an advantage over Figarti and K&C in that it is a direct seller (except for George Guerriero selling at shows) and able to keep the margin that normally goes to a dealer. I think the advantage of keeping a higher percentage of the money from each sale will allow FL to price its vehicles very competitively.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Given the price resistence faced by Honour Bound for its $350 (adding accessories and figures) Gold Edition vehicles, I hope that First Legion finds a combination of pricing and features that will make its vehicles a success. It does have an advantage over Figarti and K&C in that it is a direct seller (except for George Guerriero selling at shows) and able to keep the margin that normally goes to a dealer. I think the advantage of keeping a higher percentage of the money from each sale will allow FL to price its vehicles very competitively.

I am waiting for someone experienced and fair to get the Figarti and FL pieces and do a side by side review. Louis Badolato said he will as he is getting all of the pieces in question. The pictures of the FL piece show it to be a top notch model for quality and detail. As you say, the price point and the size of the customer base for that cost/quality combination will determine it's success.


Terry

Terry