Prices (1 Viewer)

[steel wheels]

Cost of living pressures are a reality in every aspect of our lives. A business has to survive and market pressures dictate keeping prices down as best as possible. K&C is no different to anyone else and I don't think they want to ruin their business by exaggerating production cost issues and pricing people out of the hobby. I accept the need for the K&C price increases.

I don't expect quality or variety to be compromised and K&C will not disappoint on this front. This is what excites me about collecting K&C and no doubt other collectors have the same view and this is why our hobby will grow despite the price increases.

And like Howard remarks the prices of some other TS companies are much more than K&C even before the price increase debate started.

That is exactly right! This is why, treefrog has some expensive Figarti tanks marked down, like the Lee/Grant, because no one is buying these tanks with a price of $279.00. These tanks would have sold out pretty quickly once upon a time. At $300.00, expect the new priest to suffer the same fate, unless Andy has drastically decreased the number of Priest's that is going to be produced.

 

[chillywill]

Everything is going up in price young man but do not get discouraged because this is a great hobby!!!! Maybe slow down a little on your purchases.

 

[Rob]

That is exactly right! This is why, treefrog has some expensive Figarti tanks marked down, like the Lee/Grant, because no one is buying these tanks with a price of $279.00. These tanks would have sold out pretty quickly once upon a time. At $300.00, expect the new priest to suffer the same fate, unless Andy has drastically decreased the number of Priest's that is going to be produced.

I don't think the M7 will be marked down at all, K&C's dealers don't Mark down prices as a rule. I expect the M7 to be like many other releases from the company, it will sell pretty steadily as it's a model not made by them for some time, it will be around for a while and then it will be retired. It will benefit from newer collectors who missed out on the first version or those who cannot afford the now high asking price of the original.

Rob

 

[Rob]

Everything is going up in price young man but do not get discouraged because this is a great hobby!!!! Maybe slow down a little on your purchases.

Well said and welcome to the forum!:smile2:

Rob

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

It's very obvious to me that that a lot of collectors have reduced purchases tremendously in the last 6 months or so and some may be simply enjoying the colllections that they have acquired over the past years. Just by observing the new strategies employed by the manufacturers tells you that something has changed dramatically. I feel that a major shift is occurring in the hobby but not quite sure what it is yet... One thing is for sure, other strategies will need to be looked at to keep prices down or this hobby will continue to become more exclusive... I can't see a lot more new collectors entering this hobby at these prices but, I do see a lot more collectors dropping out... {eek3}

 

[marco55]

It's very obvious to me that that a lot of collectors have reduced purchases tremendously in the last 6 months or so and some may be simply enjoying the colllections that they have acquired over the past years. Just by observing the new strategies employed by the manufacturers tells you that something has changed dramatically. I feel that a major shift is occurring in the hobby but not quite sure what it is yet... One thing is for sure, other strategies will need to be looked at to keep prices down or this hobby will continue to become more exclusive... I can't see a lot more new collectors entering this hobby at these prices but, I do see a lot more collectors dropping out... {eek3}

Excellent post.I think it's obvious that many collecters have cut back and manufacturers changing their marketing strategies are tell tale signs that the hobby is going through a tough time.It will survive but what it will look like when it levels out only time will tell.
Mark

 

[Rob]

I humbly suggest it is just possible that we are taking on a slightly gloomy view on things ( accepting of course many are indeed concerned re pricing) take a look at the opening paragraph of Dispatches, K&C seem to be doing very well. ^&cool

Rob

 

[marco55]

I think that if you read all the posts in the last few months of people cutting back there is room for concern on the manufacturing side.I'm not suggesting that the companies are on death's door but they have to be careful and try to ride these tough economic times out.Thinking that all is well is just being naive to realities of these times.Things look promising but Big Oil is gonna throw us back in the hole.
Mark

 

[Rob]

I think that if you read all the posts in the last few months of people cutting back there is room for concern on the manufacturing side.I'm not suggesting that the companies are on death's door but they have to be careful and try to ride these tough economic times out.Thinking that all is well is just being naive to realities of these times.Things look promising but Big Oil is gonna throw us back in the hole.
Mark

Absolutely , nobody thinks all is well and at the same time as you say the hobby is not at deaths door either, I guess it's about a matter of calm balance , all factors taken into consideration etc.

Rob

 

[cnq]

Eventhough I have not been in the hobby for too long ( almost two years), I'm also cutting back and have not bought any AFV over $200 since the snow tiger. It was the most expensive piece I got from K&C. I find that I spend more money on CS AFVs now as they are still reasonbly priced with good quality. I have a friend who showed some interest in TS but when he found out how much it cost for the new JagTiger, he was quickly abandone the idea and sticking with his 1/72 model planes ^&grin .

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

It's interesting that you bring up 72nd scale... A new person entering this hobby today may want to consider geting into a smaller scale of figures to make it affordable or even plastics, although you will need to be a skilled painter with spare time on your hands. Just a thought to potential new collectors... Maybe, some of the manufacturers might even consider to produce certain ranges in a smaller scale to save on material costs. I have seen some 28mm scales and up and they look quite good in certain ranges. There are even 40mm scales. I don't mind my collection to comprise of different scales. It looks great when presented well.

 

[marco55]

I am one that is looking at the smaller figures.I am having Tom Meier's 1/48 FIW figures painted and a maker in Germany is going to make some 40mm sets which I am getting.Thunderbird miniatures is going to start a 40mm series sculpted by a Russian.I saw one set painted by Doug Cohen and it is great.The biggest drawback is that they are not pre-painted.The plus is that these sculpters have made great strides making these figures porportianaly correct.
Mark

 

[Rutledge]

It's very obvious to me that that a lot of collectors have reduced purchases tremendously in the last 6 months or so and some may be simply enjoying the colllections that they have acquired over the past years. Just by observing the new strategies employed by the manufacturers tells you that something has changed dramatically. I feel that a major shift is occurring in the hobby but not quite sure what it is yet... One thing is for sure, other strategies will need to be looked at to keep prices down or this hobby will continue to become more exclusive... I can't see a lot more new collectors entering this hobby at these prices but, I do see a lot more collectors dropping out... {eek3}

You may be correct about there being reduced purchases. I have not seen the actual numbers.

Another possibility is, I believe, that the speculators, flippers and hoarders are no longer buying. Cost increases, more

choices and a large quantity of retired pieces, combined with a slower economy, have made it so that these practices are no longer as profitble. The items take longer to increase in value, partly because there are not as many flippers, and when they do sell the margins are reduced. So as liquidity has dried up, it appears that "real" collectors are not buying as much. I don't know if that is true or, if so, to what degree it is true.

 

[jomartvr]

The speculators may have left the hobby, however, I think that the hobby will change and not for the better. I think it is obvious that we will see higher prices in the near future ($40 dollar range per figure) spurred by costs in China, weak dollar, and increased transportation costs.

From my point of view I wonder if KC and other companies can surivive if the American market dries up. As KC, Britains, and other companies do not disclose, nor are they required to do so, the amount of the sales by country, I would say things have to change. THe economy in the USA is poor. Much of what KC and Britains produce is geared seemingly towards an American market place. Consider the plethura of soldiers, vehicles, and structures for WWII, and American Civil War (By the way I do not collect figures from either conflict). Obviously, these items sell well outside of North America, however, it is an issue of scale. For example, there are approximately 37 authorized KC dealers in the USA. By comparison there are 4 authorized dealers in Australia, 1 in the UK and 2 in Germany. If sales in toy soldiers tank in the US market can these companies offset their loses by expanding their sales in other countries, or will they downsize in order to survive. Another issue is whether their dealer network in the USA can survive if the American economy remains flat.

I have personally cut back my purchases due to the rise in price, however, I have just recieved KC NE0008. It is fantastic. I will purchase others in this range, however, it will be slow going, in the end it is just a hobby.

In fairness I tend to see the glass as half empty instead of half full.

Cheers,
Benjamin

 

[nmrocks]

I am one that is looking at the smaller figures.I am having Tom Meier's 1/48 FIW figures painted and a maker in Germany is going to make some 40mm sets which I am getting.Thunderbird miniatures is going to start a 40mm series sculpted by a Russian.I saw one set painted by Doug Cohen and it is great.The biggest drawback is that they are not pre-painted.The plus is that these sculpters have made great strides making these figures porportianaly correct.
Mark

Mark,
It's kinda what happened to me as well, I cut back and 30mm flats caught my interest. I'm sure if you do your due diligence you will find a place in both quality and style that will fit your likes. Take your time, Do some research and I guarentee you will find painters to be happy with, there is a real bonus for me to know that my commished figures are "one of's". Though I'll tell you now K&C never really left my blood, just kinda in remission, get a piece here, another there. But lately it's flairing again and I'm buying again.:tongue:
Ray

 

[marco55]

I'm more into small vignettes than large dios due to lack of space but I have gotten a 28mm frontier fort which I want to try to paint myself and then put it in a wilderness setting with whatever figures I can get.I'm more into the scenery aspect right now than the figures.
Mark

 

[Vezzolf]

That is exactly right! This is why, treefrog has some expensive Figarti tanks marked down, like the Lee/Grant, because no one is buying these tanks with a price of $279.00. These tanks would have sold out pretty quickly once upon a time. At $300.00, expect the new priest to suffer the same fate, unless Andy has drastically decreased the number of Priest's that is going to be produced.

Well keep in mind that with a strict policy of no dealer discounts....It's likely a limited number will be produced...since a typical production run would likely sit on the shelves....At $300.... Tank crews being "add-ons" now seem to be the 'new policy'.... and to me seems like an obvious attempt to mask or soften increased prices....either way not good for collectors who will likely purchase less.

 

[Vezzolf]

It's very obvious to me that that a lot of collectors have reduced purchases tremendously in the last 6 months or so and some may be simply enjoying the colllections that they have acquired over the past years. Just by observing the new strategies employed by the manufacturers tells you that something has changed dramatically. I feel that a major shift is occurring in the hobby but not quite sure what it is yet... One thing is for sure, other strategies will need to be looked at to keep prices down or this hobby will continue to become more exclusive... I can't see a lot more new collectors entering this hobby at these prices but, I do see a lot more collectors dropping out... {eek3}

Likely to be the case

 

[Vezzolf]

I'm a bit dismayed at the drastic increases in prices for King and Country and other manufactures as well. When I look at all my old vehicles, and see tanks that came with as many as 3 to 4 crew members, with a price tag of $89.00 to $125.00, which was not that long ago. I can see how people will leave this hobby or seriously cut back on purchases. I have decided to only buy one tank or vehicle per year. I truly like this new priest, but at 300.00 for the set, it will be my only purchase, regardless whatever comes out this year. Let's face it, to make this tank complete, you really need the shell loading crew, which brings the cost to $300.00. I'm sure a lot of collectors have kids getting ready for college, and I can't justify spending thousands on models. My real concern, is that these continued price increases in this weak economy, will eventually, put King and Country and others into bankruptcy. It can easily happen if customer finally says enough!

Totally agree.....Well said

 

[Rutledge]

Totally agree.....Well said

These constant "threats" are getting extremely tiresone. If you find prices too high, dont buy anything. Give your collection a burial at sea, ala OBL. Burn the manufacturers in effigy. Do whatever. Just keep it to yourself and let the economic chips fall where they may.