I'm all for supporting the smaller toy soldier makers, as well as our favorite high volume producers.
I don't think that anyone engaged in this discussion is intentionally trying to brand bash.
The problem with the increasing prices for the companies on the supply side is that the higher the price of an idividual figure goes up the more attractive the industry becomes to other potnetial producers. This can be a good thing for consumers & dealers in the long run as it will provide more options and more competitive pricing. But, this can be a bit uncomfortable for some while going through any type of market tranisition.
It appears from our discussion here that we might be approaching this threshold. K&C have built there business on the dollars of a certain market segment and now, due in large part to continued price increases, some of those loyal followers are begining to feel as though they are being left behind. This is certainly a tough situation for the decision heads @ K&C.
Again, K&C sets the industry standard. When they go up, everybody else goes up. Just because there are other brands that are priced above the market leader (FL) this doesn't mean that they command the type of industry wide influence that the industry leader enjoys.
It will be interesting to see if the price increases continue at their recently established pace.
