Pricing, where's your limit?? (2 Viewers)

[Iron Brigade]

When I first started buying toy soldiers some 21 years ago the average foot figure was about $10.00 USD and I thought that was a bit much! When King & Country's foot figures reached $25.00 per foot figure in 2007 I thought , wow only 4 figures per $100.00! In recent years to date I just say ouch! I will just say one more thing, I am very glad that I started collecting when I did!

"Iron Brigade"

 

[Desertkiwi]

An interesting topic and one very relevant to this hobbie. Based on today's prices and my current cash flow, I certainly can't afford to buy as much as I used to. In saying that, like many collectors I've had to adapt accordingly and become far more selective and more creative with my purchases.

In general terms, I still think we're very spoiled for choice and believe K&C does try and cater for different budgets.

It is an expensive hobby, but as many collectors posting on the forum regularly demonstrate with their dio's, you don't have to own dozens of figures etc to enjoy it.{sm4}

Cheers

 

[waynepoo]

Still waiting to get it back from the painters - it has been many, many months now. Plus...only the A listers travel in that car![/QUOTE]
So you are only a Chauffeur then......^&grin:rolleyes2:
Wayne.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

To purchase single foot soldiers seems stable for me at $44.00 with tanks hovering around $200.00 - $225.00 If prices climb to $50.00 a figure that may be a big deal breaker for many collectors {sm2}
Hopefully prices can remain stabilized throughout this year !!!

 

[rpk]

Started when a lot of figures were at $21-$25 each, and vehicles similarly cheaper. Covered a number of eras and conflicts. Have cut way back unfortunately due to price increases. Price increases oustripped wage increases. Limit was probably about $35 for a figure, with exceptions here and there. More likely to get a favorite vehicle now and then vs. a steady stream of figures. Cut back my focus as well. Like a lot of historical periods, just can't cover them all.

 

[swalterh]

Good luck getting a lot of the younger generation into this hobby with the current prices for 60mm matte metal figures! {eek3}

If I wanted to start into this hobby today, I would be looking at alternatives such as metal figures in smaller scales, glossies or painted plastics.

I have been priced out of K&C figures for the most part when they breached through $35/foot figure. The bulk of my collection was purchased at average prices below $25/foot figure. The only K&C range that I am looking at now is the Custer series which I may create a small diorama with. I will just have to bite the bullet on several figures...

I'm thinking the true gateway for younger people into the hobby is through plastics. Then when they get a little older they get tired of the bare plastic look and start painting their figures themselves. Then when they get jobs and realize video games will only provide so much enjoyement they may make a few metal figure purchases. If they go on to college they'll get that paid off and then start collecting in a more serious way. There is a maturity curve that the young folks have to go through until most can really appreciate what it means to collect the finished metal figures.

I just don't see kids seriously collecting finished metal sets (or many parents supporting them in doing so). Any serious organized marketing campaign by a manufacturer towards the younger crowd should be geared around a solid presentation supporting plastic figures. The problem that we have as an industry is that no major manufacturer does both finished metal and un-painted plastics. Its a shame that Conte couldn't quite pull it off.

 

[Desertkiwi]

Still waiting to get it back from the painters - it has been many, many months now. Plus...only the A listers travel in that car![/QUOTE]
So you are only a Chauffeur then......^&grin:rolleyes2:
Wayne.

Must be a chauffeur for 'Hobbits'.....you'd probably get four in the boot{eek3}

 

[Mitch]

When K&C are regularly as High as FL in terms of WWII then I will stop.
Mitch

 

[Guy]

75 bucks for a single figure would be outrageous ! At that price I can see a lot of dealers vanishing. I know I would be done with the hobby. It's good I can paint because that's the direction I would go.

We are almost at that limit in Europe. Because of import tax, transport cost and VAT a $ 44 figure translates into a € 44 figure which is the equivalent today of $ 60. This is becoming the limit . The new limited Stug III winterized (BBG049) sells in my region for €235 = $ 320 this is the limit . I try to find and buy figures under the € 40 mark. For other items such as buildings and AFV's I try to spend not more than 170 euros per piece. My choice is becoming very limited !!!!!!!!!
guy:smile2:

 

[ostrein]

We are almost at that limit in Europe. Because of import tax, transport cost and VAT a $ 44 figure translates into a € 44 figure which is the equivalent today of $ 60. This is becoming the limit . The new limited Stug III winterized (BBG049) sells in my region for €235 = $ 320 this is the limit . I try to find and buy figures under the € 40 mark. For other items such as buildings and AFV's I try to spend not more than 170 euros per piece. My choice is becoming very limited !!!!!!!!!
guy:smile2:

I can second this. The first marching LAH I got for €25 each. The latest released marching LAH are between €35 and €40. Because I'm on a budget I buy less TS today but also have started buying unpainted figures. Three unpainted TS for the price of one painted figure.


Oliver

 

[Jack]

We are almost at that limit in Europe. Because of import tax, transport cost and VAT a $ 44 figure translates into a € 44 figure which is the equivalent today of $ 60. This is becoming the limit . The new limited Stug III winterized (BBG049) sells in my region for €235 = $ 320 this is the limit . I try to find and buy figures under the € 40 mark. For other items such as buildings and AFV's I try to spend not more than 170 euros per piece. My choice is becoming very limited !!!!!!!!!
guy:smile2:

That's a pretty hefty price. My advice to everyone is get to your nearest Australian High Commission and do the paperwork.

 

[johnnybach]

Okay Jack - as you asked.

As I only paint castings - or repair and paint up broken TS - my limit for a foot figure is around the £5 mark - and maybe aound £12 for a mounted figure. I usually go under those figures though - depending on the quality of the pieces bought ( amount of detail sometimes costs a tad more). (All GB pounds, by the way - so do the maths for where you live).

I don't buy many painted TS at all (unless they are in the "bargain basement" deals) - and at the prices I see quoted - I wouldn't be in the hobby at all, if I couldn't paint them myself. However, you get what you pay for. If you want superbly painted pieces - you have to pay for the painters time it takes to give you that detailing.

Well - you did ask. johnnybach

 

[Jack]

Okay Jack - as you asked.

As I only paint castings - or repair and paint up broken TS - my limit for a foot figure is around the £5 mark - and maybe aound £12 for a mounted figure. I usually go under those figures though - depending on the quality of the pieces bought ( amount of detail sometimes costs a tad more). (All GB pounds, by the way - so do the maths for where you live).

I don't buy many painted TS at all (unless they are in the "bargain basement" deals) - and at the prices I see quoted - I wouldn't be in the hobby at all, if I couldn't paint them myself. However, you get what you pay for. If you want superbly painted pieces - you have to pay for the painters time it takes to give you that detailing.

Well - you did ask. johnnybach

Johnny

It was Sammy's question, not mine but an interesting perspective!

Jack

 

[jazzeum]

Interesting Johnny but not, with all due respect, relevant since the question posed by Sammy relates to painted figures.

 

[TomNT]

I have been fortunate enough to afford the price increase on K&C soldiers and vehicles. The high Aussie dollar also enables me to buy most of what i want but there would be a tipping point on prices where i would have to cut back on purchases. It is unfortunate but that's life and you cannot expect prices to stay the same or even only increase marginally when labour, materials and other associated costs go up dramatically. I also think the quality on K&C products has increased considerably so you are getting more of a bang for your buck nowadays.

Tom

 

[uksubs]

I have been fortunate enough to afford the price increase on K&C soldiers and vehicles. The high Aussie dollar also enables me to buy most of what i want but there would be a tipping point on prices where i would have to cut back on purchases. It is unfortunate but that's life and you cannot expect prices to stay the same or even only increase marginally when labour, materials and other associated costs go up dramatically. I also think the quality on K&C products has increased considerably so you are getting more of a bang for your buck nowadays.

Tom

Tom can't agree that your getting more for your money or improvement in quality with K&C mate it just the same but more expensive that all but if your happy that all that matters

 

[uksubs]

For me I'm only collecting K&C RAF and Luftwaffe range and only way I buy K&C is cheap from the USA , not buying many figures now as the price across the board with all company's is to high . Prices may be going up but people wages are not :wink2:

 

[Fat Boy]

We are almost at that limit in Europe. Because of import tax, transport cost and VAT a $ 44 figure translates into a € 44 figure which is the equivalent today of $ 60. This is becoming the limit . The new limited Stug III winterized (BBG049) sells in my region for €235 = $ 320 this is the limit . I try to find and buy figures under the € 40 mark. For other items such as buildings and AFV's I try to spend not more than 170 euros per piece. My choice is becoming very limited !!!!!!!!!
guy:smile2:

Guy, you should look for another dealer. In the European Union there are enough dealer that are probably cheaper than in Belgium ... The only problem could be the postage to Belgium. The prices that you pay I find very high.

 

[graycap]

Living in the UK I have the greatest envy for the state of the Australian economy and manging to avoid the worst of the banking problems. It must be nice sitting having all those raw materials the Chinese wish to buy! Would that we could be in a similar happy state!

I'm also retired which causes its own problems. I've tackled the rising price situation by ruthlessly reducing the number of subject areas I collect, so I now concentrate on UK forces and their opponents in Normandy. It would be nice to do North Afrika as K&C produce some great models for that theatre, but there we are.

 

[Deitz]

I am not sure what my limit is, but I know it is always rising. If I can not pay for it at the end of the month when the creditcard bill comes due, I will not buy it.

Brian