Pricing, where's your limit?? (1 Viewer)

[wayne556517]

Clive who.......................{sm2}{sm4}

 

[sammy719]

View attachment 119813

Love the slogan!!!!! got to go Wayne, before I'm tarred and feathered for posting here...Sammy

 

[OzDigger]

Clive who.......................{sm2}{sm4}

Clive Palmer - currently turning a world class golf course (Hyatt Regency Coolum) into Jurassic Park, and we all know how that turned out :wink2: ^&grin

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Hi Guys,

Sammy brings up some interesting points and well worth discussing. But why only bring it up in the K&C section?

As I know myself Sammy is a big fan of another company whose figures and vehicles are substantially more expensive than K&C… So, I might ask, why not bring it up in that section or indeed in a general area discussion

Another point worth considering is that as our hobby continues to develop and evolve collectors are demanding ever more diversity and ever higher quality… Both goals are eminently worthy but they do come at a price… and a higher one at that.

Consider for a moment this Forum alone and the ongoing stream of “wants… needs… and must-haves” that fill many of the different threads on many of the manufacturer’s different sections.

All of us know that this huge selection is as rich and varied as the members of this Forum are. Of these ideas and suggestions put forward some… are excellent … some not quite so… and more than a few are just outright daft and silly and any company producing them would have a one-way ticket to the debtor’s prison!!!

However we listen to them all and together (all the companies) produce what we can… when we can… and at a price we believe most of our collectors can afford. The result is an amazing variety of different styles and new product that provides fun and enjoyment for a relatively small (but growing) band of collectors around the world.

The price rises of the last few years has, as Sammy admits, been caused by rising labour costs in China plus higher raw material costs, increasing fuel costs (transportation) and a weakening U.S. dollar. Put all of that into the mix and I have to say toy soldiers is not doing too badly… all thing’s considered.

Of course some folks will be harder hit than others and their collecting habit will have to be curtailed and altered… I accept that but remember guys… No one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy K&C’s products or anyone else’s… As I always say, “Buy what you like… Buy what you can afford… And Buy what gives you fun!”

Adios for now… Best wishes and happy collecting!

Andy C.​

I agree on a few things here. This thread should of been in another section as it concerns all toy soldier makers. I only spend my money on what I really what these days and I don't bother about retired or the catch up game that can happen when you first start to collect. You don't need eveything made by a maker and I find just picking and choosing from each toy soldier brand now and again works for me. The prices are getting rich and my buy's are becoming less. I still like toy soldiers but not with the money I have spent in the past. Chris.

 

[waynepoo]

Clive Palmer - currently turning a world class golf course (Hyatt Regency Coolum) into Jurassic Park, and we all know how that turned out :wink2: ^&grin

The tale of two Clives..:rolleyes2:...as big as life is our Clive.....{sm3}
Wayne.

 

[OzDigger]

The tale of two Clives..:rolleyes2:...as big as life is our Clive.....{sm3}
Wayne.

What's more scary, Clive or a T-Rex, best to visit after feeding time {eek3}

 

[TomNT]

What I make doesn't do it for me so I work 12-18 ot a week.It's a shame that I have to put in these extra hours but it does give me money that I actually can put into my pocket.But it could be a lot worse at least my company is booming.I do exports for my company and in the next shipment to Australia I may sneak into the container and head to Oz.^&grin
Mark

I might have to notify Oz Customs about a dodgy container delivery! :rolleyes2:{sm4}

Tom

 

[TomNT]

Australia would up that creek without the Western Australian economy.....................{sm5}

Don't forget the NT.....:wink2:

I would have thought the 'Aussie pirate' comment would have provoked a response from our cousins across the ditch by now.......the poor sods must be having an afternoon nap{sm5}{sm4}

Don't worry Toddy, im sure someone is gunna fire a broadside at you across the ditch! {sm4}

Can't be that many butchers in WA surely?.........^&grin
Wayne.

Watch out mate, I can hear the knives being sharpened and the meat cleaver being slammed into the bench! {sm4}

Tom

 

[TomNT]

Don't worry Toddy, im sure someone is gunna fire a broadside at you across the ditch! {sm4}





Tom

I stand corrected, it already happened!

Tom

 

[Mitch]

Totally concur with the points about where it should have been placed. Not interested in conspiracy theories!!! However, some interesting and valid points were made along the way.
Mitch

Hi Guys,

Sammy brings up some interesting points and well worth discussing. But why only bring it up in the K&C section?

As I know myself Sammy is a big fan of another company whose figures and vehicles are substantially more expensive than K&C… So, I might ask, why not bring it up in that section or indeed in a general area discussion

Another point worth considering is that as our hobby continues to develop and evolve collectors are demanding ever more diversity and ever higher quality… Both goals are eminently worthy but they do come at a price… and a higher one at that.

Consider for a moment this Forum alone and the ongoing stream of “wants… needs… and must-haves” that fill many of the different threads on many of the manufacturer’s different sections.

All of us know that this huge selection is as rich and varied as the members of this Forum are. Of these ideas and suggestions put forward some… are excellent … some not quite so… and more than a few are just outright daft and silly and any company producing them would have a one-way ticket to the debtor’s prison!!!

However we listen to them all and together (all the companies) produce what we can… when we can… and at a price we believe most of our collectors can afford. The result is an amazing variety of different styles and new product that provides fun and enjoyment for a relatively small (but growing) band of collectors around the world.

The price rises of the last few years has, as Sammy admits, been caused by rising labour costs in China plus higher raw material costs, increasing fuel costs (transportation) and a weakening U.S. dollar. Put all of that into the mix and I have to say toy soldiers is not doing too badly… all thing’s considered.

Of course some folks will be harder hit than others and their collecting habit will have to be curtailed and altered… I accept that but remember guys… No one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy K&C’s products or anyone else’s… As I always say, “Buy what you like… Buy what you can afford… And Buy what gives you fun!”

Adios for now… Best wishes and happy collecting!

Andy C.​

 

[Spanish soldier]

In the future, I make paper cutouts of the images of the figures, it is cheaper



Francisco^&grin{sm4}

 

[swalterh]

Hi Guys,

Sammy brings up some interesting points and well worth discussing. But why only bring it up in the K&C section?

As I know myself Sammy is a big fan of another company whose figures and vehicles are substantially more expensive than K&C… So, I might ask, why not bring it up in that section or indeed in a general area discussion

Another point worth considering is that as our hobby continues to develop and evolve collectors are demanding ever more diversity and ever higher quality… Both goals are eminently worthy but they do come at a price… and a higher one at that.

Consider for a moment this Forum alone and the ongoing stream of “wants… needs… and must-haves” that fill many of the different threads on many of the manufacturer’s different sections.

All of us know that this huge selection is as rich and varied as the members of this Forum are. Of these ideas and suggestions put forward some… are excellent … some not quite so… and more than a few are just outright daft and silly and any company producing them would have a one-way ticket to the debtor’s prison!!!

However we listen to them all and together (all the companies) produce what we can… when we can… and at a price we believe most of our collectors can afford. The result is an amazing variety of different styles and new product that provides fun and enjoyment for a relatively small (but growing) band of collectors around the world.

The price rises of the last few years has, as Sammy admits, been caused by rising labour costs in China plus higher raw material costs, increasing fuel costs (transportation) and a weakening U.S. dollar. Put all of that into the mix and I have to say toy soldiers is not doing too badly… all thing’s considered.

Of course some folks will be harder hit than others and their collecting habit will have to be curtailed and altered… I accept that but remember guys… No one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy K&C’s products or anyone else’s… As I always say, “Buy what you like… Buy what you can afford… And Buy what gives you fun!”

Adios for now… Best wishes and happy collecting!

Andy C.​

Interesting response that includes some points to contemplate from a business perspective.

So basically, the individual brands within the industry price their products according to what they believe the majority of their customers are willing to pay (i.e. what their target market will bear).

It appears that actual costs play a minor role in the final MSRP.

This information is very insightful.

Again, to offer an opinion as to why the thread is in the K&C section:

Market leader sets the industry standard. K&C is the market leader and therefore $44.00 per foot figure can be considered the industry standard price. It also appears from this commentary that the standard price will steadily increase as the industry continues to evolve.

Shane

 

[HAWKEYE]

when i first saw this thread i thought oh no here we go again But it has moved in some interesting directions. I agree this is probably a general ts discussion because all manufacturers prices have increased way faster than inflation and people's salaries much to my chagrin. :redface2: K&c numerous times have made it clear that they are constantly on the hunt for more affordable places to manufacture but quality and cost equations don't add up so playing armchair ts company owner is fine but i don't think many of us truly appreciate the difficulties of moving manufacturing to a far flung place! As far as price limits i tend to have more of an annual budget than a particular price for individual items.

Disclaimer: Most of my purchases are k&c with a smattering of jjd and fl.

it is sad but " the thrill is gone". All kc did was look at what the secondary market was doing after a piece was retired and just gradually move their pricing up to capture that profit upfront. Has anybody noticed that there is really not a profitable resale market like there was before the escalation of prices?

 

[HAWKEYE]

Oh and by the way my max for a single figure was $40. Unfortunately for the fantastic dealers i used i put a hold on collecting for a few months. Instead of spending $900-1200 a month i have banked the money and the funny thing is that i have "survived". There is life away from toy soldier collecting. But a still miss it aliitle

 

[uksubs]

it is sad but " the thrill is gone". All kc did was look at what the secondary market was doing after a piece was retired and just gradually move their pricing up to capture that profit upfront. Has anybody noticed that there is really not a profitable resale market like there was before the escalation of prices?

Think your spot on mate

 

[jazzeum]

it is sad but " the thrill is gone". All kc did was look at what the secondary market was doing after a piece was retired and just gradually move their pricing up to capture that profit upfront. Has anybody noticed that there is really not a profitable resale market like there was before the escalation of prices?

Greg, I don't see that causal connection. One thing it doesn't take into account is increased production, which will lessen the return. That is the reason the older retired items still do well: scarcity. Is this a theory or do you have support for this?

Oh and by the way my max for a single figure was $40. Unfortunately for the fantastic dealers i used i put a hold on collecting for a few months. Instead of spending $900-1200 a month i have banked the money and the funny thing is that i have "survived". There is life away from toy soldier collecting. But a still miss it aliitle

That is all true or maybe there are other ways to spend the money we would have othewise have spent :smile2:

 

[uksubs]

Got say don't think it fair to be just talking about K&C when the subject is the toy hobby in general in my view

 

[jazzeum]

Got say don't think it fair to be just talking about K&C when the subject is the toy hobby in general in my view

Yes, I agree with you.

 

[uksubs]

Yes, I agree with you.

Thing is Sammy asked for the thread to be moved to general toy soldier thread but nothing happend very odd ?^&confuse . Would make for a more fairer open topic

 

[swalterh]

Got say don't think it fair to be just talking about K&C when the subject is the toy hobby in general in my view

“Fairer topic in the general discussion section?”

Since when is anything in life fair? This is a discussion about business and the industry, not a PTA meeting. Do all of the devout K&C collectors honestly believe that K&C is not at the top of the industry?

Honestly, I would have expected the K&C camp to handle this topic with a little more dignity. Instead all we see is constant complaining about this topic and how it is somehow unfair to K&C.

I hate to bring this up. But, if a company doesn’t know how to carry the target on its back that inevitably comes from being out front, then it isn't going to stay there for very long.

Obviously this discussion regarding pricing is an issue between K&C and their disaffected customers who believe that $44 per foot figure is a bit on the high side. These same individuals have elected to purchase elsewhere due to their view that the rising price point is on the verge of getting out of control.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that K&C, CS and Britain’s are very similar companies and generally compete for the same target market.

Yes there are other more expensive producers (i.e. First Legion and St. Petersburg), but they are clearly going after a different (and smaller) target market. The real question that none of the devout K&C crowd wants to acknowledge is whether or not a $14-16 disparity between CS/Britain’s and K&C is really a “fair” difference.

I think we can all acknowledge that throughout the company's existence, K&C has more consistently produced superior products and has done a better job of providing the type of customer service that their collectors desire. For this they deserve a better margin. But, again the issue is whether or not these factors are worth $14-16 more. I suppose the market will ultimately have the final say.

Shane