Production cutbacks (2 Viewers)

Rob said:
Trouble is Jules it swings both ways, some folk dismiss everything Andy says as some sort of cynical marketing ploy, and blame him for all ill's including the recent dealer issue, some folk should consider there are two sides to everything. Also we have people on here who post 99.9% negative comments some might say are designed to wind people up. How and where do we draw the line between constant and frankly tedious digs and genuine open and balanced conversation that we all want to see????.Its not an easy thing to balance.

Cheers
Rob
Click to expand...
Delicate balance, indeed. As the No:1 manufacturer, KC gets large amounts of both praise and criticism. That's the nature of being on top. I think this thread has been pretty much attack free although I can understand why some might be sensitive to the subject matter. For my part, I was not trying to criticize KC's business model or decisions, just that, for me and me alone, the monthly releases and shortened time to buy a particular release was going to make collecting what I like even more difficult than it already is. I wanted to see what others thought and felt. I really like KC, which along with one other manufacturer, is all I can collect any longer. I really don't want to be pushed into the position where I will only be able to collect one manufacturer and I just felt that the latest developments might end up forcing that decision. As I say, this is just me. -- Al
 
lancer said:
Delicate balance, indeed. As the No:1 manufacturer, KC gets large amounts of both praise and criticism. That's the nature of being on top. I think this thread has been pretty much attack free although I can understand why some might be sensitive to the subject matter. For my part, I was not trying to criticize KC's business model or decisions, just that, for me and me alone, the monthly releases and shortened time to buy a particular release was going to make collecting what I like even more difficult than it already is. I wanted to see what others thought and felt. I really like KC, which along with one other manufacturer, is all I can collect any longer. I really don't want to be pushed into the position where I will only be able to collect one manufacturer and I just felt that the latest developments might end up forcing that decision. As I say, this is just me. -- Al
Click to expand...

Al, I've felt that this thread has been in the most part very well mannered and well balanced, I was talking mainly of those who do tend to try and wind up or worse spoil the enjoyment of people celebrating their favourite product in this part of the forum. K&C are as you say the No1 producer and are quite capable I'm sure of taking the brickbats as well as the bouquets, respect for everyone I say^&cool

Rob
 
Few Random thoughts:

1. Quality Control - recently 2 issues -
a. 88 gun base - replacements sent, all is well (to my knowledge).
b. Tailsitting ME - well, different story. That one in my opinion should have been handled better as I personally know quite a few folks had problems with that and a lot of dealers were unaware of any issues. NOw, in K&C's defense, they may not have known some had a problem until way too late (after sold to dealers) and then not known which batch was bad, I don't know. All in all, probably would have been better to openly address that one.

2. Pricing - well, don't like it one bit. It has seriously curtailed my collecting. I can't stomach some of the items, the price is just too high and I apply this to a lot of different manufacturers - As discussed in another thread - the recent 88 guns from Figarti, K&C and CS all price out around the same when you make the comparison. SO, none of them are exempt from pricing. I fear that the hobby itself is going to shrink and newcomers will be few and far between. The cost used to be the attraction to the hobby.

3. Retirements/Production - again, not that thrilled, but I can't fault anyone making a business decision which I believe this is. It is K&C's decision to make, it will shake out in the market how it shakes out. Items will sell in whatever quantity they sell. If the market can only bear 350 pieces per item, that that is what it is. Andy can always reserve the right to re-run more in demand pieces. I am sure too, this production will evolve.

4. Values - there in my eyes is no retirement game on the part of the manufacturer. Sure, everyone likes to see their product in demand and appreciate, who woudn't? That said, if you are patient, as I posted before, you will realize some value back from selling your collection, it certainly isn't worthless junk!

5. Choices - beautiful thing about the free world, you have choices! If you put duress on yourself to have it all, then this is not a hobby!!!!

I guess in the end, we all have our own personal collecting habits and we have to follow what suits us. I would like to have it all, but capacity starts getting reached and its time to turn over the collection and buy something new.
 
Rob said:
Al, I've felt that this thread has been in the most part very well mannered and well balanced, I was talking mainly of those who do tend to try and wind up or worse spoil the enjoyment of people celebrating their favourite product in this part of the forum. K&C are as you say the No1 producer and are quite capable I'm sure of taking the brickbats as well as the bouquets, respect for everyone I say^&cool

Rob
Click to expand...
Me too, Rob. Judging from the large amount of views and posts in such a short time, this subject would seem to be of interest to a lot of people, regardless if they post their opinions or not. I have found all the comments very interesting and I am very glad that this forum exists for this kind of exchange. The fact that the thread has stayed civil over what could be a contentious subject is impressive. I will say again, I am very impressed that KC keeps their customers informed of what is going on. Such a flow of info from a manufacturer to customers is pretty rare. Can't argue with success, in any case. -- Al
 
Just caught up with the last 10 pages or so.

A point that seemed to be overlooked by some was commented upon by Peter of TF. That is that production capacity has dropped resulting in K&C announcing they will produce less of each new item. Naturally this will affect re-runs of some items as well. As I mentioned in my first post Andy had told me recently that 40% of the labour force had not returned after Chinese New Year this year. Some don't seem to comprehend or accept this. I don't see there was much of a choice. The simple fact is there are less workers at the moment to produce the product.

As a dealer I order a great variety of K&C product and can see when items are waiting for another production run. I will give an example. I tried to get DD97 in mid December and it was not available. Tried a few more times but still not available. It was on the retired list on 1 APR but when I ordered it it came up as re-stock 5 APR. Come 5 APR it was shown as Sold Out and I checked with K&C and told no longer available. My conclusion is the planned run was cancelled due to it not being worthwhile to re-do compared to using the capacity to produce new items. There will be others like that.

Have not done it myself but an interesting exercise might be look at the April retired list and see how many available at TF. Got myself curious so will have a brief look myself. Quite a few of the retired items this time were already sold when the list was sent out.

In addition I have found some very recent releases have already sold out at K&C. Some within a week.

Reality or strategy ? Draw your own conclusions and plan your purchases accordingly.

Regards
Brett
 
Curiosity got the better of me ! Here is what is currently available of the recent retirements on TF site.

AE033 Another Dancing Girl Not shown
BBA030 M3A2 Half-Track Gone
BBG021 Jagdpanzer IV Gone
BBG022 Sd.Kfz. 251/22 “Pakwagen” Ausf. D (Winter) Gone
DD088 GI Tank Crew Still available
DD095 “The Rescue” Gone
DD096 “Over There!” Still available
DD097 2-Men Patrol Gone
DD098 “Alive & Dead” Gone
DD099 “ I Need More Armour” Gone
DD100 “General Philippe Leclerc Gone
EA008 Field Marshell Montgomery Gone
EA021 On Guard Gone
EA042 Desert Bentley Still available
FOB039 Blitzkrieg Panzer IV Still available
FOB052 RAF Sergeant Still available
FW008 Marching Bugler Still available
FW017 Running w/Rifle & Bugle Still available
LAH082 Nuremburg Review Stand cant see
LAH083 Nuremburg Nazi Eagle cant see
LAH101 Berghof Waiters cant see
LAH102 Berghof Table and Chairs cant see
LAH112 Hitler’s Berghof cant see
NA169 Standing to repel oops forgot to look at this one
RAF014 Nissen/ Quonset Hut Gone
SP034 The Watch Tower Gone
SP036 The Wall Gone
WS076 Bunker Defender Set Still available
WS121 Sd.kfz.250/1 Leichter Schutzenpanzer wagen Gone

Regards
Brett
PS I am not on commision from Peter Reuss !.
 
Brett.....

Come on my dear chap please keep up with the matter in hand my comment was not aimed at your post in the slightest but another. Your post just happened to fall in the way it did. It was an interesting read as I have done this myyself with a number of dealers on this side of the pond and one or two on the US side.

You should know by now when I have something positive or negative to say the poster in question will know directly
Mitch
 
The Military Workshop said:
Curiosity got the better of me ! Here is what is currently available of the recent retirements on TF site.

AE033 Another Dancing Girl Not shown
BBA030 M3A2 Half-Track Gone
BBG021 Jagdpanzer IV Gone
BBG022 Sd.Kfz. 251/22 “Pakwagen” Ausf. D (Winter) Gone
DD088 GI Tank Crew Still available
DD095 “The Rescue” Gone
DD096 “Over There!” Still available
DD097 2-Men Patrol Gone
DD098 “Alive & Dead” Gone
DD099 “ I Need More Armour” Gone
DD100 “General Philippe Leclerc Gone
EA008 Field Marshell Montgomery Gone
EA021 On Guard Gone
EA042 Desert Bentley Still available
FOB039 Blitzkrieg Panzer IV Still available
FOB052 RAF Sergeant Still available
FW008 Marching Bugler Still available
FW017 Running w/Rifle & Bugle Still available
LAH082 Nuremburg Review Stand cant see
LAH083 Nuremburg Nazi Eagle cant see
LAH101 Berghof Waiters cant see
LAH102 Berghof Table and Chairs cant see
LAH112 Hitler’s Berghof cant see
NA169 Standing to repel oops forgot to look at this one
RAF014 Nissen/ Quonset Hut Gone
SP034 The Watch Tower Gone
SP036 The Wall Gone
WS076 Bunker Defender Set Still available
WS121 Sd.kfz.250/1 Leichter Schutzenpanzer wagen Gone

Regards
Brett
PS I am not on commision from Peter Reuss !.
Click to expand...

Looks and sounds like items are going quickety quick all over, glad I got my order in pronto now:smile2:

Rob
 
The Military Workshop said:
Curiosity got the better of me ! Here is what is currently available of the recent retirements on TF site.

AE033 Another Dancing Girl Not shown
BBA030 M3A2 Half-Track Gone
BBG021 Jagdpanzer IV Gone
BBG022 Sd.Kfz. 251/22 “Pakwagen” Ausf. D (Winter) Gone
DD088 GI Tank Crew Still available
DD095 “The Rescue” Gone
DD096 “Over There!” Still available
DD097 2-Men Patrol Gone
DD098 “Alive & Dead” Gone
DD099 “ I Need More Armour” Gone
DD100 “General Philippe Leclerc Gone
EA008 Field Marshell Montgomery Gone
EA021 On Guard Gone
EA042 Desert Bentley Still available
FOB039 Blitzkrieg Panzer IV Still available
FOB052 RAF Sergeant Still available
FW008 Marching Bugler Still available
FW017 Running w/Rifle & Bugle Still available
LAH082 Nuremburg Review Stand cant see
LAH083 Nuremburg Nazi Eagle cant see
LAH101 Berghof Waiters cant see
LAH102 Berghof Table and Chairs cant see
LAH112 Hitler’s Berghof cant see
NA169 Standing to repel oops forgot to look at this one
RAF014 Nissen/ Quonset Hut Gone
SP034 The Watch Tower Gone
SP036 The Wall Gone
WS076 Bunker Defender Set Still available
WS121 Sd.kfz.250/1 Leichter Schutzenpanzer wagen Gone

Regards
Brett
PS I am not on commision from Peter Reuss !.
Click to expand...

We're quite careful not to offer for sale what we can't get. We have a shipment on the way, so a few of these items may show up in stock again. Quantities will be quite limited.

There's nothing worse that getting someone excited that they can buy something, only to tell them that it's not available.

I'll hold off on Brett's commission for now {sm4}
 
Mitch, a misunderstanding on my part due to timing of your post just after mine.

Wayne has a way with words and images !

As Peter has mentioned limited quantities of some recently retired items are around but I suspect not for long.

Regards
Brett
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2024 XenForo Ltd.
Back
Top