Production cutbacks (1 Viewer)

[GJB22]

With the huge list of retirements, I worry what will be retired next month. Gone are the days of putting off certain purchases until later. AFV's concern me most because they cost the most. Figures are easier to handle because a collector can pick up a few here, a few there, and not break the bank. Letting a piece "sit" while I concentrate on other projects seems no longer feasible. And with my limited KC budget, I worry that there will be an increase in the amount of pieces I will miss out on. From now on, I'm just gonna assume that AFV production will be cut by 50% and it will be retired within a years time.

 

[marco55]

As some has suggested this may be a marketing ploy to get people to get items quicker.Don't fall into that trap and get yourself into trouble financially.You can live without every item.
Mark

 

[lancer]

As some has suggested this may be a marketing ploy to get people to get items quicker.Don't fall into that trap and get yourself into trouble financially.You can live without every item.
Mark

A wise, and very true, statement. -- Al

 

[Rob]

It certainly was no surprise, As I posted earlier it was made clear from the moment the list of items that would be increasing in price was released that these items would all be retired in the coming months , it was in fact a simultaneous announcement , we did in fact have around four months notice.

Rob

Andy's announcement came as no surprise. It's been clear for many months that something had to happen and with K&C monthly production probably equal to FL, Fig, JJ, CS and Britains combined, K&C would be where the change took place. I not only expect more retirements each month than before, but shorter lifetimes for models to stay available, but on the other side, fewer new items each month. I don't look at this as a bad thing but commend the changes as a way to keep K&C healthy and by extension, keep the TS industry healthy. The change will hurt completionists and there will certainly be more speculation in the new environment.

And a second point is the dealer network. With fewer new offerings and shorter lifecycles, dealers won't be having large amounts of unsold inventory sitting around. I also expect there will be fewer dealers with marginal volume sellers losing their status which will also contribute to the health of the more active dealers.

Terry

 

[Rob]

As some has suggested this may be a marketing ploy to get people to get items quicker.Don't fall into that trap and get yourself into trouble financially.You can live without every item.
Mark

I fully agree about having financial savvy in all things, however I do not believe for a second it is a ploy to get people to buy items all at once, i believe they are all being retired to make way for new stock. Of course no one should rush out and spend money they havn't got, also with such a wide range of retirements some of these items may be around for some time yet.

Rob

 

[marco55]

Rob,
I think it may be a little of both.I Know from working in a warehose that we no longer keep high quanities both because it ties up capital and it is taxable.If it is part marketing ploy so be it,as it's a business strategy.I was just warning people not to go beyond their limit as it felt as GJB22 was starting to panic.I know this from experience from some years ago where I felt I had to get everything I wanted right that minute and I don't mean only TS and I don't want to see others fall into that and have to dig out of a very deep hole.
Mark

 

[Rob]

Hey Mark,

I do think this hobby is very addictive, and if it wasn't for the fact that my dad always taught me to be sensible with money I could run up a credit card max in an afternoon. As I say I do not believe this is a cynical ploy at all, but it's good to get all views on here and enjoy all viewpoints. If you think about it no other company comes close to putting out the amount of items K&C does, Aircraft,buildings, LCA's and a plethora of figures, it must be a monumental task storing all this on an ever expanding basis.

Rob

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I am currently getting together my list of the top 3 items that I don't want to let slip away. Otherwise E-Bay will wind up being the back up source to acquire them.We all know how that can wind up ! :redface2:

 

[Mitch]

I have to say there is a marketing strategy behind these announcements and the whole issue behind disco items and limited editions. Thats a fact in this hobby but, in most things like the endless spring summer winter autumn sales or, closing down sales its obvious its to make you part with your money and, K&C have shown this by announcing the reduction of numbers and then saying the sets will be rarer (K&C words not mine). its a business remember first and foremost.

Thing is just get what you can afford to get and get due to availability. If say you miss a fuel bowser then you may pick up another really good item the next month or from the existing range.

its about being happy with what you have got and, appreciating your own collection whether its one set or thousands and not thinking about the ones that got away.
Mitch

 

[lancer]

My particular concern was not about the retirements. We were warned about that. What peaked my interest were the statements about dramatic cutbacks and about how KC items were about to become even rarer. Sounded like a deliberate attempt to manipulate the buyer. But like I said earlier, I'm somewhat cynical. -- Al

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Who really knows. I think K&C has lost market share.
I don't think it is a cynical ploy, but a sound business strategy necessary to adapt to a changed market place. If K&C production is open ended with large volumes of 1000+ for each figure or AFV, then there is no rush to buy it. This isn't a big problem if K&C is the only player. It is a big problem if there are 5 other companies with limited production volumes whose popular models will sell out fast (CS, TGM, JJ and FL, Britains). If collectors get into a comfort level of putting off K&C purchases so they can buy models from other firms first, at worst they may never buy them, and at best leave dealers with too much inventory. Lower production over a shorter lifecycle for a K&C item will force collectors to chose between each of the manufacturers including k&C. Fewer new models each month will take some pressure off of historical research and quality control. This could actually make K&C more competitive.

Terry

 

[marco55]

Hey Mark,

I do think this hobby is very addictive, and if it wasn't for the fact that my dad always taught me to be sensible with money I could run up a credit card max in an afternoon. As I say I do not believe this is a cynical ploy at all, but it's good to get all views on here and enjoy all viewpoints. If you think about it no other company comes close to putting out the amount of items K&C does, Aircraft,buildings, LCA's and a plethora of figures, it must be a monumental task storing all this on an ever expanding basis.

Rob

Yeah I don't know how they put so much out every month.It's not like they are a big corporation.They must be organized very well.
Mark

 

[lancer]

Who really knows. I think K&C has lost market share.
I don't think it is a cynical ploy, but a sound business strategy necessary to adapt to a changed market place. If K&C production is open ended with large volumes of 1000+ for each figure or AFV, then there is no rush to buy it. This isn't a big problem if K&C is the only player. It is a big problem if there are 5 other companies with limited production volumes whose popular models will sell out fast (CS, TGM, JJ and FL, Britains). If collectors get into a comfort level of putting off K&C purchases so they can buy models from other firms first, at worst they may never buy them, and at best leave dealers with too much inventory. Lower production over a shorter lifecycle for a K&C item will force collectors to chose between each of the manufacturers including k&C. Fewer new models each month will take some pressure off of historical research and quality control. This could actually make K&C more competitive.

Terry

Good points, Terry. Hadn't considered a couple of them. -- Al

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Yes I totally agree with Mitch. Buy what "YOU" like and be happy with it. This whole
scenario now makes things challenging more than ever. I am personally hunkering down and sticking with WWII European theater items to help make things easier on myself. :redface2:

 

[nmrocks]

Who really knows. I think K&C has lost market share.
I don't think it is a cynical ploy, but a sound business strategy necessary to adapt to a changed market place. If K&C production is open ended with large volumes of 1000+ for each figure or AFV, then there is no rush to buy it. This isn't a big problem if K&C is the only player. It is a big problem if there are 5 other companies with limited production volumes whose popular models will sell out fast (CS, TGM, JJ and FL, Britains). If collectors get into a comfort level of putting off K&C purchases so they can buy models from other firms first, at worst they may never buy them, and at best leave dealers with too much inventory. Lower production over a shorter lifecycle for a K&C item will force collectors to chose between each of the manufacturers including k&C. Fewer new models each month will take some pressure off of historical research and quality control. This could actually make K&C more competitive.

Terry

2 years ago at the K&C gathering for the West Coaster the question of production numbers came up and Andy stated the largest number of any single item K&C has EVER produced was 1000.

 

[Rob]

Also it has to be said again , even though some may not like it, no one has a gun to their head, buy what you can and let go what you can't.

Rob

 

[jbonzo1]

I am currently getting together my list of the top 3 items that I don't want to let slip away. Otherwise E-Bay will wind up being the back up source to acquire them.We all know how that can wind up ! :redface2:

I think in the coming months Ebay will be very interesting!

 

[marco55]

I don't think it will be bad as people think because as we all know a lot of sets sit on the dealers shelves for years.
Mark

 

[Phantom Warrior]

2 years ago at the K&C gathering for the West Coaster the question of production numbers came up and Andy stated the largest number of any single item K&C has EVER produced was 1000.

I don't know what he was referring to. ^&confuse It's been mentioned on this Forum that the largest production was 2000 for the Wittman Tiger? 1000 seems low given that SL (Strictly Limited) editions have been at or over the 1000 mark. Out of 16 SL models I am familiar with, four have been at 1250, eight have been at 999/1000 and only two recent ones at less.

Terry

 

[chrisharrison]

Hi guys,

I can't find that original post with the 'press release' about the cutbacks in it, does someone have the link or am I just blind?

Also, I can't find a list of this months retirements...is there a website that posts the full dispatches each month...I get it in an email from a site I am a member of but it often doesn't come out until at least a week into the month.

Cheers,

Chris