RAF motor (1 Viewer)

[hoogri]

View attachment 99539


a few years ago this set costs $ 99
an engine and three figures!
Now 2012 is a $ 99 engine
no new model but a model file in new colors.
I understand that everything is more expensive but ?

 

[Mitch]

spares for these bikes are really scare and hard to find I would expect thats at the heart of it!!!! Seriously, no idea and, probably a question you should ask Andy himself.
Mitch

 

[jazzeum]

Looks essentially the same as DD 58. The only thing I can say is that it's probably not realistic to think that we would get three figure and a motorcycle for $99. Those were halcyon days, not likely to appear anytime soon, if ever.

 

[Thompyt]

Another language difference. I cam in here looking for a motor for a plane or tank. Suprise, its a motorcycle. It does show the change in costs to manufacture an item as compared to the past if this is the same item as described as being part of a previous set.

 

[Bayern]

View attachment 99539
View attachment 99541

a few years ago this set costs $ 99
an engine and three figures!
Now 2012 is a $ 99 engine
no new model but a model file in new colors.
I understand that everything is more expensive but ?

hoogri,

With no malice of intent I agree with your post. Over the last few years that prices have nearly doubled...I have had the same thought on items like these.

There have been many pieces typically armor that have been reproduced 2,3 and 4 or so times in a different paint scheme. I have felt that after the initial releases when they keep popping out the repaints that we should see a more affordable price. The design time and making the mold etc were done and paid for previously. So why not a price like the few years ago price on these duplicated repaints.

Now on the less soldiers with the armor I can understand as I have close dealings in metal pricing, the prices are ridiculous in all areas of steel products.

Just a thought and everyone...can we not turn this observation into a fight...please

Ludwig

 

[Rob]

Guys, there is absolutely no reason for an argument here at all, we are all perfectly free to voice our opinions. Me, I can't wait to get my hands on this and all the other RAF sets. There are some sets you know you want straight away, others grow on you over time, this one is a no brainer. It would be absurd to say the price of an item doesn't come into my mind because of course it does, like most other people. However sometimes when its in a favorite range or era you just know you are in from the word go, and this is such an item. How cool is the uniform this guy is wearing???^&cool I have the other D Day version that is another superb set, but somehow this one may top it, I might have both riders chatting over a cigarette!:wink2:

 

[PanzerAce1944]

hoogri,

With no malice of intent I agree with your post. Over the last few years that prices have nearly doubled...I have had the same thought on items like these.

There have been many pieces typically armor that have been reproduced 2,3 and 4 or so times in a different paint scheme. I have felt that after the initial releases when they keep popping out the repaints that we should see a more affordable price. The design time and making the mold etc were done and paid for previously. So why not a price like the few years ago price on these duplicated repaints.

Now on the less soldiers with the armor I can understand as I have close dealings in metal pricing, the prices are ridiculous in all areas of steel products.

Just a thought and everyone...can we not turn this observation into a fight...please

Ludwig

Ludwig, If I am not mistaken the white metal used in these figures is pewter. Any knowledge on how the price of this white metal has gone up in cost ?

 

[uksubs]

Well not just talking about kc but in general prices are over inflated in the the UK and I can pick up the same item up to £60.00 cheaper in the EU or the USA and when you see stuff selling cheap on ebay I would not say this stuff is a investment . Just my personal opinion :smile2:

 

[Mitch]

not really sure how I could see these repaints being sold at a lesser price than the original. same metal amount and polystone same time spent painting etc. are we saying that when a manufacturer covers his costs and makes a profit anything after that has to be, or should be, cheaper???? not sure thats living in the real world myself. look at HB they maximised the moulds and releases of the Panther they started with to full extent. thats what you do as a manufacturer. thats what TG does with runs painted differently perhaps one should now ask for the winter versions to be of a less price??? Crazy!!!

how could K&C release a version of say the FOB police AFV at X then, because they repainted it white make the price Y ??? Firstly, it would not be fair if you paid more for grey than white and, if collectors knew this would happen they would not buy the original and await a cheaper repaint. meaning.... less choice as the extra repaints would not then be made. the 250 series for me was an acknowledgement that collectors were not buying as much and, an attempt to get the sales of AFV's that would not sell anywhere near this amount alone profitable. does not mean the first 250 in green should be more expensive than the next 250 in blue. just does not make sense to me!!!!!

What people have missed here with the remake of an older set is that Andy once commented that moulds are broken and not kept. this seems to be a thing thats not right. so, it could have been made cheaper as the mold already existed and all the usual process of making the set was skipped but, as I said to Hoogri ask Andy direct and see what he says

I have voiced concerns about the rise in prices on a number of occasions in most manufacturers threads bar CS and TG who keep them low. TG being new to the market but, CS who have consistantly remained at a very attractive price throught their existance. we can moan and groan about cost but, that will change nothing the only way to get a manufacturer to listen is to stop buying the products and, nobody is going to do that really. so, we either suck it up and buy the item or, move on to the next we like at a more acceptable price. or, wait for TG or CS to possibly do it at a later date.
Mitch

 

[Bayern]

not really sure how I could see these repaints being sold at a lesser price than the original. same metal amount and polystone same time spent painting etc. are we saying that when a manufacturer covers his costs and makes a profit anything after that has to be, or should be, cheaper???? not sure thats living in the real world myself. look at HB they maximised the moulds and releases of the Panther they started with to full extent. thats what you do as a manufacturer. thats what TG does with runs painted differently perhaps one should now ask for the winter versions to be of a less price??? Crazy!!!

how could K&C release a version of say the FOB police AFV at X then, because they repainted it white make the price Y ??? Firstly, it would not be fair if you paid more for grey than white and, if collectors knew this would happen they would not buy the original and await a cheaper repaint. meaning.... less choice as the extra repaints would not then be made. the 250 series for me was an acknowledgement that collectors were not buying as much and, an attempt to get the sales of AFV's that would not sell anywhere near this amount alone profitable. does not mean the first 250 in green should be more expensive than the next 250 in blue. just does not make sense to me!!!!!

What people have missed here with the remake of an older set is that Andy once commented that moulds are broken and not kept. this seems to be a thing thats not right. so, it could have been made cheaper as the mold already existed and all the usual process of making the set was skipped but, as I said to Hoogri ask Andy direct and see what he says

I have voiced concerns about the rise in prices on a number of occasions in most manufacturers threads bar CS and TG who keep them low. TG being new to the market but, CS who have consistantly remained at a very attractive price throught their existance. we can moan and groan about cost but, that will change nothing the only way to get a manufacturer to listen is to stop buying the products and, nobody is going to do that really. so, we either suck it up and buy the item or, move on to the next we like at a more acceptable price. or, wait for TG or CS to possibly do it at a later date.
Mitch

Critiquing diatribes daily for free toy soldiers!!


Paragraph 1. Ah, we are crazy again......hence are namesake I suppose..Crazy Ludwig von Bayern!!! Just joking....I know you would never insinuate such a thing...

Paragraph 2. Collectors do not know that there will be any subsequent versions unless the maker decides to let on. KC is not much for letting on about things. Except to one special little guy. Would it not be nice here and there to see a price decrease to keep the captive audience more...captivated. Not...when you do not have to.

Paragraph 3. I think you are right. The molds are not being broken. I shall not speculate on why here......

Paragraph 4. I agree with much of this paragraph with the exception of one part. There has been a loss of quite a few collectors over price. I personally know and have conversed and corresponded with many. You might get an idea by the size of my Militaria and toy soldier collection to which a portion has only been pictured that I might know a manufacturer/ collector or two.....hello...? Is it affecting the overall survival, I doubt it as KC is relatively immune from loss of sales or selection of lines that do not sell well. I do however agree with the last part. I think TG is making equally and wonderful soldiers cheaper. CS has pretty much blown everyone away on the armor across the board on price and detail. Your line on "Wait for TG and CS to do it at a later date" ..............................thanks for that advice, I had not thought of that. I am patient in my later years.........perhaps I will wait on some lines!!.....looking out for my pocket.....what a guy!!

 

[Mitch]

whatever, I don't have to insinuate anything. I just happen to disagree with your analysis and response to the question you posed. If TG has blown away the competition as you state then why not just get TG to do all the repaints you want at a lesser price?? End of issue and, you would not have to post in the K&C section asking for something you won't ask for or, critique in the TG section.

It seems clear that you have some need to rattle the cage in the way that you do in this section but, only oooh and arrr and fawn over TG. why not ask the same question of TG the first 300 painted AFV's should be price A and the rest in a different colour should be less in order to keep the audience captivated.

I would expect the anwser would be in the negative so, why should K&C do it or, come to that matter any manufacturer???
Mitch

 

[Rob]

I'm afraid rising prices are a fact of life, food , petrol, cars,flying abroad, you name it it's gone up. Itsnot realistic to expect toy soldiers not to rise as well. Of course I miss the days of the four figure set for seventy quid, but that was some time back now.

Having pre ordered the Spit and the tractor this dispatch rider and the man of the hour Bomber Harris will be the next two purchases from this latest round of superb releases.

Rob

 

[Mitch]

Rob...

Your right in relation to items rising but, I can see legitimate questions arising from the price and the use of an old mold which, I think as much as I can remember is the first time K&C have done this (I stand to be proven wrong) but, all of this is speculation and those with concerns should ask the source.
Mitch

 

[Peiper007]

Re: RAF motor come and read ASAP because the thought police are looking on

come on guys look at this in bright light of day, for K & C it is a business, nothing more nothing less, they produce TS to make money, i get very frustatrated at UK K & C prices, especially when comparing with the USA, TS manufatcures like First Legion, Britains and Conte have a price difference but it seems to be $1 to £1 which is making the collecting for K &C in the UK very hard financially and K & C are not keeping the prices, ebay is proving that, the Sherman Inspection recently went for £80, the Typhoon for £200.

i get fed up of the K & C UK apologists highlighting import tax and VAT as the reason. MUST BE WONDERFUL TO LIVE IN PLACES LIKE FRANCE, GERMANY AND THE USA WHERE THERE ARE NO TAXES.

the reason the prices are what they are in the UK is because that is what the market will take.

was recently in Berlin and picked up below, at a saving of 35% off the UK price,

NA211, Gordons & Greys 93.95 Euro. = £74,83 UK price £116,95
NA204, Gordon Highlander 27.95 Euro. = £22,26 UK price £34,95
SP45 154.95 Euro. = £123,42 UK price £189,95

Plus am in Paris next week and will pick up the little beauty below for £114 UK price is £156.95 [28% saving

http://www.toysoldiers.fr/index.asp?id=707&idf=39

the New RAF dispatch rider is £70 in the Paris shop,

i have stopped buying from K&C [my spend is about £2400 per year] in the UK for the reasons above and also the price rises recently have put K & C in competition with First Leagion for things such as Crusaders, so in the last year i have switched and not own 23 FL crusaders

Plus recent London show, there were people selling K & C cheaper than K & C UK, fair enough there were a few guys unloading stuff, but there also 'dealers' selling cheaper as well.

do not how sales for K & C went but there were very people wandering around with K & C bags!!

couple of other things

the new Spitfire looks great, as was the Humber armoured car I saw at the show in London

FOB67 Mother and daughter set - are they looking up and are worried about the coming K & C stuka?

 

[IONA]

Re: RAF motor come and read ASAP because the thought police are looking on

come on guys look at this in bright light of day, for K & C it is a business, nothing more nothing less, they produce TS to make money, i get very frustatrated at UK K & C prices, especially when comparing with the USA, TS manufatcures like First Legion, Britains and Conte have a price difference but it seems to be $1 to £1 which is making the collecting for K &C in the UK very hard financially and K & C are not keeping the prices, ebay is proving that, the Sherman Inspection recently went for £80, the Typhoon for £200.

i get fed up of the K & C UK apologists highlighting import tax and VAT as the reason. MUST BE WONDERFUL TO LIVE IN PLACES LIKE FRANCE, GERMANY AND THE USA WHERE THERE ARE NO TAXES.

the reason the prices are what they are in the UK is because that is what the market will take.

was recently in Berlin and picked up below, at a saving of 35% off the UK price,

NA211, Gordons & Greys 93.95 Euro. = £74,83 UK price £116,95
NA204, Gordon Highlander 27.95 Euro. = £22,26 UK price £34,95
SP45 154.95 Euro. = £123,42 UK price £189,95

Plus am in Paris next week and will pick up the little beauty below for £114 UK price is £156.95 [28% saving

http://www.toysoldiers.fr/index.asp?id=707&idf=39

the New RAF dispatch rider is £70 in the Paris shop,

i have stopped buying from K&C [my spend is about £2400 per year] in the UK for the reasons above and also the price rises recently have put K & C in competition with First Leagion for things such as Crusaders, so in the last year i have switched and not own 23 FL crusaders

Plus recent London show, there were people selling K & C cheaper than K & C UK, fair enough there were a few guys unloading stuff, but there also 'dealers' selling cheaper as well.

do not how sales for K & C went but there were very people wandering around with K & C bags!!

couple of other things

the new Spitfire looks great, as was the Humber armoured car I saw at the show in London

FOB67 Mother and daughter set - are they looking up and are worried about the coming K & C stuka?

HI 007
The general inspection was mine
I am selling most of my collection now because the prices have got to much
Icant even get what i bought for most of the sets sad
Regards Scott

 

[jazzeum]

Everyone assumes this to be an old mold but how do you know that? Has Andy said so?

Notwithstanding I again repeat what I said: you can't expect to pay what you did several years ago. Andy's margins may have increased and costs surely have.

 

[Mitch]

Brad...

Have you looked at the two comparison pics that PA placed up. even in dispatches it looked the same to me immediately and, looking at the pictures there is no difference whatsoever apart from the paint work. If its a new sculpt then why do one so very very similar and, if it is as you allude to new what are the differences?? I don't really think we need andy to come on and say it is or it is not. we all have eyes and can clearly see that its identical.

Having said that I am not really bothered either way as it was a good sculpt then and, remains so and, the cost issue people have raised is for individual collectors to either accept or, pass on it and buy something else. The price is what it is and, is not going to be reduced because a few have raised it. I raised the issue about sculpts sorry, molds being broken so, no models are remade which, is what Andy stated in a leaflet or collector mag I read which, seems now to be mute.

I think thats why people are going on about cost as the work has been done years back so, the major costs that we are often told cause high prices are not an issue. I would venture that had this been a completely new design price would not have been raised
Mitch

Everyone assumes this to be an old mold but how do you know that? Has Andy said so?

Notwithstanding I again repeat what I said: you can't expect to pay what you did several years ago. Andy's margins may have increased and costs surely have.

 

[IONA]

Brad
I cant blame anyone people are just trying to run a buisness
But in this reccession i myself cant afford toysoldiers anymore and have try and move most of them on
On bright side the new RAF sets are EXCELLENT ^&cool
Regards Scott

 

[Rob]

Re: RAF motor come and read ASAP because the thought police are looking on

come on guys look at this in bright light of day, for K & C it is a business, nothing more nothing less, they produce TS to make money, i get very frustatrated at UK K & C prices, especially when comparing with the USA, TS manufatcures like First Legion, Britains and Conte have a price difference but it seems to be $1 to £1 which is making the collecting for K &C in the UK very hard financially and K & C are not keeping the prices, ebay is proving that, the Sherman Inspection recently went for £80, the Typhoon for £200.

i get fed up of the K & C UK apologists highlighting import tax and VAT as the reason. MUST BE WONDERFUL TO LIVE IN PLACES LIKE FRANCE, GERMANY AND THE USA WHERE THERE ARE NO TAXES.

the reason the prices are what they are in the UK is because that is what the market will take.

was recently in Berlin and picked up below, at a saving of 35% off the UK price,

NA211, Gordons & Greys 93.95 Euro. = £74,83 UK price £116,95
NA204, Gordon Highlander 27.95 Euro. = £22,26 UK price £34,95
SP45 154.95 Euro. = £123,42 UK price £189,95

Plus am in Paris next week and will pick up the little beauty below for £114 UK price is £156.95 [28% saving

http://www.toysoldiers.fr/index.asp?id=707&idf=39

the New RAF dispatch rider is £70 in the Paris shop,

i have stopped buying from K&C [my spend is about £2400 per year] in the UK for the reasons above and also the price rises recently have put K & C in competition with First Leagion for things such as Crusaders, so in the last year i have switched and not own 23 FL crusaders

Plus recent London show, there were people selling K & C cheaper than K & C UK, fair enough there were a few guys unloading stuff, but there also 'dealers' selling cheaper as well.

do not how sales for K & C went but there were very people wandering around with K & C bags!!

couple of other things

the new Spitfire looks great, as was the Humber armoured car I saw at the show in London

FOB67 Mother and daughter set - are they looking up and are worried about the coming K & C stuka?

You should have looked in the bar, there were four of us loaded down with bags at the end!:wink2:

Rob

 

[theBaron]

Ludwig, If I am not mistaken the white metal used in these figures is pewter. Any knowledge on how the price of this white metal has gone up in cost ?

Hi, PA, it doesn't look like your question was answered specifically, but yes, prices for tin and lead rose about 4 or 5 years ago. I noticed an increase in the prices of some makers' white metal kits at that time, such as Imrie-Risley's. It certainly is one factor in the rising cost of figures.

Prost!
Brad