I purchased a TCS Kingtiger in TCS packaging dated 2015. The story I pieced together from both the seller in China and Brian at TCS comments when I inquired; that these were a small preproduction run for TCS that were rejected by TCS. The Kingtigers were sold by the Chinese manufacturer to recoup their costs. Very probably a similar situation happened with the TG figures. Seems to be SOP with contract manufacturers in China.
Real or fake? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter FrankDrake
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wayne556517
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More real or fake on yweirdo site
Alexander the Great
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More real or fake on yweirdo site
They look "real" to me when I compare them to the ones I purchased from FL directly!
breslau
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Hello Stefan (sfarrelly)
Again thanks for posting photos of of the 15 cavalry figures you have.
I've now located my 12 figures from the original release in 2011. There are two variations of each and the product numbers are SS007 to SS012. I checked with my local dealer and from memory, we both believe I got everything released at that time. I can't find any record of the three figures you have which I'm missing.
I've placed an arrow against the three I'm missing in your photos below. Do you have product numbers for them? I'd like to try and get on the secondary market.
Any help greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Rob
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FrankDrake
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The two on the first image would have to be WH003 and WH004.
breslau
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Günther you're right. Those two are WH003 and WH004 issued a few years after SS007 to SS012. There are a few on eBay at the moment.
The other one appears to be a variation (seems to be just the headgear) for SS012A but I don't have a product code for it and it's the one I particularly want.
Thank you, Rob
FrankDrake
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Thomas Gunn has made some very beautiful figures with the SS-Cavalry,
the two WH figures unfortunately do not belong to the beautiful figures.
Best
Günther
the two WH figures unfortunately do not belong to the beautiful figures.
Best
Günther
I talked to TGM and the SS cavalry figure with the alternative headgear didnt have a product code.
Some had to be repainted by the factory and when it was done TGM asked them to change the head to make it different and hopefully sell better.
If you really want it send me a Personal message.
Cheers,
Stefan
Some had to be repainted by the factory and when it was done TGM asked them to change the head to make it different and hopefully sell better.
If you really want it send me a Personal message.
Cheers,
Stefan
breslau
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PM sent
breslau
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Thanks Günther. I also don't think they are realistically dressed for patrol / combat either.
From Stefan's post showing his 15 cavalry figures, I presumed wrongly that WH003 and WH004 were part of the original release in 2011. They clearly weren't and they don't interest me now.
I'm not sure if you've got any of the 2011 cavalry figures but TGM packaging was not that good at the time (unlike today). I still remember Brett at the Military Workshop going through the boxes as they arrived and most of the figures were damaged - and Brett got many copies of each figure.
I've sent Stefan a PM so we'll see what eventuates.
Regards, Rob
There is a similar figure on ebay, made by K & C, which has a similar code, see below,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KING-AND...912252&hash=item341150f5f3:g:WWsAAOSwNJtdWsdU
I think Y-Weido is being defamed in error. Weido is affiliated with Eagle Design which is a toy soldier manufacturer in China. The eagle Design Panzers are original products, not copies. Country Honor Toy Soldiers are also present on Weido's Ebay site and many of these products are original too Ballista, Skorpion, Romans etc. The companies produce their own products and contract manufacture of products for other Toy Soldier companies. Products that are from other companies are so identified on the Ebay site. TG catapults and Roman figures are identified as Thomas Gunn products. TCS Panzers and figures are identified as The Collector Showcase products.
If the product is attributed correctly to the company who designed it; I fail to see how it can be considered a knock off.
Generally Toy Soldier companies are constantly copying each others products. Company A produces a Panther G and shortly their after Company B produces a Panther G. Standard business practice IMO.
If the product is attributed correctly to the company who designed it; I fail to see how it can be considered a knock off.
Generally Toy Soldier companies are constantly copying each others products. Company A produces a Panther G and shortly their after Company B produces a Panther G. Standard business practice IMO.
FrankDrake
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When I opened this thread, I didn't think of Y-Weido in any way. I have been buying from him in China for some time and have always been very satisfied.
The ability to offer TG figures at a good price, for me, certainly has its reasons.
On ebay Germany, a dealer is also currently offering a lot of figures as a special offer.
I am aware of instances with contract manufacturers in China, where product prototypes were made and rejected for a variety of reasons. The rejected prototypes were than sold to recoup the production cost. I do not see this practice as illegitimate. Copying is not a factor in these instances.
TCS had a batch of Kingtiger prototypes made; which were rejected. The rejected prototypes were sold by Y-Weido and identified as TCS products. I purchased one and it came in a typical TCS box. I don't know why TCS rejected the prototypes as the detail and quality is superior to the TCS initial production Kingtigers IMO. Y-Weido is an honest and reliable source for Toy Soldiers from a number of manufacturers.
TCS had a batch of Kingtiger prototypes made; which were rejected. The rejected prototypes were sold by Y-Weido and identified as TCS products. I purchased one and it came in a typical TCS box. I don't know why TCS rejected the prototypes as the detail and quality is superior to the TCS initial production Kingtigers IMO. Y-Weido is an honest and reliable source for Toy Soldiers from a number of manufacturers.
Interesting comments this and your previous about Y-Weido I think Matt's comments about FL figures appearing on his EBay site speaks volumes.
For someone who correctly labels figures et maybe can explain Kind and Country WOD032 looking identical to World of Dickens WoD032 from King & Country
Mark
Desertkiwi
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My understanding is that its normal practice is for any company responsible for commissioning a prototype from a factory etc will always remain the 'owner' of that item regardless if they decide to use it or not. It stands to reason that if you've paid for such a service then unless otherwise stated or agreed too, it's legally owned by the commissioning company.
The Military Workshop
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If they are making or have made products for other brands then the total production run should belong to that brand. I just had a look at their Ebay items and they are selling items considerably less than the RRP of the original brand. For example TG Romans.
How do you explain them having the other brands product and undercutting the RRP ?
Seems to me they must be making a few extras and keeping for themselves to sell later.
Grateful if you could clarify the situation, being an expert on such matters, and comment upon the "honesty" aspect. Or is it a case that the figures are cheap so that makes it ok ?
Y-Weido is a retailer and is affiliated with a manufacturer. I presume he sources his products the same way any retailer does via purchases from the manufacturer. Since many Toy Soldier products are contracted to China for manufacture, I would expect they can be sourced direct from the manufacturer and at a low cost if the products are seconds.
Y-Weido carries some unique pieces; Ballista, Romans, Eagle Design Panzers etc. He cites the makers of the products he sells; so their is no deception as to sources. I asked about the source of the TCS Kingtiger I purchased and was informed that they were a preproduction sample run that was rejected by TCS. The manufacturer was selling them to recover the production cost. I received an honest response from Y-Weido to my question and this was confirmed by Brian Levy at TCS.
The quality of the proprietary products is very good. The Eagle Design Kingtiger and Country Honor Scorpion compare favorably with other manufacturers products IMO. None of the products i have purchased could be considered copies.
Y-Weido is very responsive to questions, ships quickly and the products are well packaged. I could not ask more of any retailer.
Y-Weido carries some unique pieces; Ballista, Romans, Eagle Design Panzers etc. He cites the makers of the products he sells; so their is no deception as to sources. I asked about the source of the TCS Kingtiger I purchased and was informed that they were a preproduction sample run that was rejected by TCS. The manufacturer was selling them to recover the production cost. I received an honest response from Y-Weido to my question and this was confirmed by Brian Levy at TCS.
The quality of the proprietary products is very good. The Eagle Design Kingtiger and Country Honor Scorpion compare favorably with other manufacturers products IMO. None of the products i have purchased could be considered copies.
Y-Weido is very responsive to questions, ships quickly and the products are well packaged. I could not ask more of any retailer.