desk11desk12
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2005
- Messages
- 4,892
I really haven’t spoken on this yet.
World economy, recession length and severity, US currency issues, rising living standards/ inflation and material costs in China have spelled the end to the TS Golden age (price & choices).
Fellow collectors be angry be very angry and vent it and go ahead follow through with your threats. It’s your right!
However, please remember some events and forces are greater than our little hobby unfortunately.
King and Country is the market leader and have earned it for so many reasons. It’s not good for the market or collectors these recent price increases have happened. Sure, they’re many choices and many offer great value and quality.
However, if KC loses significant market share and the rest of market players can’t pick up the slack (despite their best efforts) then the market contracts and WE ALL LOSE. NOT GOOD FOR US!
My reaction to this is to buy less and be selective. But stay in the hobby! It’s too much fun!!! Unfortunately, I can no longer afford to “have my cake and eat it too”. I have to choose now.
So unless manufacturers are willing to create “start-ups” (this requires more capital$$) in SE Asia, India or wherever, they only have 2 choices IMO.
1. Increase Prices/ Protect profits (beware of elasticity of demand affects)
2. Reduce Profit Margins keep most collectors, Andy, is right, “beware of repeating the mistakes of 21st Century”. Good value, good price OUT OF BUSINESS. I guess they didn’t serve the needs of their clients long term did they? So where is the optimum point?
Again, my reaction to this is to buy less and be selective on what I buy. But stay in the hobby. I can no longer afford to “have my cake and eat it too”. I have to choice now.
Carlos
World economy, recession length and severity, US currency issues, rising living standards/ inflation and material costs in China have spelled the end to the TS Golden age (price & choices).
Fellow collectors be angry be very angry and vent it and go ahead follow through with your threats. It’s your right!
However, please remember some events and forces are greater than our little hobby unfortunately.
King and Country is the market leader and have earned it for so many reasons. It’s not good for the market or collectors these recent price increases have happened. Sure, they’re many choices and many offer great value and quality.
However, if KC loses significant market share and the rest of market players can’t pick up the slack (despite their best efforts) then the market contracts and WE ALL LOSE. NOT GOOD FOR US!
My reaction to this is to buy less and be selective. But stay in the hobby! It’s too much fun!!! Unfortunately, I can no longer afford to “have my cake and eat it too”. I have to choose now.
So unless manufacturers are willing to create “start-ups” (this requires more capital$$) in SE Asia, India or wherever, they only have 2 choices IMO.
1. Increase Prices/ Protect profits (beware of elasticity of demand affects)
2. Reduce Profit Margins keep most collectors, Andy, is right, “beware of repeating the mistakes of 21st Century”. Good value, good price OUT OF BUSINESS. I guess they didn’t serve the needs of their clients long term did they? So where is the optimum point?
Again, my reaction to this is to buy less and be selective on what I buy. But stay in the hobby. I can no longer afford to “have my cake and eat it too”. I have to choice now.
Carlos
rolleyes2