Recession: Are we near the bottom, sinking deeper or moving upward? (Non political) (1 Viewer)

[desk11desk12]

What do you guys think?

I think all will agree that more toy soldiers are being offered by collectors in greater numbers than ever before. This is in spite of lower prices in the market today. Why?

The obvious answer would be: “It’s the economy stupid”!

Yes, but is it that simple.

I have some ideas but I’d rather hear yours.

Carlos

 

[Scott]

I haven't worked since Nov. 2008 and have had only 6 interviews since then. One good thing for employers at least is that they have the choice of 5-6 best people for the job.

 

[VIRIATO]

Loss of room and willingness to collect new things after some time collecting might also be a factor demanding selling.


Paulo

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Loss of room and willingness to collect new things after some time collecting might also be a factor demanding selling.


Paulo

I have run out of room for new stuff and would like to sell the several sets that don't really fit my collection anymore. So that has slowed my purchases as well as already having a large number of AFVs so I have become more selective.

Terry

 

[theBaron]

I think we will be a long time coming out of this one.

 

[UKReb]

I have a pal who put together a nice collection of a hundred or so K&C WWII pieces consisting of an equal combination of AFV's & figures. He was never a dio builder and had them just simply displayed in nicely illuminated glass cabinets and a couple of free standing shelves. As I was in London over the Christmas break and not having seen him for sometime I gave him a call and received an invite to come on over for a drink. First thing I noticed when entering his lounge was the absence of cabinets and shelving-

"Where's the collection in storage-another room perhaps?" I asked.

"No! Honestly Bob- I just got bored looking at them, the more I bought the worse it got as I tended to cram them together in the cabinets and they just didn't look right. All I was doing was taking them out every week and giving them a dust with my fine goose feathered brush. So I sold the lot to a dealer friend of mine for a fairly good price"

Nothing to do with the recession as he works in the Financial District but a one-time keen collector's sudden rush of boredom as the reason for another fine collection appearing on some dealers list somewhere.

Reb

 

[jazzeum]

The story of Bob's friend is interesting. I find that happening to me. I haven't bought much lately and frankly it just doesn't have the same excitement for me as it used to, plus I hate this overcrowding sensation, where you start to have a warehouse. So I've started to sell a few things and may soon sell more. Nothing quickly but just here and there.

 

[jazzeum]

I think we will be a long time coming out of this one.

Agree generally. Hard to find jobs out there.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I think we will be a long time coming out of this one.

Although Britains state a 17% increase in sales in the UK weird

Agree generally. Hard to find jobs out there.

We can be our own worst enemies at times

 

[jazzeum]

Not sure I follow that if you have no control of the situation. Fortunately, I'm not in that position.

 

[lancer]

My collecting has stopped almost dead. One reason is space. Main reason is financial. Shrinking pension and increasing costs for almost everything (including TS) has left little for anything extra and something unexpected always seems to crop up that must be paid for. I expect it will be almost impossible for me to buy TS for a least another year, maybe more. But I sure would if I could as I still love this stuff. Tough times right now. -- lancer

 

[Scott]

A GOOD thing is that I've had time to go back and paint 100 or more semi-flats and about a 100 full round figures that I had cast years ago. I sold several dozen to a gift shop before Christmas.

Another "benefit" is time to do research about subjects I like including Vivandieres and Cantinieres plus the local forts in Gloucester and Rockport. Lots of ON-Line information out there. See my blog entries at the link below...

I just came back from photographing the fort sites (nice weather) and contacting the local historical society about period pictures and nautical charts that often include coastal forts.

I also found a large piece of Styrofoam on the beach that will be made into buildings or forts.

You have to keep busy and have a good attitude. My family is very supportive and luckily my wive has the Govt. job with benefits.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

I really feel for anyone out there looking for a job right now. As far as hobby spending in this economy goes, I'm finding people still have money for their hobby. 2009 was my best year in the eleven I have been in business. I hope this year improves for everyone, but I'm not very optimistic.

 

[Combat]

As terrible as the economy is for those that have lost jobs I don't think it has caused so much as a blip in demand for higher end items. In central PA there are new Porsche, BMW and Mercedes dealerships selling cars at 50-100K. That's rural PA not Beverly Hills or NY. And they aren't offering any deals or going out of business. Despite the endless doom and gloom on the cable networks many people have not been impacted at all. The glut of new product is just as likely a cause of any sell off. Just in the past few years we have seen new companies like First Legion, John Jenkins, Figarti, Honour Bound etc.

 

[Leadmen]

I think the economy is improving but at a slower pace. I noticed many auto plants back to full time and Ford is adding 1500 workers to some plants. Railroads and trucking are increasing their hauling of new cars.

I am retired and I don't purchase that much for new soldiers and vehicles. After 30 or more years collecting, I have reached my limit. I try to sell some stuff to dealers at the shows. I still enjoy painting figure kits but have cut back on new orders. John

 

[danscott]

What do you guys think?

I think all will agree that more toy soldiers are being offered by collectors in greater numbers than ever before. This is in spite of lower prices in the market today. Why?

The obvious answer would be: “It’s the economy stupid”!

Yes, but is it that simple.

I have some ideas but I’d rather hear yours.

Carlos

in my humble opinion the recession didn't realy impact on anyone i know,we are in the steel industry and we scraped through,and picking up.what i did think was that there would be a bargain to be had in boxed vintage stuff ect,but i didnt see that in the plastic scene.also i noticed my selling of common items on ebay dropped in prices ,matchbox cars,books and stuff like that.it seems to me all the the hard to get stuff and mint in box and rare toys are still getting top dollar.
simo

 

[marco55]

My company is doing pretty good as we sell medical apparatus for labs,universties,even the Army. Had a few tough months but things are getting back to normal.As far as TS I've cut back as it was getting out of hand as what I wanted could cost $300-$400 a month and couldn't space it out as it would be the same the next month.Really have to pick very careful because I have the same problem of getting bored and with all the great new stuff coming out every month it's hard not to give in.
Mark

 

[agmtanks]

I feel that the current offerings from the new Toy Soldier makers are so well done compared to the soldiers and vehicles made just a few years ago.When I see a tank released I like more than the same model I have on my shelf I will sell the old one and put the new one on display.I have collected Toy Soldiers since 1986 and am absolutely amazed at what is being produced now. I am selling most of my vintage and very valuable Timpo figures and purchasing most of the WW2 offerings out there.If I did not sell my older figures, I can easily say I would not be buying as much.Also, I try to buy and display what I buy. If I do not have room to display, something I do not feel attached to anymore is going to be sold.

 

[desk11desk12]

Hey Guys:

Thanks for your opinions I was really wondering what’s up with the increase sales out there from collector’s.

For me it’s become a “trade off” - Maximize existing space and optimize the Toy Soldier Budget.

Sell off some Toy Soldiers and spend the money received on more Toy Soldiers and store and display them in the newly created space.

My collection has become too big to store and display them all and yet I find myself wanting more. Maybe there is a “12 step program” out there somewhere but I don’t know where it is just yet. LOL

I just moved to San Antonio, TX in a home about that is approx. 60% larger and I still don’t have enough space to store. Fortunately, I don’t have pay for public storage anymore as I did in California. I have four closets full and space taken up in the garage. Okay, thgis is a nice problem to have and it sure was fun collecting it all.

So I guess it’s a matter of space and economics with a bit of common sense. Yses, I'll be collecting some more.

Carlos

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

Don't know where we are at in the economy... lot of games being played for sure... All I know is that I stepped up a little more in my TS collecting. Just catching up with some stuff that I was interested in, but put on the shelf for the last year. I won't be going back to the old habits of a couple of years ago, though... These days, I am more selective and don't make any spontaneous purchases. Now when I see something I am interested in, I mull it over for a couple of weeks to determine whether I really want the piece or not. A lot of great stuff out there, but you can't have it all and you can't take it with you either... One thing that I did notice in the last year is that there have been some retailers going out of business... I wonder what that means...