Red flare ! (1 Viewer)

[Spitfrnd]

A perceptive question Richard. We all love the highest quality product (think Masserati), but such are usually not for the masses.

My comment from another thread:

"Its worth noting that collectors share <some> blame for the higher prices in affect. Through constantly urging better, more realistic, accurate, detailed, nuanced, etc. products, we have essentially forced up manufacturing costs. Improvements are good, but each incremental "upgrade" ultimately raises the final price paid by the consumer/collector."
​

I think improvements in accuracy and detail are not only good, they are important to the survival and growth of this hobby. Yes some improvements can contribute to cost increases but some of these can be offset with improved efficiencies. Also, the market will direct how much and how many improvements are made and there should be options for different detail/price points, much as there are now.

 

[Alex]

If everyone suddenly stop buying any K&Cs for 2 months... you'll see that the prices will drop !!! but then, I can't stop it.. it's and addiction !!

 

[Capitolron]

Funny - I wish I could stop buying Toy Soldiers - everytime I try to slow down - something pops up that is a must buy !

I did have a great time at the World Series - thanks guys for the kind comments - it is really neat to go to another Baseball Team's Stadium and see how their fans watch America's Pastime. Always an adventure - and great baseball too !

For those who understand this is a TOY SOLDIER FORUM and not "Meet the Press" - the reason for my thread is to bring awarness to coming changes in our hobby. Many times our heads are down and we are just getting what we have on a list or whats in our mind right now. Then a retirement comes and goes and you find yourself 3 months later going "Oh I wish I had gotten one of those..." - this has happen to me.

Like I said before Treefrog has many of these under $100 vehicles/tanks and under $25 figures right now. Do yourself a favor and buy one - then later you wont be kicking yourself on the retirement.

PAID POL. AD. FOR THE TREEFROG SAVE THE TOY SOLDIER HOBBY COLLECTOR CAMPAIGN - THIS AD HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR PARTY OR TOY SOLDIER MANUFACTURER.

 

[6th Wisconsin]

For me, Ron's point about the changing hobby is well-taken. I have found lately that a lot of older sets (mostly Civil War for me and occasionally WWII) are out there for good deals if I am patient. My list of wants from the newer items keeps growing (King Tiger, for example), but I have been doing better right now from a value perspective keeping my eyes open for older items at a good price. I picked up the Troiani Iron Brigade set for $40, Lone Star for $60, and the Tunisian Tiger for $140 (the latter an incredibly rare deal I know). It is hard to pass up these deals even if it means waiting longer to buy the new stuff. I have also been perusing the lists of more moderately priced items on toy soldier dealer sites, especially WWII, and adding those to my list because I can get more collection for the money that way. Since I just got into WWII soldiers and don't have the massive collection of some of you, it is perhaps a little easier for me to find those deals because there is so much I don't have, but I think a large majority fall into my camp in that regard.

 

[Mister Dave]

Funny - I wish I could stop buying Toy Soldiers - everytime I try to slow down - something pops up that is a must buy !

I did have a great time at the World Series - thanks guys for the kind comments - it is really neat to go to another Baseball Team's Stadium and see how their fans watch America's Pastime. Always an adventure - and great baseball too !

For those who understand this is a TOY SOLDIER FORUM and not "Meet the Press" - the reason for my thread is to bring awarness to coming changes in our hobby. Many times our heads are down and we are just getting what we have on a list or whats in our mind right now. Then a retirement comes and goes and you find yourself 3 months later going "Oh I wish I had gotten one of those..." - this has happen to me.

Like I said before Treefrog has many of these under $100 vehicles/tanks and under $25 figures right now. Do yourself a favor and buy one - then later you wont be kicking yourself on the retirement.

PAID POL. AD. FOR THE TREEFROG SAVE THE TOY SOLDIER HOBBY COLLECTOR CAMPAIGN - THIS AD HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR PARTY OR TOY SOLDIER MANUFACTURER.

Ron, I think we all get that you are trying to point out some good prices on soon to be retired items, but the passive aggressive delivery sort of detracts from the message and the quality of the thread. Just an observation.

MD

 

[Spitfrnd]

Ron, I think we all get that you are trying to point out some good prices on soon to be retired items, but the passive aggressive delivery sort of detracts from the message and the quality of the thread. Just an observation.
MD

I don't know, I thought he was just being ironic and I appreciate the dry wit But then I am in the delivery can be more important than the message camp. Lord knows there is more than enough politically correct passive around here to keep everyone happy.

6th Wisconsin, I don't collect ACW but $40 for a Troiani Iron Brigade set seems like a real steal. Good show mate.

 

[Capitolron]

Ron, I think we all get that you are trying to point out some good prices on soon to be retired items, but the passive aggressive delivery sort of detracts from the message and the quality of the thread. Just an observation.

MD

Passive Aggressive ?? Please.

A little poke of fun towards those who they themselves take all this politics too seriously. This thread started out as a TOY SOLDIER DISSCUSSION - then was highjacked by others - don't blame me.

I want to discuss retirements, special finds to be had, stories of the real deals and length & breath of whats to go away. My thoughts are towards out collections and what others are doing to take advantage or scale down in their collections.

For me - I have found that I am focusing on fewer lines now and not spreading my Toy Soldier Dollars everywhere. Given there are a few sets from First Legion and others that do catch my eye. But, focus is the call of the day - really not so much due to money but SPACE !

There is only so much room in the Washington Townhouse for these works of art. Focus - on few ranges and maybe some smaller dioramas of from a few others.

I believe that many collectors - if they don't already - will pare down their focus as well in the coming year. With so much NEW & GREAT FIGURES recently coming out of King and Country - It really is hard to collect them all.

Thats what my "RED FLARE" is really about.

 

[Mister Dave]

Hey Ron,

I know that's what you really want to discuss, and you obviously have the TS bug big time....we've all seen the photos of your collection to prove it. The enthusiasm is great, and I am sure many on here appreciate the cues about great things disappearing soon, but....the not so subtle little jabs have a predictable effect on other forum members every single time and I don't believe you are completely insensitive to that fact. It seems very unproductive, no?

MD

 

[Rob]

Retirements are changing the way i collect greatly.These days i tend most of the year to buy items being retired and then three times a year at the London shows treat myself to something newer.The quality of K&C products is so high that i do honestly find it very difficult to just let something go,of course i have to because i couldn't possibly afford it all,but its not easy.

Each month now i tend to purchase on Dispatches day.I kind of hope that if say three WW2 items are retired and i'd like them all,maybe two of them will be 'must haves' which is more affordable.As i say this restricts my buying of the newer items but at least i know the items i'm buying are items i really want.It does make for hard decisions though.For instance i'd really like the new KT,but for the price of it i could get the Winter Tank riders,Bulge Howitzer and General Alexander,three sets i also really want. Go figure!

Rob

 

[Jagdpanther]

Well I tend do buy some of the older sets first . Because the newer ones are going to be around yet for awhile thats how I do it. I did break down and by the King Tiger and some of the new German Bulge sets because Im using them in one of my existing dios.

 

[Capitolron]

Retirements are changing the way i collect greatly.These days i tend most of the year to buy items being retired and then three times a year at the London shows treat myself to something newer.The quality of K&C products is so high that i do honestly find it very difficult to just let something go,of course i have to because i couldn't possibly afford it all,but its not easy.

Each month now i tend to purchase on Dispatches day.I kind of hope that if say three WW2 items are retired and i'd like them all,maybe two of them will be 'must haves' which is more affordable.As i say this restricts my buying of the newer items but at least i know the items i'm buying are items i really want.It does make for hard decisions though.For instance i'd really like the new KT,but for the price of it i could get the Winter Tank riders,Bulge Howitzer and General Alexander,three sets i also really want. Go figure! Rob=QUOTE]



Rob

I remember a while ago some collectors of K&C telling me - "Just Buy The Retirements As They Come Out" - it will be cheaper to manage your collection that way. I thought to myself - yea why would I do that ?

With all the new items coming out and the cost on the rise - these words of wisdom are certainly ring true now !

I am fortunate to have the ability to purchase many Toy Soldiers - but, with the changes that are occuring in my business - I have cut back for now.

Also due to space at home - I am rotating several items out of my collection to reinvest in the more expensive newer items. I do like to make my hobby pay for itself.

Ron

 

[Rob]

Retirements are changing the way i collect greatly.These days i tend most of the year to buy items being retired and then three times a year at the London shows treat myself to something newer.The quality of K&C products is so high that i do honestly find it very difficult to just let something go,of course i have to because i couldn't possibly afford it all,but its not easy.

Each month now i tend to purchase on Dispatches day.I kind of hope that if say three WW2 items are retired and i'd like them all,maybe two of them will be 'must haves' which is more affordable.As i say this restricts my buying of the newer items but at least i know the items i'm buying are items i really want.It does make for hard decisions though.For instance i'd really like the new KT,but for the price of it i could get the Winter Tank riders,Bulge Howitzer and General Alexander,three sets i also really want. Go figure! Rob=QUOTE]

Rob

I remember a while ago some collectors of K&C telling me - "Just Buy The Retirements As They Come Out" - it will be cheaper to manage your collection that way. I thought to myself - yea why would I do that ?

With all the new items coming out and the cost on the rise - these words of wisdom are certainly ring true now !

I am fortunate to have the ability to purchase many Toy Soldiers - but, with the changes that are occuring in my business - I have cut back for now.

Also due to space at home - I am rotating several items out of my collection to reinvest in the more expensive newer items. I do like to make my hobby pay for itself.

Ron

Yeah i hear you Ron.I think about every purchase a lot more these days.I'm not saying i cut my collecting that much (i've already purchased more this year than last)but i do carefully consider each move before committing my reserves!(can you sense the military strategist in me).But at least i know that everything i buy is very much wanted for my collection.The good thing with K&C is that the product is so good whatever i buy i can't lose!.

Every month my purchase hangs on whats being announced/retired,and every month Tony and Mike take the phone off the hook when they know i'm about to ring!

Rob

 

[Saber]

There is only so much room in the Washington Townhouse for these works of art.

Sounds like it's time for a bigger space, it is a buyers market right now you know. BTW, good luck with the "focusing", I've tried it and every time I think I'm focused that evil Andy guy comes out with something else. The new Egyptians are the latest case in point. I hear what you're saying about the older figures, last month I snatched up 16 of the older French line infantry marching figures. I need to check out the crusaders line next and make sure none slip under the radar. So much for focusing.