Retired Figures - What happens to them? (1 Viewer)

[Mitch]

Cheers...
I agree as with posts about price its interesting to talk about but, it comes, as with everything, to call it a day as we are going in circles now IMO
Mitch

An excellent post Mitch and makes much sense. The thread has drifted from the original question posted. If you see a dealer selling retired pieces at inflated prices the the answer is simple don't buy from them, no-one is forcing you !

I still stand by my origianl statement, this subject has been done to death. Lets move on, not so much as a discussion more of a witch hunt IMO.

 

[Vezzolf]

2 cents:

1. Cannot get upset with any dealer who while doing inventory makes a lucky find! I have been the benefactor of these finds many times over the year at both retail and higher, you come to an agreement that is a fair price. Willing buyer, willing seller, FREE MARKET CAPITALISM.

2. Yes there are a few small dealers who buy extras with the express intent of holding back. If my regular dealer did this to me (ie telling me they are out of stock when not), I would be upset. That said, there are plenty of dealers who have old stock who are targeted by capitalists looking to resell. THATS OK TOO. Again, FREE MARKET CAPITALISM. Remember, both the dealer and collector took the risk of buying the product, holding in inventory and hoping to make a sale. Hard to fault anybody here.

3. Many dealers buy old collections and then resell. NO PROBLEM THERE> Willing Buyer/Willing Seller.

This market is full of educated buyers, we all make purchasing decisions based on our own economic realities. There really is no blame here.

Vezzolf, you don't like the retired collectibles market, you have beat this point to near death, I understand your point as you know, but as I have said, it is a reality. OLD OLD K&C will always sell at a "ridiculous" price b/c it was not made in many quantities and collectors want to find it. (JUST like Lionel Trains, American Flyer Trains, Royal Doulton China, Waterford, etc.) Collectibles have had a healthy "Retired" market for many years before King & Country.

Now, buyers that are willing to do a little homework in purchasing 2005 to present Retirements will not pay ridiculous prices. "Lazy" Buyers will.

I sell duplicates and/or no longer wanted soldiers on ebay. I put a price I am willing to sell them for. Most of the time they sell, some do not, NO biggie, its my risk.

In the end, this is a personal decision on which everyone thinks quite differently, but keep in mind, it is a FREE MARKET, no one is forcing you to buy and quite frankly, the PRICES are what they are. Belly ache all you want, but the smallest violins in the world will be the only sympathy. It is something we all live with and decide what we want to do.

Final note, King & Country has the benefit of a very consistent after market of the "modern" toy soldier makers. Trophy of Wales enjoys one too as well as a host of other "retired" manufacturers. ANY GIVEN DAY can bring a new high price or low one, that is the beauty of this game. SO, instead of constantly causing yourself or others grief, enjoy the ride and put the energy into finding some goodies for your collections.

This post it to no one in particular, just my views.

TD

Tom, No one is denying the Free Market....But the issue of authorized K/C dealers playing the "retired K/C game" is a bit of a scam....If this practice is condoned by K/C it is all the more sad, since this allows dealers to manipulate prices at the expense of consumers....Dealers re-selling old collections or estate sales are a different story. I am in favor of Free Markets on an equal playing field but I do frown on manipulative business practices. Respectfully and my viewpoint.....Done with this discussion

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Tom, No one is denying the Free Market....But the issue of authorized K/C dealers playing the "retired K/C game" is a bit of a scam....If this practice is condoned by K/C it is all the more sad, since this allows dealers to manipulate prices at the expense of consumers....Dealers re-selling old collections or estate sales are a different story. I am in favor of Free Markets but I do frown on manipulative business practices.

While I agree that dealers should not hold back stock and tell legitimate customers they are sold out, I don't actually know anyone that does that. I know of only one dealer who seems to have older mint condition pieces, but they are available for purchase, but at high prices. Other than that, is there really a problem with dealers holding back stock? There can't be many that do it. I deal with several of the large dealers in North America, 2 in England, and on occasion, some of the other US and Canadian dealers when looking for sold out pieces. I have never been charged more than retail. I have bought a few very old K&C pieces at high prices, but that was my choice to do so.

There are probably more instances of collectors/speculators buying sold out items at retail and immediately putting them on e-bay at a high price than there are dealers holding back inventory.

Terry

 

[Mitch]

I think the only person who has any say in the manner the market works is Andy. He decides what will be discontinued and, I do not think that he contacts all his dealers and, informs them in advance about it. I know that I have contacted a dealer to order new releases before they even knew they were out as they were being notified at the same time.

Dealers cannot really manipulate the market IMO as, there are so many different outlets and, ways to get the sets wanted no one or small number could do this act.

I have bought from a comapny in the US who have a huge inventory of older discoed stock and, their prices on the whole do not reflect others I have seen so, you pay your money and take your chance IMO.

As long as you get the set you want and are happy then your hobby is doing what it should be for... A release from the real life grind, If its more than that a step back may be needed as, the hobby should not rule the person the person should rule the hobby.
Mitch

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Gee hasn't this thread been enlightening with all of the different views. Even my good friend Ron had a post deleted. It all seems to of been taken well with good discussion for and against on all areas of this topic. This thread made for some good reading and I learned alittle more about the secondary market.Simmo.