Russian figures price hike (1 Viewer)

jazzeum said:
Johnny,

We know what you like but there are others who like it different. You may think a $500 figure is a toy soldier but there is quite a difference between a simple figure and one of the Russian ones, as you well know. I, myself, wouldn't spend $1,000 for one but I don't begrudge those who buy military miniatures and, yes, these are military miniatures.

Brad
Click to expand...

Well Brad, I do Like Toy Soldiers - of all descriptions. I also like to look at the pics posted by others here - on this Toy Soldier Forum ( see head of the page). I don't begrudge anyone buying or owning such pretty things at all - we all like what we like - and for a variety of reasons. I also admire the skill of the painters who paint up the castings so well. As a painter of limited skill myself - I really do admire and marvel at what they do.

But (for me)- such distinctions are just a matter of semantics.

One well known writer of books on the subject maintains that the difference between Toy Soldiers and Military Miniatures, Figurines etc etc, - is derived from the Purpose for which they were originally made. ( i.e toys were made to be played with - and the others were not). However, he does go on to explain that Figurines can also be played with ( and therefore used as toys), whilst "Toys" can also become "Figurines", once they become so rare and valuable, that they are usually no longer played with.

The distinction is therefore blurred at best.

I'm a simpler soul - and play with anything that comes my way - but like you - wouldn't consider paying out the sort of money these pretty things command - so it's hardly likely to ever happen.

To repeat how I look at such things ( i.e - it's just my opinion) - the so-called Connoisseur Figures - are just another (albeit rather exotic) form of Toy Soldier. However, if others wish to call them something else - that's okay by me too.:salute::jb
 
zblang said:
talk about prices...didn't take me long to get outbid on this one!


http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-AeroArt-St-Petersburg-Collection-EW7-/381115751246?pt=Toy_Soldiers&hash=item58bc44db4e
Click to expand...

Just curious if this one started out with a "Buy it Now" option. If so how much has the bid gone over that price?

I have been dying to get that Pompey figure in Triumph armor but I just can't justify $200 for one figure. Another thing that urks me is the shipping cost. You would think shipping might be free for the price being paid for these figures.
 
I don't know what the buy it now was (if any). There were bids when i first saw it. I notice that many times, it sells to the first bidder for more than the buy it now.
 
zblang said:
talk about prices...didn't take me long to get outbid on this one!
Click to expand...
I wouldn't feel bad. Painting was poor. The crown looks like me trying to decorate a birthday cake.
As well as the tunic.

I haven't bought any Russian figures in well over a year. Quality has been declining for sure.
And for another reason. Anyone know of a good Ukrainian source? PayPal doesn't seem to
a viable payment method to the Russian Federation. Seems they want a wire transfer. Cost
of a wire transfer by my bank has gone up from $35 per transaction to $90.

I've got ten 120mm Russian figures. I cherish them. Too many lessens my appreciation. One
cocktail is social and sensory. Ten cocktails, and you are a drunk.
 
Agreed.. The quality of the painting of this figure is really really bad. in my book it is a 200$-250$ figure... Not a 1000$ figure !

Alex


BLReed said:
I wouldn't feel bad. Painting was poor. The crown looks like me trying to decorate a birthday cake.
As well as the tunic.

I haven't bought any Russian figures in well over a year. Quality has been declining for sure.
And for another reason. Anyone know of a good Ukrainian source? PayPal doesn't seem to
a viable payment method to the Russian Federation. Seems they want a wire transfer. Cost
of a wire transfer by my bank has gone up from $35 per transaction to $90.

I've got ten 120mm Russian figures. I cherish them. Too many lessens my appreciation. One
cocktail is social and sensory. Ten cocktails, and you are a drunk.
Click to expand...
 
"Cost of a wire transfer by my bank has gone up from $35 per transaction to $90." {eek3}
I hope the quality of service has improved in proportion- free coffee, maybe?
 
I've found the same outragous pricing for wire transfers overseas for purchases, believe it's old technology, reletively labor intensive but unless your transfering millions it's not cost effective or viable in the states
Ray
 
Mike Niederman said:
"Cost of a wire transfer by my bank has gone up from $35 per transaction to $90." {eek3}
I hope the quality of service has improved in proportion- free coffee, maybe?
Click to expand...

Well, someone has to pay for their bonuses Mike. I see that the top 121 City of London bankers at Goldman-Sachs were paid an average of £3million EACH, last year. But Yikes! a $55 rise in a charge for a simple keystroke transaction! Hope the cawfee is good!^&grin

For small orders of unpainted castings, one frequently has to pay more than the price of the goods, if you add in payment transfers, international postal charges and customs import duties. I sometimes resort to VERY old-fashioned methods to avoid them.

I have sometimes (rarely) resorted to taking a chance and sending small sums in cash - and collect my orders myself, wherever possible locally, or on trips around Europe. Fortunately for us in Europe, we are still in the EU - so can avoid some of the import charges from member countries - but electronic wire transfers are to be avoided wherever possible.

I also look very hard for similar figures to those I want from local dealers and manufacturers closer to home these days - and combine a nice day out with collecting orders personally. It's often also a good way of building excellent relationships with smaller suppliers - and looking at what's in the pipeline for the future too.

Paypal is a great way of paying - but NOT always available from some really expensive suppliers. From some of the responses to this thread - it looks like consumer resistance to higher prices and costs are having an effect - and orders are/will be reducing for such high ticket purchases. jb
 
BLReed said:
I wouldn't feel bad. Painting was poor. The crown looks like me trying to decorate a birthday cake.
As well as the tunic.

I haven't bought any Russian figures in well over a year. Quality has been declining for sure.
And for another reason. Anyone know of a good Ukrainian source? PayPal doesn't seem to
a viable payment method to the Russian Federation. Seems they want a wire transfer. Cost
of a wire transfer by my bank has gone up from $35 per transaction to $90.

I've got ten 120mm Russian figures. I cherish them. Too many lessens my appreciation. One
cocktail is social and sensory. Ten cocktails, and you are a drunk.
Click to expand...

Some of them are taking Western Union transfers. I really like your point on cocktails, very much agree...

Paulo
 
Agree, prices are ridiculous, only the wealthy are begining to be able to by nice Russian figures, the average collector is unable to or purchase few figures a yr compared to years prior.
On ebay I noted when looking at St Petersburg figures there is one guy always bidding, and keeps going up with bids until he wins, he had over 25 bids , close to $9000, found out some wealthy colectors are now
on ebay , shame, any how First legion is great for prices and quality , not the same but ralistic prices for what you get, hopefully someone in Russia will see the market and start with realistic prices for us all
Trevor
 
Sahara said:
Just curious if this one started out with a "Buy it Now" option. If so how much has the bid gone over that price?

I have been dying to get that Pompey figure in Triumph armor but I just can't justify $200 for one figure. Another thing that urks me is the shipping cost. You would think shipping might be free for the price being paid for these figures.
Click to expand...

It definitely is very nice figure:

 
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