Selective collecting . (1 Viewer)

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Who out there have become selective collectors like me. The price has risen alot since I became a toy soldier collector and this has forced me into being very selective. I almost gave it away but I do enjoy this hobby still. The prices may and will go up again so I will just get the pieces I really want. I wonder were and how this hobby will go in the future . I hope it stays well focused and the makers understand that to bring new people into the hobby you have to make it more price attractive . Just before you all jump all over me and say it's a rich mans hobby I am not rich but still like and buy toy soldiers. I would buy all of K&C ranges if the price was suited to my budget as I think K&C do what they do very well. If the prices were alot less now how many out there would buy other ranges than the ones they collect . What do you think. Simmo.:salute::

 

[RedBaron]

I too have become selective of what I purchase. If I had unlimited funds I would be getting just about everything made by K&C. I just began collecting toy soldiers about 3 months ago so I am way behind in the game. Trying to get past products can get very expensive so I have to pick and choose what I want.

Who out there have become selective collectors like me. The price has risen alot since I became a toy soldier collector and this has forced me into being very selective. I almost gave it away but I do enjoy this hobby still. The prices may and will go up again so I will just get the pieces I really want. I wonder were and how this hobby will go in the future . I hope it stays well focused and the makers understand that to bring new people into the hobby you have to make it more price attractive . Just before you all jump all over me and say it's a rich mans hobby I am not rich but still like and buy toy soldiers. I would buy all of K&C ranges if the price was suited to my budget as I think K&C do what they do very well. If the prices were alot less now how many out there would buy other ranges than the ones they collect . What do you think. Simmo.:salute::

 

[villagehorse]

I am selective in my series only, once in, I must have every one and in 50% of the items, multiples. There is a lot of K&C I like, but do not collect because the period is not of particular interest eg. 8th army, RAF, any winter warfare periods. There are 7 K&C series I collect and rarely stray outside, unless I see a figure that may blend into one of these series. This helps to keep the finances under control. Every bill I get is going up, so why not also the hobby I escape into. Cheers, Robin.

 

[ostrein]

I too have become selective of what I purchase. If I had unlimited funds I would be getting just about everything made by K&C. I just began collecting toy soldiers about 3 months ago so I am way behind in the game. Trying to get past products can get very expensive so I have to pick and choose what I want.

Same here. I've just started collecting K&C. But there are just too many. So I think I'll select certain figures of the ranges I like most and do rather small displays.
I would like to have all K&Cs but I don't really have to have them all!
Perhaps one day when the lottery playing pays out ... :rolleyes2:

Oliver

 

[Mitch]

Interesting to hear what newer guys to the forum have to say. Fresh impressions of the hobby are always important to understanding where we are at
Mitch

 

[larso]

My thing was plastics, but recently I decided to collect some metal figures that show the development of the British army. The cost is a big issue for me - I have to budget quite hard and maybe only get a figure or two a month, outside birthdays/Xmas etc. Strangely I have found this quite rewarding. I really think very hard about which ones to get. I like the planning I guess. I have found though that new figures keep slipping onto my list. And if someone does a really good Roman line it'll be hard to keep away from it.....

 

[Obee]

I'm selective,

only collecting NAPs now..... I started with everthing AND anything, but now the only other side trip is the WW1 generals/character figures, as they do look good and go with my other WW1 figures.

I don't buy any other maker of painted figures, but when it comes to castings... well any maker that makes good NAPs and then I try to emulate the K&C style of paintwork myself. That way I get more troops for my 'defence budget'

John

 

[aujj65]

Just the Crimean, Eighth Army, RAF (and a few Napoleonic’s – stopped collecting these as I couldn’t keep up).

Jeff

 

[Currahee Chris]

So far as KC is concerned, my primary focus is Egypt but I do snag some WW2 stuff- American and German DD/WS sets as they strike me.

Back in the day I was all over the place but I have collected enough of those ranges and sold some other ones to get more entrenched in stuff I really want.

I think most of the challenge isn't the price at all but more the retirement gimmick- people scoff at the price of St. Pete figures but they have stock of figures released from 2007 because people balk at the prices. With retirements, it sort of burns and turns inventory and keeps collectors coming back. It just got to be a little overwhelming for me. I still say a collector can in fact have a very impressive St. Pete collection and still spend less money over time than they would with KC. They could buy a figure a month or every other month and just not feel the pinch simply because the inventory doesn't turn over as quickly.

 

[graycap]

I too am focussing my collecting strategy - both for foinancial and space reasons. The popular view seems to be that model/toy soldier collecting is recession proof. Personally I'm not so sure about that. I am concentrating from now on the Bulge ranges. You know roughly when new releases are going to be available and can spread your purchases over the year. The other ranges I've collected in the past Normandy (both sides) and Fields of Battle I've put on hold while keeping an eye on the monthly listing of retirees in those areas. The big ticket numbers like the Jagdtiger are beyond my budget these days.

 

[lancer]

Of financial neccessity, MUCH more selective. -- Al

 

[Rob]

Well I've always had to be kind of selective because K&C have always produced so many items I've wanted. But I have had to decide to maybe cut back on North Africa a bit as the RAF/Normandy/Arnhem are my main priorities now.

Rob

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

You're not alone in being selective Simmo. I used to collect a small sample of just about every line with a big focus on half a dozen. Now I rarely buy outside my focus area and usually get figures not vehicles (unless they are really, really, really awesome). The volume of purchases has really slowed for me but perhaps thats good as I'm running out of space! :salute::

 

[Louis Badolato]

I have also gotten much more selective, due to both financial and spacial limitations.

 

[wadepat]

Gentle Friends,

Regarding K&C, I have limited my purchasing to only one line of figures, the Ancient Egyptians. My reasons have already been stated by other collectors (cost, rapid retirements, overwhelming releases, etc.). K&C has not produced Ancient Egyptians at anywhere near the rate of many of their other lines which allows me to continue to keep my Egyptian collection complete.

Though this thread is dedicated to K&C, I have also limited my purchasing of the products of other manufacturers. Specifically, the only other figures I buy on a regular basis are Delhi Durbar figures and Monarch Regalia Samurai figures.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Wraith]

Hmmmm......dunno how it's happened, but I'm expanding, but only in relation to ranges, rather than completeness of ranges.

In relation to the different WWII ranges, I'm all over the place like a mad woman's custard, with a healthy core of MG, FJ, DD, WS, BBA/G, EA, AK and then more selective in the FOB, RAF, AN and RA ranges.
Then there are bits of NAPS, Ancient Egyptian (minus protective headwear), SF (when is SF08 going to be announced?) etc.

As a famous South African Surgeon once said, "My collection is distinctly lacking in focus"

Then there's the other manufacturers..........ooooooh, this can't end well.

 

[Guy]

Well I've always had to be kind of selective because K&C have always produced so many items I've wanted. But I have had to decide to maybe cut back on North Africa a bit as the RAF/Normandy/Arnhem are my main priorities now.

Rob

Selective , YES
1. in series(only WWII)
2. in purchases ( only a few items a month or none at all and then a few items more the following month)
guy

 

[wwiibuff]

I have also gotten much more selective, due to both financial and spacial limitations.

I concur with this

 

[MapleLeaf]

So far this year started SOHK line because
they don't come out with releases every month
so it's eazier to keep up with, very colorful and peaceful
Non firing no tanks range my son calls it.
Selling all my Naps, too many(budget & space)
Will fill in the Bulge and AK, RAF if more comes out.
That will be it for KC for me.

 

[GJB22]

I focus most of my collecting on WW2 German stuff(LAH, Waffen SS, Afrika), but have never felt the need to buy every piece. I only buy what I like, and if it fits into a display idea I have. If I had more funds, I would definitely get into other ranges, especially The Crusades.