Should Figarti Increase Their Production Numbers (1 Viewer)

[Vezzolf]

Agree with Fran, I have always loved the style/design of Figarti Tanks/trucks/vehicles in general (not much on the figures though) and would love to have some of the vehicles for a collection but as my toy soldier budget is just that..a budget, I can't just pre-order any time I feel like it so when Figarti new items come out they are swooped up in days I have no chance to pick that item up unless it's a ebay over price payoff or if I am lucky a collector here may sell me one as I got the winter 88/ primemover a few years ago, so again I would love to collect Figarti and contacted them about this very issue, they were strait forward and told me the policy would not change at that moment and it was a nice email but that's Figartis call, maybe one day they will increase the numbers but I'm not betting on it, so I guess that leaves more money for First Legion for me...Sammy

Excellent Post Sammy. If a manufactuer "wants to produce" more then 100 it is certainly possible and that would allow legitimate collectors to purchase their products....Maybe "panic buying" is part of a sales strategy:wink2:..... In which case it does leave more money for TS companies that will satisfy demand.........First Legion is a very good alternative choice{eek3}{sm4}{sm4}

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Agree with Fran, I have always loved the style/design of Figarti Tanks/trucks/vehicles in general (not much on the figures though) and would love to have some of the vehicles for a collection but as my toy soldier budget is just that..a budget, I can't just pre-order any time I feel like it so when Figarti new items come out they are swooped up in days I have no chance to pick that item up unless it's a ebay over price payoff or if I am lucky a collector here may sell me one as I got the winter 88/ primemover a few years ago, so again I would love to collect Figarti and contacted them about this very issue, they were strait forward and told me the policy would not change at that moment and it was a nice email but that's Figartis call, maybe one day they will increase the numbers but I'm not betting on it, so I guess that leaves more money for First Legion for me...Sammy

Sammy, If you pre-order your future Figarti item most dealers including Treefrog will not charge you until the item ships. As is the case with say the desert Tiger which
was announced in July. This will allow you 2-3 months to plan for your purchase. I contacted the dealer who I ordered my Tiger from to give me a heads up when they
are getting near ship time. I too need to make sure to keep that $250.00 on my card when the time comes. So the moral of the story is Pre-order when the item is announced so you do not miss the boat Sammy,as there should be enough time to get caught up. One side note here is if you pre-order and use Paypal then the
payment will immediately come out. Debit/Credit cards should bill when shipped

 

[tdubel]

Excellent Post Sammy. If a manufactuer "wants to produce" more then 100 it is certainly possible and that would allow legitimate collectors to purchase their products....Maybe "panic buying" is part of a sales strategy:wink2:..... In which case it does leave more money for TS companies that will satisfy demand.........First Legion is a very good alternative choice{eek3}{sm4}{sm4}

Frank,
Come on, to be fair, you have been a long time Figarti collector and you know the story on the numbers. I don't think Figarti is doing anything of panic buying or limited, etc. They have had this same strategy since the start of time and Rick will be the first to tell you on some items, they have never sold 100 (not arguing any quality), as a matter of fact, I personally think their old All metal Stuarts were some of the best ever produced and they could not sell 100 of each variant even though they were (again IMO) a high quality collectible at a STEAL of a price.

Every company is different, I think you have to take Figarti's prior openess and honesty for face value, in other words, it is what it is.

If they are able to change it in the future, great, but for now, we all know the story and have to live with it.

If you read your post, it appears you are taking a potshot at one company and promoting another, I don't think that's really necessary, do you?

TD

 

[spartan71]

This Was discussed a couple Of years to a few years ago, It is always Been Quality Control. Should They push For 125-150 For each mold They make of a Model?. And GIVE Up On the quality, that each piece That goes past the 100 to 108 mark?, RICK is great Manufacturer, That he will Not Put a buyer through the pain, and be dissapointed with their Model, So he will replace that piece, To his expense. But that can only be taken so far.
So Should he Make another Mold Made?, That is pretty expensive. to make buyers happy?, But what is the Break even mark?, for that piece? What is the guarantee, that he will even make it there?, People change their minds, in our hobby,So suddenly he is holding on to pieces that has not sold. there really is no quarantee on this hobby of ours, manufacturers or Buyers. And if its just the manufacturers that take that loss/ chance. then Figarti might not be here for to long.
Remember always,that we are talking about models, that are made of Metal. not composite like some other manufacturers.

 

[Vezzolf]

I have been a long time AFV's Figarti Collector...Mostly Very Good products{bravo}}.....but....I think that Figarti needs to address this problem of limited production/panic buying...Figarti could produce a more effective mold or use a different medium for their models like hard resin with some metal parts. I believe the Stuka is a good example of resin plus metal propeller etc.....Light weight and detailed yet fairly sturdy.... Any cost effective method for a mold that would result in increased product (200 per release) and would be beneficial to their sales. Also resin base would allow for decreased shipping costs for them....and if breakage occurs repair would be much simpler with resin base models. Lastly it would help collectors and help keep out the speculators.....I'm sure they could find a way if they put their minds to it.

 

[Mitch]

I wonder if the things we ask would change what figarti are possibly beyond recognition of what they have done in the hobby since day one? I think the mediums they use seem to work very well in what they make and, on the whole apart from a few issues over the years they have made some very nice sets.

I do agree that figarti and their dealers could, without changing their profile drastically, reduce the ability (they will never eradicate it) of the speculators to horde sets. Mind, collectors, forums like this and others are all tools that can and are used to stop such seemingly deviant behaviour so, maybe both collectors and the manufacturers can work with each other to ensure their limited sets get to the real collectors at the prices they set for retail.

Hopefully, we can now move on to the forthcoming Chicago show and opine what may be released from this manufacturer?
Mitch

I have been a long time AFV's Figarti Collector...Mostly Very Good products{bravo}}.....but....I think that Figarti needs to address this problem of limited production/panic buying...Figarti could produce a more effective mold or use a different medium for their models like hard resin with some metal parts. I believe the Stuka is a good example of resin plus metal propeller etc.....Light weight and detailed yet fairly sturdy.... Any cost effective method for a mold that would result in increased product (200 per release) and would be beneficial to their sales. Also resin base would allow for decreased shipping costs for them....and if breakage occurs repair would be much simpler with resin base models. Lastly it would help collectors and help keep out the speculators.....I'm sure they could find a way if they put their minds to it.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

It appears Figarti's production number will stay where its at for all practical purposes. So as I mentioned previously the collector should not stray away from
pre-ordering the high demand Figarti items as long as you check with your dealer,you will not get billed until shipping occurs. That will allow 2-3 months as
shown from their last few offerings before payment is due. Hence the term "speculator" is not even in the equation here !!!
This would give most collectors ample time to play catch up with the finances. The other trick is not missing the window of opportunity
when these pre-orders are announced which requires checking Hobby Bunkers site, the Figarti section here on the forum, and your local dealer.
I would assume most collectors have a buying relationship with their dealer and if one simply said to put me down automatically for a given vehicle or aircraft in
their area of interest, that would avoid a lot of disappointments.Still the end result is 99 or 100 of whatever only goes so far !
I think this is some fair and accurate advise, and would hope the negative comments can be restrained and left...........out.

 

[The Military Workshop]

It appears Figarti's production number will stay where its at for all practical purposes. So as I mentioned previously the collector should not stray away from
pre-ordering the high demand Figarti items as long as you check with your dealer,you will not get billed until shipping occurs. That will allow 2-3 months as
shown from their last few offerings before payment is due. Hence the term "speculator" is not even in the equation here !!!
This would give most collectors ample time to play catch up with the finances. The other trick is not missing the window of opportunity
when these pre-orders are announced which requires checking Hobby Bunkers site, the Figarti section here on the forum, and your local dealer.
I would assume most collectors have a buying relationship with their dealer and if one simply said to put me down automatically for a given vehicle or aircraft in
their area of interest, that would avoid a lot of disappointments.Still the end result is 99 or 100 of whatever only goes so far !
I think this is some fair and accurate advise, and would hope the negative comments can be restrained and left...........out.

I totally disagree. Speculator is definitely in the equation here. I have seen speculators in action before but in this case I find his actions more annoying than in the previous cases I was aware of (and I am not even a Figarti collector or dealer).

I spoke to an Aussie collector yesterday who said his USA dealer had less Desert Tigers than he had orders for it and somebody would miss out. Clearly there is a collector/speculator in the USA who is able to source multiple Figarti items as shown by the Stuka where he probably got at least 8. My concern is that person is planning to do the same with the Desert Tiger and again genuine collectors will miss out due to his greed.

Your advice about pre-ordering clearly has not prevented this happening as the speculator is either getting multiples from one or more dealers or singles from many dealers. In this case the speculators activity is so obvious. I would like to think the USA Distributor and dealers could do something about it. It is certainly annoying a lot of people I know who are wondering how it could happen.

Quite a few on this forum, including yourself, know who the speculator is. I am sure you will agree it would not be good if it happens again with the Desert Tiger.

Whilst it may not be my business it would be nice if this person does not end up with multiple Desert Tigers. If he does I think Figarti themselves should look into what is happening.

Regards
Brett

 

[notascoldasbastogne]

I say no and speaking as a collector you miss out,Oh well Tuff says the Kittie!!!!!

GOD BLESS CAPILAST WAY & AMERICA!!!!!

Neil

 

[notascoldasbastogne]

Oh by the way did u know that the First Legion Grey Panzer is OUT OF STOCK!!!!!!!

 

[Vezzolf]

Oh by the way did u know that the First Legion Grey Panzer is OUT OF STOCK!!!!!!!

Hopefully....Maybe this means that FL will release another Grey Panzer III with a different turret number...If this Panzer III was originally available in 2-3 different turret numbers...I would have purchased 2-3 of them......It is that good...... only Frank has one in the #515 Turret......I don't think we have seen the last of this model....IMO the Best WWII Tank made to date by anyone...No exceptions.

 

[notascoldasbastogne]

Hopefully....Maybe this means that FL will release another Grey Panzer III with a different turret number...If this Panzer III was originally available in 2-3 different turret numbers...I would have purchased 2-3 of them......It is that good...... only Frank has one in the #515 Turret......I don't think we have seen the last of this model....IMO the Best WWII Tank made to date by anyone...No exceptions.

Hope So!!! :salute::

 

[buffalohibernia]

I believe that most folks have missed the original point. Yes, a company can decide the number of models it wishes to produce whether it be 100 or 200 or 10. The original issue deals with the expected number of models available from past production history but the actual reduced number produced which then resulted in the "panic" buying and therefore the shortage.

Fran

 

[jazzeum]

When you produce only 100 of something and it is a highly desired item, in the normal course some will be able to buy it and some won't. In the past when I was worried that I might be shut out I put my order into Shannon or George quickly. This is further heightened when some try to corner the market as has apparently happened with the Stuka by apparently one in our midst.

The truism that the early bird gets the worm seems to hold true here.

 

[Vezzolf]

When you produce only 100 of something and it is a highly desired item, in the normal course some will be able to buy it and some won't. In the past when I was worried that I might be shut out I put my order into Shannon or George quickly. This is further heightened when some try to corner the market as has apparently happened with the Stuka by apparently one in our midst.

The truism that the early bird gets the worm seems to hold true here.

Brad, Exactly the reason why more then 100 need to be produced by Figarti and why dealers need to monitor individuals who purchase multiples with the expressed intent of overcharging fellow collectors latter on e-bay....WHAT A JOKE Shameful...and...QUITE SAD.

 

[Mitch]

Brad..

I agree with the comment on the early bird and, you snooze you lose type of thing and that you have to act faster with Figarti than other manufacturers. I would as a collector had I missed out on the stuka been miffed but, accepted it better knowing say a person who wanted it for their collection got in before me. Its the fact that many were not given the chance to have that fair crack because someone greedily went scouring around getting them with one intention to make as much out of people who missed them as they could.

I am fortunate that the whole limited edition thing has never bothered me and, if I miss something then I will get another item another time. I have said before I am very happy with what I have in my collection and don't sit gutted that I missed something. I also however, know the passion and desire of many collectors who don't feel this way and find it galling that people prey on these emotions with rather underhand actions.
Mitch

When you produce only 100 of something and it is a highly desired item, in the normal course some will be able to buy it and some won't. In the past when I was worried that I might be shut out I put my order into Shannon or George quickly. This is further heightened when some try to corner the market as has apparently happened with the Stuka by apparently one in our midst.

The truism that the early bird gets the worm seems to hold true here.

 

[larso]

"with one intention to make as much out of people who missed them as they could."

I think this paints it too emotionally. When you buy shares you hope to sell them later for a profit. Of course you can get it wrong. The company can go bust or there might be a GFC or another October 1987, to list just two. This can be the fate of the toy soldier/stuka speculator as well. A product might not catch on.

The other thing that I think is relevant is that the release of horded product allows people a second chance - or if you're new to the hobby an unexpected first chance, of obtaining it at all. Clearly this is at the expense of another collector in the early stage and at an increased cost for the ultimate 'lucky' buyer. I'm not really bothered though. If a company makes it 'touch and go' as to whether I can reliably get their stuff, I'll look elsewhere as a matter of course.

 

[Peter Reuss]

I think this horse has been beaten to death...time to move on.