Suggestion for Britains re Deetail releases (1 Viewer)

[Patton]

Hope I'm not treading on any toes but here goes....

1) Reissue the British Scout car in both Europe & desert livery.

2) Reissue all artillery & PAK pieces

3) Reissue all the military motorcycles

4) Re the deetail figures- DO NOT sell them in packs of 6. Allow the purchaser to purchase the figures he wants rather than have unwanted figures thrust upon him. (Production should be in the ratio of 1 officer for 29/30 other ranks. This ration would prevent unsold figures).

5) Reissue ALL the old German series rather than just one at a time (or one every two years)

6) Avoid the old US figures like the plague- only because they were overproduced and probably wont sell as well.

7) If painting costs are an issue- then release the figures unpainted and unassembled to allow the purchaser to exercise the same initiative and flexibility as DSG.

8) certainly issue NEW figures for the Japanese- they are badly needed

9) Make sure all new products are available for sale in Australia.

regards

 

[The Lt.]

Patton you'll fine that our friends from WBritain more than welcome suggestions and don't feel that their toes are being treaded on......The Lt.

 

[Mark Avery]

Patton thanks for the suggestion but I believe, from talking to Richard, the problem is that First Gear didn't inherit these moulds when they took over the business. It appears over the years many of the Deetail moulds (along with other ranges) disappeared or were sold off. I'm sure Richard can answer in more detail (no pun intended) but that is basically the reason more sets haven't already been produced in the Super Deetail line.

Thanks
Mark

 

[plasmapulse]

Ranges of prepainted plastics are generally popular but have many flaws.
Richard said they were looking at Papo and Schleich. Ranges that look more like Deetail are Forces of Valor historics, Armies of Middle Earth, and Star wars unleashed battle packs.

FOV puts their figures in sets and distribution is a pain (ask any dealer). Collectors can't get what they want because dealers can't get what they want. Also, every set is littered with accesoires. Nice sets for skirmish set ups, not for big battles.
I passed on them because of that reason.

AOME suffered from poor distribution as well, not being able to buy what you want without having to pay Ebay scalper prices. Again, I passed.
If I'm not able to buy what I want, I don't buy anything to avoid frustration.

Hasbro sells the Unleashed Battle Packs in packs of 4. I didn't buy them because SW doesn't interest me all that much anymore but they seem to be popular and readily available to build armies with.
Hasbro says they are big sellers. All the above ranges are in the 54mm range.

Now Schleich and Papo (and Plastoy and BBI) aren't really being sold for the big-battle-purpose.
I'm sure WB could make money by producing (new) figures in ranges that allow customers to build an army. Customers get what they want (sell them singles) and WB sells more figures because armies are being build thus making a quick return on moldmaking costs. I think.

 

[Patton]

Response to Mark

Hi Mark

Thanks for your input......(BTW what is DSM ??)

As explanation, I was responding to a post I saw in the forum regarding a $100,000 cost for a 1/35 scale vehicle moulding- the cost meaning either a lot of vehicles having to be sold to recover costs or that the vehicles had to be more expensive.

As a consumer I have found that few, if any, retailers either care or have any "clout" regarding the toy soldiers they retail. Of course the manufacturers should be doing their own market research but I would hope that entries in this forum receive the same/ similar weight.

With 2nd hand Deetail vehicles selling up to $350AUS and more it should be obvious that a market exists for rereleases to occur.

I was not aware that there were problems regarding the actual "moulds" so please forgive my impatience. I have been waiting 20 years for "marching Germans" and "standing firing Germans" to reappear and I'm talking quantities totalling at least 30 to complete my sets- the PAKs and vehicles and motorcycles would be a very welcome additional bonus.

It is very hard when one sees "cowboys" and "knights" and then only limited Germans.

Perhaps more clarity and explanation would be of assistance to consumers so they know what to expect. I hope this post is perceived as respectful because its meant to be- I'm just sick of waiting.......

I look forward to Richard's input.

regards

 

[WBritain]

Hi Patton:

Sadly Mark is right - in the 1990's when Britains was being sold many items were sold or simply disappeared from the factory - take for instance the Britains Archive sale at Christies in 1994. Much of the plastic and diecast vehicle tooling went away at this time.

When First Gear bought Britains you can bet I turned the factories updside down in China looking for these items and came up empty handed. I too wanted to see them re-released - could not agree with you more.

That said I am not so sure we will do any diecast vehicle tooling - never say never but the numbers do not add up yet (I take your point about the $350 old Britain vehicles - but if they were new and we had to make 10,000 would people still be willing to pay $350 or even $150??? - my research tells me not). As for plastic figure tooling- that we continue to look very seriously at.

And never feel shy about telling us what you want - I may not be able to grant all your wishes but I will certainly listen and take it to heart!

Best Regards,

Richard

 

[Patton]

Hi Richard

Thank you for the courtesy of responding and the promptness. (this forum works !!!!)

The $350 amount occurs because of the rarity of the item. As collector and skirmisher I would happily pay $150 for a reissue of a Daimler scout car. Why ?? Because there is NOTHING on the market even remotely similar to the Deetail quality IMHO. I would actually buy two -(1x desert and 1x European).

If the production time was longer I would pay more (up to $200) but would have to save obviously. Where my problem occurs is being expected to pay a sum of money IMMEDIATELY and WITHOUT NOTICE for an item with limited release. I hope my point is understood.

BTW are the rest of the Germans being rereleased in due course ??

regards

 

[plasmapulse]

DSM:
http://www.redskorpio.com.ar/

 

[General Custer]

It's DSG , not DSM !

 

[Mark Avery]

Hi All

I think Richard has now covered this subject pretty well and explained in more detail what I'd already said. Yes the company everyone is referring to in Argentina who make re-issues of some Deetail product is DSG, just to clarify DSM in my little picture refers to Dark Star Media Ltd which is my own design business, sorry if this caused anyone any confusion.

Cheers
Mark