The death of Wolfe (2 Viewers)

[Warrior]

I've got all of them minus FM 01, 02, BM 01, 02 ,03.................in stock and ready to ship that is.......

 

[Big Miller Bro]

I'm 'new' to the whole toy soldier collecting thing (used to collect Star Wars minis) but I thought nearly everyone liked that the demand made the secondary value of the sets go up? And that if they sell out and are not available it was pitched to me as a 'positive' thing? Certainly you cant fault the retailers for taking the same stance as the collectors and taking advantage of that increased 'worth' and raising the price on limited stock?

I'm not looking to upset anyone but I am trying to figure out the differences with marketing in the toy soldier hobby vs the miniature wargamers. I guess I'm just confused because on one hand I have people saying that by NOT making my own stuff limited it isnt worth getting (I had thought it was about displaying good figures?). I make my stuff available as castings, drop cast molds, and spin cast, as well as a limited number of hand painted sets (by the artist himself lol), but then the same people seem upset when the sets they are collecting do well and demand drives their 'worth' up so that they are hard to get? Is there a double standard I'm just not aware of lol? Is it just a case of once someone gets their set they are fine if the price goes up but if they are on the tail end of the collecting it becomes 'unfair'?

 

[Combat]

I'm 'new' to the whole toy soldier collecting thing (used to collect Star Wars minis) but I thought nearly everyone liked that the demand made the secondary value of the sets go up? And that if they sell out and are not available it was pitched to me as a 'positive' thing? Certainly you cant fault the retailers for taking the same stance as the collectors and taking advantage of that increased 'worth' and raising the price on limited stock?

QUOTE]

There is a long tortured history on the forum regarding the pros and cons of limited editions. From my own perspective I tend to like them. The dealers that I have worked with are generally very helpful and if they want to raise their prices that is their prerogative. However, it is a bit frustrating that items are rarely discounted when they are not selling. I believe KC even prohibits this practice. The John Jenkins figures did not appear to be moving well for a long time and now that they are selling prices have been increased 25% or more from some dealers. So its not entirely a free marketplace situation if dealers cannot discount products but can raise prices. Not a big deal, but there you have it.

 

[Pierre]

I'm with Pierre and hope it is Montcalm. How many of the JJ sets do you guys have? I am trying to figure out what is most likely to sell out and purchase that one next before it is gone.

I didn't feel any urgency so I missed BM-01, BM-02, BM-03. As I do no intend to make the same mistake another time, I have all the other sets (British, French, Indians and canoes) and I already ordered QB-02.

Pierre.

 

[Big Miller Bro]

ahhh- yeah I can understand the different views, and I am truly not wishing to set anyone off lol; but it almost seems like their is no 'winning' from the manufactering/retail side of things. I dont think high prices are good (or bad either) but assumed rather that demand drives the price of all collectables?

I only know the history of the Scruby line of toy soldiers but I thought the original collector appeal was that they were detailed (for the time) and not very common (no Walmart for example) and thus their worth was higher because those who appreciated them placed a high value on them. It wasnt that only XXX were made but rather that you had some in your collection for as long as they were produced. Now it almost seems like the demand itself is manufactered much like the comic industry where only a set amount is made?

I know in the miniature hobby most lines are produced for as long as they are profitable- and in many cases produced when not profitable lol. Typically Limited Edition castings are the domain of the collectable minis market- where you buy a random box of figures sight unseen. Like a lotto ticket eventually you get a LE figure that is 'worth' anywhere from $2-200 to collectors.

Admitedly the trend in collectable miniatures is to outsource prepainted stuff to china as well- but that is at the corporate level and the difference in quality/customer satisfaction is telling. Indeed a few companies have driven their fan base away from lines that should have been big hits.

But with the collectable minis the first rule is to know that 'anything goes' for the price someone can ask and expect- I mean the 'worth' of the actual figure is measured in pennies, it is the value placed on it by the collectors that drives the market. Without that value their is no market, only the figures worth.

 

[Capitolron]

Dealers buy their stuff at a wholesale price and then sell to us at a reatil price. I am fine with that - thats the business - what I dont like is when dealers are selling at the suggested retail price and then "jack up" the price a little more (after reading this forum or getting alot of orders on a particular product) to squeeze that extra $20 bucks out of you. They know they can do and get away with it because we will pay.

Its a cheap shot to the customer to do that - IMO.

 

[OzDigger]

I'm not looking to upset anyone but I am trying to figure out the differences with marketing in the toy soldier hobby vs the miniature wargamers. I guess I'm just confused because on one hand I have people saying that by NOT making my own stuff limited it isnt worth getting (I had thought it was about displaying good figures?). I make my stuff available as castings, drop cast molds, and spin cast, as well as a limited number of hand painted sets (by the artist himself lol), but then the same people seem upset when the sets they are collecting do well and demand drives their 'worth' up so that they are hard to get? Is there a double standard I'm just not aware of lol? Is it just a case of once someone gets their set they are fine if the price goes up but if they are on the tail end of the collecting it becomes 'unfair'?

Limited Editions are terrific for any hobby because they stimulate interest.

But when an edition is TO limited it tends to upset the collectors that missed out, for whatever valid reason they may have had at the time, such as being in hospital, out of the country, etc. This is more a case of equal opportunity rather than a double standard being involved.

The other factor is the anticipated popularity of a Limited Edition. For example, the LOW production run of the popular Rommel's Halftrack (Greif) made by King & Country caused concern for some collectors because it was a popular set and a number of collectors missed out. The more recent "Panzer Meyer Halftrack" was released in higher numbers but the price was also higher because of extra figures with that set. Consequently that set hasn't sold out as yet.

Therefore the secret to Limited Edition success is to select a prototype that will be popular. Yet available in reasonable numbers to allow the majority of collectors to get one. Yet be limited enough and at a reasonable price to stimulate people to buy it.

And good luck with that Bro

 

[Big Miller Bro]

yeah- as I say I can see everyone pros and cons.

For myself I know the fact that I cant get the first ones of the Braddock set means I wont get the rest as I wont have a full set 'collection' and I'd if only to use for warmaging I'd use the firing line figs more than the marching and wounded ones- so from that point of view having them limited means people like me wont get them. Yet I recognize that if they were not limited then the people who bought them first, expecting them to be limited, wouldnt buy them in the first place.

Its almost like two seperate hobbyist types inhabiting the same hobby lol- so the real choice is which to cater to lol

 

[OzDigger]

I wouldn't say they were separate types as most collectors often buy an extra set if they think it will make them a few dollars upon resale. You really have to look at this hobby as stimulating people to buy for the pleasure with some hint of investment so they can rationalise their "investment"

 

[Capitolron]

I wouldn't say they were separate types as most collectors often buy an extra set if they think it will make them a few dollars upon resale. You really have to look at this hobby as stimulating people to buy for the pleasure with some hint of investment so they can rationalise their "investment"

OZ

That was very well put.

And collectors can change what ranges they collect - sell them to start others and afford the growing number of different ranges too.

But, that was very well put.

Ron

 

[Capitolron]

Does anyone have any ideas what other releases will come out after Wolfe??

 

[Combat]

Does anyone have any ideas what other releases will come out after Wolfe??

A Virginia regiment seems to be in the works. Maybe with a George Washington figure? I also saw this is coming in "07: DEATH OF CAPTAIN LIENARD DE BEAUJEU

 

[Warrior]

Ron,
As has been mentioned here already, about 12 sets are planned for Braddocks Defeat for later this year, and at least nine British and French sets for Quebec are coming in May and June, cavalry has been hinted at to me by John as part of the twelve, he said the Quebec sets would have basic poses so the collector if he chooses can buy multiples to create a large battle scene......................

Regards,
George

 

[sirsydney]

Greetings from Oregon. Just got my notice from Sierra that Wolfe's Death has been shipped. Can't wait to put it out on display. Look forward to the rest of the Quebec series as it comes out. By the way anyone know where I can find a BM-01 for a decent price? Regards to all.
Steve

 

[Capitolron]

Ron,
As has been mentioned here already, about 12 sets are planned for Braddocks Defeat for later this year, and at least nine British and French sets for Quebec are coming in May and June, cavalry has been hinted at to me by John as part of the twelve, he said the Quebec sets would have basic poses so the collector if he chooses can buy multiples to create a large battle scene......................

Regards,
George

Thanks George - I must have missed the earlier posts.

What do you have in stock now for John Jenkins ??

 

[Steven Chong]

... What do you have in stock now for John Jenkins ??

Dear Ron,
See George's post #41 in this thread.

 

[Combat]

These seem to have just been added to the '07 release schedule:

COMING IN 2007

VIRGINIA PROVINCIAL REGIMENT

BRITISH ARTILLERY

DEATH OF BRADDOCK


I gather the generals did not fare too well in this war!

 

[Warrior]

Ron,
Ive got most of the older sets as well as the two newest ones, WIM 04 and QB 02 ready to ship................

Regards,
George

 

[Combat]

I picked up FM-01, BM-02 and 03 today. I also saw something numbered QR-01 - it was labeled "Battle of Quebec" but it did not look familar. Any ideas?

 

[Capitolron]

Has anyone else seent his QR -01 ?