The End of the Toy Soldier Industry… a different perspective. (1 Viewer)

[uksubs]

The Texas Show was my last event that I attended.Everyone was happy, pleasant, collectors meet and chat and you get to talk with say Andy from K&C and Brian from
Collectors Showcase,Figarti having their people there and so forth. It is sad that a few of the forum members with the BIGGEST OPINIONS never attend these events.
I always walk away from one of these events feeling happy I attended ! Funny how things turn sour at times when people get behind a keyboard.
LONG LIVE THE HOBBY .................

Can I asked what going to a toy soldier show got to do with anything ?Forums are about everyone opinion and that what make them great ,if I like something are say it but if it wrong I will say that as well that what a forum about

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Can I asked what going to a toy soldier show got to do with anything ?

Yes............ The Texas Show was an excellent example of how the Toy Soldier Hobby is doing.The show has gotten bigger every year and continues to grow.
More dealers, more customers, more fun. Everyone there had a good time, got to meet each other and topics were discussed in person face to face. If you wanted
to talk with the owner of King&Country, Collectors Showcase, Reps from figarti,Toy Soldiers of san Diego, etc they were all there.What this has to do with the industry
is these type of events are indicators that the hobby and market for the hobby is strong. If one feels different about this then it might be time for them to find another hobby instead of shooting holes into this one. Happy Collecting

 

[Mitch]

I think Terry's original points as happens, have been taken completely out of the context he originally intended. I do agree that I cannot see why this was not merged as it is the same and, why K&C could not just put his comment into the thread. As for Howard wondering why most things about price etc are in the K&C section well, its where most only look and, if you want something seen its best to put it there. If not, then why does Andy post all of his responses there?? works both ways.

Away from the way its been taken which again, IMO is wrong. Its about the constant breakages and poor quality not the survival of the hobby. Though, for many they may be interlinked. I also think that many who recieve these allegedly ''rare'' broken pieces (on a regular basis) or, have problems years down the line, have the right to voice these concerns on a toy soldier forum without having their concerns belittled by either manufacturers or, worse collectors.

Warts and all means just that and, its as easy for some to label some as negative as it is for some to label others as Rah Rah. It would also be stupid to believe that all is rosy, for all, in the garden. the last time I looked this forum stated ''for all things toy soldier'' not all things that are positive about toy soldiers and don't rock the boat. I also don't think its anything to do with shooting holes in the hobby if it needs that then these are the ideal places to say these things. I know for a fact that many items wrongly made in the first instance have been changed correctly when highlighted here and, that is a good thing.

When comments are about negative issues those who either have not had that problem etc have the right to just avoid the thread but, as is the norm when damages etc are raised there seems an immediate need for some to rally round the manufacturers as if they are family and give them support. As has been mentioned when they deserve praise and something is good they will get it but, that is not everytime and people should also accept that.

Perhaps those that don't like the reality that items do come damaged etc are the ones that should be finding a new hobby where eutopia exists and all is well in the garden instead of asking others to do likewise.
Mitch

 

[Currahee Chris]

This is always an interesting debate in the hobby, that I do enjoy.

One could argue I believe that the end of the toy soldier industry is already in full motion- where are all the Marx sets many of you played with and received as toys as children? Watching 21st Century and FOV slide back onto shelves and then disappear again from major retailers seems to signal to me that this "industry" is no longer what it once was and that it is now a boutique, "cottage" industry.

It's a bit tricky at times to accurately define the toy soldier industry when we seem to have problems defining what a modern toy soldier is. Scant decades ago glossy toy soldiers were the "industry" yet they seem to be virtually nonexistent when compared to plastic and matte toy soldiers. Toy soldiers seem to have morphed into military miniatures and the traditional toy soldier has virtually gone the way of the dodo.

I think the marketplace is even playing into that decline. Inventory levels are difficult and costly to maintain so it seems like we are seeing more and more of either "limited edition" runs which play into the "better get it now" mentality or part of the marketing seems to be to slyly release the production levels to allude to scarcity. When you start to play into the production run game, I believe the industry has morphed from the toy soldier industry into the collectible art industry and the haves and have nots will continue to grow. General purpose toy soldiers, commonly available from major retailers, seem to be a thing of the past.

And again, I still think it will be interesting to see where the next generation of toy soldier production comes from. There have been some truly innovative characters out there over the past 20 years. I think we will need to see some more creative energy otherwise, I think a lot of the exclusivity/ scarcity will possibly get worse simply because there are fewer and fewer baby boomers out there nabbing this stuff.

 

[Shadowfax]

I do not think that the toy soldier hobby or industry is sinking, the main thing is only on how to inject more new collectors into this hobby.
The realistic thing is that this hobby is not cheap. It requires a lot of blood and guts from the individual before he can go into this hobby.^&grin ,but once you are into this hobby it becomes addictive very quickly.

I marvel at the sculpts of the figures I collect and actually feel lucky that I can be in this hobby currently.
This is after all a niche hobby for people who are passionate about history. How long can I be in this hobby till commitments and high costs keep me out? No one knows, neither do I but I can say one thing and that is even if I have to be out of this hobby one day due to higher commitments or due to the prohibitive cost, toy soldiers will forever be in my heart and I would treasure whatever I have amass so far in my collection. Be very sure though that once situations permits, i would be back!

Till then, though let the good times continue and collect the figures/ range you so love.

 

[larso]

I don't think cost is a major issue. As prices increase people buy three figures rather than four and then maybe settle for two if the costs jump again. Indeed, I find the juggling of what to get part of the fun. I plan and then switch as new things come out. In the end it may well squeeze a manufacturer or two out but it won't ever cause a mass walk-out by collectors in general. At the Brisbane dinner I asked Andy how many collectors he thought there were worldwide and he replied maybe 25,000 - 30,0000, though he qualified this on several levels. He also said there were still plenty of people who were potential collectors (people like me, middle aged now but with a childhood playing with plastics) but are unaware there is even a hobby to get into! In my mind this means things will still be very viable for another couple of decades yet.

 

[glossman]

I do not think that the toy soldier hobby or industry is sinking, the main thing is only on how to inject more new collectors into this hobby.
The realistic thing is that this hobby is not cheap. It requires a lot of blood and guts from the individual before he can go into this hobby.^&grin ,but once you are into this hobby it becomes addictive very quickly.

I marvel at the sculpts of the figures I collect and actually feel lucky that I can be in this hobby currently.
This is after all a niche hobby for people who are passionate about history. How long can I be in this hobby till commitments and high costs keep me out? No one knows, neither do I but I can say one thing and that is even if I have to be out of this hobby one day due to higher commitments or due to the prohibitive cost, toy soldiers will forever be in my heart and I would treasure whatever I have amass so far in my collection. Be very sure though that once situations permits, i would be back!

Till then, though let the good times continue and collect the figures/ range you so love.

It is interesting to read a post on the perspective of a Singapore collector. The hobby of collecting toy soldiers/military miniatures is a relatively new one locally. I agree we can do with larger collector numbers to sustain the hobby. For obvious reasons, this is not a hobby for everyone because of individual priorities.

As collectors, we need to pace ourselves for the long term. For myself, it means being very selective in purchases. Before making a purchase, I think twice.....sometimes I think forever and end up not buying.^&grin:tongue:

Notwithstanding price increases in just about everything (not just sets/figures) and an uncertain global economic climate, I believe you can hang in there with a budget for toy soldiers/military miniatures. Even if you have to cut back, you can still enjoy what you already have in your collection. You don't have to buy a new set/figure every month to stay on the road.

Raymond

 

[Shadowfax]

It is interesting to read a post on the perspective of a Singapore collector. The hobby of collecting toy soldiers/military miniatures is a relatively new one locally. I agree we can do with larger collector numbers to sustain the hobby. For obvious reasons, this is not a hobby for everyone because of individual priorities.

As collectors, we need to pace ourselves for the long term. For myself, it means being very selective in purchases. Before making a purchase, I think twice.....sometimes I think forever and end up not buying.^&grin:tongue:

Notwithstanding price increases in just about everything (not just sets/figures) and an uncertain global economic climate, I believe you can hang in there with a budget for toy soldiers/military miniatures. Even if you have to cut back, you can still enjoy what you already have in your collection. You don't have to buy a new set/figure every month to stay on the road.

Raymond

I agree with you Glossman as it is, we are already fortunate enough to be part of this hobby. I need strict roman discipline though in trying not to stray into too many ranges.
With so many fantastic lines of new ranges crashing down on us like a avalanche on our thin fences, we would be swept away.{sm4} or will we be able to hold the line? {sm4}

Have a great day ahead.

 

[Mitch]

Larso..

Could you explain the qualifying remarks that were made for the numbers. I would have expected more collectors worldwide than the figures quoted at the dinner
Mitch

I don't think cost is a major issue. As prices increase people buy three figures rather than four and then maybe settle for two if the costs jump again. Indeed, I find the juggling of what to get part of the fun. I plan and then switch as new things come out. In the end it may well squeeze a manufacturer or two out but it won't ever cause a mass walk-out by collectors in general. At the Brisbane dinner I asked Andy how many collectors he thought there were worldwide and he replied maybe 25,000 - 30,0000, though he qualified this on several levels. He also said there were still plenty of people who were potential collectors (people like me, middle aged now but with a childhood playing with plastics) but are unaware there is even a hobby to get into! In my mind this means things will still be very viable for another couple of decades yet.

 

[uksubs]

I don't think cost is a major issue. As prices increase people buy three figures rather than four and then maybe settle for two if the costs jump again. Indeed, I find the juggling of what to get part of the fun. I plan and then switch as new things come out. In the end it may well squeeze a manufacturer or two out but it won't ever cause a mass walk-out by collectors in general. At the Brisbane dinner I asked Andy how many collectors he thought there were worldwide and he replied maybe 25,000 - 30,0000, though he qualified this on several levels. He also said there were still plenty of people who were potential collectors (people like me, middle aged now but with a childhood playing with plastics) but are unaware there is even a hobby to get into! In my mind this means things will still be very viable for another couple of decades yet.

Have to disagree price is a big issue to me when tanks and planes are costing £250.00 now

 

[lancer]

Have to disagree price is a big issue to me when tanks and planes are costing £250.00 now

Completely agree. Cost is THE most important and limiting factor. Nothing else is close. -- Al

 

[larso]

"Larso..
Could you explain the qualifying remarks that were made for the numbers. I would have expected more collectors worldwide than the figures quoted at the dinner
Mitch"

From memory I asked for a ballpark figure and he replied firstly that it was hard to say and that it was very much a niche hobby. It's a bit tricky too in that it's hard to define a collector. Do collectors include those who only buy a figure or two a year or those who have a collection from a while ago, or those who just get plastics? This at least was my reading of his answer. I had wondered if his records regarding amounts of stock shipped/ordered might give him an idea but of course this could only ever be just a part of the picture, given many collectors collect other brands. So, I was actually surprised it was as high as he said. I'd expected something in the 10,000 - 15,000 range, so I was pleasantly surprised at least.

 

[Shadowfax]

"Larso..
Could you explain the qualifying remarks that were made for the numbers. I would have expected more collectors worldwide than the figures quoted at the dinner
Mitch"

From memory I asked for a ballpark figure and he replied firstly that it was hard to say and that it was very much a niche hobby. It's a bit tricky too in that it's hard to define a collector. Do collectors include those who only buy a figure or two a year or those who have a collection from a while ago, or those who just get plastics? This at least was my reading of his answer. I had wondered if his records regarding amounts of stock shipped/ordered might give him an idea but of course this could only ever be just a part of the picture, given many collectors collect other brands. So, I was actually surprised it was as high as he said. I'd expected something in the 10,000 - 15,000 range, so I was pleasantly surprised at least.

Actually 30,000 collectors world wide is not a lot considering the world's population but I guess it is enough to at least keep the Toy soldier companies in operation.
Even if we throw in another 30,000 people. 60,000 collectors is still pretty small,this is a niche hobby
and is it not great that we are at least part of it.{sm4}

 

[Mitch]

Larso...

Cheers for that. Very interesting stuff would have liked to have heard it all.
Mitch

"Larso..
Could you explain the qualifying remarks that were made for the numbers. I would have expected more collectors worldwide than the figures quoted at the dinner
Mitch"

From memory I asked for a ballpark figure and he replied firstly that it was hard to say and that it was very much a niche hobby. It's a bit tricky too in that it's hard to define a collector. Do collectors include those who only buy a figure or two a year or those who have a collection from a while ago, or those who just get plastics? This at least was my reading of his answer. I had wondered if his records regarding amounts of stock shipped/ordered might give him an idea but of course this could only ever be just a part of the picture, given many collectors collect other brands. So, I was actually surprised it was as high as he said. I'd expected something in the 10,000 - 15,000 range, so I was pleasantly surprised at least.