too many new releases?? (1 Viewer)

[nysoldiers]

Of course we all love to see new releases and ponder what we should collect next. Personally I find it hard to resist any new range but space and budgets will generally bring me back to "better judgment".
One of my major requirements, however, for collecting a series is that both sides of the conflict are represented. I also like to see timely releases of adversaries so I can plan space and budgets for my dioramas.
JJD is very successful with this strategy. With the FIW, 1812, Culloden and the SCW there were either consecutive or short durations for the releases of opposing armies.

FL did this as well with Napoleonics, WWII and the ACW. Now with the SYW, Agincourt and perhaps Vietnam coming I hope they will continue to beef up both sides of past releases. Personally I jumped headlong into the Renaissance range anticipating a timely release of
opponents for their beautiful Landsknechts. I am sure that ACW collectors would like to see more Union infantry and artillery for both armies as well. How about more artillery for the French Napoleonic army? It has been a long time since the French Line artillery appeared and then retired. You can't have a realistic Napoleonic diorama without artillery!

So my question for collectors is do we want more releases of new ranges or to slow up and expand the current ranges?

 

[SmilingJake]

I currently collect the ACW and WW2 ranges. I understand concern of some collectors that with additional new releases they may be waiting longer for for additions to the range(s) they currently collect. If new releases can bring more interest and new blood into the hobby thats a good thing in my opinion. I only collect FL and in my situation there has already been enough released that I could never acquire whats already out there. I tend to pick individual pieces from my ranges of interest that just appeal to me, weapons, pose, uniforms.
An old relic hunter once told me "You'll never dig it all." Thats my mentality about collecting FL.

 

[King's Man]

If having lots of different ranges is good for FL’s bottom line, then I am all in favor of it. If more ranges mean more sales then that will, in the end, benefit all FL customers.

“A rising tide lifts all boats”

King's Man ^&grin

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

Having a lot of choices can only be good for collectors and the hobby! Choice amongst different companies with varying styles is also good!

I like a lot of what FL is doing but I have to be realistic too and stick to my preferred ranges which are selective Napoleonic releases, selective Samurai releases and now my first new range in 4 years... AGINCOURT!!! I can picture that row of English longbow archers already! ^&cool

 

[MapleLeaf]

With too many releases two things come in play
Discipline and Space and space is the big killer
I'm into Naps and AWI
If i venture into different lines i would have to
get the officer , drummer, and flag bearer maybe a soldier
that's what space would allow me

 

[Hans]

Prices are rising into 'criminal' highs and all space is used for thousands of figures. I think, more and more lines did produce in the last two years less sales PER ITEM. That's the way smaller companies and their smaller editions become to be normal. The best producer for really COLLECTING figures (lines!) is JJD with his product politicy. And, look: to show a 'Regiment' or so you must buy around 25 soldiers (I know what I am talking about:wink2 - costs today (if you buy brand new soldiers) 1.000 Dollars; this is the best argument for some wifes too to say: "Man, are you crazy?". - Another point: I have French Imperial Guard from K/C, scottish Infantry from K/C, French line from K/C and FL - I do not buy the same comrads from another manufacturer. And so, in a logical way, sellings coming down and down. Britains do now some great Napo figs, but I only bought the french Lancers, not the great infantry, becorse I have "enough" french infantry. The hole market came down to smaller editions becorse young activists do not stand their in long lines crying "We will collect now toy soldiers"... it is like with other markets: At the point you have the best and massive attractions and a lot of products in high quality, the market in going down. (Boys, sorry for my bad english)

 

[Larry Allen]

A easy answer to this for me.
MORE releases of new lines and keep the expansion on any one series to a a few releases per year.

If new figures keep coming out for your series (AWI for me) then it becomes very difficult to "keep up" with the current releases. For that era I need multiple figures to have a firing line; show soldiers marching; or making an Advance towards the enemy. One of two wouldn't cut it at all. But I can only afford a few at a time, so keeping the release at a minimum helps by budget and "family life."

Also, when FL (or any manufacture) focuses on different ranges it is bound to broaden its market by appealing to a wider selection of collectors. With the exception of a few folks on this forum, most collectors are very focused on a few ranges and some only a small particular set of figures in that range.

Larry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

With too many releases two things come in play
Discipline and Space and space is the big killer
I'm into Naps and AWI
If i venture into different lines i would have to
get the officer , drummer, and flag bearer maybe a soldier
that's what space would allow me

That's what I do. Officer on foot, flag, drummer, and one or two others just to show the regiment. And now only regiments where the uniforms are quite different so I avoid similar looking regiments of British foot or french line.

Terry

 

[sammy719]

it's not the releases that get me in trouble, it's the purchases...Sammy