Too specialised ?? (1 Viewer)

[Patton]

Congrats to Andy on his new figures I'm a recent convert to K&C and I look forward to the monthly dispatches particularly on WWII issues..

However I do have a concern that the figure subjects may perhaps becoming too "specialised" at the expense of needed "generic" figures.

My other concern is that I am "required" to purchase an unwanted "specialist figure" when making another purchase eg WS109 has a perfectly good schimmwagon (sic) lumbered with an additional figures "taking a dump".
* what if I want two vehicles ? two "dumpers" ??
* cost: an extra $50 for a figure which (for me) is very low priority. I'm on a budget so that extra $50 will not be spent on a figure I really want.

I accept the logic and reality of the proposed German boot stealer and his dead companion. I do hope however that they will not be "lumped" in with a vehicle or other figures that I really want.

Maybe "Fields of Battle" should be joined by "Base Camp" and then we can have all the admin tasks for all nationalities depicted and marketed for those purchasers who really want them.

Hopefully I am perceived as being polite as that is my intention.

ps I am eagerly awaiting my DDay Austin.

 

[Kurt]

However I do have a concern that the figure subjects may perhaps becoming too "specialised" at the expense of needed "generic" figures.

Can you give some examples of what you consider specialized and generic figures?

 

[Eazy]

He did- the guy taking a dump. That seems a pretty specialised figure to me too!

 

[GJB22]

By "generic", do you mean marching, standing at attention, or firing while standing and kneeling? KC has done a good job producing new versions of these poses each year. I don't think there is ever a time you can't get figures like this. And I must say that the "specialized" figures and vehicles are what make KC so great.

 

[Patton]

I think the "specialised" figures are great too - but in the right way !! As indicated I would have purchased the schimmwagen but I wasnt prepared to pay extra for a unwanted/ unnecessary item.

I personally feel that the "groupings" of the figures need tweaking eg
* why are the marchers sold individually when they could be sold in multiples ? Do you ever see one soldier marching ?

* Some of the SS figures are sold in groups of two/ three when it would be cheaper for me to buy singly and in the numbers I want.

* If vehicles are to be sold then the passengers should be made available too. I would love some British passengers for the DDay Austin. And no passengers for WS109 ?

Just some thoughts ??

 

[Mitch]

Patton...

Its all down to cost and making a set attractive. The thinking probably behind say schwimmwagons was release just the vehicle and collectors would have wanted a figure do it with and some want it as a stand alone set. Lots of figures are released as single but, it personal preference with the sets as collectors are going to prefer individuals in that grouping to others as an example, I particularly liked the crouching NCO figure in WSS118 and the similar figure in WSS117 but, was not so keen on the inclusive figures but, bought them anyway as the figures were used and repainted elsewhere.

The bootswapper set will probably not be released with a vehicle and will either be a stand alone set with just those two figures or one other german soldier.

I suppose you could buy what you want and sell or swap with other collectors what you don't particularly like. As for specialised... we are focusing on 1939-45 so, all manufacturers will be specialised to a certain extent.
Mitch

 

[The Military Workshop]

Patton,
Perhaps you should look at the WS109 another way.
If you value the "dumper" at A$50 then driver is also worth A$50. By my calculations the vehicle is only A$17 ! That is based on current price of A$117.
A fairier value for that figure is probably about A$33-35 (based on figures of about US$29/30 released at same time as WS109) which makes the vehicle about A$47
Hope that helps.
Regards
Brett

 

[Kurt]

I think the "specialised" figures are great too - but in the right way !! As indicated I would have purchased the schimmwagen but I wasnt prepared to pay extra for a unwanted/ unnecessary item.

I personally feel that the "groupings" of the figures need tweaking eg
* why are the marchers sold individually when they could be sold in multiples ? Do you ever see one soldier marching ?

* Some of the SS figures are sold in groups of two/ three when it would be cheaper for me to buy singly and in the numbers I want.


Just some thoughts ??

Selling marching figures as a set would probably not yield much of a savings considering that the set boxes look a lot more expensive than the single figure boxes.

But, I also wish some sets had been sold as individual figures since most sets have at least one figure I don't like.

Many collectors, including myself, would like to see interchangeable (or an extra) half figure with tanks so you can buy multiples of a particular tank without having identical figures on top.

 

[Patton]

Hi Brett

I dont begrudge vehicles with drivers and I would not be parting the cost of the vehicle from the driver.

The $50AUD was derived from the cost I am currently paying for K&C single figures (pick up from shop. Have rechecked and single figure cost is $42 - $50.

In my view the "dumper' should have been marketed separately both from a cost perspective and a matter of choice.

Please remember that three figures sold together will always be more expensive than a single figure.

 

[Mitch]

Kurt...

Perhaps K&C could do alternative tank crew specifically to sit in turrets ets for axis and allied AFV's and sell them seperate. If this was seen as a to expensive thing or, not enough interest they could do it under the banner of the 250 series. In the long term it has to be cost viable as if collectors then buy multiples of an AFV because they have different crew instead of just one K&C makes more money. As the little Meerkats say in the TV adverts... Simples
Mitch

Selling marching figures as a set would probably not yield much of a savings considering that the set boxes look a lot more expensive than the single figure boxes.

But, I also wish some sets had been sold as individual figures since most sets have at least one figure I don't like.

Many collectors, including myself, would like to see interchangeable (or an extra) half figure with tanks so you can buy multiples of a particular tank without having identical figures on top.

 

[maddadicus]

Kurt...

Perhaps K&C could do alternative tank crew specifically to sit in turrets ets for axis and allied AFV's and sell them seperate. If this was seen as a to expensive thing or, not enough interest they could do it under the banner of the 250 series. In the long term it has to be cost viable as if collectors then buy multiples of an AFV because they have different crew instead of just one K&C makes more money. As the little Meerkats say in the TV adverts... Simples
Mitch

I am totally with you..We have been asking for this extra crew set for years..Seems to me to be a best seller, if offered..Michael