Top Sellers??? (1 Viewer)

[Warbuff26]

The fact that not many of the dealers that we all know are on this forum have not answered this thread makes me think that this is info that is not willingly shared. Is that a correct assumption? We are not asking to release sales data...I was just curious what moves well and what doesn’t from the dealers point of view....and also what would you like to sell again if given the chance. Dealers have a much better perspective on what’s hot and what’s not simply for the fact that you are much more involved in the process. If I have hit on a taboo subject however you have my apologies.

 

[Rob]

Yes it would just be interesting to kno which are the really popular lines and which are not so.I remember last december Andy telling me that as a whole WW2 Easily out sold all other ranges.

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

If it's lines, that's an easier question than specific items. I'm not sure dealers would want to answer the question because sales data is something that they probably hold dear to their hearts and is confidential information. Since dealers all deal with the same price, sales data would show which dealer is the most successful in marketing themselves to the buying public.

 

[Capitolron]

I still dont understand how a question like - which sells better WWII or Napoleonics is such a issue?

And, I certainly dont see how that information could be concidered "confidential industry data" - am I missing something here ??

 

[Rob]

I don't think its a big issue,its just interesting to know how many are collecting what.

Rob

 

[Combat]

I still dont understand how a question like - which sells better WWII or Napoleonics is such a issue?

And, I certainly dont see how that information could be concidered "confidential industry data" - am I missing something here ??

Based on everything that I have read - including Andy's posts, it's not much of a secret that the WWII line is by far the top seller. And, within that line, the Germans tend to sell best. I assume dealers are not dying to get into a discussion which may highlight, at least by implication, what is not selling.

 

[Peter Reuss]

I massaged my software and was able to get a few numbers from it...for the past 365 days...

Yes, for Treefrog WWII is by far the biggest seller (figuring raw dollar amounts sold). The WS series is on top of the heap, and Axis does outsell the Allies. Perhaps thay had cooler stuff!?!

One you get out of WWII, the Napoleonic line is next up, with American Rev and Crusaders behind.

Some of the new lines aren't as well represented because they don't have a year's worth of selling under their belt. Also remember that there are scads of WWII and NA figures and many less of other items, so comparisons are hard to come by.

It's interesting to compare notes with other dealers, as I'm sure that we have varied experiences.

 

[Capitolron]

I massaged my software and was able to get a few numbers from it...for the past 365 days...

Yes, for Treefrog WWII is by far the biggest seller (figuring raw dollar amounts sold). The WS series is on top of the heap, and Axis does outsell the Allies. Perhaps thay had cooler stuff!?!

One you get out of WWII, the Napoleonic line is next up, with American Rev and Crusaders behind.

Some of the new lines aren't as well represented because they don't have a year's worth of selling under their belt. Also remember that there are scads of WWII and NA figures and many less of other items, so comparisons are hard to come by.

It's interesting to compare notes with other dealers, as I'm sure that we have varied experiences.

Interesting Peter.....

The Crusaders came out at the end of last year - I wonder how those sales compare to others in the next few months with a full year on the self.

As for the NAPOLEONICS - well, Wellington and I can tell you - of course they sell great - THEY ARE THE BEST !!

 

[maddadicus]

As a collector of what I like, it ought not matter a wit as to what lines are popular or not. That kind of info would be most important to those ,who would pick and choose the hot stuff, in order to anticipate the overpriced secondary market for resell purposes. I can understand dealers wishing to keep the sales info under wraps, to keep the opportunists from loading up on any particular line at the expense of their having full shelves of the other stuff......Buy what you like, because you like it and would want to keep it forever.......Michael

 

[OzDigger]

I massaged my software and was able to get a few numbers from it...for the past 365 days...

Yes, for Treefrog WWII is by far the biggest seller (figuring raw dollar amounts sold). The WS series is on top of the heap, and Axis does outsell the Allies. Perhaps thay had cooler stuff!?!

One you get out of WWII, the Napoleonic line is next up, with American Rev and Crusaders behind.

Some of the new lines aren't as well represented because they don't have a year's worth of selling under their belt. Also remember that there are scads of WWII and NA figures and many less of other items, so comparisons are hard to come by.

It's interesting to compare notes with other dealers, as I'm sure that we have varied experiences.

WWII would be the most popular in most dealerships but I think some sell more Nap stuff, but that may be influenced by the personal preference of the dealer. German related items seem to be the most popular in all the WWII collectables be it plastic aircraft kits or actual military gear such as uniforms.

I suspect the most popular German items are Waffen SS, LAH then A/Korps etc.

 

[Capitolron]

As a collector of what I like, it ought not matter a wit as to what lines are popular or not. That kind of info would be most important to those ,who would pick and choose the hot stuff, in order to anticipate the overpriced secondary market for resell purposes. I can understand dealers wishing to keep the sales info under wraps, to keep the opportunists from loading up on any particular line at the expense of their having full shelves of the other stuff......Buy what you like, because you like it and would want to keep it forever.......Michael

Michael

I dont understand you line of reasoning - how is anyone buying certain figures or items - opportunism??

I am sure that Peter and Shannon would love to sell everything off their selves - thats why they are in business. Ask any dealer if you want to buy 100 WS100 - I am sure they will be more than happy to help you. And of course we come back to that usual socialist discussion about what people ought to do with their collections.

For the record - the line of questioning is about the long term livelyhood of K&C lines. No one asked about a specific item - it was a general question on King and Country as a whole.

A question was asked and remarks made that the Crusader Line was not selling well. This of course - if true - could and probally would have an effect on if the line will continue in the future. This is an important question for a serious collectors. Some people will not start a collection of a line if it is to be canceled soon down the road. And people are interested if their own lines which they collect are the best collected or not.

Look at the lines like Vietnam, Special Forces, Wild West & Rough Riders - where are they now? We all know that WWII and Napoleonics are here to stay - but, the question is interesting. Also IMO - this is not some super secret industry information - it is an interesting study on what kind Ranges has appeal and which ones do not.

Ron

 

[Warbuff26]

What? Napoleonics are here to stay? What / Who is that?? Oh well…..did they fight with the Nazi's...and can I get the complete set in AK? I'm kidding Ron!

 

[Capitolron]

What? Napoleonics are here to stay? What / Who is that?? Oh well…..did they fight with the Nazi's...and can I get the complete set in AK? I'm kidding Ron!

LOL

Good one - Warbuff

 

[The Military Workshop]

As a dealer in Australia our popular K&C would be WWII Germans first like everybody else. It is the great uniforms, vehicles and camo schemes that make them popular. This is like the model kit market where again the German stuff is more popular. Most allied stuff a shade of green and not that interesting.
If anybody knows the Dragon 1/72 Armour range it took them almost 3 years to do a Sherman whilst they produced almost 100 German tanks before the Sherman arrived. That is taking it to the extreme but shows how well German stuff goes.
Napoleonics next most popular. Large migrant population here from Europe so a lot relate to the WWII/Nap/Crusader ranges. Not too many have the funds to go WWII and historical figures. American Civil War quite popular down under as Aussies seem to have a liking for the Confederates ( USA forum guys might be interested to know I have met a guy who locates the old graves of ACW veterans and then gets US Govt. to send over a new one).
Least popular here would be The Alamo range as other ranges likely to attract the customers more. No doubt that it highly popular in a certain Texas outlet.
I find the ladies like the Egyptian stuff (incidentally there is a certain type of establishment here called Cleo's on the Nile and I have yet to make my sales pitch to them !!). I do try and get customers to buy the Streets of Hong Kong Flower stall for their partners around Valentines Day ! Always pays to keep the ladies (or the "Minister of Finance", "She who must be obeyed", "the ball and chain") happy.

 

[Capitolron]

As a dealer in Australia our popular K&C would be WWII Germans first like everybody else. It is the great uniforms, vehicles and camo schemes that make them popular. This is like the model kit market where again the German stuff is more popular. Most allied stuff a shade of green and not that interesting.
If anybody knows the Dragon 1/72 Armour range it took them almost 3 years to do a Sherman whilst they produced almost 100 German tanks before the Sherman arrived. That is taking it to the extreme but shows how well German stuff goes.
Napoleonics next most popular. Large migrant population here from Europe so a lot relate to the WWII/Nap/Crusader ranges. Not too many have the funds to go WWII and historical figures. American Civil War quite popular down under as Aussies seem to have a liking for the Confederates ( USA forum guys might be interested to know I have met a guy who locates the old graves of ACW veterans and then gets US Govt. to send over a new one).
Least popular here would be The Alamo range as other ranges likely to attract the customers more. No doubt that it highly popular in a certain Texas outlet.
I find the ladies like the Egyptian stuff (incidentally there is a certain type of establishment here called Cleo's on the Nile and I have yet to make my sales pitch to them !!). I do try and get customers to buy the Streets of Hong Kong Flower stall for their partners around Valentines Day ! Always pays to keep the ladies (or the "Minister of Finance", "She who must be obeyed", "the ball and chain") happy.

So the Crusader Range is selling good at your shop in Oz Land?

 

[Warrior]

I'm a little late to this party, but here goes anyway.

My best selling era is WWII (big shock); within that era, The Battle of the Bulge Americans, Germans and the WS winter sets have and continue to sell the best for me, the Hummel has been my best selling vehicle BY FAR, followed closely by the M10.

Next in line are all of the DAK sets (wildly popular), then the entire FOB range. This range has been a sleeper overlooked initially but making up ground with the last batch of releases, all are terrific and the British can be used for multiple displays; far east, Crete, North Africa, Sicily and Italy, etc.

I have also done very well with WS 72 and WS 73, especially WS 73. The new DD sets have been a very good mover for me, DD 78 especially. I've got loads of wargamers as customers and they love DD 81 through 87, can't get enough of them.

No states secrets to hide here; bottom line is I attend over twenty shows per year and you can't beat the shows, people come to shows to buy, buy, buy and I am there to sell, sell, sell. I see very few people walk out of a show with no bags in their hands and see quite afew people go back and forth to their vehicle several times during a show...................

My next best selling era is the Saracens and the Crusaders by a long shot. I consistantly sell these figures at all the shows, move quite a few at every show. They are visually stunning, I think that is why they do so well at the shows, all of the mounted figures are sure fire crowd pleasers.

Napoleonics are in the middle of the pack, I do more than my fair share with them, the Cuirassiers are flying out of here, as are the British Guards figures.

All of the other ranges (AWI, Alamo, ACW, WWI) do well as a group; regarding the ACW and WWI, most of my customers are laying in the weeds to see what comes next, action poses are begging to be done and we all know WWI action poses will be spectacular.

 

[Capitolron]

I'm a little late to this party, but here goes anyway.

My best selling era is WWII (big shock); within that era, The Battle of the Bulge Americans, Germans and the WS winter sets have and continue to sell the best for me, the Hummel has been my best selling vehicle BY FAR, followed closely by the M10.

Next in line are all of the DAK sets (wildly popular), then the entire FOB range. This range has been a sleeper overlooked initially but making up ground with the last batch of releases, all are terrific and the British can be used for multiple displays; far east, Crete, North Africa, Sicily and Italy, etc.

I have also done very well with WS 72 and WS 73, especially WS 73. The new DD sets have been a very good mover for me, DD 78 especially. I've got loads of wargamers as customers and they love DD 81 through 87, can't get enough of them.

No states secrets to hide here; bottom line is I attend over twenty shows per year and you can't beat the shows, people come to shows to buy, buy, buy and I am there to sell, sell, sell. I see very few people walk out of a show with no bags in their hands and see quite afew people go back and forth to their vehicle several times during a show...................

My next best selling era is the Saracens and the Crusaders by a long shot. I consistantly sell these figures at all the shows, move quite a few at every show. They are visually stunning, I think that is why they do so well at the shows, all of the mounted figures are sure fire crowd pleasers.

Napoleonics are in the middle of the pack, I do more than my fair share with them, the Cuirassiers are flying out of here, as are the British Guards figures.

All of the other ranges (AWI, Alamo, ACW, WWI) do well as a group; regarding the ACW and WWI, most of my customers are laying in the weeds to see what comes next, action poses are begging to be done and we all know WWI action poses will be spectacular.

George

Thanks for the information - it is very kind of you to share your sales experiences with us. I think this gives people a better understanding of what there own favorite lines are doing to some degree.

Andy - Keeps a careful eye on how lines sell and how customers take to them. This is what I am sure is concidered on how long a Range will be made available. No Sales - No reason to keep making that range.

Again, I appreciate your open & honest approach with all of us. Many thanks.

Ron

 

[Warrior]

Ron,
Not a problem, more than glad to chime in on this.

Keep in mind dealers in different parts of the country may find they sales to be slanted in certain directions, ie, those in the southwest sell more Alamo and ACW, Tim in Florida may sell more ACW, I know a couple of dealers who almost exclusively sell LAH and Streets of Hong Kong, etc.

Different strokes for different folks, I am of the opinion that there is not a single K & C range that does not sell well, they all do very well, the question is to what degree. WWII is what drives the bus I am sure, but other ranges may sell extremely well; like I said, the Saracens and Crusaders came out of nowhere a little over a year ago and are my second best sellers in that short time span, pretty amazing and the new releases look off the charts incredible in my opinion, especially the mounted figures.

People really like the mounted figures too; ACW, Napoleonic, Ancients, AWI, WWI, WWII............

 

[Warbuff26]

George,

Thanks for the info....very helpful. If you could bring one set back out of retirement to sell again what would it be?

 

[Capitolron]

George,

Thanks for the info....very helpful. If you could bring one set back out of retirement to sell again what would it be?

Warbuff - that is a great question - if its alright by you - I going to start a thread on it! I think alot people would like to chime in on that one