Toy Soldier Cost (1 Viewer)

[Dickbuttons]

I have seen allot of talk on this forum about the fact that Britains probably wont be making a 4 or 5 piece cavlary sets anytime soon, because the probable cost of $180-$200 wouldn't be supported by the market.

I just want to remind my fellow collectors (and those too young to remember), that buying a Britains cavlary set of 5 pieces in 1955 for $2.50 at FAO Schwartz was not cheap either, especially when my weekly allowance was .25 cents. Nor was it cheap in the late 1980's and early 90's when the 4 piece cavlarly sets retailed for $75.00 @ plus tax.

And, yet Britains was able to sell thousands and thousands of sets and somehow survive. I can't believe that their marketing and production skills were that much better then exists today. I humbly suggest it's too easy to merely say that today's collector has changed, and would be unwilling to purchase a boxed set costing $175. Maybe the manufacturer hasn't yet come up with the right ideas such that the collector would part with his money. I see no lack of bidders on Vectis, Weiss, Morphy, Stout, OTS, etc., etc.


Dick

 

[theBaron]

Good point!

I'd buy a set of 4 to 5 mounted figures for around that price, if it were a subject I collect. I wonder if collecting preference underlies some of the comments against buying such a set, and the same collector or collectors might be willing to pay that price for a set from his own area of interest. So, maybe a WWII collector who'd pay $300 for a Tiger I in resin would say he wouldn't pay $200 for 4 Union cavalry.

I think we'd all pay what we can afford-and maybe a little bit more-for something we really want.

Prosit!
Brad

 

[thebritfarmer]

Having thought about this today, I think the collectors who want a boxed set of five would pay for them. The band sets seem to be popular and can comprise of 12 - 21 figures and at about $13.00 that works out to about150.00 - 270.00 a set. They must be popular as at least one new set is released each year. My problem is that in a cavalry set of 5 you get an officer, bugler and 3 troopers with no opportunity to buy more troopers without having extra officers & buglers.

As I buy my figures to display out of the box it makes no difference if they are singles or in sets.

 

[plasmapulse]

There are collectors who want to pick the best of the bunch, or a bit of everything. They might be put off by a boxset with more or less the same figures (same type/regiment anyway).

Personally, I like the fact that you can choose the poses you want in the quantity you want, not having to buy 4 troopers and 1 officer everytime with every set. I do believe boxsets make for a nice presentation overall.

It might be a idea to bundle multiple single releases in one boxset, and if they want to play bad, they could add one exclusive figure to the boxset or something. Give it a try and see what people buy. That single exclusive figure could be made available through the WB collectors club so members wouldn't be forced to buy the box to complete a collection.

The box owners would have the best presentation in return, with a complete set in one box.

Or is this just a rubbish thought

 

[Dickbuttons]

Nothing says you can't have a boxed set of 4 or 5, and also make single figures as "add-ons" if the particular line calls for it.

 

[theBaron]

I'm hoping that Britains respond to the demand that seems to be out there to put their Redcoats/Bluecoats into boxed sets, at least temporarily. I'd like to be able to get 4 or 5 figures at a pop.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Spitfrnd]

... My problem is that in a cavalry set of 5 you get an officer, bugler and 3 troopers with no opportunity to buy more troopers without having extra officers & buglers....

That is a great point. I would prefer the single figure option or at least sets that avoid the problem you mentioned by having "command sets" (e.g. officer, flag bearer, bugler) and trooper sets (each with different troopers).

 

[PolarBear]

As a retiree with a limited budget and eclectic tastes, the WB Classic singles and the new Museum Collection are a blessing. As long as WB continues to issue singles along with any boxed sets of multiples I will be happy. Part of WB's reasoning behind the Classics was also to attract a new generation of young collectors with small budgets. I additionally love the single releases because it allows me to have a museum-like historical survey of wars and uniforms on display.

Randy

 

[skeeterbuck]

That is a great point. I would prefer the single figure option or at least sets that avoid the problem you mentioned by having "command sets" (e.g. officer, flag bearer, bugler) and trooper sets (each with different troopers).

I like this idea best. The only thing that I would add is that the trooper sets not be the exact same pose. With a retail about $120 and a street price around $95 would be a reasonable solution.

Now if we could just get Britains to stop making those boring WWII and ACW figures we be OK. JUST KIDDING!!!!

 

[skeeterbuck]

.

I just want to remind my fellow collectors (and those too young to remember), that buying a Britains cavlary set of 5 pieces in 1955 for $2.50 at FAO Schwartz was not cheap either, especially when my weekly allowance was .25 cents. Nor was it cheap in the late 1980's and early 90's when the 4 piece cavlarly sets retailed for $75.00 @ plus tax.
Dick[/QUOTE]

Dick, I think the thing that we need to keep in perspective is that fact that in the 1950's how much competition did Britains have?

I can remember in the '60 having the 1st Bengal Skinner's Horse set that was a hand me down from my older brother. I was not allowed to take them outside and play, only inside. When I was finished they were placed back in the box and stored in a cupboard. This was because they were too expensive of a toy to be mistreated.

I wish I still had that set ... boy the memories.

 

[UKReb]

Now if we could just get Britains to stop making those boring WWII and ACW figures we be OK. JUST KIDDING!!!!

And the glossies and the plastics. Only Kidding!!!!!!

 

[Spitfrnd]

I like this idea best. The only thing that I would add is that the trooper sets not be the exact same pose. With a retail about $120 and a street price around $95 would be a reasonable solution. ...

Agree totally, that is what I intended.

 

[plasmapulse]

As a retiree with a limited budget and eclectic tastes, the WB Classic singles and the new Museum Collection are a blessing. As long as WB continues to issue singles along with any boxed sets of multiples I will be happy. Part of WB's reasoning behind the Classics was also to attract a new generation of young collectors with small budgets. I additionally love the single releases because it allows me to have a museum-like historical survey of wars and uniforms on display.

Randy

Exactly. Loose and boxed or just loose. But not just boxed.

 

[VIRIATO]

Exactly. Loose and boxed or just loose. But not just boxed.

Me too.