Toy Soldier Pricing.....How Much Is Too Much ? (1 Viewer)

[PanzerAce1944]

I don't feel it would be fair to pick on any one particular company here but I Just thought I would get some opinions on at what price point do collectors say
prices are getting too high and enough is enough. What is one willing to pay for a quality detailed and painted Toy Soldier ? Not long ago $32.00 was a new price threshold for quality figures which soon turned to $35.00 Then $37.00 per figure ! Now we are at $42.00 per figure. I totally understand the increased costs now to produce these items.....higher labor costs....cost of materials..... storage.... etc.
My concern here is if price increases continue at the rate that they have been in the last year or so, how will this influence the current base of collectors and even more importantly.........................................
future collectors coming into the hobby ?

 

[Rob]

I don't feel it would be fair to pick on any one particular company here but I Just thought I would get some opinions on at what price point do collectors say
prices are getting too high and enough is enough. What is one willing to pay for a quality detailed and painted Toy Soldier ? Not long ago $32.00 was a new price threshold for quality figures which soon turned to $35.00 Then $37.00 per figure ! Now we are at $42.00 per figure. I totally understand the increased costs now to produce these items.....higher labor costs....cost of materials..... storage.... etc.
My concern here is if price increases continue at the rate that they have been in the last year or so, how will this influence the current base of collectors and even more importantly.........................................
future collectors coming into the hobby ?

Difficult to answer to be honest. But it depends on each particular collector and his appreciation of a certain release, for instance I would not pay £250 for an Italian Tank as I have no interest in the Italian War contribution, but I certainly would pay £250 for a Hurricane Mk2 in Desert markings . I don't have a price over which I won't go on principle, its not as clear cut as that, I judge each release on how much I want it.

Rob

 

[uksubs]

Difficult to answer to be honest. But it depends on each particular collector and his appreciation of a certain release, for instance I would not pay £250 for an Italian Tank as I have no interest in the Italian War contribution, but I certainly would pay £250 for a Hurricane Mk2 in Desert markings . I don't have a price over which I won't go on principle, its not as clear cut as that, I judge each release on how much I want it.

Rob

Great post Rob & that the way I look at the hobby now

 

[Mitch]

my only caveat has been about those collectors who have been in the hobby for many years who, have cash to spend, but, are being marginalised by price increases.

I have to say personally, if I like something and this goes not only for soldiers but anything then I will buy it.

What we need to remember is these are collectables not toys per se so, I would not expect kids to be buying them as the hobby attracts older collectors primarily. So, if enough people have sufficient cash to buy the stuff then it will continue if they don't then manufacturers will have to have a rethink about future stratagies.
Mitch

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Difficult to answer to be honest. But it depends on each particular collector and his appreciation of a certain release, for instance I would not pay £250 for an Italian Tank as I have no interest in the Italian War contribution, but I certainly would pay £250 for a Hurricane Mk2 in Desert markings . I don't have a price over which I won't go on principle, its not as clear cut as that, I judge each release on how much I want it.

Rob

Rob, I agree with that.If I want the item and it is a bit pricey I will still go out and get it because I wanted it. I think price hikes will affect more the collectors buying figures in large quantities for the purpose of creating troops in mass dioramas. Say Napoleonics,Civil War, Etc.....

 

[uksubs]

I think price hikes will affect more the collectors buying figures in large quantities for the purpose of creating troops in mass dioramas. Say Napoleonics,Civil War, Etc.....

Think you make a good point

 

[lancer]

Figure prices have now passed the point that I am willing to spend. I still am willing to go for the larger, more expensive armor and aircraft (for a while, anyway). Just an individual choice, but at $40+, I will not be adding figures. This is a matter, as I see it, of "bang for the buck". A $40-42 figure has no bang for me, it is just too expensive for a single figure. I will spend more for the aircraft or armor because of the "wow" factor, and I just really like them, but even that has a limit for a regular addition (as oppossed to the "I can't live without this piece" purchase). JMO. -- Al

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Figure prices have now passed the point that I am willing to spend. I still am willing to go for the larger, more expensive armor and aircraft (for a while, anyway). Just an individual choice, but at $40+, I will not be adding figures. This is a matter, as I see it, of "bang for the buck". A $40-42 figure has no bang for me, it is just too expensive for a single figure. I will spend more for the aircraft or armor because of the "wow" factor, and I just really like them, but even that has a limit for a regular addition (as oppossed to the "I can't live without this piece" purchase). JMO. -- Al

Another very valid aspect to this topic.... Thanks for your input Lancer , Rob , Mitch,UKsubs.

 

[Louis Badolato]

When I started in this hobby in 1990, a set of 6 figures was $60-75 (i.e. $10-12 per figure). I could not afford to purchase my collection now, despite the fact that I make easily 4-5 times as much as I did when I first started collecting.

When I got focused on collecting King & Country in 1997 (up until then I had collected Britains, Imperial, Trophy, Guard Corps, Frontline and King & Country) I wanted everything K&C had ever produced from when it opened its doors in June, 1984. Up until around 2005, I went back and bought every piece of old K&C I could find, and bought all of the new stuff as it came out.

Around 2005, things changed dramatically for me as a collector. First of all my oldest son Alec was born, and a lot of my income was now dedicated to family rather than personal items. Additionally, there was just too much new stuff for me to keep up, and the prices had gone up to a point where I couldn't even afford all the new stuff I wanted. Now I buy only the figures, vehicles, aircraft and diorama materials I really must have, from all of the different manufacturers. I probably spend about one-third to half of what I used to spend pre-2005, and I get about 1/10th the product for my money.

Don't get me wrong, this was always an expensive hobby, meant for people with a lot of discretionary income. Collectors starting out today either have to have a great deal of discretionary income, or have to limit themselves to smaller, more focused collections. The collectors I know personally who have the biggest and most diverse collections are success stories: the owners of successful businesses, big time people in the real estate or financial industry or other large corporations, and successful professionals, like physicians, dentists, attorneys or accountants. Quite a few of these people are of traditional retirement age, and have adult children already out of the house and out of school (and therefore putting far less financial demands on their parents).

I don't know that I will ever say the price of the average toy soldeir is too much, I enjoy the hobby too much. Even if I cut back to the point where I am only buying one item a month I will keep collecting. I have, however, begun to change my focus. Lately I have been purchasing Heco Tinplate Models, because, while when they were in production between 1987 and 1999, the retail prices (around $120-$200 for an aircraft, around $250-$350 for a vehicle) were too rich for my blood, they are less expensive on average on the secondary market (I have found the planes average about $100-$150 on ebay, while the vehicles average $150-$200). Further, Heco items are rather hard to find, so I can afford to make a serious attempt to purchase every one I can locate or which comes up for auction. It satisfies the completist in me, without putting much of a strain on my wallet.

 

[Go for Broke]

I started collecting metal TS around 1995 and could afford very little. KC's Normandy paratroopers & rangers blew me away and have been collecting since. As life got better, I bought more and more TS. When TS hit $29 each, I thought I'd quit, but got used to the price. Now at $37 each and $200 for a large AFV, I've hit my ceiling and will buy only the most selective figure or AFV. I'm now looking at terrain pieces, but have not bought any. I bought a WB Lancer recently (due to an earlier Kogu thread) and may start buying WB Lancers here and there. Have to admit though, that KC Typhoon is awfully tempting and may have to breakdown and get my first warbird. John Jenkins almost got me with their WWI aircraft.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I started collecting metal TS around 1995 and could afford very little. KC's Normandy paratroopers & rangers blew me away and have been collecting since. As life got better, I bought more and more TS. When TS hit $29 each, I thought I'd quit, but got used to the price. Now at $37 each and $200 for a large AFV, I've hit my ceiling and will buy only the most selective figure or AFV. I'm now looking at terrain pieces, but have not bought any. I bought a WB Lancer recently (due to an earlier Kogu thread) and may start buying WB Lancers here and there. Have to admit though, that KC Typhoon is awfully tempting and may have to breakdown and get my first warbird. John Jenkins almost got me with their WWI aircraft.

NahHHH, Go for the Typhoon !!! She's a tank busting beauty !

 

[Terp152]

I'm glad my 3' x 8' Naps dio is complete (pretty much) as $42+ per figure is "over the top for me." I've moved on to ACW figs in the $21 - $28 range. New Naps figs look good but not enough to justify the price increases, again, for me and what I collect. Best wishes to Andy and thanks to him for the enjoyment I've had collecting in the past. Chris

 

[Partner]

I don't feel it would be fair to pick on any one particular company here but I Just thought I would get some opinions on at what price point do collectors say
prices are getting too high and enough is enough. What is one willing to pay for a quality detailed and painted Toy Soldier ? Not long ago $32.00 was a new price threshold for quality figures which soon turned to $35.00 Then $37.00 per figure ! Now we are at $42.00 per figure. I totally understand the increased costs now to produce these items.....higher labor costs....cost of materials..... storage.... etc.
My concern here is if price increases continue at the rate that they have been in the last year or so, how will this influence the current base of collectors and even more importantly.........................................
future collectors coming into the hobby ?

On top of these prices you have to consider shipping and taxes which are considerable to Canada (and I'm sure to other locations as well).

I have decided (hopefully) to limit my purchases to mainly personality figures . K&C have figures of opposing military leaders which are great . (Hindenburg is awesome !!!). Also WBritain's ACW leaders are fantastic and great value in today's market . This will allow me to still have a theme when I display my purchases. I have been bitten by the ACW bug ( after recent visits to Fredericksburg and Gettysburg ) and will pick up some other ACW figures while still < $30.00.

I keep my costs down by having my purchases shipped to a relative in the US and pick them up when I visit . The drawback is obviously waiting to get my hands on them .

Regards
Kirk

 

[HistoryfortheAges]

My cieling was hit for K&C at $29 per foot figure, although I can't blame them for the price increases. It's the new world we live in. I still make special purchases here and there but, no longer massing troops for dioramas... Now looking at affordable alternatives. So goes my "golden age" of collecting and back to reality... {eek3}

 

[marco55]

I too have cut back alot.I'm also collecting Britains ACW Generals and also have been collecting smaller size figures from some very good sculpters of my favorite period,the FIW.The worse drawback on these are that they are not painted.
Mark

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I think it would be fair to say at this point in the thread that most collectors will still buy the items they really like,while others will move toward vehicles and aircraft to get more from their money as these are larger in size and more eye catching.Possibly the diorama armies en masse folks may cut back or be affected by a $42.00 or $44.00 figure.....who knows. I just hope that our favorite brands can maintain a reasonable price point and keep us "ALL" in the game. One benefit as collectors that we do enjoy now is overall quality and workmanship has increased greatly within the last few years and seems to just keep getting better. I think U.S. collectors have it easier compared to our friends in the UK who pay much more than we do for the same items based on their tax structure , etc. hats off to them !

Happy Collecting To All !

 

[trooper]

I realise that K&C are possibly the most influential company producing figures, but why does every post have to revolve around them? To read the posts on this thread gives the impression that all makers conform to their price structure. There are many companies producing reasonably priced figures both painted and in kit form. If collectors made the effort to look around they could then make a more accurate comparison.It might also give a little more variety as many of the posts so far seem to be carbon copies of those presented on similar threads in the past. Trooper

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I realise that K&C are possibly the most influential company producing figures, but why does every post have to revolve around them? To read the posts on this thread gives the impression that all makers conform to their price structure. There are many companies producing reasonably priced figures both painted and in kit form. If collectors made the effort to look around they could then make a more accurate comparison.It might also give a little more variety as many of the posts so far seem to be carbon copies of those presented on similar threads in the past. Trooper

This post is speaking in general terms without trying to label anybody.
I clearly stated when this post was started by myself that there was no mention of any company at all in particular trying to single them out. If others jumped in and started tossing names around then I guess they are speaking from their own personal preferences and experiences.The topic is pricing that collectors are willing to pay.

 

[Go for Broke]

Trooper, my experience with toy soldiers are based on my limited exposure to popular TS in the USA. Being in Hawaii makes it even more difficult to gain exposure and buying them without seeing them in person is always a risk. I always look forward to the London Show pics to see the wide variety of TS makers. I envy those who are able to attend these shows. Hope you make it to the June Show.

 

[maddadicus]

I refuse to get sucked into the " Toy Soldiers are now Military Miniatures, " argument..In my gut, when this term started, I knew it meant " justifying higher prices "..I still collect Toy Soldiers and thus recognize whereas my collection may never be considered fine art to the Matties, I can buy everything I want and appreciate ,at much lower prices than anyone else...My matte Nappy's still only cost $110.00 for 5 troopers, 6 infantry for $65.00...My ACW glossies $120.00 for 6 infantry. Gloss Sudan and Zulu..8 infantry $155 to $175.00, 5 cavalry same and I can go on and on...There are bunches of current mfg. out there that still can allow anyone to collect masses of TS, as long as real TS can satisfy them...I will pick up a vehicle in the higher range only if it hits my historical hot button...Michael