Toysoldier production is filled or not yet? (1 Viewer)

[Poppo]

Do you think that the toysoldier market, production is filled or not yet? Many sets requested by the largest part of collectors have already been done ( and for the minority they will never be done); and I see a kind of repetition or not so interesting new items.

PS: I easily imagine the dealers, manufacturers point of view.

 

[Jack]

I cannot speak for others (in fact one of the weaknesses of these discussions is that we take our experience and that of our circle and assume that they are indicative of the whole hobby) but in terms of 'just released' or 'about to be released' I have six months of purchases pretty much tied in. If not a single new piece that interests me is released beyond that I would just explore other ranges. I think I would give the glossies a bit of a hammering. I do think that the proof is in the pudding. If the market is indeed saturated, releases will slow down and companies will fold. It may be just my perception, but it does appear that more and more product is being released. I only frequent one shop but going there on mail day does not make me think that demand is slowing.

 

[jager7080]

Do you think that the toysoldier market, production is filled or not yet? Many sets requested by the largest part of collectors have already been done ( and for the minority they will never be done); and I see a kind of repetition or not so interesting new items.

PS: I easily imagine the dealers, manufacturers point of view.

Poppo ,

I agree..i mostly look for the new & unusual when buying these days...Goes for infantry as well as AFV's...I have been making a case on the forum for some representation of the other combatants of WW2...the list is as follows - Romania , Hungary , Bulgaria , Finland , Slovakia & Poland...This idea is usually met with the response of it would not be popular enough or there is no demand...etc...
Andy/K&C however has been willing to do alot more odd & unusual pieces than any other manufactor...case in point...The Pz 38(t) & Pz 35 (t) the recent release of a Pz I flak carriage...In the past having done such AFV's as a French Char B1 , big favorite of mine by the way...The Italian M13/40...There are options/paths for a company producing WW2 if the are willing to walk it...
I will give an example...What is stopping somebody from doing a 1939 polish series...That could include cavalry , infantry & some interesting early AFV's & artillery...Same could be said for doing a series on any of the axis satellite countries...
I would be a buyer on any of those series & would probably buy every piece because it has been so sorely missed/passed over...
What i think most of the manufactor's are missing is most collector's don't really know what they want til they see it...There is no way to do a study on the unknown...That is the problem with anybody creating new lines...they are scared they won't sell because they have no data on what sales would look like !! other then customer thoughts...! Look i have been seriously collecting for over twenty & i have wanted a Pz 38(t)
for all that time...but nobody made one nor did it ever seem anybody would...I hammered away on the forum with other's about that AFV & the Pz35(t) , i am not sure what tipped Andy over into doing one...I am sure he wasn't sure it would sell well because he did a limited release on it...250/100/100 for the three versions...It was a huge success , & lo & behold there is another Pz38(t) scheme release now...thank god !
Point being did any colector really know they wanted a Pz38(t) until they saw it ?!?
We shall see where it goes from here...

Joe

 

[trooper]

From a manufacturing point of view taking a flier on an unknown range is a gamble which could end up as a very expensive exercise. I have witnessed many occasions when a project has been discussed with customers who exhibit wild excitment only to renege when it is produced. Some makers think outside the box, a good example being ATS. The Light Brigade is popular and has been undertaken by many makers. What do you get? Inevitably some lancers, hussars and light dragoons waving sabres on galloping horses. ATS start by showing the cavalry preparing to go to the Crimea with horses being inspected by the regimental vetinary officer in a stable scene. Then other sets show the Brigade at the halt preparing to move off on the charge complete with all the personality figures. The next grouping shows the fight at the guns with Russian gunners fighting hand to hand with the cavalrymen. Following that is the return from the charge with wounded and exhausted survivers staggering back. Still to come will be the last dinner held annually by the survivers, and finally the funeral of the last man from the charge. Six complete sets of figures depicting the Light Brigade. And have you noticed something? Not one of them depict the actual charge. If you take the familiar and produce it from an unfamiliar angle it generates interest, if it increases sales it then becomes possible to invest in untried areas. But in order for those areas to become viable depends on (A)the subject being sufficiently documented and (B) the "enthusiastic" customers putting their money where they put their mouths. Trooper

 

[damian]

From a manufacturing point of view taking a flier on an unknown range is a gamble which could end up as a very expensive exercise. I have witnessed many occasions when a project has been discussed with customers who exhibit wild excitment only to renege when it is produced. Some makers think outside the box, a good example being ATS. The Light Brigade is popular and has been undertaken by many makers. What do you get? Inevitably some lancers, hussars and light dragoons waving sabres on galloping horses. ATS start by showing the cavalry preparing to go to the Crimea with horses being inspected by the regimental vetinary officer in a stable scene. Then other sets show the Brigade at the halt preparing to move off on the charge complete with all the personality figures. The next grouping shows the fight at the guns with Russian gunners fighting hand to hand with the cavalrymen. Following that is the return from the charge with wounded and exhausted survivers staggering back. Still to come will be the last dinner held annually by the survivers, and finally the funeral of the last man from the charge. Six complete sets of figures depicting the Light Brigade. And have you noticed something? Not one of them depict the actual charge. If you take the familiar and produce it from an unfamiliar angle it generates interest, if it increases sales it then becomes possible to invest in untried areas. But in order for those areas to become viable depends on (A)the subject being sufficiently documented and (B) the "enthusiastic" customers putting their money where they put their mouths. Trooper

That is an interesting approach but has a lot of wisdom
Most of us have been collecting for a while so already have covered the basics
I already have a lot of Trophy Charge sets and they cover exactly what Alan has described
So a new manufacturer either makes his sets compatible with what is already out there or looks for some aspect that has not been done before
The ATS idea sounds really good and I will look into it
Well done to ATS.

 

[jazzeum]

A couple of comments on Alan's post.

Collectors are always enthusiastic about something new but this enthusiasm fades or evaporates shortly thereafter, especially if something else comes around the corner. All consumers tend to be like this. That is why manufacturers are guarded when a few people say make this or that. When the time comes to commit, different story. Window shopping. We all do it.

On ATS Crimea, yes, they look nice, but are they compatible with Trophy. I have several of their range (not as much as Damian or Martyn, of course) and if they're not compatible, I would not be interested. This is a case where in younger days I would have been enthusiastic but then not "put my money where my mouth is." Nowadays, I'm warier.

 

[trooper]

A couple of comments on Alan's post.

Collectors are always enthusiastic about something new but this enthusiasm fades or evaporates shortly thereafter, especially if something else comes around the corner. All consumers tend to be like this. That is why manufacturers are guarded when a few people say make this or that. When the time comes to commit, different story. Window shopping. We all do it.

On ATS Crimea, yes, they look nice, but are they compatible with Trophy. I have several of their range (not as much as Damian or Martyn, of course) and if they're not compatible, I would not be interested. This is a case where in younger days I would have been enthusiastic but then not "put my money where my mouth is." Nowadays, I'm warier.

Totally agree with you re collectors. Reference ATS the comparison was to illustrate how makers can attack a subject in a new fashion, not to promote a particular range. If a collector is only interested in one makers product he will only collect that product, if he is interested in toy soldiers he will collect any product that catches his attention. Trooper