Treefrog Named Exclusive North American Stockist for Empire Miniatures! (1 Viewer)

[Shannon Reuss]

I am proud to announce Treefrog will now be stocking Empire Miniatures. This relatively new company is owned and managed by Malcolm Watson. Figures are 58mm, individually numbered and limited production of 100 pieces each. Each set comes a certificate.
Current ranges include the Belgian army in WWI and The English Civil War and Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.
We look forward to working with Malcolm and Empire Miniatures!

 

[Empire MM]

I am proud to announce Treefrog will now be stocking Empire Miniatures. This relatively new company is owned and managed by Malcolm Watson. Figures are 58mm, individually numbered and limited production of 100 pieces each. Each set comes a certificate.
Current ranges include the Belgian army in WWI and The English Civil War and Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.
We look forward to working with Malcolm and Empire Miniatures!

And for my part, I too am very proud and honoured to have Treefrog Treasures on board as our North American Stockist.

A huge thank you to Shannon, Pete and the team for taking our range on board and helping us reach all you guys over the water who wanted to collect but needed the availability closer to home.
Resistance is now futile All joking apart, please support the guys at Treefrog for their commitment in bringing the brand to the USA. And who knows, maybe one day soon you will actually see me in person!

Best regards,

Malcolm. :salute::

 

[jazzeum]

With all due respect, $46 for a single figure is still a bit pricey; that's more than K & C or Jenkins and the quality, in my opinion, is not as good.

Brad

 

[Empire MM]

With all due respect, $46 for a single figure is still a bit pricey; that's more than K & C or Jenkins and the quality, in my opinion, is not as good.

Brad

Hi Brad,

Not an easy one for me to comment on as we all have our opinions of course. For my part I would like to say that I collect JJD and K&C and feel my product does stand up to their quality. I would also add that Empires figures are a strictly limited edition of 100 and are numbered and certificated and that had a cost, and a value of course.

Maybe if you see one n the flesh it would help, I don't know but the price is what it is I am afraid.

Malcolm.:salute::

 

[Charlie Brown]

With all due respect, $46 for a single figure is still a bit pricey; that's more than K & C or Jenkins and the quality, in my opinion, is not as good.

Brad

Quality of many First Legion figures leaves much to be desired. Given that over here one would regard them as a premium product. I know other collectors that feel the same way. Sometimes the price one pays is relative. Personally I would prefer hassle free purchasing from a brand that I have confidence in.

 

[lancer]

I am thrilled that Treefrog will be stocking Empire figures. I fully intend to get at least two of the Belgian infantry for my early war diorama, to mix with my many KC early war French, British, and TGM Belgians. The Empire infantry should fit right in. They are a little pricey, but not out of line with other makes. The set I really want is the Belgian MG set, but that, I feel, is far too expensive. At $165, it is more expensive than even the FL WW1 German MG team and way more expensive than the now retired (but still available) KC WW1 French MG team, which can be had for $89. Unfortunate, because the Empire Belgian MG team is a beauty. At any rate, I look forward to the Belgian infantry. -- Al

 

[Empire MM]

I am thrilled that Treefrog will be stocking Empire figures. I fully intend to get at least two of the Belgian infantry for my early war diorama, to mix with my many KC early war French, British, and TGM Belgians. The Empire infantry should fit right in. They are a little pricey, but not out of line with other makes. The set I really want is the Belgian MG set, but that, I feel, is far too expensive. At $165, it is more expensive than even the FL WW1 German MG team and way more expensive than the now retired (but still available) KC WW1 French MG team, which can be had for $89. Unfortunate, because the Empire Belgian MG team is a beauty. At any rate, I look forward to the Belgian infantry. -- Al

Hi Al,

Thank you for those really nice words. As I have said before, things like that do mean a lot to me as a new manufacturer.

Thanks also for your commitment to the Belgians, I can say, hand on heart that you will like them. I have them in a cabinet currently quite close to the old K&C Uhlans and on the shelf below the K&C and JJD French.

The Maxim team was a real struggle when setting the RRP both here in the UK and for the US. It was researched from an actual 1900 Maxim, so is 100% accurate. The development cost (due to the number of parts made and cast) was higher than for a normal figure. Then, assembly and painting became a higher than normal cost aligned with only making 100 at a factory that normally has. 300 moq policy. All of this has a hand to play. Then we have to ensure there is margin for us and our dealers (which are not a big margin to be honest). The other factor was bringing them into the UK, a lot of the cost was due to shipping fresh air (aka: packaging).

I am committed to our collectors and of course to supporting our retailers so, out of pure courtesy I will revist the pricing, just to see what we can do, if anything. The other issue of course is the £ v $ rates and with those there is always a winner and a loser or, in retail situations a lose - lose if you are not careful.

To close, the UK price is £125 and in a straight conversion I think that would be around $185!

Thanks again Al, let me see what can be done if anything to help.

Cheers for now,

Malcolm. :salute::

 

[lancer]

Hi Al,

Thank you for those really nice words. As I have said before, things like that do mean a lot to me as a new manufacturer.

Thanks also for your commitment to the Belgians, I can say, hand on heart that you will like them. I have them in a cabinet currently quite close to the old K&C Uhlans and on the shelf below the K&C and JJD French.

The Maxim team was a real struggle when setting the RRP both here in the UK and for the US. It was researched from an actual 1900 Maxim, so is 100% accurate. The development cost (due to the number of parts made and cast) was higher than for a normal figure. Then, assembly and painting became a higher than normal cost aligned with only making 100 at a factory that normally has. 300 moq policy. All of this has a hand to play. Then we have to ensure there is margin for us and our dealers (which are not a big margin to be honest). The other factor was bringing them into the UK, a lot of the cost was due to shipping fresh air (aka: packaging).

I am committed to our collectors and of course to supporting our retailers so, out of pure courtesy I will revist the pricing, just to see what we can do, if anything. The other issue of course is the £ v $ rates and with those there is always a winner and a loser or, in retail situations a lose - lose if you are not careful.

To close, the UK price is £125 and in a straight conversion I think that would be around $185!

Thanks again Al, let me see what can be done if anything to help.

Cheers for now,

Malcolm. :salute::

Hello Malcolm,
Thank you for the prompt and detailed answer. As I am impressed with the figures, I was really just lamenting the price of the MG team, not criticizing. I will have to figure a way to obtain the MG team as they really are perfect for my display. If not too bold a suggestion, I would love to see some 1914 Belgian infantry in a marching attitude, moving to war, as it were. Keep up the early war releases, as they are excellent. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Hi Brad,

Not an easy one for me to comment on as we all have our opinions of course. For my part I would like to say that I collect JJD and K&C and feel my product does stand up to their quality. I would also add that Empires figures are a strictly limited edition of 100 and are numbered and certificated and that had a cost, and a value of course.

Maybe if you see one n the flesh it would help, I don't know but the price is what it is I am afraid.

Malcolm.:salute::

Malcolm,

I agree that the price is the price and I suppose I could have chosen my words more carefully -- apologies for that -- and say, like Al did, that I lament the price. I will probably wait until Chicago to take a look at the figures and then decide.

Quality of many First Legion figures leaves much to be desired. Given that over here one would regard them as a premium product. I know other collectors that feel the same way. Sometimes the price one pays is relative. Personally I would prefer hassle free purchasing from a brand that I have confidence in.

I'm not sure what FL has to do with this as I only collect their Civil War range, which are probably the best Civil War figures made, in my opinion only. As I have purchased them from Treefrog and Minuteman, my purchasing experience with each dealer has been nothing short of superb. Speaking for Treefrog, there are none better than Julie, Shannon and Pete.

 

[Empire MM]

Hello Malcolm,
Thank you for the prompt and detailed answer. As I am impressed with the figures, I was really just lamenting the price of the MG team, not criticizing. I will have to figure a way to obtain the MG team as they really are perfect for my display. If not too bold a suggestion, I would love to see some 1914 Belgian infantry in a marching attitude, moving to war, as it were. Keep up the early war releases, as they are excellent. -- Al

Hi Al,

Part of being a small, owner ran business is that I can usually respond pretty quick to folks, was my desire when setting it up to be honest.

I took the question / comment for what it was, genuine. And, as a responsible manufacturer, I wanted to explain how we got to the price, I am sure plenty of other people wonder about it too, did not take it as a criticism (notice the English spelling there ;-) ).

Anytime you, or any collector has a question or observation, please share it. Customer care, service and satisfaction is my thing, hence why Treefrog and I are working together I guess? Good folks attract good folk.

When you get your Belgians, please share some photos. I love seeing what collectors do with my figures.

Thanks again,

Malcolm.:salute::

 

[Empire MM]

Malcolm,

I agree that the price is the price and I suppose I could have chosen my words more carefully -- apologies for that -- and say, like Al did, that I lament the price. I will probably wait until Chicago to take a look at the figures and then decide.




I'm not sure what FL has to do with this as I only collect their Civil War range, which are probably the best Civil War figures made, in my opinion only. As I have purchased them from Treefrog and Minuteman, my purchasing experience with each dealer has been nothing short of superb. Speaking for Treefrog, there are none better than Julie, Shannon and Pete.

Hi Brad,

Hey, like I said, no worries, I like to be poked with a stick (a little, not too much, Ok? ) as it invokes dialogue and can create ideas and thought so hey, any time.

Just to "spice" things up a little, an announcement may well be made soon that you may well like.......... let us see......... keep looking on the forum.

As for FL, I LOVE their Napoleonic pieces, have several myself. I also like the crusades, though I do not collect that range.

My desire for the brand was to hit a quality between that of W Britain, JJD K&C and 1st Legion, with figures that would compliment and not challenge those brands and also sit somewhere in between them all price wise. The good old $ / £ situation has not helped my quest but that is what it is. I am reasonably happy with where we are currently.

Thanks for being so open and decent about all of this. Without you guys (the collectors) there is no us (manufacturers and retailers), so you are very important to us all (well, you should be at least).

Best regards,

Malcolm. :salute::

 

[Empire MM]

Hello Malcolm,
Thank you for the prompt and detailed answer. As I am impressed with the figures, I was really just lamenting the price of the MG team, not criticizing. I will have to figure a way to obtain the MG team as they really are perfect for my display. If not too bold a suggestion, I would love to see some 1914 Belgian infantry in a marching attitude, moving to war, as it were. Keep up the early war releases, as they are excellent. -- Al

Hey Al,

Please see my other post in this thread I have posted a few minutes ago to Brad. I think we may be announcing something you may like quite soon....... keep looking in on the forum......

:salute::{sm4}

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Malcolm is correct...check out the Forum 10th Anniversary thread in the Forum News section for not one, but two important announcements regarding Empire's support of the celebration and of the forum.

 

[Julie]

Last Day to enter in the Drawing!! If you are debating on pre-ordering any of these figures . . . . here is your incentive!

To celebrate the Treefrog forum anniversary, persons purchasing any Empire product/s from Treefrog Treasures only before 30th April 2015, will be entered into a prize draw to win a VERY rare item of Empire Military Miniatures history - one of the original pre-production figures, signed and with a signed certificate.

You will automatically be entered in the drawing once we receive your order – one ticket per collector.​

Julie

 

[jazzeum]

So I guess need to call you!

 

[Empire MM]

Last Day to enter in the Drawing!! If you are debating on pre-ordering any of these figures . . . . here is your incentive!

To celebrate the Treefrog forum anniversary, persons purchasing any Empire product/s from Treefrog Treasures only before 30th April 2015, will be entered into a prize draw to win a VERY rare item of Empire Military Miniatures history - one of the original pre-production figures, signed and with a signed certificate.

You will automatically be entered in the drawing once we receive your order – one ticket per collector.​

Julie

Just to try and tempt you all ..... Here is the piece I have gifted to Treefrog Treasures for this competition, it truly is very rare indeed.

It is the PAINT MASTER of the ORIGINAL CASTING of our very first figure! I cannot recall a manufacturer ever doing anything like this and, should everything go to plan and the brand grows, just think what this will be worth, in both value AND bragging rights!

Pick up that phone, click on that button because someone is going to win this unique item! Good luck all :salute::

 

[lancer]

Finally got in gear and have pre-ordered the Belgian Mg team from Treefrog. Thanks to Jesse for taking the order and working with me. Great outfit. -- Al