Hi guys,
I noted the comments about pricing and thought I would add my few cents worth.
My comments are not in relation to the UK prices but the specific comment about US$79 for a Napoleonic Lancer.
Obviously there are a number of issues here. The cost of production, wages, metal are all factors that have been mentioned in numerous threads. A basic one that is often forgotten is that the Chinese currency has gone up about 20% against the US$ in the past year so that is in itself a significant factor. K&C are paid in US$ but their value has gone down.
As everybody is aware K&C items once released stay at the same price until retired. Some of the older items have been the same price since release say 6 years ago. Even though further production runs have been done (for example recent Black Watch) they maintained the old price when surely their costs must have gone up. No complaints there.
However lets compare like with like. Collectors Showcase and Britains have been mentioned. They do have some nice figures that are cheaper. But do they have any Dutch Lancers ? Even if they did would they be as good as K&C ?
For those who are concerned with value consider if you bought two mounted figures from three different companies at say $59, 69 and $79 with K&C being the $79 ones. Ten years later which are going to have appreciated in value more ? Lets assume the other two are CS and Britains. I regularly see other brands selling on Ebay for below cost but this is rarely seen with K&C.
I will agree these are not cheap items and buying several mounted figures is a big expenditure for most. However if you want to compare value have a look at what a metal figure kit costs.
In the USA I believe Red Lancer is a well known source of kits. Look at their Andrea 54mm kits.
A mounted Hussar is US$73.95 and a Highlander on Foot is $25.95. That is for several pieces of metal you have to put together and paint yourself. See their web page at :
www.redlancers.com/minilistout.asp?subcat=975&mfg=235&page=1
For those in the UK you might want to look at the Historex web site for Andrea and Pegaso kits.
I remember about 4 years ago a Mounted Roman General (Crowe) metal kit selling in Australia for about A$119 (about US$80 now but probably about US$60 at that time).
Nobody likes price increases. You guys in the USA have got it easy !!! As I have mentioned before the US stuffed up the world economy and the A$ dropped 35% since July ! That is almost an effective 50% increase in price in a few months not including the fact the newer items are more expensive in US$. I would be counting your luck that US$ is the home currency of K&C. The price of a Black Watch figure has gone from about A$26 to about $36 in a very short period of time.
At the end of the day these are a luxury item and each collector has to balance his desire for an item against his available funds. Times are tough so collectors will have to be more careful in what they buy.
I noted Aussie Monty's comments about not buying and prices will come down. In theory sounds OK but what happens if the item you want to come down in price retires whilst you are still holding out ?! I predict smaller production runs and shorter times available to buy. Watch the Arnhem Jeep with trailer on Ebay over the next few months as an example.
Anyway in these hard economic times best wishes to all Toy Soldier collectors and manufacturers.
Regards
Brett
