Not a bad idea my friend...But tell me ...What's in it for the producer..?
Andy.
In answer to your question, Andy..........................Profit, and a larger customer base.
You could sell something to someone who doesn't want to buy it painted, but likes to paint it themselves. If you don't satisfy this need - potential customers (like me) go elsewhere for similar products from other producers who do.
You figure out what it cost you to produce as a bare casting - then sell it with a mark-up.
Many of the smaller British Companies offer painted/unpainted versions of the same thing, and the usual going rate for purchase of a casting, is usually around half of the price of a painted version. The benefit for the buyer is (a) they are less expensive - and (b) he gets a more absorbing hobby.
One small scale manufacturer that I know well, who offers both painted and unpainted figures, once told me that he actually makes MORE profit, pro-rata, from unpainted castings - when compared to painted ones. He told me that when you factor in delivering castings to out-workers, providing paint/brushes/materials, payment for painting, collection costs, and extra packaging required for posting out painted versions - he makes more profit from unpainted castings.
Of course he's a small producer - so maybe he doesn't benefit from the economies of scale that bigger producers do.
I for one - am completely put off purchase of items from most of the larger "Painted Only" companies - because of the high prices they charge. I much prefer older glossy figures anyway - so I buy either castings, or even figures from the secondary market - and then have the pure indulgence of repairing, converting, and or re-painting them myself to a finish I like.
Well..............you did ask.
Hope that helps - Johnnybach
