What a Great Hobby, Suppliers, Manufacturers and Forum (1 Viewer)

[SPICK0001]

I really want give a shout out to all the people who make this hobby so great. I have been a way awhile and have just started to browse and set up a new must have list when I noticed how many of the forum's ideas have been addressed by the manufacturers and suppliers. A few years back I remember discussions regarding stretcher teams, casualties, aircraft, railcars, etc. and how we would love to see these items on the market. Honestly, how often do you see this kind of response by manufacturers? I may go broke, but I'll be happy. Thanks again.

 

[Iron Brigade]

I really want give a shout out to all the people who make this hobby so great. I have been a way awhile and have just started to browse and set up a new must have list when I noticed how many of the forum's ideas have been addressed by the manufacturers and suppliers. A few years back I remember discussions regarding stretcher teams, casualties, aircraft, railcars, etc. and how we would love to see these items on the market. Honestly, how often do you see this kind of response by manufacturers? I may go broke, but I'll be happy. Thanks again.

Dear "SPICK0001":

Yes, it is a splendid hobby. Alas, it is getting rather expensive. I am glad that I got started the end of 1991 when an average 1:32 scale metal foot figure sold for about $10.00! Ah, the good old days.
"Iron Brigade"

 

[Larry Allen]

Dear "SPICK0001":

Yes, it is a splendid hobby. Alas, it is getting rather expensive. I am glad that I got started the end of 1991 when an average 1:32 scale metal foot figure sold for about $10.00! Ah, the good old days.
"Iron Brigade"

1991 good old days?:rolleyes2: yea' maybe but if you hunt up some "Cost of Living Caculators" and compare $10.00 in 1991 to today the value now is about ($16.97 - $17.41).

Now compare the superior figures and options of today's items from those in 1991, I'll take today!

 

[Larry Allen]

Dear "SPICK0001":

Yes, it is a splendid hobby. Alas, it is getting rather expensive. I am glad that I got started the end of 1991 when an average 1:32 scale metal foot figure sold for about $10.00! Ah, the good old days.
"Iron Brigade"

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1991 good old days? :rolleyes2: yea' maybe but if you hunt up some "Cost of Living Caculators" and compare $10.00 in 1991 to today the value now is about ($16.97 - $17.41).

Now compare the superior sculpting and options of todays figures, vehicles, planes, diorama material and items from those in 1991, I'll take today! Also compare this hobby with many other and I suspect that you will find that TS collecting is much more affordabel than many.
PLUS we get to keep the item and (if you want) sell the item for a profit at a future date. {sm3}{sm4}

 

[bromhead]

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1991 good old days? :rolleyes2: yea' maybe but if you hunt up some "Cost of Living Caculators" and compare $10.00 in 1991 to today the value now is about ($16.97 - $17.41).

Now compare the superior sculpting and options of todays figures, vehicles, planes, diorama material and items from those in 1991, I'll take today! Also compare this hobby with many other and I suspect that you will find that TS collecting is much more affordabel than many.
PLUS we get to keep the item and (if you want) sell the item for a profit at a future date. {sm3}{sm4}

sounds a little blue skies specialist,,you can have today

 

[Iron Brigade]

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

1991 good old days? :rolleyes2: yea' maybe but if you hunt up some "Cost of Living Caculators" and compare $10.00 in 1991 to today the value now is about ($16.97 - $17.41).

Now compare the superior sculpting and options of todays figures, vehicles, planes, diorama material and items from those in 1991, I'll take today! Also compare this hobby with many other and I suspect that you will find that TS collecting is much more affordabel than many.
PLUS we get to keep the item and (if you want) sell the item for a profit at a future date. {sm3}{sm4}

Dear "Larry Allen":

Yes, I agree with all of your comments noted above. Since about 2003 King & Country for example has really made extremely realistic looking figures! I am one of the collectors who likes to make up dioramas & the more realistic figures helps make my displays more realistic. I am also well aware of increased labor costs in China especially in the last 4 years and there is nothing one can do about it. But I am still glad I started buying "toy" soldiers the end of 1991 rather than now. I would hate to try to replace my fairly large collection at today's prices.

"Iron Brigade"

 

[lancer]

I have to agree with both sides of this discussion, to a degree. I have been collecting TS a long time (pre 1991 for the sake of this discussion) and I find today's varietyof goods far superior to the old days. However, there is no way I could afford to buy the large part of my collection accumulated pre-2000 at todays "through the roof" prices. As an example, I have some 3 dozen figures made in the 80' and 90's that cost about $40 apiece (quite expensive back then), that today run an average of $140+ apiece. No way I can afford that today. If I wasn't already into this hobby and exposed to these current prices, I would find something else to spend my money on. I can only imagine the shock that a father who takes his son to a soldier show or shop, must suffer when seeing these prices. What must they think when they see average prices at $45 a figure or $200+ for a tank or airplane. This has become a rich man's hobby, which does not bode well for it's future. JMHO. -- Al

 

[Mitch]

Al...

Good post
Mitch

I have to agree with both sides of this discussion, to a degree. I have been collecting TS a long time (pre 1991 for the sake of this discussion) and I find today's varietyof goods far superior to the old days. However, there is no way I could afford to buy the large part of my collection accumulated pre-2000 at todays "through the roof" prices. As an example, I have some 3 dozen figures made in the 80' and 90's that cost about $40 apiece (quite expensive back then), that today run an average of $140+ apiece. No way I can afford that today. If I wasn't already into this hobby and exposed to these current prices, I would find something else to spend my money on. I can only imagine the shock that a father who takes his son to a soldier show or shop, must suffer when seeing these prices. What must they think when they see average prices at $45 a figure or $200+ for a tank or airplane. This has become a rich man's hobby, which does not bode well for it's future. JMHO. -- Al

 

[trooper]

Once again we have two or three well known and heavily advertised companies being held up as the yardstick for the hobby in general. If you can be bothered to search around the catalogues of other firms you will find that there are plenty of figures available at reasonable prices. I can think of three off the top of my head who sell MOUNTED figures for less than the price of a foot figure by the "yardstickers". In addition the majority of these companies sell unpainted castings, so you can get really involved with the hobby and have a go yourself,and never "retire" items, so you don't have to go berserk trying to get them before they vanish. Yes, prices are far higher than they were back in the day and some companies have greater overheads than others, but there are still reasonable items to be found providing the hobbyist is prepared to widen his horizons and expand his interests. Trooper

 

[Martin Tabony]

Material prices have gone sky high, especially metal, but most U.K. makers have tried to keep costs down in some cases no price increase for a number of years!

Martin

 

[johnnybach]

I couldn't agree more with what both Martin and Trooper have written here. Ther are still many TS providors who have either not raised prices at all over the last few years - or have only added a little on for costs of raw materials. I mainly paint castings purchased from smaller companies - and haven't noticed any real difference in prices at all over the last few years - and am still thoroughly enjoying my chosen hobby. I still make up as many figures as I can - with the resources I have available - and I certainly wouldn't describe myself as a wealthy person. I can't see this changing much either - as if things were to get radically more expensive than they are at present - I would simply purchase less often - and probably improve my final product - by being able to lavish more time and care over the things I eventually produce.

For me, therefore, the answer to anyone struggling to afford the hobby - is to look a bit more carefully around before splashing out on things that are undeniably getting more and more out of reach for many with some manufacturers. DO have a go at PYO (painting your own), if you are able.
I assure you, YOU WILL get better with practice - and the feelings of pride in your own achievement - when you produce something from your own hand are enormous. Even with the costs of good brushes and paint added in - it is perfectly possible to produce an excellent foot figure for well under £5 (GB pounds) and a mounted figure for well under a tenner (same currency). Okay - it will take a bit of time - but isn't that what hobbies are for? On a personal basis, I have always found it difficult to understand the pleasure to be gained from buying in a ready-painted TS - and just putting it in a cabinet - ore worse still - keeping it in a box, though of course, I do understand why that should be the case for someone with a physical disability.

Please understand that I'm not trying to be controveriail here - by the way - just trying to encourage folks who may be having a harder time financially these days - to "think outside the box" a bit more - as Trooper suggests - and give some of the smaller manufacturers a look - especially those enlightened enough to provide their products as castings. I have always done this - and have yet to be disappointed.

Best of luck - if you are brave enough to give it a go - you can be sure that there are numerous people on this forum who would be delighted to welcome you to the "painters" ranks - and give you all the help and encouragement you need. I know - 'cos I'm just one who has been helped in this way by others, far more expert than me. johnnybach

 

[lancer]

My post was not aimed at the smaller, lesser known manufactures. It was aimed at the hobby in general and it's ability to draw new collectors. I cannot speak to the UK, where many, fine, smaller "under-the-radar" manufacturers operate. I am speaking to the US market and the show circuit and brick and mortar sores that attract the casual visitor, the father and son/daughter that might come in to see what is available. Like it or not, it is the yardstick companies that these visitors will see, for the most part. And it is the large dollar costs that these visitors will see. I know what I am doing, as I have been doing it for decades. It is these new browsers that I am concerned with, who don't know about all the options, who will see nothing but the high prices, and will walk out shaking their heads and saying something like "Neat stuff, but who's going to spend that kind of money on a toy tank (sic)? I have heard this type of thing many times and it just leaves me pessimistic about the future of the hobby. JMHO. -- Al

 

[damian]

I prefer the cottage type manufacturers by and large.
Chicago has WM Hocker and Beau Geste but London always has so many more of these type of manufacturers.
That is why I enjoy the London reports.
It is cool to see the K and C and Figarti stuff but they have enough exposure on the net as it is.

 

[SPICK0001]

I agree with many of the posts here. I do not presume to state that I understand the economic dynamics of running a TS business, but the survival of any hobby is affordability. You will always have persons who can spend any amount of money on their hobbies, but I agree that to survive you must be able to attract new collectors. I hope for the prosperity of all those that supply us with these GREAT items and I hope they return that love by constantly working to keep costs down for us!!

 

[johnnybach]

My post was not aimed at the smaller, lesser known manufactures. It was aimed at the hobby in general and it's ability to draw new collectors. I cannot speak to the UK, where many, fine, smaller "under-the-radar" manufacturers operate. I am speaking to the US market and the show circuit and brick and mortar sores that attract the casual visitor, the father and son/daughter that might come in to see what is available. Like it or not, it is the yardstick companies that these visitors will see, for the most part. And it is the large dollar costs that these visitors will see. I know what I am doing, as I have been doing it for decades. It is these new browsers that I am concerned with, who don't know about all the options, who will see nothing but the high prices, and will walk out shaking their heads and saying something like "Neat stuff, but who's going to spend that kind of money on a toy tank (sic)? I have heard this type of thing many times and it just leaves me pessimistic about the future of the hobby. JMHO. -- Al

Hi Lancer - I can understand what you are referring to and also understand your concerns. However this forum is read world-wide, and postal and other delivery services have an international reach these days. This forum also has a long reach - and is read by many more than the 2,000 plus members, most of whom collect, I presume. What I and others are trying to say - is that there are OTHER less expensive options available to anybody who is either already in the hobby - or would like to join it - but is deterred by the cost involved due to high prices charged by some manufacturers and suppliers.

I think know from personal experience where the major costs are incurred in TS production. I'm certainly NOT saying that these companies are profiteering - far from it. If you want to produce an excellent product - it costs - in time and in paying first class artists to paint them!

What I continue to propose to anybody anywhere - is that you can save considerable costs by hunting out good quality castings from suppliers in many parts of the world - AND get them delivered where YOU live - for you to experience the pleasure of finishing them off yourself - and save a considerable amount of money into the bargain. It is unfortunate that some manufacurers don't offer unpainted versions of their products - BUT by no means all of them! Many WILL provide them - if asked.

So Dad's who visit TS fairs - don't be put off - ASK if the goods you like are available UNPAINTED - and what they cost. If you get a negative response - use the web and find someone else who will. THEN - experience the enjoyment of bringing them to life yourself. Practice on cheap plastc models first - and YOU WILL imrove. Honest!!

There IS another way. johnnybach