Why so expensive? (2 Viewers)

[nicolas]

Hi folks, is it just me (maybe i'm cheap) but the crusaders seem to be more expensive then the usual K&C figures? Does anybody know why?

 

[Pierre]

Hi folks, is it just me (maybe i'm cheap) but the crusaders seem to be more expensive then the usual K&C figures? Does anybody know why?

Hi Nicolas-

They are not more expensive. Just compare BR51 or BAR001 or IC019 with the Crusaders and you will see that the disparity between their prices is the result of the work needs to produce a particular item.

Pierre.

 

[jazzeum]

This has been asked before and answered. They seem reasonable to me. The alternative is St. Petersburg. Next.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I think the reason the Crusaders "feel" more expensive than some of the other lines is that so many were launched at once (20 sets with a total retail price of $750) that if seems like quite an initial expense. However, you get quite a bit of bang for your (750) bucks, and (as Brad pointed out) compared to St. Petersburg, the only other option at the momment, they are quite reasonable.

 

[Eazy]

This has been asked before and answered. They seem reasonable to me. The alternative is St. Petersburg. Next.

Bit of a harsh and abrupt response there Brad. Not everybody see or reads every thread. It's a reasonable question.

The problem is that a lot of us on here, even those like me on modest incomes, are so used to the high price of metal figure collecting that we forget that most people in the world would think the figures are extremely expensive.

James

 

[OzDigger]

I haven't bothered to check the Crusader prices before as I don't intend collecting anything other than WWII stuff but it seems the Crusaders are $29 per figure against $25 for say WWII singles. Considering the additional colors and detail work required on the Crusaders I don't think the price difference is significant.

 

[jazzeum]

Bit of a harsh and abrupt response there Brad. Not everybody see or reads every thread. It's a reasonable question.

The problem is that a lot of us on here, even those like me on modest incomes, are so used to the high price of metal figure collecting that we forget that most people in the world would think the figures are extremely expensive.

James

Possibly but I did say, although not as well as Louis, that it's cheaper compared to the St. Petersburgs. As Oz said $29 for a figure is not unreasonable. If Nicolas was complaining about the price of a limited item, perhaps I wouldn't have been so cavalier.

 

[Combat]

I don't collect the crusaders, but there does seem to be an implicit price increase in selling single figures in the $25-35 range while selling sets of four in the $90 range. That applies even to more popular lines like WWII. Overall the prices still seem generally reasonable though.

 

[Steven Chong]

In a response to this thread, Andy posted that the production run for Crusaders is smaller, so the unit costs are higher, which results in higher prices. If you are comparing the prices of single K&C figures, Nicolas is right -- single, simple K&C figures have gotten more expensive. When first introducted a few years ago, single Napoleonic and Revolutionary War figures were $19, then the price rose to $21, then $25. First, this is not a criticism. In talking to Rick of Figarti and other business contacts in China, I know the cost of the metal used in the figures have doubled and tripled. The cost of foam, which is an oil based product, has quadrupled. Labor costs have also increased with the constantly improving details and painting. As Andy has repeatedly stated, K&C has absorbed some of the cost increases, and it also has tried to decrease costs by warehousing in China and using different packaging. Unlike FOV and 21st Century, K&C is not mass producing its sets and figures so it can spread the costs over a large production run. In the end, collect what you like and what you can afford.

 

[nicolas]

In a response to this thread, Andy posted that the production run for Crusaders is smaller, so the unit costs are higher, which results in higher prices. If you are comparing the prices of single K&C figures, Nicolas is right -- single, simple K&C figures have gotten more expensive. When first introducted a few years ago, single Napoleonic and Revolutionary War figures were $19, then the price rose to $21, then $25. First, this is not a criticism. In talking to Rick of Figarti and other business contacts in China, I know the cost of the metal used in the figures have doubled and tripled. The cost of foam, which is an oil based product, has quadrupled. Labor costs have also increased with the constantly improving details and painting. As Andy has repeatedly stated, K&C has absorbed some of the cost increases, and it also has tried to decrease costs by warehousing in China and using different packaging. Unlike FOV and 21st Century, K&C is not mass producing its sets and figures so it can spread the costs over a large production run. In the end, collect what you like and what you can afford.

Thanks Steve for the information, now i understand why they seem to be more expensive. Perhaps my topic didn't express exactly what i wanted to know.

Jazzeum: thumbs up on encouraging people to ask questions.

 

[Tony Neville]

Nicolas

Please ask more questions i think that Brad was having a bad day yesterday, normally the guy is not so 'curt'. especially to new guys. You can veiw old threads nicolas, by searching a topic.

You will see though that if a question is asked then you get a good responce from the guys that know and if they dont know they know somebody that does!

All the best

Tony Neville
King & Country UK

 

[jazzeum]

Possibly. Actually the question was asked for the Alamo series, not this one. However, I do think they are appropriately priced and considering the quality of the painting, a fantastic bargain. I'm a devout K & C'er so I am biased but objectively I think the price is appropriate. St. Petersburg may be a notch better painting wise. The quality of the painting is so high with K & C now that in ranges such as these they are serious competitors to St. Petersburg and when it comes to price, there is just no comparison.

 

[nicolas]

I'm bias too. If i could ide rename my middle name King and Country! I love them aswell! Jazzeum, no hard feelings buddy!