Would they consider? (1 Viewer)

[billgiff]

Just wondering if Britains would ever consider selling their soldiers unpainted as a do it yourself version.
It would open the door for many variants and I think that they would sell well at a much lower price.
These sets would appeal to model builders, customizers and toy soldier collectors.
Have them primed in one solid color and sold in generic army builder sets.
What are your thoughts? Please share.

 

[marco55]

FL has started this but I think a lot of manufacturers think that would take sales away from their pre-painted figures.I think they might lose a few who would get the castings but might pick up more sales from painters who don't really collect but like to paint interesting good quality figures.Then again is there enough painters to make it worthwhile. Most of the guys who solely collect would still be the largest group by far so I don't think it would hurt them that much.Ken Osen is really the one who really needs to answer this.
Mark

 

[billgiff]

Does anybody here keep in contact with Ken Osen?

 

[marco55]

Ken hasn't been on here much since he took over Britains.Don't know where he has time for much of anything anymore.It seemed like he worked 24/7 BEFORE he took over Britains.^&grin
Mark

 

[thebritfarmer]

Britains did release a couple of packs of unpainted figures complete with paints and brushes. I don't think they were that successful.

 

[Ragnar]

Britains did release a couple of packs of unpainted figures complete with paints and brushes. I don't think they were that successful.

They did the "Life Guards" from the 1970's complete with a oversized brush and cheap paints..{sm3}
I would buy single colour castings I did enjoy painting the Conte castings!

 

[DMNamiot]

Back in the early 2000's when I joined the club you could still purchase unpainted castings. I bought a bunch of marching Gurkhas and enjoy them a lot! However not long afterward they stopped selling them for some reason. It could have been poor sales or some other issue, don't know. I wish they would sell them again but its not critical for me because I know of several sellerso n ebay that sell castings and I am sure they are available if you want to look a little. I do speak to Ken fairly regularly so I will mention it but I would not get the hopes up just yet.

Dave

 

[Naps...just Naps]

Just wondering if Britains would ever consider selling their soldiers unpainted as a do it yourself version.
It would open the door for many variants and I think that they would sell well at a much lower price.
These sets would appeal to model builders, customizers and toy soldier collectors.
Have them primed in one solid color and sold in generic army builder sets.
What are your thoughts? Please share.

All I can say is I would buy them if they did.
The guys at First Legion have done it so why not.
I really enjoy painting my own soldiers. I also like converting existing soldiers and making my own soldiers from scratch as well.
Unpainted Britains would get my vote at the right price.

 

[Charlie Brown]

Selling the figures painted to a high standard is why the finished product commands a high price on the shelf. Allowing the entire chain from manufacturer to retailer to make a good profit.

 

[johnnybach]

Just wondering if Britains would ever consider selling their soldiers unpainted as a do it yourself version.
It would open the door for many variants and I think that they would sell well at a much lower price.
These sets would appeal to model builders, customizers and toy soldier collectors.
Have them primed in one solid color and sold in generic army builder sets.
What are your thoughts? Please share.

I buy ANY castings that appeal to me - to paint for myself - at the right price.

So.........if they were good enough and I wanted them - and also reasonably priced - AND I could buy them online........... yes, I would buy some. I don't buy current Britains ( or any other ready painted make, for that matter), figures at all. I frequently do buy old broken Britains Hollowcast bits and pieces - and repair them though.

So...........would be a net gain for them, if they did sell unpainted castings (no need for primer - as suggested, though), from my perspective. johnnybach