Sometimes I feel 'Brand Loyalty' has gone too far. A wonderful example of this was yesterday. I posted a story on Verlinden's new figures, the majority of which (to my eyes at least) are fairly poor representations of Modern U.S. infantry. The 'hit' rate on the story is, as one would expect, pretty high. However, it is almost as high as a story I posted a week ago on Think One Eighty Studios. Now the difference, to my jaundiced eyes at least, is enormous. The 180 figures are nicely sculpted, well detailed and with correct anatomical animation. The Verlinden figures on the other hand, look like every other release from them in the last few months - pretty mediocre.

Now to a certain extent I can understand this. VP has a huge range and for many it is the only brand available in their LHS - here in Spain, there are only one or two dealers of Alpine for example (a national disgrace )

So quite simply, I am appealing for people to 'think outside the box' a bit. Start looking a what the 'lesser' names such as Formations, Tiger Model Designs, Think 180, AA, Alpine etc. etc.etc.

Yuo never know, you just might be pleasantly surprised...Jim

I ll have to fully agree with Jim. Smaller Resin companies do pay a lot of effort and release less figures but in a much more professional quality , than the "professinalistic" big companies. Value for money in our times is an issue, and if we can support some smaller companies with good products, why dont we ?

I have nothing else to say , fully agreewith you guys,
greetz
eric

Hi Jim,
I think another reason for why people seem to have brand "loyalty" is the availability of other brands. Take New Zealand for example out of those five brands you named I have not seen them in New Zealand or any of the online stores that New Zealanders can reasonably buy from. But Verlinden is availble in New Zealand hobby shops.
Though I must agree all those brands have high quality kits.

Andy, here in Spain I can't get hold of any of them (apart from Alpine) so, I buy on-line. I like buying on-line. Every order I send is another little revenge for the rip-off merchants who act as distibutors (Particularly distributors of the 'Plastic' Manufacturers).

More to the point, I worry that too many of us are conditioned to accept any garbage gratefully....Jim

First a direct answer to your clamors:

I tend to look at all new releases, especially when armor is concerned.

In a way I am a bit torn on this issue. First we have the same problem over here. Verlinden is readily available, the rest not (I know of two shops in the country and a few online/private stores having other brands stocked).

I am torn as ordering online is cheaper, yet could ruin the local hobbyshop especially where kit sales are concerned. Sometimes the difference is 50% in price or more. When looking for something, I try to look around and decide then. Unfortunately "hands-on" looking around is almost impossible, which could lead to horrible surprises as some of the stories on this site have made clear (not my own experience).

By the way, at the moment I have NO Verlinden figures or am-sets in possession. I do have several of CMK (complete Pz IV interior) a figure by Royal Model and Warriors. When I start my Tiger I am thinking about the TMD turret and add-ons. And, related to the TD-campaign, I might try out Blast soon.

I fully agree and IMHO the best 1/35 scale resin figures on market nowadays are Think 180 Studios, Alpine and Blast models .

Marketing ..... that's it....

When you talk about products people pay attention to the names they are familiar with.
Here in the US, the automaker Kia took a while to even get a 'foot in the door' over Ford, why - no reputation.

Jim,

I think you've hit the nail on the head there:




In SA the main brands are Tamiya (by a long shot), Academy and Airfix. Dragon comes in now and again due to a high turnover of agents (in SA unless dealers get a sole agency they aren't interested in importing a brand - we hate competition ) caused by the inability of DML to fill orders - this is according to the agents, so should be taken with a pinch of salt. Verlinden comes in piece meal, usually imported by the LHS, probably off the Verlinden site, so it's well over-priced. Modelling magazines are also over-priced, partly due to a undervalued currency.

All this takes effect, and prevents exposure of the hobby to new comers, who are put off by the high price. Those that do get into the craft accept the high prices but now have to accept the limited range available to them. We "grow up" in the hobby thinking that tiny part of the pie that we see is in fact the entire pie! It's all we know.

I've probably gone a bit off-topic here, but I think with regards to the Think 180 vs Verlinden post comparison...
With Verlinden people know what to expect whereas Think 180 is relatively new to the market - and as you know ppl stick to what they know and are afraid of the unknown...
I think the other thing is that Verlinden has a wider range of products than most other modelling companies at the moment, so ppl are inclined to check out what other new releases are added to an already bloated range...

I count myself blessed for finding a site like Armorama, which has opened my eyes to whole new universe. I realise my piece of the pie.... wasn't even a crumb...
Thanks to sites like Armorama I know the little guys, and I know what great products they produce.
Hell, I'm even trying to buy figures from a Spanish company and having to deal with crap about VAT! :-) :-) :-)

Jim, the wheel turns... one of these days the likes of Tamiya and Verlinden will be in the mud while the Think 180s' and Alpine's of this world will be on top breathing the clean air...

Hakuna Matata

I agree with Andy. We tend to look at things we know we will see at the local shop or show. Many of the excellent items from small companies will be hard or impossible to find.

Also in the text of your news announcement post, you may want to include a little more of a sales pitch. Usually all we see it the subject title "Company X New Item" and the body of the message is "Link to item".

If you think it looks better than average just slap in a line or two of editorial comments like "New figures are superbly molded", "sure to give Verlinden a run for their money", etc.

Hmm.. an interesting point, however i've always been a touch nervous about 'editorializing' - not because I'm against it, it's just that I find it difficult not to get overcome in a wave of enthusiasm it's not starting,it's stopping....Jim

Whilst on the subject of brands and whatnot...
Can anyone tell me what the quality of Kirin 1/35 range is like?
Their 1/16 appears quite nice (I have a few ready to go) but I have never seen any 1/35 in the flesh (so to speak) nor seen a review of them.
Does anyone have any 1/35 Kirin figures and if so what are they like?
Thanks

I have actually tried a fair bit of stuff fom "lesser known" manufacturers, and have been pleased enough with their offerings that I am shying away from the big names due to quality of the pieces as well as the price. Unfortunately, some of the items I am looking for are only available from either Tamiya or Verlinden.

I for one welcome the "smaller" manufacturers as I remember the bad old days when there were only a very few sources available, and will try many of them to encourage them to go for bigger and better offerings.

Well, why would I choose Verlinden over Think-180 or Alpine? Simply put prices. Verlinden figures are usually about $8 per pop while other small companies' are somewhere close to $15. Law of economics that's it. I'd rather get two mediocre figures and modify them than pay double the price for one figure.

Actually, I clicked on the Verlinden link just to confirm my opinion of their products ....

Having gotten bitter water a few times, I no longer drink at the well ....

John

I am guilty of brand loyalty. It has only been in the last few months that I have really given other manufacturers fair consideration. And, I am glad I did. The brand I was loyal to (can you guess which one "T") is being left in the dust by AFV Club, Dragon, etc.

You are absolutely correct Jim!

" A customer is only as loyal as the last quote he received".Very well known axiom in industrial sales departments here in the US and I am sure,has trickled down to the retail level.I use a lot of Tamiya,ESCI,and Italeri body parts to achieve the pose I desire.Then I install a head from Warriors,Hornet,or even Verlinden.Jaguar also makes a nice fig.DML and ICM/Alanger are pretty freaking good quality for mass injection.Tristar is very good,but a little pricey for injection unless on sale.
Just 2 pesados from a terminal shopper........
cheers

" A customer is only as loyal as the last quote he received".Very well known axiom in industrial sales departments here in the US and I am sure,has trickled down to the retail level.I use a lot of Tamiya,ESCI,and Italeri body parts to achieve the pose I desire.Then I install a head from Warriors,Hornet,or even Verlinden.Jaguar also makes a nice fig.DML and ICM/Alanger are pretty freaking good quality for mass injection.Tristar is very good,but a little pricey for injection unless on sale.
Just 2 pesados from a terminal shopper........
cheers

From my point of view, I'll look at reviews because of the subject matter rather than the manufacturer. Buying the parts if I want them isn't an issue as all of my stuff is purchased online.
If you post a review of an allied subject then I'll probably read it, if it's another tiger or SdKfz251 variant then I won't .......simple as that.

I suppose it (again) depends on where you live. I certainly can't get Verlinden figs at $8 a pop (try multiplying it by at least 2).. When you get to those kind of prices...




Jonathan, that's precisely why we're working hard to expand the Site Reviews and constantly trying to keep ahead of the news. Verlinden is a case in point. Compared to other brands it's actually very expensive. Your comments are useful as far as future reviews/features are concerned as I think there are a lot of people in your position...Jim

Looked at another way, there is less interest in the behemoth Verlinden than in new and upcoming Think One Eighty.

Smaller manufacturers have a lot to offer, specially if you are looking for something out of the rut. Wonder how long I would have to wait for 1940 French tank crew from Verlinden? Thanks to DES Resin and Special East, I don't have to

Sadly, the opposite is true. I don't want to become all 'preachy' here, but one of my intentions, when I started as News Editor here, was to open the eyes to modellers to the fact that there is life beyond the 'behemoths' . Your example is a case in point. The question I constantly ask myself, is, as modellers, are we really that 'hidebound' to the 'names'...Jim

Doesn't sound like preaching to me, just common sense. Opening people's eyes to the world of possibilities is a great thing to do.

I'll buy Tamiya if it's something I'm interested in, but my world also includes Alanger, Mirage (including their resin figures), Miniart, Special East, and anything else I see in Hannants or on the net.

And on the other hand...I'd rather spend the money to get something better and supporting the turds that come out Verliden. I come from the school of...If someone makes an aftermarket part and its better then what I can do, I'll buy it to save time. Why should I go and buy crappy converison/figures from Verliden if its just going to cause me more greif and headaches?