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Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 2:45 pm
by vexillia
FreddBloggs wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2019 2:01 pm
I think it will pay ...
I'm sure it will eventually but it will center on strong web sales. It's worth noting that, in recent years, Ian did very few shows and now has a deal with Colonel Bill's for better UK show coverage.
As to the relative profitability of direct vs show sales: transport (van hire), petrol, subsistence and table fees (if you can get a space) will all eat into the profit from any sales at shows. For example: say your total costs are £250 and your gross margin is 40% (which is good) then you'd need to sell £625 worth of toys just to break even. That rises to £875 if you want to go home with £100 profit for a twelve hour day.
Not a venture for the faint-hearted or the numerically challenged.
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 2:49 pm
by FreddBloggs
True, but Ian already had an established customer base, and from the wording, they would like more shows etc. To feature. On the upside, you have RMD as a caught customer....
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 2:57 pm
by grizzlymc
RMD could fund an exotic lifestyle.
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 3:11 pm
by Essex Boy
Ilkley Old School wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2019 11:35 am
I got a £10 Amazon Gift card yesterday.
Used it an ordered a copy A Gentleman's War this morning.
I am thinking of using the rules with my:-
1. Spencer Smith 30mm ACW lads.
2. Prince August 40mm 18th century types.
3. 28mm WW1 1914 chaps
Hmmmmmm. Thinks!
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 3:42 pm
by goat major
Thats a great list of potentials IOS. They would all work really well with AGW
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 5:13 pm
by RMD
FreddBloggs wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2019 8:40 am
Sadly no on the bush hats and slrs in 6mm at the moment. They are on my long long list to get done, but will be baccus matching 1/250 rather than ghq 1/285.
Seen the ad for eureka wanting a UK agent, did look at it but not sure that I have the time or starting ash flow to take it on sadly.
Yes, that popped up on (non-wargaming?!) friend's Facebook feed. It sounds to me like Eureka are looking to open a franchise branch in the UK, rather than repeat the current model of a sole-importer. Having already 'lived the dream' on the AB Figures trade-stand, I'd have seriously considered it if I wasn't already firmly locked into a well-paying job that I'd be mad to leave...
With any luck a Eureka franchise and cutting out the middle-man might help to keep prices down - being able to order single figures again might also be a possibility!
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 5:29 pm
by MarshalNey
Sorry to hear that Paul. Hope you recover soon.
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 7:20 pm
by RMD
vexillia wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2019 2:45 pm
FreddBloggs wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2019 2:01 pm
I think it will pay ...
I'm sure it will eventually but it will center on strong web sales. It's worth noting that, in recent years, Ian did very few shows and now has a deal with Colonel Bill's for better UK show coverage.
As to the relative profitability of direct vs show sales: transport (van hire), petrol, subsistence and table fees (if you can get a space) will all eat into the profit from any sales at shows. For example: say your total costs are £250 and your gross margin is 40% (which is good) then you'd need to sell £625 worth of toys just to break even. That rises to £875 if you want to go home with £100 profit for a twelve hour day.
Not a venture for the faint-hearted or the numerically challenged.
Yeah, when I helped out on the AB stand, the ONLY show worth doing from a commercial point of view was Salute. That changed slightly with the arrival of WW2 (in packs), as there was a lot of fresh demand, margins were better and the show was less labour-intensive. Picking out individual figures at shows was a sure-fire route to insanity/punching someone...
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 7:22 pm
by RMD
grizzlymc wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2019 2:57 pm
RMD could fund an exotic lifestyle.
During the run-up to the Waterloo Bicentennial, Sue was convinced, from looking at the bank-statements, that I was having a very lavish affair with someone called Ian...
Re: What are people buying?
Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 7:42 pm
by FreddBloggs
Well you hid the fact it was really with Nic and Tony....