The obvious cutting back on historical figures over the past few years has alienated many who would have taken up the fascinating hobby or who, once involved, felt an exaspiration so deep that they dropped out of if altogether. In many cases, you owe your present careers to the interest you once had in Historical Miniature Wargaming. For the most part you entered the business as an extension of your hobby and to provide the items you perhaps felt were too hard to get from England or elsewhere. Have you forgotten your roots? Have you forgotten what it was like to order part of an army, paint it then order the remainder only to find it was discontinued? Have you forgotten what it was like to wait three months for an order promised in a week and your army was not ready for that big game?
You say that historical miniatures has become a small part of the market. All the more reason why you should be able to handle it! There are, I believe, some simple remedies that will help the historical Wargames without cutting into your ability to cater to the larger market.
1. Do not introduce a new Historical line unless:
-
a. You are sure enough of your market that you are prepared to
maintain that line of one full year.
b. You will give all customers 90 days notice that the line will be discontinued and be prepared to fill all resulting orders.
2. Develop lines with fewer poses - it is difficult to carry a line with, say 100 different figures in it when 40 would suffice. We would rather have the line available for a long time than have a lot of poses.
3. Develop figures and use alloys that allow easy conversion. In the old days I never bought a drummer, a flag bearer or an officer, most could be made from infantrymen.
4. Always have both sides ready before you introduce a line.
5. Allow at least a year between new line introductions.
Finally, if your Historical figure market is too small to pay, consider selling that line to a manufacturer that is willing to specialize i' historical miniatures. At least do so for those lines you are dropping bq not replacing with newer designs:
- DON'T FORGET YOUR ROOTS!
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