"Mongrel Miniatures - any news?" Topic

Just posting this out of frustration really but does anybody know what is going on with Mongrel Miniatures? The website hasn't been updated since Frank owned the business a few years back, the 60's African merc greens were posted on the yahoo group in October last year and I got an email from Crouchie saying that they wouldn't be available for Christmas but soon in the new year. Well, its March now and still nothing has been released and nobody is responding to my messages on the yahoo group (which begs the question why bother having a yahoo group or a website if its not doing anything?)

I understand figure manufacturers getting annoyed with constant requests to do this and that or for release dates but if you communicate properly in the first place then you shouldn't get this pestering. I also really didn't want to have to be openly critical like this, especially as I've been an unashamed Mongrel fanboy in the past, but I find the complete lack of communication downright mystifying and frustrating? I'm not asking for a monthly update just one proper piece of communication to say what is being worked on and a rough timescale as to when it will be available.

Unfortunately, this business appears to have been left to fade away which is a shame as there are few decent modern mini manufacturers out there despite the massive potential in modern conflicts that haven't been touched yet. I don't know why it should have to be so difficult for me to spend some of my spare cash especially during a recession when you would think that businesses would want your custom?

So, can anybody (preferably from Mongrel) enlighten me or maybe even put an update on the website or the yahoo group.

Many thanks!

Paul

Only what I have seen on the Yahoo group, A gent in the US? or Canada has purchased it form Griffin and Crouchie has stopped being invovled. A double whammy is that he has also reliquished control of his modern vehicles too.

There are some nice greens of more Afghans but this was around Christmas…so not sure what is happening.

I agree I love the mongrel figs but they haven't done anything in a long time and have not answered any of my e-mail either I hope they don't drop of the the face of the earth.

Gents

von Paulus – I'll answer for Mongrel – as far as I'm concerned Mongrel are still in rude health, and there are new ranges coming available soon. As you can imagine, Chieftain has been the main point of concern for me over the last couple of weeks, so I'm not too up to speed on events there.

Lowtardog – you seem to be disappointed that Crouchie has 'reliquinished control' of Chieftain?

The statement I will make is that once Salute is out of the way, then Chieftain and Mongrel should be in a position to move forward over the summer is a positive fashion.

So, give us chance will you guys? Like most of the more specialised/niche lines, we're effectively one-man bands with day jobs.

Thanks

Dunc

I understand I'm in the same boat with Legions East so good luck I'm a loyal customer so I want you guys to do well your my lead dealer for moderns so I need you to do well or I take it out on the cats at home.

Lowtardog – you seem to be disappointed that Crouchie has 'reliquinished control' of Chieftain?

Not disappointed Cheiftain, it was that there was a link with Mongrel and Chieftain which gave that community feel which the breaking up of the companies has seen fall off in recent months

Lowtardog – that link still exists!

Just give a little while to sort things out at this end.

Chieftain,
I appreciate the fact that you've just stepped in to take over from Crouchie but with all due respect I think Mongrel have had more than a chance to a) communicate over the past year and b) come up with something over the past year or more. I can also appreciate that you may have day jobs but its either a business or its not and surely if Ben Checota wants his business to succeed then he needs to communicate with his customers. Either use the website or the yahoo group or scrap em if its too much like hard work.

Again, with all due respect, you ain't really telling me and other concerned customers much about whats going? Its not good enough to just say all will be revealed either at Salute or after. Its been well over a year without any explanation as to why nothing has been released. Why not just tell people whats going on. What is to be gained by keeping your customers in suspense?

Seeing as you are getting the 'flak' for Mongrel, can I also ask if Chieftain will remain the UK representative for Mongrel? If not, then maybe Ben Checota should be fielding these questions. It is his company after all?

I do apologise if I'm coming across as too harsh or demanding info which you don't have but too many promises are made by wargames firms for them never to be realised and I'd hate to see two good companies lose business over a simple issue like lack of communication?

Paul

Paul

I'm a salesman by trade, and I know better than to get into any sort of disagreement with customers, especially in a public domain, so I won't demonstrate a difference of opinion with any of your statements.

At the moment I'm not at liberty to discuss too much about Mongrel at the moment – that's all. Nor will I use Ben's, Frank's, or Crouchie's name in vain, so I won't make any statements for them other than the deliberately vague ones I've already made.

I will say that keeping customers in suspense wasn't what I had in mind – I've given you a response as far as I can, trust me it's not a deliberate GW style 'watch this space' type cobblers.

Nothing is going to be revealed at Salute (that I'm aware of) – it's just that I've got a whole heap of stuff to do with Chieftain prior to Salute, as well as be a salesman for a major telco, a father of three, and an inattentive husband. Salute is a big event, and once it's done I can then take stock of everything and move forward through the summer.

I'm taking the flak for Mongrel because Chieftain and Mongrel are inextricably linked, and because I believe it's in my interest to do so if I want to continue to build on the great work Crouchie has already done with Chieftain. The fact that I love the ranges and the period has something to do with it as well.

Ultimately I'm a little unclear as to what has frustrated you about Mongrel over the last year. The lack of releases, or the lack of information on the lack of releases?

I'm not aware of any difficulties in buying anything or completing any collections/ranges? Personally I thought the ranges were pretty complete, NVA Germans excepted, and that Mongrel were just one of the hobbies quieter companies.

Regards

Duncan

I would like to know if it's possible if you can shed any light on if there might be any West Germans coming, or if the US Marines might get a two three new figures?

Duncan,
Its both the lack of releases and lack of communication but also showing pics of greens on the yahoo group and then not releasing em for four months (or maybe more?) Well, what can I say – its been torture :))

Its also not a complaint about whats been released so far. I agree the Mongrel ranges are pretty complete and I regularly game with my IDF/Arab militias – more than anything else in my collection. It is simply promising new ranges and then not delivering that irks.

I will stress though that I'm not looking for an argument and appreciate that you can't give me any further info about Mongrel. I'll also reiterate that both Mongrel and Chieftain make a superb product and its testament to the quality of the product that I'm still here hankering after any news after all this time.

I'll leave it there and hope you take this thread as friendly and hopefully constructive criticism (albeit unsolicited!)

Paul

PS: never did find any scale plans of the sloped south african APC's :(((

Von P has a point in that the Mongrel Yahoo group has almost died a death. Recent postings are from long-standing customers only (many of them TMP members) and despite a number of questions as to release dates, nothing has been forthcoming from the "official" side. Indeed the only response to this thread is from Duncan, who is actually the new owner of Chieftain! This is all the more frustrating as we know that Paul Hicks has sculpted a number of greens for the long-trailed 60s Africa range, but we still have no idea when/if they will be released. I also use the word "if" as sometime in the not so distant past Mongrel was meant to be releasing some Arctic Royal Marines to complement the Mongrel Soviet range, but aside from a brief glimpse on the internet these miniatures have disappeared into the ether.

From what I know Mongrel does want to move forward into more modern periods and a more up-to-date Afghanistan range has been mooted as a possibility. Ben (the Mongrel owner) has also said that he is looking at a few surprise ranges. Fair enough. But a bit more communication would be welcome, even if it is a "new ranges in the pipeline, but nothing before [insert month] 2009" posting on the Yahoo group.

I also have to say that even as a huge Mongrel fan (and other modern companies), I recently looked at competing 20mm ranges, simply as there is a real problem getting some modern figures in 28mm. I've managed to resist so far, but when you want to run a game, you can only do that if figures are available…

Hello All,

This is Ben and I own Mongrel Miniatures.

First, a note to say a big thank you to Ian who toiled at a thankless and often "rock and a hard place" job. I might add that most of the problems were of my making, and not Ian's and I appreciate the time and effort he has invested.

I plan to be much more active in Mongrel. Since I took over, we have been working on a number of exciting ranges to expand Mongrel as well as adding to existing ranges. This will continue.

As many have noted, one of the new ranges is a very interesting real life "Wild Geese" range for the fights of Mike Hoare in the Congo. This will include European mercenaries, Simbas, Belgians and everything needed to recreate these brutal conflicts. We will also be expanding the existing Cold War ranges, starting with a lot of new British Marines in that will work for what-if scenarios against the Warsaw Pact as well as a host of other periods.

The first of these ranges will be available at SALUTE! After that, there will be a steady stream of new releases that both expand existing ranges and create entirely new ones that have not been mentioned.

For the time being, Mongrel will remain available through the UK website for all orders. This will expand with a US website in the near future as well as a significant presence at US shows.

I also promise that I will be more active in the Yahoo group. While my day job consumes much of my time, I will be reachable through Yahoo from this point forward.

So, there you have it! I would again like to thank Ian for all he has done (not the least of which was taking a lot of heat on my behalf). Please feel free to speak on the Yahoo group with any questions, comments, suggestions or complaints as I am there and I am listening.

Sincerely,

Ben

Ben – I appreciate the update and look forward to the new releases. Also glad to see that the Yahoo group will become a bit more active! Thanks.

Thanks for that Ben.
I am really looking forward to new ranges.

I got a chance to check out some of the Simbas and Mercs at Cold Wars and they look great. I still have my lovely Soviet Airborne and I'll be looking forward to adding another platoon before long.

"As many have noted, one of the new ranges is a very interesting real life "Wild Geese" range for the fights of Mike Hoare in the Congo"

I have died and gone to heaven!

Great news! Thanks Ben.

I sent an order did you get it? Tried to e-mail you about it but bo reply.