"What if any UK ranges NEED a USA importer?" Topic

This is a spin off thread off the one on UK products and US distributors.

A small store might also ask what European companies need USA distributors?

A trinkleing volume of sales or just to satisfy your hankering to get an odd casting does not justify the high cost of overseas shipping and high amount of stock to be an importer for a small store.

Over the past 20 years I have imported over a dozen ranges. The volume of sales has never justify the costs and fund outlay (tied up money) to continue the importing.

With the tendacy for manufacturer to customer direct sales, it makes importing many ranges (not all) less financial beneficial. And small stores do have to make a profit to stay in business regardless of what some frugal gamers may want to pay for miniatures.

Brittania…Liberation…for 20mm….

I know that Brittania got burned with Combined Arms a couple of years ago…

Not sure what else right off the top of my head…

AFAIK Brittania has been handled by Wargames the last few years.

It has been quite a while since Combined Arms went belly up.

Liberation has a US importer in Syr Hobbes Wargaming. BG is correct that Brittania is handled by Wargames.

Forge World, Brigade Models

Bear's Den
A&A
Gripping Beast
EM4- I think someone caries some of their products, but I'm not sure who.
Mirlton

The smarter move to maximize sales is to find a US Based caster who will cast on demand (or at least keep a small buffer) and fill orders in the USA. If the manufacturer provides molds to the caster, handles the sales and just sends the caster the info to fill and ship, they can maximize sales while providing their customers superior service. The caster could be paid once a month for their efforts based upon those orders filled, and the customers only pay for domestic P&H costs.

Sadly, this business model does leave the B&M stores out of the loop, but it could also be changed to fill B&M orders with slight adjustments in adding packaging to the mix. Unfortunately printing & packaging costs would eat into profits since that would mean more work only for wholesale prices, which severely eat into profits. The other problem is the trend of B&M stores going the way of the Do-Do…

Granted, the whole "Retail Market" is changing radically with consumers changing their buying habits, so it really isn't entirely the B&M stores fault nor are they alone. It is rather depressing going to any mall or shopping center to see so many empty spaces like the toothless smile of my youngsters…

'Drew
studiobergstrom.com

Tin Dictator used to carry EM-4 but no longer.

Why do you need a distributor? Why not just order direct? Sometimes the charge for buting in a different currency is a pain, but honestly I've had more problems with distributors here in the US (lack of stock, unresponsivness, messed up orders) than ordering direct from the UK. Plus, almost always it is cheaper going direct since you only pay shipping once and can take advantage of currency fluctuations.

It's not cheaper when some UK companies charge 40-50% shipping cost.

Comrade, that is one of the points of my post. The similar post may have implied to some that all UK companies need importers.

I am asking is that the case? I know from conversations with some manufacturers that getting the right to manufacture here in the USA and then pay the UK company royalties is the best way for a USA company to bring the product to the USA at a reasonable rate (including shipping). However a big hurdle in that concept is what is the rate based on / Wholesale sales, retail sales or what?)

EM-4, West Wind, Urban Mammoth (well they've had a few but keep getting dropped)

Old Crow .

I looked at actually becoming a distributor for some lines and did some research and here's what I found out.

First of all, the exchange rate sucks. Second, of course, the shipping is very high even if you ship them in bulk. Those 2 are obvious. Service from some of the companies is not very good – continually shipping the wrong stuff. This was mentioned for several companies from distributors I talked to which really surprised me. Also you would probably need to carry a wide range of the figures meaning a very high initial investment. The markup you get is not nearly as good as generally accepted in retail environments.

If you could get the masters and cast them in the US, then you alleviate a lot of the problems. I didn't get this far so perhaps the business people among you can try this approach…

From a consumer standpoint, I'm in the process of building a 25mm medieval army and need hundreds of miniatures. If I buy them from Old Glory after joining the OG Army, I can pay about 75 cents per foot figure compared to about 2+ bucks a figure from Gripping Beast and other European companies. So at 3x the price its hard for others to compete.

Wow I sound like a bummer after reading that.

Steve

It's not cheaper when some UK companies charge 40-50% shipping cost.

Even with a US distributor, they will (if they want to remain in business) need to pass on their cost of shipping in their price. While it may not be 40/50% of the cost, it will add up once you add the cost of shipping from the distributor to you.

Every time I've compared, it has always been cheaper to buy direct. The tipping point seems to be over 30% shipping, but I have personally never seen anyone charge that much for miniatures (I've always used free shipping from Foundry, but they might be up there). I think I've seen terrain/buildings cost that much, though.

Comrade , I tried to import a European company a few years ago (not from the UK).
The cost of the miniatures were $480 USD for $800 USD worth of product (40% discount which is standard).
However the shipping cost was $210 USD which meant my total cost was $690. USD
Sales were OK when I took them to Historicon. However I kept hearing that I can get them cheaper direct from the manufacturer. I never ordered that product again.

I was the first company to take Corvus belli, Fantassin, AlphaCast and Venexia to Historicon (as imports on my end). I took a lot of other companies for the first time to Historicon as well back in the 1980s and 1990s.

Steve I mentioned that in an earlier post.

"…I know from conversations with some manufacturers that getting the right to manufacture here in the USA and then pay the UK company royalties is the best way for a USA company to bring the product to the USA at a reasonable rate (including shipping).

However a big hurdle in that concept is what is the rate based on / Wholesale sales, retail sales or what?)…"

Comments like the British think that USA companies are flushed with money was made by more than one manufacturer.

I still think that this would be the best way to get better exposure and sales in the USA.

I have heard that one or two companies are considering the operation where they finance and open their own production casting company in the USA. Sorry but I do not think revealing the companies names would be proper.

I hope they do bring those lines to the US. I would particularly like to see Gripping Beast and Redoubt back here in the US and I hope they will consider letting someone cast them locally.

Tom Dye of GFI is producing Minifig under license. They have always had a USA casting company make their stuff here.

The concept has worked for Minifig since the 1970s. maybe a few other UK companies need to consider it as well.

Dixon. I'd really like to be able to get more Marlburian figs.