| Kevin C | 22 Dec 2016 3:25 p.m. PST |
Let me begin by stressing that I don't want this to turn into an angry discussion of the last election or a long series of attacks against Trump, Hillary, the Democrats, the Republicans, or the Russians. My question is purely related to the hobby and the prospects of getting better access to new miniatures. On a different thread I posted a questions concerning miniatures for the Russo-Polish War of 1919-21 and someone pointed me in the direction of Siberia Miniatures, which is a Russian miniature company. This brought a question to my mind. Does anyone think that Trump's election might open up opportunities for US distributors of Russian miniatures? I would especially like to hear from anyone who might be considering acting as a U.S. distributor for Russian miniatures. Again, please try to keep emotions under wraps -- stay focused on the miniatures. Think of the doughnut, not the hole. Thanks,
Kevin |
| Mako11 | 22 Dec 2016 3:40 p.m. PST |
I certainly hope so. I need some Cold War, Soviet/Russian bombers, and I'm sure all the good little communists don't play with B-52s, so…… Sadly, few if any American companies produce them in the required scales for gaming. |
79thPA  | 22 Dec 2016 5:55 p.m. PST |
I am not sure why it would as there is nothing that I am aware of that is keeping them out now. The St. Petersburg Collection makes collector's figures, and they have been getting distributed in the US for years. What would the cost to benefit factor be for a small Russian gaming company to sell in the US, and what is the desire to do so? Would it be more beneficial to get a distributor in England? |
| jedburgh | 22 Dec 2016 6:49 p.m. PST |
There do not seem to be many Russian makers of Wargame figures around as 79thPA states they have no problems distributing painted figures. They seem to concentrate on 54mm figures and kits as well as some of the best plastic figures around like Engineer Basevich – there are a myriad of Russian makers who have no problems getting distributed in the 'West'. |
| Hafen von Schlockenberg | 22 Dec 2016 7:15 p.m. PST |
Perhaps off topic but since you didn't specify metal, I'll mention this place: link They are in Eastern Europe,but they give free shipping over $100 USD,and their prices are low on Russian products like Redbox and Zvezda. |
| Cyrus the Great | 22 Dec 2016 8:50 p.m. PST |
Most of the wargame figures produced by the Russians are either Fantasy or Science Fiction. The Russian Alternative is already on Ebay. One of my friends deals directly with another Russian company and pays by Paypal. Turn around time is 2 weeks. It's going to be hard to compete with that and I'll bet money a US or UK distributor is going to have to raise the prices to make it worthwhile. |
 Extra Crispy  | 23 Dec 2016 10:00 a.m. PST |
+1 79th PA What, exactly, is preventing US distributors from importing them now, other than not believing they would sell well enough to bother? What will be different in 2017? |
 Bobgnar | 23 Dec 2016 10:20 a.m. PST |
I have long considered getting some of the Siberian miniatures. They have some excellent Russo Polish war figures I. I've been told by people that it is not a problem to order from them. Does anybody have such experience? |
| Giles the Zog | 23 Dec 2016 11:55 a.m. PST |
As commented on the other thread – yup – have ordered and had no problems. |
| Rudysnelson | 25 Dec 2016 8:44 a.m. PST |
Zvesda plastics are very common. Though the distributors restock is slow. There was in the past that the American led restrictions due to Russian actions in the Ukraine hindered imports.
The plastic model shops carried Zvesda and other companies long before gaming stores did. Their prices strangely run a little higher than gaming for the same products.
As with any European product line, the issue is with what distributors are willing to take the risk and the administrative effort to import them. |
