"Sgt Major Miniatures - Is anyone home?" Topic

Has anyone ordered and received anything from Sgt Major Miniatures recently?

I wanted to order something and had a question out to them.

I created an account and received what I assume is an automated reply.

I sent them an email with a question a few days ago and have heard no reply. They even seem to invite contact in their 'about us' section.

I even called the phone number this morning to receive a message that the user never set up their voicemail.

Anyone know anything? Are they on vacation, health problems, out of business?

I cancelled their advertising for non-payment. Haven't been able to reach them since 2015.

He was trying to sell everything so not sure if he would be selling any figures

I thought that Andy was sick for a while. I don't know his current situation. I hope he's OK.

Andy announced last month he was shutting down and looking to sell all his molds.

yes he is stopping selling and seeling up all models and moulds

Man, I just placed an order with him three days ago. I wish I had seen this sooner.

Alex, I just met with him Tuesday night while in his area for work. He is working the equivalent of 2 full time jobs right now, so I am sure he is swamped.

Yes he is working on selling the business as others have mentioned. I also have an order in with him that he is planning on filling.

I will let him know about your inquiry so he will check on your message.

Hey, I have an order pending with him as well…. & lots of unanswered emails, facebook messages, & unreturned phone calls.

Was thinking of an order myself.

He did state in his post announcing the sale that he would continue to fill orders until the lines sold.

Thanks for the information folks! I'll keep trying. In the meantime does anyone know how tall the 28mm dwarves are foot (ground) to eye?

@BTC – Thanks for the Info. I empathize with him and hope everything works out. But if he is not filling orders he really needs to turn the shopping cart off on the website.

@Private Snafu – The dwarves are about 23mm ground to eye.

I too have an order with him since early April. It was agreed he would bring it to Historicon but I have seen he's trying to sell off everything. I was concerned so I tried to reach him. He hasn't answered any calls made at various times during the last 3 weeks. Several messages were left on his site 3 weeks ago but so far no responses. So I guess this will be a mystery to see if the order comes to Historicon.

Thanks FABET01!

It's unfortunate how these things happen. I understand many wargame companies are one man operations, but it would be nice if they demonstrated a little bit more professionalism (and thoughtfulness).

I hope he finally pays his past-due advertising bill.

I just hope the moulds don't disappear. I was looking to add more of the ex Venetia Ottomans to my collection, but the import costs etc to the UK are off-putting.

I like some of their 15mm dark age and medieval figures. These used to be owned by QRF. I guess I will have to use Essex for the foreseeable future.

I'm not piling on here,,,,just the opposite. Andy has been a good friend for years and it was well known he had experienced some very serious health problems a few years ago which he was eventually able to overcome. This new series of no contact which several of you have reported here on TMP has been generated by a divorce which has prevented Andy from access to his work and product creation, molds etc, as I understand it. He may not even have access to previous avenues of communication such as phone and/or computer.
I don't particularly want to start a dust up with Mr. Editor over this, but something needs to be said on Andy's behalf regarding his Seargeant Major's TMP ad account. Last year at Historicon 2016, Andy and I spoke specifically about this and he related to me he had made repeated attempts to contact the TMP editor about his ad and banners for several months with no response. (Us vendors do talk with each other about advertising problems, ideas and alternate methods at times.) All of Andy's attempts at changing his TMP ad presence and banners via email and phone messages went unanswered. But the bills kept coming anyway according to Andy. This is a same scenario situation I personally went thru with Mr. Editor myself with my own ads and banners, so I am siding very heavily with Andy's predicament in this regard. I too experienced months off being able to contact Mr. Editor in order to make changes and deletions to my own ads. I was eventually successful in getting thru but only after a very long time of frustration, non-communication with Mr. Editor, and inaction in order to make changes. (Vendors cannot make direct banner, ad and frequency changes to our advertising sections. These must be confirmed and done by TMP personal. And I have read of similar narratives from other advertisers in these TMP changes.). In short, if I desired to cancel, alter or change my own ads and banners with any advertiser and was I unable to do so and experienced months of being unable to even communicate with that advertiser I wouldn't pay either.
Finally, Andy made several announcements here in the pages of TMP that he was in the process of selling off his product and mold production lines so I don't think it wise for anyone to expect to make successful ordering attempts under the circumstances. I would advise NOT sending money for items unless you have a direct avenue of ommunication with Andy that he is able to comply with your order. If you paid money for orders months ago and have not received product or have been unable to communicate effectively with Andy over the matter you are certainly in your rights to mail a request for rebate or repayment. I simply cannot believe that Andy is purposely accepting money with no plan or intent to follow thru with completing the order(s) and I'm pretty sure that right now he is unable to do just that. Until I learn otherwise, or until Andy is once more able to communicate about all this himself I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and ask you all to do the same as best you can.
Toby Barrett
Thoroughbred Figures

Unfortunately the Sgt Major website is still up, and it appears able to accept new orders. I am glad I happened upon this thread.

I am very sorry to hear about of all this. I have quite a few Sgt Major Classic Indians and recently made an order (Order number: SGMM1872 Order Date: 7/29/2017) for more before seeing this post. Does anyone know if Andy will be able to honor this order? If it makes things any easier, I am local to Fredericksburg VA (in Stafford VA) and can meet for an in-person pick-up. If Andy is not in a position to honor the order, does anyone know how I can go about getting a refund? I am really hoping that someone on this discussion can help me out (Master Caster? BCTTerrainman?). I really just want the miniatures I ordered and DO NOT want to "pile-on" Andy's troubles with PayPal dispute or anything of the like. Please help out if you can…thanks.

V/R

Sean

Sorry, I have no new contact info for Andy and I did not see him at Historicon when I went there for the first day. Last I knew he was still located in Fredericksburg, VA.

Master Caster,

Thanks for the update. Guess I will give it a few more days / emails then turn it over to PayPal. Its a shame. I really like the figures.

I saw and spoke to Andy at Historicon.

Andy was in the process of selling SMM due to a change in his personal life and that situation made it impossible to do anything with SMM. He was also moving the Monday after the show. He was hoping to have the business sold quickly.

Full refund received through PayPal for the order discussed above after a dispute email was submitted.

Website has been updated to read: "Sgt Major Miniatures is currently closed, and up for sale. Please contact for further details if you arte interested in purchasing the business."

Sorry to see these miniatures fade away…

I wish someone would buy the moulds soon. I want Norse Irish.

I sent them an e-mail re purchasing the business but got no response.

Can confirm that everything SGMM is currently in storage and Andy is not processing any new orders, he is looking for interest/offers on the business, and he has turned down at least one firm offer because it was not an offer he felt represented fair-value.

Some personal input: Andy is a decent guy dealing with an unfortunate situation.

I also sent him an email regarding some of the items and did not hear a response back.

I don't particularly want to start a dust up with Mr. Editor over this, but something needs to be said on Andy's behalf regarding his Seargeant Major's TMP ad account. Last year at Historicon 2016, Andy and I spoke specifically about this and he related to me he had made repeated attempts to contact the TMP editor about his ad and banners for several months with no response. (Us vendors do talk with each other about advertising problems, ideas and alternate methods at times.) All of Andy's attempts at changing his TMP ad presence and banners via email and phone messages went unanswered. But the bills kept coming anyway according to Andy.

We closed his advertising account after he stopped paying the bill and stopped responding to our emails. We have been emailing him at least twice monthly, and we never get any response. I look forward to hearing from him soon.

I really want to buy some of his Norse Irish and Pre Feudal Scots.

Great shame for Andy and the wargaming community.

I hope someone buys and relaunches the Venaxia miniatures I really want a lot more Italian Wars figures.

An update for those of you who are interested…

The 28mm Ancients, Border Reivers, and Fantasy ranges formerly Vendel) and the 15mm Biblicals and Medievals (a mix of formerly Venexia and Feudal Castings) have sold along with existing third party stock, casting equipment, and convention displays.

Ranges that are still available include: 15mm Ottoman Turks, 15mm Italian Wars, 15mm Wars of Louis the IVth, 15mm ACW, 15mm Sci-fi, 20mm WWII-Vietnam-Moderns, and 28mm Sci-fi, Pulp, Monsters, Moderns, and Condottieri.

Good gaming!
MinBiz
MinBiz1@aol.com

ORIGINAL POSTING_______________________________________

Hello,

During the first week of February, 2018, SGMM's assets were purchased in their entirety. This includes various 15mm, 20mm, and 28mm unreleased original sculpts, master and/or production castings for previously released product, master and production molds, and cast inventory, along with all the associated intellectual property rights. The purchase also included the Sgt. Majors Miniatures name-brand and web domain. The legal business entity and any associated liabilities or commitments remain with the business's owner.

These assets are now being separated-out and will be sold to various manufacturers, distributors, and retail vendors. There will be no direct-to-consumer, retail sales. This is strictly an asset sale and no consideration is given to any potential enterprise value. The items for sale are currently held in the U.S. (Midwest).

Serious prospective buyers should send their inquiries to MinBiz1@aol.com with one of these areas of interest noted in the email's subject line:
SGMM All
SGMM 15mm
SGMM 20mm
SGMM 28mm

Included in the email should be the buyer's name (an individual's name and where applicable also a business name), address, phone number, and email address, along with either an IRS EIN; State or National Business ID Number; or the last four numbers of an individual's SSN for any prospective buyer not operating through an established corporate entity. Emails that do not contain this information will not get a response. A short note concerning your specific interest(s) will expedite discussions-negotiations.

Regards,
MinBiz
MinBiz1@aol.com

Any update on who now owns the 15mm ancient and medieval ranges and intent to release them again?

I suspect what could be salvaged from Sgt Major ended up with these guys who have trumpeted on the announcement page of TMP just a couple days ago that they have Venexia. link

TMPers,

What I can share without stepping on any of the new owners' toes is this…

The 28mm Ancients, Border Reivers, and Fantasy ranges (formerly Vendel) and the 15mm Biblicals and most Medievals (a mix of formerly Venexia and Feudal Castings) were purchased along with existing third party stock, casting equipment, and convention displays, to US interests.

The 15mm Ottoman Turks, Italian Wars, and Wars of Louis the IXth, along with the 28mm Moderns and Condottieri (formerly Venexia) were purchased by UK interests.

Ranges still available include: 15mm ACW (formerly Feudal Castings), and the SGMM original ranges of 15mm Sci-fi (only two product codes in this range), 20mm WWII-Vietnam-Moderns, and 28mm Sci-fi, Pulp, and Monsters. The 20mm WWII range also includes the (formerly) BattleScape Australians and Sojers Americans and Germans.

Regards,
MinBiz
MinBiz1@aol.com

It looks like Lancashire may be the UK interest since they are selling the Venexia 15mm Ottomans:

"The 15mm Ottoman Turks, Italian Wars, and Wars of Louis the IXth, along with the 28mm Moderns and Condottieri (formerly Venexia) were purchased by UK interests."

We'll have to wait and see about US.

Hi Jerwood Miniatures have purchased the Venexia Moderns and are currently in the process of re-releasing them.

The most recent update is the 15mm Sci-fi have found a new home and discussions are ongoing with regards to two of the other remaining ranges.

Best,
MinBiz
MinBiz1@aol.com

Would love someone to pick up the WW2 20mm winter figures.

When can we pick up the Medievals and from whom?

All,

Sale of 20mm WWII range is pending.

Only the 28mm Sci-fi/ Pulp/ Monster range, 15mm ACW, and 20mm Vietnam/US-Afghan Moderns remain available.

@jeeves… I mentioned your post to the buyer of the 15mm Medieval range.

Regards,
MinBiz
MinBiz1@aol.com

Cool thanks.

Oh, so the Sci-Fi is still a range in flux, eh?

@MiniPigs… guess it depends on how someone defines "in flux." The 28mm Sci-fi/ Pulp/ Monster range hasn't yet found a buyer, although there have been inquiries about buying select product codes within the range, and it remains dormant in terms of production.

I'd consider the 20mm WWII range "in flux" since that transaction was just finalized… meaning once the new buyer has everything organized and is moving towards production… and gives me the go ahead… I'll announce the details. Well now, there's some news!

Regards,
MinBiz
MinBiz1@aol.com

Right, thank you for the explanation.

Does this Pulp/Sci-fi/Monster range have a lot of codes within it?

@MiniPigs,

It is a very large range.

So we don't clog up the thread, please drop me an email if you would like more detailed info.

Thanks,
MinBiz1
MinBiz1@aol.com
MinBiz1 at aol dot com

All,

The 20mm WWII ranges formerly produced by Sgt Majors Miniatures, including what were originally the Battlescape Australians and the Sojers US and German ranges, have been sold. They are now owned and being re-released by Early War Miniatures in the U.K.

The 28mm Sci-fi/ Pulp/ Monster range, 15mm ACW, and 20mm Vietnam/US-Afghan Moderns remain available although discussions with separate parties are in various stages concerning each of these product lines.

Regards,
MinBiz
MinBiz1@aol.com

Where are the pre feudal Scots now and islemen?