Leon is always on this Forum !! ;D ;D ;D
Harsh.
;D
I'd rather think its because Pendraken minis are selling like hotcakes and the supply can't keep up with the demand.
:D
Time to take on new staff Leon old chap...which is, a positive sign in these straightened times...
Give it a few years and there will be Pendraken stores on every high street as it becomes the 2nd Evil Empire and we all start bitching about getting fleeced (while still doling out the cash in fistfuls for the latest 10mm plastic eye candy)...shudder.
Victims of your own success. :) Comes a time in the growth of every business when demand outstrips production/distribution.
Quote from: ianrs54 on 24 March 2011, 12:22:17 PM
Leon is always on this Forum !! ;D ;D ;D
Booh! That's cruel. :D
In fact I just received my two packets of early war Germans and some early Russky stuff in the mail, ship shape as usual and well on time. And Gawd do those early Jerries look good. Thank thee, Leon & Co. =D>
Cheers,
Aart
We're not too bad at the moment, about 10 days for me, a couple more for Dave, so well within the stated 21. We're hoping to get caught up completely before Salute, as the amount of stock needed will take a good few days of solid casting.
Having Gandalf on board has been great as well, we'd have really struggled the past few months without his help. The problem always comes down to finances though, and having the income to pay people. With metal, fuel and now postage all going up in the last 12 months, it gets tricky!
Oh well, that 1p reduction on fuel in the Budget will really ease the pressure.... ???
8)
Quote from: Leon on 24 March 2011, 08:49:03 PM
Oh well, that 1p reduction on fuel in the Budget will really ease the pressure.... ??? 8)
If anyone in the UK believes that, I have an Arnhem bridge I want to sell to them. ;)
Anyhoo, I would easily shoulder a 10% price increase on Pendraken stuff if that's what it takes to keep you lot afloat. What with the excellent Pendraken service, this forum, the friendly atmosphere and the promising future for 10mm you guys are already very competitive.
Cheers,
Aart
Quote from: Aart Brouwer on 24 March 2011, 08:57:32 PM
Anyhoo, I would easily shoulder a 10% price increase on Pendraken stuff if that's what it takes to keep you lot afloat. What with the excellent Pendraken service, this forum, the friendly atmosphere and the promising future for 10mm you guys are already very competitive.
I think 3 price increases within a 12 month period isn't fair though, it makes me feel all
Guess
Who...
Quote from: Leon on 24 March 2011, 09:03:11 PM
I think 3 price increases within a 12 month period isn't fair though, it makes me feel all Guess Who...
That's nonsense, Leon. It's not your fault so it's not a matter of fairness. We, the Pendraken customers, are not blind. Even your foreign customers read papers and we are in the know about metal prices, postal rates and VAT issues in the UK. Since this credit crunch thingy started I've seen more than a few good shops and small businesses in my own country go belly-up and I wouldn't want you to follow their example.
Cheers,
Aart
Quote from: Aart Brouwer on 24 March 2011, 09:08:39 PM
That's nonsense, Leon. It's not your fault so it's not a matter of fairness. We, the Pendraken customers, are not blind. Even your foreign customers read papers and we are in the know about metal prices, postal rates and VAT issues in the UK. Since this credit crunch thingy started I've seen more than a few good shops and small businesses in my own country go belly-up and I wouldn't want you to follow their example.
We keep an eye on things, and we actually had a discussion last week about it. At the moment, we don't really want to put prices up again, so we're looking at ways of cutting other costs instead. Metal levelled out a bit last month, so we'll see how that goes, we can go second class on postage, and there's other areas we can trim. Prices will go up eventually, but we're not at that point just yet.
Don't upset Leon, in case he gets a little short with you...
Sorry, couldn't resist. It's a hard job starting these meme things.
Serious question.
Would different quantities in a pack, at a pro rata price, make a difference? eg 60 figs at £7, or 45 for £5.25? 10mm, being a 'mass' scale can bear extra figures in a pack - OG sell in 100's not 30's.
Have you looked at the most efficient mix of figures to cast at a time, thus reducing utilities bills (as well as time)?
Quote from: Last Hussar on 24 March 2011, 09:47:52 PM
Would different quantities in a pack, at a pro rata price, make a difference? eg 60 figs at £7, or 45 for £5.25? 10mm, being a 'mass' scale can bear extra figures in a pack - OG sell in 100's not 30's.
Have you looked at the most efficient mix of figures to cast at a time, thus reducing utilities bills (as well as time)?
I think we're pretty efficient as we are, all of the moulds are set up to produce a full pack of 30 (or 15 or artillery), we keep any spares until they make up a full pack, I keep spare command in case people want double, etc. I even fill a load of moulds at the end of each shift so that I've got something to clip while the pot melts the next day.
Quote from: Last Hussar on 24 March 2011, 09:47:52 PM
Don't upset Leon, in case he gets a little short with you...
Sorry, couldn't resist. It's a hard job starting these meme things.
Tell you what - I'm 5' 6": come tell me I'm short...>:/
QuoteSerious question.
Would different quantities in a pack, at a pro rata price, make a difference? eg 60 figs at £7, or 45 for £5.25? 10mm, being a 'mass' scale can bear extra figures in a pack - OG sell in 100's not 30's.
Have you looked at the most efficient mix of figures to cast at a time, thus reducing utilities bills (as well as time)?
That's more like it - much more sensible ;) ;D
In the greater scheme of things I think that Aart has nailed it: I think that:
- wargaming / modelling are niche hobbies
- 10mm is, therefore, a niche within that niche
- 10mm is growing in popularity - but will probably never be the definitive scale - which seems to be 28mm currently
- there is 10mm...and then there is Pendraken ;)
- Pendraken is one company (of several) focusing mainly on 10mm
- Pendraken is a small, cottage-industry company
- once you go Pendraken, you don't go back :-[
<fanboy mode on> I think you guys do a great job & will get repeat custom because:
- you do a great job - consistently - and are forever developing...
- you price very competitively
- you go way beyond the extra mile
- you care about your customers (* see below...this is important, to me at least)
In the last 18 months or so, your profile has increased in the wargames world - this forum is growing stronger constantly, and your website is improving all the time as well as the quality of new releases really pushing the limits of 10mm amazing-ness....etc etc etc
I think I'm right in saying that you have a great customer base who will
always come to you - who have this forum & your site set as favourites...who have a printed PD catalogue in several strategic locations in their life...who will read a book, watch a movie, see something online - and
immediately look to you to provide...I am unashamedly one of those m/ :-bd m/
All of this brings to me this simple conclusion:
Even if you raise the price of your figures to make them 20p each [£6 or £2 / pack-ish] we'll buy them because they are great - and still stupdily less-expensive than a single Space Marine ;D
Anyway, 'nuff said - I, like Aart, would support the continuation of Team Pendraken through & beyond the current global financial climate: and wouldn't bat an eyelid if you had to readjust your business model to survive what are pressurised times.
* Footnote: I've never actually met Dave, Leon or Matt (can't really believe that, but there it is) - but I would consider them as my friends. I 'speak' more frequently to them than people that live in my village [I'm waiting for some jokes from Kiwidave here, natch ;)]
QuoteTell you what - I'm 5' 6": come tell me I'm short...>:/
Last bloke who threatened me ended up in hospital.
He never found where I was hiding though, so he went home.
Turns out a nurse's uniform suits me.
I will go shortest than Nikharwood...
+1 to all he said!
I didn't know 10mm before Pendraken. Now, when I see my Samurai Apes army (and the Amazon army of my sweetheart), I love this scale. I love the price. I love the space I have gained in my appartment!^^
This forum is very cool, the people I have met (virtually) are nice. They make me discover FCW (thanks Nikharwood and others), HOTT (I have found the french version yesterday!^^) and I'm hesitating to have a german army for Blitzkrieg and also the fishmen army for HOTT!
Thank you Pendraken!
To finish unpacking the feelings of feeling good marshmallow, I say : Live long and Prosper!
[Edit] Again, I have improved my english!^^
What Nik said... =D>
The one thing i'd add is that 28mm (and all its variations) will probably reign supreme in wargaming for many years to come. But where i've seen 10mm 'emerge' in recent years has been to take over the 15mm niche.
I think Pendraken is the best figure supplier i've come across primarily due to the astonishingly good customer service, both in person and via the tinterweb...however, it's not all unicorns on the lawn - pictures on the website still need sorting.
I don't think its a minor issue either. I've no doubt you're losing online sales by simply not having the pictures available...
:-\
Quote from: arsenus on 24 March 2011, 11:01:37 PM
I will go shortest than Nikharwood...
+1 to all he said!
I didn't know 10mm before Pendraken. Now, when I see my Samurai Apes army (and the Amazon army of my sweetheart), I love this scale. I love the price. I love the space I have gained in my appartment!^^
This forum is very cool, the people I have met (virtually) are nice. They make me discover FCW (thanks Nikharwood and others), HOTT (I have found the french version yesterday!^^) and I'm hesitating to have a german army for Blitzkrieg and also the fishmen army for HOTT!
Thank you Pendraken!
To finish unpacking the feelings of feeling good marshmallow, I say : Live long and Prosper!
[Edit] Again, I have improved my english!^^
Good man 8)
The only thing you're doing wrong is this:
QuoteI'm hesitating to have a german army for Blitzkrieg
Stop hesitating... ;)
Quote from: Luddite on 24 March 2011, 11:21:16 PM
What Nik said... =D>
The one thing i'd add is that 28mm (and all its variations) will probably reign supreme in wargaming for many years to come. But where i've seen 10mm 'emerge' in recent years has been to take over the 15mm niche.
I think Pendraken is the best figure supplier i've come across primarily due to the astonishingly good customer service, both in person and via the tinterweb...however, it's not all unicorns on the lawn - pictures on the website still need sorting.
I don't think its a minor issue either. I've no doubt you're losing online sales by simply not having the pictures available...
:-\
Thank you mon amigo 8)
You're right on the photo-front: it's great to see the progress so-far on this with the website (& I know the house fire hasn't helped :(] but it might be worthwhile finding a friendly work-experience student or media studies student without a day job who is looking to build their CV..!
Quote from: nikharwood on 24 March 2011, 10:28:24 PM
Tell you what - I'm 5' 6": come tell me I'm short...>:/
Ay up Shorty ;)
"You're right on the photo-front: it's great to see the progress so-far on this with the website (& I know the house fire hasn't helped ] but it might be worthwhile finding a friendly work-experience student or media studies student without a day job who is looking to build their CV..!"
No need, I'm retired, if Dave and Leon want to send me 1 of everything (poor postie :P) I'll take the piccies for free.
Gordon
Quote from: Sandinista on 25 March 2011, 12:21:13 AM
Ay up Shorty ;)
Come down here & say that...
I'll jump up & bite you on the kneecap ;) :D ;D :P 8)
Quote from: nikharwood on 24 March 2011, 10:28:24 PM
I 'speak' more frequently to them than people that live in my village...
That's because you speak Larhndin English innit, and they speak Zummerzet they do, and your lovely wife isn't always around to translate; and they don't like foriegners 'round 'ere, and because you support Chelsea... :D
Quote from: arsenus on 24 March 2011, 11:01:37 PM
[...] I'm hesitating to have a german army for Blitzkrieg
Oh don't be a wimp. Go and order that army right now! :P
In fact I received my copy of BKC2 recently and it looks fine, it smells good, it simply oozes that.. Harwood spirit we know so well. 8)
Cheers,
Aart
I'm surrounded...
But I will be strong! ^^
I will wait few weeks If I don't want my banker come at home and start looting my refrigerator!^^
Quote from: nikharwood on 24 March 2011, 10:28:24 PM
* Footnote: I've never actually met Dave, Leon or Matt (can't really believe that, but there it is) - but I would consider them as my friends. I 'speak' more frequently to them than people that live in my village [I'm waiting for some jokes from Kiwidave here, natch ;)]
Interesting footnote there, and I concur. I consider everyone on this forum a 'friend' in the Interwebs sense of the word. By that I mean that there is a worldwide middle class with shared values, from China to Peru and from Germany to South Africa. And it's that class that comes together in many spots of the World Wide Web, across borders, language barriers and cultural divides. Including on this forum. We're all basically nice, sedate, more or less polite, more or less educated chaps who speak more or less acceptable English (sadly we'd have to make an exception for Yorkshire here) and we recognise those selfsame qualities in all the others. I feel I could hang out in a bar with almost everyone of you. Much more so than with various individuals or groups of people from my own country.
Weird init?
Cheers,
Aart
Quote from: Last Hussar on 24 March 2011, 09:47:52 PM
OG sell in 100's not 30's.
Have suggested to Dave reducing the number of ifgs in a pack, ie mouinted in thge Ancient/Medieval ranges to 12, which gives a warmaster unit. 100 - few too many unless I'm doing a entire army at atime, in which case I buy a special army pack.
IanS
Quote from: Kiwidave on 25 March 2011, 08:30:54 AM
That's because you speak Larhndin English innit, and they speak Zummerzet they do, and your lovely wife isn't always around to translate; and they don't like foriegners 'round 'ere, and because you support Chelsea... :D
Ah Zummerzet! Which reminds me, wanted to ask Nik (or is that Old Nick?) how's Skillywidden these days? I've 'eard that Dunster folk got quite fond o' 'im arter 'e saved 'Dorcas Jane'.
Quote from: Kiwidave on 25 March 2011, 08:30:54 AM
That's because you speak Larhndin English innit,
I was about to praise Nik, as long as he is from the correct side (ie North) of the river, until
Quotebecause you support Chelsea... :D
COYS
Ha ha, yes Chelsea is bad ;D
i could take the time & respond to all the wonderful posts etc here...but I'm not going to - on the basis that it's Friday night, I've had a fecking nightmare week and all I need to say is...
- I love you all
- I'd buy you all a drink
- Somerset is top-notch
- Chelsea till I die...etc
;D
First off, thanks a lot for the nice words from Nik, Arsenus, Luddite, Aart, and anyone who has ever said anything nice about us! It really is appreciated so much by everyone at Pendraken.
I think though, that it got a bit negative up there, when the opposite is true. Yeah, we've got rising bills, but so has every business. This past 18 months has seen all kinds of changes, and we're progressing forward at a fair old rate, but it's always healthy to keep an eye on things as you go, so that you don't turn around one day and find you've over extended yourself.
Quote from: Luddite on 24 March 2011, 11:21:16 PM
.however, it's not all unicorns on the lawn - pictures on the website still need sorting.
I don't think its a minor issue either. I've no doubt you're losing online sales by simply not having the pictures available...
I've no doubt we are as well, and it's something I really want to get sorted. We're looking at adding a space at the top of each range, where we can add a single painted pic, showing figures from that particular range. That way we can give people an idea of what the figures look like, while we're getting the individual codes photo'd.
Quote from: GordonY on 25 March 2011, 07:56:10 AM
No need, I'm retired, if Dave and Leon want to send me 1 of everything (poor postie :P) I'll take the piccies for free.
Thanks for the offer, it's really appreciated. I think for now, we'd prefer to keep doing them in-house, as it keeps consistency on the photo's. They're all blackwashed the same, same lighting, and all taken at hi-res. Jenna's had her hours cut at her full-time job, so once the photo setup is back in action (not far away), we'll be able to get a lot more put up.
And to echo the above sentiments, I'd quite happily have a Coke with any of you... but I ain't getting the first round in...! :D
Quote from: Leon on 25 March 2011, 11:48:53 PM
First off, thanks a lot for the nice words from Nik, Arsenus, Luddite, Aart, and anyone who has ever said anything nice about us! It really is appreciated so much by everyone at Pendraken.
Credit where it's due old chap.
Quote
I've no doubt we are as well, and it's something I really want to get sorted. We're looking at adding a space at the top of each range, where we can add a single painted pic, showing figures from that particular range. That way we can give people an idea of what the figures look like, while we're getting the individual codes photo'd.
That's an excellent idea as an interim stage Leon. Getting at least one from each range is a good stop-gap.
Speaking purely for myself, as an internet shopper, if i come across a website where there isn't a picture of the mini i'm interested in, i simply move on. No sale old boy.
Pendraken is the only online supplier where i don't do that, mainly because i know i'm not getting dud figures, even if i can't see them. However, i'm still hesitent and tend to go looking for online examples if i can find them before buying.
QuoteJenna's had her hours cut at her full-time job
Bad luck, hope that's not hitting you guys too hard...
Quote
And to echo the above sentiments, I'd quite happily have a Coke with any of you... but I ain't getting the first round in...! :D
:D
'Drink boys, drink; and see that you do not spill, for if you do you shall drink two, for that is our master's will...'
And Nik, nowt wrong with Zummerzet mate.
I'm a native 'Ampshurrman' myself - there's a lot of similarities between the two counties...its that queer lot in Wiltshire you have to watch. Moonrakers the lot of 'em... :-S
Quote from: Luddite on 26 March 2011, 09:22:04 AM
Bad luck, hope that's not hitting you guys too hard...
She'll be right, she's still living at home with Lynne and Dave!
:D
Just felt I need to chime in and express my appreciation for the Pendraken folks: great miniatures, they know where they're headed, the best service I've come across, plus a nice atmosphere on the forum, helpful mods, especially the tall muscular Belgian... :-bd
Quote from: Kiwidave on 25 March 2011, 08:30:54 AM
That's because you speak Larhndin English innit, and they speak Zummerzet they do, and your lovely wife isn't always around to translate; and they don't like foriegners 'round 'ere, and because you support Chelsea... :D
;D
I knew it wasn't me :D
Quote from: Pruneau on 27 March 2011, 03:23:19 PM
... especially the tall muscular Belgian... :-bd
I didn't know Leon was from Belgium! :-\ :D
Oh yeah, he sometimes uses his professional name of Jean Claude Van Damme.
If any of the pictures I post onl ine are ever any use, feel free, though I doubt the painting is good enough.
Do you remember when we just used to get line drawings in magazines?
Some say
Bodie and Doyle have pictures of him on their office wall
or that his bone is used to hold steel pins together
all we know is...