2013 was a good year for us, with the number of orders and our total sales both up, while show takings were down slightly. Release wise we knocked out 150 new products, with new ranges for Napoleonic Bavarians, the Plains War and 1860's Fenians. We also added a new range of Modern vehicles and revamped our Sci-Fi ranges completely. For 2014, we're hoping for even more, and to do that, we'll be tweaking a few things.
Price Increase
Unfortunately, there will be a price increase coming on Feb 1st. It's never something we do lightly, and it never happens without good reason. The price increases we've had in the past decade were all for a particular purpose, whether it was to hire our first caster, when we went VAT-registered, or when we moved into the unit, the increases all went towards something.
This time, there isn't one single reason, more a collection of smaller ones.
- Firstly, it's likely that we'll need to hire another caster in the next few months. As the business grows, along with Minibits and our contract casting side, my time is getting stretched thinner and thinner, and there's only so many hours I can do. My average working week is somewhere between 70-90 hours, and trying to keep on top of everything whilst still having to cast orders means that things get put on the backburner. These are usually things like releases, or sets of rules we'd like to publish, or things for Minibits. Bringing in someone else to cast the Fantasy and Sci-Fi would free me up to concentrate on the day-to-day running of the various businesses.
- Secondly, some of the money will be going towards some new equipment. Electric pots will replace our current gas burners and a second mould machine will allow us to get things released quicker. There's a few other bits and bobs we need as well.
- Thirdly, a portion of the increased income will go back into design work. We'll look at which ranges we want to prioritise and we'll bump the sculptors budgets where possible. Having more time and more moulding capabilities means that we can get more produced and released onto your tables!
- Finally, some of the new pennies will go towards getting all of our products painted up properly for the website. We're working with Marco from RifRaf Miniatures to get all of our figures painted up for web photo's. With 3500 codes and something close to 10,000 individual figures, it's a big undertaking and will take a lot of time and money. The Repub. Romans and the Carthaginians have been done already, and the Boer War range is currently in progress. After that, we'll get all of the WW1 codes done up for the centenary.
So, the price changes will be:
Standard packs - £4.00 >>>> £4.50
WWII infantry - £1.35 >>>> £1.50
Tanks/vehicles - £2.35 >>>> £2.60
Fantasy/Sci-Fi - £1.80 >>>> £1.95
I've had a quick quick browse around the other 10mm suppliers, and we are still one of the cheapest 10mm companies on the market. Combined with what we hope is excellent customer service, and our constant release schedule, hopefully people will still find Pendraken good value for their money.
New Releases
Our monthly releases have been a regular feature for several years now, but as we get busier, it becomes harder to hit these deadlines each month, especially when we're away at the shows as well. For the past 6 months, there have been several times where we were frantically moulding on the last day of the month, or releasing things without pictures. For 2014, we'll be switching to smaller releases, but more often (that's the plan anyway!). What this means is that instead of one large release on the 1st of the month, often containing all sorts of different odds and ends, we'll do smaller batches of releases throughout the month, each aimed at a particular period/range.
Making this change will allow us to focus on different periods with each new set of releases. We'll be able to take the extra time to put full ranges together and release them in one go, along with army packs or flags, etc.
The first few ranges to get this new treatment will be the Mongols and the Ancient Spanish. The new Mongol range is currently being cast up to be sent out to the original backers, and then it will be making a full release sometime towards the end of this month. The Ancient Spanish are heading for the production moulds soon, and will be following on shortly after. Dave's working on the WW1 as well, so those will be able to hit the webstore in another big release.
Show Stand
We're currently working on building a new show stand for the 2014 circuit, with new racking and packaging. The plan is to change things about a bit so that we can carry more stock to the shows without having to take up more space. We've got some interesting plans for this, so make sure to keep an eye out for us at the shows. We're also hoping to be able to stock a few more 10mm items from other sources, giving people more options on the Pendraken stand, and providing a more comprehensive 'One Stop Shop' for the 10mm gamer.
On a similar note to this, rather than spend time cutting open blister packs to put new header cards in, we've decided to have a massive January sale on any army packs currently in stock. Head over to the sale thread for more info on how to take advantage of this special '4 for 3' offer: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,9212.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,9212.0.html) With the impending price increase, this is the perfect opportunity to grab some bargains!
If there are any questions on anything above, please let us know and we'll do our best to answer them! And thanks to everyone for your continued custom/support.
8)
All sounds very positive. :)
Time to get my order sorted and winged off to you soon Leon :D.
Big orders in January then.
May I plead that you try and give us some clues about what's upcoming? Saves me whinging about Byzantines and Chariot Armies if I know they're coming.
If anyone has any doubts about any of the above just look at the time Leon posted this :o :o :o
No worries on the price increase, if you need help then you need it! You can only do so much in a day!
Is this the thread where we all start ranting and rage quitting?
Thanks for the comments so far.
8)
Quote from: fsn on 08 January 2014, 07:52:28 AM
May I plead that you try and give us some clues about what's upcoming? Saves me whinging about Byzantines and Chariot Armies if I know they're coming.
There's a full list of what's being worked on here: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,2583.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,2583.0.html) I try and update it fairly regularly so people know what's in the works for the next 12 months or so.
No Byzantines or Chariots though I'm afraid... :(
Quote from: Leon on 08 January 2014, 03:02:06 AM
...
Standard packs - £4.00 >>>> £4.50
WWII infantry - £1.35 >>>> £1.50
Tanks/vehicles - £2.35 >>>> £2.60
Fantasy/Sci-Fi - £1.80 >>>> £1.95
And you dare to take webspace for an insignificant change as such? Shame on you!
Still:
-affordable
-sensibly priced
-great value
-great designs
-(fill in random words of appreciation here)
and tbh just to get you poor boy some clothes to wear during gaming I am happy to happy a little more. :D
Nothing that would make me order more/less from you. I know where it is going it is well invested and considering other companies prices =)
Still cracking value at that price and level of service. 8)
As others have said still great value.
Though the fantasy figures are starting to get near to £6 for 30 - which is a bit dearer than the competition.
Quote from: Leon on 08 January 2014, 03:02:06 AM
... For 2014, we'll be switching to smaller releases, but more often (that's the plan anyway!). What this means is that instead of one large release on the 1st of the month, often containing all sorts of different odds and ends, we'll do smaller batches of releases throughout the month, each aimed at a particular period/range.
Good idea. 8)
Quote from: Leon on 08 January 2014, 02:53:11 PM
No Byzantines or Chariots though I'm afraid... :(
That's *sniff* fine. As long *choke* as I know.
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Quote from: fred 12df on 08 January 2014, 05:18:25 PM
Though the fantasy figures are starting to get near to £6 for 30 - which is a bit dearer than the competition.
That's something we're definitely conscious of, and we've put a smaller increase in place on the Fantasy this time around. Where the regular packs have gone up by 12.5%, the Fantasy and Sci-Fi have only gone up by 8%. I didn't want to take them over that £2 threshold either. I'm hoping that we can do some work on the Fantasy in the next 12 months or so, and give it a bit of a revamp going into 2015.
8)
Quote from: fsn on 08 January 2014, 05:39:03 PM
That's *sniff* fine. As long *choke* as I know.
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
You got Centurions, you ungrateful swine.
I know. It's not as if I don't have enough to do!
When the Brit Naps come out then I'll just have to go for then, and then there's the Greeks and Persians in the pipeline.
Good stuff mate - seriously encouraging to see the business grow - and in a sustainable and sensible way, with excellent comms once more to the customers.
Nicely played, Pendraken, nicely played =D>
Quote from: nikharwood on 08 January 2014, 09:20:18 PM
Good stuff mate - seriously encouraging to see the business grow - and in a sustainable and sensible way, with excellent comms once more to the customers.
Nicely played, Pendraken, nicely played =D>
Well I guess Boro ain't Nuts-ingham ;)
Must be the water in THAT particular area. Other people I know from there are quite normal :-\
Quote from: get2grips on 08 January 2014, 08:37:35 AM
If anyone has any doubts about any of the above just look at the time Leon posted this :o :o :o
I agree but it was still a civil hour in the states. :D
Thanks to Leon and the entire Pendraken crew for a great 2013 and looks like an awesome 2014.
Quote from: zaapark on 08 January 2014, 09:32:57 PM
I agree but it was still a civil hour in the states. :D
Maybe I should emigrate, at least my body clock would work properly!
:D
Speaking of British Naps, when can we expect them? :D :D :D
Quote from: Hoagie on 08 January 2014, 11:07:41 PM
Speaking of British Naps, when can we expect them? :D :D :D
They're being sculpted at the moment, so depending on how much the sculptor got done over Xmas, the first batch will either be with us in the next couple of weeks, or early in February. As soon as they arrive, there'll be some pics on there, no worries on that!
8)
Quote from: zaapark on 08 January 2014, 09:32:57 PM
I agree but it was still a civil hour in the states. :D
Thanks to Leon and the entire Pendraken crew for a great 2013 and looks like an awesome 2014.
Leon has a clone loose in America...who knew???
Bet THAT clone aint playing Xbox naked at the mo :D
There is nothing on the price rises that will make me buy any less stuff from you. My rationalisation and trying to clear out stuff might. :-\
Clearing stuff out of the lead pile normally just means I replacie it with something else :). ( But don't tell Mrs Orcs that ). So it might mean additional orders as I move more into 10mm.
I fully agree with Nik and Seb comments. I would add that I would like to think that the price increase would allow Leon to reduce his workload, and and if this means I have to pay a little more than thats fair and proper.
The prices are still good value, The ranges and figures are good and the service is excellent. So best wishes for Pendraken for 2014
Greetings
I've no problam at all with the price rises which seem sensible and the plans even more so. Pendraken remains good value even without the outstanding customer service.
Of course there may be an order in January as well to fill up some gaps in the current plans ....
Regards
Edward
I would endorse everything that has been said regarding
price increase, etc.
It's very refreshing for a business to set out the reasons for
the increase, all of which make sound business senses.
All power to the Pendraken elbow.
Chad
Time to bung an order in sharpish then by the sounds of it to save a few bob. Said the half-Scot, half-Yorkshireman... ;) :D
Quote from: andys on 09 January 2014, 08:31:34 PM
Time to bung an order in sharpish then by the sounds of it to save a few bob. Said the half-Scot, half-Yorkshireman... ;) :D
My thoughts exactly, from another half-Scot, half-Yorkshireman :D :D :D
Quote from: Sandinista on 09 January 2014, 09:06:28 PM
My thoughts exactly, from another half-Scot, half-Yorkshireman :D :D :D
Surely you will hold on until you have won the painting competition ;)
Is P&P still 5% / £2 min?
Quote from: Last Hussar on 13 January 2014, 09:06:19 PM
Is P&P still 5% / £2 min?
Yep, that'll stay the same as long as we can keep it there. So unless Royal Mail decide to whack it up... :(
Nobody ever likes to hear about a price increase, but your product deserves it!!
Quote from: fsn on 08 January 2014, 07:52:28 AM
Big orders in January then.
Mine just keeps growing...and growing...it's that time of year again :)