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Post by Gildor on May 27, 2009 20:23:43 GMT
I don't know if this is a correct place or politically correct to ask it but I am quite perplex and astonished to see such a sudden change in the prices of regular figurines... Corsairs (which were footmen) were at 5.50€ apiece... Knights of Dol Amroth (on horse) were at 7,50€ and now Gamling's rally which are footmen again, are at 9,99€ ... which makes the whole range of 10 single figurines at 100€ .... There is not even a "special offer" to buy the whole range altogether at a reduced price ? I know I am not alone to find it odd but I'm afraid this will reduce the sales.... with the current times, increasing the prices of "hobbies" items may have only one effet : loose customers (don't get me wrong, I don't blame everybody, I am just afraid that this is an implicit admission that "Mithril health" is at its worst... and that frightens me
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Post by Gildor on May 27, 2009 20:42:04 GMT
(if this post was to be moderated or removed because it is not correct, could you at least send me an explanation in private via MP? thanks Michael)
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Post by ddaines on May 27, 2009 22:32:59 GMT
Total agreement Gildor these prices (if correct) are ridiculous when compared to previous releases.
I seem to recall a 'dead' thread a while back from Lars asking how to make Mithril figure collecting appeal to a wider audience, well based on the advertised prices for the latest range I can tell how to make them not appeal and drive potential new buyers away. I had looked forward to these figures, but these prices have burst the bubble somewhat if correct.
If of course the prices are listed wrong I withdraw the comments without reservation.
Come on Mithril, don't drive your customers (the faithful, and the new) away, what is the alternative for collectors of 32mm LotR, G......s W........p, Yuk!
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Post by protozeus on May 28, 2009 5:58:47 GMT
Absolutely agree to the statements above. If this is no mistake I may have to reassess my standing auto-ship order.
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Post by Gildor on May 28, 2009 7:21:20 GMT
I may do the same protozeus, and suspend the autoship process in addition to other dispositions... I think we deserve explanations at least! and I doubt the price of prime material would be the cause due to ressession, or Tolkien Enterprise licencing doubling their prices between a couple of months would be reflected on all other tolkien sideproducts and I haven't seen any changes in the other byprocudts releases...
Come On Mithril, if you have financial problems there are other ways to solve this problem by which the community of customers would happily contribute... but not this way!
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Post by erchamion on May 28, 2009 8:28:44 GMT
Mithril is a company and as such has to try to win money. But the Mithril´s community also is a group of loyal friends who love Mithril figures. I sincerely believe we need an explanation for the incredible price rise.
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Post by Gildor on May 28, 2009 9:04:53 GMT
you are right erchamion but I have worked in companies too... and sometimes "winning money" is not directly related to raising prices... it most often results in loosing money if done the wrong way.... (while many other companies manage to attract customers by effects of announcements and exclusivities that let people think it is really "an affair" to buy while in realty the price has increased... These are marketing techniques... we are far from such a subtelty here...
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Post by Shadyt on May 28, 2009 13:53:01 GMT
I was also disapointed to see the new price increases. Other companies are reducing prices due to lower metal costs. I did notice that the quality of the sculptures is better than some others. I will wait for an explanation.
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Post by Theobald on May 28, 2009 14:47:04 GMT
I am shocked Why didn't Mithril let us know before that they now use gold instead of lead to cast the figures? And then why priming them? Yes, I also will have to consider about keeping up my 'auto-shipment' seriously ...
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Post by Michael O'Brien on May 28, 2009 16:02:53 GMT
I am quite perplex and astonished to see such a sudden change in the prices of regular figurines... Dear members I have asked our boss, Lars Edman, to draft a response to your concerns. We do take your worries seriously and try to balance our actions at all times. We do have a 20% discount if you buy 3 of the same figures, which reduces the cost to 7.99 Euro per figure. One for painting, one for the collection and one for trading. This was to replace the bulk purchase option to make it more affordable to get the discounts with smaller purchases. Mithril Price increaseFor the last 2 years we have been trying to keep Mithril prices low to increase its popularity. This has not worked and our quantities are static. So the decision, we are now faced with, is, if we still want to do the product? Do we cut corners and make an inferior product to keep the price low? Or do we increase the price to try to stay alive? It is not an easy decision. I can assure you that it is not greed but survival which forces us to do something. It is not factors like metal price or wages that forces this change. It is purely trying to balance our books which force this decision.Lars Edman.
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Post by Gildor on May 28, 2009 16:48:41 GMT
This answer does not satisfy me.... Such a decision should have come prior to the sale for those who are in autoshipment process... I contacted Chris Tubb personnaly and I will call for a boycot of GF suggestions and votes by all GF members who , like me, find this behavior unacceptable... We can understand problems if we are informed... but there was no warning at all... Besides you offer strictly no opportunity for collectors among us who ONLY want one figure but ALL of them... you should have suggested an offer of "the whole range".
There are several ways to solve such a problem that is worldwide... one of the best would have been to reduce the production batchs and produce less figurines instead of producing far too many that, with such a price, will remain in stock unsold...
Do Mithril really think that counting on their regular collector customers fidelity will keep them alive? If it is for painters or for armies only... many other companies produce good quality figurines for less than half this price...
Please do not make us, trustful customers responsible of the facts there is a lack of marketing and advertisement campaigns for mithril in retailers.... If Mithril does not sell well for the last years it's mainly because more than 80% of figurines painters/collectors of the current generations are not even aware of their existence and there is no advertisment in shops... I already talked about that with you for years.. I proposed solutions...
Doing an audit, analysing the market would be a prerequisite in this case.... A lack of communication with a price increase of 80% really is something I have difficulties to accept...
I'll keep firm to my words, indeed I don't force anybody to do like me, but I won't suggest nor vote any GF figurines for the forthcoming months... Maybe this will reduce production costs... this will help Chris manage his backlog... and this should have been done quite some months ago already...
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Post by Theobald on May 28, 2009 17:38:47 GMT
May I quote Lars Edman, please: "So the decision we are now faced with ,is, if we still want to do the product? [...] Or do we increase the price to try to stay alive?"
I think that many (or even most) of your customers would have accepted a certain rise in prices for Mithril miniatures within the last years. As we all have to face some financial problems, no matter if private or running a company, we have become used to a certain rise in prices for certain goods which is not covered by a decreasing income. A rise of about 80% I did not witness anywhere, though.
So may I interpret your statement "to cut corners" meaning that Prince August is about cutting away that "Mithril corner"? That's what it appears to be regarding an 80% rise in prices which will keep away anyone being interested in the figures and likewise will lead to a massive dis-support and even giving up interest and concern about Mithril miniatures. I do really feel sorry about this development. But between the lines I read: "It's over"
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Post by Gildor on May 28, 2009 17:55:20 GMT
I'd prefer it to be clearly stated... after all, in the years 1997-2000 Mithril did not release many things and if it had not been for the movies maybe it would have disappeared... Maybe sometimes it's time to "close the shop" for a moment... Rather to loose customers and close the shop.... forever...
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Post by erchamion on May 28, 2009 20:08:42 GMT
We do have a 20% discount if you buy 3 of the same figures, which reduces the cost to 7.99 Euro per figure. One for painting, one for the collection and one for trading. This was to replace the bulk purchase option to make it more affordable to get the discounts with smaller purchases. Spend 239.70€ ( 23.70€ per group of 3 multiplied by 10 references) in each serie-m, is the solution? I do not understand anything, surely there must be another solution more in line with the economic realities of each of us.....
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Post by protozeus on May 28, 2009 21:07:32 GMT
As a customer on autoship, having trusted the company more than any other, I am disappointed and angry. Until now, the official response to our concerns (by word - or as would be better: action) is in my opinion not convincing and far from sufficient. For me, 2 out of 3 would be sufficient for this:
(1) Honestly admit a grave lack of communication (to existing and prospectice customers). Work harder to improve this. (2) Reduce prices on the M series. (3) Offer also collectors' bundles, not only for wargamers.
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Post by Gerold on May 29, 2009 10:20:52 GMT
Hi all,
I don't say very much on the forum but this is what I think.
I was also stunned when I saw the new prices, but I don't wont to forget to mention the quality of the new Mithril figures ; they look, as usual, superb !
I did some calculating : a competitive company asks (ca.) the same price (10 euro) but for a blister with 3 figures. Of course these figures are less fine, are not primed and have a slotta base. I prefer the Mithril quality. In times where the GBP was stronger, a character figure from the competitive company could have a price of 6 euro, a blister with 3 normal figures 7,5 euro. A mounted figure could cost 7,5 euro (in 2002).
Let's take a look at the Mithril prices in the last years :
Battle of Mirkwood (2004/5): - single figure : 4 - 4,5 euro ; mounted fig : 7,30 euro ; no discount
Lossarnach (2006) : - single figure : 2,80 - 3,35 euro ; mounted fig : 6,75 euro ; discount price for 27 figs : 2,07 euro per fig or -31% the figures had become cheaper : app. - 25% ! With discount even -50% !
Corsairs (2008) : - single figure : 5,5 euro ; discount price for 27 figs : 3,5 euro per fig or -36% Prices raised with more than 80% ! The discount price increased with almost 70%. Of course the Lossarnach figs were cheap so an increase of 80 % meant the new figs were still affordable. In comparison with the Mirkwood figs from 2004/5 it was a price increase of app. 30 % ; the discounted price per fig was even still 17% lower than the normal Mirkwood fig price.
Dol Amroth (2008) : - single figure : 5,5 euro ; mounted fig : 7,50 euro ; discount price for 26 fig (10 mounted, 16 foot) : - 25% wich means 4,12 euro for a foot fig, 5,61 euro for a mounted fig. Prices remained the same as the Corsairs (slightly higher than Mirkwood for a mounted fig) ; the discount price increased with app. 18%, but still was close to the normal Mirkwood foot fig price in 2004/5, the mounted fig's were even still cheaper (-23%).
Helm's Deep (2009) : - single figure : 10 euro ; discount price for 3 identical figs : 8 euro (-20%) a price increase of 80% a second time ; the discount price increases even with 94 %.
I think I may say the Mithril figures before Helm's Deep were at affordable prices, some may even be called cheap, like Lossarnach. In comparison with other companies you got more quality for the same price and in some cases even for less.
The new prices really make me thinking about how to manage my 'hobby' budget : I always ordered an army pack at the discount price (Lossarnach 56 euro, a bargain; Corsairs 94,5 euro, still cheap; Dol Amroth 122 euro, still very interesting; Helm's Deep : 240 euro, excuse me ?! I remember the first Warband boxes at 50 euro (more than 10 years ago, I know, but still) !
I would think a normal price of 6,5 - 7 euro for a single figure would be acceptable, and let's say 130 euro for an army pack (at least 26 figures).
Last but not least : I am happy we still have enough to eat, for clothing, for living and for the kids go to school etc. I keep in mind the Mithril prices are a luxary problem. I love the figures, but 240 euro is a big lot of money. When I think about the other thing we can do with that, or how many other, still nice, figures you can buy with it...
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Post by Shadyt on May 29, 2009 12:33:54 GMT
I will start out by saying that I do not support the boycot of the Gold Fellowship voting that has been put forward by some members and I will continue to support Mithril by purchasing their products. Perhaps a good strategy would be to raise prices on the older releases that were sold below cost rather than leave those prices too low while trying to make up for it on this new release.
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Post by Gildor on May 29, 2009 12:51:18 GMT
you are free indeed Shadyt As I said people who support this do it on their free will and though it may not seem so, the idea behind the boycot may very well be a "call" for further promotional possibilities Now if you think that by buying figurines on a single customer basis will support Mithril, you are true... if, in 5 years you are ready to pay 50€ for a regular common hobbit child Some among us may be able to afford it... but they are quite few.. That's what will eventually happen if Mithril does not find new customers I think...
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Post by Michael O'Brien on May 29, 2009 17:55:04 GMT
Lars and myself and Chris have been made aware of your concerns and are working on a way to find a solution to this issue over the weekend. We will have a better answer on Tuesday 2nd of June. Such solutions may include a larger autoshipment discount or /and an army pack. As stated we are trying to balance survival with pleasing you. We are gratified that so many members have submitted their comments on this matter and would suggest that they continue to do so. Enjoy the bank holiday weekend, and look forward to having a solution to this crisis in a few days.
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Post by Gildor on May 29, 2009 18:08:43 GMT
Now that's an answer I prefer... giving consideration to our comments... good We'll indeed we can wait for Tuesday, but please for those among us who use autoshipment, that would be fair to put this autoshipment on hold before applying such new solutions... Besides... I repeat myself, but don't you think a debate could be made among willing collectors and Mithril to think together about possible solutions in addition to those you would suggest? I think some among us do have ideas and are only waiting to be heard by you...
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Post by ddaines on May 30, 2009 9:31:09 GMT
Thank you for the response Michael and Lars, this situation brings a smile to my lips (although it shouldn’t) because I have currently just passed the chapter (yes I am doing a complete re-read) where Pippin and Merry rouse the Ents, and Isengard shudders as a long dormant force is finally roused in response to something which has annoyed them enough into taking some action. Sadly this now seems to be a real life case. Unfortunately I must leave the debate as I am off on holiday and haven't the time to get more involved, but from my point of view as a 'quick' response, IF the prices have to stay the same, and the discounts prices still apply, I would personally be a much happier 'bunny' if the 20% discount could be for buying the complete range of figures as was the case with Lossarnach, Dol Amroth, Corsairs, and not having to buy three of each figure as per the offer -how many Gamling’s were at Helm’s Deep? I make that comment on the apparent practice of companies to sell ‘leaders’ etc. at a slightly higher price as fewer are required unlike the average sword fodder man-at-arms. I know that you may then still get three of each, but only one Gamling Re the boycott of the GF - I'm not 100% convinced that is the right answer (unless these prices leap as well) as I have always felt that the GF and 'this side of the fence [M releases etc.] are two different creatures albeit linked, HOWEVER I will offer support to Gildor on this as I look at this as a protest from Collectors who have invested lots of money over the years tracking down special figures etc. I would only ask from Mithril to be a bit more open and 'up-front' to your loyal supporters (not many companies have collectors paying up to a £1000+ for 32 and 54mm metal figurines, albeit on ebay), and not drop clumsy 'clangers' on the opening night of the 'new show'. Sorry I have no time to expand as "We must away 'ere break of day" for a week's break, and we have much packing to do. Anyhow, I look forward to returning home as a newly recruited 50 year old , to some good news. David
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Post by Theobald on May 30, 2009 10:28:01 GMT
Thank you, Michael for answering and considering these matters together with Lars and Chris immediately. As for me I would like to state that my part in that "boycot" was only restricted to Gildor's "No suggestion - no vote" campaign. I did not seriously consider to cancel my "autoshipment" because I'm an enthusiastic collector and therefore wouldn't do anything to cause trouble for Mithril. But in spite of that I had to point out my anger because there are many members who cannot afford to buy each and every release. There I saw the risk that those people would rather keep from buying Mithril miniatures at all and rather turn to buy cheaper (ambiguous!) products. Let's keep on
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Post by twrich on Jun 2, 2009 5:02:48 GMT
I agree with your sentiments Theo, although I am not a supporter of the boycott.
I certainly think a sudden jump in prices for the Helm Deep release seems odd to me. I wish Mithril would have raised prices slowly but surely over the past few years to keep their profits and expenses in line, and then perhaps their finances would have been in better shape so as not to need a huge increase all at once. It is obvious that the company didn't understand how its customers would respond to this price increase. And I completely agree with Gildor and others about the autoship program and giving a discount on the whole set, not just buying three of each--we should have both discounts available to us.
Still, I have not heard, nor seen any evidence yet, that this has any impact on the FG. If suddenly FG figures went up 80% then sure, we're probably done as a club. But on the regular M series, if they are priced too high no one will buy them; until Mithril reduces the price (and yes, if these don't sell, eventually they will have to as cash flow is the lifeblood of a small business).
People can boycott the M series if they want, but why ruin the FG for ALL of the rest of us over M series releases--it just doesn't make sense to me.
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Post by Gildor on Jun 2, 2009 8:47:04 GMT
well maybe I have an aswer for you tom, Gold Fellowship is a bonus... over what Mithril is supposed to be, a company that produces figurines for wide audience... Over the years the opposite seems to have happened : GF tends to become the regular... and the regular tend to be.... uncommon (how odd isn't it?) Boycotting the M series is something that can't be achieved except by not buying, which will not help Mithril at all because they are already produced and would contribute to a dry loss of money.... Besides, the goal is to support mithril in their regular releases to find more customers... As for GF I still consider it as a bonus... something optional that many members share but that is not the "regular" releases... And the GF is where core members can suggest things, vote things and is the sole place at Mithril when we can voice out for real what we feel or want... Thus it is the only place where we can be heard .... democraticaly, with votes, and with our ideas having some weight.... When I created this boycott it was intended to be heard rather than block Mithril. Besides I knew well that Mithril still has several months of backlog to treat and Chris Tubb is overbooked with projects. I thought a month of pause could have a double impact, one of which could be a positive one : giving some respite to the sculpting... as well as being able for Mithril to reach up with the 6 or 7 months of delay they suffer (from vote to release) And to conclude, this announcement happened at the precise moment when a new suggestion cycle was about to begin so there could not have been better choices... Now, please, don't think I will maintain this boycott, as soon as solutions are found, things will surely be back in order, and anyway, the boycott has no real bad effect since not everybody supports it, which is right, and suggestions have been posted, and votes will happen... That simply allow Mithril to be aware that we could not accept such methods Now there are a lot of other methods... One of which being a general price increase on ALL the products , including all ranges of figurines that are still for sale on Mithril site or on their ebay shop... and have advertising campaigns instead of only counting on regular core buyers who know Mithril already, and not trying to spread the word that Mithril is still alive, or that Mithril exists among the whole community of gamers/collectors/painters that are not aware of its existence... (I often paint publicly, in roleplaying shops... to show what mithril are... and as I dont paint too bad, people think that the figurines are superb in sculpting at least... but when it comes to advertising for it... I have no papers, no flyers, no info to give them directly... and the shop is not selling them (or have them in a very small dusty corner, opened as if "second hand" and won't spend any single moment of time to advertise for something that does not sell ... as opposed to other companies...) I have not seen a single Mithril blister pack in any shop for many many years.... No wonder why it does not sell... If Mithril prefers to advertise on the internet and sell via internet rather than retailers, no problem, but it has to put in place the proper promotion systems.... Multimedia advertising, little movies, lots of pictures for what can be done with figurines (dioramas, battle scenes) make banners, find partners (like my site) make advertising banners on other sites (like the PoxNora or Rappelz banners that can be seen on this forum) Also I was thinking about original material to be released : a new range of accessories dedicated to Tolkien universe, for building , battle or dioramas... something like a "MF" range (mithril furniture) for tables, accessories, doors, ruins sets, little statues, chairs, thrones, fireplaces, weaponracks, armor racks, battle remnants (little walls, shields or broken swords, cadavers) treasure chests... All of these have been seen at one time or another in the whole Mithril range, (beginning with M62 Smaug Treasures) and a complete range dedicated to Tolkien accessories would be EXCLUSIVE, Original, found nowhere else...and ... most of all, if my knowledge of sculpting is not too bad, quite easy to produce ! I have tons of ideas.... I'd really love that Lars or Michael or Chris take them into account... I am sure it could work and help Mithril a lot... Now I'd really like that Michael answers to this post that they've read it , and at least give it a thought or two... I have the bad impression not to be heard in my suggestions for quite a while :/
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Jun 2, 2009 16:29:22 GMT
I have been informed by Lars that He and Chris have been working towards a solution to this issue and Chris is drafting that response tonight. I should have it tomorrow and as soon as I do I will post it on the forum.
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Post by twrich on Jun 2, 2009 16:31:52 GMT
Gildor, I find it very difficult to argue against your points, I think you are correct all points except that Mithril will let these new "M" series sit on the shelf forever. They need cash flow to survive, and at some point will sell for a loss just to get some money back into the account.
I very much wish that Mithril would take you on, Gildor, as a marketing consultant. We have talked with Lars more than two years ago about how we could help promote Mithrils, and for my part it never amounted to much. None of the shops in my area (3 of them) had an interest in Mithril--perhaps GW shut out the competition, I don't know. I just came to the conclusion Mithril didn't advertise much because they didn't feel it was a good return on their money.
My biggest concern is that Chris remains able to produce these figures for us, and so, although I agree with nearly all you have said above, it is fear of losing this club that leads me to my conclusions.
Now I see that Michael has just posted while I was writing; this sounds promising and I'll await the letter.
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Post by Gildor on Jun 2, 2009 16:52:37 GMT
now I'd like to know if what I just wrote in the last post has been transmitted to Lars and Chris at all by Michael?
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Jun 3, 2009 10:55:14 GMT
We have received many comments from Mithril collectors and Fellowship members who are upset with our recent announcement of a price rise in Mithril figures to E9.99. The current economic climate and the general contraction of the hobby market , particularly in retail where the number of hobby-shops has declined dramatically, has necessitated some hard measures which will enable us to keep afloat in these difficult times. Having said that, we do appreciate that our most important assets are our loyal collectors many of whom have said that the price increase will make the figures too expensive for them to go on collecting. Therefore, after much consideration and internal discussion over the last few days we have decided to cut costs as much as possible in other areas and to increase the price of the figures only to E6.99 and to maintain this for as long as possible. We would like to thank all collectors for their continuing support and enthusiasm.
The Bonus Discount is now 10% off when you buy 3 of each type of figure. E.g. 3x M510 = 18.87 Euro (6.29 Euro each).
Any order received already will be adjusted and any extra payment will be refunded.
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Jun 3, 2009 11:00:38 GMT
I have sent this page to Lars and Chris today.
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Post by Gildor on Jun 3, 2009 11:34:57 GMT
Ok that seems reasonnable. Nevertheless I agree with you Michael. The current economic climate is not good, neither for enterprises nor for customers... It may be time to change and think about new sale strategies. Reducing the prices of the latest releases is a short term solution that help customers but does not help the enterprise in the long term... So I suppose that with this "unease" being somewhat over, we still face the "clouds of Morgul Nights" in a distance and it's time to work out some ideas for later releases or new marketing/sales politic for Mithril as a whole. The number of hobby-shops have declined... but those that remain must survive too. The economic climate is bad for producers like you, but also for distributors like these shops. Other companies try to focus in some hard promotion campaigns to win new customers... posters, encounter events, paint meetings, prizes, offers of some demo material that leads to people wanting to buy... wanting to discover... and I keep saying that retailers are totally passive when it comes to Mithril product, there is no promotion or marketing politics made by your own contractual distributors (PA France for example)... As I suppose you have contracts involving money with them, it would be fair from them to actively try to sell your products, don't you think? An example : I just looked at prince-august.net website, they announce the M448-M452 figurines as brand new and this news is the last ones and dates back in 03/03/2007 (check by yourself : www.prince-august.net/news.php?id=336) They do not link at all to the Mithril Ireland site, they do not mention a Gold Fellowship exists! and the Gamling's rally is not even displayed as announced nor for sale ... from a professional point of view that is a very grave fault ..... and not tolerable in the current economic climate... About your painting constests on the mithril site, this is a wonderful promotion event that could have a wider success if it could reach outside of the core circle of regular collectors and be advertised on other sites or media... You could also make Diorama Contests in addition to painting contest. There used to be a time, back in the 90's when Prince August France, when they were still actively doing Mithril promotion, organized events on conventions like the Salute Event in London, when they would ask for talented painters to paint and display promotion figurines, have stands, etc (one of these promo figurines is the famous ME2 Aragorn that was used for promotional events and was asked by those at PA France to be painted by a friend of mine, director of the "Mithril Maniac" association which no longer exists....) You could also look for partnerships like it was done for the LOTRO MMORPG. If the company-that-must-not-be-named has so much success it's because their figurines are uses for a GAME.... while Mithril is not used for any official/released game... I don't know the terms of the licence type / contracts you have with Tolkien Enterprise, but while remaining legal with them I am sure there could be ways to promote mithril to potential customer with striking elements. And though this may be a little risky... one key element that could elevate Mithril to a top rank would be that it has a good position and be aknowledged by the Tolkien Estate in a way or another... it may mean sacrifice for future releases though, as there is one certainty there : though they can "live" with Tolkien Enterprise stuff... they have some kind of "hatred" towards all MERP inventions that overrule or counter JRRT original work (Christopher Tolkien could not tolerate hearing the name of Pete Fenlon and that's why mithril never got Christopher sponsorship because he thought that Mithril was exclusively linked to Pete Fenlon, at first)... The tolkien estate has no decision to take in regards of any byproducts of the Hobbit or LOTR, these are under Tolkien Enterprice licensing only... Still having a "sponsor" and aknowledgement of Chris Tubb's passionnate, detailed and serious work by Tolkien Estate would prove a great bonus and would reach another kind of customers you may not have in numbers among your pool of current customers : True and purist Tolkien fans that are not specifically interested in painting or building but who are die-hard tolkien fans (I'm one of them, some of us are too, but not too many reach this level I think , like those who learn to speak quenya or sindarin for example I may help in this matter with a "Joker".... My family was once in direct contact, with Adam Tolkien, who's next in Tolkien Estate Legacy after Christopher Tolkien if I remember well... It could prove hard but I could MAYBE (no certainty though) manage to get back in contact with this guy who is far more tolerent and gentle than his brother (or uncle?) Christopher...
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