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Hoefully the final update on dealings with Conteco


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Post #1 Guest_Vidterry_*

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Posted 21 January 2007 - 04:54 PM

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Post #2 Plastic Fan

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Posted 22 January 2007 - 11:14 AM

I took advantage of the special offer back in late September / early October, but I always assumed that the "bonus" items would be a pretty "iffy" proposition in terms of making it under the Christmas tree.

I called one of their service reps around Jan 2, to get a better idea of the arrival date, and was told that the boxes were indeed the hold-up, and that the material would probably ship in February. So news that the boxes arrived last Friday is very encouraging for me.

I agree that it can be a frustrating experience, but I'm so pleased with the product that I'll put up with the uncertainties and delays. I've just learned to take the projected dates with a grain of salt.

Several grains of salt. wink.gif

Post #3 hbforumadmin

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Posted 22 January 2007 - 01:44 PM

Terry, although I agree with your frustrations I would appreciate you and others not using this as a bashing ground for manufacturers. We had a few issues with this last fall and overall I think the consensus from the members was to leave it alone.

I truly believe manufacturers run into production problems. We have about forty foam products made by two firms for us and we sometimes just cannot get our hands on what we need in a timely fashion.

Perhaps the boxes were being printed in China and were being shipped by sea. This means less control over printing and consolidation with other companies/products. Sometimes things just literally don't make it on the boat. As a company if I had to ship boxes later and eat the costs, perhaps I to would send the other stuff with it (in this case free figures).

I am not saying these are the reasons but they certainly could help explain delays in the toy soldier industry. In the grand scale the toy soldier industry isn't much more than a tiny spec in the Chinese manufacturing business and typically may get pushed aside for a bigger job.

Thanks, Matt

Matt Murphy


Post #4 Plastic Fan

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Posted 22 January 2007 - 04:06 PM

QUOTE(hbforumadmin @ Jan 22 2007, 06:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...As a company if I had to ship boxes later and eat the costs, perhaps I to would send the other stuff with it (in this case free figures).
...
Thanks, Matt


Matt makes a good point, and, in fairness to Conte, sets 1 and 2 arrived in "Longest Day" boxes (rather than just a cardboard packing box), so they did eat some additional costs.

Post #5 Oldallamerican

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Posted 22 January 2007 - 04:24 PM

QUOTE(Plastic Fan @ Jan 22 2007, 09:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Matt makes a good point, and, in fairness to Conte, sets 1 and 2 arrived in "Longest Day" boxes (rather than just a cardboard packing box), so they did eat some additional costs.


Dittos to Matt and Plastic Fan's comments. I've been frustrated in dealing with delays in new products and figures from him, but understand what he deals with in dealing with China. I have a son just returned from there and they do not do business the way we do. It's the tradeoff for the lower costs. I think folks should read his letter to collectors. Many of the things he said made sense to me. Sometimes, particularly when you're dealing with overseas operations, plans fall through. I just take the wait and expectation as part of the hobby, sort of like being a kid waiting for Christmas. After all, when the plan comes together it's worth the wait.

Love him or hate him I think all of us ought to be grateful to Rick for the excitement he and the other guys out there making the figures have brought to the hobby. As I've said before, folks like Rick and Nick and Deanna at TSSD have made it fun for this fifty year-old to be a kid again! Just look at all the discussion Rick has stirred up on this blog site. But I think, like the others we ought to stop all this electronic sniping and get back to the figures - isn't that what this site's supposed to be about? Can't we all just get along?

Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia


Post #6 Shiloh

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Posted 22 January 2007 - 06:00 PM

You can't have only the good. Bad experiences or bad products need to be publicized just like the good. No one got upset when people were bashing Butternut and Blue for being out of scale. Heck I joined in I bought some and didn't like it. I wanted others to know so it wouldn't get them to. But a person does not need to constantly bash on the same company all the time. If you are having consistent problems with the same bunch don't purchase their products. There is another company that makes something along the same lines and will happily take your hard earned cash and you friend will end up happier for it. This is the Hobby Bunker's forum it is supposed to be for the collectors if Matt says no bashing then so be it, but to me a legimiate gripe needs to be aired or else the makers are just going to tune us out and do as they see fit.

PEACE
Welcome to Tennessee the Patron State of shooting stuff

Post #7 Guest_Vidterry_*

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Posted 22 January 2007 - 07:35 PM

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Post #8 Guest_The Lt._*

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Posted 22 January 2007 - 10:44 PM

I've been pleased with my dealing with Richard who got me hooked on collecting Toy Soldiers and agree with Matt and others that as members we enjoy the pleasure the forum provides us and from time to time delays may occur. I waited for over three years for his metal figure of the Zulu War. I'm disapointed that he limited the line but I'm not paying his bills and walking in his shoes. If you reflex back to the late 90's before he came on the scene we had no where near what's available to us as collectors today...The Lt.

Post #9 conteaddict#2

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Posted 22 January 2007 - 11:53 PM

please can we move on to somthing else this argument has been going on for so long can we just bury the hatchet? as with everything there is good and bad. with conte its that they make good product but they dont always deliver on time.so can we just talk about what were excited about that is coming from this manufacturer?

Post #10 Oldallamerican

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Posted 23 January 2007 - 12:37 AM

QUOTE(conteaddict#2 @ Jan 23 2007, 04:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
please can we move on to somthing else this argument has been going on for so long can we just bury the hatchet? as with everything there is good and bad. with conte its that they make good product but they dont always deliver on time.so can we just talk about what were excited about that is coming from this manufacturer?



I think there's a difference between reporting a legitmate concern or warning folks about a potential problem with a set and bashing a producer/seller. For instance, warning other collectors about a disparity in scale is not necessarily bashing, but a helpful tip on those considering buying the topics. That is legitimate criticism. We need healthy dialogue and good info, both good and bad. Where I live in Alabama there isn't much interest in the hobby. I depend on the internet and sites like these for my info. It's great to be able to talk to other hobbyists from across the country, even across the globe and have made several friends whom I may never meet face to face. I am deeply grateful to Matt and the Hobby Bunker for providing the forum. But I hope we would all agree not to ride a horse to death or to get personal about our comments. It would be a shame to lose this great asset because we can't get along. Now, I promise to shut up on the subject. How's the weather where you're at? It's raining here. wink.gif

Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia


Post #11 eborris

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Posted 23 January 2007 - 08:37 AM

I on the other hand have a good experience to report, different dealer, but a good experience none the less. I ordered 3 of the getting hit by a cannonball guy from Plastic Underground,. Not only was he fast in delivery he even threw in a couple other figures I didn't order.

Once again I would like to thank the member who turned me on to that site.

Post #12 Plastic Fan

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Posted 23 January 2007 - 10:51 AM

QUOTE(conteaddict#2 @ Jan 23 2007, 04:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
... so can we just talk about what were excited about that is coming from this manufacturer?


Speaking for myself, I'm looking forward to Omaha 3, but I have no idea when we might see it. It sounds like it might contain some single-color pewter figures, as well as some new plastic figures. My personal taste runs more towards the plastic, and with the new techniques, maybe he'll be able to convert some of the more dramatic poses into that medium, instead of depending on pewter or resin.

FWIW, I'd really like a flamethrower pose! No D-Day set should be without one!

The previews for the new viking sets look awesome. If I had the cash, I'd be pre-ordering this now, but this is something that's going top have to go on my future must-have list. One personal taste issue that I have with that whole era/design is the matter of snap-on shields and bent spears. Those things drive me crazy, which is why I've avoided it so far. For the same reason, I'm not too excited about the Spartan rumors.

At some point in the future, I hope we get some Mexican ladder crews for the Alamo. Judging by the Viking ladder crews that have been previewed so far, these would look pretty spectacular. I don't expect to see them for awhile, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope that they do make an appearance within the next year or so. If it comes down to a choice, I'd much rather see these poses than a bunch of cavalry or artillery figures right now.

I do have a question, for anyone who might know ...

The "bonus figures" for Omaha 1 and 2 are supposed to be in some sort of Tan color. Is this the same Tan color that is currently being offered in blister packs, or is it some other shade of Tan?

Post #13 Band506

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Posted 01 February 2007 - 11:14 PM

Anyone get their Conte Omaha Beach extras( landing craft and bonus figures) yet? I was told they would ship last week.

Post #14 Stryker II

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Posted 02 February 2007 - 11:03 AM

I can report to all that I received my Omaha Beach extras in two boxes yesterday. Yes they were considerably late, yes it was a small hassle to wait on them with having the rest of the set in September at OTSN, and finally ABSOLUTELY it was worth the wait------AS USUAL!!!

Richard, nor anyone at the Conte Organization, should be held accountable with outside contractors. His products and figures are so much more advanced than anyone else's its not even funny anymore. The bottom line to all this is as was stated before, if you don't like the damn stuff or RC---DON't BUY IT and stop trying to convince all the rest of us----- that do!! Go play with your Marx ancient figures and dinosaurs that have been out forever and enjoy your OLD STUFF.................Stryker II

Post #15 Plastic Fan

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Posted 02 February 2007 - 11:04 AM

QUOTE(Band506 @ Feb 2 2007, 04:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anyone get their Conte Omaha Beach extras( landing craft and bonus figures) yet? I was told they would ship last week.


Not as of yesterday (2/1/07), but I'm still hopeful I'll get them soon.

Post #16 Guest_Vidterry_*

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Posted 02 February 2007 - 01:46 PM

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Post #17 dog soldier

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Posted 03 February 2007 - 08:00 PM

hi all

Someone please tell me what the big deal is all about, just becuase someone posts their personal experience, whether it be "Good" or "Bad" but in this case being "bad" there is some worry that it is personal. There is nothing derogitory or insulting nor vulgar in the original post here, nor does it attack any indivdual,
its just simply ones exeprience with a company and we can make of it what we will. We as collectors can choose for ourselves whose product we like and dislike and buy whatever we like. Manufacturers should read and hear everything being said about them positive or negative. I take no side on this and think that ones opinion or views should be glady welcomed on this forum, isn't that what its all about?

just an observation from a collector

maybe i should get more involved and post more since i was relatively new to the board (long time lurker) before it went down.

Have fun collecting and spending your cash, i'm sure Hobby Bunker and other dealers wiill love that unsure.gif

p.s. hey vidterry, you want to sell off those sets let me know, would be more than happy to take em off your hands, that way it would allow you to spend the cash on another manufacturers product and make a real statement, i'm serious on the offer just in case you think i was kidding.

Post #18 RC!

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Posted 05 February 2007 - 03:17 PM

[quote name='hbforumadmin' date='Jan 22 2007, 01:44 PM' post='113']
Terry, although I agree with your frustrations I would appreciate you and others not using this as a bashing ground for manufacturers. We had a few issues with this last fall and overall I think the consensus from the members was to leave it alone.



I am not saying these are the reasons but they certainly could help explain delays in the toy soldier industry. In the grand scale the toy soldier industry isn't much more than a tiny spec in the Chinese manufacturing business and typically may get pushed aside for a bigger job.

Thanks, Matt



Richard Conte checking in;; have been alerted by numerous Conte fans that unfair Conte bashing has unfortunately started yet again.......I continue to believe that customer service issues/questions are best suited to direct communications between the customer and the company and have no place in this forum. I welcome criticism from anyone and am always glad to listen to concerns of collectors personally & directly. My name is 'on the box' and I take very seriously our committment to excellence. Anyone wishing to contact me directly may do so at viceroyz@aol.com or by calling the office.

Hobby Bunker carries over 400(yes 4 hundred ) different Conte products. It is inevitable --with a volume of production this large--- that we will sometimes meet with production issues , delays or problems. We do our best but as Matt as stated are at the mercy of our suppliers...and while we are HUGE in the toy soldier world we are a small fish in the bigger ocean of the factory world.....

What a surprise that one of the 'usual suspect's is behind this nonsense...YET AGAIN!!

Interesting that 'vidterry' seems hellbent on perpetually attempting to be a thorn in our side...he seems to sickly enjoy the association he derives from being mentioned continually in the context of Conte and apparently loves our product so much that he continues to buy it.....if only to give him a false platform from which he can mouth his criticisms and lots of 'made-up' accusations.

Many of you will recall the defamatory rudeness and intent to harm Conteco which went on during the early stages of the HB forum. Vidterry wisely removed his vile posts after I promised legal action to set he and the record straight. During that interchange he also proudly stated that he was retiring from the forum and would never post regarding Conteco........it was too good to be true!!@ LOL.....even though he's now apparently making similar promises......apparently he needs reminding every three or 4 months??

For those who don't recall , vidterry is a disgruntled former Conte 'dealer' who bought in such small quantities that almost all other collectors order in greater amounts. He holds the rare distinction of not only having been discontinued as a dealer but also being removed from our customer list due to extremely unacceptable behavior with folks in our office . Inasmuch as he can't buy from us as a dealer or collector, he has now apparently 'snuck in under the radar' using his wife to pose as a new collector......ah the lengths people will go to to obtain our product!!!! While I am sure his Mrs. is a wonderful lady, we've now taken steps to remove her from the list as well---- as it is clear that these folks deal with us primarily(perhaps only) so they can "appear" to be legitimately disgruntled customers.......(plus they NEED the toys!!)

As to the Bloody Omaha playsets 'bonus' items, these have been shipping since sometime about 10 days ago. Shipping with the bonus items are the huge 'playset boxes' which collectors are calling our best box ever........ naturally, it made financial sense to ship the fantastic bonus items inside one of the huge playset boxes rather than to ship these separately.....the bonus included 100 extra figures, an extra lcvp, a free tank..etc......thus far collectors--except for vidterry have been patient and understanding and telling us that the bonus items& playset boxes were worth the wait. By the way, the boxes were the major source of delay....after going thru 2 box companies, several months of fighting with the supplier, and double the cost later, i think we've delivered an extremely beautiful and collectible box..which sets a very high standard for us.

Happy collecting!!

Post #19 Guest_Vidterry_*

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Posted 05 February 2007 - 05:31 PM

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Post #20 Stryker II

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Posted 06 February 2007 - 02:44 AM

Well there we have the OFFICIAL EXPLANATION from Mr Conte himself, and a REMINDER to all of us about Vidterry. I think it is great and refreshing for us to get the real truth to all this and FACTS completely out in the open, with this forum. As I stated before, if you don't like him or his products, go play with you 1958 circa Marx has beens and let us know about all the "new choices you have each year"............Stryker II