You have to buy all the spring pieces to get the Ltd Ed pieces [Archive]

neilcam

5th February 2006, 20:13

yes its true all pieces must be purchased together - i guess some suppliers will allow to spread out the cost for you but i have had an email from a stockist who has confirmed that this is the case - apparently its down to allowance tho im sure Cinta will clarify all this once she is back in the office!! tho i cant wait to see the pictures!!!

Lodgey

5th February 2006, 20:28

I'm with you Steven. My collecting days were on the wane. Now I'm definitely sticking with my Time for Bed plan - See thread below.

Is that a ripping sound I can hear?

Perhaps there's an all too obvious and reasonable reason for this, so I wait with bated breath.

Windy Girl

5th February 2006, 21:48

Is there not one supplier who says this every year? Can we mention names?(but they are somewhere on the south coast usually!)

Easy answer - buy from somewhere else - as we have all noticed they aren't as in demand as they used to be and you would have no trouble at all buying from another stockist. You can still buy the bakers music van from last year.

Just ignore them and they might go away.....

The Curious Orange

6th February 2006, 07:57

FIND ANOTHER STOCKISTS

Windy Girl

6th February 2006, 10:57

I can prove it's not true!!

There are 2000 music boxes, but only 1000 scenes in the limited edition ranges. Thus proving it is impossible to sell them all as sets only!!

Plus, that would mean stockists would have to buy the same amount of everything, and the one I heard was ordering six music boxes, three of this, two of that.....

Need I go on?

Number 452

7th February 2006, 09:33

Neilcam,

I have come across this practice before (a certain shop in Watford tried it on with me a couple of years ago). There are a number of traders (I have other words for them, less polite) who try this. They generally end up having to reverse their policy because they end up with a lot of unsold stock.

I am sure that Cinta will confirm that the practice is not something which Harrop's endorse in any way. Once the goods leave Harrop's we are all at the mercy of the various stockists, the vast majority of whom are decent people.

With the exception of the first music box, every peice produced has been available somewhere, at some time. Many of us were caught out by the first music box, me included. That's life I'm afraid. I cannot envisage any of the new issues being so sought after (delightful as they are) as the original music box, even if they only produce 1000 of a particular item.

Vote with your feet and not your pockets. If you come across the 'buy all' merchant, walk away, and don't go back. They will soon get the message.

The Curious Orange

7th February 2006, 10:16

It took a good 12 months for that first music box to sell out. I didn't buy mine until the following February when it became obvious they were disappearing fast.

POPPY

7th February 2006, 14:16

The reason the stockist want you to buy all pieces before you are allowed the ltd Ed pieces is because the amount of ltd Ed pieces they get to sell depends on how many standard pieces they sell so they obviously want to sell as many standard pieces as possible so they can get more ltd edition pieces.

I also had an email last night from a stockist saying this below I have deleted the name of the stockist but they are no longer allowed to sell new pieces on ebay so who is stopping them:-

THE NEW CAMBERWICK GREEN PIECES FROM ROBERT HARROP HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED AND DETAILS ARE SHOWING ON MY WEB SITE.

THE PICTURES WILL FOLLOW NEXT WEEK AS SOON AS I AM ABLE TO PUT THEM ON THE SITE.

BROCHURES FROM ROBERT HARROP WILL BE MAILED TO COLLECTORS CLUB MEMBERS VERY SOON.

PLEASE NOTE NORMAL DISCOUNT RATES WILL APPLY.

THESE PIECES WILL NOT APPEAR ON EBAY AS I AM NO LONGER ALLOWED TO SELL NEW PRODUCT ON EBAY.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP WITH ANY ENQUIRY.

KIND REGARDS

The Curious Orange

7th February 2006, 15:05

Licensed Stockists have to sign a Stockists Agreement with RHD. It's standard practice in most industries. They've probably amended the terms of this to prevent stockists from selling new releases on e-bay. And about blooming time too.

POPPY

7th February 2006, 17:43

Sorry I strongly disagree with you there what is wrong with new items being sold on ebay for a lot of people it is a cheap and easy way of buying their pieces. There is a lot of taboo about ebay but without it there would be a lot of frustrated people with half completed collections out there myself included.

It used to be the fact that ltd edition pieces made silly money this no longer seems to be the case perhaps early on they fetch more than rrp but if these people are silly enough to panic buy that is there fault because as we all know if you are prepared to wait as with the last couple of music boxes they now sell for less than rrp.

Surely this will be impossible for Harrops to regulate because if I was a supplier and wanted to sell on ebay nobody need know who you are as you don't have to give a location your username or email address needn't give the game away and if you insisted on payment by paypal then again nobody would know who you are or where you are from. ( AND THIS WILL STILL HAPPEN )

Don't you like the idea that you own a couple of pieces a few years old that is now worth a little more than you paid for it, this along side the fact that you enjoy collecting the pieces is all part of it.

Or would you rather have a ltd edition of 2000 that you can still go and buy from a shop 10 years later for half price.

The Curious Orange

8th February 2006, 08:13

First of all, neither you nor I know what the wording of RHDs stockists agreement actually is.

Secondly, RHD makes these pieces, own the IPR in them and therefore can stipulate who sells them and how on the primary market.

Many legitimate collectors find it hard to locate limited edition pieces. Having stockists sell direct to e-bay makes it harder to locate pieces (for the overwhelming majority of people in the UK still don't have internet access) and also bumps the price up to silly levels. Legitimate collectors loose out, Honest stockists loose out, and ultimately RHD loose out, because the "image" of their brand gets tarnished by the practices of disreputable suppliers.

If you are happy to go onto e-bay and pay ten times the RRP (or more) to secure the latest pieces (if you can find them), then good luck to you. I'm pretty sure the majority of collectors would rather take a leisurely stroll down to their local stockists and be able to buy them in person.
The day my stockists can't get hold of new pieces and I have to resort to e-bay is the day I stop collecting.

POPPY

8th February 2006, 14:42

I agree we don't know what the agreement between RH and shops is but I was just pointing out that this could be got around if required and not all shops that sell on ebay are that way inclined.

I also agree that not everybody has internet access but on the other hand not everybody can get to local suppliers with ease I have a very good one 15 miles away although there is another in my home town but don't really trust them as they are not really up with the Harrop range they just stock a few odd pieces other than these two the next is a lot further away.

It also depends where you live to be able to stroll to a shop parking and public transport can cost an arm and a leg ( that alone can bump the price up ) and some people can't drive and don't have public transport readily avaailable.

Where you get the idea that you pay ten times the rrp on ebay from I would like to know. Can you name me a camberwick green ltd edition piece that was released to shops in the last couple of years that still fetches more than the rrp on ebay I don't think so.

The comment about people not being able to locate pieces is rubbish they obviously don't try that hard as all you need if you haven't got internet access is a phone and a list of suppliers and once you have found a good supplier you pre order.

Number 452

8th February 2006, 15:09

Ebay do not hold a gun to your head. You are offered a choice. If the item is available in the 'Buy it now' category you know the price, you have a choice, buy or not to buy. In the 'Auction' section you choose how much you are willing to pay up to, your choice.

Personally the majority of the pieces I have bought on Ebay have been lower than the RRP, for example I have managed to buy a number of the large as life figures for £9-99, that is some saving I think you will agree.

Having said that, I always try my stockist first (even though I have to travel some distance now to get to one). It's the odd bad merchant that give the rest a bad and undeserved name.

As I have said, it's YOUR choice where you buy from, nobody can force you to buy all in one go.

Windy Girl

8th February 2006, 15:20

I don't see any reason why stockists should not be allowed to sell through ebay - as long as it's 'Buy It Now' rrp prices when they are first released. For many small businesses an Ebay shop is a cheap way of advertising nationally and getting more business. Then everyone gets to buy one at the same price whether their preference is online shopping or High Street shopping and everyone's happy. As far as I'm concerned that should be Harrop's only request.

I'm in the art business and ebay had the opposite effect on prices for us. So many people on ebay were offering knock down prices that we galleries couldn't compete. After general pressure in the industry the big publishers have been forced to withdraw supply from the offending stockists and have stipulated to all the others that limited editions may only be sold at RRP on ebay until they are six months old. Problem solved (or getting there anyway!)

No point in arguing about it guys, ebay is here to stay and prices will inevitable go high while there are still idiots out there who panic buy. I don't know about you but I've certainly picked up some bargains on there so I'm not complaining about it. And as pointed out, if you are happy to pay a premium it's a fantastic way to fill holes in your collection if you were a 'late starter'.

Us forumites all know that the new pieces are out there to be found if you look around, so you don't need to pay an arm and a leg OR buy new releases in one go, so just sit and feel smug that you have everything you want and that your collection has cost you a lot less than some people's!!!

Windy Girl

8th February 2006, 15:25

Forgot to say - I think the best ebay idiots are the ones that pay £25+ for this year's membership piece when they could just pay £17.50 and join the club!! Makes me laugh everytime!!

POPPY

21st February 2006, 22:07

I thought retailers had been told they shouldn't list new realeases on ebay. I had an email from one stockist advertising they weren't allowed to list new products on ebay and then straight away I stumble on this surly that can't be fair if one is trying to abide by the rules and another is just ignoring them.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BEANO-DANDY-GENERAL-JUMBO_W0QQitemZ6256262261QQcategoryZ1546QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

Gavin

23rd February 2006, 11:50

To be honest, I will buy all my pieces from the stockist. I know they have a hard time (increasing rent, etc) and he has always managed to get me the pieces I have wanted.

I understand that ebay can be the last resort as Im sure maybe one day I will want the original music box but as stated above ebay is here to stay

Cinta

23rd February 2006, 14:15

Here we are again.

We are once again being compromised by certain elements of the Internet selling community. Robert Harrop Designs have spent countless months and substantial amounts of money to create new products for 2006, and as per usual all this is being undermined by the odd ebay trader.

I would like to put the ball firmly in the court of you the collectors and buyers of our products. If you are happy with our work and moreover happy with your retailers service then please support this - and only buy from a recognised Robert Harrop Designs retailer as shown on this Website.

Robert Harrop

Les Pretend

1st March 2006, 22:22

I have to say, having just read these posts, that it was a very interesting read!! Must be something to do with us all wanting the summer to come very soon!!!

Just goes to show how passionate we all are about collecting. Summed up by Cinta very well.

Anyway, even if what you are saying is true isn't it only the same as a company like SKY only offering certain channels as packages and almost forcing you to pay for those you never watch?!?! Does anyone really watch Bid up TV!!!!!!

Most collectors want to collect all pieces anyway, so where's the difference apart from the cash flow?!

misshoneyman

12th March 2006, 16:36

Erm, hi there, can I just ask Number 452, if that's the same retailer in Watford, that I go to - as far as I know there's only there - I usually end up asking him to get the ltd editions, as otherwise, it means I have to keep my fingers crossed with the yearly Christmas piece, even I've brought 90% of my Camberwick Green collection there. There's not that many outlets, in the Watford area, that do them, & I'm not sure if there is in any in Milton Keynes - where I live - which does them, which is odd for a large "city,"/town. :mad:

Number 452

12th March 2006, 17:41

Hi Miss Honeyman,
I'm not sure if it is the same shop in Watford, because you haven't named it (wise move) and I'm not going too (wise move). Having said that, I think we are both talking about the same place because there isn't a great choice in Watford is there? Which brings me to another point. I do recall there was a discussion recently about the lack of retailers in certain areas and updating of the stockists list on this site. Has the latter happened? and is there any chance that the lovely sales persons from RH can put in a bit of overtime in the SOUTH Hertfordshire area. I'm more than happy to provide sticky buns if they are passing my front door.
This isn't a complaint by the way, just a sad fact of life that there is definately a tragic lack of retailers in the Hemel Hempstead , Watford, St. Albans area.

misshoneyman

19th March 2006, 15:43

As I was saying, there is/was a shop in Bedford - same name as the only? retailer in Watford - that used to sell most of the collection, including older retired ones - then, he said he was shutting up shop/retiring. Then, my husband tells me, it's still open, but selling alot less choice than they used to, with the same people running it! I managed to find a really good shop in Birmingham, just through searching the list of retailers, they have very good selections of all the Robert Harrop Collections, again, including older retired stuff, unfortunately, I'm not able to get up there too often, but they're well worth a look if you can get there. (Simply Gifted, the shop). Me, personally, I wouldn't buy anything from ebay, though if anybody else wants to, that's up to them. There's probably better/easier shops to get to, for me, say in Oxford or Cambridge, but a/ I don't know the areas at all, & I always feel more comfortable if I do. & b/As you said before, the selection of retailers in the South Herts area is very poor. :(

POPPY

19th March 2006, 19:04

Only one shop in Oxford that keeps any amount of stock in and another just outside Oxford in Burford that always has a fair range in couple of others that will get it in but they keep very limited stock so wouldn't bother coming this way too much.

The Curious Orange

20th March 2006, 08:11

No stockists in Cambridge that I'm aware of since King's Parade Giftshop closed down, but St Ives in Cambridgeshire is home to Silk and Silver, who not only provide excellent service and have never let me down on a Ltd Edn yet, but also provide a mail order service, so you don't even need to leave your house. [/plug]

misshoneyman

22nd March 2006, 10:19

Blimey No.452, going by what other people have put in this forum, you're right, there's hardly any stockists in the Herts, or surrouunding areas! Mind you does anyone here go to the place in Greenwich - can't remember the name offhand, sorry - do they have much/plenty of old & new pieces? I think there's a couple of other places in London, so I s'pose that's our best bet, for nearest stockists, shame really. :(

The Curious Orange

23rd March 2006, 10:56

Are their any stockists in Central London?

Cinta

24th March 2006, 12:32

John English Gifts, Piccadilly

Greenwich Collectables, Greenwich

to name 2 :)

The Curious Orange

24th March 2006, 12:52

Thanks.

Greenwich is quite a trek away - I'll spend most of my lunch-hour on the Docklands Light Railway, and by the time I'm there it'll be time to come back! Situls in Wood Green would be closer, but that's still a way out.

John English's website makes it look as though they only stock Doggie People. I might take a walk over there one lunchtime next week.

dodger fan

9th April 2006, 22:07

ARGHHHHHHHHHH
i havnt been able to put my veiw forward cos i havnt been on in AGES
right wheres the podium??
LES - No, i think the weather channel gets higher ratings!!
and yes, i totally agree with Cinta, although the internet is taking over, soon little businesses will close becuase the boom has "boomed" so greatly
and Number 425/ Miss Honeypot, i made reference to lack of stockists late last year on the B&D forum, we were supposed to get new stockists in FEBRUARY of this year when the site got updated
.:J@K:.

dodger fan

9th April 2006, 22:11

just to add on to my last post (jack, u dumbass there is an edit button D'OH) due to the increasing lack of stockists and out of dateness on this site AND shortage of free/lesiure time by people due to other commitments, the internet provides quick and easy access to all our needs, therefore many may be more willing to buy from the sites such as "EBay".