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What happened to bbi?
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:01 am
by flayrah
No, they're not out of business, I just wonder why they appear to have walked away from 1/18. Their products are highly detailed, well-researched, generally well-made, seem to always sell well, etc. At one time they even advertised a '1/18 collectors club', which nothing ever came of. Not necessarily an important topic, just some random thoughts.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:15 am
by Ta-152
Apparently, and there's a board member better informed than i that can better explain this, Bbi is only doing 1:18 if someone fronts the costs. Merit put the capital up for the 109G, so it got made.
bbi
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:36 am
by digger
I think that is only true to extent - if Target ordered up another round of figs and vehicles I think bbi could quickly kick it into gear.
Still a lot of modern stuff they've shown that I would love - Humvee with armor for the gunner, the CIA guy, etc...
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:10 am
by Stug45
BBI needs to start making german figures & vehicles.
Re: bbi
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:18 am
by Ta-152
digger wrote:I think that is only true to extent - if Target ordered up another round of figs and vehicles I think bbi could quickly kick it into gear.
Still a lot of modern stuff they've shown that I would love - Humvee with armor for the gunner, the CIA guy, etc...
I think so on figures, but i don't believe Target would ever foot the bill for an all new vehicle production.
Admiral and Unimax are it, folks.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:20 am
by coreystinson
BBI is very tied to major retail support. Without it, I think their interest in developing 1:18 scale is minimal at best.
What does confuse me is why they seem disinterested in using existing tooling that they've already developed.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:24 am
by dragon53
COREYSTINSON:
Yep--they're 1/32 F-4 Phantom was very popular...and no repaints.
They're F-16s and F-18s sell for big bucks on ebay...and no recent repaints that are 100% confirmed.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:31 am
by aferguson
i think the problem is that, bbi is such a huge company, that 1/18 scale is less than a drop in the bucket to them; so it constantly gets pushed onto the backburner.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:36 am
by immeww2
I think this would be a good time for BBI to step forward and take over where 21st left off. I don't think Admiral will do so, although I do hope that Unimax will consider it as well.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:00 pm
by flayrah
Be certain Target will not pay the costs for German items. They went through a very bad PR situation a few years ago over something similar, and are REALLY careful now. I was surprised to see the Unimax germans, but those probably weren't financed by Target.
I could see them commissioning some F-16's and 18's for Christmas sale, like the Blackhawk two years ago. Maybe they'll pick up the T-birds....LOL
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:14 pm
by popeye357
Why cant we pick a plane for them to make, take orders (prepay), order the plane and distribute to the members. Guys on the gun boards do stuff like that all the time. Maybe an A-10??
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:27 pm
by vupa0101
or mass emailing target HQ about the greatness of the BBi products and demand that they bring them back seeing as how well the gi joe toys are doing, and how the new movie will only increase childrens appreciation for military toys, c'mon we can do all do it
BRING BBI BACK! BRING BBI BACK!
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:36 pm
by coreystinson
flayrah wrote:Be certain Target will not pay the costs for German items. They went through a very bad PR situation a few years ago over something similar, and are REALLY careful now.
I don't understand this. It doesn't matter whether Target "finances" German items or not, if they show up on Target's shelves then Target will become the target (pun intended) in some way of the ADL and similar groups.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:10 pm
by flayrah
As far as I know, the original problem was over 'collectibles', not 'toys'. Once a group decides they have a problem with something, they WILL find a way to justify their position. But it was enough for Target to immediately change their policies.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:15 pm
by Stug45
flayrah wrote:Be certain Target will not pay the costs for German items. They went through a very bad PR situation a few years ago over something similar, and are REALLY careful now
What happened???
Target
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:23 pm
by lightning2000
Hi,
My guess is the German vehicles still convey the notion of Nazi atrocities, no matter how true or not that may be. Given Target's stature in the marketplace, I cant blame 'em for yanking controversial playtoys from their shelves, less all the
haus fraus make a beeline for Walmart and sidestep Target. There are more important issues at stake for Target than selling a few hundred dozen German WWII vehicles.
Lightning2000
www.themotorpool.net
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:28 pm
by Ta-152
Stug45 wrote:flayrah wrote:Be certain Target will not pay the costs for German items. They went through a very bad PR situation a few years ago over something similar, and are REALLY careful now
What happened???
I dunno about Target, but i remember the you-know-what hit the fan when Plan B (anyone remember them?) released their SS figures for one of them WWII games.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:29 pm
by kduck
Where exactly is BBI focusing their marketing these days? They left 1:6 a few years ago and they don't seem to be doing much in 1:18. I know that they make stuff for toddlers too but I'm not at all familiar with those products. I checked their website and it appears that it hasn't been updated in over a year.
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:25 pm
by Ta-152
They're like a Chinese Hasbro.
1:6 and 1:18 ain't their bread and butter.