What happened to bbi?

flayrah · Post by **flayrah** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:01 am

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.

Ta-152 · Post by **Ta-152** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:15 am

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.

digger · Post by **digger** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:36 am

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...

Stug45 · Post by **Stug45** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:10 am

BBI needs to start making german figures & vehicles.

Ta-152 · Post by **Ta-152** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:18 am

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.

coreystinson · Post by **coreystinson** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:20 am

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.

dragon53 · Post by **dragon53** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:24 am

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.

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:31 am

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.

immeww2 · Post by **immeww2** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:36 am

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.

flayrah · Post by **flayrah** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:00 pm

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

popeye357 · Post by **popeye357** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:14 pm

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??

vupa0101 · Post by **vupa0101** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:27 pm

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!

coreystinson · Post by **coreystinson** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:36 pm

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.

flayrah · Post by **flayrah** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:10 pm

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.

Stug45 · Post by **Stug45** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:15 pm

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???

lightning2000 · Post by **lightning2000** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:23 pm

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

Ta-152 · Post by **Ta-152** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:28 pm

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.

kduck · Post by **kduck** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:29 pm

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.

Ta-152 · Post by **Ta-152** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:25 pm

They're like a Chinese Hasbro.

1:6 and 1:18 ain't their bread and butter.

Small Scale Military Headquarters

What happened to bbi?

What happened to bbi?

bbi

Re: bbi

Target