If shown evidence, I'm all for being proved wrong when I say this (nothing 'single-minded' about it). But, like you guys are saying, it's my feeling that sales between action figures and model ships aren't related at all, and just because I don't collect figures, doesn't mean I don't pay attention.
I remember reading that the TNG+ figures didn't sell as well as expected, and certainly no where near the TOS+film figures. Yet, HOW many re-issues of the Enterprise's D and E have we had now? The D has been made 2-3 times now, and the E has had the original run, the battle-damaged version, the Nemesis version and a First Contact version. Surely, if the ships were only selling as well as the figures, there wouldn't be so many new/altered versions coming out? And then, what about the Enterprise B - a one-movie ship - getting an alternative version (battle-damaged), as well as the Klingon Bird of Prey getting several, almost as many as the Enterprise-E?
I thought the reason for re-issuing ships, was to also help with the costs of producing a brand new ship. Well if these ships aren't selling, what's the point in bringing them out again, and again?
As for the 'new' ships (not just re-issues), there's apparently two on the way, and the Excelsior isn't one of those 'two'. I say that, because that's what I've read either here from DST Zach, or from Chuck on an askDST. Stuff I've also read here from Zach, or from Chuck via ask DST:
Voyager isn't being considered and isn't in the next two.
The Enterprise C, for the same reason.
Non-hero ships such as the Akira class, or Prometheus class, are too risky - therefore, not on the list.
No Alien ships are part of the next line-up of ships.
When taking all that into consideration, that really does only leave the Reliant (Khan's ship - very important), and the Defiant. The Defiant is now not part of the next two, so that leaves me baffled in terms of what I've read from those people at the company. Either Zach isn't well informed on the ships (0% chance), or one of those things listed above has changed. Thus why I said that I'd love to have a little update every month on the future of the line. The reason we're not flat-out told what's coming next, is (according to Zach) because it might cause some people to skip a ship they might've bought, only to wait for the one they want. I'd say that to anyone who actually considers buying these ships, that that's in actual fact a very small percent - certainly not people in the fan base or collecting communities. Would there really be any harm in Chuck typing up a single paragraph in the monthly Trek/Sci-fi Q&A's, containing little snippets of basic information? I understand that it's good to tease, but based off of all the information that I alone have read over the last year alone, I'd thought there was a good chance that my favourite ship would finally be getting made. Also based off of what I'd read, there's no WAY anyone could say, "well that's your own fault for getting your hopes up", because reading the list above, how could it not have been the Reliant and Defiant (please, correct me if you feel there was any other ship I might not have considered, which would fit in with that information)?
So yeah, I'm thoroughly confused and, as of late, disappointed. One little snippet a month on the status of future projects - literally, information no more revealing than "One's an Alien ship", or "There's now no Alien ships, we've chosen to go with another", as well as clarity between 'new' ships, and 're-issues' - would be MOST welcome. I feel I've been extremely loyal to this line, passing through both companies (AA and DST), and believe me, I'm grateful that there's a company out there making Star Trek ships, but having bought so much in regards to the Trek Tek and ships, I'd just like a little more clarity on what's to come. You won't see me getting pissy about delays, I'm insanely patient, and if it means the final product is better (BoP and B, anyone?), then so much the better. But having let myself get excited and now let down, by nothing more than piecing together hints here and there, well, my hopes will be firmly kept in check in the future. Also, I'm not buying any more products from the Original Series. I bought myself one of each (i.e. one Phaser, one 1701 etc), but then bought some duplicates and variants, and part of the reason for that, was that yes, I felt I needed to support this company, for the toys are amazing and put a huge smile on my face, and the thought of getting TNG+ era Trek Tek, and a model of the Defiant in the future, was worth it. Well, no longer. Don't get me wrong, I'll be first in line for any NEW items from these ranges in the future (Excelsior alone, jesus, can't wait!), but in regards to buying an extra one to support the company, I'm calling time on that. I feel I've more than contributed to the cause in that way.
EDIT: proof read it, then clicked accept, but wow, that post was huge. My apologies. lol
I realize this is an old and well-argued point, but I mention it to support the idea that...
