Have you read about HTF Swappables in toy or collector publications' "News" or "Comment" sections? Maybe even a "Product Evaluation" section. You probably have not seen us. Why don't they inform you?
The sad-and-ugly truth is that most sources or publications speak only for "scratch". They won't admit it, but they expect lots of free samples and/or a monetary kickback or else - an item will never be mentioned.
Clubs and Pubs think mentioning a product in any way is like "advertising" and they won't do it for free. If you try to catch them on this, they'll blow you off with excuses like:
"They've not been out long enough"
or
"Our order was never filled".
or
"We didn't know."
Oh. So how do you know and they don't when you pay them to know.
Don't you believe it.
If you are paying for a publication and not being informed, you ought to ditch that pub.
On the other hand, if you see a site or pub that does mention these figures, you can know it's a dependable, unbiased source that got no kickback.
These Swappables exist, whether certain dealers like it or not. Note who deals with reality. Stick with those who do. Reject those who do not.
A Second Reason Why You Don't Hear Much About HTF:
Believe it or not, the HTF Swappables cost more to produce and sell than their price returns. HTF has a free website, compliments of Angelfire (whose pop-ups DO get pretty annoying). We have cut costs everywhere we could and still, in this country, these figures cost more than $6 to produce and sell. Who wants to promote more business in such a situation? Therefore HTF does few shows (cost too much) and we pay for no advertising (just can't afford it).
"Horsecrap, Don. If you are LOSINGmoney on each figure, then you would quit making and selling them, so we know you are lying."
For a variety of reasons, HTF remains in business and will continue (for as long as we can). One reason is that the company is holding its own via a variety of measures beyond the Swappables and occassionally beyond even toys! Another reason is that this world would just be a slightly crappier place if these, the only multipart figures made in America (and beautiful at that!) were to no longer be available.
HTF has some friends and supporters. They are all much appreciated and have reaped a few special benefits along the way. We have far more detracters and that is expected. They have not brought HTF down, nor will they. They would have to be more powerful than our benefactor, and that is not possible. In Him, all things are possible; even making and selling 1/32 scale softplastic multipart Napoleonic toy figures in America when arithmetics show it won't work.
Don't you doubt Him for a second! - and pray responsibly.
