tim
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Post by tim on Feb 28, 2010 11:06:54 GMT
With big fanfare Airfix launched their 1/350th scale version of HMS 'Lusty'. It appears it sank without trace in the harbour. Cracking Job Airfix!
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Post by Colin Marrow on Mar 1, 2010 0:06:50 GMT
I spoke to the Airfix team at Yeovilton two weeks ago where they had the sprues and boxes on display. They said the retail boxes should be in the shops early March which is... next week!
Airfix Tribute Forum had a built example on their table at Milton Keynes, Yeovilton and Huddersfield shows which was very well received by all who saw her.
Colin
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Post by foxy on Mar 1, 2010 8:13:39 GMT
Hehe, Nice one Tim. 'Yep'. Sore this at Yeovilton and it is a cracker and no mistake. Thease days there are alot of ships on the market that got sunk before there breakup day.
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tim
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Post by tim on Mar 1, 2010 12:57:15 GMT
The question that Airfix need to address is this. How do you 'launch' a kit months in advance of being able to actually sell any? To me its a great way of promoting not the kit but the companies inability to meet logistical targets. I wonder why the delay?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2010 13:15:06 GMT
The question that Airfix need to address is this. How do you 'launch' a kit months in advance of being able to actually sell any? To me its a great way of promoting not the kit but the companies inability to meet logistical targets. I wonder why the delay? Have you thought to contact Airfix Tim?
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tim
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Post by tim on Mar 1, 2010 16:00:59 GMT
Umm. I am in no rush to be honest but I would expect good marketing practice of any company to be able to follow up the launch with the product within days.
However considering they seem crap at it maybe I should send them my scale of charges plus my timescale for getting the job done. I can just imagine the culture shock of that. ;D
(This goes back to my point in another thread. If there was a forum for people really interested in my product line I would be reading it daily and ensuring information was kept current... Why don't they?)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2010 16:16:00 GMT
Tim, once again, why not ask when the kit will be released? It seems sensible to me that instead of pulling a company down, ask the appropriate question of the relevant folks and then if you don't get the answer you want, make a fuss instead of being negative in the first place. Earlier in the thread it was mentioned that the kit had been seen and a question had been asked about its release date and an answer given. Sorry Tim, but this view you have of Humbrol/Airfix is to my mind negative and blinkered. As I'm not interested at all in the kit, there's no point in me making enquiries, but as you are, here's your contact: customercare@hornby.com I'm sure we'd all be interested to know how you get on?
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tim
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Post by tim on Mar 1, 2010 19:01:14 GMT
Thank you for the contact. I will use it later and see what happens but I point out to you the following with note........
1, The launch of the kit is several months old. It was announced on Airfix's own website and in the modelling press. It then went very very quiet. So quiet that the item made it to Airfixs online store with a button marked will advise when available. No official news was given the press as to delay and neither does any explanation exist on Airfixs website.
2, If Airfix were indeed interested in telling people about the delay would it not be common knowledge and since it is not do you really think they are going to tell a mere punter like me?
3, In the unlikely event they care to be forthcoming with the reasons for delay why the big secret? I am not employed by their promotions department which should by rights be keeping people informed but which are not.
4, And finally since you are not a railway modeller I will let you into a small and well known trade secret that all the model rail manufacturers indulge in. They all release kits and announce them in the press even before they have working examples just to 'keep the pot boiling' Some of these kits were released 4 years ago.. but they never hit retail. Something to think about the next time you get a kit launch?
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Post by The Hooded Claw on Mar 1, 2010 20:14:50 GMT
Actually it is to advance sell as much of the procuct before it hits themarket place and falls in to the mass discounting which proliferates that section of the hobby. Having worked in the retail and buying side of the Railway hobby and having dealt with these people directly they are a particularly interesting batch of humanity.
THC
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Post by playtime on Mar 1, 2010 20:46:14 GMT
Similarly, we have this thing called 'vapourware' in my industry too. You may not like it but why should Airfix be the exception to the rule?
They do exactly the same as most companies do - pre-announce the product for marketting purposes so the supply chain can get an idea of what the demand will be.
What do I care what the supply chain issues were? It's late - my life didn't end and my business didn't fold.
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tim
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Post by tim on Mar 1, 2010 22:22:43 GMT
Mass discounting? WHERE? (Clearly this is internal between the retailer and the manufacturer as there is seldom these days much discount reach the customer due to manufacturers producing just enough for assumed demand) Never the less there are kits that were launched 4 years ago and have yet to appear. but its not a practice we have seen much of in plastic modelling. Hey .. tell Airfix its a great idea...Let them build up a customer base.. then when they are ready to place the kit on the market.... Trumpeter will release their new improved version....
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2010 23:04:52 GMT
... And finally since you are not a railway modeller ... Really, you presume wrong.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2010 23:10:46 GMT
... tell Airfix its a great idea...Let them build up a customer base.. then when they are ready to place the kit on the market.... Trumpeter will release their new improved version.... At twice the price, have you seen the price of Trumpeter kits lately ... yea, good idea Tim, that's quite an argument you've got going there.
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Post by GR1 on Mar 2, 2010 11:54:42 GMT
Thank you for the contact. I will use it later... Will you? Really?
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Post by The Hooded Claw on Mar 2, 2010 14:27:59 GMT
You know what Tim I've read your posts and the various mainly civil replys to your inconceived ravings and as far as I'm concerned you're trolling.
Go speak to Airfix if you want about your perceived delay in the release of the kit. I suspect they will tell you what ever they think you want to hear and that will be the end of it.
The kit will hit the shelves whenever it does, life will go on regardless because it is of little significance to the rest of humanity if it does or does not.
Move on
get over it
I know I have.
THC (who has one on back order for his Lads Christmas present and who recalls the debacle of the Bachmann Class 46s)
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