Squadron's price hike on Roden

[Kaiser Bill]

Just a little FYI... I pre-ordered the new Staaken kit 15 months ago for USD $65 and some change. I see now that the Squadron price has jumped to USD $89.99. I'm wondering if they will honor the originally offered price of $65.

The necessary A/G night lozenge decals alone were an additional $40+.

[mgtaylor]

Dear Phillpe

TWO SEATERS 1/32 !!!!!! WHEEEEEEEEHHHOOOOOOO !!! Iam jumpin out of my chair ! Very Quick. VERY VERY GOOD IDEA ! Iam telling you this scale is rich for any releases, but very smart to catch them here.

You have a VERY Full Life with the Kids, Wifey and Models its a wonder you can get anything out, BUT I have seen it with my own eyes!! I found one of your AEG kits in a Local Hobby Store on the shelf with all the others. At near Fifity bucks I had to come back but I got it !!

I look forward to the Alb release. I understand your desires to stay small. It is a great loss for the rest of us though that love your work and would love to see more of it available for sale?

Keep on your work is much apreciated your friends from the Layfette Escadrille! Yours truly Mike www.misterkitusa.com

[Philippe JOURDAN]

Mike wrotte...
"I look forward to the Alb release. I understand your desires to stay small. It is a great loss for the rest of us though that love your work and would love to see more of it available for sale?"

Mike, as Dark Vader... I know both sides of "power".... Heller and Hi-Tech.... and small companies, that don't know the other side of the "force"....they are dreaming to become Monogram. Revell or Tamygawa.... But with size... problems are also growing..., 1st etablished fact.....
2nd etablished fact.... our hobby is downing.... each months downing, sales qty are more and more small....
3rd etablished fact.... some years ago occidental Cies are dying... the future was in eastern countries.... now, to day, these eastern Cies ( these in EC ) are knowing the beginning of difficulties.... they are BIG now... Other, not yet in EC are cool.... for some months.. or 2/3 years...
4th etablished fact.... BIG companies, as Tamygawa....are producing in far countries at down possible costs,to day... China, Korea, later Viet-Nam or Laos....
5th etablished fact.... next countries checked fot production, are in Africa... as Madagascar.....

Also... myself, I know how many are enthusiasts, I know that with my way how many kits I would be able to sale of my models... without looking twisted and crazy marketing solutions... as Combo, Nonprofitpack version, Royal "classed" range.... etc...

Each year, first november... I pay a visit to a special cementary, where are .... in RIP, a lot of Cies.... (or that will be dead in few time.)
"GARDE A VOUS" and listen the list....
AIRFI..., MPC, FROG, AMT, ARTIPLAST, AURORA, BRIFAUT, ENTEX, FROG, FUJI..., HAWK, IMPACT, LINDBERGH, MPC, NICHIMO, NOVO, PYRO, KP, RENWAL, TESTOR, HELLER......, UPC, ENTEX, CAP CROIXdu SUD, ESCI.....DRAGON and other and other.....

I think to know reality of market... and I try to stay in....

Last established point... for KAISER BILL....
...and t is a perfect illustration of my above comments.....
Did you know for what reason the RODEN STAAKEN , grow from 65$ to 89,99$( for not not said 90$ )...???
Answer, because RODEN, 15 month ago, was forecasting to sale 25% more STAAKEN that today....
Or, they was thinking to sale... 20% more.... thec extra 5%, would be for increasing costs of production... or petrol.... , petrol is a good reason....

Also Hi Tech.... will produce, with help of God and of my reflexion.... some models for enthusiasts friends... and for my own pleasure.... your pleasure..

[mgtaylor]

Dear Philpe

A sad but true market anyalsis of the Hobby. I defer to your actual experience and well earned expertise. I am happy to see Hi-Tech's releseases. All the more reason when I hear or see of a kit, After Market Part, Decals, Hobby Building tool or product either already out or about to come out that I even think I might want, I buy and or advance order it for the very reasons you state about the transitory nature of even the biggest of Companies and Harsh market realities of the Hobby. I really don't think the average Modeller 'Gets" It. I think no matter how big the company, no matter how popular the product or kit, if you SEE it AVAILABLE for sale now, BUY IT. BUY IT NOW !!! DOn't wait and leave it on the shelf for a better day. If it happens to be on sale, great so be it, it cost a couple of bucks less. But NEVER NEVER NEVER leave it on the store shelf thinking it will have to go on sale later, or think to your self; ah I am not ready to build that project yet, I'll buy next year when I am ready for it. BUY IT NOW And PUT it on YOUR Shelf. Big difference between your shelf and the Store's shelf. Your shelf is accessable 24/7. Whats on the store shelf changes everyday and has limited access. I consider each and every product, Kit or part I buy to be a limited release in some way or another. Again if not limited then finite. My wifes spends a few bucks every week on clothes, shoes, shirts, what I figure is for noe other reason than to shop. If I didn't buy model kits, I d buy comic books or coffees, or something. What I ve spent on my hobby I can look at any time. It all has a phyiscal representation. Actually building a Kit and creating a small work of ART to display and look at in the living room is a benifit. It's ok to have a Hobby stash of Kits and materials. Where do yo think all these old OOP Kits still in boxes and unbuilt come from, Old hobby stores? They come from peoples old personal collections. I persoanlly belive for the reason stated there about the industry itself which produces these works of modern art and engineering, that there is NO place in such an environment for "WINDOW SHOPPING". If its there in the store and you want it, Don't wait buy it. Iam not suggesting to be impulsive. I think most all hobbists know what they like well before they see it. Iam saying in this hobby one shouldn't make the mistake of thinking they should wait to aquire a kit,part, and/or material they think they will want later. Later is an illusion in this hobby. If a guy is pouring white metal landing gear for your kit , GET IT. Don't wait and think to yourself oh metal gear thats neat. Iam not building that one now I'll wait till next month. NO BUy th gear now, add it to your box and build it whenever you fell like it Later. I apreicate the products Hi-tech comes out with and I have your relase on advance order. I look forward to the next release and will order that too. Its sad I can't speak for the rest of the hobby and increase its volume, but I now better understand what you are saying about the difference between limited run releases and the Major problems and commitments of established Major and /or Big name manufactuers.

Yours truly Mike