Eduard marketing - Page 4

NeilE · 31 May 2008, 05:53 PM

Eduard give the market what it thinks it will salivate over and then the market bites Eduard's hand.

Personally I don't blame Eduard for attempting to cash in on part of the market's consistent obsession with all things Richthofen. Maybe Eduard's marketting mananger spends too much time here at the 'Drome?

Seriously though, Eduard have moved into an boutique niche in the modelling industry. They have lately been producing very high quality product, marketed towards the enthusiast, and mostly it has worked for them. Their weekend kit releases seem to be an attempt to recoup production costs and only come out once they judge the demand for the boutique boxings has been mostly exhausted. It seems to me that Eduard stuffed up when they made their decisions on what would be packaged in the MVR release. Before this, their boutique marketting has been very successful for them. I don't expect they will make that mistake again, as the MVR/

LVR strategy is something of a one off.

Eduard's decision to go top end reflects the fact most likely that they can't compete with Roden's (mainly) ability to produce units at a cheaper cost and in greater quantity. Eduard's production costs, dies, molds, oil, etc are obviously higher than Roden's and the less favourable exchange rate means that the only way they can recoup costs is to produce less at a higher price and market uniqueness, high quality, scarcity, and prestige as their selling point.

Whether this suits all parts of the market is unlikely. Eduard now have a reputation in the wider modelling market of producing almost state of the art kits and as a result of the success of the FW190 and Mirage kits, I think they will move their more general production runs in that direction, where a larger market can better tolerate their higher prices. Their World War One kits will remain a boutique sideline, appealling to that part of the WW1 market who want high quality and are prepared to pay for it (and the collector's market also perhaps). Furthermore they will continue to lead the market in PE set production also - that must be a important core part of their business also.

A lot of the complainng here of what Eduard are doing comes off as just petulant. I can't see Eduard losing that much sleep over it. They may ensure that sort of packaging glitch doesnt happen again, but their overall strategy will stay the same. Roden have cornered significant parts of the 'budget' end of the market, and many of us buy their kits as a result. Eduard will continue doing what they do because that is the best strategy for them to ensure their continued survival in a highly competitive market.

At the end of the day, there is probably enough to go around to keep most section of the WW1 market happy. If you can't afford the Eduard kits, there are plenty of other options to buy cheaper, reasonable quality kits out there.
As one sage here once opined "We've never had it so good".

Cheers

Neil

brian riedel · 1 June 2008, 02:17 PM

Howdy,

Check out the June newsletter at Eduard's site. Orange box scheduled for August.

Brian Riedel

Familyman · 1 June 2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilE

Roden have cornered significant parts of the 'budget' end of the market, and many of us buy their kits as a result. Eduard will continue doing what they do because that is the best strategy for them to ensure their continued survival in a highly competitive market.

At the end of the day, there is probably enough to go around to keep most section of the WW1 market happy. If you can't afford the Eduard kits, there are plenty of other options to buy cheaper, reasonable quality kits out there.
As one sage here once opined "We've never had it so good".

Cheers

Neil

How much cheaper are the Roden kits there down under? I know they are cheaper than Eduard kits in USA. Since the Eduard kits have usually PE and paint maks with them, compairing Roden kits to Eduard's Weekend series might be more fair.

Here in Europe Roden kits are not that much cheaper really! No ww1 kits are, so we don't necessarily share all the mostly American arguments about Eduard "pricing themselves out of market" here in Europe.

Mikko

MerlinV · 2 June 2008, 02:27 AM

Well, I can get a Roden Brisfit for AU$45 from my local store and then add a (Very extensive)couple of sheets of PART etch for $25 plus postage (from Jadar Hobby)... call it $80.00 all up and the Eduard Brisfit at the same store (Admittedly the Limited Edition Crocodile) will set me back AU$85.00.
So, lots cheaper.

True, the Weekend edition kits are cheaper again than a Roden kit, but you only get one marking option...
On the other hand, that one set of decals is virtually guaranteed not to give you any problems...

I am not going to compare the quality of plastic between Roden and Eduard, they are different (I still find my self needing to clean up Eduard Plastic), but I would not claim that one is any better than the other.

Cheers,

Hugh

NeilE · 2 June 2008, 04:48 AM

The prices here in Australia depend on who you buy off...

Roden Fokker D.VII's can go for $30.00au sometimes less, compared to $60-$70 maybe for the Eduard one.

Some hobby shops, because Roden kits are cheaper, use that as an opportunity to value add to their own benefit.

I tend to buy them online from my favourite online kit supplier where they are substantitively cheaper... for now at least...

Kitboy · 2 June 2008, 05:41 AM

I order my Roden kits directly form the Ukraine. That really makes 'm incredibly cheap. Afterall you can hardly buy 'm in the shops here in The Netherlands. Same counts for Eduard.

Cheers, nico

Copperhead · 2 June 2008, 08:07 AM

Feel really bad for all of ya'll. I can't work in less than 1/32. Eyes won't do it anymore. Wish I could say something nice, but I got bit several years back on their 1/48 P-40N w/boo-coo junk. I still got the original "Muave" kit with aftermarket decals and "True Details" PE & resin for Less (and a hell of a better fit) for less! JW

drIace · 2 June 2008, 04:14 PM

Want to defray some of the cost ---

I could use a number of the MINI PLMs from the kit-- contact me via e-mail thru the drome.

NeilE · 4 June 2008, 02:00 PM

I'd say this is perhaps Eduard's future - a classic boutique package.

Messerschmitt Bf 110 C/D/E Royal Class Review by Brett Green (Eduard 1/48)

Regards

Neil

MerlinV · 4 June 2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

I'd say this is perhaps Eduard's future - a classic boutique package.

Messerschmitt Bf 110 C/D/E Royal Class Review by Brett Green (Eduard 1/48)

Regards

Neil

That may well be, but note that all variants of included in the box had been previously released as individual kits.

And, rather obtusely, just as we are all (yes, I know that I am generallising) stating that we would rather wait until the individual (standard Orange boxing) kit of the Dr 1 is released before we purchase one, I am sure that many fans of the Bf110 will have been waiting for the Royal Class boxing of that rather than buying the individual kits.

It's all about choice.
In the case of the Dr1, Eduard have not removed the choice entirely, but have basically said that all those who want to build an Eduard Dr1 now, will have to buy it in a combo or Limited edition boxing. And, in our opinion (generallising again), the limited edition boxing is flawed.

Cheers,

Hugh