It seems that I hit a sore point among some S scalers. The the inability to go into a hobby shop and order anything. One poster sent me a private reply. I'll quote part of it. " My local shop is great at stocking HO, N, Lionel, MTH etc. But when I asked him to try to get a SHS boxcar (through Walthers) the owner said "So you are one of those S guys. Why can't you make up your minds if you are scale, or tinplate?" I gave him the item number to order and it was in stock. I got it a week later. The store owner discounts everything about 15% and I assumed I'd get that same discount. No I did not, full list. Many places on the web offer discounts on S scale. Ken, I'm wondering if this is wide spread among other hobby shops. It is just a item number to order. What's the perception of S scalers?"
So, What is the perception? Replies? Thirty years ago the same thing was discussed Twenty years ago the same thing was discussed Ten years ago the same thing was discussed Now it is being discussed yet again................ How do we get S scale promoted? There are a couple of magazines.1:64 Modeling Guide Magazine, leaning towards scale. I wrote an article in 1:64 Modeling Guide Magazine on Miller S Scale. Anyone remember? And the S Gaugian, leaning towards AF if I read correctly. But coming from the old way of retailing having worked for a mfgr and a retailer I have an idea. A long time ago there were REPs. The chain was: Mfgr to wholesaler to retailer to consumer. It used to be that a Wholesaler had sales reps who stopped by our hobbyshop every 2 weeks. He showed us all the "new stuff". That was of course pre internet instant gratification, instant ordering. I think that any manufacturer should demand a spot in Walthers or sell to any wholesaler that sells to a hobbyshop. If you are a Hobbyshop/manufacturer or basement manufacturer do the same. Sell direct to any hobby shop give a decent profit margin. We really need an all inclusive hobby wholesaler that fronts every manufacturer. This wholesaler does not have to stock, just order when they get an order to ship to the retailer. Yes minimum orders are a concern and one that I'm not sure how to address. I do HO at our club. If I need something I go to Walthers.com and check the availability. then cut and paste the item into an email to my local hobby shop. He orders from Walthers everyday! I get in stock items in 2 days. I can't imagine getting any S scale items from this hobby shop. He tried several mfgrs, and was told "direct only". I got the stuff but it would be nice to see it in a hobby shop. That needs a good wholesaler. Just a thought.....This may not be the answer but it could not hurt. Ken --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080215-0, 02/15/2008 Tested on: 2/15/2008 5:26:31 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com --- avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080215-0, 02/15/2008 Tested on: 2/15/2008 5:29:19 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com Ken Hough Photographic Repair Service Specializing in the Complete restoration of Deardorff View Cameras Est 1982 www.deardorffcameras.0catch.com 219 462 0281 --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080219-0, 02/19/2008 Tested on: 2/20/2008 5:01:18 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
