Whispers

2023: Possible Pre-Order Policy Change

Over the last few months we have noticed a significant rise in the number of abandoned orders placed through our web site whereby the customer cannot be reached so that we can review their billing information with them. Usually, this issue arises with new customers, who seem to think that by placing an order at the time they see the item on our site, that they will get the product right away. Usually they do not check the anticipated date of availability of said item, which can oftentimes arrive several months after the fact, in some instances years later. Friends, as I’ve said before, these are collectibles, most of which are made in Asia, that can and oftentimes are adversely affected by global market conditions, weather, logistical issues, et al. We have no control over when the product finally comes to market and if you do not understand this then I would suggest taking up a different passion and looking into a different hobby.

We are going on our 23rd year of doing business and our stated policy has always been that the customer is charged at the time of shipment and not before. From our standpoint, walking away from an order is no longer acceptable. When we receive product, we are essentially laying out money on behalf of the customer with the idea that we will be reimbursed at some point down the road once the item comes in and is ready for shipment. If a customer prepays for an item using either PayPal or AmazonPay, then it is with the understanding that they are paying for the item well ahead of us being able to ship out the item to them. We do not encourage this type of behavior nor have we demanded payment at the time the order is placed. If a customer feels more comfortable pre-paying for an item (which means they are not sharing their credit card details with the merchant) then so be it.

However, we have run into more and more situations where a customer places an order using their credit card, and then disappears at the time we require them to provide us with their complete details so we can obtain a new authorization code from the credit card provider. Sometimes, the customer can be reached, who them hems and haws over why they must provide us with their billing information or swears that the item has already been paid for without so much as checking their credit card statement. I’m not certain why this occurs, but this too is unacceptable behavior on the part of the customer.

Right now, we are mulling over different policy options that can potentially include taking payment from EVERYONE at the time their order is placed. Another alternative is taking a substantial, non-refundable deposit at the time the order is placed so that we are at least covered for the wholesale cost of the item. Or we could adopt the physician’s model, whereby the customer’s billing information must be provided first before services are rendered in the form of accepting a pre-order.

Naturally, selling collectibles that oftentimes do not come in until a later date presents a bit of a problem in its own right but so too does this issue of order abandonment. Thus far, we are contacting anyone that refuses to pay for an order that not only is their order cancelled but so too is their account with us. When an account is closed, you will not be able to purchase anything else from us ever again, including through our marketplace sites. Why do we resort to such draconian measures as to close a customer’s account. It’s simple. We feel that if a customer is unreachable the first time we request his or her billing information, then they will likely be unavailable a second or even a third time, and that is unworkable for us or for any business for that matter. That said, in the next couple of weeks we will decide what to do to combat this growing order abandonment problem. Stay tuned…

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2023: Back to Square One?

Now that China has relaxed its Zero COVID policy and lifted both movement and lock down restrictions that led to protests around the nation, it appears as if the OMICRON variant is now running rampant through much of the country. While Chinese government officials acknowledge the death of only a handful of individuals due to COVID, western media outlets are reporting millions of respiratory-related deaths and a different form of angst – massed funerals. The problem is so bad that crematoriums are running round-the-clock in an effort to deal with the number of bodies being brought in day and night. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been monitoring the situation and, based upon their own data, and pointing to the inability of the Chinese to adequately deal with the pandemic, predicts that at least 1,000,000 people will likely die from COVID this winter unless the government can come up with a plan to deal with current conditions.

Needless to say, the economic situation is once again becoming tested, as people refuse to congregate or take mass transit to their jobs, further exacerbating the problem. Naturally, if people cannot report to work, they cannot produce the goods the world expects to be made, which, as you might imagine, includes toys and diecast merchandise. While we don’t want to raise the red flag just yet and get everyone in a tizzy, it doesn’t take a world renowned economist to sift through the data and announce that stalled assembly lines and fearful workers translates into fewer goods being produced. Sorry to sound so dire, particularly at this time of year when everyone is in a festive mood, but we envisage tough times ahead for both the diecast industry and other sectors of the economy for much of 2023.

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The Forces of Valor Update: Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale German Early Production Sd. Kfz. 181 PzKpfw VI Tiger I Ausf. E Heavy Tank – “100”, schwere Panzerabteilung 505, Kursk, Russia, July 1943 [Bonus Maybach HL 210 TRM P45 Engine]

To borrow the title of a famous Otis Redding song, we should soon be receiving word on when the long-awaited Forces of Valor shipment has cleared customs and made its way to our distributor in Georgia. Right now, we anticipate delivery some time in the beginning of February, unless, of course, something else stands in its way, tsunamis notwithstanding. As all of you know by now, 2021 was an anxiety-filled year as far as getting in new product is concerned and we wouldn’t be surprised if the first half of 2022 is confronted by the very same issues.

Since we have a great many pre-orders in the system, particularly for the first Tiger I and newest Sherman tank, we will start to process each order based upon when it was sent in. So, if you submitted your order to us in, say, July of 2021, then you will get preferential treatment over someone that submitted their order to us more recently. Hey, fair’s fair and it simply doesn’t matter to us the size of your order, how you decided to pay us, or how many times you plan to contact us to ask about you order. Which, naturally enough, leads me to my next point. Communication.

Once we know for sure when our FOV order is on its way to us, we will temporarily ignore any and all messages, emails, phone calls, etc., asking when such-and-such order is expected to go out. Frankly, everything we need to discuss regarding the receipt of new product is posted on our web site along side each item’s description. Each time we’re asked to color outside the lines by fielding a phone call, answering a message or responding to an email means it takes us away from the business of actually processing and shipping out orders. Sorry to be so blunt, but if you’ve waited this long to find out about your order then a few more days won’t matter all that much in the final analysis. If you disagree, then we’ll simply cancel your order, refund your payment if the order was pre-paid, then move on to those customers that are willing to abide by our rules and not cause us any trouble while we do our utmost to get everything out the door as expeditiously as possible. Its a stressful process in its own right and adding additional anxiety by reaching out to us repeatedly doesn’t help anyone concerned, especially those customers more than willing to play ball with us.

While I could go on and on ad infinitum, we’d like to end this discourse on a positive note. We welcome and value your business. Soon, you will embrace your bouncing baby tank in all its glory. Have your nursery, er, display case ready, a box cutter in hand, and know that we’ve done our utmost to get you your prized possession in the quickest possible manner. Thank you and enjoy.

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PMA: Pulled Manufacturer Access?

Can someone please translate this for us so that we can figure out their stance?

There’s strange and then there’s strange. In late December, Precision Model Art, better known as PMA, posted several new items to their web site, that included, among other things, an awesome looking M40 self propelled gun presumably due out later this year. Then, last week, they abruptly pulled the plug on their own web site, leaving in its wake a Word Press page written in what I assume is Mandarin. I don’t understand what it says although it appears like a Contact Us page. Moreover, I naturally assumed that the manufacturer was having trouble loading their web site, perhaps falling victim to a hack attack that has periodically plagued other manufacturers. After talking with our US distributor, however, we learned that this is supposedly the new normal for PMA and that from here on out they do not plan on posting any new product to their own web site, claiming its a “low priority” for them.

PMA’s 1:72 scale US 155mm Gun Motor Carriage M40 Self-Propelled Gun – “Big Bruiser”, B Battery, 937th Field Artillery Battalion “Arkansas Long Toms”, Korea, 1953

Now color me wacky but two weeks ago we ushered in 2022 perhaps without a bang but with a whimper, hopefully putting the effects of the pandemic behind us. The point is that in this day and age, placing a “low priority” on updating your own web site is simply inexcusable. As a manufacturer, it is your job to inform both your customers as well as your distribution network about the comings and goings on in your own back yard so that everyone can look forward to the fruits of your labors. To leave everyone in the dark, particularly when others are gleefully posting on social media, their web site and elsewhere is akin to burying your head in the sand, asking others to talk up the line when you yourself are reluctant to do so. I’m not clear if this turning a “blind eye” marketing strategy makes much sense in this newfangled digital world where the running of a web site isn’t all that much trouble given other complexities attached with running a business. Heck, I’ve been doing so for going on 22 years, building out our product portfolio so that it now encompasses over 6,000 SKUs. Trust me, its not that difficult once you have it down to a logical system. So, when a manufacturer with barely a couple of dozen products says they can’t be troubled with keeping their own web site up-to-date, I simply shake my head and say “is it worth the trouble of stocking their line?” Right now, the only answer I can come up with is, it isn’t, sad as that sounds…

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Dragon Responds

Last week, we published a blog post claiming that several model makers seem to have dropped out of the 1:72 scale pre-assembled market over the last year. Earlier this week, we heard back from one of the companies discussed – Dragon Models. Their representative politely indicated that the manufacturer is still very much interested in continuing their Neo Dragon Armor line. He went on to say that two new vehicles are expected later this month, both M2A3 Bradley Infantry Vehicles. But here’s the rub. Since Dragon shuttered its US distributor, Dragon Models USA, and now pointed its web address to their own web site in Hong Kong, they can only make these items available on a wholesale basis if the merchandise is purchased direct from them in Hong Kong. Frankly, this is a non-starter for us, particularly in light of all of the issues affecting the global supply chain, not to mention the costs and quantities associated with purchasing direct instead of through a middleman. So, unless a distributor steps up to the plate and demonstrates they are ready to take on this task, it could be some time before we actually see some of their latest efforts within North America. In the meantime, you can still order these items direct from Dragon Models, first by clicking on either image, then following Dragon’s checkout procedures.

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2022. A Look Ahead

So, as some of you may know, we purchased a new home in Florida back in April, with construction beginning in a week or two. Barring any issues with the build, we hope to move in sometime this summer, likely in July, if everything goes according to plan and all of the materials arrive as advertised instead of sitting in the belly of some cargo ship. As a result, we will likely have to start packing up our belongings as well as our inventory in June and postpone any new inbound shipments until such time as we can accept their delivery in Florida. That said, we will likely run an inventory reduction sale beginning in May which will run for the entire month, possibly increasing any discount by an added percentage each week in an effort to reduce our physical footprint both here and in Florida, thereby lessening the amount of merchandise we have to transport 1,500 miles. We will discuss this in greater detail as we get a better idea if the move is going according to plan. One final thought. By moving to Florida, I guess it means I’ll have to start taking up pickleball, dining at 4PM and driving by staring through the steering wheel instead of over it. Ah, the price we pay not to have to shovel snow anymore…

In other news, we have begun introducing “pricing uniformity” across all of our categories. In keeping with our philosophy of leaving sold out items up on our web site purely as a means of reference, we also realized that this created a bit of confusion in terms of pricing. For instance, we sold some of the earliest Hobby Master A-10 Warthogs for around $50 back in the late 2000s but the latest versions are commanding prices of around $115. So, we’ve raised the prices on the earliest releases to conform with today’s prices all in an effort to demonstrate how their value has likely appreciated over the years. In point of fact, many of the early releases are fetching even higher prices than current market prices so please take these new prices with a grain of salt. Again, it does not mean we have them in stock, but if we did, we would be selling them at today’s prices since they are, after all, limited edition collectibles that are highly sought after world wide.

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Comings and Goings for November

By mid November, we had hoped to have received a great many more items than what our November 2001 Arrivals section shows, thus enabling us to offer more new introductions for the holiday season. While there are some hopeful signs that a number of late comers will still trickle in, the fact remains that there’s going to be slim pickings going forward until the issues plaguing the supply chain get ironed out.

For instance, we had hoped that over a dozen new items from Corgi would arrive before Thanksgiving. Late yesterday we learned that barely four new products are expected this month: a single Tiger tank and a trio of 1:72 scale aircraft. It remains to be seen if the balance of their 2021 releases will arrive by year’s end or whether they will put into port in early 2022. Keep in mind that Corgi traditionally likes to announce their yearly lineup in January, so this year it appears as if they’ll be doing so while any number of 2021 introductions have still to put in an appearance.

Other manufacturers aren’t faring much better although we are still hopeful that both the September and October Hobby Master shipments will make it in time for the Thanksgiving banquet. Likewise, we haven’t heard anything further from the FOV camp, and with their very spotty track record of missing release dates, we’re inclined to believe that their late 2021 releases will more than likely show up in early 2022.

We aren’t expecting anything from Panzerkampf until early 2022, but we are crossing our fingers that both DeAgostini and PMA merchandise will be in more plentiful supply for the holidays. Other than that, there really isn’t all that much to crow about this holiday season since the port congestion issues continue to worsen despite efforts by the Administration and others to alleviate the congestion. And with transportation costs on the rise and inflation fears chiming in, it could be some time before our diecast ship rights itself and returns to the sea lanes as before. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s only so much good tidings we can sing about this holiday season.

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The Forces of Valor Update: When the Shermans Go Marching Along

Forces of Valor’s 1:32 scale US M4A3(75) Sherman Medium Tank with VVSS Suspension – Training Vehicle, C Company, 10th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division, New York, 1943 [Bonus Ford GAA V-8 Engine]

Looks as if Waltersons, the new owners of the Forces of Valor brand, has begun showing off its second in a long line of M4 Sherman tanks, which are due out over the course of the next 12 months. Interestingly, Forces of Valor chose a training vehicle as the subject for its first M4A3(75) Sherman medium tank that features a VVSS suspension. The model is purportedly based upon a vehicle attached to C Company, 10th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division, which was still stateside here in New York during 1943 before being shipped overseas for the invasion of Europe in the summer of 1944. The 5th Armored did not see action until August 1944, two months after Operation Overlord, and took part in Operation Cobra, the Allies’ attempt to break through the stiff German defenses in and around Normandy, clear the Brittany countryside then sweep around the Germans’ flank in a wide enveloping move aimed at cutting off their retreat.

Its not clear when this Sherman will actually become available, based upon issues still plaguing the global supply chain, production schedules and whether or not our distributor is able to fill a container load to warrant higher than normal shipping costs. We’re guessing it will show up sometime at the beginning of the second quarter, seeing as how it took their first Sherman and inaugural Tiger I tank several months before they were fit for duty here in North America. There’s a good bet that a second Tiger tank is in the offing, so its possible that this Sherman may have to languish on the docks for a bit until the next Tiger is ready for combat.

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Hobby Master Gets Back on Track and Other News

Hobby Master’s 1:48 scale RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb Fighter – Squadron Leader Jan Zumbach, No.303 (Polish) Squadron, Summer 1942 [Kemble Air Show, June 2011]

We’ve got a bit of good news to share with everyone. According to our distributor, both the September and October Hobby Master shipments have made port and should arrive at our distributor on or around November 19th, which means we, in turn, should be receiving our orders before Thanksgiving. This is great news since we should be able to make them available for general sale during the extended Thanksgiving Day weekend.

Moreover, our distributor claims that both the November and December Hobby Master shipments should make port by December 12th and they will likely receive these shipments during the run-up to Christmas. We doubt that these shipments will be available for sale prior to Christmas. They should, however, be in stock by year’s end, unless either adverse weather or trucking delays hamper their arrival. So, it would appear as if future Hobby Master shipments will arrive as advertised, again unless port congestion, adverse weather or trucking issues enters the equation.

We’re not certain if our Forces of Valor shipment, previously advertised as arriving around the end of November/early December, will still make it in time for the holidays since these items are likely included within a different container and on a different cargo ship bound for Savannah. Georgia. We’re still awaiting word from Corgi when their next major shipment is expected, leaving them as the only major supplier whose 4th quarter releases are still up in the air. They are located in Oregon and face their own set of difficulties receiving new shipments.

Solido’s 1:48 scale US M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle – “Nasty Boyz”, Operation Desert Storm, 2001

Our Solido supplier says they are expecting to take delivery of their shipment within two weeks, meaning here too product will be available for general sale for the holidays. Some of our other lines are still up in the air, both figuratively as well as literally, and we will keep everyone abreast of any further developments as they materialize. All in all, hopeful news given what we have seen over the last few months.

Oh, and one last thing. We recognize that a lot of products we had hoped would arrive for the holidays may not make it in time even if Herculean efforts are made throughout the supply chain. Therefore we have brought back our gift certificate, which can be found throughout our Gift Giving Ideas section. Essentially, you can send your love one a gift certificate in any denomination, which can be redeemed before, during or after the holidays, an especially useful tool for anyone still looking to obtain an item that may arrive after December 25th. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and we will walk you through the process of ordering a gift certificate.

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Tank (Transporters) for the Memories?

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Camouflage

Much is being made of the current shortage of truck drivers here in North America, which has helped to create an added bottleneck in getting goods from our clogged ports to the retail network. It therefore comes as no surprise that this added hurdle is now affecting the diecast industry in general and the upcoming Panzerkampf tank transporter set in particular. And if you believe that, there’s a bridge here in New York I can sell you.

In all honesty, when they were first announced last summer, well before the kinks in the global supply chain became apparent, we envisioned these sets would likely retail for around $100, a fair assumption given the fact that most of their similarly scaled military vehicles were retailing for around $35-$40. Turns out we missed the mark by a wide margin. We learned today that they will be pegged at $150 per set and, more importantly, will be available in very limited numbers here and around the world. So, we will honor the price we originally listed for anyone that placed a pre-order with us for either of these sets. That said, we have also updated the price for each set to $150. Frankly, this is still a fair price to pay given the paucity of military vehicles reaching the marketplace and the appeal these sets offer to anyone collecting military diecast memorabilia. Some of you may remember that Sword Models released several different 1:50 scale Oshkosh tank transporter sets several years back, which sold for around $300 or more. Those sets blew out in no time, and now command much higher prices in aftermarket venues such as eBay. In fact, someone is listing a few as we speak and offering them up for $800 apiece.

Panzerkampf’s 1:72 scale US Oshkosh M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter with M1000 Semi-Trailer – Desert Scheme

Anyway, we’re sorry to have made this announcement but hope you understand that some things are well beyond our control, hustling tanks from Point A to Point B one of them, even if they are diminutive cousins of the real thing.

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