NZT School Bus and Caterpillar kits en route to dealers

[sirenwerks]

I don't suppose MBK will be getting more.  I apparently missed the 3 minutes they were actually on the shelf.

[seusscaboose]

Oh my, looks like I'd better fire up the casting pots...

 

[DKS]

I don't suppose MBK will be getting more.  I apparently missed the 3 minutes they were actually on the shelf.

MBK is a great retailer, but they're lousy about making timely restock orders. You can always try NeedTrains.com.

[Sokramiketes]

MBK is a great retailer, but they're lousy about making timely restock orders. You can always try NeedTrains.com.

I don't know if your pricing structure allows distributors, but Hobby Shops are almost always going to be slow to reorder direct from small manufacturers.

For example, a hobby shop might order from Walthers weekly.  If they can add NZT products to a Walthers order, they're more likely to stay on top of the stock levels. 

[DKS]

I don't know if your pricing structure allows distributors, but Hobby Shops are almost always going to be slow to reorder direct from small manufacturers.

For example, a hobby shop might order from Walthers weekly.  If they can add NZT products to a Walthers order, they're more likely to stay on top of the stock levels.

MBK already approached me about being a distributor for NZT. But these small-ticket items are a problem. The dealer discount is already almost too much to bear; the distributor discount cuts even deeper, making it quite impractical. As it is, I've been contemplating selling certain product lines direct only; we'll see.

[wazzou]

I guess in this case DKS, what most probably are wondering is, will there be anymore made available for sale?

[DKS]

I guess in this case DKS, what most probably are wondering is, will there be anymore made available for sale?

Absolutely. MBK will get what they want whenever they get around to ordering it. Meantime, Stonebridge will get as many as I can cast and ship!

[Philip H]

MBK already approached me about being a distributor for NZT. But these small-ticket items are a problem. The dealer discount is already almost too much to bear; the distributor discount cuts even deeper, making it quite impractical. As it is, I've been contemplating selling certain product lines direct only; we'll see.

Um, you realize your undercutting the LHS market and thus will end civilization as we know it?  Right Ed?   

Actually, I think if you find a manageable mix it would work better for you as a small scale manufacturer (pun intended).  I would think a more web savy shop like MBK would reorder more regularly from you then a traditional brick and mortar, but what do I know.  Meanwhile I'm lookin forward to the buses.

[DKS]

A message to all who ordered crawlers from Stonebridge: I miscounted how many I sent her; worse, a whole slew of orders came in before we could disable the Order button, and she's over-sold at the moment. I am casting furiously to re-stock her with the backorders plus a healthy margin on top. So, if you placed an order with her, please be a little patient--it'll probably be a week before you receive them. Sorry, this was all my fault. We honestly had no idea they'd be so popular.

[sirenwerks]

Absolutely. MBK will get what they want whenever they get around to ordering it.

I knew MBK's trying to position itself as an alt.Walthers but it's kind of uncomfortable how often I end up being a source of new product news for Shane.  Apparently, he and the rest of the staff are so over-worked they don't get out much to know about anything except the slickly marketed product lines of the bigger names.  All the same, MBK's pricing rocks and allows me to buy more trains; and I know my patronage by shear volume has helped Ted, Paul and Shane all make serious dents in their boat payments. 

Yet, no one there seems to be grounded to the grassroots anymore to know the potential for products like this, and to lobby for adequate stock volume.  They're all great people and knowledgeable and I'd give my eye teeth to help any one of them, they're just not at the vanguard of what's going on and if anyone should know that universe it should be the people that stand to profit from it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Um, you realize your undercutting the LHS market and thus will end civilization as we know it?  Right Ed?   

I was wondering why the singularity next to my desk was starting to open up.

[DKS]

They're coming as fast as I can make 'em...

[rogergperkins]

Placed my order online at above link for 4 caterpillars.  Do not understand the $6.00 postage and handling; seems excessive when size/weight are considered.

[bbussey]

USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Small Box, the least expensive timely shipping option, costs $5.15 for the contiguous USA.  $6 is incredibly reasonable.

[DKS]

Placed my order online at above link for 4 caterpillars.  Do not understand the $6.00 postage and handling; seems excessive when size/weight are considered.

Probably being shipped via Priority Mail, which is over $5 right there. $1 for handling isn't excessive, IMO.

Edit: Bryan beat me to it.