forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => What's New => Topic started by: Dave W on December 11, 2015, 07:18:50 AM
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Seen on another forum is this comment- attributed to Richard Alexander of Wingnut Wings on the question of when free shipping of their kits is likely to end.
I have no proof the attributed remarks are from Richard so take them with the proverbial grain of salt but they are from a forum that regularly quotes him.
"Free shipping will need to end shortly but not necessarily at the end of this year, it will probably be sometime before the middle of 2016. We will give people some advance warning before this happens."
If true this would address the question many have had whether the increased price of the new releases is a trade off against postage costs. Apparently not.
Buy 'em while you can guys because if they impose postage costs on top of higher prices and we cope with exchange rates and VAT charges and Parcelforce costs and who knows what other costs, these models are going to become less affordable to those on tight budgets.
The Albatros B.II and DH9A Post War kits each cost $A 163 with our current exchange rate to the Aussie dollar. Add postage to that and they could top $A200 apiece. Lets hope WnW can negotiate a really cheap bulk postage deal because at the moment sending a model from Australia to America costs over $50, even more if sending one from New Zealand.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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I'm surprised that they are waiting until mid 2016, I fully expected the free post to be dropped just after Christmas. It will certainly add substantially to the cost of a kit, luckily here in Australia we don't have import duties or taxes, yet.
Des.
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If they chop the free shipping, they will feel it on anything that is not sent to the USA. Here in Europe the crappy euro rate against the dollar has probably put a dent in their sales and to pay shipping on top would definitely curb the stashers. I'd imagine American fans could swallow the shipping while the dollar rate is high. I would be curious to know how as a New Zealand company the pricing with an external currency which can fluctuate is worked out.
Cheers
Andrew
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I expect their distribution model will be revamped with the end of free shipping...
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It's flim-flam. They don't know what to do.
I should imagine that the company was thought up between PJ, RA and possibly others over a few beers after a model show seven or eight years ago. PJ probably said, come to me with a pitch and I'll have a look at it.
I surmise he might have responded to the pitch by offering to fully fund it for five years providing they made a few of his favourite subjects. After that they had to be self-supporting. Perhaps the Felixstowe was the last of his wishlist.
Then, a period of drought while they decide how to continue, some special offers, price increases, test the market re shipping, and announce a market winner like the Camel. Probably quite a lot riding on how well that does.
Maybe I'm talking through a hole in my hat, but it just seems like a different company from the one firing out new releases every few months until the long-gestated AEG finally appeared. That company knew no financial worries. I think the present one does.
My tuppence FWIW again, your mileage may vary and be more accurate than mine.
Certainly hope they do well whatever they decide.
S
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If I were WNW, I would consider bumping up the prices on their entire lineup and keep the free shipping.
There's something about free shipping that makes a purchase more palatable.
Maybe its just me, but thats what I think.
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waldo the euro is worth more than the dollar still i dont understand what you mean?
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I expect their distribution model will be revamped with the end of free shipping...
I see that as the sensible option too Bo. Shipping and import duties being a considerable expense that is seen rightly or wrongly by most (myself included) as being on top of the price. When pricing against *locally* purchaced mainstream manufacturers.
The way forward in a case like that is to have several regional appointed stockists for their products in various points around the globe which too might stop some of the mark ups we see from companies that do resell WNW kitsets.
I'm sure they won't do something without thinking about the long term interest it would possibly lose them.
Keith
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waldo the euro is worth more than the dollar still i dont understand what you mean?
Hi Albatros
A few years ago the euro was worth $1.65 now it's almost 1 to 1 I think you'll get the picture. I had recently to buy some pickup making wire from the USA the price to anyone in the USA was $500 dollars my end price was $500 + shipping $80 + taxes $160 work that out for yourself and you can see why anything priced with the dollar starts becoming too expensive (at least in the Eurozone)
Cheers
Andrew
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waldo the euro is worth more than the dollar still i dont understand what you mean?
Hi Albatros
A few years ago the euro was worth $1.65 now it's almost 1 to 1 I think you'll get the picture. I had recently to buy some pickup making wire from the USA the price to anyone in the USA was $500 dollars my end price was $500 + shipping $80 + taxes $160 work that out for yourself and you can see why anything priced with the dollar starts becoming too expensive (at least in the Eurozone)
Cheers
Andrew
Right you are Andrew, and add to that the handeling (mostly damaging our nice boxes that is) costs of the custom "services".
Kind regards
Patrick
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I expect their distribution model will be revamped with the end of free shipping...
I see that as the sensible option too Bo. Shipping and import duties being a considerable expense that is seen rightly or wrongly by most (myself included) as being on top of the price. When pricing against *locally* purchaced mainstream manufacturers.
The way forward in a case like that is to have several regional appointed stockists for their products in various points around the globe which too might stop some of the mark ups we see from companies that do resell WNW kitsets.
I'm sure they won't do something without thinking about the long term interest it would possibly lose them.
Keith
I think you both are correct even if it takes a while to put it all in place. IIRC they have already put two distributers in place so it seems natural that more will follow when free shipping ends. Since I usually only purchase 1 to 2 of their kits per year I could handle $10.00 to $20.00 shipping. Over that it could begin to make a difference. As an example I paid $16.00 for shipping on the 1/32nd Sabre I ordered from Lucky Models last week. This still came out less costly than buying one from a US distributer :o
RAGIII
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Worldwide distribution is the way to go, place one, or two, distributors in each country around the world and allow them to sell the kits and they will have to charge postage to send out the kits, this takes the pressure off Wingnuts about their free post. Wingnuts would then become a wholesale warehouse where all they do (apart from producing kits) is to send bulk supplies out to all of their distributors.
This method would also benefit all the modelers, they would have a choice of where to purchase their kits from and maybe save a bit on postage, plus having multiple stores around the world selling the same kits may generate a bit of competition on price, I think it would be a win - win situation.
Des.
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Worldwide distribution is the way to go, place one, or two, distributors in each country around the world and allow them to sell the kits and they will have to charge postage to send out the kits, this takes the pressure off Wingnuts about their free post. Wingnuts would then become a wholesale warehouse where all they do (apart from producing kits) is to send bulk supplies out to all of their distributors.
This method would also benefit all the modelers, they would have a choice of where to purchase their kits from and maybe save a bit on postage, plus having multiple stores around the world selling the same kits may generate a bit of competition on price, I think it would be a win - win situation.
Des.
I agree with Des.
Either set up world wide distributers or build the free shipping into the kits price increase.
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Either set up world wide distributers or build the free shipping into the kits price increase.
.....er, then it isn't free shipping.
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I know, but (at least for me) there's something about having the final price go up dramatically due to shipping that's a real turn off. Its like those travel deals we see here advertised on the TV. Great last minute deal to Mexico, one week, all inclusive, $799. Then you read the tax add on and the actual price ends up being $1299! What a turn off. :(
Maybe if they bumped the price up somewhat and kept the shipping to say somothing like $9.99, that would be better than a $79 kit plus $20 shipping (or more).
I'm odd that way. :o but I would rather pay more for the kit and less for its delivery than the other way around. Although I wouldn't have the kit in my hands without that delivery, it's the kit in my hands that has the real value to me.
I often will add to my amazon order items I wasn't necessarily going to get right away just to bump me over the minimal free shipping threshold.
Like I said, I guess I'm just odd! ;)
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Like I said, I guess I'm just odd! ;)
Hi Chuck!
Yes, that's damn odd.
Guess I'm not the only one then! ;D
Ciao
Iwik
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Either set up world wide distributers or build the free shipping into the kits price increase.
.....er, then it isn't free shipping.
Free shipping doesn't exist - it's always built into the price on any product regularly sold on a 'free shipping' basis such as WnW kits.
Regards
Russell
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I was gonna say weather they make it cost $20 more and say shipping is free, or charge $20 for shipping, you do realize it still costs the same.....Setting up a a distributor on different continents makes sense. As we have discussed here, WNW is growing, it may have started as an experiment, but now they have turned into a major player so they are growing into their shoes. A logical next step would be worldwide distribution. I would assume at they point they may actually get a bigger audience. I know we all know but believe it or not there are modelers I run into who don't really know who they are. Or might have heard of them but they don't really know about it. I think if this stuff is more readily available, and people can see the kits, and their fan base will only get larger. I think this is just the very ground floor for these guys.....I'm still saying, within two years (prob less) we will see another major existing company release a 1/32 WW1 aeroplane kit
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Just imagine modelers walking into their usual hobby shop anywhere around the world and seeing a range of Wingnut kits sitting on the shelf, this certainly would attract their attention and could draw them into buying and building WW1 aircraft, the box art on all the Wingnut kits are very attractive and are screaming out - look at me, look at me.
Des.
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The way forward in a case like that is to have several regional appointed stockists for their products in various points around the globe which too might stop some of the mark ups we see from companies that do resell WNW kitsets.
I think (hope!) this will be the way things might evolve into.
S.
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Setting up world wide distributers and getting these kits on hobby shop (and more online shops) shelves makes the most sense. I would be willing to pay more to be able to get the kit at my local hobby shop right away.
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Just imagine modelers walking into their usual hobby shop anywhere around the world and seeing a range of Wingnut kits sitting on the shelf, this certainly would attract their attention and could draw them into buying and building WW1 aircraft, the box art on all the Wingnut kits are very attractive and are screaming out - look at me, look at me.
Des.
Yes we have that in Kilbirnie in Wellington. The Hobby Stop has all the WNW kits on the shelves and they look fantastic!
Cheers
James
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Jamo- how do the shop prices in Kilbirnie stack up versus the price direct from Wingnuts? I'm wondering whether a distribution model would see a significant increase in price to cover distribution/ shop markups etc, or would the increase be minimal ?
I'm imagining the Wellington shop prices are in Kiwi dollars but are they are a straight conversion of the Wingnuts US Dollar price?
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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Just imagine modelers walking into their usual hobby shop anywhere around the world and seeing a range of Wingnut kits sitting on the shelf, this certainly would attract their attention and could draw them into buying and building WW1 aircraft, the box art on all the Wingnut kits are very attractive and are screaming out - look at me, look at me.
Des.
Here In Japan they are distributed by Beaver Corp ((Snigger)) and many a time I have found that upon arriving at the checkout at the hobby section of the store a new Wingnut Wings kit has fallen in to the basket by accident, too embarrassed to tell the clerk that a mistake has been made, I admittedly make the purchase to hide my shame.
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It's all you can do.....
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Here in Blighty I've just ordered the latest two realeases and it works out at about £80 per kit. Hannants are showing the DH9 at about £130 so whether I'll be paying an extra £50 per kit in taxes remains to be seen.
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Toby - Hannants is my local 'model shop'. They have always sold WnW at a straight pound per dollar as per WnW's pricing. The local model club is privileged to get a 10% discount but even so the last two models I have ordered direct from NZ have shown a (very) slight saving over that even after paying the VAT and postal service fee of £8. They have just this last week raised the price by £10 per kit over the range. I have just ordered a BII from NZ which has converted to £82 - it will be interesting to see what the saving is, if any, over the new price increase once the VAT and that annoying fee is added.
Tug
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Toby - Hannants is my local 'model shop'. They have always sold WnW at a straight pound per dollar as per WnW's pricing. The local model club is privileged to get a 10% discount but even so the last two models I have ordered direct from NZ have shown a (very) slight saving over that even after paying the VAT and postal service fee of £8. They have just this last week raised the price by £10 per kit over the range. I have just ordered a BII from NZ which has converted to £82 - it will be interesting to see what the saving is, if any, over the new price increase once the VAT and that annoying fee is added.
Tug
I've just received two kits direct from WnW, the cost including UK VAT & the service fee was £145 in round figures. Hannants price would have been £190.
The VAT was 20% of the WnW price when converted to sterling & the Parcel Force fee was the usual £8.
£45 ($67) is a saving worth having in my opinion.
One kit was the Albatros (OWA), the other was the DFW C.V (Mid).
Regards
Russell
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Can I assume Russell that £190 would be Hannants latest pricing?
There's no doubt that while the WnW current pricing structure remains it's going to be much the better option to order direct - from the UK that is - and from your situation much the better option
I can't remember the exact total but I sent for the SE5 special first off and after VAT etc that came out just over three pounds cheaper than the previous Hannants price less our usual discount. The 'bonus' book of course would have bumped that well up had I bought it here.
The BII should come out around £106/7 - can but wait and see
Regards - Tug
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Just remember folks: nothing in life is free, not even shipping. Also, EVERYTHING, and I mean everything, is a limited edition.
Period.
Merry Christmas,
Warren
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Took advantage of it while I had the chance and ordered the Rumpler Early before that free shipping got jacked up
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Just as a quick comparison for the Wingnuts SE.5a 'Hisso'
Hannants £66.66 plus post ($98.91 US at the current currency exchange rate plus post)
Hobbylink Japan $95.45 US plus post
Wingnut Wings $69.00 free post
Des.
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Seen on another forum is this comment- attributed to Richard Alexander of Wingnut Wings on the question of when free shipping of their kits is likely to end.
I have no proof the attributed remarks are from Richard so take them with the proverbial grain of salt but they are from a forum that regularly quotes him.
"Free shipping will need to end shortly but not necessarily at the end of this year, it will probably be sometime before the middle of 2016. We will give people some advance warning before this happens."
If true this would address the question many have had whether the increased price of the new releases is a trade off against postage costs. Apparently not.
Buy 'em while you can guys because if they impose postage costs on top of higher prices and we cope with exchange rates and VAT charges and Parcelforce costs and who knows what other costs, these models are going to become less affordable to those on tight budgets.
The Albatros B.II and DH9A Post War kits each cost $A 163 with our current exchange rate to the Aussie dollar. Add postage to that and they could top $A200 apiece. Lets hope WnW can negotiate a really cheap bulk postage deal because at the moment sending a model from Australia to America costs over $50, even more if sending one from New Zealand.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
[/quote/]
Hi.
The other forum was and is Large Scale Modeller and I can assure that the info is good as was I who post that news and got the info directly from WnW.
Regards
Fran
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Here in Blighty I've just ordered the latest two realeases and it works out at about £80 per kit. Hannants are showing the DH9 at about £130 so whether I'll be paying an extra £50 per kit in taxes remains to be seen.
Got the final bill from Parcelforce and a very pleasant surprise. £21. So 2 WNW kits that would've cost well over £220 here finally cost me just over £180.
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A pleasant surprise indeed Toby - sounds like you dipped in ok there paying the same as I have for one kit. My BII arrived yesterday, the total cost of that was £103 and I was charged £21.07 for that - £13.07 for VAT plus the usual £8 service charge. Of course you only have to pay that £8 if you have two or more kits.
From what I understand 'import duty' comes into effect once the goods value £135 and only then if the duty is more than £9.00 but how the duty is calculated percentage wise appears to be a mystery. It certainly appears sensible to order more than one kit at a time if funds allow.
I also noticed on my label yesterday that no postage is stated, only the overall value of the kit - '$119'. As I'm sure you're aware the VAT is calculated on the value of goods plus postage so it looks like that that is another small 'bonus' to our advantage.
I await with interest to see what Hannants will be charging for the BII once it's on the shelf, based on their current structure I would guess £130 - as you say quite a saving.
Long may the free postage remain :)
Regards - Tug
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Lucky those of us in the USA. And I guess we can expect a price of $119 for all future 2-seaters--still a deal !
Ed