...... Any company that does not listen to their customers is a company heading for disaster.
Sadly I think that is prescient.
Whilst loving the kits and being ever grateful that WNW ever came into being, I'd like to grab the Directors of the company and give them a good shake as to where they are going. The models are fantastic and my concern is that PJ pulls the plug on a cash drain and we see no more.
Although I turn away from paying a lot of money for the donkeys that are of no interest to me - like the J.I or the B.II (each to his own), the truth is I would pay anything they might ask for a Dolphin or a Strutter or a Pfalz D.VIII. (You'll see from my (very) old WWI Modelling site galleries that I love Sopwith and Pfalz subjects.)
However, if the prices were lower I would buy everything available - even the J.I - and the idea of a "Lite" version would certainly hurt my Paypal account severely.
I'm sure others feel the same about the Dolphin and B.II in reverse.
Having spent a large part of my 35 years in IT as a dealer manager for IBM and Wang, I had to assess company structures, advise on changes to accounting procedures and marketing and ultimately present a case to the board for taking on, keeping or parting ways with a dealer. I scream out when I see WNW with a fantastic sellable product like the Fokker D.VII - where all the R&D, tooling and marketing has been invested - and they've stopped making it!!!!!!
This would be fine if PJ was still pouring in the money but all the recent statements about profitability etc indicate strongly that the free ride on the gravy train has stopped.
For goodness sake Wingnuts, if you read this at all, please listen to your customers. Set up a poll on your website asking for what people want. Ask for upfront commitment to buy if you want. Look at diversifying your retail outlets and products. The Lite option is a brilliant idea: assuming your moulds are not crumbling, the quick re-issue of the Fokker in this format would immediately make your cashflow look healthier. Just pour the plastic, add a single sheet of decals and offer instructions on the web. Heck, you could even omit decals but offer a voucher in the box for a discount on the lozenge or markings decals already available.
There are so many options. All they need to do is open up to their customers and open a two-way suggestions and voting facility on their website.
Of course, maybe the cunning plan is very devious and even more clever. Perhaps they actually have shedloads of Fokker D.VII but are selling them all clandestinely via eBay at hugely inflated prices!
Sandy
