Wingnut Wings price hike from January 1

[Dave W]

Wingnut Wings is increasing the prices of its model kits from January 1.

An official email from Richard Alexander at WNW states:

"Upcoming price changes

Due to increasing costs and the continued low value of the US$ we will reluctantly need to update many of our prices in the New Year. Despite the value of the US$ dropping by more than 25% against the NZ$ since Wingnut Wings opened in April 2009 we have been able to hold most of these price increases to just 6% to 12%. These changes will take effect from 1 January 2013 (NZ time)."


Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[Chris Johnson]

I sure hope they retain the free postage feature. Even though it's built into the price of the kit, I'm a sucker for free postage advertisements. It's a great marketing tool.

Cheers,

Chris

[Dekenba]

I had better order the Hanover & perhaps another Fokker, just to save some money.

And another Albatross would be good as well.

[Jose Chaica]

I had better order the Hanover & perhaps another Fokker, just to save some money.

And another Albatross would be good as well.

I think that the target for the price increase will be the older releases, such as the Junkers, the Bristol Fighter, and perhaps the Albatros. I´m quite sure that the newest releases have already taken these increases into account, when setting the sale price.

[lcarroll]

I had better order the Hanover & perhaps another Fokker, just to save some money.

And another Albatross would be good as well.

I think that the target for the price increase will be the older releases, such as the Junkers, the Bristol Fighter, and perhaps the Albatros. I´m quite sure that the newest releases have already taken these increases into account, when setting the sale price.

I sure hope you're right concerning the new releases Jose. The free postage / included postage would be a welcome "keeper" as well.
Cheers,
Lance

[Des]

Wingnut Wings offered the free postage when they initially started selling their kits back in 2009, this was a deal to encourage people to purchase their kits but it was only supposed to be a short lived offer. Customers became accustomed to this free postage and expected it to apply to all kits from then and forever, Wingnuts were stuck between a rock and a hard place. To start clawing back some of the free postage charges, the price of kits have been rising steadily with each new release having an extra few dollars added. This latest news is just another way of Wingnuts saying that we are now charging for post but we won't say anything to anyone, we'll put it down to the economic climate. If I was in business I would do exactly the same thing, postage costs are enormous and would be cutting a huge hole in profits (bear in mind though that Wingnuts is not a profit orientated business  ), so to charge for postage is a very sensible approach, they just call it something else.

People will continue to purchase Wingnut kits not only because of their brilliant kits but because of the 'free postage' worldwide, it is a huge drawcard and encourages people to buy from them instead of elsewhere, just remember, you are paying for postage in the long run.

Des.

[Fokker Ace]

Too bad about the increase. The prices now are what I consider fair for a kit plus shipping, $79 for the new DVII is close to my limit for a single kit and does restrict how many I can afford. Since WNW is the sole distributor there's no counting on sales, either.

[Ian from Doncaster]

Folks will continue to buy WNW because of the quality of the models.  Some buyers may buy less frequently with the higher prices but I don't expect WNW would price themselves out of the market.

[Ian from Doncaster]

Hannants in the UK has just taken delivery (so it would appear) of several Eindecker sets from WNW, retailing them at UK£65.99.  If you select the standard delivery, this is free (in the UK - not sure if that applies overseas though). 

If UK buyers order these from Hannants the cost is roughly £5 more than the US$ equivalent from WNW direct, once you add on the VAT and Parcelforce release fees.  So for £5 ish extra, you can get a model within the UK in a few days or so.  This is before any WNW price rise, but possibly there won't be a rise on the Eindecker prices as they are new releases?

I am tempted.

[miamiangler]

I just ordered three kits just for the savings .I was going to buy them next year . Oh well X-mass present too me

                                                                                                                                                                  Willi

[eclarson]

I just ordered three kits just for the savings .I was going to buy them next year . Oh well X-mass present too me

                                                                                                                                                                  Willi

Same here, although I only ordered one.  An Albatros D.V to go with the D.Va already in my stash.  I figured I'd beat the price hike and also the risk of them selling out soon since it's one of the earlier releases.

One question I have is in regards to their posted Close Off Dates for International Shipping.  Are those dates the cut offs only if you want to receive the kit(s) by Christmas or shipping in general? 

Cheers and Merry Christmas to all!

Eric

[Dave W]

"One question I have is in regards to their posted Close Off Dates for International Shipping.  Are those dates the cut offs only if you want to receive the kit(s) by Christmas or shipping in general? "

Eric,

As I understand it the postage cutoff dates were to ensure delivery to the nominated countries by Christmas Day. Wingnut has indicated it is continuing to process orders right up to its holiday closure tomorrow ( December 21 NZ time), but delivery will of course be subject to the whims of the postal authorities and possibly some delays caused by the massive volume of parcels criss-crossing the world right now.

This is an assumption but kits ordered before January 1 2013 should not be subject to the higher prices, if the order is in the system by then.

Wingnut in its official email notifying customers of the price rise also stated we can continue to lodge orders while the business is closed for the holidays. Here's Richard Alexander's remarks:

"Please remember that Wingnut Wings will be on holiday from 21 December 2012 until 14 January 2013. You can continue to place orders through our website after 21 December 2012 but we will not be able to answer emails or process orders until after 14 January 2013. We anticipate there will be a substantial number of orders and emails when we return on 14 January 2013 and appreciate your patience while we work our way through them.

Cheers

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[Ian from Doncaster]

As far as I can tell, the ordering system is automated and for the present, will be set at the current prices and won't change until updated by WNW.  Maybe they have already programmed rises in but that won't be apparent until an order is placed.  I was fortunate enough to earn myself a bonus at work which was paid this week, so after I have covered my christmas expenses I may see what is left, and also what WNW gifts I may (or may not) receive, before ordering. 

There are some of the models in the range I would like to have for future builds that I may order whilst I have the spare money, in case of going out of production!

[miamiangler]

   I paid by Paypal and came up with the older price .I hope it will still be shipped tomorrow ,but I wont be building them that soon so if they arrive next year I don't mind . I just heard from a friend that the Roland was next inline  ,so  I had to order that one forsure (only rumor) but just incase.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Willi

[eclarson]

"As I understand it the postage cutoff dates were to ensure delivery to the nominated countries by Christmas Day. Wingnut has indicated it is continuing to process orders right up to its holiday closure tomorrow ( December 21 NZ time), but delivery will of course be subject to the whims of the postal authorities and possibly some delays caused by the massive volume of parcels criss-crossing the world right now...."

Thanks for the response, Dave.  That's what I figured but wasn't sure.  No worries for me either way.  I'm in no hurry as the kit is destined for the closet anyway.    I imagine they're getting bombarded with last minute orders, especially after that price-hike announcement.

Eric