Biggest concern for me, is the quality worth the wait? So far, it's a yes.
And, will rumbling about delays cause quality gaps in rushing to get the product out?
That concerns me. I don't like things rushed to market. Especially expensive things.
Disclaimer- I'm not an importer, have no experience with offshore builders, and have no idea what a reasonable time line is for a high-complexity brass model like Kohs (or GPM, or Key etc) does.
quote:Originally posted by mwb:
The definition of clarity,
From Shrek the Third - Pinocchio's answer to Prince Charming when asked where is Shrek - trying not to lie - crystal clear isn't it.
quote:Originally posted by LLKJR:quote:Originally posted by mwb:
The definition of clarity,
From Shrek the Third - Pinocchio's answer to Prince Charming when asked where is Shrek - trying not to lie - crystal clear isn't it.
Yes, probably "lifted" or inspired by text from the Congressional Record,
quote:Originally posted by mwb:
Yes, probably "lifted" or inspired by text from the Congressional Record,
Your reply still has us all laughing at work. How true!
Wow, this thread is an eye-opener. I can't imagine paying $3K in advance for something and then waiting 3 years for it. Can you imaging buying an iMac and waiting 3 years for delivery?
What other business expects their customers to provide working capital for their manufacturing? No "real" business would stay in business very long. Why doesn't Kohs use the sales from earlier runs to finance subsequent runs? Isn't that how it's done?
You guys must be very patient, or their product must be very good. Maybe if they didn't get paid in advance they'd have some incentive to deliver the product.
What other business expects their customers to provide working capital for their manufacturing? No "real" business would stay in business very long. Why doesn't Kohs use the sales from earlier runs to finance subsequent runs? Isn't that how it's done?
You guys must be very patient, or their product must be very good. Maybe if they didn't get paid in advance they'd have some incentive to deliver the product.
Let's watch this one closely.
I don't often visit this forum as I model in On3 and Sn3. The title of this thread caught my interest as I recently (about a month ago) placed a call to George to see if I could still reserve a PRR N5b Cabin Car. Well George (never spoke to him before)returned my call within a couple days, spent a good amount of time talking about the Cabin Car (which I was able to order), "O" scale in general and then he followed up sending me the latest info on this car as well as color Project Information flyers on several Kohs freight cars I picked up on ebay late last Summer. He couldn't have been nicer or more helpful and for nothing more than an expression of interest in a $600. caboose. Pretty good guy in my book! Just thought I would share my recent experience. John Douglass
Another month has passed. Have we made any progress?
Any news?
Key never takes a deposit. Ed
Ed: Kohs is also a younger importer. OMI takes deposits. nw2124
quote:Originally posted by brasman:
Key never takes a deposit. Ed
Maybe it was the Key dealer that requested a deposit.
I've got to hand it to importers that risk their own capital.
A small good faith deposit is not the issue. Did any large amounts change hands?
Ted: What is the issue? I know of three importers that take deposits and know of a fourth that is considering it. Times a changing! Brass manufacfures have not in the pass requested money up front. There are several reasons why manufactures are now requesting front money.
1)raw materials are costing more for the manufacture
2)some importers have bankrupted the manufactures (a Big one)
3)importers stuck with stock not taken by dealers/customers (happening more and more with job insecurities.)
I am just courious why you are so persistant about other people's money?
Do you have a deposit with an importer? If you do not like deposits do not buy their products. I like the deposits because it spreads out the amount of money due over time. I rather pay 1/3 of $10,000 for a loco than pay it all at once.
nw2124
"Progress - either you are for it, or get out the way!"... SLR
1)raw materials are costing more for the manufacture
2)some importers have bankrupted the manufactures (a Big one)
3)importers stuck with stock not taken by dealers/customers (happening more and more with job insecurities.)
I am just courious why you are so persistant about other people's money?
Do you have a deposit with an importer? If you do not like deposits do not buy their products. I like the deposits because it spreads out the amount of money due over time. I rather pay 1/3 of $10,000 for a loco than pay it all at once.
nw2124
"Progress - either you are for it, or get out the way!"... SLR
If Kohs takes small, good faith deposits it's probably a non issue. Partial or advance payments can be an issue if the importer runs into finaniac problems it can cause problems.
However, I'm a bystander on this one so it's a matter of curiosity.
However, I'm a bystander on this one so it's a matter of curiosity.
quote:Originally posted by Ted Tully: However, I'm a bystander on this one so it's a matter of curiosity.
Ted, here's the reality of it:
Take a survey of how many people on this (or any other) forum want this or that engine in brass.
Import it. (presume this process takes a year or two)
Having taken NO deposit for this project, go back to those same people and see how many actually cough up the money!
Maybe you would like to take a crack at importing something with only the word of your potential customers as collateral????
To quote John Smith former Pecos River Brass Importer: "If you want to make a small fortune Importing brass, start with a large one."
My apologies to John if I didn't get that exactly right, but the general gist of it is there.
Simon
quote:Having taken NO deposit for this project, go back to those same people and see how many actually cough up the money!
Maybe you would like to take a crack at importing something with only the word of your potential customers as collateral????
That is the way Scott Mann of Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot does business, and it seems to work for him.
quote:Originally posted by Ted Tully:
However, I'm a bystander on this one so it's a matter of curiosity.
Let me assure you, Ted, that being a by-stander looking for honest answers and/or information regarding this topic is a good way to find out you'd be safer in a foxhole under cover....
You should not confuse the Sunset 3rd rail business model with the importers of exclusively O scale 2 rail brass engines. These sell to a much more limited market and today are very highly detailed and require carefull handling, needless to say the pricing reflects these superdetailed models. Sunset sells primarly to a much larger 3 rail market with a small number of products from each run being available as 2 rail models. This has been a very good market for Sunset and his products have improved detail wise over the years. Bottom line his market is large and secure enough to rely on reservations rather than cash deposits to sell out his products.
