What's this I read on the Metcalfe Models home page that they no longer can supply mail order outside of the UK? Could we still order from other suppliers? Any thoughts or comments? ???
Quote from: bealman on June 12, 2012, 01:01:27 AM
Could we still order from other suppliers?
I don't see why not.
Most of the others still do. for sure E-hattons and otherwise use Ebay.
Br.
M.
Some companies make strange descisions. Perhaps they can't be bothered to work out the different postal charges. Buy from someone else or switch to the likes of scalescenes, downloaded and limitless copies.
You have to remember that, despite their hi-tech equipment, Metcalfe are at the 'cottage industry' end of the business. I would imagine that they either have a franking machine or have agreed postage rate with RM for their kits which is fine for UK postage but is no good for anything being sent overseas. That will require a separate trip to the Post Office which all adds to the overhead cost.
Plenty of Metcalf kits at Hobby One in Brisbane, Woodpecker in Sydney, Trainworld in Melbourne, sadly not at UK prices.
Quote from: Chinahand on June 12, 2012, 08:20:58 AM
You have to remember that, despite their hi-tech equipment, Metcalfe are at the 'cottage industry' end of the business. I would imagine that they either have a franking machine or have agreed postage rate with RM for their kits which is fine for UK postage but is no good for anything being sent overseas. That will require a separate trip to the Post Office which all adds to the overhead cost.
In this economic climate I would have thought that being a "cottage industry" would mean they could not afford to throw away business, even if it did mean a separtate trip to the post office. They could advertise that they will only post once a week for overseas orders thereby making only one trip to he post office.
If a business does not look after their customers, they won't have much of a business left.
Just my thoughts ;)
cheers John.
So what proportion of their orders come from overseas do you think ? 1% 2% It can't be much more.
The problem with shipping abroad is the tracking.
We have a franking machine at work, but due to the fact the card in the machine is provided for VAT free postings the only way we can send parcels abroad is to use "International Signed for" which cannot be tracked to the customer - it can only be tracked whilst in the UK. We have been informed that to use "Airsure" (which can be tracked to the customer) will require a new machine that can accept a card we have paid VAT on. ??? >:(
Needless to say this is not a UK issue.
However, if anyone knows differently I would love to know :thumbsup:
Hi All,
This is the information on Metcalfes home page concerning postage overseas.
ORDERS OUTSIDE THE UK
Please note that with regret we are no longer able to send mail orders outside the UK.
The parcel reselling companies who we normally deal with, are themselves no longer able to obtain significant bulk discount rates from the major parcel shipping companies. Hence the costs of shipping has increased to an unacceptable level.
Unfortunately this situation has made it impossible for us to offer a competitive service to customers outside the United Kingdom.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
clear and honest explanation I think, and as a business man myself I can only back them up, if you can't be competitive with the big boys don't do it and spent your valuable time in giving the best possible service in areas were you can be competitive.
Quote
In this economic climate I would have thought that being a "cottage industry" would mean they could not afford to throw away business, even if it did mean a separtate trip to the post office. They could advertise that they will only post once a week for overseas orders thereby making only one trip to he post office.
If a business does not look after their customers, they won't have much of a business left.
Just my thoughts ;)
cheers John.
From a business point of view sometimes you have to throw away business, if the cost are getting too high in comparing with the profit there's no point being busy with nothing.
Don't understand me wrong, I will always value every business but you have to make difficult decisions sometimes and I can see why Metcalfe has done this.
This seems to be the way of the world now.
Everything seems to be too expensive to do anything now.
However, if a buyer can accept the cost of the postage and packaging on top of the retail price I really can't see the problem in individually sending the item(s). It may cause a little problem in sending an employee off to the post office but at least it just might keep the business going.
Regards
And how much do you think it costs to employ someone for an hour, not to mention the lost production of what they would otherwise be doing ?
I wonder what your reaction would be if £20 postage & packaging was added to a £5 cardboard kit. Outrage I suspect. But then you're probably in the UK so it won't affect you.
Presumably Metcalfe are still sold through the likes of Hattons and Rails, who must do enough overseas business to exploit economies of scale that aren't available to small suppliers like Metcalfe.
Metcalfe then have the choice of losing money on the transaction or passing on the cost to customers. The latter option makes them uncompetitive on price, so they get fewer overseas orders, so the unit cost of satisfying those that remain increases further to create a vicious circle. For non-EU customers the refunding of VAT is probably another hassle they can do without.
This isn't a case of these kits no longer being available outside the UK. It's just a question of buying them from a choice of other suppliers, some at least having excellent reputations for delivering around the world. Metcalfe still makes the kit so still makes some money out of the transaction, and if they have got their sums right they will be better off and therefore more likely to stay in business.
I really don't see what there is to worry about here.
I agree Edwin. They have made a choice not to supply direct as they are not competitive. Look them up at the other suppliers... Hattons do VERY good post rates AND VAT free.
Or move to Scalescenes, no delivery charge, print as many as you want, kitbash, and much more accurate to scale!
I usually find its cheaper to buy from an online trader than it is to buy direct from the Importer or manufacturer, examples being Hornby and Bachmann.
Sounds like a bit of Dog eat Dog stuff to me, Metcalf damaged Superquick sales and now I believe Scalescenes may be hurting Metcalf.
I typed a reply to all this about an hour ago, but cyberspace seems to have claimed it- either that or I hit the wrong button, which is more likely. If it shows up and you all read this twice, sorry.
Wow, I didn't think when I typed that this morning, it would be so educational. As a guy who has earned a salary all his life, I did not consider the stress involved in running your own business (mind you I can assure you there is stress in my line of work also).
More to the point, I never even really considered the marketing and retail 'push' required to get something like Metcalfe going. I do understand it all, but for some reason, model railways being a hobby to me, I never really gave serious consideraton to the business side of it, and I am in total awe of people who are prepared to attempt to make a living out of their hobby (and I know there are people on this forum who do).
As edwin_m states, Metcalfe is a cottage industry and there are outlets where their products will be available. It was just a knee-jerk reaction from me when I saw their homepage this morning.
They are, indeed, an English cottage industry success story, and if you are reading this at Metcalfe Models, you are a legend and keep up the innovations!
Cheers to all who have contributed above. You have enlightened this often misguided ex-schoolteacher.
Quote from: Chinahand on June 12, 2012, 11:27:16 AM
And how much do you think it costs to employ someone for an hour, not to mention the lost production of what they would otherwise be doing ?
I wonder what your reaction would be if £20 postage & packaging was added to a £5 cardboard kit. Outrage I suspect. But then you're probably in the UK so it won't affect you.
I quite agree and it is a good point Trevor however, in reality you would try and make multiple purchases would you not? to make the extra shipping costs worthwhile. I would have thought that they would at least give overseas buyers the option of paying the higher costs if they so desired. I don't know how it works for you out in Asia regarding customs and import tax, coming this way it can be prohibitive, but if you can make bulk purchases without penalty, perhaps even inflated shipping costs would still make such a purchase viable.
In the current climate it is a difficult situation for any retailer to find themselves in, but as you alluded to the bottom line is the bottom line. Hopefully there are still good options for forum members in far flung lands
Not shipping abroad, or excluding certain countries (USA, Nigeria and some others) also massively reduces your insurance cost. Big deal for small businesses.
Alan
Metcalfe is a cottage industry that makes cottages!