Modellbahnunion

[Maurits71]

Me as born in Holland, lives in the UK and modelling British thinks this story is very offensive, and completely nonsense. Assuming you're also voting Ukip. what the.... does it matter that models designed by people from Wales, Scotland and mainland Europe, produced in China are sold by a company in Germany who has got the guts to do a special commission ( which also has to be pre-paid, so financial risk)

Instead of moaning like the worst thing ever has happened you should ask yourselves why non of the British suppliers hasn't done the same
and be grateful that at least this model is available. And for your information people from Germany can also speak your language, assuming that you can't speak theirs.

[Maurits71]

ow to be honest I wasn't serious in my above post, I was writing as a joke the same nonsense as the first poster. ( and this is serious )

[Mr Sprue]

For what it's worth I DID purchased the class 67 Diamond Jubilee from Modellbahnunion a while back for my collection.

Compared to the average price of around £85.00 the various decorations of the 67 sold for in this country through the likes of ehattons etc. I thought the total of £124.00 was a bit steep!

Anyway I wanted it and paid for it. But as a frequent customer to Dapol I felt a bit let down over what I feel was a poor marketing decision.  Regarding the wartime A4, yes I would love to have it my collection but realistically its getting a bit overpriced.

I do hope that someone in Dapol reads this post, as I am lead to believe they do hover and eavesdrop on a couple of forums.

[Mr Sprue]

ow to be honest I wasn't serious in my above post, I was writing as a joke the same nonsense as the first poster. ( and this is serious )

So it wasn't a U turn then? 

[Newportnobby]

Personally I believe it is a GOOD THING that manufacturers are prepared to make short run commissions as (a) it gives us models that wouldn't be considered 'mainstream' and (b) it is a benefit to them as they take no risk themselves in having stuff left on the shelf (a BAD THING)
Of course, small runs are going to be more costly (witness the Inspectors Saloon from Farish/NGS) but we, as a modelling community, ended up with a beautiful addition to our layouts which, under normal circumstances, would never have come about.
The manufacturers are there to mass produce and it is pleasing others are prepared to take a risk with small runs. Regardless of where they are based - we benefit.

[NeMo]

But as a frequent customer to Dapol I felt a bit let down over what I feel was a poor marketing decision.

Not sure it's a "marketing decision" on Dapol's part at all. Marketing implies they went out with a certain model trying to find retailers who'd sell it. But in this case it looks much more like MU approached Dapol and asked them to make a specific set of models exclusively for them. MU took on the risk of selling the models, not Dapol.

It's not as if this doesn't happen with UK retailers. Kernow and Osborne for sure have Dapol exclusives, for example. Some other retailers do likewise no doubt. Your real question has to be why hasn't a British retailer commissioned these designs?

For that matter, a bigger issue for me is why Dapol make such small runs of things that end up selling so well. Take those weathered china clay wagons. The money they go for on eBay is daft! Dapol: do us a favour and make some more! But then Dapol seem happy to make a gazillion livery versions of 73s and 66s, and dummy versions especially seem to hang around the shops like a bad smell.

Regarding the wartime A4, yes I would love to have it my collection but realistically its getting a bit overpriced.

Indeed, and I don't think all that pretty. Give me a Duchess any day of the week!

Cheers, NeMo

[Pengi]

I do hope that someone in Dapol reads this post, as I am lead to believe they do hover and eavesdrop on a couple of forums.

If you are unhappy about Dapol  then I think it is best that you contact them directly about this issue rather than the off-chance that they might read a post entitled Modellbahnunion.

I am going to lock this thread now as the points regarding why Modellbahnunion are producing the Mallard have been answered.

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