Directed mainly at Forum members outside the UK

[longbridge]

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.

[Bealman]

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.

[Lawrence]

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

[EtchedPixels]

Not shipping abroad, or excluding certain countries (USA, Nigeria and some others) also massively reduces your insurance cost. Big deal for small businesses.

Alan

[edwin_m]

Metcalfe is a cottage industry that makes cottages!