Directed mainly at Forum members outside the UK

[Bealman]

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?

[Chinahand]

Could we still order from other suppliers?

I don't see why not.

[Maurits71]

Most of the others still do. for sure E-hattons and otherwise use Ebay.

Br.

M.

[Jerry Howlett]

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.

[Chinahand]

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.

[longbridge]

Plenty of Metcalf kits at Hobby One in Brisbane, Woodpecker in Sydney, Trainworld in Melbourne, sadly not at UK prices.

[scotsoft]

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.

[Chinahand]

So what proportion of their orders come from overseas do you think ? 1% 2% It can't be much more.

[Newportnobby]

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

[upnick]

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.

[Maurits71]

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.

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.

[Joe 90]

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

[Chinahand]

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.

[edwin_m]

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. 

[Mustermark]

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!