[Spinnaker]

I see that the deleting of posts is still alive and well at The Model Hanger :-/

[jim]

Just a quick comment,

If Corgi are more biased in favour of UK collectors would it have anything to do with the fact that in the UK Corgi can charge double for their models?

I am drifting away from Corgi because of price more than anything.

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by jim

Just a quick comment,

If Corgi are more biased in favour of UK collectors would it have anything to do with the fact that in the UK Corgi can charge double for their models?

I am drifting away from Corgi because of price more than anything.

Couldn't you get around that by ordering your models from a dealer here in the US? Or would the shipping charges kill any savings you would get?
Also, would you still have to pay the VAT or other taxes on any models you buy over here?

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Couldn't you get around that by ordering your models from a dealer here in the US? Or would the shipping charges kill any savings you would get?

Also, would you still have to pay the VAT or other taxes on any models you buy over here?

Her Majesty's 'Custom's & Excise' are a bit busy round a 'Pound-Note'

Some things escape their 'net', others not...........

It's often 'Pot-Luck' (luck of the draw, as to what gets through !)

As I couldn't order some of the Fender (Guitar) spares I wanted, I used to buy them from a well-known (& brisk-trading) American E-bay site, called 'The Stratosphere' (eloquently named after Fender's finest, the Stratocaster !).
The place trades out of Boston, USA.........(ironic, as I live opposite Boston, UK, which it's named after !).

I got away with the expensive & precious things I wanted = an early '80's Strat'Guitar-case, & an Ultra-Rare Brand-New Left-Handed Scratchplate (from an expensive & rare Left-Handed 'Deluxe' model........) = MUCHO HAPPY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, the B*****d's tried to 'sting' me, on "Custom's-Charge" for a tiny little 'Jiffy-Bag' containing small plastic Volume & tone knobs !

I was DUMBFOUNDED !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Like I'm gonna pay an £18 "Custom's-Charge" on parts that would fit inside a Cigarette-packet

Being honest, it's not worth 'Running the Gauntlet', unless you REALLY can't obtain stuff (like those L/H Strat' parts, here in the UK.)


I'd imagine Jim, being a shrewd-Yorkshireman, would be well advised to mail-order stuff (in the UK.) that's on special-deals, like some of the Modelzone, or 'Mr 'J's, the well known Norfolk-dealer........

Can still get Catalina's & Lysander's at Low-money, amongst others !!!!!!!!!

[jim]

Rush you have to take the risk of the ever watchful Customs killjoys,
I have only been stung once, Lorraine was worried that I would burst a blood vessel I was so mad.
However after paying the duty the price was about what I would have had to pay in the UK so I suppose I didnt lose out.

Hornchurch,
I have bought a lot of planes from the US over the last couple of years and always had good service and excellent prices.

Shipping is a real pain now, costs have risen over the last year but even so bargains are still to be had.
Good friends on the forum have been a big help and either pointed me in the right direction or taken time out to obtain planes for me.
My GMP P40s spring to mind, they were bargains, even after shipping they were a great deal.
( I am still in search of the RAF one at a price I can afford).

I just cannot understand why Corgi hit us so hard in the UK.
As an example no way will I pay £80 for a JU 88.

I keep an eye on ebay to see whats going but I have noticed ebay prices have been on the up this last few months.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Couldn't you get around that by ordering your models from a dealer here in the US? Or would the shipping charges kill any savings you would get?
Also, would you still have to pay the VAT or other taxes on any models you buy over here?

It's interesting you should mention that, Rush, as when I order items from the U.S. I always get banged full-throttle by Canada Customs (Fed & Provicial tax PLUS handling fee?!), but when I bring in the same items from the U.K., they ALWAYS sail in under the radar. Just plunked at my door. This has been the case for the last 5 or so years, and I still haven't been able to figure it out yet. Hey -- I'm not complaining!!

JPN

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by JustPlaneNuttz

It's interesting you should mention that, Rush, as when I order items from the U.S. I always get banged full-throttle by Canada Customs (Fed & Provicial tax PLUS handling fee?!)

JPN

Dang...I thought NAFTA was gonna change all that...

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Dang...I thought NAFTA was gonna change all that...

HA! I thought NAFTA was gonna change alotta things!! Nope, I guess not . . .

JPN

[Shawn 507]

I bought the Corgi/Hobby Master F6F and Bush Sr. Avenger because I liked the HM molding. I picked up the Bong P-38 then figured I might as well get the Olds one too ( shame the Olds Mustang and Phantom blow). I have the PRU Mosquito, mostly because its a US version. Otherwise I have no interest in the bird. The only other Corgis I have are the heavies ( B-17 / B-24 ) which you can't get anywhere else. And even then, some of the latest ideas for markings on these leave much to be desired. Michigan, what were they thinking?? And the Ike B-17 (Big Yank?) , the chipped and weathered ( Java ?) B-17. More No-Gos as far as I'm concerned. I would think that Corgi being UK based we'd see more 8th AF heavies.
And so far the only thing in 2008 that interests me are the PRU blue P-38 ( please drop the OH-7 treatment) and the possibilty of an American P-51A using the British desert bird as a base.

[Red 2]

Corgi US is in a state of flux at the moment and, quite frankly, the recently tabled list of US Special releases seems bizarre in terms of aircraft type and finish. Corgi UK have had nothing to do with the selection and will not, I suspect under its new management, willingly take to the UK unsold stock from the US releases. Issues to be sorted there methinks.

The Corgi UK releases that will flow through from the 2008 catalogue have by necessity had to look at where the strong customer base is in terms of selling in the short term. It has to be said though that, in discussions held with reps from the UK forum, Corgi have reiterated that they are very aware of the importance of the US market and are looking to sort out the well known issues asap. If a model is a winner in the UK and is a suitable aircraft type, there is strong likelyhood that sales in the US will also be sufficent but Corgi are not ignoring the issue of what schemes would appeal to US collectors. They just need to get the distribution right to start with. Corgi's finances are such that it cannot afford to release models that will not sell/make a profit.

Those that have seen some of Corgi's as yet unannounced forward planning are upbeat about what may be coming out......