[smartd]

Anyone else smell burning toast?

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Gambit

Yes go to this:

http://www.goldstarstockist.co.uk/

Then enter the catalogue which is the second set of blinking arrows

Then just above the blue bar that states "Departments and Key Brands" on the right there is a link to the Corgi updates

The first message has been replaced with the one I posted today

This page is always changing and occasionally lists the Corgi releases for the UK

Thanx Gambit. What a peculiar web site. I have been able to find a direct express link to that page that one can bookmark and check often. I have taken the liberty to post it below:

GoldStarStockists from Time Tunnel Models

I have to say, I find it strange that they are posting, what appears to be, information Corgi is sending to Retailers or Distributors in the UK, but not necessarily meant for the public eye. Thanx to the 'hawk eye' of our good forumite Gambit, Corgi has been exposed for all to see!

Gambit -- is this a TMH 'exclusive' or have you posted this on DAF as well?

JPN

[Gambit]

Yes I posted the first announcement on MH2 and later that day or the next on the UK site.

So it was here first!

I keep an eye on that website as they seem to be plugged in to Corgi

When they announce planes we usually see here the next week or so

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Gambit

Yes I posted the first announcement on MH2 and later that day or the next on the UK site.

So it was here first!

I keep an eye on that website as they seem to be plugged in to Corgi

When they announce planes we usually see here the next week or so

I really appreciate the heads-up, chief!!

JPN

[PH-LKK]

There's a major story in today's Washington Post regarding world-wide Coal policy, with particular focus on China and India. While I had heard about the unexpectedly large labor shortages in China's manufacturing regions following the recently concluded Chinese new-year holiday season, I had not heard about the widespread electrical shortages, including rolling blackouts and rationing. This could provide some explanation for the strange way many of the diecast manufacturers, including Corgi, have been issuing their releases lately.

Of course, there's also a lot of chatter on some of the business sites regarding Corgi's current financial woes (including the lackluster sales for their Golden Compass line, for which Corgi's new management had nearly bet the farm), some mentioning a deal with a particular UK wholesaler ("G's or ABG"??) that may be ruffling some feathers with Corgi's traditional outlets. No idea what that's all about, but the rumor mill seems to have gone into over-drive with barely a peep from Epstein & Co.

[redlobster baron]

All Corgi releases should be taken as stalled until further firm notice is issued. We are waiting on firm confirmation (rather than wild rumour) as to exactly what is going on.

There has been no official info out of Corgi in the past 10 days whatsoever, except to say that the 2007 releases that should have come out w/c 3rd March, then w/c 10th March are stuck. We understand they are in the UK but that the stock has not reached C S Ellis, Corgi's distribution partner. It is also notable that restocks don't seem to be being shipped by C S Ellis - at least not stuff we've ordered anyway.


As it was pointed out in the original link, it seemed to me that the problem is in the distribution in UK, not the manufacturing issues in China. The Corgi models should be somewhere in the UK.

[Epapazian]

If Corgi can't even ship the driblets of product that the Chinese bothered to send it due to "distribution problems", then things with this company are really in a bad way. However, I doubt that distribution snafus are the only reason why Corgi is in trouble. Look at the issues that all of the other companies are having with new product schedules. Why the deafening silence at Gemini and Carousel 1 about new molds? When will we get that Skyraider? Was the impending Beaufighter only a rumor? Even the lesser lights, like Model Power can't get their stuff made. I pre-ordered MP's Swordfish three years ago---before I even suspected that Corgi would come out with one. Where is it? MP has scheduled 8 new molds for 2008. Anyone care to wager a bet on when these models will actually appear? Obviously, the erratic and unreliable Chinese production system is a major component of the problems faced by military diecast marketers today. Add to this the current economic woes, the relatively small size of the collector base, the glut of available product over the past four years and the penchant for" bargain" hunting by many buyers and these are tough times to be a player in our sector of the diecast business. Let's hope that the inevitable shakeout leaves enough viable marketers in the field so our hobby can continue to move forward. In that regard, at least, I remain cautiously optimistic.

[Gambit]

Could be someone is waiting for an account to be paid and until it does the shipment doesn't move an inch.

[PH-LKK]

Originally Posted by Gambit

Could be someone is waiting for an account to be paid and until it does the shipment doesn't move an inch.

This is what most of the rumors seem to indicate. Still, one might wonder why there is a problem with cash-flow, and here, unreliable production schedules can have an enormous impact. Not to mention the banking crisis (though I don't know if this is as big a deal in the UK as it is in the States).

[PH-LKK]

... whoops. Duplicate post.