[Biggie]

This sounds more like what is happening, I doubt Corgi is going to go direct , they can barely keep the line going without trying that mess, direct retail shipping one of this and one of that. Billing one of this and one of that, no way.

I know there are severe issues in China right now, and always have been even in the past, in my former life I was almost in this business and we were close with Gemini, they were close with Corgi and we kept hearing about the factory in China not doing there 2200 of a plane to instead do a 50,000 run of a hotwheel car or something like that, easier to do, faster and more of one unit. I guess one of the issues with China is no dedication to the buyers from the factorys, they could give a hoot about reliability and having a good working realtionship with anyone.

eh, just my opinion,

Biggie

Originally Posted by 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.

[flyXwire]

I just hope Hobby Master doesn't fall into the same crack as Corgi. A delay in "shed-yule" of releases
from HM's line would make an even more big impact for us collectors than Corgi's woes!

Only my humble opinion...

[STARMAN 352ND]

Guess Corgi is not hurting much ......Otherwise they be getting their products out faster.
JP

[1250ships]

I think in Gemini's case they have chosen not to release more models. I say that because they continue to crank out models in their core 1/400 airliner business. Perhaps to get the numbers up they decided to initially run 10,000 of each of the three 1/72 moulds. Then they ran through the parts producing the models only painting and building one run of 2,000 units each. Now they have run through that initial build of parts and have to make another substantial commitment to get more parts. They might be unwilling to do so at the moment for a variety of reasons.

[PH-LKK]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

I think in Gemini's case they have chosen not to release more models. I say that because they continue to crank out models in their core 1/400 airliner business. Perhaps to get the numbers up they decided to initially run 10,000 of each of the three 1/72 moulds. Then they ran through the parts producing the models only painting and building one run of 2,000 units each. Now they have run through that initial build of parts and have to make another substantial commitment to get more parts. They might be unwilling to do so at the moment for a variety of reasons.

GJ hasn't given up the 1/72 ghost. They have assured me that they are still on track to release models from two new toolings in the next couple of months. To be sure, their "Aces" line is peripheral to their primary emphasis, which remains 1/400 civil. But we knew that the -06 models would be unlimited, and it can be supposed that these were intended to bridge an anticipated gap in their release schedule. I do not know (and despite my repeated enquiries, have not been able to learn) whether GJ intends to release more Spitfires, Mustangs or 109s.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by PH-LKK

GJ hasn't given up the 1/72 ghost. They have assured me that they are still on track to release models from two new toolings in the next couple of months. To be sure, their "Aces" line is peripheral to their primary emphasis, which remains 1/400 civil. But we knew that the -06 models would be unlimited, and it can be supposed that these were intended to bridge an anticipated gap in their release schedule. I do not know (and despite my repeated enquiries, have not been able to learn) whether GJ intends to release more Spitfires, Mustangs or 109s.

I assume that they are even less talkative about that Beaufighter the rumor mill had them planning about eight months ago.

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I assume that they are even less talkative about that Beaufighter the rumor mill had them planning about eight months ago.

Oh, please, don't play with my mind like that...I'd buy STOCK in the company for a Beau...

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

I think in Gemini's case they have chosen not to release more models. I say that because they continue to crank out models in their core 1/400 airliner business. Perhaps to get the numbers up they decided to initially run 10,000 of each of the three 1/72 moulds. Then they ran through the parts producing the models only painting and building one run of 2,000 units each. Now they have run through that initial build of parts and have to make another substantial commitment to get more parts. They might be unwilling to do so at the moment for a variety of reasons.

And their 1/400 business has continued without letup in either quality, quantity, or innovation. As a collector of the smaller scales, it's nice to have some quality fallback...

My one thing about Corgi is, please guys, make some effort to let your customers know what you are doing, or give us some reason for egregious delays (and this one certainly qualifies). A word or two would make planning future purchases a lot easier. Also, cancellations are a lot easier to take than not knowing why there is no product, or if there will be ever again. Maybe finding some volunteer help here in the US to maintain an Internet info page a la Hawk/HM would work. That of course would depend on Corgi's business culture (open communications or secretive).

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Celtic

Oh, please, don't play with my mind like that...I'd buy STOCK in the company for a Beau...

Beaufighter,,,,hmmmnnn,, night fighter, torpedo bomber,,,, boy I sure would like a few of those.

[PH-LKK]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I assume that they are even less talkative about that Beaufighter the rumor mill had them planning about eight months ago.

As far as I recall, we haven't seen any pre-pros of the Beau from GJ, as we have the pre-pros of the Phantom and Skyraider. GJ certainly hasn't been saying much about the Beau either (I don't even recall if they ever straight-out stated that it was in the development pipeline).