[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by John Youngs

To TJWGRR - I understood that FM recently "bailed out" of Armour & that they have new owners. Was that bad information? John

John, this has been discussed in the "FM retail prices (way) up" thread. According to CLLCTR5, FM (or TFM for The Franklin Mint) has been acquired by Morgan Mint (who normally make coins, I gather) which has led to cash injection in the business and a revamped management/creative team. According the CLLCTR5 (who has close connection with TFM management, apparently), there is a movement towards better quality and at least one "huge" project for 2008 (I guessed 1/48 SR-71 which seemed to be on money, but not sure; he wouldn't tell, just hint). I hope I got everything right.

Anyway, I recommend you read that thread in its entirety if you are a big TFM/Armour collector. Lots of interesting views, both pro and con, on TFM and its future (and pricing policies versus quality).

FVD

[CLLCTR5]

Since I am being paraphrased here (quite accurately) I suppose I should further clarify.

1) I do not have quite as much "inside info" as it has been construed...all I know is that the collectors who are snubbing TFM's current toolings may be rewarded in about one year's time as the projects that TFM is currently working on will take AT LEAST one year to complete...if not two or three. Previous discussions centered on TFM and how the new owners were not releasing "anything different yet" (this has happened on automobile message boards as well as here) and all I am trying to show is that these toolings take a very long time to complete...especially the really good ones.

2) It is true that I try to work as close as possible with TFM and they ask me my opinion fewer times than I give it. But they are very nice people to deal with...much nicer than any other diecast manufacturer that I have had a relationship with. In my opinion they care a lot more about the collector than some collectors think. They might not be experts in every area and they do make mistakes but they are more than hapy to correct them as they can.

3) I am 100% for the new pricing structure & policies. It closely mimics the policies of one of the most succesful collectible companies of all time...Department 56. Back in the late 90's D56 addressed detail quality concerns and they made the village items so much nicer that the only drawback is that the older pieces look completely out of place with the new ones. As for the policies...it is intended to protect both TFM retail and TFM independents. To put it bluntly...some retailers have no clear concept of what margins are needed to continually be able to re-invest. If retailers are unable to re-invest...the manufaturer is less able to re-invest and the dealer also often falls into credit problems directly or indirectly (meaning with that manufacturer or another facet of their business plan). I often reward customers that I owe a favor like recently STARMAN found me a plane...but other than that I stay on point when it comes to pricing unless I am dropping a line completely. Armour is my best selling line 10 months out of the year on-site...and for that I am grateful.

4) In the past I always marveled at TFM's price on the behemothe B-17 for only $135. The cost of the zinc alone in the B-17 has to be 4 or 5 times more than the cost of zinc in a $135 diecast car. I think this was a long time coming and I also point to the fact that the $70 planes are now $60...and those planes represent a much larger volume than any of the larger models.

This process is going to take a very long time. Look for new features at http://www.franklinmint.com in the future including dealer listings "where you can buy" information. This was taken off the site years ago and it is a welcome re-addition.

I welcome any questions I will check back here later.

Best Regards,

Randy

[Mitutoyo]

just picked up the Raptor myself for $72 direct from them!!! its already back up to $90... a steal imho... should have got a few others... will check around...

[CLLCTR5]

Originally Posted by FormerViperDriver

John, this has been discussed in the "FM retail prices (way) up" thread. According to CLLCTR5, FM (or TFM for The Franklin Mint) has been acquired by Morgan Mint (who normally make coins, I gather) which has led to cash injection in the business and a revamped management/creative team. According the CLLCTR5 (who has close connection with TFM management, apparently), there is a movement towards better quality and at least one "huge" project for 2008 (I guessed 1/48 SR-71 which seemed to be on money, but not sure; he wouldn't tell, just hint). I hope I got everything right.

Anyway, I recommend you read that thread in its entirety if you are a big TFM/Armour collector. Lots of interesting views, both pro and con, on TFM and its future (and pricing policies versus quality).

FVD

Since my name came up...I will say this.

And I stated back then too.

At this point we still have not seen ANY of the scratch toolings that the new Franklin Mint has in store for its customers. It takes at least a year to sometimes 2 years for ANY DIECAST COMPANY to succesfully complete a project from initial design to actual marketing of an AP. The closest that TFM has come to a new toolings is a somewhat involved specific upgrade of the Cobra and Corvette automobiles.

They are very very close to being able to market new toolings but the rumor of the SR-71 was an old project that may needed some improvements. It may or may not ever be marketed. Would you pay the price that TFM would have to charge for them to actually make gross profits (gross, not net) to justify it? Part of me doubts it very much.

The cost of marketing a scale model in diecast has skyrocketed the last few months and the only thing that is keeping most of them going is the fact that the price of zinc has dropped a bit but that zinc has to be purchased all at once while the price is low so there goes the cash flow.

I see even more cynicism against almost all brands in every category here lately and I think it is unfortunate. I will have to chalk it up to people that innocently do not know how this industry works or whom is involved in processes that take a very long time to come to fruit. But I do understand that for some people complaining is good therapy...and 100% free. So have at it!

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by CLLCTR5

Since my name came up...I will say this.

They are very very close to being able to market new toolings but the rumor of the SR-71 was an old project that may needed some improvements. It may or may not ever be marketed. Would you pay the price that TFM would have to charge for them to actually make gross profits (gross, not net) to justify it? Part of me doubts it very much.

You betcha I would pay top dollars if TFM can deliver the SR-71 provided it's the most accurately rendered mold sparing no details undone and on time!

[CLLCTR5]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

You betcha I would pay top dollars if TFM can deliver the SR-71 provided it's the most accurately rendered mold sparing no details undone and on time!

No details undone would require it to actually fly and be (classified classified classified) and also be (classified). And the price on it would be at least $(classified)).

You ready to pony up that kinda coin?

[flyXwire]

BRING IT ON, BABY!

Originally Posted by CLLCTR5

No details undone would require it to actually fly and be (classified classified classified) and also be (classified). And the price on it would be at least $(classified)).

You ready to pony up that kinda coin?

[CLLCTR5]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

BRING IT ON, BABY!

Cool. I will let them that they sold at least one for pretty much any price that they want to charge.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by CLLCTR5

Cool. I will let them that they sold at least one for pretty much any price that they want to charge.

One caveat though, if FM makes a crappy looking SR-71 and does not meet my standards, the whole deal is OFF!

[RockJock]

Originally Posted by Mitutoyo

just picked up the Raptor myself for $72 direct from them!!! its already back up to $90... a steal imho... should have got a few others... will check around...

Those prices weren't going to last forever. Franklin Mint offered to retailers around 80% off a short time ago to clear out some discontinued and over stocked models. Now the retailers just might be sold out of these clear out priced planes and are back to selling their old original stock with the old prices. But these old prices won't last long either. FM has raise prices $10 to $15 dollars on some of their planes for 08.