[lanslide]

Originally Posted by kb466

I hear you, Hornchurch. The way I see it, pre-ordering has its positives and negatives. The positive is that you are sure of getting an airplane you want. The negative is that you get whatever they send you, and you may end up with none at all. For me, if it is an airplane I really want, I pre-order it and take my chances that it will be wart-free. So far I have been lucky in that respect.

yeah - most good e-tailers pre-check the model for you. They don't want to risk a costly return.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by hworth18

I am very fortunate that OMI is close to me and Richard lets me "preorder" without having to pay. When I finally see it in person I don't necessarily have to buy it if it isn't what I expected, although that hasn't happened yet.

Originally Posted by kb466

I hear you, Hornchurch. The way I see it, pre-ordering has its positives and negatives. The positive is that you are sure of getting an airplane you want. The negative is that you get whatever they send you, and you may end up with none at all. For me, if it is an airplane I really want, I pre-order it and take my chances that it will be wart-free. So far I have been lucky in that respect.

I had another (similar) experience; on the day I bought my 'S'-Sugar/2nd Patches & Barton Halifax recently.
I was fortunate enough to be sitting in the traders living room, having a chat........

As he'd put 'S'-Sugar to one side for me, I was able to look at some 'other' new-models that he'd obtained.

Namely FOUR 'Forces of Valour' 1/72nd scale B.26's (FW*K , "Shootin-In", of the 387th B.G).

YEAH, I know they're not even in the same League; but you'd expect to find AT LEAST one "Good-'un" amongst them ??????

Every single one of 'em; BRAND NEW (never been out the box)........

.... & EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM had one or more defects




Thankfully (Lord Have Mercy !) that C.W. & H.M. are quality-products, but even THEY can't be 100% infallible

So many aspects to check = often difficult inside the clear-inner-blister-pack.



Re; shortages/supply/demand.......

There should be enough STOCK left so that folks aren't clamouring with dissapointment at something that's just been released


I hope THIS "demand far exceeds supply" nonsense DOESN'T happen with the (mouthwatering) F-105 ?

.

[PappyB]

I don't quite get the fuss here, but maybe I'm just suffering from heat stroke --- the models aren't discountinued, they are simply selling out and were both limited production runs which most people have been clamoring for with HM as the line hasn't been viewed as collectible as Corgi. I think it's just a case of pent-up demand for a good 1:72 F-4 with some great out of the gate livery choices by HM. Sounds like the UK may have had some supply issues on 'em but such is the nature of the beast -- if you don't preorder a hot model I guess you take your chances.

[lanslide]

...yeah but CORGI has larger production runs on their non-limited models don't they? I think many collectors wish that the HM production runs were bigger on the more popular liveries.

[parsig9]

Even so, they are still readily available online. There just aren't deals to be had. Best I found last week was retail with free shipping.

These will be around for a while still just not at the top retailers. Let's wait and see what happens after 4 more Vietnam camo schemes.

[lanslide]

Originally Posted by parsig9

Even so, they are still readily available online. There just aren't deals to be had. Best I found last week was retail with free shipping.

These will be around for a while still just not at the top retailers. Let's wait and see what happens after 4 more Vietnam camo schemes.

That's not a bad deal! Usually the price goes up on the "hot" models.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by PappyB

I don't quite get the fuss here, but maybe I'm just suffering from heat stroke --- the models aren't discountinued, they are simply selling out and were both limited production runs which most people have been clamoring for with HM as the line hasn't been viewed as collectible as Corgi.
I think it's just a case of pent-up demand for a good 1:72 F-4 with some great out of the gate livery choices by HM.
Sounds like the UK may have had some supply issues on 'em but such is the nature of the beast -- if you don't preorder a hot model I guess you take your chances.

Understatement !!!!!!!!!!!! lol

[Paladin18]

Well, well...I have been following this thread with much interest!

Whatever the problem you folks are confronted with - late deliveries or damaged boxes - at least you have the choice of getting it locally. Even if you can't, I see that there are some retailers who offer free shipping. The situation seems pretty OK for you guys

No such luck from where I am in the Far East. The local HM supplier in Singapore is tardy to say the least (and I am being very polite here). Can you believe that we have not even caught a sniff of Ritchie or Cunningham over here when these warbirds are selling out like hot cakes in the US and in Europe?


No indication from our HM distributor if he plans to bring them in. All I get are his "maybes", "perhaps" and "probablys". So much so that I have given up asking the distributor already.


Not surprisingly, I am often left with the dilemma of whether I should wait for the F-4s to arrive or order them on-line, pay the hefty shipping and still run the risk of receiving damaged boxes.

So count your luck stars that you're not a diecast collector in my part of the world!

Paladin18

[forcerecon85]

Originally Posted by Paladin18

Well, well...I have been following this thread with much interest!

Whatever the problem you folks are confronted with - late deliveries or damaged boxes - at least you have the choice of getting it locally. Even if you can't, I see that there are some retailers who offer free shipping. The situation seems pretty OK for you guys

No such luck from where I am in the Far East. The local HM supplier in Singapore is tardy to say the least (and I am being very polite here). Can you believe that we have not even caught a sniff of Ritchie or Cunningham over here when these warbirds are selling out like hot cakes in the US and in Europe?


No indication from our HM distributor if he plans to bring them in. All I get are his "maybes", "perhaps" and "probablys". So much so that I have given up asking the distributor already.


Not surprisingly, I am often left with the dilemma of whether I should wait for the F-4s to arrive or order them on-line, pay the hefty shipping and still run the risk of receiving damaged boxes.

So count your luck stars that you're not a diecast collector in my part of the world!

Paladin18

I'm somewhat singing the same tune. I ran into extra money from my taxes and went on a HM (ritchie, cunningham, lady jessie) and CW (F-14 VF-84, A-7 Sidewinders, A-6 moonlighters) binge. I checked on ebay and all the smaller e-retailers with many sold out. I'm recovering from jaw surgery so I can't work and have school in September so I'm not exactly sure when my diecast fund will fill up again and will have to binge again later. I have to pay a hefty shipping fee since I don't get anything locally in Canada but thankfully our dollar is even with the US's. Maybe in the future if all the molds are kept and business is still great for HM they could do a select run of the quickly sold out items as a "Fan Favourite" line if its still in high demand. And I mean no disrespect at all to you Hornchurch as I would share your frustration if in your shoes but it seems like you'll get a crushed box, a windscreen smudge or nothing at all. Beggars can't be choosy. You might have to pay the extra $5-$10 for one on ebay and hope/trust its fit for display.

[Gambit]

Whats all the fuss about, the way everyone goes on and on about Hobby Master

I got my 1:32 HM SBD last month and what a dissapointment when I compare it to my GMPs.

The SBD is only worth $70, certainly not $160.

Put them side by side and the SBD isn't even in their league.

I had my issues with GMP but I sure miss them.