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- #121
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
I agree with both; Marek, because yes, we have to move on, and not live with a 'Ah, those were the days' attitude, and Daniel because he's right - it's down to 'grab a higher bottom line for the next five year plan; I don't care about the results, or the loyal customer base that will be lost. I'll have moved to a higher position in another company by then. Didn't I do well' syndrome in parts of the business world.
I appreciate that business is business, and share holders, and financers, need to be satisfied. But, with the attitude of some companies, where morals don't exist, the 'profit above all' ethos will kill those companies eventually, to the loss of both the share holders and financers and, of course, the customers.
There is no reason that a company can not make a healthy profit, and keep the customer base happy; if the planning is right first time, and the product is good enough to warrant an acceptable (not inflated) price, then the sales, turnover etc should follow. The model kit industry has again reached a time of boom, even allowing for a world recession, and now is not the time for companies such as Airfix to be seen as grabbing the money and running - the thoughts of many, not just me. How, or where, the boom is developing, I don't know; perhaps from real modellers like us, as opposed to the 'passing interest' and kid's 'pocket money purchase' markets, but growing it is, as evidenced by the comments of at least two retailers I know, who have seen a marked increase in sales of kits, compared to, say R/C models that were there mainstay.
When Airfix were 'saved' by another respected and much-loved company, Hornby, I, like many, breathed a sigh of relief that this pioneer of plastic kits would continue, and that some of the previously announced new products would emerge eventually. But, with the somewhat 'slap happy' way that they appear to be operating, and their pricing policies, it is evident that the loyal customers are feeling very disappointed.
I really do hope that theirs is an exercise in recovery, and that 'they' will get it right eventually, before it's too late.
I appreciate that business is business, and share holders, and financers, need to be satisfied. But, with the attitude of some companies, where morals don't exist, the 'profit above all' ethos will kill those companies eventually, to the loss of both the share holders and financers and, of course, the customers.
There is no reason that a company can not make a healthy profit, and keep the customer base happy; if the planning is right first time, and the product is good enough to warrant an acceptable (not inflated) price, then the sales, turnover etc should follow. The model kit industry has again reached a time of boom, even allowing for a world recession, and now is not the time for companies such as Airfix to be seen as grabbing the money and running - the thoughts of many, not just me. How, or where, the boom is developing, I don't know; perhaps from real modellers like us, as opposed to the 'passing interest' and kid's 'pocket money purchase' markets, but growing it is, as evidenced by the comments of at least two retailers I know, who have seen a marked increase in sales of kits, compared to, say R/C models that were there mainstay.
When Airfix were 'saved' by another respected and much-loved company, Hornby, I, like many, breathed a sigh of relief that this pioneer of plastic kits would continue, and that some of the previously announced new products would emerge eventually. But, with the somewhat 'slap happy' way that they appear to be operating, and their pricing policies, it is evident that the loyal customers are feeling very disappointed.
I really do hope that theirs is an exercise in recovery, and that 'they' will get it right eventually, before it's too late.