|
|
Post by linessouth on Apr 1, 2024 8:22:52 GMT -8
Just got an Email about this, featuring John Weigel (the long-time customer service manager at the old MB Klein) interviewing new president Joe Grubba about the direction for the new company:
|
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 1, 2024 9:11:37 GMT -8
I got it also but haven't had time to watch yet. It seems good that a long time cust service manager is on deck.
|
|
|
|
Post by wmcbride on Apr 2, 2024 7:20:02 GMT -8
Probably just my mood this morning but my initial vibe from the beginning of this video was this was an oddly produced hostage video.
I am still not sure what will differentiate MTS from FDH -- if anything.
In any case, good luck to you all...
Bill McBride
|
|
|
|
Post by sauconyard on Apr 3, 2024 10:12:03 GMT -8
Probably just my mood this morning but my initial vibe from the beginning of this video was this was an oddly produced hostage video. I am still not sure what will differentiate MTS from FDH -- if anything. In any case, good luck to you all... Bill McBride Yep, just downright weird, so scripted and bizarre. Essentially admitted that FDH couldn't compete with MTS? The industry has moved on to other retailers who can pick up the slack. Lombard, Trainworld, Yankee Dabbler, Des Plaines all taking advantage and pressing forward with great options. Matter of time before you're getting your free BLI sweatshirts, if you ask me. |
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 3, 2024 10:52:23 GMT -8
Due to a lot of negative reports about BLI on various forums, I've avoided BLI products.
|
|
|
|
Post by gevohogger on Apr 3, 2024 11:27:44 GMT -8
Probably just my mood this morning but my initial vibe from the beginning of this video was this was an oddly produced hostage video. I am still not sure what will differentiate MTS from FDH -- if anything. In any case, good luck to you all... Bill McBride The industry has moved on to other retailers who can pick up the slack. Lombard, Trainworld, Yankee Dabbler, Des Plaines all taking advantage and pressing forward with great options. Des Plaines? Yeah, maybe a distant No. 4. If they ever decide to bring their website into the 2000s I might actually start ordering stuff from them. |
|
|
|
Post by es80ac on Apr 3, 2024 13:34:14 GMT -8
There is no other hobby store with the rewards structure like MTS. Factory direct points are pretty much useless
|
|
|
|
Post by cera2254 on Apr 3, 2024 14:49:48 GMT -8
I’m still trying to figure out the point in running two different websites. I guess you could have one fulfillment point, but still seems odd to me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Trainiac on Apr 3, 2024 14:59:49 GMT -8
My issue with Factory Direct Hobbies is how they promote BLI. It makes sense because BLI owns that brand, but it's biased, especially if they start applying the same philosophy to MTS. I want to go to a hobby shop for objective advice about the best product for my application, i don't want it to be a BLI shill.
Obviously the shop has not reopened yet, but I hope the homepage does not become filled with BLI announcements and offers. Restrict the BLI promotions to Factory Direct. I want MTS to equally represent all brands. The video is pretty awkward to watch and obviously scripted and memorized word-for-word, but it sounds like they are trying to keep MTS more level-headed with a wider array of products, which is a good thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Apr 3, 2024 15:03:31 GMT -8
Possibly branding or loyalty. Some people are steadfast entrenched into brand loyalty they won’t change to what ever replaces it. Or nostalgia like the people who cream their pants over the revival of the Rock Island. I’m still trying to figure out the point in running two different websites. I guess you could have one fulfillment point, but still seems odd to me. |
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 3, 2024 15:05:07 GMT -8
Possibly branding or loyalty. Some people are steadfast entrenched into brand loyalty they won’t change to what ever replaces it. Or nostalgia like the people who cream their pants over the revival of the Rock Island. I’m still trying to figure out the point in running two different websites. I guess you could have one fulfillment point, but still seems odd to me. I kind a get the brand loyalty regarding BLI steam - that is their strong point. Diesel, not as much. |
|
|
|
Post by 12bridge on Apr 3, 2024 15:50:26 GMT -8
The industry has moved on to other retailers who can pick up the slack. Lombard, Trainworld, Yankee Dabbler, Des Plaines all taking advantage and pressing forward with great options. Des Plaines? Yeah, maybe a distant No. 4. If they ever decide to bring their website into the 2000s I might actually start ordering stuff from them. Not wrong there. They are not even on the radar when it comes to ordering online. They are a good LHS for me, with a great supply selection, but it would be nice if they had any sort of discount outside of their twice a year sale. Its worked for them all these years, but still. They are defiantly doing more and more used/consignment stuff these days in store as well. I get everybody likes "their" hobby shop, but as far as I am concerned, MTS is now dead and gone. Somebody revived the name, but it will not be the same. This screams Caboose Hobbies all over again. |
|
|
|
Post by grahamline on Apr 3, 2024 17:18:34 GMT -8
12 bridge said: " They are defiantly doing more and more used/consignment stuff these days in store as well. "
The retailer that works out a way to reliably acquire and sell on consignment sales will be sitting on a gold mine, considering the volume of hobby stock that retailers say is sitting in basements and closets all over the country.
As far as BLI/MTH goes, that's essentially a new operation and they will have to prove themselves like any other outfit. In my little hobby circle, the staunchest brand loyalists are also the people least likely to open their pocketbooks and spend some money.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Trainiac on Apr 3, 2024 18:55:50 GMT -8
12 bridge said: " They are defiantly doing more and more used/consignment stuff these days in store as well. " The retailer that works out a way to reliably acquire and sell on consignment sales will be sitting on a gold mine, considering the volume of hobby stock that retailers say is sitting in basements and closets all over the country. As far as BLI/MTH goes, that's essentially a new operation and they will have to prove themselves like any other outfit. In my little hobby circle, the staunchest brand loyalists are also the people least likely to open their pocketbooks and spend some money. Yeah, honestly. My favorite hobby shops are the ones who offer consignment services. The fatal flaw with the hobby market (other than the pre-order system), is the fact that every hobby shop stocks the same products, at the same time, at the same prices. Other than web design, there isn't much to differentiate most of the online shops. Consignment allows shops to negotiate with sellers, so there is more variability in price. It also makes inventory much more interesting. Being able to find older out-of-stock models on consignment is a lot of fun. That what makes eBay so appealing; it's like a treasure hunt. Consignment can get labor-intensive, but if shops focused on 'old stock' or 'lightly used' items that still have their original packaging, the hobby shop can charge a premium for discontunued models while differentiating their brand from other online retailers. |
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Apr 4, 2024 2:55:22 GMT -8
12 bridge said: " They are defiantly doing more and more used/consignment stuff these days in store as well. " The retailer that works out a way to reliably acquire and sell on consignment sales will be sitting on a gold mine, considering the volume of hobby stock that retailers say is sitting in basements and closets all over the country. As far as BLI/MTH goes, that's essentially a new operation and they will have to prove themselves like any other outfit. In my little hobby circle, the staunchest brand loyalists are also the people least likely to open their pocketbooks and spend some money. Yeah, honestly. My favorite hobby shops are the ones who offer consignment services. The fatal flaw with the hobby market (other than the pre-order system), is the fact that every hobby shop stocks the same products, at the same time, at the same prices. Other than web design, there isn't much to differentiate most of the online shops. In the case of modeltrainstuff, they had a user friendly website storefront and the rewards club allowed members to earn and use rewards/coupons on a regular basis. Add to the there were frequent 10off codes as specials for different events. Even further, when you could earn a status based on rewards and purchases, you qualified for free shipping for order s$99+, which in this hobby wasn't difficult to do. Most other free shipping criteria requires double that or $250+ orders to qualify. Consignment isn't something I can ever recall taking advantage of, but it can offer items long out of production. |
|
|
|
Post by grahamline on Apr 4, 2024 11:40:50 GMT -8
Consignment with a reliable shop is a painless way to unload items you no longer want. They handle the inventory, marketing, and shipping in exchange for their percentage. The 'brokers cut' has gone from generally 10-15% up to around 25% in my area. The same system has also been useful for upgrading photographic items.
|
|
