|
|
Post by jeoffreythecat on Nov 29, 2023 13:26:12 GMT -8
I sent another email to MR's Cody Grivno yesterday afternoon asking for an update since he said he would attempt to contact Blaine. If and when I get a response to my email, I will post it here.
|
|
|
|
Post by prr 4467 on Nov 29, 2023 13:47:02 GMT -8
You’d figure high dollar shipments (respectively) would be insured? Either way, running a business on credit is a dangerous play. BUT the thing is that running a model train business requires that you live on a credit line, whether you are big or small. You can't always pay out cash; you have to have credit to get you through the bumps, whether you are a larger business, like Toy Train Heaven, or a small guy. There is a routine credit line at bank(s) to cover the cost of large shipments of product coming into a manufacturer (and also distributors) and then going out. The model train manufacturer/importer typically has to pay the full amount of the cost of the shipment before the product can ever leave China. Then once it is in the country, they are not all sold at once, so there is a time delay (after customs inspection which can take weeks) until the manufacturer collects all their money. Since nobody usually has tens of thousands of dollars in free cash just laying around waiting to pay off the builder in China, they have to have a credit line. That is why John Glaab, now deceased former owner of Peach Creek Shops, and author of the second edition Brown Book of Brass Models, was fond of saying: "Do you want to make a small fortune in the model train business? Start with a large fortune". He didn't originate that saying but often repeated it. There are actually smaller dealers who would love to have more of an online presence, but they literally do not have the webmaster they need to have who is knowledgeable enough about both model trains and websites to be able to grow that end of the business. That is why so few stores have the full online inventory tracking, etc. You need somebody to manage that, and smart people are not cheap and have to get paid regularly. |
|
|
|
Post by jeoffreythecat on Nov 30, 2023 9:17:17 GMT -8
I sent another email to MR's Cody Grivno yesterday afternoon asking for an update since he said he would attempt to contact Blaine. If and when I get a response to my email, I will post it here. To provide some actual information rather than supposition and conjecture, here is an update from a legitimate source. Hi, Thanks for your e-mail. I heard back from Blaine. He’s currently dealing with a family situation. Arrowhead Models is still in business and the website is back up. Take care, Cody ----- Cody Grivno Senior Editor Model Railroader magazine |
|
|
|
Post by unittrain on Nov 30, 2023 10:10:39 GMT -8
Oh wow they're still buisness 😳 I wonder how many orders are piling up I ordered my Conrail hoppers I think in June. Hopefully it works out for him.
|
|
|
|
Post by ambluco on Nov 30, 2023 10:36:12 GMT -8
Personally dealt with a "family situation". It was difficult, but didn't prevent me from emailing or texting EVER during that time period. The Arrowhead situation has been going on since late Spring.
|
|
|
|
Post by gevohogger on Nov 30, 2023 10:42:17 GMT -8
Anyone feeling brave enough to place an order? Gotta milk that Father's Day sale for all its worth...
|
|
|
|
Post by PennCentral on Nov 30, 2023 11:13:30 GMT -8
Anyone feeling brave enough to place an order? Gotta milk that Father's Day sale for all its worth... I took advantage of that Father's Day sale on the Penn Central H39's back when it first went live. Received all my cars promptly. I have not placed any orders since that time. Hoping things get back to normal soon for Blaine and Arrowhead. Jason C Indiana |
|
|
|
Post by richardthomasatal on Nov 30, 2023 11:37:38 GMT -8
Personally dealt with a "family situation". It was difficult, but didn't prevent me from emailing or texting EVER during that time period. The Arrowhead situation has been going on since late Spring. I agree. Even devsatating situations should warrant some sort of message or communication in 6 months. This seems like an excuse, I like the guy and hope he's ok. But he has to turn the page at some point and at least put out a public statement which doesn't have to reveal too much personal information. |
|
|
|
Post by riogrande on Nov 30, 2023 11:41:35 GMT -8
It certainly seems wise to make some sort of statement. I like Blaine and he has always been a good guy to work with. I bought all the Arrowhead D&RGW Committee design 3-bay coal cars and most of the numbers of the most recent D&RGW hoppers, including the 6 numbers exclusively sold by Spring Creek Hobbies in NE. I found one of my 1st run hopper missing lettering and he promptly replaced it.
|
|
five83
Junior Member
Posts: 54 
|
Post by five83 on Nov 30, 2023 13:05:51 GMT -8
Personally dealt with a "family situation". It was difficult, but didn't prevent me from emailing or texting EVER during that time period. The Arrowhead situation has been going on since late Spring. Reminds me of the same on going situation with Lines West. |
|
|
|
Post by Colin 't Hart on Dec 1, 2023 2:44:21 GMT -8
Well, they are the leader in customer experience™.
|
|
|
|
Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 1, 2023 6:40:20 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by unittrain on Dec 1, 2023 7:12:43 GMT -8
I seen about a month ago Traincat was thinking about starting up again. I had some of his signals when I was in N I would like to see a Pennsy lines West signal bridge in HO. I do remember though there were orders that went unfulfilled.
|
|
|
|
Post by bnsf971 on Dec 1, 2023 7:40:23 GMT -8
Personally dealt with a "family situation". It was difficult, but didn't prevent me from emailing or texting EVER during that time period. The Arrowhead situation has been going on since late Spring. I experienced a personal disaster, the result being me spending six months in the hospital, basically incommunicado. If somebody asked me a question, in person, I could give a general answer, but forget about anything more complex than my name, date of birth, and social security number. IF something similar has happened to Blaine, he deserves a chance. Anything substantially less than that, however… |
|
|
|
Post by richardthomasatal on Dec 1, 2023 8:56:01 GMT -8
Personally dealt with a "family situation". It was difficult, but didn't prevent me from emailing or texting EVER during that time period. The Arrowhead situation has been going on since late Spring. I experienced a personal disaster, the result being me spending six months in the hospital, basically incommunicado. If somebody asked me a question, in person, I could give a general answer, but forget about anything more complex than my name, date of birth, and social security number. IF something similar has happened to Blaine, he deserves a chance. Anything substantially less than that, however… Your type of issue isn't typically described as a family situation. I would describe that as catostrophic. If I were in your shoes, I'd ask a spouse or family member to send out a message to everyone and ask them to spread the word that I am in a serious situation and not available. A possible example with Blaine is perhaps divorce followed by depression. That sounds more like a family situation as an example. If he was able to communicate with Model Railroader then he could communicate with everyone else. If and when he decides to return I hope he realizes his non responses are going to be damaging to his businesses ability to bounce back after this interruption. |
|
|
|
Post by Colin 't Hart on Dec 1, 2023 16:38:47 GMT -8
I sent another email to MR's Cody Grivno yesterday afternoon asking for an update since he said he would attempt to contact Blaine. If and when I get a response to my email, I will post it here. To provide some actual information rather than supposition and conjecture, here is an update from a legitimate source. Hi, Thanks for your e-mail. I heard back from Blaine. He’s currently dealing with a family situation. Arrowhead Models is still in business and the website is back up. Take care, Cody ----- Cody Grivno Senior Editor Model Railroader magazine Bad answer. Arrowhead Models is not still in business. A business deals with their customers. |
|
|
|
Post by cemr5396 on Dec 1, 2023 23:28:48 GMT -8
To provide some actual information rather than supposition and conjecture, here is an update from a legitimate source. Hi, Thanks for your e-mail. I heard back from Blaine. He’s currently dealing with a family situation. Arrowhead Models is still in business and the website is back up. Take care, Cody ----- Cody Grivno Senior Editor Model Railroader magazine Bad answer. Arrowhead Models is not still in business. A business deals with their customers. ding ding ding. If some sort of horrible personal or family situation has happened I feel for the guy, really. But at the very least have sales on the website halted for the time being if there is no intention of doing anything about them for the forseeable future, instead of just taking people's money for nothing at this point. There comes a point as a business owner where you have to take care of business regardless of what else you have going on. It sucks, but it comes with the territory. Especially if you are a one man show and don't have anyone else who can take care of things for you in the meantime, which kind of appears to be the case here. |
|
|
|
Post by lvrr325 on Dec 1, 2023 23:40:12 GMT -8
How hard is it to come back and make even a one sentence statement about it.
|
|
|
|
Post by unittrain on Dec 2, 2023 4:08:33 GMT -8
Atleast have someone manage it for you or atleast ship orders for you. At very least make a simple statement assuring customers who have paid you, that they will see their orders! Atleast I'm only out $135 or so if it never gets resolved.
|
|
|
|
Post by csxt8400 on Dec 2, 2023 12:06:14 GMT -8
Waverly5 earlier in the thread said he received an email from Blaine on June 7th. After that, radio silence. St. Louis RPM was a no-show for Blaine but another member claims to have received a message (automated or not) about Arrowhead being out of the office until July 26th. So you have contact in early June, and then an obvious update with the "out of office" statement taking place in late July whilst ignoring customers. It doesn't have to be painted more clearly that the problems were rolling in mid June and it is now December 2nd. As we have all said, catastrophe aside, the well of excuses seems to have ran dry. I cannot fathom how this could be anything but intentional, and that is definitely unfortunate. I do wish him the best in whatever he is going through.
|
|
|
|
Post by unittrain on Dec 2, 2023 12:24:54 GMT -8
Yeah I got the email response from him on July 18th it said we're out of the office till the 26th (meaning July 26th) then it said we look forward to responding to you're email when we return. Never heard from him then emailed again after the 26th and crickets since.
|
|
|
|
Post by stevef45 on Dec 2, 2023 16:46:54 GMT -8
Railflyer 2.0
|
|
|
|
Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Dec 2, 2023 19:43:26 GMT -8
Not even close to a comparison to Railflyer. Maybe Rails West. You don’t recall Chris continuously asking for orders / blaming the lack of to get the models paid for produced? Or the continuous blame of the second hand machinery. Then his tragic family issues. Key point is he constantly communicated/blamed/requested where Blaine is radio silent. I like Blaine, but it’s a disservice to his customers to not deliver paid products. He’s going to have a big uphill climb if he plans to remain/continue business and gain some trust back. |
|
|
|
Post by ambluco on Dec 2, 2023 19:48:01 GMT -8
I believe earlier in this thread, it says he won’t have to worry about all of that, because he’s just moving on to a new company, under their employ.
|
|
|
|
Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Dec 2, 2023 19:53:36 GMT -8
A rumor or speculation not yet confirmed fact. I believe earlier in this thread, it says he won’t have to worry about all of that, because he’s just moving on to a new company, under their employ. |
|
|
|
Post by talltim on Dec 4, 2023 6:29:13 GMT -8
I feel kinda personally invested, because when I commented on one of Arrowhead's FB posts, Blaine messaged me personally to chat. I hope he is OK
|
|
|
|
Post by 12bridge on Dec 4, 2023 8:21:14 GMT -8
I believe earlier in this thread, it says he won’t have to worry about all of that, because he’s just moving on to a new company, under their employ. If it is true, this is a pretty dark cloud to be bringing over to a new company as an employee. This is a small industry, everyone knows what goes on. |
|
|
|
Post by cp6027 on Dec 4, 2023 10:39:35 GMT -8
Not even close to a comparison to Railflyer. Maybe Rails West. You don’t recall Chris continuously asking for orders / blaming the lack of to get the models paid for produced? Or the continuous blame of the second hand machinery. Then his tragic family issues. Key point is he constantly communicated/blamed/requested where Blaine is radio silent. I like Blaine, but it’s a disservice to his customers to not deliver paid products. He’s going to have a big uphill climb if he plans to remain/continue business and gain some trust back. More like Tom Tomblin at Canadian Model Trains (CMT) posting about reinventing the business before going silent and vanishing with the advance reservation funds collected for various models including their CN PSC Van project that was going to be produced by Rapido. I will note that I had some direct email communication with Blaine back in early May 2023. I pre-ordered their grain elevator book several years ago but when the books finally arrived, Arrowhead automatically shipped it to an old address I had long since moved away from. Blaine was nice enough to send another copy to my current address even though I doubt they were ever able to recover the first copy or collect a claim. |
|
|
|
Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Dec 4, 2023 10:52:26 GMT -8
Not to shift the topic too far from Arrowhead, with Railflyer / Christopher Howard's name coming up, I wonder what ever happened to him and also what his talents would look like with 3D printing. He had some nice looking items (if you actually received them). He might have been good designer to hire in the shadow to develop new projects/parts/etc. for an established company with someone who could manage him. Hopefully both Blaine and Chris are healthy, families are good, and they make things right with people who paid but never received product or a refund.
|
|
|
|
Post by 12bridge on Dec 4, 2023 11:01:46 GMT -8
Not to shift the topic too far from Arrowhead, with Railflyer / Christopher Howard's name coming up, I wonder what ever happened to him and also what his talents would look like with 3D printing. He had some nice looking items (if you actually received them). He might have been good designer to hire in the shadow to develop new projects/parts/etc. for an established company with someone who could manage him. Hopefully both Blaine and Chris are healthy, families are good, and they make things right with people who paid but never received product or a refund. He was/is selling on shapeways. |
|
