Some readers of this article may find it too provocative, but it needs to be said. After spending 30 years building model ships and twelve years selling wooden and radio controlled ship models to hobby enthusiasts, I find that there are some frustrations that never go away in the model ship building industry.

Let’s be honest; the model ship building business operates as a niche industry. However, wooden and radio controlled ship models are a very important hobby for the hobbyist. Rich in history, technical challenges, and an art form and legacy; modeling boats is a very rewarding hobby. The model ship market, by its very nature, caters to a very small group of like-minded people with a particular passion for creating unique work. It is characterized by higher prices, limited availability, and limited manufacturer model options. And, those kits rely heavily on our skills and innovations as builders to complete a historically accurate model ship to be proud of.

Let’s take a closer look at the manufacturing and distribution chain.

MANUFACTURERS of model ship kits and accessories often temporarily remove popular model ship kits from the market, redesign them, and then offer them again. What reasons would a manufacturer have for doing this? Have you ever considered any of these possibilities to remove the ship model from the manufacturing chain? 1. Improve the overall quality of the kit? 2. Do you respond to customer feedback about construction difficulties on a particular model ship? 3. Reduce manufacturing costs? 4. Relocate the manufacturing center? 5. Add additional functions? 6. Do you improve the plans, drawings or instructions? While the kits can be removed for any of the above reasons; Model ship manufacturers face the same economic realities as other types of industry. Often times, it is the end result that needs to be registered most strongly with a manufacturing company. Put more strictly, the reason is to increase profit margins, also known as we need to “make more money.”

Do not misunderstand; to stay in business, all manufacturers must make a fair profit. Most model boat manufacturers offer a good quality product at a reasonable price. They need to put a little more consideration in the needs of the builders. This would certainly help grow the hobby and your market share.

Another frustration for builders is manufacturers who still provide only die-cut parts in their model ship kits. Die-cut parts tend to become less accurate with the greater number of parts produced and are often difficult to work with. Taking a die cut keel out of a 1/8 “thick piece of basswood without losing any major curves can sometimes be enough for a builder to shut down the shop for the night. Listen to the kit makers – if you’re going to be Back then, do yourself and your customers a huge favor and get laser cutting machines! Or keep thinking and research the possibilities of a 3D printer.

Then there are the manufacturers who provide you with materials that are nearly impossible for the average model ship builder to work with. For example, some kits provide wire to be made into chain assembly parts. This is a surefire way to turn off a novice builder. Turn off the builders and watch the niche we occupy get even smaller, my friends.

The reason DISTRIBUTORS exist is to represent and consolidate the products of numerous manufacturers under one roof, providing an inventory, warranty, and technical support system, often in a different country or continent than the manufacturer. This addition to the supply chain should allow smaller retailers to improve their competitiveness.

One frustration in this system, with the current emphasis on Internet sales, is the distributor competing with the retailers it is supposed to support. This can lead to a reduction in supply, an increase in prices and an unfair market (for the consumer).

And while the global marketplace has allowed us all to shorten the delivery cycle and be more price conscious and price savvy, it has also become a thorn in the retailer’s side, particularly for small entrepreneurs. As we continue to push brick and mortar building inventories into the ‘cloud’, retailers have seen North American stock levels drop to much lower levels. Cost concerns have led manufacturers to look to manufacturing sources in countries with lower wage levels, fewer health benefits, and longer working hours. Unfortunately, these movements have also created barriers to effective and efficient information on product availability and longer delivery times in some cases.

In order to address product availability, longer lead times, higher shipping costs, and extremely price-conscious retailers (as an extension of their customers), distributors have been taking steps to improve their capacity. of providing profitable products. Sometimes in a smaller market (like Canada), this can mean a limited supply of product in the warehouse, a longer order cycle, and longer shipping times to take advantage of lower-cost transportation systems.

And retailers are not all saints either.

Certain RETAILERS have been known to dramatically increase their list prices and then offer fabulous sales, advertising 60% or more off the MSRP. I know I am attracted to a 60% savings signal! I also know that I need to know the “true” regular price, what other retailers are offering for the same item, and the differences in service between retailers. The net effect of this illusion is an inflated advertised discount that should leave the end users, YOU, with a bad taste in your mouth and a determination to avoid retailers trying to mislead you.

Ahhh, the Internet! Such a wonderful tool that it has opened up supply chains never seen before. It offers the consumer the possibility of browsing without leaving the comfort of their living room. But what about the consumer who lives in a rural area, the kind who can’t get high-speed service? Or the consumer who does not have access to the Internet? Or the customer who wants to touch and navigate? These clients are often overlooked in our race to digitize.

There are many retailers of wooden and radio controlled ship models that fly at night. They don’t have printed catalogs for customers, they don’t have in-house stocks, they aren’t willing to ship samples, and they don’t accept returns without expensive restocking and handling fees. And worst of all: minimal shipping costs that don’t reflect the actual cost of shipping the products you order. Many of them offer poor customer service, communicate by email only, offer no guarantees on the products they sell, do not offer follow-up customer service, and rarely find an experienced retailer on staff to answer questions. wooden boat model hobby enthusiast techniques. . If you don’t have a computer or are not comfortable using this technology, you may have a hard time finding what you need to be able to enjoy the great hobby of building model ships.

Now, let’s say you manage to call someone at the hobby store. Who are you talking to? Could it be a model ship builder, a long-term full-time employee who understands the world of model ship hobbies, a small business owner, a part-time student? You will most likely speak with a part-time employee or small business owner and while the owners and employees have a vested interest in your business, they do not always have the experience to address your concerns or the ability to provide a custom boat model. and parts and accessories search services. Sometimes they can’t even get spare parts from the manufacturers for you (see manufacturers and distributors information above). The hobby market has changed in recent years and most hobby businesses are geared towards the general consumer. In other words, their focus is elsewhere and it is because the sales of model ship kits, accessories, parts and accessories are a very small part of their overall business.

Look for a retailer that offers products at a fair price, has both a digital and print presence, is a ship modeler, and is enthusiastic about the hobby. You want to deal with a company that has a track record in business and responds to your phone calls and emails in a timely manner; a company that has more than a single manufacturer’s product lines, a broader distribution network, and a focus on model ship building. When you find a company like that, don’t lose your contact information!