I replace DS-tracks whenever possible (aversion, don't trust them not to break, think single link tracks look better).

Gord: I applaud you for your efforts to keep up the hobby at your store despite your core customers' non-interest.

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You for one. As a hobby shop owner you might want to consider whether you represent your customer base well. For most, even the ardent Canadian nationalists, the track detailing in and of itself won't be an issue.KL

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You sir are kind of an ass.
I have seen your rude and high handed posts numerous times on this board and so thanks again Kurt, but no thanks.
And so to continue to the discourse hopefully without any more contributions from Mr KL ...
It is exactly because I am thinking about my customers that I am angry about prices and fidelity of detail.
I work very hard and put in long hours to do my absolute best for all my customers. In the case of the CDP version of the Sexton there was interest so I brought one in to check it out and I won't be reccommending it without a warning.
Gordon Parker

I have endured some quite ignorant comments on here about my prices. One idiot suggested he could get the CDP Sexton for $50CDN. Horsehockey!

I have been advised by the editor to put your remarks on ignore. You can go back to playing with your self. I am no longer listening.

This might be a stupid suggestion, but Dragon's Pz lll/lV tracks look much better than the CDP tracks - and look similar. Can these be substituted for the CDP track?

So I saved my nickels (pennies are now obsolete in Canada) and bought the DML Sexton with CDP track.
I was really looking forward to this kit as the Sexton is one of my favourite AFV's and a version with the unique Canadian Dry Pin track system was just money for jam. Yum Yum!
Talk about disappointment! The vinyl CDP track looks like crap and may be the worst vinyl's I have seen since some bad Bandai reboxings.
What utter garbage!
To be honest I am feeling quite bitter about a $100+ kit with un-unuseable track.
So be warned and be cranky!
Gord

Gordon

If you go back and read, suggestions were provided with advice. Unfortunately, you did not get the jest of the "buy Dragon" comment. But as inferred many times, modelers are more knowledged today, and know what they are buying, thus it was hard to understand you original complaint and not having knowledge about DS track.

As for "insulting" your business, I don't believe I did, {actually I refer you to this post of yours -"Thanks for letting people know with what they are dealing with if they had to visit your store. I, for one, will never be visiting your store.}"
and I was just pointing out the differences in prices. As a store owner, I would think you would be more informed on distributors, and I am sorry you are not. I am a HUGE supporter of local hobby stores, especially when they are doing what they can to compete with online vendors. I am lucky in that I have a local hobby store with a VERY informed owner, and he is able to keep his prices competitive and when he can't, he will not stock the item. {my original point in fact GP}

You can take this thread anyway you want, but it is you, I think that missed the point. And as a store owner, you have shown your knowledge and opinions of customers throughout your comments in this thread.

Legally, I have to deal with Canadian importers as they own the licenses and the prices between the wholesalers are all pretty much the same.

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Gordon

If you go back and read, suggestions were provided with advice. Unfortunately, you did not get the jest of the "buy Dragon" comment. But as inferred many times, modelers are more knowledged today, and know what they are buying, thus it was hard to understand you original complaint and not having knowledge about DS track.

As for "insulting" your business, I don't believe I did, {actually I refer you to this post of yours -"Thanks for letting people know with what they are dealing with if they had to visit your store. I, for one, will never be visiting your store.}"
and I was just pointing out the differences in prices. As a store owner, I would think you would be more informed on distributors, and I am sorry you are not. I am a HUGE supporter of local hobby stores, especially when they are doing what they can to compete with online vendors. I am lucky in that I have a local hobby store with a VERY informed owner, and he is able to keep his prices competitive and when he can't, he will not stock the item. {my original point in fact GP}

You can take this thread anyway you want, but it is you, I think that missed the point. And as a store owner, you have shown your knowledge and opinions of customers throughout your comments in this thread.

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Why don't we let this one go Kevin and move forward, if I indeed threw the first stone my apologies, it was not my intention to do so.
My store is more about games and slot cars. I have a huge play space so kids can come in and actually have something to do. I have only recently started to bring models back in the store because I like them and I naively thought others would to. As I pointed out several times, I am only just returning to the hobby and nowhere current on new kits or jargon. So telling me what I should know or should have known I let get under my skin; especially as I am asking for help here.
But the prices are killing me.
I have talked to my wholesalers about this issue and they are stuck too by the low dollar and rising prices across the board.
Legally, I have to deal with Canadian importers as they own the licenses and the prices between the wholesalers are all pretty much the same.
An example:
An MPC 1973 Mustang (which I originally built in '73) now has a suggested retail of 37.85 before taxes. Who's going to buy that? How do manufacturers get away with charging that much for a 40 yr old re-pop? Especially when you consider that models are almost universally manufactured in China at less than salubrious wages.
Armour has always been the most expensive and back in the day, you bought your kit and then you bought a Verlinden set to detail or convert and then you moped about the lousy and inaccurate and overpriced Verlinden stuff (remember their Ram? Yuck). Even getting a decent allied subject was cause for celebration. I actually own a $200 Resicast Sexton that I may never build (I bought it 20 yrs ago even though I hate resin but wanted to hedge my bets).
So I was doing joyous back flips over the Dragon Sexton, CDP tracks? Bonus! I'll have that.
Lunchbag letdown? You bet.
Recent Dragon kits have looked great so I think my expectation that the CDP tracks would be useable was reasonable.
GP

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Legally, I have to deal with Canadian importers as they own the licenses and the prices between the wholesalers are all pretty much the same.

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Gordon,

I don't believe that is a true fact, as most local hobby stores I know in Canada deal with US distributors, ie Steven International, Dragon Models USA, Horizon, Squadron, etc.

I had thought I was trying to be helpful.
Kevin

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Legally, I have to deal with Canadian importers as they own the licenses and the prices between the wholesalers are all pretty much the same.

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Gordon,

I don't believe that is a true fact, as most local hobby stores I know in Canada deal with US distributors, ie Steven International, Dragon Models USA, Horizon, Squadron, etc.

I had thought I was trying to be helpful.
Kevin

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Thanks for this Kevin. I will check but I know that is certainly the way it was when I started.
I have dealt with Stevens in the past; good people reasonable prices but at that time they insisted on using UPS and anyone who has ever dealt with UPS brokerage fees in Canada knows why I won't even let the company in the door.
With the collapse of the dollar the problem gets worse.
I don't mind flipping a kit at a deep discount if the customer pre-orders and/or leaves a deposit and pays enough of the shipping costs so I can make a few bucks too. But I am sure you agree that a 10% mark up for kits on the shelf is just not going to fly.
Gord

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Thanks for this Kevin. I will check but I know that is certainly the way it was when I started.
I have dealt with Stevens in the past; good people reasonable prices but at that time they insisted on using UPS and anyone who has ever dealt with UPS brokerage fees in Canada knows why I won't even let the company in the door.
With the collapse of the dollar the problem gets worse.
I don't mind flipping a kit at a deep discount if the customer pre-orders and/or leaves a deposit and pays enough of the shipping costs so I can make a few bucks too. But I am sure you agree that a 10% mark up for kits on the shelf is just not going to fly.
Gord

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Some stores being close to the border take advantage of free shipping from distributors by having is shipped to a UPS store in the US, then going to pick it up.

If I want kits from the East (which is 5,000 KM away) my shipping costs are quite high compared to the West (100km away) and the Western company is next day service and the East is minimum one week.

OK so why not buy offshore?
Simply put we have to decide whether or not we want to pay our taxes.
Canadian wholesalers do. They pay all the import duties and taxes required by law, they pay all the shipping, manage all the brokerage fees and as you may not know, nothing ships direct to Canada anymore because model kits are not made here or the US.

If the trend continues as I see it, Canadian wholesalers will stop carrying hobby items if they can't turn kits over fast enough or at all.

So pay your taxes, buy from local shops that support Canadian wholesalers who pay their taxes and contribute to the Canadian economy. It is the Canadian way.

The largest importer is in Eastern Canada and holds the licenses for Tamiya, Dragon (including Bronco, Cyber Hobby etc), among others.