Hi Guys
i just want to thank the shop team for the quick deliver of the members kits that i ordered they arrived today
thanks
Alan
Thanks, Alan - it's always encouraging to get positive feedback from members although as we normally only meet up on Thursdays some orders may take a little longer to reach you, depending on when in the week you order. Apologies though for slight delays over the past week or so as our team member who takes parcels to the Post Office has been self-isolating - Covid can still throw a spanner in the works from time to time!
While we're writing we would just draw members' attention to recent additions to on-line stock, including some interesting Tillig dual gauge track items and a few loco kits. Check out the Misc and Kits sections of the website in particular.
The Sales Team.
Quote from: The Sales Team on July 21, 2021, 09:13
Thanks, Alan - it's always encouraging to get positive feedback from members although as we normally only meet up on Thursdays some orders may take a little longer to reach you, depending on when in the week you order. Apologies though for slight delays over the past week or so as our team member who takes parcels to the Post Office has been self-isolating - Covid can still throw a spanner in the works from time to time!
While we're writing we would just draw members' attention to recent additions to on-line stock, including some interesting Tillig dual gauge track items and a few loco kits. Check out the Misc and Kits sections of the website in particular.
The Sales Team.
Hi Guys
My only criticism with the society shop is theirs no society exclusive ready to run stock but that would be a big cost for probably a small return
Thanks
Alan
Quote from: Alan Pollock on July 21, 2021, 14:19
Hi Guys
My only criticism with the society shop is theirs no society exclusive ready to run stock but that would be a big cost for probably a small return
Thanks
Alan
There was I think once a 'special' available only at the Convention all those years ago, produced by Minitrains?
The society sales it not about 'making a return'.
The whole idea is making a service for members not making a profit.
There was a Minitrains van with 009 society logo done about 10 years ago now for the anniversary, but it did not sell well, and many were removed from the chassis, sprayed grey and sold for a few pounds via society sales.
So my one might be 'collectable' now? ;D
Quote from: Alan Pollock on July 21, 2021, 14:19My only criticism with the society shop is theirs no society exclusive ready to run stock but that would be a big cost for probably a small return
Sorry about that. As Brian says, 'Sales' is mainly about 'recycling' unwanted stock and in the process providing a service to both sellers and buyers. There is, of course, an increasing amount of RTR stock available from commercial suppliers these days but when you look at the prices you can see it's not a cheap option - even if you aren't looking to make a profit. More importantly, the Society has no paid employees and everything is done by volunteers, and so far no-one has volunteered to put in the substantial hours and effort involved in producing RTR items. Even if they did, there would then be an endless debate as to what limited range of items to go for (though we could probably rule out Lynton and Barnstaple stock for starters!) An RTR chassis would probably the most popular item but as recent (and past) discussions have shown almost everyone has their own preferred option(s) and again getting agreement wouldn't be easy.
The Sales Team.
Quote from: B.Meldon on July 21, 2021, 14:43
The society sales it not about 'making a return'.
The whole idea is making a service for members not making a profit.
There was a Minitrains van with 009 society logo done about 10 years ago now for the anniversary, but it did not sell well, and many were removed from the chassis, sprayed grey and sold for a few pounds via society sales.
Totally agree Brian, members sales is a Members Service.
The blue Minitrains van was commissioned with Andreas Schoenfeld of Minitrains by Brian Guilmant as a "special" for the 40th Anniversary Convention in 2013. I don't know how many were produced in the bulk order. I do vaguely remember being asked to photograph a train running round Brian's Imperial Western Railway with some 150 of these in tow, so I am guesstimating that the overall order would have probably been 250. If anyone really does "have" to know how many, I'm sure a letter to Hon Secretary in the normal procedure making this request would prompt a committee question to Hon Treasurer who would be able to answer as it was him that would have had to pay Minitrains!
I think I remember that everyone who attended the convention was offered one of these as part of the reception at the hotel for a discounted price, can anyone confirm? I got one, but can't remember if I paid for it or if it came as part of the convention pack that everyone received?
After the event the remaining vans were offered at a couple of shows that the sales table attended that year, Expong being one and Colehill members morning in December being the other. They also went with the sales table to Ilton for the SWOONS start of year show in January and were offered to members in the mail order service.
Brian is correct that whilst they were a popular souvenir of the Convention they did not sell very well afterwards - I was an assistant to Brian Guilmant at the time and one day he passed me a bag of 50 or 60 of the van bodies with instructions to spray them matt grey as they were to be offered cheaply as clearance items as Brian M above has indicated - so I am the guilty one with regards to how a small glut of grey Minitrains van bodies appeared on the market!
Surviving mint ones now collectors items? No idea, probably!! I only have one, so I am not going to test the water by putting mine on eBay - if someone wants to be brave, then I will follow the bidding with interest. If it reaches £500 I think I might be tempted to part with mine!!
Mick
Was that Halford's grey primer, Mick?
I remember being offered one but not bothering!
Hmmm, might have been Blair! It was grey primer in a rattle can but I'm not sure where I got it from. I think it might well have been Halfords!
For those who like figures and stats, I think I remember that the un-spoiled anniversary vans were sold after the Convention at £8 each. I can't be sure of accuracy of memory though.
The grey primer van bodies only were sold off quite cheaply at something like £2 to £3. If somebody who purchased one can remember, then maybe we'll get an accurate figure!
I imagine that Brian also sold off the van bogies as separate items, so at 2 bogies per van body there must have been a hundred or more of these in the sales trays in around 2014.
Mick
Hi Guys
Thanks for the response and I'm Sorry to read that the exclusive didn't work out.
I'm sorry I can't make any more constructive criticism on this thread and could I please ask an admin if this can be locked please and thanks
Thanks
Alan
I seem to recall there was a plan at one stage to 3-D print a load of bases - like 'staddle stones' in a group of six joined into one unit - which would have been sold as bases for the grey van bodies, but nothing came of it.
David.
Edit: Latest intelligence is that there are no van bodies remaining, apparently. Not sure how many there were in the original order.