ploughmaster

I, agree, market value is determined by perceptions, but it is also a fact that those perceptions are often distorted, and not based on facts at all. I could introduce you to several people who could tell horror stories about their VW vans similar to your perceptions of the Maxus. and I don't appreciate the snide remarks either.

No, not really, they didn't No-one seems able to get down to the bottom of the actual structure of the company behind UH, but there certainly seem to be a few 'grey' areas, and they erupted onto the diecast scene in the 90's with a host of models - not issued at the huge rate that they do now, but they certainly didn't tentatively enter the market with one or two items and gradually build up from that. Raised the bar? Whilst I would agree that most of their modern image stuff is excellent, you really need to sit down and have a really close look at some of their vintage and classic releases (particularly in 16th) ...by which time, there will vast numbers more new models that those people will want - the wants lists will get longer and longer, and that is the point which is depressing some people. It isn't easy and clear cut as you seem to imagine.

Indeed they can, but what incentive is there for Brian Norman or David Purdue to invest several thousand pounds in having the masters and moulds produced to manufacture one of those tractor models, when they feel they are likely to find UH suddenly produce one as well, which will be far cheaper and take their market away. The answer, basically, is that they have stopped producing anything new.

No need to go off in a strop, the OP asked for advice and experiences; you gave yours, and I gave mine. Just because my experiences and those of people I know don't square with your experiences, doesn't make my post any less valid. Perhaps your vans suffer from the way they are driven ? I don't know ? All I know is the people I know who run a Maxus are reasonably happy with them. VW vans hold their value for the same reason as their cars - a historical reputation for quality and reliability which sadly doesn't really measure up to current reality that VW are really not what they used to be. I think 'No Brainer' is quite an apt term for those who fall for the misconception I would still probably pick the Transit over any of the Germans though.

Most van drivers I know seem to think that the Mercedes Sprinter is top of the tree VW are grossly overvalued second hand - therefore an expensive to buy as well as expensive to run. Old LDV Convoy vans are insanely cheap and reasonably reliable, and parts are easy to come by and fairly cheap, but being an evolution of the old Leyland Sherpa from the 70's, they are very primitive and not pleasant to drive at all. OK for short local work, but not a machine to be relished for long trips or continuous daily use. The newer Maxus (partly designed and developed by Daewoo) on the other hand is a very competent vehicle from what I have been told by several people who drive one, certainly not in the same league as a Merc or even a VW, but rated as OK as a basic load carrier. The biggest problem is that they are not built or sold here now, and there were relatively few sold here before LDV went under, so there is not much incentive for continued back up from the service and parts industry. Whether the ones being made in China will come here, who knows. The Transit is a well thought of, although similarly basic van in my opinion. They were always poular and regarded as the backbone of Britain having been designed and built here since the 60's. My biggest objection to them being that all the recent ones (except the chassis cabs) are now built in Turkey.

True, but most threads do go off topic at times (there is a thread in the Britains 'suggestions and ideas' section which has been 99% about scratchbuilt trailers, but I haven't seen anyone complain about that one )

I think perhaps there is a need to distinguish between those who make a model from scratch, in its entirety, and those who merely convert mass produced models, or use parts from mass produced models as a basis for their builds The latter will not be affected much at all - there are plenty of variations on a theme to make. The ones who will (and are already!) suffering are those makers who spent large amounts of time and money to produce accurate models of tractors which have neither been mass produced, nor can easily be converted from existing models - DBP, Brian Norman, Martyn Reeve, Model Tractor Co, Christian Gouel and their ilk (and I would even include Imber and MarGe on the periphery of this sector as well). It is difficult for small scale producers to justify the enormous amount of time and money needed to productionise a previously unavailable tractor model, only to find that a mass manufacturer suddenly decides to produce one as well, which will sell for a fraction of the price. It is no coincidence that the new items from these small scale makers has dwindled to almost nothing.

Certainly not in played with condition with some damage and some parts (and all the animals and figures) missing completely

1/64th I would think

In view of the niggles that are being found on some other recent Britains releases and discussed in another thread, I have to add the fit and finish on the Union Flag JCB is pretty poor

You been asleep?: http://www.farmtoysforum.com/forum/index.php?/topic/18194-britains-jcb-3cx-eco-in-union-jack-livery-limited-edition-new/ It is Rory who is currently selling the one on eBay. Some while after the discussion in the above thread took place, JCB did make some available via their shop, and dealers were able to order them so you could try asking your nearest JCB dealer (more likely to be in a JCB construction dealer than agricultural ). The Britains number is 42811 and the price from JCB was £59.99. However, the ones G&M have as a coming item are listed as the 3CX 'and Mug', and I have no idea whether they are a different set under a different number which includes the mug in the box, or whether the mug is a seperate extra item??

If you actually look at the pic in Model Farmer, and then look at the pic in CMB's link, you will find it isn't the Wiking one (unless its had a lot of parts removed). Nice find CMB - looks good , although it doesn't look like the Britains one either

Having only just got the T8, I found the same thing - a patch of bad paintwork halfway along the side of the roof. Both the Britains and Ertl Prestige versions are the same, and all the ones I have looked at have the same

Don't think so John Ayrey Diecast are one of a number of wholesalers who distribute toys to retailers in the UK, (A B Gee of Ripley are another, and of course ToyMaster do their own distribution). I'm not sure if they still are, but G&M used to be a wholesaler for Britains too. Ertl/Britains are the importer for their own products (although the handling, storage and logistics are handled by an outside company I think). Siku are imported by Alpha Toys (http://www.alpha-toys.co.uk/), and both Universal Hobbies and Norscot are imported by Accurate Diecast (http://www.accurated...ex.asp?pageID=1). Pretty much all diecast toys are made in the Far East nowadays (mainly in China), so they have to be imported. Very little of that nature is UK made anymore unfortunately.

It is a factory error, but it is one that all the halftrack Fiat 90-90 boxes had on them. I would assume they had originally been proposing to make it a 2WD halftrack (as the 880DT halftrack was), and then changed their minds after having had the box labels printed - Britains were never in the habit of throwing things away. It's a lot of money, even with the factory error with the tampo printing, but that particular seller is well known for eyewateringly high prices. I am not sure that he sells much. There is another (in my opinion) grossly overpriced Britains item from another seller here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Britains-Tractor-shawnee-poole-rear-dump-boxed-9630-very-rare-original-/110829924297?pt=UK_ToysGames_DiecastVehicles_DiecastVehicles_JN&hash=item19cdfa6fc9