Andy Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Was doing a bit of market research today while browsing for bargins throughout toy fairs local to me. Last week we had a stall at Spalding toy fair and amongst our array of obselete older items I put a few new UH items out assuming they would go well......I was wrong! I was amazed at the number of stall holders now stocking these UH models, particularly the fordsons and cougars, even the dealers whom for the past 5 years have been selling purely corgi or norscot etc I counted at least 8 or 9 stalls with the UH models on where as november 2005 it would only have been 2-3. Today was the same, 2 fairs (relatively low key) we visited I found 14 stalls that offered the fordsons. It was apparent the cheapest stalls were those whom have previously not stocked UH models, as we found fordsons being offered out at just ?24 - 26.00. The usual farm model dealers were around ?35 - ?40. How people can operate around such low margins, I'd love to know! Its obviously good for the consumer but this growing competition cannot be doing the overall market any good at all, and I can see it getting much worse, people are already pre ordering the upcoming spring UH models for 25% less than their RRP from these "corgi dealers" Another observation was the lack of Britains models, 2-3 stalls at the most stocking them.... \ I dont know what other people think about this but I find it pretty interesting to say the least! and as the subject heading relates to, the UH phenomenon clearly is out in the open now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MODELFARMER Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Was doing a bit of market research today while browsing for bargins throughout toy fairs local to me. Last week we had a stall at Spalding toy fair and amongst our array of obselete older items I put a few new UH items out assuming they would go well......I was wrong! I was amazed at the number of stall holders now stocking these UH models, particularly the fordsons and cougars, even the dealers whom for the past 5 years have been selling purely corgi or norscot etc I counted at least 8 or 9 stalls with the UH models on where as november 2005 it would only have been 2-3. Today was the same, 2 fairs (relatively low key) we visited I found 14 stalls that offered the fordsons. It was apparent the cheapest stalls were those whom have previously not stocked UH models, as we found fordsons being offered out at just ?24 - 26.00. The usual farm model dealers were around ?35 - ?40. How people can operate around such low margins, I'd love to know! Its obviously good for the consumer but this growing competition cannot be doing the overall market any good at all, and I can see it getting much worse, people are already pre ordering the upcoming spring UH models for 25% less than their RRP from these "corgi dealers" Another observation was the lack of Britains models, 2-3 stalls at the most stocking them.... \ I dont know what other people think about this but I find it pretty interesting to say the least! and as the subject heading relates to, the UH phenomenon clearly is out in the open now! Happy days, get rid of britains and get in UH!! Though point is taken on board Andy, they prob lookin a fast turn around, if u bought in 4 times as much UH and sold it with smaller margin would it all sell faster cause of lower price or or not?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 I too was at a toy fair the other day and found exactly the same thing Andy - A friend of mine is well up on Corgi and will be intertested to see this post... he's thinking of stocking UH as well - probably won't when he see this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodhead Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 i was talking to a corgi dealer who has an online shop. he has always done britains as well. Hes just sold off all his briatins stock and is now selling UH. he sais his fordsons are selling like hot cakes. He just got his order of uh fergusons, sais there fantastic. I have also spoken to a few agri supliers, 2 i spoke two have cleared there britains stock and are now only carrying siku. Reason for this is quality of manufacturing. Bad news for britains good news for uh!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallclaas Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 Well UH stuff is out of this world the detail. Wonder would UH like to buy the Britains brand name? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGEL FORD Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 The prices I've been quoted for UH trade on the Fordsons means they're making nothing at all at the retail prices you've quoted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Interesting thread this we are not seeing it here in the States, since I only know of one dealer who even stocks UH .......That I think is because UH does mostly all 1/32 a scale seldom collected in NA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted March 20, 2006 Author Share Posted March 20, 2006 He just got his order of uh fergusons, sais there fantastic. Are they here then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IH885XLMAN Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 When i when to shrewsbury last week i saw 4 or 5 boxed fordsons + 1 on display when i whent back a few hours later to buy one he said they all sold within 2 1/2 hours he says he can get loads more on order he also had a few 1/32 uh and britains but he mostley deals in fictional cars like Knightrider K.I.T.T back to the future ,MATRIX ETC but he said he would be buying lots more UH fordsons in particular and more 1/16 he was realy supprized at the way they sold so fast he has had buyers from america ordering them aswell hes selling them for ?38 -?39 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 What a shame people like Accurate Die-cast allow the market to be carved up like this - that Ford is worth every penny of ?40 - and the trade price is around ?25 cost - I suppose the problem is when you are all in a room together there will always be someone wanting (needing) to turn his investment into money regardless of profit and then all the others are forced to compete or not take any money. I spoke to my mate Clive about this today and his comment was very true - you get a table for ?10-?12 at these model fairs but that don't make you a businessman. I think the sad reality is with suppliers like Accurate willing to supply ANYONE at their wholesale price for just ?200 or one full case, nobody is going to stand a chance at making any PROPER money. I get exactly the same thing in my trade - some twit (mild word ) - gets a few grand redundancy, buys a van and goes to Spitalsfield market... buys his veg and thinks his Arthur Daily. WHOLESALE prices should be reserved for wholesalers with high volume... or at least those who will put their money where there mouths are and stump it up front. I have been leanring a lot from my mate Clive about the Corgi world and believe me, although it's more confusing with a much more complex pricing structure with clearance lines being discounted up to 75% off trade price - they have carved up their own market even better than accurate have managed with theirs so far. Sorry about that... rant over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Udimore Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 I actually have found the opposite Andy, went to a toy fair in Maidstone a few weeks back (with 1/32 famer) and this guy was selling the fordsons for 55 quid and getting sales for them and normal UH claas's for 20 quid, He's gonna get a nasty surprise for the next toy fair :D But online i have found its hardly worthwhile with the UH stuff as everyone has jumped on the bandwagon, oh and me :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 remember the four P's of marketing... Place Product Price Promotion Get all 4 right and you're quids in.... If you go to a toy fair you are going to be lucky to get all 4 right and your sure as hell won't on the web. Don't forget that place is broken down into three sub groups... Location Location Location Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Udimore Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 remember the four P's of marketing... Place Product Price Promotion Get all 4 right and you're quids in.... If you go to a toy fair you are going to be lucky to get all 4 right and your sure as hell won't on the web. Don't forget that place is broken down into three sub groups... Location Location Location Thankyou Marky i thought the world had moved on a tad though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodhead Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 remember the four P's of marketing... Place Product Price Promotion Get all 4 right and you're quids in.... If you go to a toy fair you are going to be lucky to get all 4 right and your sure as hell won't on the web. Don't forget that place is broken down into three sub groups... that takes me back to when i did business studies at school!!! the 4 ps!! Location Location Location Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the other green Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 My wife and I set up at a toy show in Morden, Manitoba, Canada this weekend. I normally get very little interest in my display-only 1/32 collection but this time, many people stopped and looked at my models. The UH Claas Cougar was the eye-catcher, or the UH "cow" Valtra C. I spoke to two sellers, one was going to be getting back into carrying 1/32 models, exclusively UH, and another who was planning to carry UH's 1/16 scale stuff. I guess the cat is out of the bag world-wide. I wonder, do you think the Corgi dealers may be using the break-even UH models as a draw to their tables to get people to buy the models (eg; cars, corgi stuff) they specialise in....? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 It does make you wonder doesn't it......... How many of these people actually sell models as their main source of income?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Udimore Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 It does make you wonder doesn't it......... How many of these people actually sell models as their main source of income?? Over 100 people have bought Uh agri models this year from the uk importer, not sure how many as main income, would have to sell loads of models to earn a living from them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPN Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 Well UH stuff is out of this world the detail. Wonder would UH like to buy the Britains brand name? I heard the opposite: Somebody is trying to buy the UH Licences, patterns, production contracts and marketing channels. It will be interesting to see if the UH brand name is kept, and if so, what for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MODELFARMER Posted April 4, 2006 Share Posted April 4, 2006 I'll buy it, or maybe we all on here could buy shares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodhead Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 I heard the opposite: Somebody is trying to buy the UH Licences, patterns, production contracts and marketing channels. It will be interesting to see if the UH brand name is kept, and if so, what for. if its bought, will the value of the uh branded models go up when its all rebranded as X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MODELFARMER Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 if its bought, will the value of the uh branded models go up when its all rebranded as X I wouldn't have thought that, Does the value of Case go up cause its bought by New Holland??? That might be the wrong way round \ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest quangova Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 If UH were bought out.... it is unlikley (as is UH being bought out at this moment in time) their value would not increase imediatly as the company who bought would more than likley retain the UH Brand Name, though 10/20 years in the future their may be a preimium in the collectors market for the "as origonal UH" rather than the "UH made by another company". Think origonal Britains as opposed to Britains Petite, Britains ERTL, Britains RC2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MODELFARMER Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Que panic invest collecting - - - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest quangova Posted April 7, 2006 Share Posted April 7, 2006 Que panic invest collecting - - - yeah Ricky, just think if you buy 200 UH models off me today, think what theyll be worth in years to come... so come on send me that big Chq NOW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MODELFARMER Posted April 8, 2006 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Sorry mate I've ploughed all I have in to this show EVERYTHING!! I need a result, I'm hunting to pay Agrium money this weekend!! NOT GOOD!!! but I'll manage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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