🚀 go-pugleaf

B Dixon <WDixon@telus.net> writes:

>C. Dewick wrote:

>> Jane Sullivan <jane@yddraiggoch.demon.co.uk> writes:
>> 
>> 
>>>Is there any reason why Eureka models will not appoint a UK agent? I'm 
>>>certainly interested in the Beyer-Garratt model (with DCC and sound) but 
>>>I don't really want to go through all the hassle of paying import duty 
>>>to the Post Office before they'll deliver a package from Australia. It's 
>>>much easier for us in the UK to buy overseas models from a UK supplier.

[ much of Bill's followup not repeated... ]

>For unique, low production run models, the direct sales method gives a 
>better (and faster) return to the manufacturer than the hobby store route.

All of what you say is true and I'm well aware from running my own business
(in IT, but as a value-added reseller, so there are some similarities) that
unless the volumes of sales are massive and there are ways to leverage
reasonable returns over big sales volumes, the addition of supporting
distributors/retailers is an impost which makes a small business producing
locomotive models turn from being viable to not viable overnight if there
isn't enough elasticity in the business model to cope with the additional
resources that are needed.

Craig.
-- 
Craig Dewick - Professional Train Manager (RailCorp) + HO Scale Rail Modeller
http://www.railzone.org -- Check out the RailZone Online Forums! Send email to
craigd@lios.apana.org.au -- RailCorp Train Crew Council: http://www.rctcc.org
Oz Rail Safety List: http://lios.apana.org.au/mailman/listinfo/aus_rail_safety