Spring Mills N&W Caboose

Mon May 13 11:19:02 EDT 2019

Roger,

Being a tiny manufacturer in a niche market (resin kits in S and O scales), I keep tight reins on inventory, especially items that decline in quality over time, like rubber molds and decals.  I’ve been burned more times than I can remember over the years by people who’ve placed a no-money-required reservation and never follow thru for various reasons.  In all cases, I eventually sold those extra kits but that’s not my point.  If someone says they’ll buy X-kit and doesn’t follow thru with the commitment, that’s a problem.  Just like the ol’ saying that 1 bad apple spoils the barrel, I’ve been forced to require 100% prepayment for cars that I’m committed to producing, usually after the design portion has started.  I also routinely send out emails to the folks who’ve reserved describing updates on the project so they don’t feel “connected” to their investment.  Communication is critical in my business, whether industrial or modeling customers, and is VERY lacking with most companies I’ve dealt with.  In the model RR world, many suppliers have full-time jobs.  Some are retired and their hobby business has started to run them instead of they running the business.  “One and done” is often the result.

I can’t speak for other manufacturers but prepayment works for me.  While I may not be the fastest to deliver a product, I try to do so within a reasonable amount of time.  Only once have I refunded 100% of payments rec’d for a project and that was due to my mechanism supplier pulling the plug on me after I paid for a prototype and he “claimed” he could make what I want.  He got my $250 and nothing else, nor will he ever have the opportunity again.

Jim King

 <http://www.smokymountainmodelworks.com/> www.smokymountainmodelworks.com

From: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> 
Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2019 8:13 PM
To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
Subject: Re: Spring Mills N&W Caboose

We are caught in a strange area as modelers and have been for several years. With the limited production of products we are forced more and more into this situation. I personally hate sending money to a manufacturer and having to pay sight unseen for a product. With Spring Mills I have no worries about the quality of the eventual product but they are more of an exception than the norm. Having my money tied up for a year or two or three just bothers me. I feel like a company ought to be able to finance their products without tying up the customers money. It's one thing to reserve a product to give them an idea as to the viability of a project but forcing customers to pay for the development of the project is just wrong to me.

It might not be such an issue with modelers if something were produced in a reasonable time period. Waiting upwards of 3+ years isn't reasonable to me.

Please don't bring up the closing of some Chinese factories as this was an issue WAY BEFORE that happened so that isn't a factor.

You asked,so that's my 2¢.

Roger Huber

Deer Creek Locomotive Works

On Sunday, May 12, 2019, 3:38:04 PM CDT, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> > wrote: 

I have emailed Spring Mills Depot for an approximate delivery date for the N&W cabooses (no response yet). I know that they have several projects ahead of them (3 projects @ one per year = 3 years till the N&W project).

I do not feel that they will be delivered anytime soon with their current work load. I have deposits on 46 cabooses ($2500.00+) and would like to know what others

feel about their deposits sitting there for such an extended period of time. I have thought about the return of my deposit and then reorder when they get close to actually 

making the cabooses. What do others feel about the deposits being held up for an stented period of time?

Stephen Rineair

From: NW-Modeling-List <nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org> > On Behalf Of NW Modeling List
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2019 10:41 AM
To: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> >
Subject: Re: K-2/ Selling Lists

Jim,

  Perhaps I am reading your commentary as snide but I am propelled to explain this matter so that everyone is aware of the trappings.

  Yes, the lists were approved quite some time ago.  However, the planning of the convention took priority as the convention benefits the society and it's members. The lists, however, will only benefit a few and is also a free service which we are glad to supply. Also remember that this convention was "dumped" on Ken, Frank and myself as the original chairman and co-chairman vacated their positions and left the society. We are proud to do the work but we also have other society matters to handle along with our home life and day jobs.

  If you recall, I stated to you in the business meeting that I would give the moderators the green light to proceed upon returning home for the convention. I did so on Tuesday and Dr. Greer has came through.  

  If I am perceiving your tone wrong then my apologies. However, if my perception is correct then such is not productive at all.  Thanks.

Todd Arnett

On Thursday, May 9, 2019, 1:53:15 PM EDT, NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> > wrote: 

Wouldn't it be great if the NWHS Sales List were active!? It was approved by the BOD at least 3 months ago; supposedly it is "in the works" per information at the Roanoke convention business meeting.

Jim Brewer

On Wed, May 8, 2019 at 7:52 PM NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> > wrote:

This engine doesn’t show up on ebay very often.  Reasonable opening bid.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Norfolk-Western-K-2A-4-8-2-Mountain-Key-Samhongsa-Brass-HO-UP-BA206/382931677469?hash=item592881b11d:g:f4QAAOSwk1hcy0xf

There was an unpainted K-2a on ebay a couple days ago but I don’t see it now.  It was HEAVILY tarnished and would have required a LOT of work prior to painting.

Jim King

 <http://www.smokymountainmodelworks.com/> www.smokymountainmodelworks.com

________________________________________
NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org <mailto:NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org> 
To change your subscription go to
http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
Browse the NW-Modeling-List archives at
http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/

________________________________________
NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org <mailto:NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org> 
To change your subscription go to
http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
Browse the NW-Modeling-List archives at
http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/

________________________________________
NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org <mailto:NW-Modeling-List at nwhs.org> 
To change your subscription go to
http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-modeling-list
Browse the NW-Modeling-List archives at
http://list.nwhs.org/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://pairlist6.pair.net/pipermail/nw-modeling-list/attachments/20190513/9d8ad8d1/attachment-0001.html>