Chuck Inlow, Idaho, in an on-going thread about problems experienced by on-line customers , noted that Aristo- Craft “has no dealer net work anymore.”
What further information is there regarding Aristo-Craft apparently only relying on customer-to-factory purchasing?
Secondly, are remaining Aristo-Craft products on dealer shelves therefore considered old stock?
Wendell
I don’t know what to tell you Wendell about any stock left on dealer shelves. They will have to do what they can to get their money out of it. I see alot of new stock listed on e-bay for prices higher then what you can purchase it directly from Aristo-Craft now. The current 40% discount you get from Aristo-Craft was what the dealers use to get. I guess they have to do what ever they have to do to survive the times. Sure put a hole in my business.
Chuck
I wonder how much stock Aristo are now selling direct compared to how much they used to sell via their dealer network?
I also wonder what dealer attitudes will be if and when in the future prosperity returns and Aristo want to resume a dealer network?
TonyWalsham said:I would imagine it would be something like "You want us to do what? Right." - Brings to mind the old saying "once bitten, twice shy".
I also wonder what dealer attitudes will be if and when in the future prosperity returns and Aristo want to resume a dealer network?
I don’t know what the long term impact will be, I know short term I seem to be purchasing more Aristo direct than I ever did prior. That’s not saying much as I have bought very little in the past. I like the “factory direct” pricing, and the fact I can see everything available and ready to ship. I also must add the post-sale communication has been exemplary, something lacking from many on-line retailers.
I like the dealers I do business with now…I’d hate to see them go. I also like the cost savings. I think the answer will depend on how much value the dealers brought to Aristo with today’s internet savy buyers.
G’day Jon.
I can fully understand why AristoCraft had to do what they did and sell direct. For example AristoCraft have to buy the Revolution in big quantities to get the price down. No point in placing big orders in China if there is not a big enough market for them. Let alone the Chinese suppliers cannot get components easily.
I had to give up what dealers I had in the USA. Not because what I make isn’t any good, it was because the Australian $ became so valuable v the USA $. Currently 1 x A$ = US $1.06. The RCS products became so expensive in US $ terms that there was not enough margin for a dealer to make a profit and remain competitive in price with Chinese imports. So I had to bite the bullet and sell direct only until and if the A$ drops back to what is was for many years. i.e. 1 x A$ = .70c US. I cannot see that happening anytime soon.
I can compensate a little bit for those interested in my RCS products. Like Shawn did, they can pay in the number of US$ via PayPal direct instead of using the website cart method. Using the PayPal cart makes them slightly more expensive as the purchaser would be paying in A$. Just add $5 for postage if the total value is under $100.
(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/criswell_predicts.jpg)
What Criswell foresee’s happening, already happened at St Aubins…and if more manufacturers follow suit, will spread.
Interesting situation for TRAINWORLD and marketing Aristo-Craft - considering that the Polks are now factory order - how will Trainworld price the stock they have other than below the POLKS pricing. So if what TRAINWORLD now has is essentially “old” stock they can sell at the “low” prices now seen in the Garden RR ad. For example, the heavyweight cabooses at $50+. Those have been in stock for years.
Ya reckon there might be a few less dealers at the ECLSTS show next year, if there is one…
Heard a rumor that the dealers R talking about boycotting it altogether…
Paul R…
Paul Rose said:I would think Aristocraft would have even more reason to put on the show with their new direct sales model. Ralph
Ya reckon there might be a few less dealers at the ECLSTS show next year, if there is one... Heard a rumor that the dealers R talking about boycotting it altogether... Paul R...
Well boys you know the old saying, “Only time will tell”. It would be nice if they had any #6 switches in stock at the present discount. Oh well, what else is new!!!
Paul Rose said:If those dealers don't find something else to peddle then "boycotting" isn't really what they would be doing. Can't sell air to this hobby :)
Ya reckon there might be a few less dealers at the ECLSTS show next year, if there is one... Heard a rumor that the dealers R talking about boycotting it altogether... Paul R...
And then Charles and Polk will be the only ones there selling stuff,
hmm you think they care too much about that??
If there is a show, I’d bet that Nicholas Smith will be there too.
They sell a ton of merchandise every year.
Ralph
The Statement “if there is a show” gives to that opposite, “if there isn’t a show” - THEN EVERYONE LOOSES.
If they make money they will do the show, if they can’t make money, they shoud have stopped a long time ago. But no show, how can anyone show there products. People aren’t going to buy just on advertising. I can’t imagine anyone introducing products at things like the Garden Railroad Convention. NMRA Convention? Right.
Now, there’s an impact image: Only Aristo-Craft and USA selling large scale trains. That means MTH stays on “track” with scales other than 1:32? What happens to Hartland? Mailorder only? LGB is challenged, under Ron Gibson’s helm, to a goal of restablishing its niche and credibility as “German engineering and quality.” Meanwhile, where is Bachmann in the picture? Outfront, smiling from an invitation to their OWN train show?
Hi Guys;
What is the exact retailer situation?
The retail dealers still receive a dealer discount from Aristo Craft to sell to the public , do they not?
Train World still carries Aristo Craft , right?
So in summary from those who have contact with the other dealers, what exactly is the retailer situation for Aristo Craft products?
Does only Train World now still order new product from Aristo Craft ?
Norman
Norman.
I don’t doubt big dealers like Trainworld get bigger discounts than the 40% (perhaps less) small Ma & Pa stores did/do get.
Trainworld would get the basic 40% like the Ma & Pa’s. Then extra discounts for buying bg quantities and an extra discount for pre-payment. Other wise why would they still keep buying stock if Aristo is selling direct for 40% off list. Never mind the super discounts for clearing lines.
One item that will interest the LSer “When will I get it?”. Chances are the dealers will still have “some in stock” before Aristo gets more from China. Apart from that; “How good will Aristo’s order processing be?”. Time will tell!
I ordered from Aristo Monday…Recieved multiple notifications on the status of my order from placed-packaged-shipped. Arrived yesterday.
So far I’d have to say their service is equal to the best anywhere.
I ordered from Aristocraft shortly after the switch. The item shipped the next day and was here two days later.
So, yes, I’d say they are doing a good job getting the orders out.
Ralph
