Large Scale Central

Aristo Craft to start direct discounted sales to the consumer?

General Discussion
#1

Hi guys:

Your thoughts on the following?

http://www.aristocraft.com/

Today, 10:53 PM
Scott Polk
Administrator Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 29

Announcement!! A Must Read

This email will actually be sent out in the morning. First viewing for our forum members.

Dear All,

I would like to take a second and thank each of you for your past support and future support of Aristo-Craft Trains. Since 1935, the foundation of our company has always been the consumer. So…

Beginning April 2, 2012 we will open our doors to the consumer and start to sell directly to you at a discounted price. At the same time, our new website will be launching as well. To celebrate the launch of our new website, we will be offering an additional 10% off your entire order. Please use coupon code, Thank You, at checkout. This coupon will be valid from 4/2/2012

#2

I never understood why the manufacturer of a niche product purchased primarily from mail-order or internet outlets would not just sell direct to the consumer at near wholesale pricing. It would be different if the middle man added value like a small hobby shop but many of the large retailers do not. Some internet wholesalers actually make you feel like you are irritating them when you call to place an order. Though I buy little 1/29 these days I welcome the opportunity for better customer service and direct access…No more surprise back-orders?

There are others who do this (AMS comes to mind) but I still see independents selling their products for less too.

#3

I think it would be interesting to see how this plays out. I don’t think the retailers will be very happy if suddenly they are being undercut by the manufacturer. It makes sense for Aristo to do this but how will it affect the retailers? It could be the end of the middle man hobby store.
USAT sells direct with mixed reviews amongst the retailers.
I wonder how much the Aristo pizza circle will be? I always wanted one of those.
Todd

#4

It is a sign of the times.
Dealers don’t move enough product to suit them.
If I had a large scale manufacturing business, I would eliminate all the middle men as well and sell direct.

#5

Not to be a buzz kill, but if I were Aristocraft, I might dimly consider updating my website to have something a little more current than a 2009 catalog. I’m of two minds on the web sales vs local shop issue, but if you’re doing web sales, your site better be up to snuff.

#6

I went to the website last night, only to find the 2009 catalog posted in gleaming color! Why would you consider yourself a major player in any manufacturing market and highlight long out-of-date catalog? I will say however, I bought one of their Rogers Locos via Trainworld on a clearance and the smoke unit did not function. Aristo recently paid for the product return, fixed it, and returned it to my doorstep at no cost to me!

#7

2009 web page…Not very good PR is it? :frowning:

#8

A new web-site is to debut April 2, I believe.
Ralph

#9

Might be a sign of the times, but this will not be good in the long run. And if the worst that can be seen in this is they post a 2009 catalogue, they’ll have no problem cutting out the middle men.

#10

Didn’t say it was the worst. The main point is if you cut out the expertise that the middlemen theoretically provide, you’d darned well be ready to provide a reasonable substitute. A stale site with old information and an unfriendly search page hardly helps a new feller such as myself answer the question “why should I buy from you” much less “why should I spend my time playing with trains when there are so many other activities beckoning?”

The risk, of course is failure of Aristocraft, losing another supplier and spooking the herd. Of course, the trend will have already cut off the oxygen to the middlemen who are long dead and gone. This happened in the marine industry, with one player taking over all but the hardiest of stores, then providing, well, not the best service. Only now are they bringing up their standards with more knowledgeable staff. A decade later.

#11

Aftermarket service?

#12

I urge caution here… Scott said “discounted price” discounted from what? the original MSRP? well guess what, I haven’t paid anything near the MSRP for an aristo product except on repair/kitbash parts purchased direct from Aristo.

There is a counter point to this, in that it removes one link in a chain that can cause damage… shipping from NJ to the dealer’s stockroom.

#13

One certain outcome I’ll predict, if they do indeed undercut the brick and morters, less large scale retailers.

In another thread I suggested that direct sales was a real possibility. Looks like its happening. Now the question will be what will be the fallout.

#14

I am really interested to see how this turns out. I think it’s a great idea despite it being a reflection of the economic times.

#15
Michael Moradzadeh said:
" .... why should I spend my time playing with trains when there are so many other activities beckoning?"
'coz after you're all done playin' with wimmen, th'ain't never been nuthin' invented that's better'n playin' with trains.
#16

Well said John. I can play with my trains anytime I feel like it, but the same does not hold true for SWMBO.

#17

I was at Watts Train Shop today , and it has really so very little in stock items of ANY mfr thats its unbeliveable .
It looked so SAD in there , everything , including used items and collections for sale were in the first room you walk into , wow , what a shocker it was to walk in there today .,
And a notice that Watts Trains INC is ENDED / kaputt up by the check out ?
There are FOR SALE signs for sections of lots , all over the grounds outside the shop .

The gentleman inside did say they were not going out of business , well it looks like they are just missing the chance by what I saw today !

But I did notice a LGB AMTRAK freight car that goes in the Amtrak passenger train if someone is looking for one .

#18

I don’t think you can judge Aristocraft by their current website. Scott has been in charge just three months and he is debuting a new website on Monday and opening up discounted sales direct to consumers. He has also stated, at York, that he has production scheduled to rebuild AC’s inventory. He apparently has a plan to freshen things up at Aristocraft and it starts April 2nd.

#19

I could see this hurting some of the bigger large scale outlets, like Trainworld, G Scale Junction, Star, RLD, etc. But, only if the direct discount prices from Aristocraft are that much better than the retailers discount prices. Locally (Buffalo, NY), its already a sad state of affairs for large scale. Ridge Road Station closed last year and all we’re left with is Niagara Hobby. Stopped in to Niagara, yesterday. SAD. Almost nothing in large scale. As a matter of fact, the store shelves were getting thin in all departments.

-Kevin.

#20

Well, it’s good that Scott is on top of things. April 2 is tomorrow, so I can watch Game of Thrones tonight, and game of ground throws tomorrow.