Hopefully not a portent of things to come, but, we have received information about a price increase coming from Aristo-Craft, effective 3/01/11. As of this time, there is nothing on the Aristo site regarding this price increase, but, I would say that it will soon be there. The increases, based on a sampling that we have taken, will start and go up from 14%. I would suggest that you get to your local store/dealer and get what you can if you want to beat this price increase. All items that are shipped from Aristo before 3/01/11 will be at the current prices, any items shipped after that date will be billed at the new prices, including backorders. I’m sure that Lewis has thought long and hard about this price increase, particularly in light of the current economy, and I do not envy his having to make this decision.
This fella (Polk) doesn’t realize that the higher them prices, the less purchases by the consumer. Along with other increases like gas, electricity, taxes, his stuff goes to the bottom of the list for necessities.
I do believe that Lewis does understand exactly what you have said, which is why I said that I don’t envy his decision. Discretionary spending will be hit the hardest, and will cause the domino effect on the rest of the industry. Less money to spend, less need for product, less need for employees, etc., etc. It is not a good thing, and it will hit us hard. I predict that there will be significant casualties in Hobby Stores, Hobby Distributors and Hobby Manufacturers/Importers in the coming year.
But we don’t have inflation. Only my disability check doesn’t increase.I see more scratchbuilding in my future!
Germany after WWI didn’t have inflation either. Google the “Weimar Republic” to see how far this can go. Not sure how we can spend on our hobby what we don’t have, but, perhaps, my brilliant representatives in Albany and Congress can show me how to do it so that I won’t be accountable.
I doubt if any supplier or retailer increases prices just for the fun of it. Over this side of the pond, where we pay much higher prices for our railroad goods than modelers in the States do, we have the added imposition of even higher taxation from our ‘cash hungry’ coalition government!
We are now looking forward to almost $2 PER LITRE for gas.
Nobody wants to increase prices, especially in today’s economy, all it can do, unless you have a life or death product, is to drive customers away. Business people try to eat increases when they can, but after a while, there is nothing let to cut. No doubt the continent does have higher prices, but they continue to spend like drunken sailors, just like they do on this side of the pond. Cut spending 20% and cut taxes 30% and see what happens. Doing that will definitely disrupt the lifestyle of the unaffected politicians.
I’m glad I have pretty much everything I need, in fact I could sell more stuff. But I worry about the future of the hobby with its ever increasing price of admission, its simply getting too expensive for much of anything anymore.
Okie Dokie Polky!! It’s also the old adage “wherever I price it, and they want it, or need it they WILL come” It’s a battle of the fittest, it will just drive people wherever they can find it the least expensive, prolly “Evil Bay” and or Trainworld, which I believe is where the vast majority of the trainers go now!! Also he has to make up for the track sale in Jan/Febr right??? Regal This could be applied to gas, and train pricing now and in the future, oh and yeah, gas prices predicted to be $5.00 by 2014!!
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/blueregal/_forumfiles/gasprices.jpg)
just watch the vid in my sig…
C. Nelson said:I watched part of your vid turned it off, I didn't like it.....
just watch the vid in my sig.....
Aristo is not the only one raising prices, how about shipping.
I received this note back on November 1, 2010
Dear UPS Customer,
We appreciate that you have chosen UPS as your trusted logistics provider, relying on us daily to help your business run more efficiently. Next year, the published rates for our services will be increasing; however, the value we offer through our innovative products and logistics know-how can help you be more competitive, serve your customers better, and grow your business.
2011 Rates Information
Effective January 3, 2011, UPS Daily Rates will increase as follows: UPS Ground services will increase a net 4.9% through a combination of a 5.9% increase in rates and a 1% reduction in the UPS Ground fuel surcharge; UPS Air and International services will increase a net 4.9% through a combination of a 6.9% increase in rates and a 2% reduction in the UPS Air and International services fuel surcharge.*
Even with this change, Daily Rates for UPS Next Day Air® remain up to 6% lower than our largest U.S. private competitor for similar services.
In addition, effective January 3, 2011, the dimensional weight divisor used to calculate dimensional weight will change from 194 to 166 for domestic U.S. UPS Ground and Air services shipments, and from 166 to 139 for U.S.-origin export shipments. To review these dimensional weight changes, as well as other accessorial changes taking effect on January 3, 2011, visit ups.com/rates on the following dates:
• October 29, 2010: Preview changes to the dimensional weight divisor and other charges, including accessorials.
• November 12, 2010: Preview the 2011 Rates.
• January 3, 2011: Download the 2011 UPS Rate and Service Guide.
To help you remain agile in a changing marketplace, UPS is always developing new logistics solutions to make your world work better, saving time and reducing overall costs. Our latest enhancements will be available January 3, 2011, and include the following:
• UPS Air and LTL freight shipping will be available from your desktop with UPS CampusShip®.
• Tracking on ups.com® will display more detail about your shipment, including the progress of your package and alerts for unforeseen events, such as weather disruptions.
• UPS carbon neutral, an easy inexpensive way to offset the carbon impact of your shipments, will be available in UPS WorldShip® 2011.
More information about UPS rates, accessorial changes, new services and technology enhancements can be found at ups.com/rates. As always, thank you for your business. We look forward to serving you in 2011.
*The impact of these changes on your shipping costs will vary according to your shipping characteristics and the terms of your agreement with UPS.
Doug Arnold said:The only reason we don't have inflation is because the gummint no longer counts food and energy costs in figuring the inflation rate.
But we don't have inflation. Only my disability check doesn't increase.I see more scratchbuilding in my future!
Pretty neat, huh?
David Kapp said:me either, too real :)C. Nelson said:I watched part of your vid turned it off, I didn't like it.....
just watch the vid in my sig.....
They wonder why the economy sucks. No one can afford anything anymore.
C. Nelson said:The only job of government is to protect individual Liberty.
just watch the vid in my sig.....
It shouldn’t be taking care of us from cradle to grave. It shouldn’t be providing healthcare. It shouldn’t be involved in the markets. It shouldn’t be trying to combat so called global warming, it shouldn’t be waging endless wars in foreign nations to keep oil prices stable, it shouldn’t be stealing from each of us every payday, it shouldn’t…