What the hiroboy is going on with their site?

[Chieflongshin]

Am i the only person wondering why Hiroboy is nigh on empty?

Are they on the way out or something?

I looked at the wheels section for example; 130 wheel sets and only 13 were not sold out. Disappointing as hell.

Any light sheddable on this? Gives me reservations on ordering anything..

What are the best websites to order models, and other parts from in Uk??

[banshee555]

Noticed that myself mate.Problem is there's not that much to choose from here in the UK you have to order from overseas.There's loads of online model shops but they all lack aftermarket accessories

Karl

[hirofkd]

As far as the Japanese manufacturers are concerned, they have adapted this infrequent limited production practice, and kits are no longer manufactured on a constant basis. That doesn't mean the molds are destroyed, but you have to wait for a few years (or even　a decade) until the next production run.

Years ago when model making was a part of kids hobby and companies were selling kits in the order of 10,000, the machines were constantly in operation, but today, it's only about 2000 per batch (if not less).

What you can do is to buy what you think you'd want while they are available, but you might end up having a huge stack of unbuilt kits. (Like many of us!) Or try to find what you want on eBay only when you need it.

Resin kits are manufactured by hand, so the availability is always limited. Have you tried MediaMix Hobby in Singapore?

[Chieflongshin]

Originally Posted by hirofkd

As far as the Japanese manufacturers are concerned, they have adapted this infrequent limited production practice, and kits are no longer manufactured on a constant basis. That doesn't mean the molds are destroyed, but you have to wait for a few years (or even　a decade) until the next production run.

Years ago when model making was a part of kids hobby and companies were selling kits in the order of 10,000, the machines were constantly in operation, but today, it's only about 2000 per batch (if not less).

What you can do is to buy what you think you'd want while they are available, but you might end up having a huge stack of unbuilt kits. (Like many of us!) Or try to find what you want on eBay only when you need it.

Resin kits are manufactured by hand, so the availability is always limited. Have you tried MediaMix Hobby in Singapore?

Thanks for that, i wasnt aware of how they were produced no. I will try the site you suggested to see what i can find. Are there any other sites that are popular?

I've been working google harder than a sweat factory worker and found a few but I dare say you pros will have a few more sources than me.

Cheers

Jon

[stevenoble]

There is no problem with Hiroboy. As far as I am aware business is booming. Problem with those wheel sets is they sell out extremely quickly and if you miss them it can be a long time before the next restock. As already posted you have to get them while you can. Where you after any ones in particular..??

[mattbacon]

...and don’t forget that everything that is in stock has to be paid for by Hiroboy before he sells it to you, so he can’t afford to by shelves full of limited-run items on the off chance that someone might want one some time far in the future. He has to keep a balancing act between having enough stock in to fill expected orders quickly, and not having so much that it sits there as inventory, using up money that could be invested in more profitable stock that gives a faster return. It’s bad enough trying to do that when you are buying products from a wholesaler who has a steady supply of them - if you sell one of something every two weeks, and it takes a month to get them from the wholesaler in Japan, then having four in stock seems like enough - but it’s much worse when they items are “limited run”. If there are only a thousand made worldwide, and there might be no more for three years, then how many do you buy? Lots, right? But then what if each one costs you £10 to have on the shelf? You’re gambling £500 now against selling 50 sets over the next three years, maybe 2 a month in a good month, which makes you £20 profit - less the £8 it costs you per month in interest to fund that £500 for three years. Or you could buy 4 brand new, in demand MFH kits, which won’t sit on the shelves and you can sell in a a month, make £500 profit (less the same £8).

I think generally, we’re pretty lucky that there are enthusiastic shop owners who are prepared to keep the rarer and more obscure things in stock for us!

bestest,
M.

[RonCla]

Hobby Search have just listed 38 Fujimi wheel sets as being restocked.