Thoughts about JSI and Manufacturers

NWarty · Post by **NWarty** » Sat May 16, 2009 4:39 am

I'm was thinking about this last night and was wondering exactly how much input does SSHQ and other forum outlets have?

Firstly. Now that we are now approaching the $200+ mark for an aircraft model, that will most likely be distributed to etailers and B&M Hobby Shops, not mass-marketed for $40 at Walmart, Target, TRU and the likes. The folks that will be buying these models are either hard-core collectors like us, or people with money to light on fire. How much does a distributor like Merit listen to their etailers? In turn, do etailers provide Merit with information from their customers, like us?

Are we no longer a small section, of an even smaller niche model market? Are we now a larger majority for big-arse expensive modern jet models? Jason from Admiral really seems to listen to his customers, hence the changes to the original SBD model. But we hear nothing from giants like BBI. Will JSI feed us info like AT, or even crumbs like 21C? I'm thinking no, but hopefully I'm wrong. How much do higher end lines like King & Country listen to their customer base?

Does JSI need come out with a winner out of the gate? Hell yeah, if this hobby is to survive! So are they listening to us?

So I guess, the bottom line question is. How much information from here or in conversations with etailers, is fed to distributors and manufacturers?
Does etailer X tell Merit, "Dude, I've got a couple hundred pre-orders on this thing, what the scoop?". And how much detail is provided.

Sorry, just rambling and wondering.

~Blake

Ta-152 · Post by **Ta-152** » Sat May 16, 2009 7:21 am

1:18 isn't Bbi and JSI's bread and butter like it is for Admiral and was for 21st. If JSI 1:18 aspirations crumble it's not so big a deal for them, they'll just continue on with their other product lines.

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Sat May 16, 2009 7:28 am

In a nut shell none.

Why did we get a Fw-190 D not an A ?

Why did we get a Stuka B not a D/G ?

Why did we not get a Tiger II after YEARS of wanting ?

Why have we gotten a P-51 B ?

So none .

Stug45 · Post by **Stug45** » Sat May 16, 2009 7:28 am

I really hope JSI makes a line of figures.

Fritzkrieg · Post by **Fritzkrieg** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:12 am

I wonder if thew have the tooling for the Europen exclusive Panzer IV. I'd llove to see this tank in some new paint schemes.

c44 · Post by **c44** » Sat May 16, 2009 9:04 am

Where did this thread go astray...

I wonder myself how much influence this & other boards have---or should have...whenever I'm in TRU, WM, or the Targe & somebody is looking over 1/18 or 1/32 stuff, I'll strike up a conversation & have met some pretty hard-core collectors (and quite a few e-bay resellers, for better or worse)...yet I have yet to meet anyone who was aware of this site...and fan & collector sites are notoriously whiny, so I'm not sure if there's a lot of value to be gained from listening to people who feel the need to post their every outrage over some minor detail or disappointment...I don't think we're necessarily a typical cross-section of the market, but more likely a vocal bunch who have found a place to hold a gripe session......

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Sat May 16, 2009 9:27 am

Back on subject.

NONE

Fritzkrieg · Post by **Fritzkrieg** » Sat May 16, 2009 9:49 am

I was primarily a Star Wars collector, before I got the 1:18 bug. The big H was always down-playing collector and collector website impact on the Star Wars brand. However in the last couple of years the Big H has fully imbraced the collector/website community, and has even catered to it. The Star Wars brand is the best selling Toy brand in the market place. I think the 1:18 manufacturers, could take a lesson from what Hasbro, has done. Being, this hobby, is even more collector driven, they will improve there marketing stradegy greatly by opening up lines of communication.

Ta-152 · Post by **Ta-152** » Sat May 16, 2009 10:05 am

pickelhaube wrote:In a nut shell none.

Why did we get a Fw-190 D not an A ?

Why did we get a Stuka B not a D/G ?

Why did we not get a Tiger II after YEARS of wanting ?

Why have we gotten a P-51 B ?

So none .

While i like the 190D better i can agree they probably should have done the Anton first. The 87B is far more recognizable than the D/G, even though i like the look of the G better.

Jackson · Post by **Jackson** » Sat May 16, 2009 10:27 am

pickelhaube wrote:Back on subject.

NONE

Yes a Big Fat Zero Zilch Nil None...

Pa Deuce · Post by **Pa Deuce** » Sat May 16, 2009 11:30 am

I have no idea where JSI gets its marketing information.. but I don't think going the route of the etailer exclusive is a bad thing. Why do I not see 1/18th everywhere else I see military aircraft models - Towerhobbies.com, squadron.com - I get a catalog every quarter from squadron with every type of aircraft model in it - why wouldn't a 1/18th section be there? It took me forever to find out about XD and I was already a huge fan of military aircraft - am I not the built in market for 1/18th?

I feel that $200/unit is just the reasonable price for that F-14 - it's not an indicator of where things are going - that is just one complex, huge model, so $200 seems fair.

From what I've read from Jason at Admiral - their operation has almost been reduced to what they can do in their spare time - there's no profit at stake for them right now. To me they're just as frozen as BBI - just that Jason is still talking things up in case there is a surge in 1/18th again - just a good salesman.

P47faninchicago · Post by **P47faninchicago** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:32 pm

I agree that manufacturers probably don't listen to boards like this much and probably that is wise of them. I was really surprised after all the crying about the death of 1/18 that when a new company like JSI pops up how many poeple stated that they won't buy the f-14 unless it is a certain paint scheme, etc. One guy was even upset because he was worried that the tail fins weren't cantered 2 degrees. Man, it's a $200.0 model! In the modeling world that is unbelievably, ridiculously cheap for a model that size. Jeez, unless you use a protractor do you think anyone could even detect a 2 degree angle visually? If JSI listened to forums they might as well pack it up and go home because there is absolutely no way they could satisfy them and keep it in a price range that forum folks would find acceptable.

Dauntless · Post by **Dauntless** » Sat May 16, 2009 4:23 pm

I think it's wise to listen to their fan base, and this site.
Don't know if anybody here is aware of Hasbro's Q&A (well Jesse probably knows) but it is a direct line to Hasbro and has effected what they make and improvements to the lines of GI Joe and Star Wars. It also has given them ideas they wouldn't have come up with on their own.

Sure there's a bunch of whiny fanboys out there, but some really helpful discussions too. The fans have gotten things made and Hasbro and the fans have benefited.
Look at Hasbro now, they're still Number #1.

I collected XD and other military toys for years before I found this site. As far as I'm concerned this is the place to discuss them, and it can only help the manufacturers to peek in or actively participate like Jason.

1958Zelda · Post by **1958Zelda** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:31 pm

NONE.

immeww2 · Post by **immeww2** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:33 pm

They may take a peek at what rumours are flying around on the forums, but the manfacturers themselves make the final decisions on what is to be made.

art2614 · Post by **art2614** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:57 pm

This site isn't as well known as some of the Joe sites out there and I really dont think that most manufactures know it exist.

Dauntless · Post by **Dauntless** » Sat May 16, 2009 11:07 pm

art2614 wrote:This site isn't as well known as some of the Joe sites out there and I really dont think that most manufactures know it exist.

I had a tough time finding it. I know I was looking for a 1:18 military toy forum or fan site initially. Kept using different Google words with too many results as is usual with Google and one of my pet peeves with them.

The title can be misleading as one might think it has something to do with the many model builders sites. So lost in the shuffle is my guess, hence hard to find.

NWarty · Post by **NWarty** » Sat May 16, 2009 11:17 pm

Very true. I accidently bumped into this place a couple of years ago looking for information on my newly purchased BBI 1/18 P-51.

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Thoughts about JSI and Manufacturers

Thoughts about JSI and Manufacturers

Did someone ask for another wish list...?