Small Scale Military Headquarters

With other financial priorities pressing, I just can't justify any significant acquisitions for the next couple of months. But the idea of missing out on at least the JSI Putt-Putt Maru is eating me up. So here's the question: What's the likelihood that e-tailers currently carrying the recent releases (especially the P-38) will still have stocks available in October-December? Have enough been manufactured that they'll still be available at current prices in a few months?

I would say none.

Call and ask if they can do a lay away.

pickelhaube wrote:I would say none.

No offense intended, but is that an opinion formed on the basis of some factual knowledge about numbers produced and sold?

i've heard rumours that a lot of the stuff was sold out in preorder. If so that indicates that you should move quickly. On the other hand, it may mean another production run, sooner rather than later and you'll see them again before too long.

Some of the etailers will probably be able to council you as to what you should do.

My hunch is that you'll be fine if you wait. You're not the only one feeling a pinch during these economic times, so sales will probably be a bit on the slow side, preorder performance not withstanding, and i suspect all items will be readily available into the new year.

gburch wrote:

pickelhaube wrote:I would say none.

No offense intended, but is that an opinion formed on the basis of some factual knowledge about numbers produced and sold?

Well when the Caly Cutie came out they were every were.

In about 3 months they were all gone.

So that is why I said none.

Concidering that this was released before and sold out farley quick. The same will happen again.

True the economy sucks money is short. But everything dissapeers with in 3 months. Except the Fw-190's they took a lot longer . Now they are gone and you will spend a few bucks to get one.

If there is one thing that I have learned from this hobby if you drag your feet you will be XD less.

I missed out on the Hueys , M-113 , P-47 Jabo and a few short nose Panzers . Thinking that they will always be there.

yep.

aferguson wrote:i've heard rumours that a lot of the stuff was sold out in preorder.

Everything sold through in (wholesale) preorder except the Tiger.

The supply chain is going to be a lot tighter going forward. No retailer wants to be sitting on a warehouse of inventory if the next shoe drops on the economy, or while the consumer tries to play the "wait it out for clearance" game, especially when it comes to these items that are basically re-issues.

Iffy preorder traffic, which occurred for this first round of JSI stuff, means lower order numbers for the wholesaler which means lower order numbers for the manufacturer.

The days of the massive 21st Century production runs that sit around in warehouses until clearanced are over.

I realize I am a biased source of information but I can assure all that my own business plan does not include having these items in my warehouse for six months, so there is a much higher snooze/lose possibility going forward.

well, believing what I need to believe to be able to look myself in the mirror in the morning, I'm going to delay the purchase.

JSI seems to be in this for the 'long run' since they are doing a tomcat and planning other big birds. Nothing is to say that there won't be another reissue of these old 21c planes in a year from now or so. So even if you miss this time, they'll probably be back.

My experience with collecting has been the opposite of Pickel's. I've found that waiting is good. I've found tons of stuff cheaper by waiting. I'm not talking wating for years but months. But maybe things are different now, we'll see.

However as the economy picks up again, people are going to want to make and sell stuff, and some of that stuff will probably be 21c reissues by JSI.

It also depends on the retailer. Some of the better-known online stores - the smalljoes, the Badcats, the Monkeydepots - will sell out quickly as they have a following. There are other less-well-known retailers that will have the items a bit longer. My Hobbytown USA store has at least four of P-38s and I expect that at least two of them will still be there in a couple months, but anything could happen.

Still, I largely agree with what Corey said above about the tighter production runs meaning fewer products. JSI is making what I think to be a wise choice and marketing its items as collector products as opposed to mass retail items. While it means higher prices and limited availability, it will probably ensure the survivial of the line.

Someone said the weathering was better on this than the original? Can someone post good pics (apologies if it has been done already). Thanks.

speaking from 1st hand knowledge Merit received 80% of the JSI order. all those were sold out before they reached thier warehouse.(exception was the tiger small numbers were available for about a week after shipment arrived) they are receiving a very small amount in nov-dec? but almost all of those have been sold thru thier online store or sold to distributors like Historic. the chances of getting one of the Putt Putt's especially are slim. the Corsairs are alittle better. you can always tell by evilbay. there arent really any listed there. that usually means that big dealers like badcat snapped them all up early.

digger wrote:Someone said the weathering was better on this than the original? Can someone post good pics (apologies if it has been done already). Thanks.

Here is a picture from Badcat's site. I believe that this is one of their own photos.



The weathering does not look all that different if you ask me

Seems like alot of places are out already like Small Joes that I usually use. I can't order these for another few days (pay day) ...what other retailers have them in stock? Does anyone use any of the "smaller' etailers that may have them left????

which JSI piece do you need?

Volksdeutsch wrote:which JSI piece do you need?

"Need"? I'm quite sure I don't need any of them. But I so want that P-38. As I say, though, I'm going to have to exercise some self-restraint for a couple of months.