SCUTTLE BUTT!

[coreystinson]

the Bunker Hill Torpedo Bomber. So where all of a sudden did all these start coming from? I've seen more of these on e-bay this past couple weeks that in a long time.
What do you all make of this?
memaddog

Excess stock (unshipped, overruns, or whatever) filtering over from China. You have seen most if not all of what is coming over. There isn't all that much, so I would recommend getting while the getting is good.

[flyboy_fx]

Interesting, same seller selling tomcats for $199 with free shipping
http://cgi.ebay.com/F-14-TOMCAT-1-18-JS ... 439c8dbd2c

"No refunds or exchanges at this exceptional price." sounds "spotty"

My feelings on this is that:

1: Badcat realizes some possible defects and wants to dump these

2: At the same time JSI will not let them sell for a lower price so this is a work around

3: Badcat is tryin to sell/reduce inventory and doing it in a way that doesn't incur tax liabilities i.e. PROFIT by Badcat Inc.

Just my $.02

I spotted that deal as well.

[AMERICAN_GRENADIER]

what ticks me off is Badcat is one of the biggest babys when it comes to others doing this! they constantly complain to there distributors when they find out another dealer is under selling. they are even selling HM products under map pricing. but i geuss they are special?

They were sending me "anonymous" email inquiring about my business practices (did I operate a warehouse, etc.) A simple Google search traced the email address to back to one of the principals there who was using it on a model discussion forum. This is around the time they were going on a tirade about having to compete with "home-based businesses". To me, they seem to run a pretty professional shop, or at least that is how it looks from the outside - so I see no reason for that kind of nonsense. Childish, but that's life.

For a short period of time I was selling a few of those German S.S. sets on eBay, not knowing that the manufacturer-who-shall-not-be-named would have preferred that I didn't. Someone (another dealer - I was not told who) "turned me in" to said manufacturer and I got a call from them, so I immediately stopped selling them on eBay to honor their wishes. NEVERTHELESS, I got at least three calls from said manufacturer over the next year regarding the same issue even though I was not selling that item (or any other, for that matter) on eBay. I suppose I can take a good guess as to who kept "reporting" me for this.

i agree! i feel if you have a relationship with a company you should honor thier rules. map pricing ect.. I too purchased SS sets and was asked to only sell from my store not online. I agreed and kept my word. i just find that the biggest complainers are often the biggest violators

[iflabs]

LOL, badcat never ceases to amaze.

[cranedriver]

The $199 Tomcat may not be that good a deal especially if Badcat is pawning off damaged returns from regular sales.

Just one good thing is that I am sure Badcat checks this forum and there bubble has been busted. Especially if any JSI rep might be viewing as well.

[YT]

To me, they seem to run a pretty professional shop, or at least that is how it looks from the outside - so I see no reason for that kind of nonsense. Childish, but that's life.

Like when they registered on the Fighting 1:18th and started trying to cause problems.

[NWarty]

To me, they seem to run a pretty professional shop, or at least that is how it looks from the outside - so I see no reason for that kind of nonsense. Childish, but that's life.

Like when they registered on the Fighting 1:18th and started trying to cause problems.

No kiddin'

[dragon53]

The ebay ad says the F-14s are new in the box and have never been opened.

[toyktdlgh]

I swear, the ole’ Cat sure does do some strange stuff. Not sure if they’re trying to off load bum planes but they sure aren’t accepting any returns at all so who knows.

I’m a bit tainted when it comes to dealing with them but in all the dealings we had over the years I had no problems with their service at all. It was just one issue and some comments from one of their peeps that caused me to send my monies else ware. I think in all Bad Cat has lost out on about $1,500 worth of sales from me alone. Luckily I have found other, much kinder places to spend my money.

[tko211]

I will take this opportunity to chime in on this one. I have most of the information on this subject but not all the details so I will talk about what I can and only what I know for certain.

I have been in communication with old management of 21C for the past 3 months. There is a new name, some new management / strategy, and yes essentially a new company. I am not fully aware of the exact structure of this new company so I won't bother to speculate or expand on foggy details. That said it is not called 21C.

Because of my experience in working with 21C, this new company has hired my design firm to develop the new logo, look, website, packaging, and marketing materials as they begin the final phases of the company launch.

There is indeed an new repainted P-51D scheme waiting in the wings. Due to the start-up required and to ease into more offerings the strategy requires making use of the investments made in purchasing the 21C molds. This in part explains some of the reasons behind the C&D letters as well as some other reasons too I am told. The rest has to do with name use and so on.

So how true is this? Well as others have stated, we still need to see a plane in our hands. That said I can tell you that dollars are being spent, conversations are happening now almost on a daily basis, and I have instructions to launch by the end of the month. For me, this means art to China, and a live website, and marketing to push out. The new company is also looking to me to bridge back into the fan base so you guys are hearing things here first as usual.

Hopefully this means that better days are ahead for this hobby. I hope it means that they can take the better parts of 21C and maybe leave out some of the baggage / restraints that had come along with WM and mass retail. I know that the management's vision is to make the new brand more adult minded in subject. So hopefully bolder releases are in store.

[normandy]

Will this new company be producing a 1:18th King Tiger?????

[Airacobra]

Awesome news. Hopefully the 1/18 scale WWII aircraft will be priced less then $70-$90. Something in the range of $50 to $60 would be great. Thanks for the updates.

[supersonicfifi]

Man ! do i like this forum : it's intelligence gathering at its finest ! I think that neither in the history of models/toys industrie such spy works had been seen or heard before !!!!

Now between all the brands, customizers and the hardcore collectors the pressure in on their marketing departement !

DO NOT DESAPPOINT US .... OR ELSE ....

I think it's time for me to leave this space to the A10 fan's community :

Please "22st century models" : WE WANT SOME MORE MODERN PLANES !

for me it will be one PHANTOM and one A 10 ! thank you

Philippe

[supersonicfifi]

I really wonder how they work with the chinese manufacturers and if the bought back their own moulds ?

The Chinese used to be the best merchant in the ancient time, No they are beginning to show that they didn't loose this trait.

[sluff]

Toy Fair is next month maybe we will see some of TKO's art and marketing, maybe even the P-51? Seems like the perfect opportunity

[exether_mega]

Hurrah ! 2010 seems to be a year full of promises. Thanks for the intel !

phil

[Birddog]

It would be nice to see them bring out more modern jets in 1/18 scale. There's a proven market for them now.

As Supersonic mentioned: A-10 and F-4!!!

[Volksdeutsch]

A_G does it again! always ahead of the curve called the JSI F-14 special 2 weeks before it was announced
WAY TO GO!!!!

[Mitch]

With that said, a King Tiger, F4 Phantom and A-10 are at the top of everyone's wish list !!!

And Guys - everyone really needs to stop baggin' on vendors (ie Bad Cat)
think about it...if they fail it will be less overall sales of product and that doesn't do our hobby any good. My motto is live and let live.

*steps off of soap box

Mitch

[dragon53]

Is Roy Sutherland returning to the new-and-improved 21st Century?

[Ta-152]

And Guys - everyone really needs to stop baggin' on vendors (ie Bad Cat)
think about it...if they fail it will be less overall sales of product and that doesn't do our hobby any good. My motto is live and let live.

*steps off of soap box

Mitch

Then maybe they should conduct themselves as a business and not petulant children.

[Airacobra]

Is Roy Sutherland returning to the new-and-improved 21st Century?

Now that is an excellent question.

[Stug45]

If 21st comes back they better not make repaints, I want to see all new Figures & Vehicles.

[toyktdlgh]

And Guys - everyone really needs to stop baggin' on vendors (ie Bad Cat)
think about it...if they fail it will be less overall sales of product and that doesn't do our hobby any good. My motto is live and let live.

*steps off of soap box

Mitch

Then maybe they should conduct themselves as a business and not petulant children.

Got to agree with this comment. Unless you have truly experienced the belittling lash of the cat you really can’t understand how bad they can act. I’ll take every opportunity I can to speak my piece about them when it’s appropriate. Period.

As for 21C coming back I think that’s great news if it’s true. Unfortunately I have enough P-51s right now but who knows. Maybe I’ll pick one up if it ever makes it to daylight.

[dragon53]

I have nine P-51s (four BBI, three 21st Century and two 1/72 Dragon Wings).

Hopefully, the new 21st Century will release the Steve Ritchie F-4 Phantom from three years ago.





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