FYI - Roy Sutherland responds to thread on 21C 1/32nd kits

[nfafan]

From a thread about how hard it is at finding 21C 1/32nd models at WallyMart... (you'll see my 2-cents in the thread too!, as "Skip")

Found it interesting...
Skip



Hi Guys,

I am back from my latest trek to Hong Kong. I have been following with interest the discussions regarding our products, and would like to take a little time to explain how the process works. I understand the frustration over not being able to find these new model kits.

Walmart distribution is a complex and often mysterious process. If you cannot find our model kits on the shelves of your local Wal-Mart, there are a number of possible reasons.

We can only ship what Wal-Mart orders. We do not control what Wal-Mart orders. The tail does not wag the dog. Wal-Mart Huge. 21C small. Orders are filled, and Wal-Mart picks them up at the docks in China and HK. Wal-Mart has a number of huge distribution centers. We do not have control over where each order goes. If your distribution center does not get model kits, then your Wal-Mart will not get them. Some areas may get some kit and not others.

To make it even more confusing, individual stores can decide to stock our products or not. If you do not see 21C product in your local store, talk to the toy dept manager and tell him you want this stuff. If you get no satisfaction, you may need to organise the local clubs to start a letter writing or email campaign.

Now for some good news. Model kits will be working their way into online stores and model kit distributors, and they should start hitting the shelves by early April. I will keep you informed of developments when I know more.

I appreciate all the comments and am glad to see that these kits are appreciated for what they are, and not compared to the latest state-of-the-art dedicated model kits. For the serious modeler, the kits are a mixed bag. Some are pretty accurate and can be dressed up without too much work to make them pretty nice models. Others are more aimed at the casual modeler. I will leave it up to you to decide which merits your attention.

More model kits are in development, and you can be sure that the next two releases will certainly set off a whole new round of spirited discussion (to put it politely!), as both subjects are not currently well served in 1/32nd scale. At least one will be announced at the New York Toy Fair (February 11 to 14) and there will be a number of other surprises announced as well in the various collectible scale ranges.

I think you guys will be really impressed with our new 1/18th scale Me-262A and B. It is the best 1/18th aircraft we have done so far.


Happy modeling!

Roy Sutherland
Designer/Project Manager
21st Century Toys


Thread can be read here...

http://hsfeatures.com/features04/tempforums/forum.htm

Poke around for "Can anyon tell me where I can get the 1/32 scale 21st Century Toys" thread.

[c44]

Thanx for this info & link...it's amusing to read rants about WM on a different site...we're not alone...!

[tko211]

Yeah! I agree that it makes me feel better to know that others hate WM as much as we do we when we can't find what we need

must have toys NOW!!!

[Hanomag]

There is a good amount of info about how bad WM really is for various reasons. There is/was a lawsuit here in Maryland in an effort to force them to provide health care to the employees. I don't remember much more about it. I've heard of a number of companies having alot of problems trying to get WM to sell there products and I hope that 21st doesn't fall into that.

-H

[ltcbj]

I've just gotta jump in here. 21C is easy. They make a great product. I've never been disappointed on any level. If I want super detail in 1/32 I'll go to FoV and be disappointed with fit or some other gross aspect of the model. I am never disappointed with 21C because as popinted out- it meets a certain niche of of the market. Plus 21C makes their toys tough. Not a lot of little pieces waiting to break or fall off, or not fit properly in the first place despite their good looks. Everything fits. Easily worked on.

Okay. Wal Mart. WM gets a lot of bad press because "big unions" want to and can't get a foothold in WM. I've spoken to hundreds of WM employees, informally, and to a man or woman they are happy and satisfied with their employment. Many have been there for seemingly hundreds of years. They do not feel abused, underpaid or like cogs in the gears of corporate America crushing them to death. They feel like valued employees. They have health care options if they want them. Their pay is competitive with similar other businesses in the industry. Many are low skill jobs that naturally do not pay a lot. Many WM employees rise through the ranks, both men and women. This anti-WM is purely political.
What Maryland tried to do was pass a law that only affected WM- demanding a soecific percentage amount of WMs profits be put towards health insurance, and that if WM failed to comply then that amount be taken by the state in the form of a penalty TAX! This was illegal and failed to pass. In the meanwhile these supposedly underpaid dead-end jobs are getting applicant in 100x the number of available positions. That's the marketplace talking- not political anti-WM hacks.
WM is the target of retail opportunity for legislators and lobbyists who want to get more money out of what they perceive to be as "deep pockets", thinking that by extorting from the rich the poor will think that they aren't paying the difference. But WM's low prices draw those same "poor" folks because the pricing is fair, the service (despite the presumed poor recompense) is always excellent and upbeat and the shopping is (relatively) cheap and easy.

I contacted WM central about carrying WTM (World Tank Museum, 1/144 scale) vehicles via the internet. The next day I got a personal call from a local WM manager asking for details about WTM. You might say, "Yeah, well, they're just interested in your money." And yes, they are, they are in business for me to spend my money at WM rather than somewhere else. The service and effort they go to to get my business is why MW is so successful.

[c44]

Re: happy and satisfied with their employment.. Wow! Are we talking about the same organization? The turnover in the stores near where I live is like a revolving door on steroids, and while I'm sure there's gotta be someone out there, I've yet to meet ANYONE who has had a positive experience working there...a friend of mine, who's as hard working & sharp as any employer could ask for, summed up his stay there as "It took major willpower to get yourself to want to go to work in that store in the morning...". Now anyone who wants to can have the last word here because anti-WM tirades get boring real, real fast, so let me end by saying I'm glad your trip to WM was rated excellent, mine not so much...