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Forums - News / General |
For General modelling or hobby-related topics that are not covered by any other specific forum. Please keep to topics concerning the hobby. |
| Topics | 3058 |
| Messages | 23120 |
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| Subject: | Re: What Drives Model Companies to Improve |  |
| Date: | Jul 19, 2005 |
| From: | Saul Garcia | |
Hi,
From having the opportunuties to talk to manufacturers, competition forces more ot be included in the box as a way to dissuade a consumer from purchasing a competitor's product.
The advent of the Internet has allowed manufacturers to be in contact with consumers and benefit from some consumers who offer their help. The Internet is NOT a reliable source of information since not many will own up to the mnistakes and misinformation that they propagate. In the end, contact with experts is what the manufacturers strive for.
An example is Tristar. C. K. Pat is a modeler who is interested in bringing out the best product. He contacted Tom Jentz for assistance on the Panzer IV Ausf. D. Sadly, the drawings (which are extremely accurate) appeared to show a dot pattern when in actuality they have the proper herringbone pattern. When the 1/24th scale originals were reduced to 1/35th, the herringbone pattern started to look like a dot pattern.
Feedback from consumers is important and used by some companies, like Dragon, who will continuously improve the models they produce. In some cases, like the Panzer IV Ausf E and Late Tiger, they have delayed release to try to incorporate details based on feedback.
So companies have improved because the modelers are voting with their money. The target markets are defined. Some modelers want options (Dragon delivers). Some want a shake the box, it is built model (or plain assembly- not true modeling building skills needed) so as to concentrate in painting (Tamiya's forte). Yet others want a low price (Italeri delivers). Some want the best detail, regardless of price (Tristar/Tasca/AFV Club).
This explains the loyalties people develop with companies. And these companies try to widen the umbrella. Dragon now includes basic aftermarket items in their kits. AFV Club has included metal barrels for a long time now. Tamiya no longer makes WW2 models (ony modern) in 1/35th scale. Italeri has upped the ante with their landing ships, Trumpeter is making some great kits of lesser subjects (and failing at others), Tasca is quiet...
So what drives Model Companies to Improve? The modeler's money. |
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 | What Drives Model Companies to Improve - Paul A. Owen - Jul 18, 2005 |
| . . . Re: What Drives Model Companies to Improve - Adam Lunoe - Jul 18, 2005 |
| . . . Some thoughts - Michael Withington - Jul 18, 2005 |
| . . . . . . Planned Obsolescence... - RC Hill - Jul 20, 2005 |
| . . . Re: what drive the computer market? - Leo Lee - Jul 18, 2005 |
| . . . Re: What Drives Model Companies to Improve - steve engdahl - Jul 19, 2005 |
| . . . Re: What Drives Model Companies to Improve - Saul Garcia - Jul 19, 2005 |
| . . . Re: What Drives Model Companies to Improve - Jim Lewis - Jul 19, 2005 |
| . . . . . . Re: What Drives Model Companies to Improve - Clair Greenwood - Jul 19, 2005 |
| . . . $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ - Ken Hartlen - Jul 19, 2005 |
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