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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. |
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| Messages | 22968 |
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| Subject: | Re: People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) |  |
| Date: | Jan 23, 2003 |
| From: | Tim Streeter | |
I think Pete brought up some interesting points that brings to mind some issues of demographics that may point to the differences between genre modelers. I may be all wrong about this but that won't stop me....
I assume that most of the AFV modelers are in their late 30s to early 40s (I'm 46). Our disposable income and pressures on our time means we're more inclined to be aftermarket customers than younger modelers with less income, fewer family commitments, etc. Perhaps that younger demographic is more prevalent in the other genres, and they're more inclined to scratchbuild, accept less rigorous quality controls, etc.
The fact that there are so many professional, white collar types, heavy on the technology, engineering, and ex-military side, in the AFV arena certainly skews our demographic towards "critical thinking" (or, nit-picking, if you take that view).
I doubt there would be anyone here, of any age, who would take pride in designing and selling a 1:1 truck without door handles. That's really been kind of a basic component in automotive vehicles for, what, 80 years?
So why are we willing to buy a 1/35 scale truck (Italeri's Dodge ambulance) when it has no door handles? Because this is a hobby, and it's the only Dodge ambulance around. It has no competition, and the manufacturer has no desire to improve the product by including a necessary feature.
The younger or newer modeler might be dismayed at this incongreguity yet willing to scratchbuild what the manufacturer did not provide.
The older, more experienced modeler will not only be amazed at the incongreguity, but also wonder how some lazy "bleep" can put out a product like that when I know sure as hell that I'd be out on the street if that was the level of my job performance. Because the "quality" mantra has been pounded into our professional heads for the past ten years and we actually believe it, see the competitive and personal value of it. And then we think of the bozos at our jobs who do get away with that kind of slipshod work and pretty soon we're not only mad at the model and its manufacturer, but every goldbricker whose ever crossed out paths and whose messes we've had to clean up. And now what was going to be a simple, pleasant little modeling project to take my mind off the travails of life suddenly requires twelve references, several rounds emails and discussion group postings, and a handful of aftermarket sets. And wasn't it just like that guy at work to leave the copying machine jammed so I couldn't get that report copied in time for the big board meeting!!!!!
As you get older, your "bozo tolerance" drops appreciably. Your view of the world changes. A lot. And while many of us can say "Hey, we've never had it so good," we also know that it doesn't take any appreciable increase in effort -- or in price -- to make things "great." Not perfect. We understand the limitations of design and molding. But "great" will do, because many companies -- primary and aftermarket -- have proven they have the capacity to do great kits when they truly care to.
The reason things are as good as they are now is because the modelers have been constantly raising the bar for the manufacturers. As we become more informed buyers, we hold more power each time we open up our billfolds and pull out the cash or credit card. Knowledge is indeed power.
And that is why the reviews on this site are so important, and why I contribute to them. If modelers can be steered towards quality products and away from the dogs, the better manufacturers will be rewarded and encouraged. Product will continue to improve.
Curiously, that benefits both the "nit-picker" AND those who periodically try to shout the "nit-pickers" down. Sure, there are times when information and whining get blurred. There's often a audible groan each time a long-awaited kit or accessory doesn't meet our expectations -- the reverberating echo of which can prey upon the casual enjoyment of the less demanding modeler. The trick then is to turn down the volume (skip the reviews or posts) and model on your own terms.
But there's no reason why holding the hobby manufacturers accountable for their products should be any less important than it is when you buy a car, a pair of shoes, or a toaster -- and how many of us spend hours participating on websites for cars, shoes, and toasters?
Again, the companies that truly understand they have a devoted, intelligent, involved, and financially savvy market base -- and respond to them with quality products -- are the companies that will thrive. And we'll be building better quality kits with better quality accessories and figures -- and not be reminded about that bozo in the office down the hall.
:-)
Tim |
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 | Opinions wanted - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Paul Roberts - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Ed Kusiak - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Ed Kusiak - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Will Pecoul - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Harry Andrews - Jan 25, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Captain Swoop - Apr 24, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Saul Garcia - Apr 24, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Captain Swoop - Apr 24, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Janusz Smolinski - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Captain Swoop - Apr 24, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Adam Vukich - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Warrink - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Adam Vukich - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Warrink - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that should be a reply to Adam Vukich.. n/t - Warrink - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Chris - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Two Way Street - Alex Johnson - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Two Way Street - MSW - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Andrew Herbert - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Peter Ong - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Saul Garcia - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Yes, agree & apology to AMPS - Peter Ong - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Tim Streeter - Jan 23, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Ken Hartlen - Jan 23, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Peter Ong - Jan 23, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 24, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: People Problem, not Product (LONG RANT) - Chris - Jan 23, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - MSW - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Glenn Sudol - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . Depends on who you are I guess - David Nickels - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Depends on who you are I guess - Warrink - Jan 21, 2003 |
| . . . Remember the 10 % rule [IMG] - Jari Lievonen - Jan 22, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Well, 20% is a bit too big. . . - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 23, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Well, 20% is a bit too big. . . - Jari Lievonen - Jan 23, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Well, 20% is a bit too big. . . - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 24, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Dave Clark - Jan 24, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Harry Andrews - Jan 24, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Harry Andrews - Jan 25, 2003 |
| . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Kurt Laughlin - Jan 25, 2003 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Harry Andrews - Jan 28, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - John Napolitan - Jan 25, 2003 |
| . . . Re: Opinions wanted - Captain Swoop - Apr 24, 2003 |
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