Important information regarding autoartinabox.com
Discussion
It saddens me to announce that as of today’s date the autoartinabox.com will cease trading.
The past three and a half years have been both enjoyable, hard work and above all else, an interesting insight into a sector of business that has been both my hobby for more years than I wish to remember and my life for those three and a half years.
At the end of the day, the fundamental reason for closure is that this industry is simply not one to make money from. Margins are dreadfully small, and with the advent of eBay and other auction based sites, we have seen a progressive move towards the ‘hobbyist’ buying up stock from wholesalers and selling, at what can only be described as silly money, online, thereby killing the very business that drives their hobby. The wholesalers, and to a degree some brands couldn’t care less because they are still obtaining their margins from selling stock, be it half a dozen models to the eBayer or a box of 30 to a retailer.
A very good example is my own collecting habits. Many of you will know that one of my passions has been collecting Eddie Stobart models and over the past 12 months I have been slowly building up my collection, filling in all the missing items that Corgi have released over the years. Where have I purchased these items? Well it was not from a wholesaler, or a retail business, but through eBay. I know I say that eBay has been the major factor in our decision to close, but even I will not miss an opportunity to purchase models released three or four years ago now at more than 50% less than their original retail price. The best example to-date was a 1:50 scale lorry that should have cost around £60 retail, but I won it for £15!!! You’d be crazy to miss an opportunity like that. Pick any brand and you’ll find quite literally 1000’s of mint condition models from their past and current ranges and some are now even using eBay to draw in the pre-orders.
When news came through recently that Corgi’s flagship retail business, the Corgi Heritage Centre had gone into liquidation, it sent shock waves through the industry. If this retail business couldn’t survive in today’s market, who could? It saddens me to think that some individuals have obviously spent a lot of money in recent months to set up new retail businesses with websites to boot and thrown money at advertising in magazines, but I can assure them that within three years they will go the same way, as so many other retailers have gone, even in the short time we have been in business.
As I have said above, the business is simply not generating sufficient profit to continue and there is no light at the end of the tunnel either. Pick any company, large or small and you’ll find that profit (substantial that is!) is something they can only wish for and I for one do wonder why some of the more talented individuals are still working in this sector when their obvious business and commercial background could be making far more in other sectors. Having first hand knowledge of the clothing, jewellery and painting/print sectors where % mark-ups are common in the 100’s, it makes the mark-ups we have in the model world seem pointless!
You could ask me why I didn’t do something within these other sectors. The simple answer is that I’m passionate about cars and modelling and have been since I was a little boy. Cut my finger and Castrol GTX flows out!!
So here we come, full circle from what was a frustration of the lack of customer service with some retailers in this industry to what has now become a frustration to the culture we seem to be growing in this country of discount, discount and more discount, which is fine when you have large margins in the first place to offer a discount!
I still stand by my views that AUTOart is the finest brand in the market today, excluding Exoto and CMC from that equation, purely based on their price points. So please continue to support AUTOart and their fantastic array of products. If you like AUTOart’s products, please drop the company back in China an email requesting that they set-up, as they have done already in China, a retail facility to sell direct to the end consumer because I’m sure they would be keen to hear your thoughts on this matter.
I know I’m known for my scribbles, but I thought that as this was my last time speaking to you that I’d get it all off my chest. It’s now time to wind up, reflect on the good times, spend more time with my young family now and enjoy the new beginning that 2007 now offers me, and I might even be able to find time now to get back to another hobby of mine which is painting. Now what subject should I pick…
Forever grateful for your support and custom over the years.
Scott Westbury.
PS. The following company have no connection with us and this is simply a personal view of mine. I recently purchased a couple of models from a retailer based in Portugal that runs the www.model-car.com website. Despite being located in Portugal, they offer free delivery to the UK, and you also gain loyalty points each time to buy from them. The e-communication was first class and I have total faith in them dealing with any request I pose to them. The prices are very good too, don’t forget to convert, as they display in Euros, but after a while you can quickly gauge how much you are saving. The models arrived safely and promptly. I for one now have them saved in my favourites and will be using them in the future as my sole supplier and, if they don’t have anything I’m seeking, then it will be (dare I say it) a quick scan of eBay!!
Take a look at their site if you don’t already know of them: www.model-car.com
The past three and a half years have been both enjoyable, hard work and above all else, an interesting insight into a sector of business that has been both my hobby for more years than I wish to remember and my life for those three and a half years.
At the end of the day, the fundamental reason for closure is that this industry is simply not one to make money from. Margins are dreadfully small, and with the advent of eBay and other auction based sites, we have seen a progressive move towards the ‘hobbyist’ buying up stock from wholesalers and selling, at what can only be described as silly money, online, thereby killing the very business that drives their hobby. The wholesalers, and to a degree some brands couldn’t care less because they are still obtaining their margins from selling stock, be it half a dozen models to the eBayer or a box of 30 to a retailer.
A very good example is my own collecting habits. Many of you will know that one of my passions has been collecting Eddie Stobart models and over the past 12 months I have been slowly building up my collection, filling in all the missing items that Corgi have released over the years. Where have I purchased these items? Well it was not from a wholesaler, or a retail business, but through eBay. I know I say that eBay has been the major factor in our decision to close, but even I will not miss an opportunity to purchase models released three or four years ago now at more than 50% less than their original retail price. The best example to-date was a 1:50 scale lorry that should have cost around £60 retail, but I won it for £15!!! You’d be crazy to miss an opportunity like that. Pick any brand and you’ll find quite literally 1000’s of mint condition models from their past and current ranges and some are now even using eBay to draw in the pre-orders.
When news came through recently that Corgi’s flagship retail business, the Corgi Heritage Centre had gone into liquidation, it sent shock waves through the industry. If this retail business couldn’t survive in today’s market, who could? It saddens me to think that some individuals have obviously spent a lot of money in recent months to set up new retail businesses with websites to boot and thrown money at advertising in magazines, but I can assure them that within three years they will go the same way, as so many other retailers have gone, even in the short time we have been in business.
As I have said above, the business is simply not generating sufficient profit to continue and there is no light at the end of the tunnel either. Pick any company, large or small and you’ll find that profit (substantial that is!) is something they can only wish for and I for one do wonder why some of the more talented individuals are still working in this sector when their obvious business and commercial background could be making far more in other sectors. Having first hand knowledge of the clothing, jewellery and painting/print sectors where % mark-ups are common in the 100’s, it makes the mark-ups we have in the model world seem pointless!
You could ask me why I didn’t do something within these other sectors. The simple answer is that I’m passionate about cars and modelling and have been since I was a little boy. Cut my finger and Castrol GTX flows out!!
So here we come, full circle from what was a frustration of the lack of customer service with some retailers in this industry to what has now become a frustration to the culture we seem to be growing in this country of discount, discount and more discount, which is fine when you have large margins in the first place to offer a discount!
I still stand by my views that AUTOart is the finest brand in the market today, excluding Exoto and CMC from that equation, purely based on their price points. So please continue to support AUTOart and their fantastic array of products. If you like AUTOart’s products, please drop the company back in China an email requesting that they set-up, as they have done already in China, a retail facility to sell direct to the end consumer because I’m sure they would be keen to hear your thoughts on this matter.
I know I’m known for my scribbles, but I thought that as this was my last time speaking to you that I’d get it all off my chest. It’s now time to wind up, reflect on the good times, spend more time with my young family now and enjoy the new beginning that 2007 now offers me, and I might even be able to find time now to get back to another hobby of mine which is painting. Now what subject should I pick…
Forever grateful for your support and custom over the years.
Scott Westbury.
PS. The following company have no connection with us and this is simply a personal view of mine. I recently purchased a couple of models from a retailer based in Portugal that runs the www.model-car.com website. Despite being located in Portugal, they offer free delivery to the UK, and you also gain loyalty points each time to buy from them. The e-communication was first class and I have total faith in them dealing with any request I pose to them. The prices are very good too, don’t forget to convert, as they display in Euros, but after a while you can quickly gauge how much you are saving. The models arrived safely and promptly. I for one now have them saved in my favourites and will be using them in the future as my sole supplier and, if they don’t have anything I’m seeking, then it will be (dare I say it) a quick scan of eBay!!
Take a look at their site if you don’t already know of them: www.model-car.com
Edited by autoart on Saturday 23 December 13:25
Edited by autoart on Saturday 23 December 13:26
Wow, this is a great shame. It pains me to see the smaller retailers struggle in the model car business, especially when some of the bigger sellers treat their customers so badly. I’ve grown up enjoying both diecast and RC cars as hobbies and got to know quite a few retailers, today, almost every single one of them has shut down (7 in all). If you’re ever back in the modelling business let everyone on here know, I’m sure we’d all gladly do business with anyone who has a passion for the products.
Martin
To be frank with you, I think the market will start to change over the coming years. I'm not saying we are one of them, but there have been several high profile retailers go to the wall recently and this has made several brands consider alternative routes to market.
In other words, don't be surprised if you see more and more brands start proactively selling direct to the consumer, therefore not having to rely on mail-order companies and retailers to sell their products any more. I know of several manufacturers who are seriously considering this and it couldn't come sooner in my opinion.
The market in the UK is being controlled too much by a small number of retailers/wholesalers at present and change needs to come...
In other words, don't be surprised if you see more and more brands start proactively selling direct to the consumer, therefore not having to rely on mail-order companies and retailers to sell their products any more. I know of several manufacturers who are seriously considering this and it couldn't come sooner in my opinion.
The market in the UK is being controlled too much by a small number of retailers/wholesalers at present and change needs to come...
Scott, I'm very sad to hear this news and what you've said about the state of the industry is completely true. The UK market is controlled too much by GPL, I find the agreements they have with wholesalers / distributors disgusting and shouldn't be allowed.
I had really hoped next year you would have kicked GPL's arse and I thought the relationship you had formed with Gateway Global was starting to succeed when you announced the Koenigsegg before them as well your other announcements on further releases.
All the best for the future.
I had really hoped next year you would have kicked GPL's arse and I thought the relationship you had formed with Gateway Global was starting to succeed when you announced the Koenigsegg before them as well your other announcements on further releases.
All the best for the future.
Scott,
As a small business owner myself, i hate to see someone go out of business, sorry about that. I'm disappointed because i only came across your shop in the last 2 weeks and thought it was great! I had ordered 2 items from stock and put 2 on pre-order. Will you still honour the orders from stock?
If Ebay is where its happening, why not take a "if you can't beat them, join them" approach and set up an ebay shop?
All of the best in whatever you do,
Joe
As a small business owner myself, i hate to see someone go out of business, sorry about that. I'm disappointed because i only came across your shop in the last 2 weeks and thought it was great! I had ordered 2 items from stock and put 2 on pre-order. Will you still honour the orders from stock?
If Ebay is where its happening, why not take a "if you can't beat them, join them" approach and set up an ebay shop?
All of the best in whatever you do,
Joe
I am sorry to hear this too Scott. Only this last week did I come across your business, and ordered a GTR Diablo. Have to say the service was first class and it always seems to be the ones who obviously value their customers that are unable to continue. Best of luck with any future ventures.
Pegasys
Most, if not all on eBay do it as a hobby not a business. For starters alot probably don't even declare VAT to the Inland Revenue, and secondly, as mentioned previously, eBayers are not selling at retail, and although I'm passionate about the business, it is a business at the end of the day and it simply doesn't make money.
You can still have a very good profit margin and value your customers, but without the profit margin there is no point in continuing, despite the great feedback we get all the time from our customers. Yes occasionally things have gonea little pair-shaped, even we are not perfect, but generally we had a very good track record.
The positives I can take away is that to have developed such a good reputation on a fraction of what some others spend, showed that throwing money at something doesn't bring you admiration and support from your customers. A lesson others should take on board if they read this - you know who you are
Most, if not all on eBay do it as a hobby not a business. For starters alot probably don't even declare VAT to the Inland Revenue, and secondly, as mentioned previously, eBayers are not selling at retail, and although I'm passionate about the business, it is a business at the end of the day and it simply doesn't make money.
You can still have a very good profit margin and value your customers, but without the profit margin there is no point in continuing, despite the great feedback we get all the time from our customers. Yes occasionally things have gonea little pair-shaped, even we are not perfect, but generally we had a very good track record.
The positives I can take away is that to have developed such a good reputation on a fraction of what some others spend, showed that throwing money at something doesn't bring you admiration and support from your customers. A lesson others should take on board if they read this - you know who you are
Clearing out old stock (some new releases)cheap so don't miss a bargain head on over to:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/modelclearan
...and help me get rid of it all, many thanks - more being added over the coming weeks/months as I work through what goes and what gets added to my own collection
Happy New Year to you all
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/modelclearan
...and help me get rid of it all, many thanks - more being added over the coming weeks/months as I work through what goes and what gets added to my own collection
Happy New Year to you all
Last few items now as I go for the final push...
Most of the stock has long gone now but there are a few little gems still left to clear, happy bidding
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/modelclearan
Most of the stock has long gone now but there are a few little gems still left to clear, happy bidding
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/modelclearan
Couldn't agree more Simpo
Makes me wonder why some 'big players' are still working in this industry, it's not for the money!! I guess its the power they think they have that gives them a kick... but you can't sustain a multi-million pound turnover with little or no profit.
Imagine putting them in front of the BBC2 Dragens Den with a £5million turnover and less than 1% profit to show for it... they'd be thrown out in seconds.
Makes me wonder why some 'big players' are still working in this industry, it's not for the money!! I guess its the power they think they have that gives them a kick... but you can't sustain a multi-million pound turnover with little or no profit.
Imagine putting them in front of the BBC2 Dragens Den
with a £5million turnover and less than 1% profit to show for it... they'd be thrown out in seconds.Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff