ModelZone seeking Administration

[Gwiwer]

I dont really get this sorry for the staff thing either..... isnt it thier job to sell stuff?

Im not sure anyone feels sorry for me when I get it all wrong

 

I would support empathy being shown to anyone losing a job, not least in the present climate, through circumstances beyond their immediate control.

 

We have seen a few reports of MZ staff apparently doing anything but selling though that should not be taken to apply to all of their staff in all stores all the time.  Others have been complimented for doing the job well.  Harsh facts of business mean that if they cannot sell competitively because, for example, Hornby has refused to permit discounting via MZ while most other retailers can offer the same items at lesser cost then that the consumer may shop elsewhere.

 

Personally I would mourn the more were we losing a chain of specialist model rail stores offering after-sales service, advice based upon depth of knowledge and a personal touch.  I found none of the above with MZ in my admittedly few dealings with the chain.  We are losing one specialist shop but have gained another from its ashes.  The net score is therefore level pegging.  What we are losing is a chain of glossy high-profile general hobby shops which seem to place more emphasis on getting younger people inside the doors (loud music, glitzy displays) than skilled sales and product knowledge to sustain the business.  It may have been no more than a matter of time.

 

I wish those staff who face unemployment all the best.  It's not an easy time to be seeking work.  Some may be lucky and transition their employment to the nearest supermarket or games shop.  While 47 High Streets will gain more empty premises I'm afraid I don't feel very strongly for the loss of the business itself.

[Xerces Fobe2]

Invicta Model Rail are up and running  http://www.invictamodelrail.com/

In true BBC style, other model shops are available!

 

XF

[Jenny Emily]

I am wondering what will now happen to the BG in yellow/black rerailing livery. This was one of the more advanced limited editions, and was apparently sold out on pre-orders. I wonder if Bachmann have actually made them, or whether they are still at a point that production can be cancelled? I seem to remember that there was at least one limited commission that did end up being sold direct from Bachmann for one reason or another via their website. 

[Jol Wilkinson]

While the quality and selection of the products on offer is important, the price a retailer offers those products to consumers is (and always will be) king.  It appears MZ never fully appreciated that.  Ironically, The Signal Box did, and MZ could have learned a thing or two from its subsidiary shop.

 

RIP.

 

Matt

 

Matt,

 

while that is true in certain market sectors, it doesn't always apply.

 

For example many "highly desirable" branded products are sold to fashion conscious consumers, who are less concerned with price than being "on trend". Some brands, including electric and electronic manufacturers appear to illegally control retailers prices by managing/withholding supply if they offer discounts.

 

Of course many people expect top class service as well as big discounts too, but only tend to think about that if things go wrong.

 

Price is important, but so is the convenience of a local store where you can get your modelling requirements, advice, see products first hand, etc. If you just chase the biggest discount, you'll may totally lose the local model shop .

 

Jol

 

Jol

[C&WR]

Personally I would mourn the more were we losing a chain of specialist model rail stores offering after-sales service, advice based upon depth of knowledge and a personal touch.

 

Can't comment on after-sales, but I found all the staff in the Reading branch to be friendly, knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with.  I've even rung/emailed them with daft questions about products and had them set aside various scarce items so I could come in and choose.  

 

The one frustration speaking to the young lad who worked part-time on the railways side was that they couldn't order specific items in.  Certainly for the scenic bits & smaller kits they got what was sent from the centre so it was pot luck what was on the shelves.

[melmerby]

 I also  think  that  many  folks  now  think  twice  before  taking  the  car  out   for  what might be  tremed  non essential  journeys, due  to  the  cost  of  fuel,

 

That doesn't seem to stop the never ending sale of gas guzzling 4x4 giants. Trips in aforementioned tanks to the corner shop to get a packet of fags rather than walk 100 yards

 

Then the people that leave their engines running when unloading a car or sit in a stationary vehicle at the side of the road with the engine running and air-con on rather than open windows!

 

People may moan about the high cost of fuel but then do little to economise!

 

Keith

[Xerces Fobe2]

That doesn't seem to stop the never ending sale of gas guzzling 4x4 giants. Trips in aforementioned tanks to the corner shop to get a packet of fags rather than walk 100 yards

 

Then the people that leave their engines running when unloading a car or sit in a stationary vehicle at the side of the road with the engine running and air-con on rather than open windows!

 

People may moan about the high cost of fuel but then do little to economise!

 

Keith

Topic drift alert !

 

XF

[Ian J.]

One advantage for me from this is that Invicta are inside the London zones (zone 5 to be precise) so I can get to them using my oyster card for a fair amount less than it used to cost to get to TSB in Rochester...

 

Of course, the closest MZ was in Westfield Stratford so that was just a ten minute walk away. However, as they had a smallish shop and were more interested in the general toy/model sales and not model railways specifically, they weren't as much use to me in this hobby.

 

Commiserations to those at MZ who will have lost their jobs. I know only too well how difficult it is at the moment to find work.

[Ian Hargrave]

I am wondering what will now happen to the BG in yellow/black rerailing livery. This was one of the more advanced limited editions, and was apparently sold out on pre-orders. I wonder if Bachmann have actually made them, or whether they are still at a point that production can be cancelled? I seem to remember that there was at least one limited commission that did end up being sold direct from Bachmann for one reason or another via their website. 

 A phone call or e-mail to Barwell might give you the answer you seek.

[BR(S)]

I am wondering what will now happen to the BG in yellow/black rerailing livery. This was one of the more advanced limited editions, and was apparently sold out on pre-orders. I wonder if Bachmann have actually made them, or whether they are still at a point that production can be cancelled? I seem to remember that there was at least one limited commission that did end up being sold direct from Bachmann for one reason or another via their website. 

 

These were 47835 and 47975, so there is hope!  See post #5 here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/3962-dutch-and-intercity-Bachmann-47s/

 

I think they were supposed to be sold via Modelzone and according to Bachmann were "cancelled [in 2009] by the retailers that they were produced for due to the economic situation" . . .

[Butler Henderson]

Presumably at some point they are going to increase discounts on whatever stock is left, wonder how low the RTC railbus will have to fall for people to buy one. Commissioning not quite right limited editions could not have helped their finances, on the other hand if they had a run of lightly weathered 97201 Experiments done they probably would have shifted despite their recent mint version.

[Dr Al]

I was in my local store today. Still plenty of stocks of most items - looks no different to pre-administration, other than 20-50% off signs up - little railway stuff N gauge wise, but a few bargain coaches which I picked up. Locos all still very expensive as 20% off RRP, and only a few on the shelves, as reported - still way way above the ebay or box shifter prices. Other items have more off (paints, tools, some of the aircraft kits) making them really rather good value, particularly the higher ticket items like airbrushes and compressors.

 

Interestingly they said they were still taking stock deliveries and some of the items they had were very recent releases, like Farish Mk2s (well one, I got it!) and class 70s.

 

I ended up spending £116 with them, mostly on aircraft models. No returns they said (not a big deal for the items I purchased - Airfix will supply any damaged/missing components from aircraft models no hassle FoC). Worth bearing in mind for loco purchases I guess, though there should be manufacturer warranty to fall back on.

 

Chatting to the staff they seemed resigned but upbeat. Most are modellers, so unlike some of the comments on here about poor staff, the ones in this store have always been easy going, reasonably knowledgeable and helpful. Even today they were all busying around still trying to help customers and advise them on purchases. They were strongly encouraging to keep coming back as more discounts are likely to be applied - it looks like they think stores may be open for another week or two.

 

They said there had been bids for the company, but nothing high enough, and still the chance of someone buying it. Maybe upbeat given the stock liquidation now starting to take hold. They also said that the reason it's finally happened was the cut throat internet pricing and a lot of rents had become due at once, something like £700,000 worth, which the company just could not pay.

 

They were shifting a reasonable amount of stuff - in the hour or so I browsed there must have been 10 or so sales of £10-70 each. Hopefully if the business is not saved at least some of this gets back down to the staff, who IMHO were doing a very good job today under their difficult circumstances. I wished them all the best, and will probably drop by and stock up on a few more paints in the near future - not sure I can really put any more on my Airfix model stash though - my house is starting to look like a model shop....

 

....well....maybe I can make space for a few more....

 

Cheers,
Alan

[Chrisr40]

I am local to the Signalbox and have used them for the past few years as well as having bought my very first wagons from them when I was only 7 or 8. I am really sad to find that we will loose what was an excellent shop and can only sympathise with the team who ran it and are now winding it down.

Whilst I felt a bit like a vulture picking over bones I did pop in there this morning to try and get a few bits before my only local shop goes - what was apparent was that prices actually appeared to have gone up ? Lots of everything must go posters but I swear the prices now marke are higher than they were asking previously

 

Chris

[Xerces Fobe2]

Invicta Model Rail are up and running  http://www.invictamodelrail.com/

http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/invicta-model-rail

 

Interesting!

 

XF

[Xerces Fobe2]

Am I missing something there? I assume there is a connection I know not of?

 

I do not want to make any comment on this, however if you read back through this thread you can come to your own conclusion!

 

XF

[andyram]

Just been into Derby branch of Modelzone. Closing down posters all over the windows and a sale advertised of between 20% and 50% off. Inside there was a notice announcing that the sale did not apply to Hornby or Scalectrix products. Limited pieces of Bachmann all still above Swapmeet prices. Sadly it is looking all over.

[Ian J.]

I do not want to make any comment on this, however if you read back through this thread you can come to your own conclusion!

 

XF

 

I think you may have to spell it out for us, as I too am perplexed. What specifically in the page linked too is 'interesting'? We already know Kerry was at TSB so that's not news, and as far as I can tell there's no other information on that page that says anything we don't already know in some way or others.

[Billystanier]

I think you may have to spell it out for us, as I too am perplexed. What specifically in the page linked too is 'interesting'? We already know Kerry was at TSB so that's not news, and as far as I can tell there's no other information on that page that says anything we don't already know in some way or others.

 

The date that company was incorporated? Is that what we're looking at?

[Ian J.]

The date that company was incorporated? Is that what we're looking at?

 

But that was mentioned way back in the thread so that's not new information.

[andyman7]

Just in case anyone is now really confused:

• The Signal Box used to be an independent model railway retailer in Rochester
• In 2006 the original owner sold it to the same company that operates the Modelzone chain, but they retained the Signal Box identity and seperate business model 
• Very recently two long-serving Signal Box employees left the Rochester shop and set up (independently) on their own as Invicta Model Railways in Sidcup
• Very shortly afterwards, The Signal Box gets caught up in the administration of the Modelzone chain, and it would appear that it is likely to close
• er, that's it.....

[C&WR]

Went to the New Oxford Street branch yesterday. There was lots and lots of lovely stuff on sale, but I couldn't really justify buying any of it railway-wise. The Long Haired Controller was tetchy because of the heat, though, and The Small Controller agitating for an ice lolly so I couldn't pay as much attention to searching through as I might have liked.

 

I did come away with a Revell easy fix TIE Fighter for the Boy, though. I thought this would be a good start for him into model aircraft!

[Obi-Jiff Kenobi]

not sure I can really put any more on my Airfix model stash though - my house is starting to look like a model shop....

You could always go into business - there's a gap in the market now...

[big jim]

popped into the deansgate branch earlier, picked up a few bits and bobs for when i get round to the scenics, there was 50% off evergreen stuff, very little left though, 50% off tools and 20% off the peco, wills and gaugemaster stuff i bought

 

one member of staff was saying how they will be being given 6 hours notice of the shop shutting completly!

[melmerby]

 

Just in case anyone is now really confused:

• Very recently two long-serving Signal Box employees left the Rochester shop and set up (independently) on their own as Invicta Model Railways in Sidcup

I wonder why they didn't just wait until MZ went into Admin (there must have been rumours) and then make an offer for The Signal Box & stock (obviously excluding Hornby!) at a knock down price.

 

Keith

[TheQ]

I went into the Norwich branch today, a Monday non lunch hour, I normally have a look on a Saturday, but it's the busiest I've ever seen it. NO Bachman stock only Hornby ( no one buying that!), came away with several  Matildas for my military train.

 

The Q