[Denali]

I got this email today from Designs in Motion:

Gateway Global/Autoart dropped a bomb on the industry yesterday with the announcement of yet another dealer cost increase, the second of '05, citing increased production costs from China. This explains the delays in expected new item releases this month, as they wanted to make sure that new items billed to the dealers at the "new" price. - Nice folks!

:shipwrecked

 

[gundam40]

holy CRAP!? MAn, is AUTOart trying to outdo Exoto now?

Models getting even MORE expensive than it is now? Me thinks I'll be getting out of diecast collecting soon.

Thanks for the heads up, Denali.

 

[StygianMax]

Every time they do that, I'm considering 1/43 models from companies like Red Line, Spark and Ebbro more and more. I can see those car becoming more of the core focus in the future.

 

[gundam40]

why can other manufacturers keep their prices constant (Minichamps, Kyosho) yet AUTOart has to price increase twice in a year? It's not as if their models were:

1) cheaper than the other 2 brands
2) better detailed/better materials than the other 2 brands
3) built in another country from the other 2 brands

So only thing I can think of is... pure greed. There's only a certain point where one can increase prices to make more profit, then the loss of customers start to affect adversely the profits (i.e. loss). And taht's only in a monopoly situation! With other alternatives (mainly Kyosho), I see myself buying fewer and fewer AUTOart's. Heck, the only AUTOart's I'm buying recently are mostly old AUTOart's, before the price increase.

 

[JSB 33]

Exoto and AUTOart and whoever else has to realize that these things are a luxury and not something that anyone has to buy to survive.
There is a price point where people will just stop buying.

 

[MED]

Unbelievable! There are so many good models, but I just can't afford $80 to $100 for every 1/18 model!!!!!!

 

[MockingBird]

that's y i'm looking forward to new shipments on Kyoshos and Minichamps instead.

 

[bennyjammin]

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:iagree Only problem is that AUTOart are the ones doing the Merc 190s Maybach etc...If Kyosho were to take some of those on, then I would ditch AUTOart no problem

 

[Guest]

Another??

Man! I for start dont really purchase a lot of AAs already, this new price increase will surely kill most of my buys! :help

anyone knows the extent of this price increase?

 

[LUW]

What caliber of price increase are we talking about?

 

[Denali]

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It didn't say how much they would be increased, I guess they only stated there will be another one. I only hope the 787B will not cost $180+

:shipwrecked

 

[Guest]

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Tell us if you get any new information :cheers

I just hope this isn't a new trend or I will be out of this hobby for a long long time :cry

 

[Guest]

ive already slowed down on the AUTOart's and have been getting most of the new Kyosho.. i mean the older AUTOart's are kewl.. but even a little high most places since the last price increase

 

[Guest]

I am sticking to the 787B; I really want that model.

But, if this continues I may just get the 1:1.

:giggle

 

[Guest]

There have been many of discussion on this topic concerning AUTOart price increases, here on DX as well as other forums and each time the sentiment seems to be the same.

But for whatever reason, AUTOart has not recieved the message that collectors are not happy with the limitless price increases.

I guess collectors wallets are not speaking loud enough.

If you buy them, they will view the prices as reasonable, if you don't buy, maybe they will then understand the sentiment. However, until that time is upon us... don't know what to say. but I do know what I am going to do, and thats not purchase $100 models unless they are of Exoto caliber. That means no fantasy cars with made up numbers, assembly jobs which took a shortcut, plastic molded engines and obvious inaccuracies.

Its very obvious to me from their latest/newest releases that the quality and details of their model have not risen with their prices. Something a blind man can see. :shipwrecked

 

[Guest]

AUTOart sure are hungry for money

I guess I wont be buying anything unless I really want it

 

[Speedfiend]

Whatta bunch of crap. Looks like the world of diecast is goin' to h*ll in a handbasket. :ranting

 

[mosteller]

So rising costs in China have caused both AUTOart and Exoto to raise their prices?! ullhair How gullible do they think we are? Those poor people are lucky to get paid $1 a day! If I really thought that the increases were to benefit their workers, not only would I not complain, I would greatly applaud the companys' consideration for their workers. But we all know that's not the case. in my opinion, using this as an excuse to increase profits is pretty low! :mine

 

[Guest]

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:cheers
lmk and we can split it.. one week your track choice.. the next week mine.. deal? then we can get an f50gt too while we are at it.. i mean.. come on.. we are all filthy stinkin rich arent we?????

:lol

 

[Guest]

All I can say is if they're going to charge as much as they are charging, these models better be spot-on with no cutting corners and top-notch quality control. As prices increase, my expectations does too proportionately. There are no must-have models for me anymore at $100+ a pop. If a model is not right, I'll pass it up without a second thought.