Why not these things

[Ben]

Yes, that's a very detailed kit with a lot of pieces of a subject that car builders would have no interest in. So what's your point?

Also, Harry, car builders don't have the numbers that they used to have back in the 60's and 70's. Truck builders may not be a huge part of the modeling scene but we are going stronger now than we were when the plastic big rig kits were in their hay day primarily in thanks to the hundreds of aftermarket guys who have had to step up and fill the voids that the model companies chose not too. That being said, the armor guys and the airplane guys will always outnumber us.

[Harry P.]

Fully agreed but let me ask you this, If you and your neighbors love Cricket, been playing it most of your lives, Know hundreds of people around the US that love Cricket as well and you have personally spoke with, in phone conversations with absolute die hard Cricket lovers from many countries from all over the world and pretty much EVERY ONE of them said they wish a new type of piece of Cricket equipment would be made (I'm not asking for a hobby shop) wouldn't that lend to make you believe that a new piece of Cricket equipment just may sell well, worldwide!

Yet, that piece would sell. But only to cricket lovers!

Ben, you keep making the same mistake in your thinking. You keep on assuming that because model truck guys want more model trucks, that means everyone must want them. Remember... when you hang out with other people who have the same interests that you do, it seems like everyone you come in contact with has the same interests that you do... and they do... because you're hanging out with people who have the same interests as you!

One last example, then I give up: Say I love Italian food (I do, but again, just an example). Say I'm a member of several "We Love Italian Food" forums. I talk to hundreds of people all around the world who all love Italian food. Gee, it seems that everyone must love Italian food, because everyone I talk to loves it! Opening an Italian restaurant on just about any corner would be a smash hit.

Bet remember... I'm only hanging out with a group of people who all love Italian food, not people who love Chinese food, or Greek food, or Mexican food, etc. People who don't love Italian food wouldn't be on the Italian food forums I hang out on or go to Italian food festivals that I go to. And while it's true that there are thousands of Italian food lovers on those forums where I hang out, there are many, many more people out there who are NOT into Italian food. So opening up that Italian restaurant might not be the smash hit that me and my Italian food lovers think it would be.

[Ben]

If you guys really want those types of kits produced, perhaps you should contact the manufacturers and let them know. Do your part but I don't think that trying to convince we who don't agree with your points will help your cause.

I'm just have a discussion. I'm not trying to convince any model companies to produce anything on here. However, our groups of truck builders on other forums are in the midst of getting petitions together to send to the model companies.

[Harry P.]

I'm just have a discussion. I'm not trying to convince any model companies to produce anything on here. However, our groups of truck builders on other forums are in the midst of getting petitions together to send to the model companies.

You would need enough signatures to convince the manufacturers that there is a large enough demand out there to make manufacturing a new kit profitable. Five hundred signatures, five thousand signatures, isn't enough demand to cover the costs of tooling up and manufacturing new farm tractor or construction kits.

[Ben]

Yet, that piece would sell. But only to cricket lovers!

Ben, you keep making the same mistake in your thinking. You keep on assuming that because model truck guys want more model trucks, that means everyone must want them. Remember... when you hang out with other people who have the same interests that you do, it seems like everyone you come in contact with has the same interests that you do... and they do... because you're hanging out with people who have the same interests as you!

One last example, then I give up: Say I love Italian food (I do, but again, just an example). Say I'm a member of several "We Love Italian Food" forums. I talk to hundreds of people all around the world who all love Italian food. Gee, it seems that everyone must love Italian food, because everyone I talk to loves it! Opening an Italian restaurant on just about any corner would be a smash hit.

Bet remember... I'm only hanging out with a group of people who all love Italian food, not people who love Chinese food, or Greek food, or Mexican food, etc. People who don't love Italian food wouldn't be on the Italian food forums I hang out on or go to Italian food festivals that I go to. And while it's true that there are thousands of Italian food lovers on those forums where I hang out, there are many, many more people out there who are NOT into Italian food. So opening up that Italian restaurant might not be the smash hit that me and my Italian food lovers think it would be.

And the point I keep trying to make you understand is that, just because you have no interest in building a model of a bulldozer means nothing. How do you know that are not many, many car builders that would love to tackle something different???( I never said it would just be the guys that build semi trucks, I do believe they would purchase them first though.) That's how this thread started! You keep saying that a new construction equipment piece would NOT sell well because of the modeling enviroment you have been involved in all your life. I am saying that I think a new piece of construction equipment WOULD sell well. You know what it all boils down too? Neither one of us, for a fact, knows if it would or if it would not.

[Ben]

You would need enough signatures to convince the manufacturers that there is a large enough demand out there to make manufacturing a new kit profitable. Five hundred signatures, five thousand signatures, isn't enough demand to cover the costs of tooling up and manufacturing new farm tractor or construction kits.

But if we don't do anything, they'll never even know that there are many people out there interested in this type of subject.

[gtx6970]

If you guys really want those types of kits produced, perhaps you should contact the manufacturers and let them know. Do your part but I don't think that trying to convince we who don't agree with your points will help your cause.

Trying to convince model car builders a dozer kit will sell well is like trying to sell ice to an eskimo.

No matter the subject , let the manufacturer know of YOUR likes/wants.

In this day of emails and instant messaging , all it takes is a few minutes of your time to let them know.

[Ben]

Trying to convince model car builders a dozer kit will sell well is like trying to sell ice to an eskimo.

No matter the subject , let the manufacturer know of YOUR likes/wants.

In this day of emails and instant messaging , all it takes is a few minutes of your time to let them know.

It's actually more like trying to sell an Eskimo an ice building kit that takes weeks to assemble! LOL

[b_lever1]

Don't know if it is said here but for people after excellent BFG tires check out fireball model stuff or find Cheif Joesph Osborne here vert nice product

[LDO]

OK, from a modeler who is into cars, tanks, and planes...hell no I wouldn't buy some snooze fest model of construction/farm equipment. That stuff is BORING. '32 Fords, King Tiger tanks, P-51 Mustangs...NOT boring. Numbers back up that claim. There are no such numbers for construction equipment models.

[Ben]

OK, from a modeler who is into cars, tanks, and planes...hell no I wouldn't buy some snooze fest model of construction/farm equipment. That stuff is BORING. '32 Fords, King Tiger tanks, P-51 Mustangs...NOT boring. Numbers back up that claim. There are no such numbers for construction equipment models.

And you make up the vast sum of .......one.

Yes, the numbers do back up those kits being manufactured but they had to be initially produced at one time and I'm sure nobody back then, knew they would always be good sellers. I even hear car guys complaining about many certain car kits being produced so often, they're sick of seeing them and asking for something new.

Edited August 31, 2013 by Ben

[raildogg]

Let us then, both pro and con start a petition right here right now to the leading manufacturers. This my name and let be first. Now ,put your money where your opinion is!!!

We the undersigned request that new molds for a modern tracked excavator be produced and marketed as soon as possible under current manufacturing and engineering capabilities.

Richard A Rozzi

[2000-cvpi]

And you make up the vast sum of .......one.

Yes, the numbers do back up those kits being manufactured but they had to be initially produced at one time and I'm sure nobody back then, knew they would always be good sellers. I even hear car guys complaining about many certain car kits being produced so often, they're sick of seeing them and asking for something new.

You're a one also, the simple fact is they won't sell. Not in the slightest, several hundred modelers world wide can't support a niche kit to be tooled. I like almost anything model related and a construction kit would be a very slow seller. I also like oddball car kits like most of the Johan kits. But I understand that if they made a AMC Matador kit today, it would sell like BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH. It's just the truth.

[Ben]

You're a one also, the simple fact is they won't sell. Not in the slightest, several hundred modelers world wide can't support a niche kit to be tooled. I like almost anything model related and a construction kit would be a very slow seller. I also like oddball car kits like most of the Johan kits. But I understand that if they made a AMC Matador kit today, it would sell like ######. It's just the truth.

Yes, I see what your saying.....it would kind of like, if they brought back some goofy car like...lets say a Gremiin! Oh wait, they did, even two different year models! Scratch that, lets say a Pinto or a Pacer oh wait......there saying they are!!!! I know the Pacer is at least.

[Ben]

Let us then, both pro and con start a petition right here right now to the leading manufacturers. This my name and let be first. Now ,put your money where your opinion is!!!

We the undersigned request that new molds for a modern tracked excavator be produced and marketed as soon as possible under current manufacturing and engineering capabilities.

Richard A Rozzi

First off, why in the world would you send a petition to a model company with people saying they would not be interested in something??? And Second, why would you start said petetion on a forum dedicated to Model Car builders first and foremost??????

[Ben]

I was just thinking, how do we know, that all over the world, there are not car modelers that look around and then carefully sneak into a dark room with a flashlight and a book on bulldozers and then sit in a corner muttering to themselves, "Oh Sweet, sweet bulldozer model kit, why do they deny us our love for each other????"

[Brett Barrow]

Let us then, both pro and con start a petition right here right now to the leading manufacturers. This my name and let be first. Now ,put your money where your opinion is!!!

We the undersigned request that new molds for a modern tracked excavator be produced and marketed as soon as possible under current manufacturing and engineering capabilities.

Richard A Rozzi

Start with Meng, as I said in an earlier post, they're looking to enter the 24/25th scale market. If it's going to happen it would happen with one of the newer, smaller companies.

marketing1@meng-model.com

[Tom Geiger]

I view this statement this way, (assuming you build cars primarily). Think about, if you were at a model contest with one of your best automotive builds. You know you are an accomplished builder as well as all your peers. Then you find out that your model is going to be judged by an armor guy that builds nothing but tanks. He knows models but does he know enough about your subject to know what you had to do to produce the model you present?

Ben, first off I build mostly light commercial. I'm going through a period where I'm scratch building a couple campers etc. Much of what I want to build isn't that main stream and I realize that I'm going to have to do diecast conversions, buy resin and scratch build most everything else. When another light commercial builder comes on like you, demanding that the manufacturers produce a '53 International pickup, I'll give them the same argument I'm giving you. The market just won't support the new tooling. And there's a diecast available. Pop it apart and build what you want, you will still wind up with a model in the end.

Right now in this thread you have some pretty knowledgeable guys trying to explain reality to you. These aren't just car modelers but industry guys who have years at both the wholesale and retail levels.

I don't know you, and I can see you are passionate about your own building niche. I think you are reasoning with your heart not your head, as many of us do. This is a hobby for us and that's cool. When there are niche markets, resin companies jump in to fill the small demand. So why not email companies like American Industrial Models (AIM) and ask them why they're not focusing on your market? OR why don't you put some skin in the game and scratch build some stuff and start your own aftermarket company to produce the very things you feel there's high demand for?? According to your reasoning, you will be rich in no time!

[2000-cvpi]

Yes, I see what your saying.....it would kind of like, if they brought back some goofy car like...lets say a Gremiin! Oh wait, they did, even two different year models! Scratch that, lets say a Pinto or a Pacer oh wait......there saying they are!!!! I know the Pacer is at least.

Big difference, those are reissued kits with the tooling cost paid for. Much less cost and risk to the manufacturer than a full detail new tool kit. I'm smart enough to see the difference, and I can see both sides of this issue without a bias either way. It really is a simple idea that these construction kits are not popular enough to justify a new tool kit. The model car companies are run by some really smart people and if they thought it was a profitable idea, they would do it.

[LDO]

Eh. I kinda like the idea of telling a model company what I wouldn't buy. I'll write letters saying I hope they never make a bulldozer because it would be a huge turd.

[Ben]

Ben, first off I build mostly light commercial. I'm going through a period where I'm scratch building a couple campers etc. Much of what I want to build isn't that main stream and I realize that I'm going to have to do diecast conversions, buy resin and scratch build most everything else. When another light commercial builder comes on like you, demanding that the manufacturers produce a '53 International pickup, I'll give them the same argument I'm giving you. The market just won't support the new tooling. And there's a diecast available. Pop it apart and build what you want, you will still wind up with a model in the end.

Right now in this thread you have some pretty knowledgeable guys trying to explain reality to you. These aren't just car modelers but industry guys who have years at both the wholesale and retail levels.

I don't know you, and I can see you are passionate about your own building niche. I think you are reasoning with your heart not your head, as many of us do. This is a hobby for us and that's cool. When there are niche markets, resin companies jump in to fill the small demand. So why not email companies like American Industrial Models (AIM) and ask them why they're not focusing on your market? OR why don't you put some skin in the game and scratch build some stuff and start your own aftermarket company to produce the very things you feel there's high demand for?? According to your reasoning, you will be rich in no time!

I am just one man, if I were to scratch build and cast a dozer (of which I am doing exactly that right now) I don't have the capabilities of a large company or the mass producing potential. You guys keep mentioning specific vehicles in your comparisons but I am saying that I think ANY TYPE of any brand of Construction equipment would do well (as far as excavators, dozers, scrapers, rollers, etc.) Being that you do build another one of my favorites, I believe a modern, fully detailed Motorhome or travel trailer would sell well as well!

Edited August 31, 2013 by Ben

[Ben]

Big difference, those are reissued kits with the tooling cost paid for. Much less cost and risk to the manufacturer than a full detail new tool kit. I'm smart enough to see the difference, and I can see both sides of this issue without a bias either way. It really is a simple idea that these construction kits are not popular enough to justify a new tool kit. The model car companies are run by some really smart people and if they thought it was a profitable idea, they would do it.

As popular as the Gremlin kit is right now and for what the original Pinto kits go for, do you honestly believe that a newly tooled Pinto kit that's of much better quality and detail than all the previous kits, would not sell well???

[Ben]

Eh. I kinda like the idea of telling a model company what I wouldn't buy. I'll write letters saying I hope they never make a bulldozer because it would be a huge turd.

Ok, be sure to tell us what you WOULD like to see tooled up so I can do the same.

[Ben]

Eh. I kinda like the idea of telling a model company what I wouldn't buy. I'll write letters saying I hope they never make a bulldozer because it would be a huge turd.

Dear AMT, don't ever make a dozer kit because nobody will ever buy it!!!! Oh wait.....you already did???? And you released it five times and once with a lowboy kit??? Oh, sorry, my bad, I must not have a clue of what I'm talking about!

[2000-cvpi]

As popular as the Gremlin kit is right now and for what the original Pinto kits go for, do you honestly believe that a newly tooled Pinto kit that's of much better quality and detail than all the previous kits, would not sell well???

Prices of out of production kits have no basis for the popularity of a new tool kit of the same car. Using your example of a Pinto that is newly tooled versus a oop kit version of the same car, the reissue costs less for the company and carries much less risk. It's a simple concept, eBay value doesn't mean squat. If it did there would be lots of Johan kits from a new tool, and there isn't. A new tool Pinto would not sell well enough to justify the cost to the company that makes it. Especially whenAMT could reissue it for practically nothing compared to a new tool, version.