The increasing disgruntled-ness with WnW

[Michael Scarborough]

Hello all,

It's been interesting to see the increase in posts re: the next releases from WingNuts.

I think it is true that most of it will vanish when new kits are actually released. Most of it, but not all. The continued silence is clearly beginning to alienate the buyers and IF there are problems with any of the models, or others issues arise down the line, that alienation will flare up, and the love affair will begin to show wear.

I managed to break one of the cabane struts during my recent D.V build and, due to time restraints, it was just eaiser to order a replacement sprue. Paying $10.00 for the single sprue and $5.00 for the shipping did not make me a happy camper.

I've been waiting to finish an otherwise complete diorama for which several of the figures they show on their site would be perfect. Having them would save me the time and effort of converting existing figures. So, do I wait for WnW to issue the figures or go ahead and begin the conversion process? I've asked if they could simply give me SOME idea of when they'll be available so I'll know how to proceed. How hard would it be for them to do that? But mum's the word.

I fully understand the problems of creating kits and that things can jump up and bite the release process on the bottom. Having worked for a while in the hobby industry, I know what it's like to have fanatics screaming, "yeah, but you said it was going to be available on the 15th and now you're telling me it won't be available until the 16th!!!!!!????". So, I understand WnW wanting to play it close to the vest. But, there is such a thing as playing it too close and developing a lot of disgruntled customers down the line....especially when other manufacturers must be working to trump them.

Honeymoons do eventually end.

Just my thoughts,
Michael

[bristol scout]

Hi Michael,

I have to disagree.

I remember a time when AIRFIX released a 'SUPER KIT' once each year----everybody just waited for it coming, and built Revell in the mean time (sort of next biggest)

I class W/N kits as 'super kits' and have the patience. This is not life or death, after all--just plastic model aeroplanes.

I am suprised you did'nt just scratch another 'V' strut---or a pair actually--it MUST have been quicker than posting off---and cheaper.

Bit of a storm in a tea-cup I feel.

Just my thoughts.

Dave. EDIT-----don't think Rodens DH2 will trump W/N's---Nor will Rodens Pfalz stand up, I think, to W/N's.

[otis goodin]

I think the problem with WNW is largely one of expectations. Expectations created by them and by modelers like ourselves. They created the expectation that they would be releasing kits and figures SOON. When you use the word "soon" most people think in terms of a few months at most. Not a year or more. So we, in our minds, have created the expectation that these products will be coming out shortly, when, in fact, that is not the case at all. I think the fact that they haven't updated their website even after releasing some of their kits is strange, particularly in this day of web based communication. It's not like they don't have the capability to do it. It's obvious that they either (1) just don't think it's important or (2) are deliberately keeping information close to the vest. I supect it is the latter. Why would they be doing this? The obvious answer is competitive reasons. They don't want their competition to know what kits they are working on, when they will be released, etc. I'm sure to most of us that seems absurd because, based on the reaction to their kits so far, most of us probably don't think they have much competition to worry about. Their kits are so far ahead of anything else how could they possibly be worried about competition? Of course, that 's not how most business people think. They are all paranoid to some degree about what others in their field are doing. But the obvious answer may not be what is really going on. It could be that WNW enjoys creating an atmosphere of mystery about themselves and their products. It's part of their marketing strategy. If you tell everything, there is no mystery and nothing to talk about. And, I must admit, it seems to be working. How much of this website is consumed with speculation about WNW's next releases? We crave any tidbit of information about what's coming next and when. It's a big topic in the modeling community, not just here. Anticipation. It's what makes every kid love Christmas so much. The anticipation of something is always more magical than when the real thing gets here. It applies to every area of life, and I think WNW is applying it to this. Peter Jackson and Co know a lot about marketing and magic and mystery and all that. The lack of information is actually feeding interest in them, and they don't have to spend any money on promotion because we give it to them for free. As WNW have said about themselves, they are not a market driven company. They have stated that as saying that they will create what they want to create and release it when they want to release it. They want to drive the market, not have the market drive them. I think the more we try to pressure them into doing what we want them to do, the less inclined they will be to do it. Probably the best thing for all of us is to stop talking about it so much and just be patient. After all, we never expected anything this good to begin with, but now that we have tasted it, we want more and more. WNW knows that if you give people everything they want right way, they will come to expect it and eventually get bored. You constantly have to top yourself to keep them satisfied. I think they are deliberately pacing themselves for the long haul. Of course, us old guys are worried that we will run out of time before that dream model comes out.

[bristol scout]

Very good post otis------to which I can only add as that grim reaper gets nearer, who of us will be even remotely interested in W/N kits--or anything else, except prayers (for the religious of us) and (hopefully) continued pragmatism for those, like myself, who don't believe.

Cheers,
Dave.

[otis goodin]

Dave,

As a believer, my hope is for you to move from pragmatism to faith. After all, I firmly believe that heaven will include lots of time to build our favorite models to standards we never dreamed possible in this life, and I would hate for you to miss out on that!

[bristol scout]

Horrible for us athiests otis-----if I 'wake up' in Heaven--then I will know I was horribly wrong, (but no complaints at THAT point) If I don't-----then I won't know I was resoundingly right

Cheers, and thanks for your hopes otis----really

Dave.

[Jack Bruno]

Truth be told I would not flinch to put out $15 to replace a part on a $60 kit..........crissakes, what have we become??? Patience on new comings, let it be........there's truly enough out there to keep busy.

[elarson]

Come now, have we forgotten the old saying - "a watched pot never boils" - or, the version I use in my profession - " a watched computer never processes".


I'm sure the folks at Wingnut get a chuckle or two out of all these posts.

I can't imagine that anyone is being alienated by their silence. You know darn well that when the next batch of kits is finally released, we'll be salivating and tripping all over ourselves to get our orders placed! I seriously doubt a single person will say "hrumph...they took too long and didn't let me know why so I'm not going to order that <insert the model of choice here> I want so badly.".


Cheers,

Eric, patiently waiting for the next Wingnut wave.

[Fokker Ace]

I haven't built the two I have - haven't even started them - so waiting is not a concern. Plus, it's a very young company and I don't expect a new release every couple months. Besides, having a lot of unfinished kits in the closet is not part of the hobby I enjoy and plan to build all I have.

That said, I can't wait for either the DVII or the W.29! Please hurry!!!

PS - Dave, I love your sentiments! Good stuff.

[bristol scout]

Cheers mate

Dave.