MIAv8Diecast
Active member
I suppose I don't blame you.. It's unfortunate because this is a real competitive advantage for NG if it came from a place of wanting to support the retailers that support the collecting community.
NG April Exchange - What did you get?
- Thread starter bakejobb_23
- Start date
I suppose I don't blame you.. It's unfortunate because this is a real competitive advantage for NG if it came from a place of wanting to support the retailers that support the collecting community.
MIAv8Diecast
Active member
My retailer charged me a $5.00 shipping fee from China to the U.S. plus $10.85 for USPS domestic shipping.... Wondering if that $5.00 was the tariff fee on the cost of the model as I haven't had other retailers do this in the past. Either way a "Free" model costs $15.85 which I suppose is fair in the end. If NG won't incentivize retailers to conduct this program, I don't blame them for charging and would do the same if I were in their shoes.
Purpleplane
Well-known member
I still haven't heard anything about the 2 that I've ordered....hopefully soon.
MIAv8Diecast
Active member
I would reach out as I have found many retailers will hold your model until they hear from you first as it's a lot of work for them to chase people down. I have never had a retailer proactively contact me first.
JJ Skippy
Well-known member
I was charged $6 both times I went through the program; the second time there was an added manufacturer freight cost of $6, though it was still subtracted from the price I had to pay. I don’t know how much it costs a retailer to receive these “free” models, but I can’t imagine a profit is on the mind for most of them like what Squatchy’s said (@planes_on_a_shelf they said they already charged for shipping).
As for an incentive I can’t think of a way that would work effectively. Maybe have retailers encourage customers to order additional models to go with the “free” model? Or if a retailer receives the most orders through the program they get some type of discount on the next NG release?
MIAv8Diecast
Active member
From the collector side I have enjoyed the CRP program greatly as I have received 7 models since its inception and besides long wait times, has worked out quite smoothly and I believe has been a great competitive advantage for NG. I can't imagine Gemini ever doing this as they appear to be cutting costs with their models when it comes to details in the form of aerials and the utilization of older molds. This program has been an out of the box idea, but it needs out of the box solutions for it to be sustainable in the long term, how that is done is obviously up for debate.
JJ Skippy
Well-known member
Agreed, this is still an excellent idea but the execution of it needs some work. There needs to be better communication regarding when these models are shipped to retailers, so retailers can inform collectors on when they can expect their CRP models. If done correctly that can eliminate the issue of retailers chasing down collectors who have reservations too.
MIAv8Diecast
Active member
It's just troubling to hear small business having to deal with the headache of this program because if these businesses don't succeed, we don't have this hobby. As a consumer, I want this program to run well and have been disappointed to hear the troubles just being dumped on the retailer with little solution. I know I have as the consumer, went out of my way to purchase NG models exclusively because of the CRP program which speaks to the void of consumer loyalty in this hobby that other brands haven't been able to replicate.
nb.aviation
Active member
I think the main issue with the program is that most collectors that select a retailer expect the retailer to contact them which is only done by a few retailers. Those that don't contact the retailer end up complaining that they haven't heard anything about their exchanges simply because they don't take action themselves. But for those that do send the retailer a message directly after the exchange they will be able to receive it within 1-2 months.
MIAv8Diecast
Active member
This is exactly correct... You're not paying the retailer anything for their services and at the end of the day they're in business to make money. Whatever NG decides to do in the background is their prerogative, but you should be taking the initiative to "claim your reward" if you will.
Purpleplane
Well-known member
Yep, I already did that April 23rd. Guess I can send email again.
MIAv8Diecast
Active member
Who did you go through?
Purpleplane
Well-known member
Jetcollector.com
MIAv8Diecast
Active member
I would try again! I asked about mine last night and got a response within 10 minutes and they shipped it out first thing this morning. They got all their CRP models from NG this past week.
Purpleplane
Well-known member
I just looked at my account there, and it looks like they're processing it now.
squatchys_diecast_hangar
Active member
We did contact the customers when we received the models. The last batch for us got hung up with tariffs and we refused the shipment, you don't want to know how much that would have been. What FedEx did with the shipment I have no idea, assumed it went back to NG. But there is no incentive to the retailers. We charged $5 for each model from China, as the weight of the shipment is figured into the shipping price we pay for the shipment. But in the last 2 years I don't think we got a single extra order of models from anyone. For us that's enough to say we are done with the program. NG doesn't incentive retailers with anything, so what's the benefit for us??? None
planes_on_a_shelf
Well-known member
You should charge a separate 'CRP fee' from the collectors - for the work associated with engaging with the program for them
Lots of collectors expect this to be free - which is absurd.
That's what I mentioned before
My retailer does that and I completely welcome it and support it
planes_on_a_shelf
Well-known member
That's not 'fee' to get from China - that's shipping cost from China to the Retailer.
Correct. I used the vernacular, as in "to get from, to."
