[Closed] Forthcoming stuff from Brooklin

Mike, what is your take on Brooklin's recent announcement of direct sales in the UK?

Brooklin Direct sales

I'm not sure. The fair side of me says that they have every right to do it, but putting my "selfish" retailer's hat on, I have resevations. Over the years, Brooklin have built up a good network of reputable dealers, and I think it would be a shame if this became dilutd to the point where their (Brooklin's) direct sales affected the business of their dealers. Its a fine balance btween the two and they have got to tread very carefully. Brooklin need the dealers, particularly as I don't think they are geared up to coping with a mass influx of individual orders without taking on extra staff, and that would Defeat the object of the exercise. I know from my own experience that it takes me a good two to three hours to pack and post, say, a dozen models. I suppose one saving grace is that their postage cost of ?7.00 in the UK could be a bit off putting. Overall, I think it is in everyone's interests to maintain the status quo, but then again, I'm biassed.

Thanks Mike for your thoughts.

Brooklin Direct Sales

What's your thoughts Dick. I know that other's this side the pond have reservations too.

I do not think it will happen here because of the distributorship.

Paul Bender's Bras?lia Press is certainly not set up for retail sales and I do not think the profit margins give then much room to handle it. The story I heard about Bath was that they were getting a number of call from folks who did not know where to buy Brooklins. I found that rather hard to believe as the Brooklin website lists many dealers. Most of them have websites, like yours. It may make sense for some obscure country that does not have a dealer but then how many collectors are they likely to have in Chad or Moldava or Laos?

Brooklin Direct Sales

I do know from my own experiences over the years, that collectors were unaware of the existence of Brooklin, Lansdowne etc., from conversations I had at swapmeets, and that was even relatively recently. Is there another motive though. Trouble is, there is only so much cake, and there is only so many reasonable slices it can be cut into. As far as Brasilia Press is concerened, there is nothing to prevent people in the US and elsewhere, buying from the Brooklin site.

Dick, I would think also that retailers of Brooklins in the UK would be able to sell the cars at the many model/toy shows that they seem to have
over there, far many more than in North America. Even a collector there who
doesn't have a computer would be able to find the cars at shows and model
shops, it seems to me. I'm sure that there are some collectors here in the
States who don't use computers, but are able to find Brooklins from the
excellent retailers here and order them by mail or telephone.

According to Chris Sweetman's postings, there seems to be a show or fair
about every weekend in the UK. Aren't Brooklins readily available at these
gatherings, Chris (or anyone)?

And, in addition to Mike's comments about packing and shipping the models
individually, there's also going to have to be someone to take the orders,
process credit card payments, checks, etc. That would seem to necessitate a
good bit of time and effort.

Interesting topic.

First of all their prices are higher than what we pay here.

Besides, they will only ship to the UK or EU countries per their website.

Hello Mike, what is the object of the exercise ???

Quote "that would Defeat the object of the exercise"
Thanks,
Eric

Over the last ten years I have shipped thousands of new Brooklin made models worldwide and only about 40% of them to the US.
Mike alludes to the "cake" , well this just made the internet "slice" thinner.
And, let's face it when all is said and done, who can compete with the manufacturer ?
Eric

Brooklin Direct Sales

Hello Eric.
I haven't a clue really, what is behind Brooklin's thinking.

Thanks Mike, I agree with every word you wrote; it would be nice to know what the objective is.
Perhaps John Roberts can let us know.
Eric

....depending on currency fluctuations and the deduct of VAT

Eric what's the % to the UK?

From what I read Brooklin is selling direct only to UK buyers. No mention of price, is it the same as retailers?