Update from Simon Elford of Brooklin

Jack I hope so too.

Ed, I keep the boxes in my garage and it's a real pain. I have a 1400 square foot garage for my 1/1 collector cars in addition to a two car carport for our eveyday drivers. If it weren't for the boxes I could park another car in the garage.

Hi folks,

as for me, there are several reasons why I ceased buying Brooklin models:

- slipping quality. Nowadays, with the more expensive „Bulgari“ models, things might be better. However, my 1960 Cadillac had a lot of flash on the rear axle (which I removed), my 1941 Buick had several parts that were just lying around in the package and had to be reaffixed by me (more on that leter), and the like. I am not willing to accept these issues, period, especially because of

- sloppy service. Withthe aforementioned Buick, it seemed that one of the door handles was missing, so I contacted Brooklin to ask for a spare part. Never heard from them, not from Amanda or anybody elso (this was like a year ago). Fortunately, upon looking really hard for the part, I found it deeply embedded in the foam; however, customer service, from my experience, is not a strong Brooklin point.

- while there are more or less expensive clubs and events in the US, with limited and even more limited editions on vehicles that seem interesting to me, a club membership required to buy models is not a business model I like or am willing to participate in, particularly when considering the extremely high prices of these models. And I am not even sure whether or not I can join from Germany. Now, of course you can rightfully claim that Brooklin models are not for the faint of wallet, and if I have to ask, then it‘s out of my range. True, but this business model means that they are not getting my money (and I am certain I am not the only collector to act this way), especially with great and more affordable resin models, like those from Goldvarg, on the market. For me, collecting cars is more of a hobby than a passion, and this is reflected im my monthly hobby allowance I am willing to spend. Sorry Brooklin.

- the elephant in the room: Brexit. This means that there are a lot of added costs should I order from the UK. Now, Europe and Germany was never an important market for UK businesses (to the best of my knowledge, British Leyland never could be bothered to officially sell theit vehicles here in Germany), but with the added customs cost, the higher s&h and the tons of UK red tape, it ist thanks but no thanks for me.

Apparently, fom my point of view, these models are way overpriced. If the service was right, and these models were easily accessible without club memberships and the like, I would gladly be willing to buy some models that I really like and want, no problem. But I am not spending money on some „Friends of Nicola“ scheme just to be able to buy a model I would like to have at prices that - to me at least - are was over the top, artisanal or not. And the fact that Brooklin is in deep trouble and even needs to downsize on its staff while raising the prices during a global recession might not be the way to go. With ever lower production, the prices will probably continue to rise, making these models even more expensive, and I find it hard to justify an EUR 200-250 expense to my family.

However these are just my thoughts on why I am done with Brooklin models. Call me dumb, or vengeful, still at the end of the day, it is my money.

I guess you don't shop at Costco either??

@bob-jackman Of course the two are different. If you are sacked you are replaced. If you are made redundant your position ceases to exist anymore. It makes the world of difference as far as a reference is concerned.    

@tom-sommer, you are most definitely the exception when it comes to customer service. I have to wonder if you had the correct email address when you asked for parts. Amanda was always gracious and quick to respond to requests. Have you tried asking for parts from any of your resin makers?

As far as pricing is concerned, we all have our opinions on it and we all have different motivations in buying our models. I can understand that the models look very expensive to those who believe joining a club for $15 or $20 is expensive. Of course, once a member of either the BCC or the NABCC, the price on the club models has traditionally made up for the club dues. Both clubs have members throughout Europe.

I love my resin models. each of them is a jewel. But, I love my white metal models as well. I've seen them being made and am actually astonished that they can sell for their current prices given the amount of hands-on labor and care involved. Still, I collect both and try not to knock one or the other as their makers are hard-working people who pour their devotion to the hobby into each model they produce.

@tom-sommer

Tom;  a person doesn't have to join any of the Brooklin related clubs to be able to purchase their models; that only applies to Brooklin Club specials, which has always been the case in my experience.  The club oriented members have joined out of a common interest in Brooklin models and many friendships have developed over time, which for me has really been a pleasure.  Like many others, I have hundreds of Brooklins and Lansdownes collected since 1990 and I haven't had many QC issues like you mention so I am surprised to hear you have and I am sorry to hear this.  I have had the odd bit broken (mirror eg.) but I have always gotten great service from Amanda and I must say I am disappointed about that situation changing to include only parts for recently released models being offered.  The counter to this of course is that the models are now much more protected in their packaging than before. The only major issue I ever experienced was postal service or Canada Custom inspection damage, which is extremely irritating but a separate issue.  Occasionally a grille or tail light, for example, has been shaken loose during transit but I have always easily glued the part back on, as I have done with most model brands I collect...not a big deal at all....especially considering how trashed some of the boxes get in transit.

IMHO it appears that Brooklin have reorganized, both in quality level and staff deployment, to be able to compete in the fast changing and somewhat unpredictable business world.  Their product as we all know has increased in quality and detail and of course this has increased the price.  Their target customer audience has obviously broadened, evidenced by product diversification and marketing strategies changing, so obviously a very different business model is evolving and of course for a very good reason.  Personally I do believe that if this had not occurred, Brooklin Models was headed for its demise at some point.  I do hate to see lives disrupted by business change as I'm sure we all do, but it seems change must occur in order to stay viable.  If Brooklin had in fact gone down as speculated by many before the ownership change then obviously all would have been lost for those employees, so perhaps this recent change represents the best case scenario, albeit a very sad one.

 I have not been adversely affected by import duties and such (at least thus far) and postal rates like everything else rise predictably.  Generally I try to purchase my models in groups of 2 or 3 when I can to mitigate this issue.  I live in Canada so my experience here is all I can speak to.

Lastly I will say that I have had to change my approach to buying Brooklin Models for several reasons.  There are far fewer varieties of Brooklins done yearly so that number has of course decreased, as has my required yearly cash outlay for them despite the price increase.  As a result I now collect a wider variety of brands and quality levels which actually makes me happier.  I have accepted that I will be adding far fewer Brooklins to my collection annually, which saddens me of course, but the ones that I do choose to buy are such beautiful models that I don't mind digging deeper for the funds per model.  The model world is fast changing, companies have folded in recent years at various quality ranges and the company that produces my beloved Brooklins has changed to survive....I choose to accept it and carry on enjoying my hobby.  By the way....I resist change with the best of them so it ain't easy!  I wish you all the best in your future model collecting Tom.

Posted by: @kenspear

I guess you don't shop at Costco either??

We don‘t have Costco in this part of the world, so no, I don‘t shop there. 

Me and my family like to buy oour food at farmers‘ markets or at our local butcher‘s shop whenever possible, rather than supermarkets. Oh, and we try to buy regional as much as possible, so I guess that pretty much rules out Walmart, Costco and the likes?

John, I guess I somewhat ran out of luck there with Brooklin; as I found the „missing“ part, I didn‘t follow it up. Maybe the email was wrong, maybe somebody was on vacation, or the mail simply got overlooked, I don‘t know. However, I didn‘t receive some „mail not delivered“ message though. 

I do wish Brooklin and the remailing staff all the best, and that they can sustain. I might even buy more if they had more than one (great) importer/dealer here; however, while I‘d love to have a Brooklin 1941 Pontiac, or a 1947 Cadillac, theses are sold out here and are only availiable in the UK or in America, which both involve customs hassles, „interesting“ shipping fees and certain problems in returning the model should it arrive damaged. Just to remind you all, an insured package to the US ist in the USD 50 price range. Even if I make a purchase in France, or Italy, it would be around USD 20, and these  shipments to amd fro would be covered by EU regulation, giving me some extra security should something get lost. Brexit has made it a lot harder to order from the Uk, not just model cars, but like next to everything.

Just to give you an example: I order stuff from France, pay by bank transfer or credit card, the dealer sends it to me, I can track the packsge, it arrives, and that‘s it. With UK parcels, if the dealer makes a minor mistake in filing the correct forms in a correct way, I need to go to,customs, give them proof of the cost of the contents, they will (maybe) charge me the customs payment as well as (definitely) the VAT, I need to open the parcel… way too much hassle.

Posted by: @mingmong68

@bob-jackman Of course the two are different. If you are sacked you are replaced. If you are made redundant your position ceases to exist anymore. It makes the world of difference as far as a reference is concerned.    

John;

Until I actually went to a Brooklin event in the mid-1990s I had never heard the term "redundancy" relative to one's career/profession being terminated.  I recall asking Brian Harrison about it back then and he explained the difference between it and being fired, sacked, terminated or whatever term there is for it.  I think there are many folks here in North America who are not conversant with that particular term; although obviously such activity is occurring in a big way all over the world.

  I have been reading these comments with interest, and also with a bit of distance.  Over the last few years, my buying habits have changed as well as my age.  Many of my Brooklins, perhaps most, date to the late 90s and up to maybe the middle 'teens.  But as Brooklin's choice of subjects moved from the 30s-50s period, mine didn't.  Nothing right or wrong, I just prefer the older styles in my collection. Perhaps it's because most of those humdrum 1:1 cars I bought over the years were from the 60s and more recent decades while my heart kept yearning for the "good old days."   Perhaps it's because I had a local Brooklin dealer who closed in retirement about ten years ago.  Somehow it's just more satisfying to look and hold before buying.  Yes, I still buy a new 1/43 now and then, like the Coca Cola dispensing truck that I saw pictured here on the forum a few days back.  It should arrive from Europe any day now.  But I'm really having more fun with a Plumbies Mercedes 230 roadster that I have under construction right now.   I wish all of you happiness in your collecting, whatever choices you make.  Enjoy!

                               David H  

@d-m-holcombe

...greetings from the good old days!

I totally agree that shipping internationally has become a major problem. It's a bit ironic. As the world economy continues to homogenize, the various countries who are becoming so dependent on each other seem to be trying to find ways to make things more difficult for their own people. We can't blame the model makers but neither can we ignore those astronomical fees. 

@ben-lampson That’s for sharing this! Bob’s story makes me feel more normal. This video is a bit older so I’m guessing that number is a bit higher than 4,000 now. I know mine is…

Posted by: @jack-dodds

Posted by: @bob-jackman

Wow, being made redundant is different than being sacked?

Bob;  I am hoping that the difference for the folks affected at BRK will be a payout settlement for redundancy.  

The maximum one can receive from UK Statutory Redundancy is just under £11,000. That's if one has worked for 20 years at a company. Even if you have worked for 30 years the maximum is worked out at 20 years employment.

There may be extra as there is also ‘contractual’ redundancy pay - extra money your contract says you can get on top of the statutory amount. However, not all companies pay this.

Yep, being made redundant isn't exactly a cash cow and it may sound OK on a reference but after Brexit and Covid jobs are thin on the ground here in the UK. 

But then Simon Elford mentioned Brexit and Covid and its effect on the UK economy in his interview with John.