Vendors in decline?

[WillMarchant]

More pictures of cats please.

While their online store vanished after a hack, I strongly recommend a visit to the Pima Air Museum and the Titan Missile Museum when in Tucson, AZ. The Pima gift shop has my favorite "cats in spacesuits" products. The wholesales page at https://printsoftails.com seems to have issues, but you can see an example on my TRF home page.

And then there's this https://catsinspacesuits.tumblr.com

 

[shrox]

An image I did of my border collie in space.

 

[JStarStar]

Meow.

 

[robbdm]

my 2 cents... I spread my purchases around... like others on the tread.

I buy large number AT HP reload 3 times a year ~$500-$1000 each time... to match our local launching schedules...

I stock up at Black Friday/Sat Sales for one batch of reloads and thats only time I buy kits. But faith will have me buying repair payload tubes, couples, switch bands, etc ... sometimes whole kits to replace airframe damage thru out the year from the Black Friday/Sat group. When I order, I buy chutes, nomex, etc needed to take full advantage of shipping. So they might recoup a little on the addon items. They are discounting the kits, etc but I normal don't get and don't need the full kits you see at local vendors.. no hardware, cords, decals, etc.

Other two reload batch order goes to a local vendor who provides a discount, but I pick at his house or launch and save Hazmat/shipping. While there I see what else is around and buy more items running short.

At launches, I always stop into High Power vendor trailers and buy at least $100 in items... tubes of lube, canisters, ematches, switches, retainers... This maybe in addition to picking up reload order.

 

[SAC of MMMSClub]

If you have gotten this far reading this thread there are many named and unnamed boogie men to point the fickle finger of fate at. Some may be more real than others. Some are pure hogwash.

Smile, because tomorrow when you wake up, it will be, cats in space........what was I saying?

 

[shrox]

If you have gotten this far reading this thread there are many named and unnamed boogie men to point the fickle finger of fate at. Some may be more real than others. Some are pure hogwash.

Smile, because tomorrow when you wake up, it will be, cats in space........what was I saying?

Maybe a new method of business could be plan paks and assorted parts boxes.

 

[hball55]

More pictures of cats please.

Per your request.

 

[bob jablonski]

Do you mean PURR your request?
Mr. Bob
Starlight Dude

 

[dlb]

I just want to design...

I'm with ya! My favorite part of rocketry


Now I have found in the last 6 years, I doing better and starting this January my Heath care cost dropped by 15%
Earning more and spending more, just ask Ken @PH, but I guess I my be a rare few. I do have to added my home price gain a fair amount to over year too!

I look forward to a great flying year. I believe we need to support the local vendors and realy looking forward to the Winter-Nationals in Tipton ,Ga in Feb.

 

[tmacklin]

Do we need to start worrying?

Are some of our favorite vendors having issues due to a decline in our buying?

Yes - a lot of us went into a feeding frenzy with the sale that Estes just concluded. And a lot of us took advantage of the various Black Friday/Saturday sales. But are we buying if it is not on sale?

Some examples I've seen that have me concerned...

Shrox indicated sales were slow related to his new kits and may only offer plan packs as he doesn't have the capital to buy parts to offer new kits

Fliskits also indicated sales have been off making it difficult to invest in new kits. Their 11th anniversary kit, the K'TNG'A that was announced in September still is not available to buy

Semroc has 18% of their kits back ordered. And some kits (like the Saturn 1B) have evaporated from their lineup completely. Is Sheryl struggling to keep Semroc going with the loss of Carl?

Do we need to be concerned with the potential total loss of some of our great vendors?
Or is this just a temporary slow down and I am just over reacting? :confused2:

Thoughts? Comments?

My thoughts and comments, sans humor, as follows.

The United States of America and much of the world is in a continuing economic recession notwithstanding the occasional cheer leading by the Main Stream Media. This recession effects everyone, especially when it comes to disposable income by those of us with moderate resources. As a result many of us must prioritize our spending on such disposable things as entertainment, vacations and even rocketry expenditures. There is plenty of blame to go around for this current situation and one can only hope for a genuine recovery.

As for the annual "Black Friday" hoopla, this is something the big retailers do in order to unload excess inventory which they must either liquidate or pay taxes upon. It makes perfect sense from their perspective and if the consumers can snag a good deal, I say good.

Don't worry...be happy.

Merry Christmas everybody!

 

[jadebox]

[This] is something the big retailers do in order to unload excess inventory which they must either liquidate or pay taxes upon.

I've seen that mentioned a few times, but only a few states actually have a tax on inventory (https://taxfoundation.org/blog/monday-map-property-taxes-business-inventory).

The majority of the "Black Friday" sale items that you see advertised are special purchases made by the retailer just for the sale. They are offered mainly to get people into the store.

-- Roger

 

[tmacklin]

I've seen that mentioned a few times, but only a few states actually have a tax on inventory (https://taxfoundation.org/blog/monday-map-property-taxes-business-inventory).

The majority of the "Black Friday" sale items that you see advertised are special purchases made by the retailer just for the sale. They are offered mainly to get people into the store.

-- Roger

Roger, Roger...you are correct. Either way, the "black" in Black Friday is all about the color of ink on the cash register at the end of the business day and very little to do with the birth of Jesus.

Now, where'd I put my Egg Nog?

 

[Cookie the Dog's Owner]

Companies lower their inventory at the end of their fiscal years to lower their assets and give less money to IRS, it's not for make more money, it for pay less.

Some states have a business personal property tax or corporate franchise tax that is imposed on the value of assets (including inventory) on a particular date. Businesses will try to sell off inventory just before "tax day" so that there's less there for the tax man to tax.

 

[chadrog]

Reading this thread gives me a fabulous idea on a way to stimulate sales. Screw the discounts! I'll just offer all of my products for free! Yes, FREE!

But wait, there's more! For an unlimited time, I'll also pick up the shipping costs. And as if this deal ain't sweet enough I'll actually pay customers an additional TEN DOLLARS just for the trouble of placing an order! Holy Crap, can you believe it!

This offer not valid where prohibited. Limit one per customer. :flyingpig:

Is that the best you can do?

 

[VonMises]

We sell turbine upgrades at a very low margin for a couple reasons. The customers have better equipment with a greater ROI, and we get a higher margin on future spares.

Not implying this was the motivation for the Estes Sale, but they make a nice return on the Pro-Series motors.

 

[chadrog]

 

[tmacklin]

Is that the best you can do?

Okay. I'll gift wrap the P.O.S.! But just for you, Chad. :wink:

 

[hball55]

View attachment 157302

What is that? A piece of bread stuck around the cat's head?

 

[chadrog]

Okay. I'll gift wrap the P.O.S.! But just for you, Chad. :wink:

Sweeeeet.

 

[SAC of MMMSClub]

My thoughts and comments, sans humor, as follows.

The United States of America and much of the world is in a continuing economic recession notwithstanding the occasional cheer leading by the Main Stream Media. This recession effects everyone, especially when it comes to disposable income by those of us with moderate resources. As a result many of us must prioritize our spending on such disposable things as entertainment, vacations and even rocketry expenditures. There is plenty of blame to go around for this current situation and one can only hope for a genuine recovery.

As for the annual "Black Friday" hoopla, this is something the big retailers do in order to unload excess inventory which they must either liquidate or pay taxes upon. It makes perfect sense from their perspective and if the consumers can snag a good deal, I say good.

Don't worry...be happy.

Merry Christmas everybody!

As well sans the humor, a few years ago and I did not go pull the graph to know exactly when, the fuel industry decided to see just how much the economy could stand to pay for fuel before the whole economy came to a halt. The price varied by location, but about $4.00+ to $5.00+ everyone said "UNCLE", and the sellers and consumers stopped doing either.
Mostly the shippers in between yelled "UNCLE" the loudest and put in "temporary fees" to off set the higher prices of fuel.

Here is where we find ourselves, the price of fuel was titrated down to the just under toxic dose, $3.50+/-, it won't kill the economy, but it will not get better either. :2:

 

[VonMises]

It's not affordable healthcare that's destroying rocketry, it's same-sex marriage and renewable energy.

Na, it most likely economic illiterates and the koolaid drinkers who follow them like sheep.

 

[hball55]

We sell turbine upgrades at a very low margin for a couple reasons. The customers have better equipment with a greater ROI, and we get a higher margin on future spares.

Not implying this was the motivation for the Estes Sale, but they make a nice return on the Pro-Series motors.

When you say turbines, are you talking about water turbines as used in power generation? I retired from the California Department of Water Resources and we've used some huge turbines.

 

[K'Tesh]

 

[VonMises]

When you say turbines, are you talking about water turbines as used in power generation? I retired from the California Department of Water Resources and we've used some huge turbines.

We make some huge turbines, but not that kind. We make and sell gas turbine engines to fit any Aviation, Industrial or Marine application, and Nuclear Reactors for the civil and defense markets.

The Industrial and Marine applications are the most challenging by far. Where an aircraft engine may be called on for 100% power for a few seconds, an engine in co-generation will run at full power for 30,000 hours without stopping for an inspection, and the Marine engines live in a salt water environment, which is hostile to many advanced alloys.

This question may appear odd, but did you guys have a back up generator?

 

[chadrog]

What is that? A piece of bread stuck around the cat's head?

Ayup. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/cat-breading

 

[TheSamurai]

I've only been in it for a couple years and don't notice a decline myself. Our HobbyTown and Hobby Lobby seem to have a pretty good selection. It hasn't gotten worse IMO.

I think a big problem is that our youth are not coming into it as much.

Maybe we should all make a New Year's resolution to try and get 3 more youth involved in rocketry. Approach your local scout groups and try to get them to get their rocketry merit badge or something. Invite some youths out to the launches and so forth.

Lets come up with a challenge and try to get more people involved. One way that I get people involved is by asking them to help me with stuff. I wanted to have my own launch controller. I don't know squat about wiring and such so I had a brother and friend help me build one. I do what I can to get others involved in rocketry.

 

[shreadvector]

At least nobody is cheesing in this thread.....

Ayup. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/cat-breading

 

[shreadvector]

Scout groups do dozens of activities a year. They do one and then move on to the next. Very, very, very few of them will latch on to one particular activity and decide to make it their hobby. That is why you must make it a fun and educational rocket launch and not just a "rocket shoot" where there is anarchy and unstable rockets and mass rocket launches that present the activity as "fireworks".

Have them build a decent but inexpensive rocket and help them launch them, but also launch some additional rockets that will interest them. NO - YOU ARE NOT THERE TO IMPRESS THEM WITH HOW BIG YOUR ROCKETS ARE. You can launch one or two big rockets (Model or High Power if you field can accommodate them), but launch a bunch of medium sized and cool looking demonstration models. Try a Parachute Duration model, a Big Bertha with a B4-4 motor, a good booost glider, Scale models, and a TARC rocket.

Explain to them TARC: that is is a $60,000 rocket contest open to 6th through 12th graders and that the top 100 team go to the nationals in Virginia and the top team gets flown to Europe to compete for the world championship at the big Air Show (alternating between Paris and Farnborough). Show them photos of the TARC teams meeting the US President at the White House. Ditto for the US team that won and was congradulated by the President of France.

THAT might get a few more of them interested in continuing the activity after their scout event is over. You will not recruit many, but a few from each event is all it takes to keep future generations involved.

I've only been in it for a couple years and don't notice a decline myself. Our HobbyTown and Hobby Lobby seem to have a pretty good selection. It hasn't gotten worse IMO.

I think a big problem is that our youth are not coming into it as much.

Maybe we should all make a New Year's resolution to try and get 3 more youth involved in rocketry. Approach your local scout groups and try to get them to get their rocketry merit badge or something. Invite some youths out to the launches and so forth.

Lets come up with a challenge and try to get more people involved. One way that I get people involved is by asking them to help me with stuff. I wanted to have my own launch controller. I don't know squat about wiring and such so I had a brother and friend help me build one. I do what I can to get others involved in rocketry.

 

[TheSamurai]

Scout groups do dozens of activities a year. They do one and then move on to the next. Very, very, very few of them will latch on to one particular activity and decide to make it their hobby. That is why you must make it a fun and educational rocket launch and not just a "rocket shoot" where there is anarchy and unstable rockets and mass rocket launches that present the activity as "fireworks".

Have them build a decent but inexpensive rocket and help them launch them, but also launch some additional rockets that will interest them. NO - YOU ARE NOT THERE TO IMPRESS THEM WITH HOW BIG YOUR ROCKETS ARE. You can launch one or two big rockets (Model or High Power if you field can accommodate them), but launch a bunch of medium sized and cool looking demonstration models. Try a Parachute Duration model, a Big Bertha with a B4-4 motor, a good booost glider, Scale models, and a TARC rocket.

Explain to them TARC: that is is a $60,000 rocket contest open to 6th through 12th graders and that the top 100 team go to the nationals in Virginia and the top team gets flown to Europe to compete for the world championship at the big Air Show (alternating between Paris and Farnborough). Show them photos of the TARC teams meeting the US President at the White House. Ditto for the US team that won and was congradulated by the President of France.

THAT might get a few more of them interested in continuing the activity after their scout event is over. You will not recruit many, but a few from each event is all it takes to keep future generations involved.

Great ideas. I am just throwing stuff out. Not saying my idea was perfect. Just think we outta come up with a challenge for the community for 2014. I go to church with many of our scouts so I can have other influence on them other than just one chaotic launch. lol

 

[bill_s]

This subject is of interest to me. I'm looking right now at buying some parts and I was relieved to find a vendor priced low enough to make the project much more attractive -- even though NOT on sale. While specialization has its cost, this IS just bits of wood and cardboard ...

I think this hobby isn't very cost-effective, you have to really like it, have to "get" it. My participation is definitely limited by budget and any change in cost affects its quantity directly. The rocketry business would need to reduce the costs especially at the supply side including motor production efficiency in order to grow substantially. It may be as good as it can get.

If something is too expensive, it will take a sale to move it (although I don't think Estes lost money on their recent sale, probably on average it was at cost with the PSII kits paying the shipping).