Introduction
I have, on a few occasions, gone through my rationale for why I don’t handle pre-orders in the traditional sense. I could easily accept them (technology wise), and take deposits or other money up front. However, I am fundamentally against it. I feel the system does not giving me an ability to give you a realistic, and honest, timeframe.
What is a Pre-Order
For anyone who has never come across the term before here is a brief, and simplified explanation. For our purposes it is probably best to look at two distinct types of pre-order.
The first type is when the item has not yet been released. The supplier allows you to order the model, with the intention of supplying it as soon as it is released.
The second type is a when a supplier doesn’t have a previously released product in stock. You order it from them. They then put in an order with their supplier. The intention is to fulfil the order when it arrives in stock.
The lifecycle of releases
Before we go any further we should look at the life cycle of a product.
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First Type of Pre-Order
Ok so the process is simple enough. Bandai announce a new model. Customers put in pre orders with their shop of choice. The shop puts in pre orders with their distributor, and finally the distributor puts in its order with Bandai.
Bandai then does its manufacturing run. However, this is where the process begins to stumble. There is no guarantee that Bandai are going to have capacity to manufacture enough models to cover all of the pre orders. If not enough models are produced to cover the orders then Bandai distributes them using whatever model or technique they do (I have no idea what they use to select which stock goes where in what volume).
The distribution partners then distribute the stock they get to their customers (the shops). Often this is done on a first come first served basis. So the earlier the shop pre-ordered the more likely they are to get the stock they asked for. Finally, the shop then distributes any stock they get (they may get none from this production run) based on whatever methodology they use. I would imagine first come first served again, but I can’t speak from experience on that.
The whole process then repeats with any orders that were not met now top of the “first come first served” list.
Second Type of Pre-Order
The process for this is similar to above. You put in the order with a shop, they put in an order with their distributor, who puts in an order with Bandai. The main difference here is that there is no “release” date for the model so no hard and fast rule for when, or if, Bandai will do a run, or if they will decide to cease production of the model.
So what’s wrong with pre-orders?
There are a few issues, as far as I am concerned, as both a customer and a supplier, with these models.
Firstly Bandai may never re-run the production of the mode. No-one, it would seem, has any visibility outside of Bandai as to the future planned manufacturing schedule. If this were made more readily available then it would at least be a massive step forwards in my opinion.
Secondly, even if Bandai are going to re-manufacture the kit you are after, you have no idea when. It could be next week, next month, or next year. That level of uncertainty just isn’t, in my opinion, the way things should be done.
Finally, even if a manufacturing run is done, due to no visibility on numbers, and distribution, there is no guarantee your going to get your kit. You may have to wait for the next run, or the next, or the next. again, I personally, just don’t think this is the way things should be done.
But if I don’t pre-order I’ll never get one!
That is very true. Given the current system, the only hope of getting what you want is to throw your hat in the ring and hope you get lucky. I fully get why people pre-order. I’m sure I would do the same in that position. It is after all the only option people have had, till now.
So what else can I do?
I setup this company to help people like me, and like you, try and get our hands on the models we want, when we want them, for reasonable prices. The pre-order situation above left me feeling uncomfortable. I decided to implement my “no pre-order pre-order” policy.
In essence, if there is a kit you want, that you just can’t get then let me know. I will find it on the distributors site and confirm the model you are after. I will then put in an order for 1 of the model, and I will make a note of your name, and the model you were interested in.
If/when the model comes in, I will contact you prior to it arriving. All I need to know is would you still like it, yes/no. If the answer is no then I will list it on the site for general sale. If the answer is yes I will put it up with a pin and provide you the pin to access and order the model. There is no pressure, no heavy sales technique. I don’t need to know why the answer is no, I just need to know for how I list it to the site. I don’t take any payment up front, I may never get the model. However, if I do then you get first dibs on it.
Conclusion
Hopefully that is a bit clearer on the pre-order process, how it hangs together and why I view it the way I do. Remember, if you are looking for something just contact me! In fact here is a form to make it even easier!
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