[Austin]

That is not fair !!!!
I'm a Carrera Dealer and I still have none of them new Carreras on the way. I ordered 7 of each last Janurary. All the Big online dealers are selling them like hot cakes. They are all over E-Bay!!! All my customers called and asked me if I have them, I had to say no and they are not on there way so far. I just guess that Carrera whats every one to order from the Big guys online and by the time the smaller Dealers get the cars every one all ready has them.

I see Carrera's being sold only by the top dogs or on E-Bay in a year or two.

Thats why I'm dropping my Carrera Dealership, and they will be out of the next Race Across America!!!!! Or Race Around the World

SwissRacer Delete this if I am out of Line

 

[ghamilton]

I can sure understand your frustration. As a consumer, I too am frustrated. I pre-ordered 4 of the period NASCARs from a MAJOR retailer in the South West and they haven't received them yet. They posted news on 16 Sep. that the cars were due at the port within a few days and charged the credit cars of those of us who had pre-ordered.

Many Canadian and east coast dealers have been shipping these cars for weeks. I am wondering if the West coast dockworkers have gone back on a work slow down? If not, it would seem that LGB America has a ship list of favored dealers.

George

 

[Dennis David]

Sounds familiar. It seems that dealers of the top of the line German train manufacturers have the same problem. Depending on your "level" you get the items first.

 

[Swissracer]

Austin, I think it is a fair point about the big guys always getting first call.

You are not out of line and I would hope sometime in the future that priority could be given to ANY and ALL Outlets who also have a physical Retail Outlet presence rather than just an online one.
Even the bigger, more established, Retailers with a Shop have a hard time competing with the online only traders.
Whilst low prices offered at online only outlets are good for the consumer, they do not help, at all, with the growth and growing sucess of the Hobby in general.

I think though, for this to work would mean physical outlet retailers working together for the purpose of furthering the Hobby in general, as well as their own continuing success.

Is this possible?

I also realise this can be an emotive subject so if I incense anyone with this reply, please feel free to retort, but keep it civil ehh?

 

[Dickie]

I am one of Austin's customers who is waiting for him to get them in. You think Austin's frustrated? Here I am trying to wanting to support my local shop, and he's not getting his stock. Which means I ain't getting my cars. And I'm reading all over the place how nice they are. So what am I supposed to do?
Sad to hear Austin is dropping Carrera, especially right after Carrera is making improved cars. But if he doesn't have stock to sell, he ain't making money, is he?
As far as those selling these cars on eBay, I know of at least a couple who are trying to sell them at least $5 over the list price, and they're supposedly "reputable" dealers with on-line stores. Once I see that they're trying to gouge consumers, I stay away from them. More power to them if they sell them, but they lost money on the other end when I go to buy other stuff.

 

[SJSlots]

Austin, are you in the States?

If so then your beef is really with LGB of America as they are the importer.

I know several other retailers who all have expressed that Carrera seems to have the most anemic ordering system out of all of the manufacturers so you aren't alone with your frustration. Doesn't help I realize...

Closest shop to me has gotten their 'sets' and a couple of the early cars like the Jags, Astons and the 1/24 cars but as of yet still don't have individual NastyCars to offer. Sure would be much nicer if everyone could get them around the same time.

 

[Mecoprop]

One of the more vocally prominent of the USA Carrera stockists has, for some years, described the USA distribution of Carrera as 'patchy' and 'eccentric at best'. I have the impression that it is improving, but painfully slowly. While not quite universal, it seems to be fairly typical of German toy and model distribution outside of the Fatheland, as far back as I can remember. What is greatly in Carrera's favor is the maintaining of very sensibly competitive prices, which is something that most German sources cannot be accused of!