Now that Germany can ship to New Zealand again, we can finally provide some certainty about delivery times and prices. Especially for customers who would like to order items that are not in stock.
To provide more clarity for 'special (out-of-stock) orders', the 'my account' page of users should be improved. See 'Website Improvements (13)'.
BoS has lowered its prices. Viessmann, Vollmer and Kibri made their annual price adjustments in July. Noch is about to change prices on September 1. See further in this newsletter for more information about the prices of each brand mentioned.
We received our first shipment with Brekina HO scale models. This is just a test to see if there is any demand for this brand in New Zealand. At this stage, we hope to receive new stock once a month.
Specials this week include a Suzuki Melbourne police model plus Ricko and Brekina HO scale models.
Kiro
BoS (Best Of Show) has lowered the prices of their HO scale models by around 15%. Our prices have fallen as well, obviously. Models that used to be $37.90 are now $32.90.
BoS models are very limited, detailed collectors items. Many are no longer available.
It is not possible to have all BoS models in stock. Orders for items that are not in stock can be placed by using the 'Special Order' option on the product details page.
From now on, we plan to receive a shipment with BoS products at least once a month. With the next delivery we expect the following models for example:
To visit the BoS page on our website click here.
Noch adjusts its prices every year on the 1st of September. This year some items will not go up in price, while others will increase by 10%.
It is still possible to order any Noch item for the old price. Even the ones that are currently out of stock. Just use the 'Special Order' option on the product details page. You can follow the progress of all your 'special orders' on your 'my account' page under 'in backorder'.
Ordering Noch products for the old prices is possible until Saturday, 29 August.
More about 'Special Orders' see 'Website Improvements (13)' in this newsletter.
To visit the Noch page on our website click here.
Viessmann (who owns Vollmer and Kibri) adjust its prices every year on the 1st of July. A year ago they shocked the industry by increasing their prices from 10 to 30 percent.
This year it was not that bad, but still above average. Most prices have gone up from 5 to 10% and a small range has gone up to 20%.
All prices of Viessmann, Vollmer and Kibri products on our website have been updated to the current market value.
WhiteBox is a German brand that produces 1:43 and 1:24 Diecast model cars. Until now we haven't done much with this brand, although their 1:24 models can be used for the Mini-Kiwiland Attraction. The models below have recently been listed on our website. The Citroen XM is currently in stock. The others are expected next month.
For a list of all WhiteBox models on our website click here.
The following IXO models are currently available from stock:
To visit the IXO Models page on our website click here.
The models below arrived in stock last week. All have been reduced in price. The Cadillac was $64.90, while models for $37.90 went down to $32.90.
To visit the BoS page on our website click here.
The German brand Brekina has an active catalogue of more than 1300 HO scale model cars, trucks and buses. In Germany these models are highly collectable.
Just a small selection arrived to see if it there's any demand for their models in New Zealand. Below are a few examples:
To visit the Brekina page on our website click here.
18 Brekina model cars are currently on sale for a limited time. Below are just 8 examples:
For a list of all Brekina models on sale click here.
Brekina has an interesting range of British cars. Below is a selection of British car models that arrived in stock:
To visit the Brekina page on our website click here.
Brekina has an interesting range of American cars. Below is a selection of American car models that arrived in stock:
To visit the Brekina page on our website click here.
Some of the backcatalogue items from Faller that arrived in stock last week. More is on the way:
For a list of all Faller HO scale items in stock click here.
The following new 2020 releases from Faller arrived in stock (again). These are from an order that was placed before the first lockdown, but Faller was not able to ship it for months. More recently released Faller items are on the way.
For a list of all Faller 2020 HO Scale items on our website click here.
The following Kibri kit sets arrived in stock last week. More is in transit to New Zealand.
For a list of all Kibri HO scale items in stock click here.
More Ricko model cars are now on sale. In total 38 different cars! Below are just 6 examples:
For a list of all Ricko HO scale cars on sale click here.
The following Vollmer HO scale kit sets arrived in stock last week. More is on the way.
For a list of all Vollmer HO scale kit sets in stock click here.
Special Orders
Special Orders from customers are orders for items that are not in stock. This is something that I have not encouraged before. In the past more than half (!) of such orders got canceled after they arrived. It got to a point that it was better for the Mini-Kiwiland Shop not to accept such orders. It was too damaging.
A result I had to take the following measures:
* Only paying customers (customers that have bought before) can place an order for items that are not in stock. The risk of fake accounts is too great.
* Customers who had not paid for arrived special orders in the past will no longer be able to place special orders again. The chance for repetition is too great.
* Special Orders can only be placed on the website. Special Orders by e-mail will not be accepted.
The options and information for special orders on the website will improve the coming weeks.
A few things that I will work on are:
* A Confirmation by e-mail
* Possibility to cancel orders online BEFORE they are in transit to New Zealand
* Provide a (rough) estimation of time of arrival (ETA)
* Online status of each item in backorder.
* Terms and condition page that need to be read and approved.
The backorder link on 'my account' pages already displays more information than before:
* An order number (starting with an #)
* The date the order was placed
* Quantity ordered
* Ordered price
More improvements for 'Special Orders' in coming newsletters!
