A month or two ago I started a thread about whether or not we (as consumers) are taken into consideration by the MMCs (Major Modelling Companies). It was a fairly interesting thread and the consensus seemed to be - No we aren't.

One of the constant themes was the lack of a forum where the MMCs would listen to sensible suggestions from us, the consumers. The watchword here is Sensible i.e. products that would benefit both ourselves and (logically make money for the MMC)...

Therefore, I am proposing a Write-in Campaign. Now the target for this (hopefully the first of several) is Dragon Models Limited (DML).

A couple of points here:

They have done a lot in the last year or two with their new releases - not perhaps everyone's cup of tea, but a considerable number of useful releases. Which brings me onto the following:

It would be childish and pointless to start insulting them or using bad language

Be constructive in your comments - flatter them for what the HAVE done and make suggestions as to how they could improve their product lines...

The Mechanics of all this: This idea was copied from one of the other MM sites as not everyone reads every posts on the others, I thought i'd pass the idea along for feedback...

To be realistic, I doubt this will change much of anything. However, if there was a sufficient volume of mail, perhaps they would take notice:)

The link: DML FEEDBACK FORM - just follow the instructions...

Any comments? ...Jim

I know it as a great temptation, but can this thread be kept clear of the usual axis vs. allied debate?

One other thing, if you decide to do this, why don't you mention Armorama.com?

Alright, Jim. I took your suggestion and posted what I think Dragon should do: more modern stuff (written more eloquently, of course, and with much more butt kissing ). Thanks for posting this; hopefully, you are right and with enough mail, Dragon will take notice.
Kyle

LOL great idea.. I added my 2 cents worth in a praising e-mail asking them to do some U.S. halftracks as well as they have done the german ones...... :>

fingers crossed.

sounds great jim!!
i did that

I wouldnt dream of insulting them mate !
i love thier kits ¬! i buy probably 3-4 a month and will still do so ,

Great idea. I wrote them a very polite note asking for a good quality T-62 and T-72 hinting it would be kinda cool to look at an M-48a1 and an M-60 (round turret)

Hey Jim,

Very interesting that you bring this up. The company I work for is one of the first publishers in the video game industry to offer this sort of thing. The position is known as a Community Manager (which is what I do) and we do everything from updating websites for products to interacting with the customers and community on forums. Basically, it is like a liason between the company and active customers.

The video game industry benefits GREATLY from having a forum because it is the easiest way to get to our most die-hard fans to help understand what they know and want in our games. Unfortunately, a lot of people just use the forum as a complaint department, which is very tough when you work for a company that has released alot of buggy products in the last couple of years

Anyway, I do think this would be a good campaign to get someone at the companies to maybe extend an ear once in awhile to what everyone wants

Good companies realize that they increase sales and influence by doing whatever they can to keep their "hardcore" fans happy because the hardcore influences the mainstream

Cheers,

BT

Now if we can only approach Tamiya the same way, maybe they would take into consideration as well.

Jim,
sounds a fair point and after all you can set up multiple email accts easliy these days........nothing like a bit of vote rigging but if as you say a well known company's director/MD vists this site surly it would be a good idea to have a sticky on top of each forum
for a most wanted ,then it would be easy for them to see the kits wanted by the community?

Davy, - I like your idea a lot , that is a real possibility.

I hope you liked the presentation of your Lynx Pics? ...Jim

yes Jim they were fine thanks

Hey everyone-
Received a response (pretty much a cookie cutter but it was something).




Kyle

The question is ... well they listen? Seem to me there are a lot of model builders here spending a lot of Money, what I have learned over the years is that companies respond to the bottom line if a company ignores the customer then the customer should ignore the company.

I hate form mail replies, they're empty.

Dave

They will listen, but in quantitative terms, not qualitative terms. That is how businesses react to customers wants - if enough customers want something and they have it documented, such as each time someone e-mails to ask about something, they will usually make it happen.

Generally, every request they get, they track in some numeric metric