I have always wondered why prices for rc tanks in NZ are so high,for example,the 1/16th KT sells for $1,495
http://www.acornmodels.co.nz/product.php?prod=38038(wholesale cost for the stores from Tamiya NZ is $1,060)
But if you buy this or any of the other 1/16th RC tanks overseas,you can get them for half price,including freight,for instance www.backyard armor.com or
http://www.stellamodels.net/catalog/default.php?cPath=76_113
I have no issue with the wholesale/retail markup,but I think Tamiya NZ are greedy,to their own detriment; do you guys feel the same way about your static models ,or do you think you are getting a fair deal,maybe it's a different situation. I find it hard to make a large purchase ,like an RC tank locally,when I can buy them well below wholesale cost overseas.
Anyway,at least we have importers like Ace hobbies that make brands like Trumpeter and Academy available at a FAIR price.
I also note that Ace/Kangs are supportive of groups like IPMS/AMPS,I don't know if tamiya are supportive of those groups,but they told our club to get stuffed.
What are your thoughts guys?

I agree TankDuel

Tamiya NZ RC Tank prices are way out of control I can buy from overseas and pay shipping and pay GST (Tax) and still be under the wholesale rate. This applies with a lot of static models as well.

This is an example of the great customer service we get in New Zealand,(((NOT)))

REF; Tiger 1 Gearboxes
Dear CJ,
The gearboxes are not available separately. Due to the
Complexities of the new Tank R/C's Tamiya sell the gearboxes as part of a package.

Best regards, Customer Service

HELP
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Tamiya corporate headquarters Shizuoka japan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


No suggestions on correction, no hints, no reccomendations, just.... GET A NEW $1500 TANK .

Sorry to hear the woes of a fellow Kiwi RC tanker,I know of 20 so far,with over 50 tanks between them.I expect that's the tip of the iceberg,and I will keep chipping away at finding(and uniting) them all,our combined buying power is substantial.
BTW if Tamiya Japan claims gearboxes are not available separately, then what are Stellar models doing selling them?
We should call them GRABIYA instead of TAMIYA hehe

I have Invited Tamiya NZ to join in the discussion and express their point of view.

By the way.... telling your club to go get stuffed was not a great move, seeing as how RC Clubs are a great market to target for promotion and indirect sales increases, Tamiya in the U.S are a major sponsor for most of the RC Tank and Car clubs, I think it’s called knowing which side your bread is buttered on,. And just sitting back knowing Zippo about the products one sells and merely supplying the hobby stores with eyes closed will mean a great loss of the sales market for Tamiya.


PS Tamiya NZ was the one who told me about the gearboxes.

Since Robert bringands from Tamiya NZ will probably read this,I should qualify the 'get stuffed part'',that is my interpretation of Tamiyas refusal of my proposal to them which included:
A listing in the Clubs section of their website.
Flyers (supplied by me) about the club to be included with all tank kitsets.
I also offered the clubs attendance as any promotion for the model hobby that Tamiya might see fit.

Furthermore,Tamiya had a brilliant excuse for saying no to all of this by tarring me with the same brush as an online model retailer (I can't go into details) of which I had no financial or executive involvement;but which was a sponsor of the club.I should add that I made the decision to sever the Club's relationship with the online retailer. Tamiya had,by the way previously suggested that I should seek sponsorship for the club from the retail sector.
But Tamiya would not listen. Tamiya are entitled ,of course to their opinion and decision.But to refuse and tell me to 'enjoy your hobby; doesn't cut the mustard with me.Tamiya just want us to promote the hobby for them,do nothing for us,and expect to rake in the dough!
I should add,that in order to not preclude stores from giving out our leaflets,I do not go out of my way to send their customers overseas for a better deal. If Tamiya continue to ignore us and won't play ball,however,that situation may change.You ain't seen nothing yet!

Welcome to the Site CJ,
The same happens with Tamiya static models ( I do not know whos fault it is to why prices are so high) Kits that have been around for 20 or 30 years are selling for the same or more than kits by DML that have come out in the last few years and are superior, I think this won't change as long as Tamiya are still selling kits. Tamiya has not released a NEW WWII armour kit in a good few months. Compared to the countless number of new WWII kits from the likes of DML.