Quoting from an Antony Hand, CEO of HK note, how German distributors support free trade in their country:

" Topic: More German anti-competetive behavior
Posted: 19 Funtober 2011 at 9:49am
Some of our European stores are being hassled by German distributors, namely Graupner and Robbe.
Robbe has formed an 'Association' called 'European Modelhobby Association' which they are using to threaten stores that carry hobbyking products.

Does any of our European customers know about this Mickey Mouse "EMA" association created by Robbe?

We have engaged our European Lawyer to take a look at the documents given to the stores for signs of Anti-Competetive behavior."

Isn't this practice illegal?
If true, perhaps hobbyists should boycott Graupner & Robbe!

Kev

Hobby King comes along and sells Chinese crap for less than anybody else can sell it and you wonder why other retailers might get their noses out of joint?

Yep

Originally Posted by SkylineFlyer

What a stupid thread. Anthony hand is a jerk. True hobbyist should boycott hobbyking for trying to take over the world and provide junk that doesnt last. They should just stick to selling lipos.

One of the really cool things about online stores like HK....is you can buy JUST LIPOS if you want! Or nothing at all if that makes you happy! Isn't that awesome! "True hobbyists" unite!

You can buy lipos at any hobby store. Not following your comment.

Originally Posted by SkylineFlyer

They should just stick to selling lipos.

I put your quote in bold to avoid confusion.

Originally Posted by vhoward1122

Hobby King comes along and sells Chinese crap for less than anybody else can sell it and you wonder why other retailers might get their noses out of joint?

Try this. Those European sellers are allegedly selling much of the SAME STUFF with their labels on it, at three times the price.

Much the same here. For the last 10 years everyday retailers have been selling Chinese goods at enormous markups. Now that millions are going online & buying the stuff direct (which avoids GST if less than $1000) the retailers are screaming "blue murder"

Aaah well. That's human nature aint it

Kev

The difference is that Hobby King is either the manufacturer ( They do make stuff ), or they go directly to the manufacturer. They won't deal with distributors. So they can offer the products at lower prices because of that and they buy in huge quantities getting discounts for that also.

Local retailers can not compete with that because the middle man wants his profit share also (distributors). Then the local retailer has to make a profit on the stuff.

There are trade offs when dealing with Hobby King. If something goes wrong with an item you buy from them, it's a crap shoot on whether or not your going to get any satisfaction from their customer service dept.

Local retailers who might indeed have to charge 2 to 3 times as much for the same or similar item will more than likely take much better care of you in case of warranty returns.

Originally Posted by vhoward1122

The difference is that Hobby King is either the manufacturer ( They do make stuff ), or they go directly to the manufacturer. They won't deal with distributors. So they can offer the products at lower prices because of that and they buy in huge quantities getting discounts for that also.

Local retailers can not compete with that because the middle man wants his profit share also (distributors). Then the local retailer has to make a profit on the stuff.

There are trade offs when dealing with Hobby King. If something goes wrong with an item you buy from them, it's a crap shoot on whether or not your going to get any satisfaction from their customer service dept.

Local retailers who might indeed have to charge 2 to 3 times as much for the same or similar item will more than likely take much better care of you in case of warranty returns.

Well this is how the market is evolving.

Over here we have 4 levels. Manufacturer, importer/distributor, wholesaler, then retailer. So why pay for all that?

When it comes to HK having to make good on a complaint their service stinks, that's why I'm changing to others like HiModel (dearer but ethical service) & Hobby88.

But I won't buy local because of the riduculous prices. It's not the LHS, but the smart boys in the importing/wholesale that get all the lolly.

The idea though of the German hobby industry trying to rub out competition whether it is HK or not also stinks

Return of the gestapo?

Kev

The same thing is happening to the music industry here in the states also. People are changing the way they want to buy and share their music and the music industry is using gestapo type methods trying to prevent it. It does stink in both cases.

SkylineFlyer, don't drag me into your problems (re your site suggestions complaints appeal on being reported)

Had I commented in this post? Oooooops have now LOL. By the way I wouldn't have reported you for trolling, I would have reported you for a personal attack (Anthony Hand is an RCG member). Did I? Nope. Perhaps bringing to the attention of the site owners what you have called another RCG member was not such a smart thing to do. By the way say Hi to Curtis. Chrissy says hi as well.

As for me and points. I have received many points. I just choose to abide by the mods decision and edit. Their site their rules. Hey presto, point gone but not forgotten. I'm sure the Jims will only tollerate so much from anyone, including me.

As for the Topic.

LOL the German hobby chains Hate HK. Their choice.

Mark

As you can see HERE, the directors of the EMA are Mr. Eberhard Dörr (General Manager of robbe Modellsport GmbH & Co. KG) and Mr. Bernd Möbus (General Manager of KYOSHO Deutschland GmbH / HYPE-RC).

Also take a look HERE!

To heck with em all..........I spend my money where I want. If other shops don't like HK....Too freeking bad. Get with the program. If they have the product for the money - they get my business.

Originally Posted by Hosthunter

As you can see HERE, the directors of the EMA are Mr. Eberhard Dörr (General Manager of robbe Modellsport GmbH & Co. KG) and Mr. Bernd Möbus (General Manager of KYOSHO Deutschland GmbH / HYPE-RC).

This is nasty.