Feedback wanted on new line of kits.

Thanks. Yes, I am "test marketing" some of the kits to get feedback. So far the response has been 100% positive. They like the castings, the color instructions and the kits have been arriving in one piece. :  ).

Randy Pepprock

Dioramas Plus

beav wrote:

Not to drag this up, but for those who were interested, it looks like you can get some of these on ebay now! http://cgi.ebay.com/1-35-diorama-battled-damaged-structure-100-rating_W0QQitemZ400005084713QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item400005084713&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Not to drag this up, but for those who were interested, it looks like you can get some of these on ebay now!

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-35-diorama-battled-damaged-structure-100-rating_W0QQitemZ400005084713QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item400005084713&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 

vespa boy wrote:

Nice work. I tell you what I would like to see is a series of 1/24 scale American Main Street buildings (1-2 story structures). Its something I think a lot of auto modellers and railway guys would appreciate.

I agree, not so much as a tradional diorama but a lot of car guys like to take pics of their builds in front of something and make up a photo booth diorama. Not everyone is up for scratch building a building though so a prefab kit would be a nice option.

Just as ideas, an auto repair shop, 50's burger stand / drive in, generic "main street" shop, hardware store etc would be some possibilities.

I do like the name but I will be offering kits for all eras and locals. I'm finishing up an Iraqi apartment this week. Cheers.

Randy

the doog wrote:

"Berlin 45" is a perfect name for a company. It perfectly captures the type of buildings ou want to offer. The only place I could see it being a bit incongruous is if you started offering say, Italian villa's or Parisian brownstones? Customers aren't going to want an explanation; they won't give a hoot if your products are good.

"Berlin 45" is a perfect name for a company. It perfectly captures the type of buildings ou want to offer. The only place I could see it being a bit incongruous is if you started offering say, Italian villa's or Parisian brownstones?

Customers aren't going to want an explanation; they won't give a hoot if your products are good.

rudedog wrote:

Randy,I too love the looks of them, but unless I missed something,what's the company's name ? Do you have a website ,address or ph# ?  Thanks , keith

Good question Keith! Actually, this is a branch off of my model train business company (www.downtowndeco.com). I've been producing HO/N & O buildings full time for 15 years now. I figured it was time to branch out a bit!

Originally I wanted my new company to be called Berlin 45, just because I liked the sound of it. But after thinking about it a bit I decide I didn't want to have to explain every time, "No, I do buildings from all eras and locals, not just Germany in WWII". So the name I think I want to go with is "Dioramas Plus". For you old timers out there, that isn't a name that has been used, has it? I've done some searching & can't come up with any but you never know.

The website is not up yet but should be in a month or so. You can see some of the items on Ebay (search 1/35 diorama). I'll be adding new things later today or tomorrow. Cheers!

Randy Pepprock

Diorams Plus

The printing will be done on an as needed basis. I can have a set of the instructions printed for about $1.50 in full color. I know I could get them done cheaper bulk if (and it's a huge if) I end up selling thousands of these, but for now, I'll have them run off as needed. They are run off an a commercial copy machine so they will not be done on some crappy $100 home ink jet or anything. They look good. :  )

I do appreciate the feedback, I'm just giving my reasoning. I know that the most popular part of mags like FSM or the Verlinden books are the "how to" or "here's how I did it" sections. That's all I'm trying to do. Give the modeler a little help. I want to go into this making a good, solid product, not a cheap one. And BTW. The packaging is good too. Solid corrugated box, color label, shrinkwrapped.

 Hey, what's the name of your band? I'm recording a CD right now. Somewhere a cross between Social Distortion and old Alice Cooper (or something). I'm probably past the time when I could seriously do anything w/my music other than sell songs to other artists (I'm too old to ride around in a van all summer!) but I have known two guys who went from sleeping on my couch to making it all the way to the top (and I do mean all the way pm me for names) so it is possible. Keep rocking.

Randy

the doog wrote:

downtowndeco wrote: These kits may not be the cheapest, but I hope to make them some of the best, a very good value for what you get for your money. $15/$40 range. If it costs an extra buck or two for color I guess I'm willing to spring for that to make the modeler feel like they've got someone holding their hand a bit when they buy one of my kits. Cheers! Randy Randy, I'm sure by now you've already made the investment, so I'm sure that the point is by now, moot. But if you haven't yet spent your money on printing, I would seriously consider a cheaper, more cost-friendly revision of your directions. At least in your future endeavors. As SteveM said, "If you are able to bring your own cost down, as well as mine, why not? Or maybe transfer your funds to superior packing, to reduce transit damage.--an excellent suggeston, as well. Your post title includes "Feedback wanted..."; here you're getting some excellent, first-hand, real-life feedback from your potential customers on what WE FEEL would attract us (and our wallets!) to your products. How's that commercial tag-line go...?? ---"Priceless!" Personally,I don't feel like I would need anyone "holding my hand" through the construction of a building, and in my opinion, the size of your kits offered are perhaps more suited to the mid-level/advanced modeler?Sometimes what you think would be a selling point turns out to be just unnecessary baggage and cost to your product. Here's another ideea; when my band releases a new CD, a lot of times we'll release a "Special Edition" CD with like, alternate features or packaging. The last CD we released in a stainless-steel CD box--"True Heavy Metal", as it was marketed. Maybe you could offer these "Premium" directions as an "enhanced" directions offering for like, a few dollars more?--even if you've already printed them? It would be very interesting to see the ratio of purchases, and then you could make a determination on what direction to take in the future?

downtowndeco wrote:

These kits may not be the cheapest, but I hope to make them some of the best, a very good value for what you get for your money. $15/$40 range. If it costs an extra buck or two for color I guess I'm willing to spring for that to make the modeler feel like they've got someone holding their hand a bit when they buy one of my kits. Cheers! Randy

As SteveM said, "If you are able to bring your own cost down, as well as mine, why not? Or maybe transfer your funds to superior packing, to reduce transit damage.--an excellent suggeston, as well. Your post title includes "Feedback wanted..."; here you're getting some excellent, first-hand, real-life feedback from your potential customers on what WE FEEL would attract us (and our wallets!) to your products. How's that commercial tag-line go...?? ---"Priceless!" Personally,I don't feel like I would need anyone "holding my hand" through the construction of a building, and in my opinion, the size of your kits offered are perhaps more suited to the mid-level/advanced modeler?Sometimes what you think would be a selling point turns out to be just unnecessary baggage and cost to your product.

Here's another ideea; when my band releases a new CD, a lot of times we'll release a "Special Edition" CD with like, alternate features or packaging. The last CD we released in a stainless-steel CD box--"True Heavy Metal", as it was marketed. Maybe you could offer these "Premium" directions as an "enhanced" directions offering for like, a few dollars more?--even if you've already printed them? It would be very interesting to see the ratio of purchases, and then you could make a determination on what direction to take in the future?

These kits may not be the cheapest, but I hope to make them some of the best, a very good value for what you get for your money. $15/$40 range. If it costs an extra buck or two for color I guess I'm willing to spring for that to make the modeler feel like they've got someone holding their hand a bit when they buy one of my kits. Cheers!

Randy

PS. If you think these four page instructions are elaborate you should see the ones that come with some of the big model railroad kits. 60/70 pages in a booklet form. Talk about overkill! :  )

Great instructions, and full color looks beautiful, for sure. I can understand if you are shooting for above-par quality. However, I agree with doog... buildings are straight-forward. No slight on your design, it's just that assembly is fairly intuitive. If you are able to bring your own cost down, as well as mine, why not? Or maybe transfer your funds to superior packing, to reduce transit damage.

You may consider including a feedback link on your instruction sheet, if you don't already have one. Find out what your buyers think.

Steve

downtowndeco wrote:

I do not have a website for these yet but will soon. I got the samples of the laser cut wood doors/windows today & they look great. I do not have the packaging done yet but hope to have the first real, no kidding ready for the store shelves kits ready in about a month.  Here's a sample set of the instructions.     Randy Pepprock

Don't get me wrong--they're beautiful directions, but, in my opinion, probably way too expensive for this kit--I mean, you're selling a building here; not the hardest thing to put together or paint. Don't you think you could pass off some savings to your customers by including a less-expensive, less-elaborate set of directions? I, for one, as a potential customer, would not feel slighted in any way by the inclusion standard line-drawings directions....something to think about, as keeping costs down will sell more units?

Have you given any thought to just some generic windows and doors?  I mself don't buy building kits because I don't want my stuff easily recognizable (As in someone looking at a dio of mine and remarking, "Oh yeah, I bought that building kit, too") so I cast my own wall-sections, but I'd be interested in the other stuff to save some time, especially the framing and moldings...

I've considered kit-bashing buildings, but they still are rather costly in that respect. 

I do not have a website for these yet but will soon. I got the samples of the laser cut wood doors/windows today & they look great. I do not have the packaging done yet but hope to have the first real, no kidding ready for the store shelves kits ready in about a month.

 Here's a sample set of the instructions.

Randy Pepprock

Thanks guys. Yes, the second building is based on a building in Berlin in the 1940's. I agree it looks like some sort of Govt. building.

Randy

panzerguy wrote:

Superb work!  The brick work is some of the best.    The second one could easily pass as a goverment type building in just about any city setting.

   Superb work!  The brick work is some of the best.

   The second one could easily pass as a goverment type building in just about any city setting.

Nice work.

I tell you what I would like to see is a series of 1/24 scale American Main Street buildings (1-2 story structures). Its something I think a lot of auto modellers and railway guys would appreciate.

I like these... I've seen 'em on eBay, and have considered getting them, at the least the top building. When all is said and done, I already have enough structures hoarded to make a couple of city grids.

I guess the only thing keeping me from purchasing is that I've grown a little weary of the the 2-wall structures that are out there. I can see the point, layout-wise. But, if I'm going to do anything with them at all, other than place them in a corner, I have to scratch a third wall that matches. If this is the case, I might as well build my own structure.

With that said, I think the work you have done with these is excellent; well above-average for the structure facades that are on the market. I hope you one day endeavor to create the 3, or even 4, sided building, affording me some options.

Steve

WOW, Randy--these are simply stunning!

The only thing I would like to see is to see them offered in a reduced height perhaps? Can they be built like, modularly, so that you didn't have to build them so high? They're a little overpowering, in my opinion. But that;s just me--I build my dios "short" so they can fit in a bookcase.