RIP Squadron.

I used Squadron way back in the 60s when I was in school.  Since then I have used them on and off as necessary.  Over in Okinawa there was no need of them and when I got back to this country I started order ocasionally, but mostly from a few other companies I stumbled on.

I'll wait and see what happens with them.

jimbot58

I found it disturbing that our personal information, such as customer lists, emails and who know what else was on the auction block and was up for sale.

 

It's one of the reasons why when employees leave, they often grab their customer contacts and take the contact lists with them.

I found it disturbing that our personal information, such as customer lists, emails and who know what else was on the auction block and was up for sale.

I do wish this guy luck as it going to take time to rebuild a customer base and loyalty, as this is something that takes years to build and earn. Buying a name isn't going to bring that back automaticaly, and the former owner pretty much destroyed that.

the Baron

 

 

Rob Gronovius

I read the letter, and it really sounds like another hobby seller on Amazon wants to take over the identity of Squadron and has bought some of the property like the email contact lists, etc. 

 

 

 

I'm cautiously optimistic that Decker will be able to provide better service than Squadron did during its long, slow decline.  I buy from Freetime Hobbies and find their service good.  If Knot is as good or better, then it's a positive.

 

Had they used their buying power to offer high end model kits to us at a bigger discount than buying straight from the Far East, they may have continued to thrive.

I also buy infrequently from Freetime when I see an outstanding deal on an item I've been looking for, but it's been hit or miss for my needs. Service/shipping is good, just not selling something I "have to have" at a price I can't pass up.

The part I miss about Squadron is the books.

Just got the email too. I hope he’s successful at reviving Squadron back.

Rob Gronovius

I read the letter, and it really sounds like another hobby seller on Amazon wants to take over the identity of Squadron and has bought some of the property like the email contact lists, etc. 

I'm cautiously optimistic that Decker will be able to provide better service than Squadron did during its long, slow decline.  I buy from Freetime Hobbies and find their service good.  If Knot is as good or better, then it's a positive.

I read the letter, and it really sounds like another hobby seller on Amazon wants to take over the identity of Squadron and has bought some of the property like the email contact lists, etc.

EdGrune

...Has the vacuum caused by the original Squadron's closure been filled?...

I have to second Eaglecash; I don't think there was any vacuum caused by Squadron's demise.  There have been plenty of other vendors providing much of the same product as Squadron did, with better and more consistent service.  Except for the Squadron brand items, such as the books, and the vacuforms, there wasn't really much in Squadron's catalog that you couldn't find elsewhere.

I think the people who lamented Squadron's closing the most where those who were customers for years, going back to pre-Internet days, when Squadron was pretty much the premiere mail-order vendor for scale modelers.  But even then, the only ones who had to use Squadron were those who didn't have a hobby shop within reasonable distance.

Having said that, from your post about the buyer, and a similar one I saw at HyperScale, I wouldn't say it's a rebirth of Squadron as a business, but as a brand.  If they can make those branded products available again, but provided with good and efficient customer service, it should be a successful move.

Well I'm hoping that the lines of their own products come back: resin seats and ordnance for aircraft, vacuform canopies, cockpit sets, bases and vehicle stowage, etc. Those are sure a vacuum now when you want/need them...

No vacuum here,if I hadn't read it here,I never would have known they closed,it's been a real long time since I ordered from them,so many good suppliers plus ebay

EdGrune

Has the vacuum caused by the original Squadron's closure been filled?  

To be honest, I had stopped ordering from them years before their closure because of their inventory.  More and more fairly common things were perpetually out-of-stock.  Hopefully that will get fixed this time around.

There is a posting on the SteelNavy message board that Chris Decker, formerly Yankee Modelworks, Midship Models, and Trident Hobby is the name behind the rebirth of Squadron.

He has a history in the model industry but I am not sure he can work with the multinational suppliers that are the industry today.  Time will tell   Has the vacuum caused by the original Squadron's closure been filled?  

in the meantime he is shooting for a soft reopening of the brand next month.  Go to the squadron.com website to sign up for their newsletters

Ditto

I just got the same email.

Just got the same e-mail. 

Ive just gotten an email from Squadron saying that they are coming back under new management and ownership after the bankruptcy!!!

Lets see where this goes...

I posted a video by Jef V, who was there during the decline and has insights on what happened.

The video is about 40 minutes long and he gets to the point around the 15-25 minute mark. Tough to listen to due to rambling, but informative and interesting if you have the patience to sit through it.

scottrc

I'm a die hard hobbiest, I am not interested in trinkets such as coffee mugs or t-shirts, and any model I was interested in was either way over priced or out of stock.

Funny you should mention that!

I vividly recall the first time I saw belt buckles featured in their 'new' catalog...and thinking to myself, "This is not a good sign...."

Of course, the real story is that I had long-since ceased using them, for all the other reasons you mentioned.

(But I, too, have very fond memories of them in the 'good old days.')

Any mention of the True Details line and its possible fate?

I have been expecting the demise of Squadron since they ceased to be a family ran business that focused on the customer, hobby, and great deals.  When they sold off to an invenstment group whose sole goal was to increase profitablity with low inventory and developed a poor website and customer service, they could not compete with the dozen or so internet companies that still work under the old business model that Squadron once had.  I'm a die hard hobbiest, I am not interested in trinkets such as coffee mugs or t-shirts, and any model I was interested in was either way over priced or out of stock.  Dealing with their website was worse the worse part of shopping for me.

However, if it wasn't for Squadron, I would not have a stash.  Back in the 90's, that little paper flyer would come in the mail every month and, with a racing heart, I would open it to a plethora of models under $10, and every month I would call in an order for a stack of models to come in the mail and not spend more than $50.   I think I bought every sailing ship model Heller made except for the Victory and Soleil Royal, only because I never had the space for them, but still kick myself for not buying them when being advertised for $30. 

Its and end of an era, one that I was thankful for at a time when money was really tight.  Fortunately, we do have a number of really good suppliers who can fill the vacancy.  Such as how capitalism works. 

Rob Gronovius

On our employee face book page, I'm not even sure some of the younger workers even know how to write or spell.

 

Or read.  And I even see school teachers consistantly mis-spell things these days.

On our employee face book page, I'm not even sure some of the younger workers even know how to write or spell.

the Baron

Interns.

You probably nailed it, Brad. I sometimes forget the way things are.

Oops!

The slow death of literacy is what it is, but I have a hard time accepting it when the writer is writing professionally. I guess I might as well get over it.

But I won't , of course.

Back on topic, I too am/would be sad to see Squadron go. I liked their selection and fast shipping.

Greg

 

keavdog

Store Close for Renovation Thank you for your business and your patience. 

This isn't even English. Makes me wonder if their site has been hacked. 

Interns.

For years it was like the old Sears catalog- my wish list that showed me what was available.  I was satisfield with its service until more recently.  They were the last model vendor to send print catalog/flyers.  Then it got to where when I ordered, the majority of the items I wanted were not in stock.

However, by then most hobby vendors had good web sites.  However, if FSM ever goes belly up or online only, I will have a hard time finding out what is new in terms of kits.

I still love reading printed material.

As the saying goes "All good things must come to an end". I was there when it all started. I grew up as a fan of the "Squadron Shop". I live outside of Philadelphia so I spent a lot of time in the store on Roosevelt Blvd and was lucky enough to have gone to college in Northern Virginia and spent a lot of time at the Wheaton, Maryland store (the final brick and mortar store). I remember sitting on my front steps in my youth waiting for mail orders from Squadron. Being a figure painter I fondly remember Squadron/Rubin figures and their publications. I believe that changing times and the passing of owners tend to have lasting effects on businesses and Squadron was no exception. I will always have the fond memories of my youth that were fired by the models I bought from them and all the trips to their shops to see all the great displays and check out all the great products that were only available from that cool store! Thanks Squadron shop!