Unhappy Biante users

[Mark]

I have been reading through some of the posts of late and I have noticed that there seems to a number of people who are not happy when missing out on a model.

I think it is a good time to reflect on the two sides of Biante. My understanding is the wholesale and website are two different things.

Biante, as an importer, are responsible to the shops they supply. The shops order a certain amount and then Biante imports a certain quantity. As a manufacturer, I assume they produce a certain amount to fill demand found in the orders they receive from shops.

The Biante website is one of the stores they supply. As with the other stores across the country, they order their stock. They should have as much chance of getting what they order as any other store in Australia. They should also have as much chance of getting any extra stock that the importer may have at the time.

As such, if you are not happy with what you can get through the online store, buy elsewhere. There are a few online stores in Australia who would be happy to pickup your custom. Yes some of them even have reward schemes.

If Admin would like to comment, that would be great.

[GTSCoup]

This isn't really the place to be telling people to shop elsewhere is it?. On Biantes free forum you are telling people to buy elsewhere. Think about it and have some respect. I think it is quite rude and arrogant to come on here and start sprouting about other sites.

[Graeme]

Mark,

First up, I don't think we should expect to discover the mechanics of Biante's business unless we are potential purchasers of the company, rather than purchasers of their products.

Secondly, I don't think there are any guarantees out there in diecast land, especially in regard to popular models. I think a lot of it is guesswork anyway ....who knew that the DJR Sierra was going to be a runaway ??

My understanding, and I could well be wrong, is that Biante decide what they would like to produce and then look to see if anybody else has done something similar. They have legal issues to face with regard to reproducing facsimilies of other's products. Once they get through the legals, then they have to get someone to competently produce the product and they also have to decide how many to produce in a certificated limited series.

And, there's got to be a whole lot more to the process.

I'm led to believe that independent retailers are only consulted once the product production is underway and numbers decided by Biante. I've heard that retailers sometimes don't receive the numbers of a particular item that they originally ordered, but this probably only happens with items that prove more desirable than anticipated. Why else do you find some models in stock after two years ( with only 1800-3000 numbered items made ) and others ( with say 5000-6000 in total ) sold out in two weeks.

You takes your chances with whomsoever you decide to deal.
Basically, if it's a hot item, you've got to be there at the right time.... on the net, or in the shop !!

[SWRT]

When the Alan Jones 1979 1/43 Williams sold out I went to www.modelcar.com.au to get it.

[oldxr]

I've heard that retailers sometimes don't receive the numbers of a particular item that they originally ordered,
I think you'll find this to be very wrong in the case of Biante, as stated by Richard and Trevor in other posts.
I think people miss out when they leave ordering a car until its to late or just walking in off the street and expecting to be able to buy whatever car they wish, (it dosn't work like that).

[Graeme]

I don't profess to know exactly how the wholesale order system operates and I don't expect Biante to tell me/us.

All I can say first hand is that I've spoken to three completely independent retail shops and I've been told stories ranging from " we've been told how many we will receive regardless of how many we want to order " to " we didn't get as many as we originallly ordered ". These sorts of comments related to the Moffat Twin Set and the DJR Sierra, both of which you could describe as Biante hot potatoes.

So, who knows....

Just get out there and find 'em any way you can !!!

[ausdiver]

I'm just wondering what lengths peolpe go to get the car that they missed, for example I missed out on the Brock VR on the website, but rather than sit around and compalin on the forum i did something about it. I rang EVERY model shop in WA, then I rang all the bigger shops in Sydney and Melbourne, then I rang a model shop in Canberra and finally I rang Darwin, i left my name and number at every shop in case 1 came up. Low and behold today i got an e-mail from Biante saying that they were back in stock (i have my Biante e-mail transferred 2 my mobile) but i also got calls from 3 other shops so i thanked them and let those go to other collecters, The piont is, HOW BAD DO YOU WANT THAT MODEL, persistance and hard work pays in the end but have fun remember its the threll of the chase that keeps me coming back ;)

[admin]

I will state catagorically, that EVERY store was granted exactly the numbers of Sierra and twin sets that they ordered.
The only cars we set limits on is the Brock Collection and stores who have been with us since the beginning still get the same quantity. If stores drop out, we allocate to new stores and / or increase existing stores.
As an example, when we closed oders for the Sierra, we had 2400 orders!! That was a free and open order that stores could have ordered 1000 if they had wanted to. Upon prompting, it got to about 3800 and having had the same problem with the XE (remember!!) I bit the bullet and increased the build. Then in the run up to the car being launched, we took additional orders for the full run.
So if you reckon it was a dog fight when released, just imagine if we had made only the initial orders of 2400.
It ain't easy!!!

[chups]

you went to every model shop in W.A.? last friday i want to triking and they had 5 or 6 cartons (6 per ctn) of Brock VRs i just called them up, and he said he had plenty so i went in and got it (i had pre saved the money expecting it to go quickly)

and if i want a model that will sell quickly i leave the afternoon free then when it comes out i call the larger shops (triking, stanbridges, perth hobby centre) then ask if they can hold one for a couple of hours (most places will hold them till i get there) then i go get it.

simple. just go and buy it

[ausdiver]

well chups Perth is over 6 hrs away so i have to do everything over the phone, just walking into a shop is an all day affair

[7Litre]

If intelligence was an asset, you would still be on welfare.
I too agree, you are rude and arrogant to be suggesting such things through this forum.
And to those unhappy collectors -if you are that unhappy with Biante, resign your membership & find a new hobby........

[Aussiecollector]

Some of you lot are taking this HOBBY just a bit to serious.

You need to get out more and see that there is more to the world than having every Biante that is released.

Glenn

PS: just checked the VR and it was listed as limited stock so use some patience and you will still get one.

[Mark]

It is a pleasure to see such happy and fun people...

Anyway, to all of those people commenting on my personality, thanks, means a lot....

The intent of the post was to say that the online section is just a shop. Do not get up them if you miss a model. They have stuff to sell just as everyone else has. Just because they are an arm of the supplier dosen't mean they can just get another 2000 models to fill a need.

As for giving them a hard time, I have been involved in both the online and offline membership activities begining before the red XY. If I thought that little of the company, would I still be involved...??

I think they make great product. I don't buy from them online because I have such a great store to deal with in Brisbane. However, I do buy from anyone if i can not get what I want. I don't just sit and ***** at my shop because they ran out.

All I can say is have a nice day.