The rumour-mill is working overtime for Britbus. Suggestions of de-listings by retailers, on-line sellers ceasing to promote their model bus range, quality control issues interrupting supply, and so it goes on. They are not alone, as other manufacturers have also had quality control issues recently, notably CMNL with the introduction of their ukbus 90xx Scania OmniCity (a difficulty which was acknowledged, along with a welcome apology to collectors from the company).
One thing that cannot be denied is the wholehearted support that Britbus have received since Don Craggs passed away in March 2008, especially from their UK importer, John Ayrey Die-casts. The encouragement and details offered by numerous other individuals in support of new liveries, together with suggestions of new castings has been enormous. Britbus has clearly engendered the support of many loyal collectors in the model bus community, and quite rightly so.
That said, there is clearly concern for the company – there has been little development of the range, and no indication of new castings to encourage collectors for well over three years. Like the manufacturers of the real things Britbus built a reputation on developing their output to encompass the various vehicles’ evolution from the original. It was an aspect of the company’s models that received critical acclaim.
The company’s Base-Toys range does continue to flourish, and it is possible that Britbus currently see model commercials as the way forward in the face of a competitive and potentially declining model bus market.
CMNL (in particular), Corgi/Hornby and EFE have long-standing relationships with the mainstream and on-line media devoted to the hobby. Perhaps the weakest link for Britbus has been their inability to build up similar relationships to promote their models. Many would say that some manufacturers announce future releases too early, but there can be no doubt that an early indication of future releases builds sales and encourages pre-orders. Building sales means building profitability: building profitability brings greater resources to invest in the future – and to overcome difficulties.
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It is a bit rich to compare Britbus with the other model makes as it doesnt have more than one person in charge
ReplyDeleteBritbus have always had quality control problems, It is one of the reasons why they have always been the least collectable range. Interesting words from you though.
ReplyDeleteModel Collector has a questioning the reality of the Britbus GNR Regent II or III in their August edition. Seems Northcord are not without criticism either. Andy
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Britbus seems to have been the desire to over-detail their buses. This has often been poorly executed unfortunately, with a consequent poor quality and reputation resulting.
ReplyDeleteThe Base Toys commercials are succeeding because they have none of these over embellishments, and a correspondinly far more attractive retail price than the buses.
The bus range might well succeed if it were to be revisited without all the encumbrances of the fiddly detailing bits. Factoring out the opening bonnets, poseable steering, multiplicity of fiddly plastic and wire bits, could not only eliminate many of the quality problems, but bring down the currently far too high retail price of the buses. A case surely where less is more?
Poor attention to prototype dimensions has also badly affected Britbus. The Bristol LH/ECW bus is still a much sought after model, but not as the dimensionally incorrect snub nosed thing that Britbus turned out
The first thing Britbus and EFE need to address is accuracy. The Park Royal Standard Atlantean and the Northern Counties SELNEC Standard in real life had interchangeable main side windows, of which the glazing area was 2' 4 1/4" deep, or 9 5/12 mm in 1:76 scale. The Britbus glazing is 11 mm deep and it all goes downhill from there.
ReplyDeleteToo expensive, poor quality and lack of communication with the customer is not the ideal scenario for a successful company. They have had problems from the very first model.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile the Base Toys range offers cheap models that aren't highly detailed but do look the part and are easily taken apart for repainting or modification. In short Base Toys got it right first time, Britbus didn't.