WillyChang

Hey Aaron:- we'll be needing your expertise in how to get this site and the TamClub to a self-funding level... any advice?? [] That said, nothing against Ausmicro Aaron, but BCG is a tad simpler to sell than bigger RC. BCGs come ready assembled and is more suited to volume seller; it doesn't make economic sense to spend 2-3 hours 'selling' something that makes you $10. That said, guess its time to show some cards too. [:I] I too have some LHS background... Dad had a (silent) share in one dating back to 1982. A few yrs ago during the dotcom craze we decided to get a start on this too and got involved in a similar venture... with a view that "we can do better" given the dismal service I've seen from many LHS I've been to - and yes, I've mystery-shopped a lot of them Melb/Brisbane/Syd myself. Surprisingly its been not-too-bad!! Kyosho and Tamiya are our main lines, if only for the excellent support the local distributors offer. For the first time -gosh!- this year 01/02 we actually made a small trading profit!! (ok ok, so we don't yet draw salaries) It has been an interesting journey, we've met a lot of people along the years and many have become good friends. Even more satisfyingly has been introducing a few to the local tracks and seeing them now totally-addicted to racing. But certainly, there is a *lot* of work involved - from marketing, promotional, customer inquiries, customer handling, then the actual logistics of inventory management and aftersales. I believe our sales have never been directly at the expense at other LHSes, which makes it even better. We're here to expand the RC market, not poach the current pool. 'Nuff said; saying goes "A Hobby is work you couldn't do for a living". []

Hmmm... curious... just wondering in US if there is room for a "good LHS" to make a fair buck whilst giving good service, against another with not-so-good service. Or are they all forced to hire $8/hr workers just to stay afloat, and survive on a constant stream of walk-in suckers. If the answer is 'yes'... so why isn't anybody picking up the opportunity? []

Is that the rally one with the red spots over the wheels?

quote:Originally posted by flybyWhat can i say Willy, you have the right toys, the right women and a great car[] id="quote">id="quote">Unfortunately that's as far as it goes, Mike. She's since banned me from flying and she gets seasick, so that's Air and Water out of the equation for us. Bike's been banned too... but I hate carrying pillion passengers anyway. And with crazy city traffic where V8s and SUVs rule, only idiots would ride down here - No big loss. But I'm sure there's still other toys to be had with feet on dry land. []

quote: Originally posted by Razer There are so many options in motors today you should be able to get exactly what you want without changing the factory setup. id="quote">id="quote"> We won't even try talk about changing timing via brush cutting, eh? []

quote: Originally posted by BalmyBaldwin If you have adjustable timimg, what happens if you reduce the timing to say -7 degrees? will this increase the runtime and reduce power? or will it just screw everything up?[}] id="quote">id="quote"> You cannot reduce timing less than 'zero'... You can still run the motor with reversed timing, however it will suffer in efficiency and be hard on it. You'll have less power for the same amt of current that goes in, whilst getting more heat. If you think about it, when you reverse your car the motor runs in reverse timing anyway. Some Tamiyas run their motors in reverse eg. FWD M02s and ClodBuster so its not the best to put hot mods in these without checking the timing.

No, that stuff stays liquid until it leaks out - then it hardens. The rest of it inside stays slimy (makes a real mess of the tyre insides, your tyreshop will hate you for using it). RC tyres aren't pneumatic, so you'll have a hard time putting it in. I *have* seen someone try use silicone sealant to fill up the tyres though. Bad move, it turns out lumpier than a bagful of walnuts. Trust me, foam inserts are pretty good - especially the molded closed cell ones. Why would you need something else? Cheap, works & reusable too. The only possible alternative is some new tyres coming with a honeycomb filling already molded in... but this doesn't give you much choice as to grade of insert.

quote: Originally posted by DJTheo What a poor millionaire, not having his own jet... [] id="quote">id="quote"> Nah, won't be buying my own jet Theo. Don't wanna be flying the Citation 10 nor the Gulfstream V internationally (too small, too much turbulence, fuel capacity too low) and one can't land a 747 just anywhere. Dream machine would be a new 737-700... its the aerial equivalent of a BMW 750i. Its a decent size for touring yet small enough to be pretty agile for a long distance cruiser. Full complement of power as used in the larger planes, yet enough vessel capacity for fuel to fling halfway around the globe (we'll lose most of the seats for the long range tanks though). Enough space in there still to fitout a decent bedsitter, plus room for the RangeRover too. Costed that up earlier this year, yours for only A$80M. Cheapstuff to buy certainly, but running & ongoing costs are a tad steep. Less hassles going commercial!! []

The box *bottom* should be original Tamiya... [] Carson also resold same FF with different bodies, keeping even the New Beetle's instruction book. Also the Porsche dealers had the same rebranding, some Tamiyas were even sold assembled/painted RTR with radio in the box. Have seen M02L Boxter & 911 like that.

"B"... are they Falcon-rear sized? Suspect they are made by Trinity... and hang on, I might have the fronts to go with that... [] "A"... are they 1/8th Rear sized? They may have come off a late 1970s Yokomo - a rebranded Associated RC300 kit but think they did make their own wheels.

Interesting LHS bashing here, guys... but now am most curious:- "anyone actually wish to open an LHS?" ie put your $$ where the mouth is... [)]

quote: Originally posted by Stu.B Tamiya has and always will cater for the tastes of what is poular back home. In japan. Right now that is not off road. For the same reason Kyosho has ditched 1:10th off road. id="quote">id="quote"> Touring cars are 'IT' at the moment, both in Japan and just about everywhere else in the world. Even here in Oz, where the suburbanites have big backyards suitable for buggies, you'll find newcomers buying sedans and having to run them in the street. One of our 'better' offroad tracks in Melbourne got pretty rundown in the late 90s, and has since been paved over to make a giant paved TC track. One thing to be said... offroad racing is great, but track maintenance is a pain. There is a lot more work involved, compared to sweeping the tarmac and spraying sugarwater.

quote: Originally posted by Sjoerd Many ppl are surprised as it's mostly older guys who like classic cars more than modern ones... id="quote">id="quote"> Surprised? No. That's my excuse for not joining the local classic/vintage car clubs - all too full of old fogies. I mean, I've got nothing against old folk and retirees but these guys schedule their activities starting at SEVEN A.M.!!! [:0] C'mon now, that's being waaaay unsociable...

quote:Originally posted by netsmithUKHave you looked in to this? http://www.easy-rc.com/laptrack/ not tried it, but might help and only $9.95! id="quote">id="quote">That looks cool, Chris... will check it out. Hmmm... will it interface with an input device... [8D]

quote:Originally posted by CarterTGInstead of reinventing the wheel and spend just as much custom-building a personal lap counter, why not set sights for the Team Orion Pro LCS? id="quote">id="quote">Yes, have looked at the Orion... but unfortunately it does need an IR emitter to be placed in the car. It also needs a powersource (RX plug). Sure its the same size as a transponder, but there's drama fitting it to some cars, eg: 1) all the prepainted Tamiya shells don't have clear windows. 2) only works for large 1/10... I'm thinking of 1/64. [:I]

RR doesn't need the SS's rear exhaust bits on the rear cage... If you're taking yours off and its surplus... *I* could use it!! []

Yup, best to have BBs everywhere. If you're still running plastic bearings, the rear ones can wear so much that the 'nailhead' on the rear stubby axles and fall right through = wheel loss. [:I]

quote: Originally posted by retro It's not on the list, but is the VW Camper Van one of yours too? id="quote">id="quote"> HPI made the VW Combi shell in a mini size. Probably out of production by now.

No, its actually pretty "trendy" to have english wording on stuff in Japan. (of course to native english speakers, some of their logo phrases don't really make sense, but that doesn't matter to them) Hotshot stickers have a jap version of the CAUTION HOT (both on same sheet), but that's about it. Some 1/24 cars have jap numberplates too, but the euro models often have euro plates provided as well - so its not just a jap thing.

Tamiya on eBay has been around for quite a while... they first started appearing in about 1998 when every listing was an "oh wow", and it caught on big time in 1999. Of course those prices back then were commensurate with the "oh wow" factor too, mainly due to the scarcity of stock. Also think about all that free dotcom cash floating around (and imho many of the eBay surfers would be geeks then)... it was real heady days then. Just had to be there.

quote:Originally posted by snollanDon't worry I get dumped all the time. However nice job on the paint and chassis. id="quote">id="quote">Sigh... brings back memories. [V] Long long time ago, the Panda was also infatuated enough to build the (then) gf a Tamiya MX5. Never did get back that car, even. [] Oh well, no big loss. That MX5 is a different matter though... []

quote:Originally posted by DJTheoBut unfortunatelly in bad economies there are always very poor and very rich people, don't you know? [xx(][] id="quote">id="quote">Well, that's true Theo... but generally the 'rich' are usually already rich before the economy went down, and if they're smart enough to get that rich they wouldn't be spending $$$ like that all of a sudden. There's also a big difference between 'rich' and 'wealthy'. Bit like olde-riche and new wealth. Either way, take it from me too that both these types aren't the majority buying RC cars in Oz. It would be suicide setting up a hobbyshop in a 'classy' neighbourhood.

Another "****er muso" (Aussie phrase?)... [V] funny how now nobody wants his 'pristine' Blackfoot current listing.

Ethics would suggest that vendors would only end-early for the top bidder. But ethics count for squat these days. []

quote:Originally posted by DJTheoUnfortunatelly Tamiya painpens can be removed almost with everything, car wax, warm finger... [] id="quote">id="quote">Oh ya, true!! I always paint some X-clear on top.