octura online?

[_laxmasta2039]

hey guys,

this came up during grim's test session, and i was curious if anyone had any thoughts on the subject.

why dont they? if it's just because they dont like PCS,

why not sell their stuff through Towerhobbies or something like that? ???

just wondering if anyone was thinking 'bout this too.

joe

 

[Propjockey]

I think Octura is based in Germany--don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Does anyone know of an online store that sells the whole Octura line (props, hardware, etc.)? Hobby Lobby Int. and a few other places sell a limited selection, but I have yet to find a place that carries it all.

 

[GTR]

Hi guy's

When did Octura leave the US - I still thought it all came from the land of Stars and Stripes. Do you guy's mean Graupner? that's the only German/Euro manufacturer of boat gear I am aware of. Almost forgot Robbe - who I think are distributed for/by Graupner.

The Octura catalogue is available on-line via one of the Intl Waters board contributors - I was looking at it the other day. Can't remember the address though.

cheers

GT 8)

 

[Ron Olson]

Octura is in Skokie, Illinois. I think that Tom is too old to move it. It seems to me that Tower used to sell some Octura props and parts but don't know if they still do. Al's Hobby Shop, www.alshobbyshop.com should be able to get you whatever you need. Contact Cindy. Try this site for an online catalog: http://www.pirespreto.com/octura_catalog.htm

 

[DavidJ]

There are several good german boat manufacturers, H&M, PIP. Really nice quality hulls. Fine Design sells octura stuff online http://finedesignrc.com/

 

[_laxmasta2039]

i went to a german site a few days ago through a BBY link....they had soem REALLY nice hulls, elec to big gas [nitro included] and the prices where very reasonable [ya just have to convert them from Dutchmarks]

thanks guys for the input on octura online......it still seems strange to me that they dont sell their entire product line through some big online warehouse like Tower.

joe

 

[Propjockey]

Boy it was late when I posted that! Sorry ya'll, I punched Octura into a lame search engine and the first few results were in German. Shoulda used Google.

 

[TomMoorehouse]

well : http://www.netsol.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois;...28&STRING2.y=10

they have registered a domain name

 

[_laxmasta2039]

um Tom, just what does a "domain name" do? ??? :

sorry 'bout my ignorance.

 

[TomMoorehouse]

it means they registered WWW.OCTURAMODELS.COM

they did it back in 1998 but still don't have a web site

 

[Grimracer]

Gang

I just got off the phone with Tom P the owner of Octura. I asked him about octura and the Internet. It seems that there is little chance that Octura will sell using the net anytime soon. He is a nice guy and his ideas of how octura sells there product is written in stone. With out question this is to help the hobby by making sure that the hobby shops are taken care of. (By the way this is something that i also believe in)

However (here is that however thing) In todays new market model, i feel that this is in error. If you can not get what you want "eazly, the net" then people will buy elsewhere. Its a fact about todays market. Octura does have one advantage and that is their props. They offer a bunch and there all good props.

Thats about it...

Gongrats Octura for building record setting props..

Grimracer..

 

[Propjockey]

Well his heart is in the right place, but his head is out to lunch. It's a noble effort, but I doubt it will veer the course of the inevitable. Times ARE changing, LHS's ARE closing their doors--due, in large part, to the internet.

I used to love walking into the local shop and staring at the vast myriad of products lining the shelves. I looked at EVERYTHING, got ideas (and great stories) from the owner and his son, compared products, features, prices--and generally had a great time.

He closed his shop about five years ago. His reason..."I can't compete with Tower anymore."

I would prefer to go to a local shop, but now I have to drive an hour to get to one.

Where do you go for answers at 2:45 AM? Or order something on Sunday? If you need ANY hobby information, where do you turn first? Where are you, right now?

To stay competitive, LHS's MUST go on-line. Look at Hobby People (formerly Hobby Shack)--huge on-line site, opened two new stores last year.

Support your local hobby shop! As long as you can! Because the "up-and-coming" kids have a keyboard in their hands long before a Futaba, or JR..............

(much more than 2 cents worth)

 

[TimD]

Agree that the LHS is at risk of redundancy BUT it is up to the retailers (LHS's) to get with the times and not a wholesale / manufacturing company.

Octura do not sell stuff on line for a good reason - they are looking after their customers - the local hobby store - by not competing directly against them.

I am not saying don't buy stuff on the net - I do all the time - but what I am saying is that a manufacturer does not have to compete against it's own customers, or vice versa.

Seen many LHS's having to shut the doors because a wholesaler / importer retail their own stuff at prices that a LHS can't possibly compete with.

My 2 cents on this subject....

 

[Slideblues]

Well I have got to say that I agree with everyones view, but will offer this counterpoint.

My local hobby shop will stock anything to do with planes or monster trucks, anything else forget it, He does have a few of the cheaper RTR boats but thats it, He orders from one supplier and if they dont have it, you dont need it. His words not mine. This has forced myself and many others to look to the net and the big brown truck for supplies.

Slide 8)

 

[_laxmasta2039]

grim, PJ, well said!!

i'm often very frustrated b/c the LHS does not sell boating supplies,[i feel your pain. slide] but i see plane guys getting thier questions answered and problems solved almost instantly, something that takes a long time and can be frustrating online. also, the LHS can help you figure out what you need, along with letting you see the product before buying. The only disadvantage is, besides what PJ pointed out, that the mail order houses can stock huge quantities, sell with a much lower profit margin, and they have an enormous variety of products. that being said, my 2 cents is buy @ your hobby shop whenever possible, but ya hafta admit the net is a great tool for those of us who dont have access to a friendly, marine goods-supplying, LHS.

joe