Modelzone into administration

User avatar
Class172
SOTM Moderator
Posts: 1642
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:10 pm
Trainz Version: T:ANE
Trainz Build: 94916
Author KUID: 485742
Location: West Country

Modelzone into administration

Post by Class172 »

It seems another high street chain may be about to go; I hope a buyer can be found.
http://www.modelzone.co.uk/holding/
User avatar
Nexusdj
Forum Veteran
Posts: 3096
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:02 pm
Trainz Version: TRS22
Trainz Build: 123794
Author KUID: 45317
Location: West Midlands
Contact:

Re: Modelzone into administration

Post by Nexusdj »

There's a recession on and you can got most of the stuff from the online box shifters for a lot less than the full RRP's that MZ charge .
Landlords are feeling the pinch so they are keeping shop rents high which restricts how much discount if any that MZ can pass onto customers .
Sadly I can see it going the same way that Beatties did .
High visibility pixels must be worn when on or about the line !!
User avatar
danny109
Past 250!
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 7:38 am
Trainz Version: 2009, 2019
Trainz Build: 46653
Author KUID: 554607
Location: On the road again...

Re: Modelzone into administration

Post by danny109 »

I agree with nexus. Modelzone charge extortionate prices, so people are turning to Amazon to buy the models.
Back in the Trainz saddle
User avatar
leekf
Milepost 3
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:52 pm
Trainz Version: 2010
Location: Colchester

Re: Modelzone into administration

Post by leekf »

I remember going to Beatties in Bristol when I was a kid. Was a a brilliant shop, my dad brought the lima super sprinter when it was first released. I think Antics are still going tho
User avatar
squit13
Past 500!
Posts: 683
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 8:03 am
Trainz Version: TRS12 SP1
Trainz Build: 58414
Author KUID: 465987
Location: Nr Plymouth

Re: Modelzone into administration

Post by squit13 »

It is a shame really about model zone, it was my preferred retail store for my modeling. Problem with antics is the rather exorbitant pricing. Although I prefer using smaller local model shops, Chain stores are a more reliable source for general 'new' items. I guess this is a sign of the times, and really should be good for the 'local' model shop trade. The biggest problem is that Antics will take the opportunity to beef prices up even further perhaps.

Does anybody know if model zone will be having any sales as a result of this? I wouldn't mind that n-gauge Pullman that was released...
I'm gonna' be a 'senior driver'-According to the Trainz 12 Achievements, thats 10,000 hours-over 1 year constantly using trainz, without faults...

TRS12 Ann Ed.
Image
73129
Past 500!
Posts: 716
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:16 pm
Trainz Version: 12, TANE
Trainz Build: 74702
Author KUID: 431172
Location: Surrey and Pembrokeshire

Re: Modelzone into administration

Post by 73129 »

I bought a brand spanking new Hornby 56 off of them the other week. They said it had the nameplates stripped off it.... for £20!


Errr... Its meant to be like that. :lol:

I did like the spares they had, but living close to their head office, you'd expect that. Mine was very reasonable on price though - as an example a Bachmann MPV was £65 - so would that mean I am the only one that liked them?

More business for Hobbycraft in the future then.
tommietomato2 on Auran forums
Retired moderator.
User avatar
Briggsy
Forum Veteran
Posts: 1523
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 1:02 am
Trainz Version: TRS2019 + TANE SP3
Trainz Build: 105096
Author KUID: 630773
Location: Coventry (West Midlands)

Re: Modelzone into administration

Post by Briggsy »

I agree with Nexusdj. Sadly, that applies to a lot of High Street stores now.

The internet is slowly killing off our High Streets. Shops cannot compete - they have rents to pay, staff to pay, utility bills to pay - and lots of slow moving stock.

The likes of Amazon operate from warehouses, shift stock in bulk with lower margins, but make bigger profits that way. They can offer better deals than the High Street because they don't have the lingering stock and high running costs.

I give it ten years before our city centre shops are a thing of the past. You'll still have your "niche" shops that cannot be replaced such as bakers, butchers, etc - but your specialist washing machine shops, model shops, TV shops, book shops, etc will be a thing of the past. We'll all be shopping online whether we like it or not.

Our city centres will be full of bakers, newsagents and Tesco locals.

Personally, these days, I buy everything online. If i'm not sure about something, I go out to shops, take a look at it "in the flesh" - make a note of the model number - and then go home and order it online and save a few quid.
User avatar
leekf
Milepost 3
Posts: 48
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:52 pm
Trainz Version: 2010
Location: Colchester

Re: Modelzone into administration

Post by leekf »

I do exactly the same
User avatar
WarspiteWorks
Milepost 5
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:59 pm
Trainz Version: TS2010
Trainz Build: 42203
Location: Sittingbourne, Kent

Re: Modelzone into administration

Post by WarspiteWorks »

First stores are going :( ... I hope the model railway specialist "The signal box" doesn't go, as its very useful to have a specialist near to you.
User avatar
Glen1974
Past 100!
Posts: 186
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:39 am
Trainz Version: TS12 SP1
Trainz Build: 58414
Author KUID: 381093
Location: Kent

The Signal Box, Rochester, Kent

Post by Glen1974 »

Yet another model shop is closing, Went past there today and they have signs in the window saying closing down all stock must go 30% discount...
Such a shame such a good model shop, but it looks like another casualty of todays economy..
User avatar
stovepipe
Past 250!
Posts: 294
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:49 pm
Trainz Version: TRS19
Trainz Build: 117009
Author KUID: 368699

Re: The Signal Box, Rochester, Kent

Post by stovepipe »

Think it was tied in with Modelzone, so sadly it has become a casualty also.
User avatar
WarspiteWorks
Milepost 5
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:59 pm
Trainz Version: TS2010
Trainz Build: 42203
Location: Sittingbourne, Kent

Re: The Signal Box, Rochester, Kent

Post by WarspiteWorks »

Damn, I really enjoyed having a model railway specialist almost right next door.
Hopefully someone will buy it and re-stock it, as it is probably being sold off to raise money for modelzone,
but if it goes completely then its ordering online for me.
User avatar
WarspiteWorks
Milepost 5
Posts: 55
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 12:59 pm
Trainz Version: TS2010
Trainz Build: 42203
Location: Sittingbourne, Kent

Re: The Signal Box, Rochester, Kent

Post by WarspiteWorks »

The signal box will close on september 12th and all the remaining modelzone stores will cease trading soon after. Sad times indeed. :(
User avatar
danny109
Past 250!
Posts: 425
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2011 7:38 am
Trainz Version: 2009, 2019
Trainz Build: 46653
Author KUID: 554607
Location: On the road again...

Re: The Signal Box, Rochester, Kent

Post by danny109 »

Well that's just great. My favourite model shop closes on my birthday? I was hoping to get a few bits from there.
Back in the Trainz saddle
73129
Past 500!
Posts: 716
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:16 pm
Trainz Version: 12, TANE
Trainz Build: 74702
Author KUID: 431172
Location: Surrey and Pembrokeshire

Re: The Signal Box, Rochester, Kent

Post by 73129 »

Gaugemaster's good.
tommietomato2 on Auran forums
Retired moderator.
Post Reply