Traplet

Just gone onto their shop to look at buying the Fury plan and it is closed.

Tony B

It's been like that since this morning - even the Traplet USA site says store closed.

They must have an issue, as in little type it says please come back in a little while so... Don't panic Mr Mainwaring

Edited By flight1 on 19/07/2017 18:51:06

I spoke to them last week.

According to Danny Fenton in his Hawker Fury thread Traplet are in trouble. He wrote earlier. ..

"I am not sure of all the facts but I heard that Traplet went into receivership this morning, so where that leaves us with regard the plans and parts we have ordered I do not know. I have not received any of my order yet.

As soon as i hear more I will let you know. It is shocking news, the modelling mag industry is having a hrad time indeed, but I didn't realise Traplet were so vulnerable.

Cheers

Danny"

Edited By David Ovenden on 19/07/2017 22:28:19

Ordered a Morane-Saulnier plan from them on Thursday last - arrived yesterday.

That is very sad news indeed. I have always had excellent service from Traplet, I still have so many plans/parts to buy! Their website is still closed this morning, lets hope that they can restructure and continue trading if this bad news is confirmed.

I heard last night that their marine modelling title had gone, didn't realise it was the whole company. Great shame.

I thought the writing was on the wall recently when RC MODEL WORLD went over to only having free plan bi-monthly. I wrote Kevin Krozier, the editor, to register my concern that it might be thin end of the wedge for that particular publication, pointing out that that was exactly the way it's sister publication Quiet and Electric flight went! His reply was that QEFI closed due to poor advertising revenue. It didn't occur to me that the whole company may be struggling. If that is the case it will be a great loss!

If Traplet are in the hands of an official receiver, then at least there is the possibility of the company being restructured and trimmed down into a leaner and more relevant entity than before. As far as I'm aware they have quite a footing in the huge USA market, so maybe something can be saved there, although what good that will do UK modellers, I'm not sure.

I don't buy magazines of any type, so I and many others like me are part of the problem for publishers (excluding the BMFA offering, where we have no choice) but browsing those in the supermarket, many titles appear to me to be very much aimed at the older (and naturally shrinking) age range of the market. Just off the top of my head, I recall seeing mags on woodworking, patchwork, classic cars and motor bikes, caravaning, motor homes, various historical titles..........I think you get the idea.

OK there's the gaming magazines and weekly celebrity gossip dross mags that sell in droves to younger types, so perhaps going down-market is the way to go? .

Just as building your own models is regaining in popularity after the ARTF mania, we find a major supplier of plans and parts has its future in doubt. A big set-back for our hobby, and a position that will do no us no good at all, whether one flys models for fun or earns a living from them.

"Traditional" paper publishing in general is in trouble, most younger audiences are using online sources, so websites like this one (online subs), rcgroups/universe, etc are where things will go.

I have just paid for two years subscription to RCJI jet magazine

One of the worries is that Traplet has the vast majority of the back catalogue of British model plans now since they have all the old RCME, RM, RCSQ,etc as well as their own RCMW etc. The majority of all the plans ever published in England!

( I think ADH can still supply AMI, RC Flyer plans and the modern Aeromodeller may supply their own plans too )

I would expect that if this is indeed a major problem requiring 'restructuring' , the odds are good that the plans will reappear at some point.

There is a small but steady amount of business to be had selling plans and the overheads should not be high. Not a great money spinner probably!

kc.

The plans archive is a "tangible asset", so they add value to the publication if anyone is interested. Failing that, the best place for the receivers to dispose of them (they are very bulky and heavy) would be the BMFA. they (now) have the space and the plans do have great historical value in the context of our hobby (not forgetting model boats as well).

Professionally produced magazines are and always were about one thing. Selling advertising. Every title in every genre is probably run by enthusiastic (small) teams of people who's job it is to fill the blank pages between the adverts with information which will sell the publication to its readers. This they all seem to do very well. However if the advertising department can't sell their space, then that's where it all falls down. No matter how popular the title is with its readers.

As has been said before, Younger people don't read magazines. If they want information, or visual entertainment they all go to the same place (the same can be said for a lot of older people as well). I can see a time coming when the magazines become less regular, but with more (advertising) content. As for the small teams of dedicated magazine producers. They will probably diversify their talents across several publications within the same company.

I don' KNOW for sure but I think the receivers have an obligation to fulfil orders placed and paid for prior to receivership coming into effect. I'll stand ( or sit   to be corrected.

John O/T

I hope you are right John, I placed orders for 2 packs on the same day. At the moment I have a risk of nearly £300..

I've just bought the August edition of RC Model World.

There is a small piece on page eight that says the MyHobbyStore website is now being directed to Trapletshop.com

This could be why the Traplet website is closed.

Martin.

Edited By Martin Gay on 20/07/2017 12:08:57

Kevin, I remember what happened to the US RC Modeler plans - they have just disappeared from the market! People were so concerned they scanned and cleaned up all the ones they could find and they now appear on Outerzone etc.

Martyn, I hope you paid by a credit card which will give protection to your money.