Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing

Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing
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Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/28/2006 7:49:20 PM

OldScaleGuy

Posts: 755
Joined: 12/19/2005
From: Seymour, IN, USA
Status: offline

Dear Jack Stafford Models Customers,

Due to the lack of sales over the past several months we regret to announce that Jack Stafford Models is closing. All internet and phone sales will cease as of December 31, 2006.

The decision to close our company has come with long and difficult consideration. We feel that the arf industry is so strong in our current times that we cannot no longer maintain our company. While we understand it, the effect to our business has been overwhelming.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our great customers who have supported us in the past and we wish you the best for the future.

If the hobby/sport should change in the future we will consider reopening.

Email address-
JSModelsFly@aol.com will remain open until Feb. 1, 2007.

Best wishes and soft landings.
John and Steve
Jack Stafford Models

< Message edited by OldScaleGuy -- 12/28/2006 8:17:22 PM >

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/28/2006 11:40:56 PM

tailskid

Posts: 5493
Joined: 11/30/2001
From: Tolleson, AZ, USA
Status: offline

CRAP, another kit mfg bites the dust!

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/29/2006 1:16:41 AM

madman75

Posts: 110
Joined: 9/28/2006
From: Newport, OH, USA
Status: offline

Sorry to here about it. I'm a kit/scratch builder from way back. I've been building and flying for over 20 years. I still have a couple of planes that were kits and a couple that were built from plans. I still feel that a true RC'er should have at least built one plane from a kit to know the true joy of accomplishment. Anyway, I feel it will turn around someday. Once the Chinese find what we are paying for the ARF's as compared to what they are payed, they will demand more pay and the cost will go up. You all know what I mean. When the price of ARF's get to high as compared to the price of building from a kit, you may find people kit building again. We can only hope.
Good luck and I hope things change. I still like to build from a kit

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Post #: 3

RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/29/2006 2:24:47 AM

JNorton

Posts: 3134
Joined: 1/29/2002
From: Montague, MI, USA
Status: offline

quote:

CRAP, another kit mfg bites the dust!

Tailskid you've certainly expressed my feelings. Guess I put off too long not buying.

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/29/2006 1:11:06 PM

Scar

Posts: 2266
Joined: 10/1/2002
From: Peoria Hts, IL, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: JNorton
<<snip>>Guess I put off too long not buying.

Whaddaya mean??? Read the post, you've got 'til February!! Get yer checkbook out!
Dave Olson

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/29/2006 1:26:03 PM

JNorton

Posts: 3134
Joined: 1/29/2002
From: Montague, MI, USA
Status: offline

They had an Aircoupe I'd been looking at and thinking of buying. Now their web site is down and I'm tapped out from Christmas.

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/29/2006 3:22:52 PM

WacoNut

Posts: 1494
Joined: 1/1/2005
From: Blanchester, OH, USA
Status: offline

A real Bummer,
I delt with Steve alot and they are great people and always gave me good customer support. I built their Aircoupe and I really enjoy the plane. I have a JSM Chipmunk getting ready to hit the building board.
Sorry About you bad luck in the kit business, your planes deserve more respect than they got.
Anthony

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/29/2006 4:59:14 PM

SoCalSal

Posts: 913
Joined: 3/5/2005
From: spring valley , CA, USA
Status: offline

Well now, This is just the start of it. But I hope it will turn around someday. Most ARF's are cheap because we as American's can't see the Chinese kids working for penny's an hour to put these things out. Also the quest for instant gratifacation is a big factor as well. And the companys that distribute and sell these things are after one thing , $$$$$$$$$$. They don't give a damn about anyone but themselves and how much profit the can sqeeze out of some poor people in another country because they can't see them. If I can't see it it must not be there.
It is just like the old saying , "you get what you pay for" These people who buy these products will wake up one day without a job and wounder why? Well we can get it made cheaper off shore so we don't need you anymore SORRY!! What do you want us to do??? pay you a living wage to assemble this things here in the U.S.? We can't do that because it would drive the cost up to the point people might just want to build them on their own. This goes for everthing that is produced in this country. If the owners of these company's can get fat by cutting out your jobs and sending the jobs off shore then they will. They don't give a hoot about you or your famliey

If you quit buying these cheap products, sooner or later it will stop. Say to your self..to hell with these model suppliers that import cheap off shore products. Why should I support them?? They don't support the U.S. labor force. They don't care weather you or your kids can eat, live in a desent home, all they care about is their needs not yours.

Boycott these suppliers and hobby shops that sell this crap just don't buy them. If the ARF is built in the U.S then buy it, sure it may cost a few dollars more. Or better yet take the time and learn how to build from a kit or scratch, expand your thinking, it may surprize you haw much fun it is to build. Do it with your kids, show them how to use their God given talent. Teach them the value of working for themselves to acheive a goal, not just

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/29/2006 6:25:41 PM

JNorton

Posts: 3134
Joined: 1/29/2002
From: Montague, MI, USA
Status: offline

SoCaLsAL,
Let's not make this into a political statement. I work in the automotive industry in West Michigan. You don't have to tell me about factories moving off shore - but this is about models. You cannot buy an all American car any more nor can you buy all American home appliances and you haven't been able to for the last 10 years. Reality is this is a global economy so I don't buy into your arguments. If you left the foreign parts off nothing we build would work because they'd all be missing parts.

I build about half kits and half ARF's. I would not be buying the ARFs except the quality is there - they are not cheap nor are they crap. Reality is that I can buy a high quality ARF for almost half the price of what it takes me to build a kit. I still build kits because I enjoy them. When I can no longer buy kits I'll scratch them.

John

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/29/2006 9:40:56 PM

bps

Posts: 678
Joined: 10/16/2002
From: Indianapolis, IN, USA
Status: offline

Seems to me that this is not about an item in the US manufactured with foreign parts, but REMOVING manufacturing from the US. I think SoCalSal nailed it. Don't kid yourself, it is about money! Period!
JEB

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Post #: 10

RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/30/2006 12:24:06 PM

Mode One

Posts: 2228
Joined: 5/4/2005
From: Park Rapids, MN, USA
Status: offline

I am sorry to hear this! I think this hobby has never been healthier, as far as numbers of people involved. However, this shows how dismal the outlook is for kit builders in the future, why this is, I simply can't fathom. Obviously, the direction the hobby is headed and the direction I would choose it to go, are diametrically opposed. Those of us whom love the building, will need to keep buying raw balsa for scratch building, so balsa continues to be available!

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 12/30/2006 10:57:15 PM

flycfii

Posts: 764
Joined: 2/17/2005
From: Roselle, IL, USA
Status: offline

-sigh-

Kit manufacturers will never disappear as an industry unless R/C itself disappears. What you will see is that small "cottage industry" companies like JSM come and go because they can't compete financially with the big companies.

I'm sure Jack Stafford's kits were of the highest quality, but the company itself is trying to stay afloat in tight times and has no "buffer". Example:

Look at Sig, Great Planes, et al- they do kits, arfs, electrics, parts, you name it.... so even when the sales drop in one area they have the size/strength to weather the lean times. Their diversification is the key to their success.

And as far as globalization goes, get over it. Its reality, no going back. Regardless of what the Chinese worker on the other end of the transaction makes, it is sure to be more than their agrarian counterparts. I'll bet that their "pennies a day" goes as far or farther than our "minimum wage" does in the U.S.; its all about cost-of-living adjustments.

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 1/6/2007 8:32:34 AM

Thunderbolt47

Posts: 956
Joined: 10/23/2002
From: Beulaville , NC, USA
Status: offline

You know, I bet the company that brought ice around to homes a long time ago, got real mad when they started making icemakers that everyone could afford. Even though there is a freezer in every home, some of the bigger conpanies survived to put iceboxes in front of stores. (which there is a demand for)

Same goes for RC planes. Times change and so does the needs. you either change or fade away.

I hate to see any bussiness close and I'm really sorry about JSM.

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RE: Jack Stafford Models Announces Closing - 1/15/2007 7:21:12 PM

ken E

Posts: 2
Joined: 1/18/2004
From: yorkton, SK, CANADA
Status: offline

I feel sorrow for any business that fails but if you don't give the consumer what they want someone else will take over your market share, maybe harsh but it's reality. I love model airplanes and I love flying them but I hate building them. ( I don't mind assembling an ARF ) I can honestly say if it was'nt for ARF's I would definately not be involved in this hobby today. I know others at the flying field in the same boat. I think the ARF industry is great , I think most of the quality is great (there may be a few exceptions). I think theres a lot of people in this hobby who would'nt be here if it were not for ARF's. I think that the ARF's have revived a dying hobby. If some Chineze guys and some importers have made some money in this business , good for them, I congradulate them on their enterpurnerial efforts, they have brought to life a dying enjoyable activity. ken

(in reply to OldScaleGuy)