Yellow Aircraft No Longer Selling Kits
10-03-2014, 10:35 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Yellow Aircraft No Longer Selling Kits
I’m sad to announce that Yellow Aircraft is converting its operation to basically a ‘parts and support’ shop forthwith. The owner, Charles, is retiring, and has no plans to continue importing kits into the US. This has been a long time coming, and I’ve been pressing Charles for permission to talk about the real scoop in public for a long time. He’s been reluctant to make announcements, but since he’s been talking about some of these details with customers who then post about them online, I consider the matter open at this point.
Basically, Yellow Aircraft will no longer be importing kits into the U.S. After the on-hand stock is gone, the office will only take orders for replacement parts. I am not sure how long he will continue to offer parts, but for now he insists he will do that indefinitely. While Charles considers this ‘not closing our doors’, the practical effect for the end-user is that customers will no longer be able to order Yellow Aircraft kits except for by special order direct from Asia. This won’t be for every kit in our old lineup as some of them have been discontinued altogether. There are kits still on the shelf, but once these are gone, they are gone.
As most of you know, I’ve been proud to be the field rep for yellow for the last 15 years. During that time, I’ve not only been the online voice for the company, but have sold hundreds of items to guys the world over and built dozens of projects for people, too. I’m especially sad to see the line go away because I think Y/A has represented the best bang-for-buck in the industry and I’ve spent years promoting and flying the product. I’ll be pulling down my web site soon, but feel free to continue to call or email me for parts or if you’d like to grab a kit out of the remaining stock. As always, I offer better prices and better hours than direct
We have a few warbirds and jets in stock and ready to ship.
Thanks for your business and for making the hobby just that much more fun for me over the years.
Basically, Yellow Aircraft will no longer be importing kits into the U.S. After the on-hand stock is gone, the office will only take orders for replacement parts. I am not sure how long he will continue to offer parts, but for now he insists he will do that indefinitely. While Charles considers this ‘not closing our doors’, the practical effect for the end-user is that customers will no longer be able to order Yellow Aircraft kits except for by special order direct from Asia. This won’t be for every kit in our old lineup as some of them have been discontinued altogether. There are kits still on the shelf, but once these are gone, they are gone.
As most of you know, I’ve been proud to be the field rep for yellow for the last 15 years. During that time, I’ve not only been the online voice for the company, but have sold hundreds of items to guys the world over and built dozens of projects for people, too. I’m especially sad to see the line go away because I think Y/A has represented the best bang-for-buck in the industry and I’ve spent years promoting and flying the product. I’ll be pulling down my web site soon, but feel free to continue to call or email me for parts or if you’d like to grab a kit out of the remaining stock. As always, I offer better prices and better hours than direct
We have a few warbirds and jets in stock and ready to ship.Thanks for your business and for making the hobby just that much more fun for me over the years.
10-03-2014, 10:44 AM
#2
That is a shame; I have to admit that I've looked at Yellow Aircraft several times in the past but, whilst it's possible to get them in the UK, they're not readily available so never got round to it.
Are you able to give an idea what you have left in stock? I guess that they'll be a short term spike in interest as it finally hits people what is going on
I assume that as parts are still being supplied that all the rights will stay with Yellow Aircraft, so there's no chance anyone else might take up the line?
Are you able to give an idea what you have left in stock? I guess that they'll be a short term spike in interest as it finally hits people what is going on
I assume that as parts are still being supplied that all the rights will stay with Yellow Aircraft, so there's no chance anyone else might take up the line?
10-03-2014, 11:30 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Hi,
Yeah, all rights will stay with Yellow but I definitely hope someone down the line will pick up the line and reintroduce it. Frankly, it seems the day of the 'builder' has come and gone, but there are guys still out there who appreciate a good quality kit at a good price. Perhaps with some application of new innovations in model kits, a future line could be an even better value. As far as what's left, I was asked not to post inventory in the public thread but I'm happy to answer any PM's or calls.
Thanks
Yeah, all rights will stay with Yellow but I definitely hope someone down the line will pick up the line and reintroduce it. Frankly, it seems the day of the 'builder' has come and gone, but there are guys still out there who appreciate a good quality kit at a good price. Perhaps with some application of new innovations in model kits, a future line could be an even better value. As far as what's left, I was asked not to post inventory in the public thread but I'm happy to answer any PM's or calls.
Thanks
10-03-2014, 11:48 AM
#5
Thread Starter
10-04-2014, 06:28 AM
#13
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That's a same.
I always wanted to stop by when they were in Arlington MA. I worked about 10min away.
Now I'm about 30min away from Woburn. I should go and say thanks in person for many years of a great product. There will be a hole left behind once doors are shut and the kits gone.
I always wanted to stop by when they were in Arlington MA. I worked about 10min away.
Now I'm about 30min away from Woburn. I should go and say thanks in person for many years of a great product. There will be a hole left behind once doors are shut and the kits gone.
10-04-2014, 07:17 AM
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Hey Yellow Aircraft. Why don't you take over? Since your the rep and have first hand knowledge of the product it would be a seamless thing for you to take it over. Just sayin.
Glenn
Glenn
10-04-2014, 08:19 AM
#16
Thread Starter
Glenn,
I sure thought about it but right now I'm just focusing on getting my life back together after this health stuff and continuing to build my own company/career in performing arts and arts education.
I sure thought about it but right now I'm just focusing on getting my life back together after this health stuff and continuing to build my own company/career in performing arts and arts education.
10-04-2014, 11:59 AM
#18
Thread Starter
10-04-2014, 04:51 PM
#25
Thread Starter
Guys,
I just had a great phone convo with a guy who was interested in a jet kit but originally wasn't inclined to get it from me. He was talking with another RCU member who advised him, "Just call Charles directly. Why would you go through a middle-man?" Now, full disclosure, the guy who told him that is still a little sore at me for calling BS on him in the forums once or twice with regard to some 'differences of opinion' on Y/A stuff, so I know why he would like to see me not make any commission. For everyone else, I thought I'd clarify a couple of things:
1. Except for a few smaller items (since I've sold out of my supply of smaller jet kits), I drop-ship from MA. Same place as if you ordered direct.
2. I'm not simply a 'middle-man' in the classic sense. I've been known to solve problems; broker a better Customer Service conclusion for people than what they were first offered (when they went direct); provide un-needed or extra parts out of my own stock free-of-charge; be involved with some testing and RnD; answer my phone at any time or hour my customers needed to call; maintain a site with PRICES; etc.
3. The shipping charge is THE SAME as direct. Neither Charles nor I add anything to what UPS charges.
4. The transit time is THE SAME as if you ordered from Charles.
5. The only difference is THE PRICE. I offer a small discount on all kits and always have. So, the 'middle man' saves you money.
6. No tax. If you're in MA, I save you the tax by being in CA. If you're in CA, I save you the tax by running the sale through MA.
On a lot of the items, the margin is only 10%. So I'm literally splitting the small commission with you. It's a bit higher on certain items, but you get the point. Usually, the commission just goes into my hobby account, but with my long illness and being out of work, every little bit matters right now. If you're going to order a kit, please go ahead and get it from me, ok?
Thanks.
I just had a great phone convo with a guy who was interested in a jet kit but originally wasn't inclined to get it from me. He was talking with another RCU member who advised him, "Just call Charles directly. Why would you go through a middle-man?" Now, full disclosure, the guy who told him that is still a little sore at me for calling BS on him in the forums once or twice with regard to some 'differences of opinion' on Y/A stuff, so I know why he would like to see me not make any commission. For everyone else, I thought I'd clarify a couple of things:
1. Except for a few smaller items (since I've sold out of my supply of smaller jet kits), I drop-ship from MA. Same place as if you ordered direct.
2. I'm not simply a 'middle-man' in the classic sense. I've been known to solve problems; broker a better Customer Service conclusion for people than what they were first offered (when they went direct); provide un-needed or extra parts out of my own stock free-of-charge; be involved with some testing and RnD; answer my phone at any time or hour my customers needed to call; maintain a site with PRICES; etc.
3. The shipping charge is THE SAME as direct. Neither Charles nor I add anything to what UPS charges.
4. The transit time is THE SAME as if you ordered from Charles.
5. The only difference is THE PRICE. I offer a small discount on all kits and always have. So, the 'middle man' saves you money.
6. No tax. If you're in MA, I save you the tax by being in CA. If you're in CA, I save you the tax by running the sale through MA.
On a lot of the items, the margin is only 10%. So I'm literally splitting the small commission with you. It's a bit higher on certain items, but you get the point. Usually, the commission just goes into my hobby account, but with my long illness and being out of work, every little bit matters right now. If you're going to order a kit, please go ahead and get it from me, ok?
Thanks.
