avicom

My Feedback: (14)

I will and send the half container to you.

Kelly Rohrbach

My Feedback: (1)

The old price system that showed just the model with no gear and parts is what you show the wife to sell her on the project.
I'm sure you can buy all the parts one at a time just like you can on any BVM go fly price sheet.

avicom

My Feedback: (14)

Thanks Kelly,

With BVM we can buy different options or the complete GO-Fly. And all price option are in the same simple paper sheet.
What I'm trying to understand is that the way it looks now in the SM-USA page is like buy it all or leave it all, there is no more price option visible to split the buy. Just one shot the Go-Fly.

Alex

CraigG

My Feedback: (40)

Now I like that!! LOL My wife has been getting suspicious of my undocumented 10%-of-real-price claims.

Duncan

lol it's not just me then, i told my better haf that my bobcat was a swap for a 50cc yak i had and that my new bandit rtf with a P120 was £1000

jet time

My Feedback: (75)

Sorry Jason, but according to Sung the prices are going up. As an "EX-DEALER", I was told I had to buy at least 6 kits to start and various parts. I put up $30,000 hard earned cash and 1 full year promoting Skymaster products. Then came the call 2 days before I left for Speedworld in AZ...."As of NOW, you are no longer a Skymaster dealer". What a lack of professionalism and care for the ones putting up there own money to promote a product and be forced out with NO warning. Pretty tacky guys....remember when Bob got "exclusive" to Aviation Design? Locked it up for the US and didn't sell a single kit. Let's not forget his relationship with Tam either. Mark my words...with BV involved the prices will go up and the ones that can afford and are buying Skymaster Kits will no longer be able to afford them. I guess 3% of the market is better than 50 or 60% you now have!
Good luck with it guys....I'm just going to sit back and watch.

Lowell Wexler
RC Jets Direct
EX-Skymaster dealer as well...

seanreit

My Feedback: (60)

I bought a couple of Skymaster Kits once, I was treated so horribly trying to get issues resolved, that I would never buy anything from Skymaster ever again. It is a pity that so many I respect, are involved with a company I so loath. Or is that Irony, I'm not sure.

RonLongAZ

My Feedback: (29)

Well than BVM becoming a distributor is a good thing for you Sean. Now if you ever want any Sky Master product you can buy it from BV and not ever have to deal with the people that gave you a hard time. I really think this move will raise the level of customer service for Sky Master. and bring some very nice jet ARFS to the market place for a reasonable price. My 2 cents.


Ronald R Long

Vettdriver

I'm quite suprised really.

There are "businesses" and there are "companies"
There are two organizations at play here and I used to consider them both "companies."

For arguments sake I'm trying to simplify this.
I also have the utmost respect for people who own their own businesses, so don't feel like I'm discounting what some of you may do for a living.

Lets say a "business" provides a product or service. We'll focus on products.
A "business" in this example is providing products as a retailer or a wholesaler but is not directly creating the product that they sell.
It is very difficult to seperate oneself from the other dealers/vendors and competition.
Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of people making good or even great money doing just this.

A "company" on the other hand is actually producing or manufacturing the product and then distributing it to a wholesaler/distributor or a dealer network.
This is how companies make money and secure their positions in the marketplace.
They create new products and bring them to the marketplace. They don't peddle someone elses wares and expect great returns.
After all, the company your representing is the one making the final dollar.

It is a question my company is facing now. As our current product/service set is very profitable the direction of our industry is in question.
Do wewe align ourselves with somebody already doing the "next great thing" or do we try and come up with our own.

I always considered BVM as a company.
It is my understanding that he has other business interests as well but this speaks more to a decision based on a self perception as a retailer.
If he is indeed lossing market share to the Chinese ARF's then why prop up his biggest competitor by selling his products.
Why not hire a person fluent in Chinese and go negotiate your own brand of ARF ?

I'm obviously not privy to all the facts but that's the question I want to ask.

lavi rider

My Feedback: (6)

Well all you people out there comments and great konwledge and memory in these past years when Skymaster started their sales in the US teach me one thing.....You have not sean the truth....while BV took all the R/D on his back to provide the ....well you guys the best of the best he can offer with a 100% satisfaction on a perfect product. With all question answered problems solved. ....so quickly forgot all the crashed and destroid models from this chinese manufacturer who was wise enough to make the R/D on your back and guess what you are happy about it...... there is this joke about a guy who puts a bet with his friend by saying that he will go in a bar and pee on the bartender himself and not killed by him doing that but the bartender will even be happy about it! ....he takes a bet of 1000$ ... so he walks in the bar and tells the bartender that he bet on 300$ he can pee in an empty glass of bear from 5 feet away. The bartender accepts the bet ..so the guy takes down his pants and starts peeing.....he goes wild he pee on the flor on the chairs on the table the bar on the bartenders face too....anywhere but in the glass. well he says youi were right I missed pays the smiling bartender his 300$ and walks out....gets his 1000$ from the other guy. You people are just like the bartender...you surly don't deserve people like Mr,Bob Violett.... by the way speaking of quality and uptodate Skymaster models
perfectly show how much people know about product design but doesn't matter a couple thousand more planes maybe it will get somewhere......you will be still smiling.

Nighthawk117

My Feedback: (41)

> To All My Valued Employees,
>
> There have been some rumblings around the office about the
> future of this
> company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the
> economy has
> changed for the worse and presents many challenges.
> However, the good news
> is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job.
> What does threaten
> your job however, is the changing political landscape in
> this country.
> However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which
> might help you
> decide what is in your best interests.
>
> First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts
> employers against
> employees, you have to understand that for every business
> owner there is a
> Back Story. This back story is often neglected and
> overshadowed by what you
> see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside.
> You've seen my big
> home at last year's Christmas party. I'm sure all
> these flashy icons of
> luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
>
> However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY:
>
> I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived
> in a 300 square
> foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living
> apartment was converted
> into an office so I could pu t forth 100% effort into
> building a company,
> which by the way, would eventually employ you.
>
> My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every
> dollar I spent went
> back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with
> a defective
> transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times,
> I stayed home on
> weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying.
> In fact, I was
> married to my business hard work, discipline, and
> sacrifice.
>
> Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week
> and made a
> modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They
> drove flashy cars
> and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer
> clothes. Instead of
> hitting the Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion
> item, I was trolling
> through the discount store extracting any clothing item
> that didn't look
> like it was birthed in the 70's. My friends refinanced
> their mortgages and
> lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time,
> my money, and
> my life into a business with a vision that eventually,
> some day, I too,
> will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly
> had.
>
> So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am,
> mentally check in at
> about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don't. There is no
> "off" button for me.
> When you leave the office, you are done and you have a
> weekend all to
> yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat,
> and breathe this
> company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is
> no weekend.
> There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached
> to my hip like a
> 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see
> the fruits of that
> garden the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations...
> you never realize
> the Back Story and t he sacrifices I've made.
>
> Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made
> all the right
> decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the
> people who didn't.
> The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel
> entitled to the same
> luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life
> for.
>
> Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price
> I've paid is steep and
> not without wounds.
>
> Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and
> employing you, is
> starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and
> let me tell you
> why:
>
> I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I
> don't pay enough. I
> have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and
> use taxes.
> Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment
> taxes. Taxes on
> taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes
> and then guess
> what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government
> mandates and reg
> ulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now
> occupy most of my
> time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for
> $288,000 for
> quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus"
> check was? Zero.. Nada. Zilch.
>
> The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the
> economy? Me, the guy
> who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves
> over 2,200,000
> people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single
> mother sitting
> at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her
> next welfare check?
> Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic
> stimulus of this
> country..
>
> The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your
> paycheck you'd quit and
> you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you?
> That's nuts. Who wants to
> get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree
> which is why your
> job is in jeopard y.
>
> Here is what many of you don't understand .. to
> stimulate the economy you
> need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly
> government mandated
> to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what?
> Instead of depositing
> that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have
> spent it, hired
> more employees, and generated substantial economic growth.
> My employees
> would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form
> of promotions and
> better salaries. But you can forget it now.
>
> When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you
> don't defibrillate
> and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to
> life, do you? Or,
> do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of
> America and
> always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not
> kill it.
> Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor
> of America are
> the essential drivers of the American economic engine.
> Nothing could be
> further from the truth and this is the type of change you
> can keep.
>
> So where am I going with all this?
>
> It's quite simple.
>
> If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my
> reaction will be swift
> and simple. I'll fire you. I'll fire your
> co-workers. You can then plead
> with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and
> your child's
> future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more.
>
> Then, I will close this company down, m ove to another
> country, and
> retire. You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country
> that penalizes the
> productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to
> work and to
> provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my
> citizenship.
>
> So, if you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of
> the economy; it will
> be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through
> this country,
> steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its
> landscape forever.
> If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach,
> retired, and with no
> employees to worry about.....
>
> Signed, THE BOSS



As a business owner I thought this was a good read !!

uncljoe

My Feedback: (8)

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????

Joe C

My Feedback: (23)

Nighthawk117,
Good post, and I am sure the things you are saying is true, but what does your post have to do with radio controlled jets, remember one thing, I know we all hate paying taxes, but we still live in the best country in the world, and let someone on these forums tell me otherwise. Good luck in your new country. Joe C!!

lavi rider

My Feedback: (6)

Don't bother understanding ......by the time you finish you cookie you'll forget what it was`all about .

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Joe,
I don`t think it is his words, just a copy of an email he got from someone??

V..

Nighthawk117

My Feedback: (41)

Joe, I did not write this, it was emailed to me. As far as moving to another country, you are way off base on that one!!! As far as having to do with RC jets, manufacturing is the backbone of this country and when its moved offshore it affects alot of people, watch the news. Have you ever thought that BVM is having a hard time competeing in this market due to this ?? Eric

Nighthawk117

My Feedback: (41)

Thanks V

Joe C

My Feedback: (23)

Ok, no problem Eric, I do understand what you posted.

Icemanjr92

My Feedback: (73)

Hey Rex....
Its not shocking news at all in a realistic world. However, interesting news for modelers all around the world to hear.
Will be interesting to see how the modelers take this all in.
Also EX Skymaster Dealer now

Gordon Mc

My Feedback: (11)

I'm not in any way justifying the manner in which prior dealers were treated or notified, since I don't know all the details in order to reach a proper conclusion on that topic ... but one thing that I do find quite interesting here, is a number of people now identifying themselves as EX-Skymaster dealers, who I don't recall ever having identified themselves in their signatures etc as being Skymaster rep's/dealers in the first place.

The above isn't not aimed at any one person BTW – just a general observation.

One ex-Skymaster dealer previously complained about all of the shills on RCU ... seems that half of them were previously Skymaster rep's / dealers but that that was "OK" at the time somehow, and now suddenly it's not… ? I guess it all depends on whether the shills are on your side or not.

[edit: fix typo]

rbxbear44

My Feedback: (86)

Dino ma man!
I have both BVM and SM products and love them equally. I never really GET nor LIKE the "history and politics" side of the RC world. Heck, when folks were trashing Frank Tiano last year after FL Jets, I was amazed at how mercyless people can be (had to make sure I was reading about a hobby!). I have run large events and deeply appreciate guys that do what Frank does...regardless of wind and what is said at a banquet. With BV and SM...and with you Dino...to me, it's about people more than anything! When I call Jeff or Jason at SM, it's not just about prices and parts...we hang out and chat too. When I call BVM and speak with Patty or Bob, it's not just about product during the whole conversation. Point is, it's about people.

The only thing I hate to see happen is you guys loosing your dealerships this way. Eric Clapp is a close friend of mine and so are you. I can tell this has hurt others too. Hopefully, it will play out over time to everyones advantage. Good luck and see you soon.

Rex

Adil Nasim

My Feedback: (61)

I wish I can be half as good of an analyst/observer as you Gordon... You always amaze me.

Regards,

Adil

seanreit

My Feedback: (60)

Adil, did you loose your deal too?

Hemidriver

My Feedback: (14)

I got a quick question for you guys. The chat has been back and forth regarding the axed dealers and BVM. Everyones has there own opinion regarding BVM and his business practices, I might not like him but I respect him for the product he produces or has produced. Most jet modelers have had some experience with Bob at one even or another or have flown one of his jets or at least have a buddy that has one. My only consern is the way this all went down. If BV wanted to be a dealer thats great but cutting out all of the east coast dealers and trying to soak up most of the central region is a bit greedy. I also hurd that there was a list of specific names in the state of texas, (which is Jet Aces central region) that BV had exclusive rights to sell to regardless of the regions and regardless of the customers opinion of whom they want to buy from. I saw that Jet Aces has posted a letter like BV did with the announcment about there regional district or whatever you want to call it. I saw that BV made a map up to outline his region. I feel that is a bit tacky. If someone wants to buy from bv more power to them. Even if its west coast, central, or east coast I could careless. But if they are in his region and dont want to by from his than I bet you that BV is going to be pissy if then go somewhere else. I fear that this whole thing will drive up prices and down the customer service. Ok Im done venting. The question, I was on skymasters website and there are two other dealers listed besides RCI and BVM. Jet Aces and Detail 4 Scale. How do the regions divide up between the 4 companies if BV is the easter half of the country?

Adil Nasim

My Feedback: (61)

I don't know LOL.. I never was a dealer but more of a helper/demo pilot..

I have not heard anything so I'm not sure. I like their product so I fly them. I also have other manufacturer planes as well..

Adil