JnJ going out of business ?

[sirenwerks]

Fortunately we still have Plano and GMM as well.

Unfortunately, Plano's not had a new N release since they started (it seems) and GMM suffers from the same problem JnJ did - over-reliance on word-of-mouth. GMM also is loathe to make new releases. JnJ at least was busy with new releases.

[Mark5]

Unfortunately, Plano's not had a new N release since they started (it seems) and GMM suffers from the same problem JnJ did - over-reliance on word-of-mouth. GMM also is loathe to make new releases. JnJ at least was busy with new releases.

My comment was a response to

Jeez, all those boxcar walks no longer available.

Both Plano and GMM make boxcar walks 40 and 50 as well as others.

I still want JNJ or the parts thereof to continue being offered.

[TrainCat2]

Jeez, all those boxcar walks no longer available. This would fit TrainCat's product line pretty well. Hey Bob!...

Pass . . . mathematics don't lie.

[GaryHinshaw]

The appearance of this thread a few weeks ago is what prompted me to learn enough CAD to try made-to-order etching myself, with the intention of posting the artwork for others to use. 

While it's somewhat macabre, I wonder if JnJ would be willing to share their etching artwork, since they're apparently not making any worthwhile money on it.  At least that portion of the product line could be kept alive by people who wanted to order their own from an etching shop.  This may be the only viable business model for specialty items like this in our scale.

-gfh

PS. Of course I'd be thrilled if someone wanted to buy JnJ and carry on with it.

[sirenwerks]

Hmmm, Jamie was talking about placing the electronic files of his structures in an online depository for other users of the craft cutters. Perhaps Railwire would be a depository for such files, and possibly the electronic files for the etchings too, should JnJ not sell them and would be willing make them publicly accessible.

[TrainCat2]

Doubt it. They have an extensive amount of Stock on-hand. What you suggest would be counter productive in finding a buyer.

[sirenwerks]

I wasn't suggesting they do it before exhausting their potential to sell. That would be silly, as you noted. I meant should they not be able to unload the business.

[TrainCat2]

Well,

JnJ is selling all of their inventory at 50% off, people who would buy the items normally in the future are now scarffing them up in an anticipation of the "Sunrise shortages". IIRC Dealers are no longer ordering since JnJ is selling at 50% off direct and anyone who wants to carry on the line is now asking the simple questions . . . "why would I buy it under these circumstances ? Where will the future sales come from ?"

There is a collective shaking of heads in pure preponderance. The business is quickly driving itself to a short sell to recover expenses and just slipping away. I know of several people that would have be interested in the artwork masters, but not with the inventory being dumped. So Bryan, instead of expecting someone to percure the artwork or having it become public, maybe you should just go get what you want at a discount like the others.


 

[jmlaboda - RIP]

Before everyone pannicks themselves to death you need to remember that most of J-n-J's detail parts are by Miniatures by Eric and will remain available.

[Mark5]

Before everyone pannicks themselves to death you need to remember that most of J-n-J's detail parts are by Miniatures by Eric and will remain available.

Are you saying Eric will be offering the vast number of items that JNJ offers? Eric only offers a small fraction of the stuff that JNJ does.

[MichaelWinicki]

Well,

JnJ is selling all of their inventory at 50% off, people who would buy the items normally in the future are now scarffing them up in an anticipation of the "Sunrise shortages". IIRC Dealers are no longer ordering since JnJ is selling at 50% off direct and anyone who wants to carry on the line is now asking the simple questions . . . "why would I buy it under these circumstances ? Where will the future sales come from ?"

There is a collective shaking of heads in pure preponderance. The business is quickly driving itself to a short sell to recover expenses and just slipping away. I know of several people that would have be interested in the artwork masters, but not with the inventory being dumped. So Bryan, instead of expecting someone to percure the artwork or having it become public, maybe you should just go get what you want at a discount like the others.


 

Wow... Not the best strategy for trying to get a business sold.

[jmlaboda - RIP]

"Are you saying Eric will be offering the vast number of items that JNJ offers? Eric only offers a small fraction of the stuff that JNJ does."

J-n-J's detail parts, fans, plows, headlights, etc., are all done by MBE and have always been.  The brass passenger car sides in turn are done by Athabasca Scale Models, though I would doubt that Athabasca will be offering reruns of these as a part of their regular line.

[Mark5]

Does Eric do all the etched stuff like all weather cabs, sunshades, and all that stuff?

Also, I thought Eric was himself having issues that might put him out of the parts game as well (I hope not!).

[jmlaboda - RIP]

"Does Eric do all the etched stuff like all weather cabs, sunshades, and all that stuff?"

Unfortunately, no.  Don't know who did these for J-n-J but it may have been Athabasca since they did do the passenger car sides.

Really sad in a way to see J-n-J closing... I was concerned when the original owners announced that they were getting out of the business but was glad to see someone else acquire it... hopefully this will be the case once again.