Nova Cat Pre-Order Closed

Yup.  We hit the mark.  The pre-order is closed.  All further purchases will be at the full retail price. As always, thank you very, very much to all those who support the production of these kits.  

On another note, I need to post pics of the Templar.  It is coming along but is more difficult than I first thought it would be.  I have also started the Woflhound commission.  That one should be cool and will probably be kitted. 

Nova Cat and other thoughts

Still trying to get to 15 paid pre-orders on the Nova Cat.   I had another thought...I could knock this out pretty quick.  Awesome anyone?

Nova Cat Pre-order is live!

Nova Cat pre-order is going LIVE! I am planning on plaques for the first 15 paid pre-orders. These plaques will be like the ones for the Atlas, Loki, and Owens regarding size and material. Cost on this is going to be $130 plus shipping for the first 15 paid pre-orders. After those first 15 paid pre-orders, the pre-order will be closed and further sales will retail at $140 plus shipping. Just send me and E-MAIL requesting an invoice at Battlemechmodels@hotmail.com. Image is of the prototype. The production version will differ slightly with increased detail and improved shoulder joints.

Next Project

Guaging interest....how many of you would buy a Nova Cat?  Price would be under $150.  Please leave a comment.

Last Atlas

I have one final Atlas from the production run.  No more are going to be produced...this particular kit is one I held for a customer who promised to pay and after months of excuses I am done holding it for him.  If you are interested, it is $180 plus shipping.  E-mail me if you want it....

Sagittaire Cancelled

I am going to have to cancel the Sagittaire pre-order.  After 350 page views here and the 50 or so people on the private FB page, there have only been six people who have expressed interest in the kit.  To make a run viable, I need a minimum of 15 paid pre-orders.

Below are some thoughts related to some questions I have been asked about producing mechs.

First, this is a hobby more than anything. I make kits for ME unless they are a commission piece. If it is a build that gets enough attention, I will kit it.

Second, pre-orders generally sort themselves out in a couple days. They may not be paid pre-orders but they will be things like, "I am in...I just need a couple weeks." There is usually no point in keeping them open for weeks if no one communicates any interest.

Third...there are a core of you out there (you know who you are) who would buy a flaming piece of shit on mech legs if I made it. Your support has always humbled me beyond belief but you should not feel "responsible" to make sure these kits see production. And there have been a couple out there who have offered to pre-order multiples if it would help. Thank YOU!

Fourth point relates to point three. Most casters don't like to make a set of molds and then cast only 10 kits. Molding and casting takes a lot of time and money. They need to make money too and are not going to make it only making molds and then casting 5 mechs here and 5 mechs there. Usually, they like to do around 30 but I can occasionally get them to do 20 with another 10 to be purchased in the near future. Sagittaire...only 6 firm and a maybe.

Fifth....almost every time I have squeaked out a pre-order, I end up with stock on my shelf for months and months. I still have Bushwhackers on the shelf...and all that stock on the shelf is money I could have put into another mech. Heck, I have about $1000 in stock just sitting here and that has made me gun shy. I can't bring myself to do it again with the Sagi.

Sixth...financing. Usually, when I sell a run of mechs I make a bit of profit. Nothing to live off for sure, but enough to roll over into financing the next kit or restocks of the popular kits. The Fafnir fiasco hurt. Not counting labor...I lost money on supplies, shipping, PayPal fees and I still have nothing to provide the guy who originally commissioned it. Also, think of the time I spent putting into a wasted effort. All that time could have gone into another project. In the past when things got tight, my wife would toss me some funds from our "fun" budget...but with the two surgeries, the bills from them, and being out of work for the better part of 4 months there is just no way I can justify taking funds away from the household to make kits that will probably just sit here.

Seventh...I hate doing these damn clearance sales. To me it is unfair to those who originally pre-ordered at a higher price only to see them selling for 30% less a year later. It just rubs me the wrong way.

All that being said, I am sure I will do the Sagittaire at some point. Jimi has already started the molds so there is that...it just is not happening at this time.

Sagittaire Update

We are off to a slow start...seems to be a theme.  There needs to be about another 5 orders to make this a reality.