Model Factory Hiro Kits, where do you buy?

[greg]

Oct 7, 2024 15:36:25 GMT -5 dupes said:

Poked around at MFH for a few minutes...is it typical that so little of their catalog is in stock?

I'm glad you asked that, I've been wondering the same thing.

We can both look forward to hearing what the seasoned MFH folks have to say about this.

To further complicate, it appears that with some out of stock items you are able to submit a request of notifications if/when back in stock or avail for special order....and some not.

This is all bad news for me because I have become a real nut-case going after hard-to-find stuff and/or stuff I'm afraid will go out of stock.

[kyledehart5]

Oct 7, 2024 15:36:25 GMT -5 dupes said:

Poked around at MFH for a few minutes...is it typical that so little of their catalog is in stock?

Pretty much Yes. They are very much a small family company. My vague understanding is something like this…A vast number of their sales come from preorders. They announce a kit is open for preorders. People do that until it sells out. They might do a second run after the first if it sells out quickly or maybe repop one of their old kits out of the catalog but it’s always very small numbers in the grand scheme. What’s in stock is usually just the leftovers from whatever their last run was. Those molds will be shuffled off somewhere and they’ll run their next kit. So you have to pay attention to their releases and if you want something order it now. 

[greg]

Oct 8, 2024 6:20:34 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Oct 7, 2024 15:36:25 GMT -5 dupes said:

Poked around at MFH for a few minutes...is it typical that so little of their catalog is in stock?

Pretty much Yes. They are very much a small family company. My vague understanding is something like this…A vast number of their sales come from preorders. They announce a kit is open for preorders. People do that until it sells out. They might do a second run after the first if it sells out quickly or maybe repop one of their old kits out of the catalog but it’s always very small numbers in the grand scheme. What’s in stock is usually just the leftovers from whatever their last run was. Those molds will be shuffled off somewhere and they’ll run their next kit. So you have to pay attention to their releases and if you want something order it now. 

Maybe not exactly what I was hoping to hear, but very good to know nonetheless. Thanks, Kyle.

[2whl]

Oct 8, 2024 9:27:23 GMT -5 greg said:

Oct 8, 2024 6:20:34 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Pretty much Yes. They are very much a small family company. My vague understanding is something like this…A vast number of their sales come from preorders. They announce a kit is open for preorders. People do that until it sells out. They might do a second run after the first if it sells out quickly or maybe repop one of their old kits out of the catalog but it’s always very small numbers in the grand scheme. What’s in stock is usually just the leftovers from whatever their last run was. Those molds will be shuffled off somewhere and they’ll run their next kit. So you have to pay attention to their releases and if you want something order it now. 

Maybe not exactly what I was hoping to hear, but very good to know nonetheless. Thanks, Kyle.

Kyle has pretty much explained the situation.  I've been buying MFH kits for 10+ years and I have seen a greater and greater demand for their kits.  When they first started doing the kits in 1/12th scale, the kits would be in stock for 6 - 12 months before they were sold out.  But as more kits appeared in built form, modelers started taking notice of them.  Now the kits will sell out fast.  If they release a new kit nowadays, you have to jump on the pre-order bandwagon.  The first production run of the Daytona Coupe was used up in just the pre-orders.  MFH had to do a second and third run to satisfy demand for that kit.   

[greg]

Oct 8, 2024 13:05:28 GMT -5 2whl said:

Oct 8, 2024 9:27:23 GMT -5 greg said:

Maybe not exactly what I was hoping to hear, but very good to know nonetheless. Thanks, Kyle.

Kyle has pretty much explained the situation.  I've been buying MFH kits for 10+ years and I have seen a greater and greater demand for their kits.  When they first started doing the kits in 1/12th scale, the kits would be in stock for 6 - 12 months before they were sold out.  But as more kits appeared in built form, modelers started taking notice of them.  Now the kits will sell out fast.  If they release a new kit nowadays, you have to jump on the pre-order bandwagon.  The first production run of the Daytona Coupe was used up in just the pre-orders.  MFH had to do a second and third run to satisfy demand for that kit.   

Thanks for expanding on the situation, Paul. Always best to be an informed nut....er, I mean consumer. Right?

[moparman18064]

I think their kits are amazing, my mortgage doesn’t. I will stick to modifying kits at this point.

[greg]

Oct 8, 2024 15:44:17 GMT -5 moparman18064 said:

I think their kits are amazing, my mortgage doesn’t. I will stick to modifying kits at this point.

 

I hear that. I had no business ordering mine, really. I have been looking at MFH with curiosity for several years and finally just couldn't control myself.

[arcticwolf]

Oct 8, 2024 15:44:17 GMT -5 moparman18064 said:

I think their kits are amazing, my mortgage doesn’t. I will stick to modifying kits at this point.

I'm too old to go looking for a new wife. 

[greg]

Oct 8, 2024 16:33:20 GMT -5 arcticwolf said:

Oct 8, 2024 15:44:17 GMT -5 moparman18064 said:

I think their kits are amazing, my mortgage doesn’t. I will stick to modifying kits at this point.

I'm too old to go looking for a new wife. 

Your comment made me think about an old pilot joke. I suspect it is generic and is used for different things, boat owners, etc. Allow me modify it for us model nuts....

Fella is talking to his local hobby shop owner, tells him "I have good news and bad news." Shop owner asks, "what's the bad news?". Potential buyer says "My wife says there is no way you are buying that kit". Salesman says, "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I know you really wanted it". Potential buyer says "Not to worry, my new wife says it will be no problem".