Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hi guys,

Having taken advantage of the three day weekend to catch up on recent orders and sort out the last remaining headaches, I've been putting some serious thought into what to do next.

I'm a firm believer in the adage that "if a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well". However, the fact is that, of late, we haven't done nearly as well as I would like, not only in getting orders out in a timely fashion, but also in terms of getting new kits done, especially the long-awaited Land Raider variants, and also doing the videos, etc.

When I started the site, my then employers weren't actually providing that much employment, and not much money either! But I was able to grow it at a steady pace and it was only when I introduced the starter kits that it really exploded. Now I'm working in a job that pays me almost ridiculously well, but makes much greater demands on my time.

The Manufactorum is never going to make money and it takes a considerable investment of time to do everything that needs doing. However, I really enjoy doing it, so I don't want to just let it fold.

So... here's the plan...

I intend to take a little time over the next few weeks to really rehash things. My initial round of banner ads on Dakka has run its course and I'm going to hold off on renewing that for a few weeks. I'll be happy to fulfill whatever orders come in by other means, but I'm not going to solicit additional orders until I have all the proverbial ducks lined up.

I REALLY need to find someone, preferably local to me in the San Fernando Valley, who can do a decent job packing kits and magnets for a few hours a week. I'll pay them decent money, but it's a long, long, way from being a full time job.

I also plan to make a significant investment in increasing the level of stock that I carry. At the moment I generally have about 10,000 magnets in stock at any given time. It sounds like a lot, but it's nowhere near enough, especially since the success of the starter kits.

I'm also hoping to outsource more of the kit parts. I've already had K&S Metals cut special sizes for the Flying Base and Land Speeder kits, and I've now had them do the same for the Small Flying Bases, which seem to have taken off of late. I also need to find somewhere that can cut the acrylic parts accurately for a reasonable cost.

There are a number of other things I'd really like to make happen, like the "Barrel Buddy" that some of you have "beta tested". I'm confident that's a real winner and that the considerable investment needed to make that happen is worthwhile.

So, the long and short of it is that within the next few weeks you'll see a revitalized Manufactorum, faster turnaround, some new goodies. The slight downside is that I suspect I'm currently selling a number of magnet sizes at a loss, so there may be some rejigging of prices, but nothing too outrageous.

As always, I'm truly grateful for the support I've found here on Dakka. If anyone does have unresolved problems, comments or suggestions, do PM or email me.

Good to hear things are going well. Good luck with becoming an employer.

There's another order on the way, but there's no rush on that one.

BloodQuest wrote:

.....
I'm also hoping to outsource more of the kit parts. I've already had K&S Metals cut special sizes for the Flying Base and Land Speeder kits, and I've now had them do the same for the Small Flying Bases, which seem to have taken off of late. I also need to find somewhere that can cut the acrylic parts accurately for a reasonable cost.
.........

Might www.s6engineering.co.uk be able to help?

Koppo wrote:Might www.s6engineering.co.uk be able to help?

I'd have thought the shipping of bits from the UK to the US before even being made into an order would price them out of the market. He'll need/want someone much more local to him in order to cut down on costs.

On a different note, it's good to see BloodQuest growing his business. I've only ordered once so far, but the service was excellent

@Ian - should be with you well before your move!

To be honest, I don't think it would be worthwhile for the S6 guys. Hope to find someone to take it on, though!

As a quick aside, if anyone who has previously ordered the Small Flying Bases (separately or as part of the XV8 kit) would like the new machine-cut brass parts to replace the old hand-cut aluminium ones, drop me a line and let me know how many you need, and I'll be happy to send you some.

Does anyone know if BloodQuest is still around/in business? I placed an order about a month ago on his site, but haven't heard anything from him. Thinking I may have to file a Paypal claim...

I've seen several other posts from other people that they successfully filed their paypal disputes. At this point it looks like the way to go.

Like Catyrpelius said, you're not alone. I filed my dispute recently. It's really a shame...I was looking forward to getting a bunch of these kits.

I was too late to file. Mine may have just been a postal issue, but with this too, too late.

Is the ad still active on Dakka? How do the Mods handle issues with advertisers?
There's nothing on The Manufactorum website to mention any issues, or possible delays to orders.

On the upside, I had him email me, refund the amount AND still send me the product.

He seemed like a pretty cool guy to me but just very busy.

Best of luck in getting a happy result(hopefully for all involved).

He was handling my postal issue, but then went off-the-radar.

There was fore-warning of a shedload of day-job work coming his way, and it may just have gotten a bit out of hand.

I also had to file with paypal (i placed an order at the end of august). Never heard a peep from him. Too bad.