"POSSIBLE" catalog page format

This is a continuation of a discussion about a possible “downloadable” catalog, we are having on the “discussion” page.  Can’t post pix there. Just thinking how a catalog page might look.  Comment, if you wish.  Nothing is in concrete.  I know the pix have shadows and the footprint is too light, just trying things on for size and layout.

Comments

[Steven]

This is an excellent description page of this building. Including photos and a schematic layout of the demensions allows the customer a way to not only see the finished building but also to see the footprint as well. Excellent job

[Gael]

I very much like the idea of a catalog with plenty of photos, dimensions, and a building history. The photos are what grab me, and a little history adds to it. We not only "just" build models of buildings, we also become a "preservationist" of sorts, but on a miniature scale. Yes, all this information, including pricing, is a great idea. Gael

[Dana]

An excellent idea and great mock-up of a catalog page. I like the multiple views, the dimensioned footprint, the information on historical context, availability as part of a disk (or not as in the case of the example), and pricing. All good. Well done.

[John]

Looks great! You sure hit the nail on the head. One thought, you might want to consider a seperate page for pricing.

[Bill]

Dave, this is exactly what I had in mind for a catalog. Love it, one sheet to a structure. I envision printing out the entire catalog and putting it in a three ring binder for "armchair reference". I think you have caught all of the required elements, multiple pictures of the structrue, description and brief history, footprint, availability (disc or download), available scales, and pricing. You might consider starting an e-mail list. Receipants would subscribe to your list and you could send out periodic updates when major announcements were posted on the web site, such as anouncement of a new structure or a new disc. When a new structure is announced, or a change to an existing structure (such as the anticipated Cream City Tool Works in scales other than HO), you could send an announcement to the list and attach a new or modified catalog page to the e-mail. That way your loyal customers will always be kept up to date.

[mel perry]

dave: conceptually, a catalog should not only be used for sales, but for references purposes, so that a person
buying one of your products has a beginning, to start with, so pictures of all four sides should be included for
the beginner, that being said, what is wrong with the current "model" page?
mel

[Dave]

As far as I knoe thers nothing wrong with the "Model" page othere then It doesn't have all of the models. we are working on that.

[marc]

Dave and Thom,i think the layout is brilliant,pricing definately on a seperate page,because then folks could become Ambassadors for your site,with a printed album to show folks at shows/venues,must admit when i was showing my Traction layout people where amazed that they were paper/cardstock structures,and when they asked gave them the website details,but to take an album of pictures to meetings and shows would be a really good assett,as they say.Just an idea gents,all the best Marc.

[Playmobil Construction]

I admit, I've been a fan of your works. I love how unique they are and to think that they are just simple structures, they can capture minds.

[Dave]

Thanks Marc. we'd love to see some pix of your layout. I'm working on some traction cars for a future release.
We definatly need everyone to be "ambassadors" for card modeling. We have been playing with the idea of asking users if they would be interested in being distributors. basically helping us place kits in clubs, local hobby and craft stores and earning a commission. we cant get everywhere we need to be. Wonder how people would think about that.

Thom

[Roger]

I like the look of page, answers all my questions and helps with planing layout.

[Gael]

Hey Thom, your comments about card modeling ambassadors is an interesting idea. In my personal experiences, people are amazed when they see a built-up card stock model. I don't tell them right off that they're looking at a card stock model, just let them look at it for a few minutes, then tell them it's made out of paper. Everytime I do that, they are totally in awe. And, I agree with them. The first time I discovered card stock models via Paper Creek, and built one myself, I was hooked. So, my point is that these types of models are easy to woo converts, once someone sees an actual built-up model. I think that local histoy museums would be a good place to sell kits of actual buildings. As
I said in a previous post, we're preservationts, in a sense, when we build a model of a historic building (or one that's been torn down, but not necessarily historic). Local model RR clubs is another place to show off built-up models, as you mentioned. Local libraries may have a display case to show off a card stock model. I recently showed the Beattie's Grocery test build at a Friends of Gilroy Hot Springs event. The "friends" is a preservation group in the process of doing restoration work on historic buildings at the old hot springs resort. That's my 2 cents worth . . . .
Gael

[Dave]

Gael, the more people we can convince who are actual model builders the less the chance that we will go the way of Paper Creek.
I can't put too fine a point on this. without the good will and advocacy of our users we would be invisible. I'll share a story. We are distributed by Walther's. You might think, wow big bucks there, well no. First they don't buy more then a couple hundred disks a year and of those they get a huge discount, More then half off. Now on top of that they have a nasty habit of copying our designs in plastic. That's right, there are plastic versions of several of our kits that suspiciously appear in their catalog. Most recently they released a copy of our "Akron steel" they call Union crane and shovel (our kit has been out for almost two years) and this isn't the only time. They also brought out a very inferior set of card stock kits. You'd think they would buy them from us or contract us to design them, No.
So to get off the soap box, We need you guys to spread the good word and if you have a desire to compete with Walther's, well make you a great deal. Get your local shop or club to order and we will give a commission.

[Dave Miecznikowski]

Well everyone, your response has bee overwhelming, to say the least. I guess we have a winner here. I think the only change will be a separate pricing page. That will make price increases (HA HA just kidding) easier. I will begin rolling these out as quickly as I can, but it won't be overnight.
Dave

[mel perry]

well if you know that walther's are crooks, why deal with them in the first place? there are various e-sites for various scales,
where you can either list or show your products for free, try "groups.yahoo.com" and browse through the various sites

[Dave]

Mel. Point taken. We are all over the net. I spend a considerable time every day checking many MRR news groups, blogs, online communities etc. We even go outside the rail community and reach out to crafters and gamers. There are still more to be discovered. I am even creating products that have nothing to do with trains. It all takes time and time is money. I am a freelance graphic designer and animator. I don't have a guaranteed income. When times are tough like they are now, art work dries up. This is all about building CM into a way to make a living and support our families and sad to say after 8 years it can't do that. I do this because I enjoy designing kits and get a kick out of seeing how people use them. The survival of CM is driven by pride not money. We know the product is good. We know that if we can get them in front of people they buy it. We are really touched by all the support we DO get from you guys. If we cross paths at a show some time I'd be happy to talk more about it.
The big W is the 800lb gorilla. We can't fight them, Might as well take their money.

[Dana]

Thom,

You know I am a supporter and customer, but I do want to let you know that Walther's 'Union Crane and Shovel" is just a reissue of their older Dayton Machine Compamy which was sold as a completed model for some time. If I recall correctly I first saw it in 2006, and the Dec 2008 flyer that I have filed has it listed. It looks like the only thing they changed is the sign.

I love you guys but I no more want Walthers to go out of business than you. You provide outstanding models and scratchbuilding material. Walthers provides a host of hard to find items that just aren't widely available today. But I am nothing if not loyal to those who keep our hobbies alive, and always make any order from Walthers through my local hobby shop (where I used to buy your texture pre-papers). The couple of dollars extra it may cost is worth all the support that Hobby House has given me over the years.

I know it is frustrating dealing with a corporate entity such as Walthers but mayhaps you are gaining exposure through their catalog and given their offerings are so limited, I hope it encourages readers to seek out your website.

Dana

[Dave]

Dana, not trying to start a flame here but I was aware of the Daton mascine built up. It came out a year after we released Akron tool.
Akron...Dayton, oh come on. Not all but many of the products walthers carries are from small cottage businesses like ours.
they do offer a wider audience then we could hope to gather on our own but it's not free. they charge for the catalog space., Its like a company store if you get into debt with them your lost forever.
Im just bitchin the built their business and thats a tough task you have to respect. We just hoped for more support from them rather then competition.

[Dana]

Thom,

Understood. I hadn't realized how long your Akron kit was out. My job has involved lots of dealings with commercial developers and suppliers so I know that dealing with them can sometimes be taxing at best. Sounds like Walthers has carved out a sweet niche for themselves where they get the supplier to provide the product at a drastic discount and then turn around and charge them for the marketing. Still, they have their place.

I was also struck when looking into this that I don't have any idea what your kit looks like. Its not in in your models section and I you don't have pictures up of the material included on your disks. I did take steps to remedy that yesterday by ordering your Brick and Mortar Industrial Buildings disk as well as your Textures disk. I was holding out buying the disks hoping you would eventually offer your complete catalogue for download but felt it was important to back up words with money. The Brick and Mortars disk was also the only one that I hadn't already purchased one or more of the buildings included, plus of course it has the Akron kit.

You guys do great work. Keep it up!

Dana

[Dave Miecznikowski]

Dana,
If you go to the "Buy Discs" area and then to the O Scale area then scroll down to the experimental display of the Brick & Mortar DVD, you will see one of the two versions available. It is the one with the Greenish, arched roof. The other version (older version) has the peaked roof with side windows. Both are on the disc.
Dave

[Dana]

Thanks Thom,

I'll be watching my mail in anticipation!

Dana

[marc]

Hi Thom,thanks for the comments about "Ambassadors",when i go home next will take some new pics,but since i'm out here in Oman going to see if i can do a small shelf layout,or box file layout.Paper creeks now havent heard them for a while and sad to see they're are no more,as i have some of there papers,one of them i wish i got more of was there laser cut shingles,really good,and i liked the way they did there Tar Paper and Corrugated sheet,meaning the layout on the paper,and shape especially roof ridge for corrugated sheet.As all ways keep up the good work and look forward to seeing the Traction models.Marc