Now here's some interesting news

A new Modelgun / Replica Retailer's started a business here in the UK

Take a look here http://www.plugfirecapgunsuk.com/index.html

Should be worth taking a good long look at and making a few enquiries

Now theres something i thought i'd never see

Any idea who/where/why/what

To All

I will quickly let those of you know, who do not know already, it's me!

I know JohnnyV and PFCGUK will be "associated" on the forum but I will not use the forum postings to directly sell, I just hope to continue to use it as a place where I can just enjoy my hobby, hopefully the number of forum members will grow as a result of all this, which can only be a good thing!
There are many reasons for starting this business, PM me if you want the full story
For now I will just say thank you to all those that have helped with advice and support!!

best wishes to you all hope between us we can keep the dream alive!!

JohnnyV

Good luck, John, and well done.

Let me know if I can be of help.

JJ

Good Luck John, it's great to see you up and running now

You'll know what a keen and enthusiastic bunch of potential customers we are and I'm certain we all wish you well.

Good Luck

Nice to know that there is an extra adress for us, model gun enthousiasts!
I'm just a bit surprised by some of the prices of the pre-owned items and I think other forum members will understand what I mean.
So I also hope that items which are for sale on this forum (most of them for very reasonable prices), will not all be bought to sell them further, because that would do our hobby no good...

Excellent! This could be useful for me in the future.

By the way JohnnyV, how were you able to start this business? I mean what procedures did you have to go through to be able to buy and sell RIFs? I'm wondering because I wanted to set up a Film Production/prop rental company in the near future and I don't know what documents I need to allow me to buy replica guns. Is it a simple case of registering as a film production company or do I have to get a certain type of insurance? I'm at University studying Film Production so I'm wanting to go into the film industry.

Hi,

PM me and let me know what Uni course your on and I will try to steer you in the right direction

cheers

Thank you all very much for the feedback
I was torn between answering / not answering...........

But since direct points have been made / questions asked I will respond as best and honestly as I can.

Quote:

So I also hope that items which are for sale on this forum (most of them for very reasonable prices), will not all be bought to sell them further, because that would do our hobby no good...

I hope coincidence has not made you think that I have purchased many items from the forum (even though it is peoples right to sell to who they like) as taking just one item for example, the Kodusai Python, the one on our site was never on this forum.
In order for the model gun market to expand again in the UK it has to grow, as many posting on the site say the hobby is declining, when compared to aisoft, de-acts etc.
My business will not grow unless the market expands, nor will model guns as a hobby, or the forum.
I believe this new business can only be good for the forum in the end, I guess I understand what some of the members are trying to say, but with "closed" attitudes the hobby will never expand, good for some to get cheap guns in a closed market, but not good for modelguns in general, and that's what were all here for.

Quote:

New shop makes sense if it has a new source of supply and thus it can provide either better pricing, or can source exotic models. Jay buys directly from Japan, Francky and Shazhib obviously also source everything directly. Unless the new shop has a direct sourcing, I do not see how it will be cheaper or more interesting for our group. From that point of view the new shop does not change much.

I will not comment on other suppliers, I respect them to much.
Initial stock was the key to get this business started, and because we have got it started, we do now have access to direct sources of stock in Japan. These sources could not have been accessed as an "individual" only as an operating business). So yes, direct sourcing where appropriate, and more interesting to people who have not yet discovered "our group".
As for pricing, When you take into account delivery charges, all of the items on our site are priced competitively and we stand by them. Please feel free to compare us and buy from your chosen supplier.
I understand the personal comment on the price of the UZI, this is subjective, (personally I think its a great buy and worth the money, when you compare it against other poorly performing guns available for same amount) also please remember that that price potentially includes 15% VAT for me to pay and 21% corporation tax for me to potentially pay.

Quote:

Will you use them to directly buy and resell in your shop?

If I can help someone to dispose of anything they no longer require at the price they are asking, and they don't mind, of course?, just as I will help them to find anything they do require but cannot source elsewhere.

Anyway, I have been honest! Lets just hope someone who had not heard of modelguns before sees the press adverts, finds the website, is taken by the Uzi, buys it, finds the forum, tells his mates its a good thing, and off we go!!!

Once again, A very big thank you for all the encouraging emails and replies.
best regards to everyone on the forum
John

Id suggest that the Governments VCR act put paid to any ideas of the hobby expanding in the UK chap...


Id say that since Oct 2007 the UK market has shrunk by 80%

and you should also take time to read up on another UK "retailer" that had a go at importing and selling replica guns ( albeit blank ones ) without doing the proper checks / hoop jumping and I do believe he is now at her majesties pleasure .

as well as some of his customers getting that unpleasant early morning knock .......

buying stuff from here in order to retail it and thus depriving the forums members the chance of a cheap deal isnt exactly cricket either.

DOC

Hi Doc,

I know what you mean..Spent the last 4mths working with the police and Home office (including home visits!!) ensuring that I avoid the knock at the door! Proper checks must be done, that way there is no problem, No room for error!!

Smootik said

Quote:

EDIT: above assumption is based on sellers not knowing about that. Of course sellers are absolutely free to do whatever they want with their models

I have always made situation clear, I am honest and clear in any transaction.

I've also been torn between responding here or not, but I think I should now.

A new Retailer has opened up here in the UK, something I didn't think I'd see in a long long time taking our VCRA legislation into account.

This new company will be facing stiff competition from MGCUK here in the UK, Modelguns-Worldwide in France, and of course from Francky and shazhib in Japan.
Personally, I'm looking forwards to seeing how this company gets on, can they be competative What will after sales service be like Will accessories and consumables be readily available
If this Company delivers, then I'll be glad to have them, if they don't deliver, then I'll not be spending my money there. It's that simple really.

If items on the shelves are too expensive, I won't buy them, I'll buy elsewhere. We've all got that choice.

Every single member here has their right to their opinion, and rights to express them, but
please let's not shoot the guy down before he has a chance to get started and please let's not appear to be getting into arguments about this, especially with him directly

As an observation, if you look at Modelguns for sale on dealer's websites, the majority are pre-owned. Some of the more desireable models are up to 40yrs old and have probably passed through a few owners' hands. Business being business, most of those transactions would've made somebody a profit wouldn't they
It wouldn't be the first time I've seen a modelgun sold, only to reappear on this same forum with a higher asking price either

Let's just be grateful that a new dealer's opened up for business, things would be a darn site worse if one of the few left closed.