topspin

The last radio system I know of that was made in the USA was Kraft and I think they folded somewhere around 1980. Futaba has never been made here nor are any of the other high end radios like JR and Hitec. ll of them are made in Malyasia now becuse they have cheap labor and most of the IC's used in production are also made there thanks to Texas Instruments, Fairchild, and Motorola.

Labor markets have been shifting since WWII and since the 1990's China had the lowest cost well educated labor force along with other factors like no environmental restrictions to increase production costs. There are other countries being eyed by big industry many in South America. The only thing holding back that move is the instability of governments in those countries.

There are still a great many fine products made here in the US if you are willing to look but the truth is that many of the components are made in other countries. Last year I decided to give Ford a try and bought two new Fords, a truck for me and a car for my wife. Even though there is a sticker on the windshield of my truck that says made in Detroit with Attitude, a lot of the electronics are made overseas and the wiring harness comes from Canada.

We live in a global economy and the days of heavy industry being confined to any single country are over for good. Even China gets components from other countries so not everything that is made in China is made with 100% Chinese parts. That's just the way it is.

As for buying American, I don't really care where something is made so much as the quality of the product and the service and customer satisfaction that comes with it.

That is why I buy from American hobby stores and distributors as much as I can. I choose the quality and they provide the best service. My LHS is a little higher but they also provide top notch service and I know that if the commmunity supports them they will be there when we need them. I am also helping to feed their families and educate their kids, that's what communities do.

bchapman

I couldn't agree with you more. Very well said.

Brian

Oregon Craig

I've never had a sad one, but we digress. Okay, ya got me.

Surfermark

In summary I was thinking about this from business perspective. Hobby King has had an impact on the RC hobby market, influencing other hobby retailers in several ways such as:

1. Price Competition
Impact: Hobby King is known for offering products at lower prices, often directly from manufacturers or under their own branding. This pricing strategy has put pressure on other hobby retailers to lower their prices to stay competitive.

Example: Traditional hobby stores, especially smaller local shops, have had to reduce their margins or offer discounts to compete with Hobby King's pricing. This has sometimes led to financial strain or even closures of smaller shops that cannot match the low prices.

2. Product Availability and Variety
Impact: Hobby King offers a vast range of products, including unique items and hard-to-find components. This wide availability has pushed other retailers to expand their product lines to keep up with consumer demand.

Example: Retailers like Tower Hobbies and Horizon Hobby have increased their inventory diversity, offering more products across various categories to attract customers who might otherwise turn to Hobby King.

3. Online Retail and E-commerce Influence
Impact: Hobby King’s success as an online retailer has accelerated the shift from brick-and-mortar stores to e-commerce in the hobby industry. Many traditional retailers have been forced to enhance their online presence and improve their websites to compete.

Example: Companies like Horizon Hobby and Tower Hobbies have significantly invested in their online platforms, offering features like detailed product information, customer reviews, and easier navigation to match the convenience of Hobby King's online store.

4. Influence on Branding and Private Labels
Impact: Hobby King has popularized the concept of private-label products in the RC market, offering Hobby King-branded items that are often cheaper than name-brand equivalents. This has prompted other retailers to develop their own private-label products to maintain market share.

Example: Horizon Hobby has developed its own brands like Spektrum and E-flite to offer proprietary products that differentiate from those available at Hobby King, aiming to create brand loyalty and control over product quality.

5. Global Market Access
Impact: Hobby King's international reach has opened the global market to consumers, offering access to products from different regions at competitive prices. This has forced other retailers to consider international shipping and logistics to remain competitive.

Example: U.S.-based retailers like Tower Hobbies have started offering international shipping options and have set up distribution centers in different regions to serve global customers more effectively.

6. Customer Expectations and Service
Impact: The challenges Hobby King has faced in customer service and shipping have also impacted other retailers. Hobby King’s reputation for these issues has set a benchmark for other companies to emphasize better customer service and faster shipping to attract customers.

Example: Horizon Hobby has focused on providing superior customer service, with more robust support teams and better return policies, to distinguish itself from Hobby King and capture customers who might be dissatisfied with Hobby King’s service.

7. Market Consolidation
Impact: The competitive pressure from Hobby King has led to some market consolidation, with larger companies acquiring smaller ones to pool resources and compete more effectively.

Example: Horizon Hobby’s acquisition of Hobbico in 2018 was partly driven by the need to consolidate resources to compete against online giants like Hobby King.

Hobby King's influence has been profound, driving innovation and competition, but also creating challenges for traditional retailers who have had to adapt to a rapidly changing market landscape.

...Surfer Mark

flyboy2610

My Feedback: (1)

You realize you are replying to a thread which has lain dormant for 10-1/2 years?

init4fun

Yeah, but, shills gotta shill, , , it's what they do, it's in their genes....

Joseph Frost

Apparently, HK is back in business in Australia, after logging in yesterday to see what's avail, there was nothing avail I was after, showing avail in US or EU, No TX.