Folks,
This week, I out-ran my log train (supply train). So, I coiled my tanks (formed a defensive circle, all guns pointing outward) and am waiting for the support units to catch up. I have a lot to share about this event, so, come on and I’ll give you all the details.
MY WEEK IN REVIEW
This was a very busy week for me. On the domestic side, Tuesday, I had to go to town with BB; Wednesday I had to go to the vet with Chip, one of our schnauzers; and Thursday, my in-laws came to visit. Since these three things happened in the middle of the day, normally, they would have destroyed my week in the shop. Not this time! I also managed to keep up with the sales and finish 21 new masters! Plus, I still have some of Karl’s stuff I need to release. So, as I say, I out-ran my ability to keep up with the support efforts that go along with making the masters and molds for new items.
OUTSTANDING ORDERS
As of Friday afternoon, I have 5 outstanding orders. All of them came in within the past 48 hours. Two are waiting on new molds, so, if you ordered anything for the jeep or CCKW, you are waiting on molds. The other 3 orders just got caught by bad timing. However, everything should ship Monday.
NEW RELEASES
This is going to be touch. All told, I have nearly 30 items waiting to hit the market. There is no chance I can get all that done today. In fact, I don’t think I can finish writing up the new listing pages and taking the pictures to go with them by the end of today. So, what I have decided to do is hold the new releases until Sunday. Then, I will put out several items I have been promising to customers. These will be ‘by request’ products that should still find use with you super-detailers. I will also put out as many of the German armored car masters as I have time to finish publishing. Watch for this Sunday afternoon.
Everything else will keep until June 5 or later.
ON THE BENCH
I am starting to get to the larger parts of the armored cars now. I am working on the seats, canvas shield for the engine screen, and other items like this. As I have been saying: I will not let go of this subject this time — not until I run the thing to ground. I want TMD to be the be-all, end-all for German armored car details.
KARL VAN SWEDEN
I spoke to Karl today. The M10 driver’s compartment is finished! The master should be in the mail next week. I am not sure what he will do next, but I know he has been working on the AFV Club M113 ACAV driver’s compartment 😉
THE SHOP
The shop is still in good shape.
THE OFFICE
Here, we have a problem. The US Post Office is going through some sort of crisis. They have started dropping first class shipping to some countries where I have been shipping for years. In addition to this, they keep raising their rates. This is not entirely due to poor management (or, rather, not the management you’d suspect). A little known secret is that Congress meddles with the Post Office — BAD! This is part of the reason that things are in such a mess — but only part of it. All I know is this:
If things get much worse with the US Post Office, I may have to raise shipping rates to cover it. I might also lose the ability to ship to some countries. I am doing my best, but there are limits to how much I can cover and still stay in business. Sorry.
THAT IS ALL
OK, that’s all I have for now. So, until next time, please stay safe and take care of your loved ones. If you can, try to build something (preferably something using TMD resin).
Joe
Good luck, Joe. Control what you can and prepare as soft a landing as possible to survive what you can’t control. I understand where you’re coming from, but please remember that Congress isn’t to blame for everything, and that our prevaricator in chief hasn’t exactly helped the Postal Service by taking out his pique against Jeff Bezos on them.
Don’t know about you and BB, but up here in NC it’s getting and staying so wet that towels never dry, and plants are wilting from too much moisture and fungus. Stay safe and well.
Christopher,
Oh, I know there is blame enough to go around. Just got frustrated when I discovered that Congress uses the post office as a hidden form of taxation on the every day user while subsidizing their corporate buddies — including Amazon. They are killing us little folks in the process, and I am starting to wonder if it isn’t intentional >:-[
As for the weather: well, if I could, I’d take some of your rain. We have had 5 inches in the last week or so, but also, 5 inches in the last 6 weeks! We’re in a drought, but due for some rain this weekend.
I’ll keep doing the best I can to be a good steward of TMD and then just trust the rest ot God 🙂
Stay safe, my friend.