Support Your Local Hobby Shop?

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's...& yes I do...all things being fair... ...

I purchase my K&S brass & DuBro accessories & my radio control gear from my hobby shop as they stock it 
I purchase quality timber pannelling & rip it up in my baby Proxxon table saw

When I wanted to purchase a JMC3H [3cc] horizontal steam engine I contacted JMC in France & purchased it direct

When I considered purchasing a Saito Y2DR [9cc] horizontal steam engine I checked the WEB & found a few Australian suppliers of the Saito product @ about AUD$1300...but that was 2005 cost listings

Two Australian suppliers could not offer any comment on the diameter of the output shaft

So  .....I contacted a work colleague in Japan & asked for assistance

 ....this was my reply.....& I will post the actuals after.....as the page is too long....
Essentially I must purchase the Saito engine from my local hobby shop ….who does not stock the item
My local hobby shop must purchase the engine from the Australian importer who does not stock the product
The Australian importer must purchase the item from a Japanese distributor who does not stock the product
The Japanese distributor purchases the product from Saito who manufacture to order

So I have appealed to my Japanese work colleague to see if I can purchase directly from his company

A Saito Y2DR will retail for approx AUD$1500.00…but when I see three people adding say 30% to their costs for ZERO input I see Saito selling the engine in Japan for approx AUD600.00

________________________________________
From: Tetsuya Mizutani [mailto:t.mizutani@rasaco.co.jp]
Sent: Tuesday, 24 August 2010 11:21 AM
To: Derek Warner-Contract Facilitator
Subject: Re: Japanese Model Steam Engine - Saito T-Y2DR

Dear Derek Warner,
 
Sorry for my late reply !!
I was away from the office last week because of summer holiday.
 
I contacted Saito Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
Website of Saito is http://www.saito-mfg.com , but only Japanese version is available.
 
According to Saito, they have an exclusive agent / distributor in Australia.
Contact details of the agent are:-
 
Hobby Headquarters Pty. Ltd.
32/398 The Boulevarde,
Kirrawee 2232, NSW
TEL: 02-9545-1944
FAX: 02-9545-1340
 
Please try to contact the agent in Australia once.
 
However, Saito tell me that the agent perhaps doesn't have any stock of steam engine T-Y2DR.
Normally the steam engine is manufactured by Saito only after getting a firm order.
Saito advise me that delivery will be 2 months after receipt of order.
 
I don't know the reason, but Saito cannot sell their products directly to us.
Saito suggest me to try to contact their 2 distributors in Japan if necessary.
 
Anyway, I do hope that the information could be help for you.
 
With my best regards
 
Tetsuya Mizutani
Rasa Corporation, Tokyo
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2010/8/17 Derek Warner-Contract Facilitator <DWarner@berendsen.com.au>
Hi Tetsuya – as you can read, I am having great difficultly in obtaining price & delivery in Australia for a Japanese built model steam engine by Saito model is T-Y2DR
I previously communicated directly with a French manufacturer & purchased directly a French steam engine, but cannot find any WEB connection to Saito in Japan
I would greatly appreciate if you could help me with a contact in Japan….regards Derek
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From: Sales - H.E. Supplies [mailto:sales@hobbyparts.com.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 17 August 2010 9:00 AM
To: Derek Warner-Contract Facilitator
Subject: RE: Saito T-Y2DR
 Hi Derek,
 The wholesaler said “I don’t have a Y2DR in stock so I can’t check it out to answer your questions.” I am sorry but I cannot help any further.
 Regards,
Justin Bobir
 
H.E Supplies Pty Ltd
justin@hobbyparts.com.au
Ph: 07 3216 8166
 From: Derek Warner-Contract Facilitator [mailto:DWarner@berendsen.com.au]
Sent: Friday, 13 August 2010 11:09 AM
To: sales@hobbyparts.com.au
Cc: Derek L Warner Pty Ltd
Subject: Saito T-Y2DR
 
Hi - could I please ask a few questions
1. Cost & availability for a Saito T-Y2DR horizontal steam engine delivered FIS in Wollongong 2500 [NSW]
2. I cannot see a fly wheel fitted to the T-Y2DR in any of the WEB photographs’…..but all other Saito steam engines have them installed
3. What is the diameter of the output crank shaft?
I currently have a French JMC 3H [3cc] horizontal steam engine awaiting installation however this is too small, hence the need for the 9cc Saito
Regards Derek
 
Derek Warner
Contract Facilitator
Berendsen Fluid Power Pty Ltd
4-6 Brady Street,
Berkeley NSW 2506
P +61 02 4229 7333
M 0419409683
E dwarner@berendsen.com.au
W www.berendsen.com.au

[PeeWee]

Sounds like a total runaround your having.  sounds daft that Saito do not keep at least a couple in the supply chain.

good luck with your endeavours