Subject: SMML VOL 1702 Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 12:05:25 +1000 SMML is proudly sponsored by SANDLE http://sandlehobbies.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS INDEX 1: Re: household items for modeling 2: Re: Sending Money 3: Credit Card Payments 4: Re: Overseas payments 5: New Zealand 6: Cabot Flight Deck? 7: Credit Cards etc 8: Interesting items on eBay 9: Re: auction question -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX 1: For sale: ship kits -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject: Re: household items for modeling Rather than using film canisters for small parts storage, I use prescription bottles. With the label removed they're transparent, so you can see what's inside. I used to use the canisters, and was always opening them over and over to see what I had stored. Joe Poutre -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Bill Rowe Subject: Re: Sending Money Chevy Chase bank will issue "bank checks" made out to the account holder without a fee. I have had no trouble signing those over to a second party, in that instance the Commonwealth of Virginia. People might ask their banks what is the least expensive way to send funds. Bill -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: "Victor M. Baca" Subject: Credit Card Payments Interesting thread on credit card acceptance. A small hobby business pays the major credit card companies about 5% plus the monthly cost of leasing equipment to conduct transactions via phone line. For the cost conscious business person, the transaction can be made on a bank's toll-free number using a touch-tone phone. But, each manual transaction requires the seller to spend time on the phone, fill out a form the old way and run it through an impression machine. One copy goes to the buyer, one to the bank and the other is kept. A lot of work and paper filing for a small business person. The dealer must decide if accepting credit cards are worth the hassle and costs involved. In our case, we accept credit cards and pass on the bank's costs to our customers. I like the fact that I don't have to deal with bad checks or wait for payment--the transaction is completed smoothly and gets directly deposited into our business account. The customer gets his magazines, plans and photos sent out in the mail that same day, more often than not. A customer service toll-free number and a credit card acceptance operation can make the difference in whether or not the small hobby business gets the sale. Our toll-free line is always active and generates income, so it's worth the cost. The flip side for the customer is deciding whether or not that hobby purchase is worth the bank's interest rate in the first place. A heck of a lot of people are getting into credit card debt these days, so the answer must be, "yes." Victor Baca Editor & Publisher MODEL SHIP JOURNAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: SHIPMDLR@aol.com Subject: Re: Overseas payments I began accepting credit cards, e-checks, etc., several years ago and it has been just great for business here at Flagship Models. Folks from anywhere in the world can send me payment for their purchases using their credit cards or they can send me e-checks via Pay Pal. It was super easy and fast to set my company up with them and their charges per order are FAR less than what the card companies charge. I wouldn't be able to accept credit cards without Pay Pal because it just wouldn't be financially feasible due the cost of purchasing a machine along with their monthly fees as well as percentage charges. My clients love it (especially overseas clients) because they don't have to pay for conversion charges, money orders, checks or anything else using the Pay Pal system. As a matter of fact, Pay Pal doesn't cost the user one dime. They can place their order via the Internet, and I can verify receipt of the cash in my Pay Pal account and ship their items same day! All this without the client ever leaving their home. So if you do business over the web via a web site, Pay Pal is almost indispensable. Of course there are other companies that offer the same services, so anyone with a web site or an email address can set up an account. Rusty White Flagship Models Inc. Purchase on line with your Visa/Master Card/Amex/Discover http://okclive.com/flagship/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: "Kris Chaconas" Subject: New Zealand Just wondering how many "Kiwi's" are SMML ies? This is totally OT. My wife and I have planned a trip to Kiwi land in March of 2003, a month or so, Starting at Christchurch and all over, would be interested in knowing what nautical sights would be worth visiting or rather shouldn't miss. Please contact me off line so to keep the site uncluttered with non nautical stuff. Thank you, Jim Chaconas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) From: SeaPhoto@aol.com Subject: Cabot Flight Deck? I've seen either this item, or the guy has several pieces, pop up on eBay a couple of times recently: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2102161084 Is there any reason to think this wouldn't be legit? << It is not unusual for parts to be salvaged off a scrapped ship, and the seller has a good feedback rating. If you feel it is worth the money, go for it. I have several pieces from other ships and carriers, and it is kind of a neat thing to put on the bookshelf. You can even buy bigger parts of ships on eBay from time to time; I've seen many items from the old CF Adams class pop up in the last couple of years as those ships are finally stripped and scrapped. Kurt SeaPhoto Maritime Photography www.warshipphotos.com Order via our online catalog...now taking credit cards via Paypal Warship Models Underway www.warshipmodelsunderway.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) From: Subject: Credit Cards etc There has been many comments about small outlets such as myself not accepting "plastic" - Credit Cards. When I started my plans service I made enquiries at my bank. It seemed an ideal answer thought I. Overseas saales made simple. BUT - when I looked at the costs involved. I would do all the work for the bank and have my bills taken out of my account. A minimum cost plus interest on my efforts. LH Dockyard said it all. I try to keep my costs to a minimum, I usually pay the costs of airmail, and give 20% off for an order over £40.00. I have a job to break even. On three occasions now, customers have received empty postal tubes. (USA, twice and Germany). Here I have paid out to replace the lost order asap. I am a one man operation, and I try to make my mail service a priority. Orders printed and dispatched in four days or less. Is my answer to increase my product price? Sometimes I only get one or two single sheet orders a week, but it still costs me the same to travel to the printers, and packaging. My prices have remained the same for over three years. Its a good job that its my "hobby"! Yours "Aye" John Lambert PS But "Western Union" works too. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) From: paulship37@aol.com Subject: Interesting items on eBay DESTROYERS of the ROYAL NAVY 1893-1981 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1536903788 Maru Special #22 IJN Cruisers Suzuya, Kumano http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1536796525 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) From: "Andrew Jones" Subject: Re: auction question I cant speak as someone with knowledge on auction stuff... maybe to get a real opinion, I think there is a Cabot association or maybe even someone here on this group knows about the cabot... cuz whats not to say that is a piece of timber off your fence or something... I have heard so many things about fakes & fraud with online auctions etc... & I was always told if you cant see it for real, best think twice cuz it could be a fake,, but I guess you take our chance with any auctions these days ..be interesting to know its history... a cabot member taking a piece while on duty or after decommissioning or a scrapper yard empolyee looking to make a few dollars while the ship was being scrapped -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: "Poutre, Joseph A" Subject: For sale: ship kits I have the following that I have decided not to build: Lone Star Passaic class monitor $60 Airfix Fearless $10 Airfix Leander $6 Combrig Zhdanov (Sverdlov class command cruiser) $45 Monogram UH-1 Vietnam Army air ambulance 1/48 $7 (OK, so this one's a whirly-bird) All have been opened, all are complete, with perhaps some minor sanding done and a few bits off the sprues. (I'll confirm before shipping.) I'll ship USPS Priority Mail, which should be about $3.60 each, though I won't quibble over a dollar or so on shipping, except the Passaic is bigger and may cost more. Since I'm an individual, not a business, it would be easier for me to sell to someone in the US, money-wise, so if I get multiple offers, I'm going to go with the US buyer first. If you're overseas we may have to work out a trade instead exchanging money. Also, if more than one person wants one, I'll put the names into a hat and pick one at random, to be fair to all. Joe Poutre -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the SMML site for the List Rules, Backissues, Member's models & reference pictures at: http://smmlonline.com Check out the APMA site for an index of ship articles in the Reference section at: http://apma.org.au/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume