Hornby - The End.25 Dec 2016 19:18
This is probably why Hornby are in their current predicament..... And why they will not survive. I bought a Hornby "Tornado" train set for my son for Xmas. I also dug out my old Hornby "Flying Scotsman" Engine (which still works some 30 years on) from when I was a boy. The difference between the two is startling: the "Flying Scotsman" from 30 years ago is built with quality parts, feels substantial, and is robust. By contrast, the latest model is flimsy, is made from the cheapest plastic imaginable, the metal connectors and couplers are made from the thinnest plastic/metal they could possibly get away with. The power unit is appalling... Then it looks like they employed a Management Consultant company to try and cut costs even further. This latest offering was sold as a Premium product! What a shame, and what an appalling product. Just reminds me of other companies I.e. chocolate manufactures who reduced the weight of their products and introduced cheaper ingredients, whilst raising the price and spouting nonesense about improving "the experience". The only thing Hornby are living off now is their Brand and their perception of quality. The company will not survive long selling exceptionally poor quality products such as the one I just bought. I expect a lot of disgruntled parents will be returning a huge quantity of purchases this year, which will have a massive impact on the Companies financials. I was going to buy shares here on a recovery.... but I don't think they can recover - they do not have a "fit for purpose" product anymore. STRONG SELL.
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