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Just got an e-mail from Associated this morning
Here is a link to the notice
It seems that they are now charging for their discounts and sales to be visible.

I just can't see anyway this as a good thing, and judging from the wording on the webpage they have no idea how to make it a good thing.

This is foolish. I think they just changed the Dealer link to "Members" and changed it to a fee based link.

The Graphite is a rip off.

I'm out on these reres already and not going to look back.

OG parts are cheaper now, so that's a plus. This is "Erectric"

Subscription based price model, AE (Thunder Tiger) is going all in... Bummer for anyone selling AE product, this is a pretty crappy approach and subverts loyal vendors and hobby shops.
Also not sure how a "$0.99" invoice turned into a $1.99 charge on my charge card...

duckhead wrote: ↑Thu May 15, 2025 3:23 pm Also not sure how a "$0.99" invoice turned into a $1.99 charge on my charge card...

Damn inflation... everything costs twice as much now.

duckhead wrote: ↑Thu May 15, 2025 3:23 pm Bummer for anyone selling AE product, this is a pretty crappy approach and subverts loyal vendors and hobby shops.

Associated already did that in the USA by selling direct at the same prices the shops were selling them rather than listing them at MSRP. Buying direct from them should be the last resort after you have tried all shops.

terry.sc wrote: ↑Thu May 15, 2025 7:35 pm Associated already did that in the USA by selling direct at the same prices the shops were selling them rather than listing them at MSRP. Buying direct from them should be the last resort after you have tried all shops.

100% I have purchased all my ReRes from hobby shops, even though I have had to wait longer, just so I haven't had to give the retail markup to AE. I would rather support the shops than give AE everything.

Companies love "recurring revenue", especially if they don't really give you anything for your money.

morrisey0 wrote: ↑Thu May 15, 2025 7:46 pm I would rather support the shops than give AE everything.

How much stronger would the hobby be if more people thought that way.

The only good thing about manufactures selling retail directly is it keeps the prices down, 'cause a shop can't price gouge you for $700 if AE is only asking $400. (remember those days?)