ansman racing to stop racing division

[DCM]

OK, lets get some things straight... Ansmann is not an RC MANUFACTURER, they are a RESELLER, what I mean is, they don't actually MAKE their cars and speed controls, they rebadged/box and shift units. They have obviously realised that there are far more profitable lines of business in Europe and gone with them. It would be a problem if they had invested in moulds, designs etc, but hadn't, all manufacturing is carried out by Team C for their racing products.

As for the letter, I read that as a public release, customers of Ansmann are well within their rights to know that their supplier is ceasing supporting their product and gives them plenty of time to find alternative suppliers for spares.

[mark christopher]

just to clear some things up.

i recieved the letter early yesterday and pondered till after lunc on what to post. i decided to just post some info which was challenged, leaving the only option of showing the facts.
i feel for those loosing thier jobs, on the other hnd when microtech and other good uk model shops closed there was plenty of gossip before anything factual came out (and people lost thier jobs then). posting the letter prevented any speculation.
thank you to those who have shown support, it will not please everyone but i will continue to post news on rc as and when i recieve it.

[Neil Skull]

In such a situation, There are 3 steps in sequence once a decision is made what should be done.

1. Inform the staff
2. Inform the Shops (customers)
3. Inform the End Users customers

This is to give everyone direct communication and support to answer any questions face to face before the general public are made aware.

In this country people love to Gossip and some people make a living out if it.
Mark if you going to be a Paparrazi for Jimmy then that's ok business, but you need to make yourself known as that in your sig!! Just remember some news is upsetting when its released and if you are doing it out of the sequence as above you will lose friends in this business. Informing public is good, but in advance and causing concern to some is not.
You have been fortunate to get direct information on this as someone in the Business.
A good Pap would have called Ansmann asking for an official Press release.
You could have made it the exclusive first then everyone would have respected you for letting all know the "official statement".

The way you have done this is what upsets people Mark.

[racingdwarf]

I think not, but as has been said, teamC will fit, I always found wheels from ansmann to be quite expensive compared to the rest of there products.

[Skye]

Originally Posted by Neil Skull

A good Pap would have called Ansmann asking for an official Press release.

Seriously?? Since when do the Paps ask permission for anything....

"Excuse me m'lady, would you mind awfully if I photograph you topless with the future king of England and publish the pictures for the world to see?"

Not Likely.

Journalism is cut throat, they trample all over people in search of the latest story. Often they over step the mark in their pursuit of a scoop. Think phone hacking etc.

In this instance I dont think Mark has done ANYTHING wrong. Had he tapped up Ansmann phone lines and listened in then that would have been different. But seeing as he had been sent by them a formal letter of notification then I am pretty sure staff would already have been told. In which case then following you 1,2,3 then the only people left to be told were the end users. Which Mark did.....

[Neil Skull]

"Journalism is cut throat, they trample all over people in search of the latest story. Often they over step the mark in their pursuit of a scoop. Think phone hacking etc."

I agree but who wants to be the person that does that?

How many of the paps that chased Diana and Dody would you want as friends? how many of the phone hackers are considered friends in this small community?

Mark is seen by many here as a friend.
His intention was good but as always with Mark he could have handled it better.

[budfish]

I think mark has done the right thing. If went and bought a ansmann car today to find out that news tomorrow I'd be really pi**ed off. As for job losses have you all been living on mars???? 50% of the workforce in this country are worried about their jobs so what? But does that stop itv news reporting on job losses? No

All of you stop being so touchy if ansmann distributed quality instead of crap this wouldn't be happening. Ansmann may have got a lot of guys back into racing with the cheap rtr buggys but after said racer does a couple of meetings he soon realises what a brittle piece of crap ansmann buggys are and goes and buys a kyosho or ae

[DCM]

Isn't this all getting a little out of hand. Mark may or may not of jumped the gun, but by the looks of the posts, staff were informed, shops were informed, Mark was just passing it on to the final link in the chain. Nothing more.

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by Neil Skull

In such a situation, There are 3 steps in sequence once a decision is made what should be done.

1. Inform the staff
2. Inform the Shops (customers)
3. Inform the End Users customers

This is to give everyone direct communication and support to answer any questions face to face before the general public are made aware.

In this country people love to Gossip and some people make a living out if it.
Mark if you going to be a Paparrazi for Jimmy then that's ok business, but you need to make yourself known as that in your sig!! Just remember some news is upsetting when its released and if you are doing it out of the sequence as above you will lose friends in this business. Informing public is good, but in advance and causing concern to some is not.
You have been fortunate to get direct information on this as someone in the Business.
A good Pap would have called Ansmann asking for an official Press release.
You could have made it the exclusive first then everyone would have respected you for letting all know the "official statement".

The way you have done this is what upsets people Mark.

disagree. i followed steps 123 in your order, the letter is address to cutomers. not shops end use is a customer, if i buy i kyosho am i not your customer?

the letter is as official as an official anouncemet can be. and if you think ansman thought it would not get out into the public domain you are mightly disolousioned

the only people on here upset seem to be thier staff, but im sure keith robertson was just the same when the news went up on here about microtech before there was any confirmation. (not started by me)

soon as jimmy has done some more work to the site i will get a news hound tag..

oOple Is the place for latest news/gossip/info, thats what makes it so popular, and long may it remain that way

[Welshy40]

Originally Posted by racingdwarf

I think not, but as has been said, teamC will fit, I always found wheels from ansmann to be quite expensive compared to the rest of there products.

Ive been informed today CML do an almost exact design so when the stock runs out for Annsman I will buy from there. I knew this day may be coming but wasnt expecting this to happen so soon. Gutted.

[DCM]

James, Team C make the Ansmann wheel's, so why not just buy the Team C ones?

[ryanlownie]

All I see here is someone wanting to be first to post some big news.

[FrogPrince82]

@Mark Christopher - I have been in a similar situation to yours and unfortunately you are in the position of messenger, which is always the person who gets it in the neck from everyone on both sides. So I wouldn't feel bad for the dscision you made as I'm sure it wasn't made lightly.

@Everyone else - At the end of the day, for those buying the cars and running them, this is a hobby and Ansmann have assured there will still be aftermarket care for their products. For the people involved in the selling and production of the products, it is their jobs and their lives that are affected so I think that needs to be remembered.

There is never a "good way" to break this bad news, but considering everything apprears to be officially sent out, Mark is only passing on information that Ansmann were happy to release. All we can hope is that Ansmann did the correct thing of notifying all staff before they sent this information to people outside of the company.

Until you have personally been in the situation that Mark, and the Ansmann management, have been in it is very difficult to pass judgement on how it has been handled so I feel personal attacks (based on speculation and assumption) are uncalled for.

I feel this thread was designed, in good faith, to pass on the information involving Ansmann to the people who use their products so lets please keep it that way.

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by Ry @ JE Models

All I see here is someone wanting to be first to post some big news.

that would be the idea of being on a site that likes to give out news as soon as possible..
had ansman have said they were investin millions and taking on 50 staff the news would have got posted, like wise if i had not somone else would have...

[Neil Skull]

I would like to draw a line underneath this.
I don't have any major issue with Mark, maybe its a misunderstanding.
I do feel sorry for any one losing their job especially this time of year and i know most of the guys at Ansmann Racing. I would have prefered bad news be done properly but its done now!!!!

I understood this.
The Letter went out to all customers of Ansmann that means shops and few drivers who get direct. I guess Mark falls into the latter.
Its a generic letter that likely should not have gone to driver accounts.

Mark, if you drive a Kyosho you are not my Customer you are the shops customer unless i supplied you direct!!!. This is always confusing in retail where a customer is perceived to be the end user.

I did not think this letter was to be published as an official statement. otherwise it would have been titled as such! Ansmann need to make one to Clarify to there customers. Its there responsibilty to do this quickly after the first 2 steps have been done.

The point to Mark is i guess he has been given products as a sponsored driver/user in the past, hence he got the letter, maybe you have to be a bit more diplomatic to the people who have looked after you rather than dropping the bomb, remember some of these guys will remain in the business and you may help from them in the future.

Do you remember when we lost Nova Rossi Mark??
You was the first to spread the Bad news as always even though we was supporting you at the time.
And when we got it back who did you ask again for help!!!
I would have thought you would have learned lol!!!

[Frecklychimp]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

just to clear some things up.

i recieved the letter early yesterday and pondered till after lunc on what to post. i decided to just post some info which was challenged, leaving the only option of showing the facts.
i feel for those loosing thier jobs, on the other hnd when microtech and other good uk model shops closed there was plenty of gossip before anything factual came out (and people lost thier jobs then). posting the letter prevented any speculation.
thank you to those who have shown support, it will not please everyone but i will continue to post news on rc as and when i recieve it.

Posting the news you received in that letter is fine as a journalist... you are reporting relevant news connected to the industry... a good journalist would have contacted Ansmann Racing for confirmation of facts and ask permission to publish the 'story' before doing so to prevent ill feeling and making sure facts are facts... that letter or some of it's contents could have been a mistake for example!

You were challenged by an upset employee that you were spreading rumour and gossip... you didn't have to rise to this publically but fair enough for defending yourself... publically challenging you brings it's own questions and opinions too!

The displaying of the letter just to defend yourself is what i have issue with, it's an unprofessional and trashy way of dealing with things and doesn't look good for yourself or oOple for allowing it.

it is a business letter between Ansmann racing and it's customers (they do not sell direct so model shops/resellers etc are their customers not us as general public consumers). Realise that model shops own the stock they hold and buy from the distributors/brands to resell rather than being a dealer or agent.

If you buy an Ansmann from a model shop you are the model shop customer, not Ansmann's, you are an Ansmann brand consumer... did everyone that owns a madrat etc get that letter?

you were out of order publishing that unless you had direct permission, its actual contents were not the business of oOple or it's users and it wasn't a press release plus the actual contents were not intended for public view, by doing so you could have caused trouble, whether the letter has sensitive content is down to the opinion of it's copyright (the person that wrote it!)

If a company decided you have damaged it's reputation, customer confidence, business relations or sales directly etc by publishing something then they have the right to take legal action against you for doing so

you could also upset other companies/brands related, they could lose trust in oOple if there is a possibility trade communications will be broadcast in this way.

learn from it and move on, i have confidence that you will do a good job of oOple Journo... just be careful when defending yourself!

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by Neil Skull

I would like to draw a line underneath this.
I don't have any major issue with Mark, maybe its a misunderstanding.
I do feel sorry for any one losing their job especially this time of year and i know most of the guys at Ansmann Racing. I would have prefered bad news be done properly but its done now!!!!

I understood this.
The Letter went out to all customers of Ansmann that means shops and few drivers who get direct. I guess Mark falls into the latter.
Its a generic letter that likely should not have gone to driver accounts.

Mark, if you drive a Kyosho you are not my Customer you are the shops customer unless i supplied you direct!!!. This is always confusing in retail where a customer is perceived to be the end user.

I did not think this letter was to be published as an official statement. otherwise it would have been titled as such! Ansmann need to make one to Clarify to there customers. Its there responsibilty to do this quickly after the first 2 steps have been done.

The point to Mark is i guess he has been given products as a sponsored driver/user in the past, hence he got the letter, maybe you have to be a bit more diplomatic to the people who have looked after you rather than dropping the bomb, remember some of these guys will remain in the business and you may help from them in the future.

Do you remember when we lost Nova Rossi Mark??
You was the first to spread the Bad news as always even though we was supporting you at the time.
And when we got it back who did you ask again for help!!!
I would have thought you would have learned lol!!!

ahh so thats it!!! a little contradictory dont you think?

i have never been given/sponsored by ansman what so ever, so now you are spreading false claims by guessing!..


anyway news is news im off to look for more!

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by Frecklychimp

Posting the news you received in that letter is fine as a journalist... you are reporting relevant news connected to the industry... a good journalist would have contacted Ansmann Racing for confirmation of facts and ask permission to publish the 'story' before doing so to prevent ill feeling and making sure facts are facts... that letter or some of it's contents could have been a mistake for example!

You were challenged by an upset employee that you were spreading rumour and gossip... you didn't have to rise to this publically but fair enough for defending yourself... publically challenging you brings it's own questions and opinions too!

The displaying of the letter just to defend yourself is what i have issue with, it's an unprofessional and trashy way of dealing with things and doesn't look good for yourself or oOple for allowing it.

it is a business letter between Ansmann racing and it's customers (they do not sell direct so model shops/resellers etc are their customers not us as general public consumers). Realise that model shops own the stock they hold and buy from the distributors/brands to resell rather than being a dealer or agent.

If you buy an Ansmann from a model shop you are the model shop customer, not Ansmann's, you are an Ansmann brand consumer... did everyone that owns a madrat etc get that letter?

you were out of order publishing that unless you had direct permission, its actual contents were not the business of oOple or it's users and it wasn't a press release plus the actual contents were not intended for public view, by doing so you could have caused trouble, whether the letter has sensitive content is down to the opinion of it's copyright (the person that wrote it!)

If a company decided you have damaged it's reputation, customer confidence, business relations or sales directly etc by publishing something then they have the right to take legal action against you for doing so

you could also upset other companies/brands related, they could lose trust in oOple if there is a possibility trade communications will be broadcast in this way.

learn from it and move on, i have confidence that you will do a good job of oOple Journo... just be careful when defending yourself!

please read the post made by somone in the legal trade...
as has been said the letter was not personal/marked confidential and a mail shot ( not even to named parties) ansman would know this would get out, hence why they promote the other side of thier company.

[racingdwarf]

The letter really that important? some smaller shops probably have it taped to the counter by now for customers to see to clarify the situation. I would hope that anyone who worked within ansmann would have been informed of a job loss before the shops knew with a far better letter than what was posted on here! that letter is basically an announcement to all ansmann suppliers that ansmann are to stop making cars and pursue other interests,they have prob produce hundreds so it's far from personal.

The bigger issue for the hobby is the loss of some great entry level cars, yer a driver whos only interested in the A final, the top heat and what they get from a days racing, not worried about clubs and numbers may well think the cars were crap an sniggred at any new driver who turned up with one,But ansmann filled a hole left by tamiya, they were a fantastic,cheep entry car, that looked like a B4 or in the case of the mad monkey an X6, and with a better idler gear fitted and a set of schumacher tyres you could get people going round a track very well.and make them catch the bug before the cost factor put them off. I just hope That teamC or someone else can fill those boots. .Ansmann is quit a loss for our hobby in my view, it was a great car for getting people hooked, then they will go out and buy the big guns from losi,kyosho,AE etc etc

[Frecklychimp]

Originally Posted by mark christopher

please read the post made by somone in the legasl trade...

Seriously, wake up!

If you had just done that to my company that turns over 50 million squids a year i would be talking to solicitors and taking action just to cause you some discomfort!

i can claim to be an expert in anything and type anything on a forum, doesn't mean it's accurate or ethical either... upsetting people in a small community only goes one way... against you!

stop giving people reasons for attacking you and you won't need to defend everything you type on here in the name of being controversial!