"We regret to inform you that ZTC Controls Limited ceased sales, support and servicing of its series of DCC train control products on 30th September 2008."
He has handled it very badly IMO, you don't just withdraw support for a product unless you closedown or get taken over, I've know of companies that stopped manufacturing years before ceasing any support. I suspect that he is saving up troubles in the future, people will remember how he (appears to have) 'dumped' on past/recent customers.
The whole point is that David HASN'T handled it badly. He had already sold the company to another family member. It was their decision. At least that's the story I heard.
MBQ
"beamends" wrote
We were approached by ZTC as prospective stockists, but to be honest was not at all impressed by their proposals. There were to be various types of retailer and varying levels of trade discounts.
There didn't seem to be any mileage in the proposals unless you received the highest levels of discount, and even then the high cost and relatively poor reputation of the products didn't encourage us to seriously consider stocking the range.
John.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think the words "family member" are the ones that matter here, sorry but he/they have shit from a great height on to past customers and the power of the internet will/should be their demise and quite correct too.
Withdrawing the product is fine, withdrawing support is contempt for past customers, future customers will wonder if they will shit on future customers to...
All I can think of is that this David thinks his other products operate in a total monopoly - very unlikely, I know of highly specialised companies (with highly specialised semi-unique products/installations) who operate in the defence sector and they have competitors. It would not surprise me if in 12 or 18 months time we here that he has gone south...
Jerry said the following on 08/10/2008 21:30:
AFAIK, he doesn't have "other products". The other business that I know of is a sub-contract electronics manufacturer, so as long as other people have stuff that needs to be made he will continue to trade. TBH, I would be surprised if he had gone south in 12 to 18 months time.
Incidentally, I work for a sub-contract electronics manufacturer producing highly specialised semi-unique products (not defence though), and yes, we do have competitors!
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