Hattons closing down

[Bufferstop]

You must have missed this

bulleidboy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 09, 2024 3:30 pm
It was a little vague, but on a recent post on an American model railway forum, it mentioned that Hattons bought MB Klein, and the business closed-down immediately and all stock removed! Suggestion was that Hatton just bought the name? Sadly it is all now water under the bridge.

John W

[stuartp]

I did miss it! Oops. I hadn't realised the thread was 4 pages long, (it's a very small phone, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it ...). Apologies.

[Morayshire]

Jenny Kirk's Monday Club Youtube show had an interview with Dave Hatton. Link is below.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-8-s75oYcBM

[Bigmet]

...Or you could buy a large online retailer in the US with it, which I don't think has been mentioned on here yet

Since the purchase in November last year I have been wondering why, and now:

I am increasingly of the opinion that the purchase of MB Klein is a move to a location where the immediate financial prospects look better...

[Buelligan]

...Or you could buy a large online retailer in the US with it, which I don't think has been mentioned on here yet

Since the purchase in November last year I have been wondering why, and now:

I am increasingly of the opinion that the purchase of MB Klein is a move to a location where the immediate financial prospects look better...

The last I saw said that both companies would be closing.

[centenary]

Everything 'must go!' by 4 Feb according to latest email from Hattons. Sounds like that the final day of operation so if you have your eye on anything, better be quick.

[Buelligan]

Everything 'must go!' by 4 Feb according to latest email from Hattons. Sounds like that the final day of operation so if you have your eye on anything, better be quick.

I saw that announcement on Facebook, but there's not a lot left now, not in OO gauge anyway, seemed to mostly be pre-owned stock, and a couple of Rapido APT's

[Bigmet]

And is now shut. Though you have to look around the front page a little! https://www.hattons.co.uk/

[Free_at_last]

Who will support the warranty on the still to come Hattons Originals?

[centenary]

Who will support the warranty on the still to come Hattons Originals?

For new stock with proof of purchase, it would fall to the manufacturer to put any defects right Although if bought with a credit car for over £100, the card issuer would be on the hook. For used items, the buyer would be on their own.

[Dad-1]

Although I've spent a few thousand at Hatton's over the years once they announced the complete
and quite rapid closure I made a point of not placing any more orders.
I was not wanting to plunder any deals they may have had, best to look after those who will be my
sources in the future.
Thank you Hatton's for what you've done in the past, but the future is now my priority.

Geoff T.

[Mountain]

Is sad they have closed.

I also don't like change. What I mean by this, is solid features of change. It feels claustrophobic. The features one assume that will always be there are not.

Is like wanting to visit friends who have passed away and then suddenly realizing they are no longer there. Claustrophobic feeling of having the rug removed so one does not know what to stand on, so one is standing on straws to try and find where the new "Normality" is.

[centenary]

Hattons may have gone but there are still a number of model shops on the net. Id say the big 2 are now Rails and TMC, others may disagree.

It seems Rails and to a lesser extent, TMC, are still giving large discounts or at least undercutting MRP. Whether that is a sign actual sales are \ have slowed or merely an attempt to drag in ex Hattons customers, I dont know.

The smaller High St shops will still have to run to keep standing and sell other lines of modelling and are unlikely to be able to match Rails prices at least.

BTW, I always found Rails were a pounds or two more expensive, like for like, of locos and higher end rolling stock.

[Phred]

Mountain wrote:
Is sad they have closed. I also don't like change.

I can understand that. I have found Rails and TMC easy and efficient to deal with, but I'll miss browsing through Hattons' pre-owned pages.

[Morayshire]

Some more positive news.

Rails and Accurascale have taken on the Hattons Originals.

Rails has picked up the coaches while Accurascale have taken on the Barclays, P's and warwells and are also hinting about other ex Hatton products to come