David Doyle Books News #99

Our Own Idea of March Madness

Dear Friends,

Denise and I pray that all of you are well - especially our service men and women.

We've got some news this weekend - like our 15% off of orders over $150 (discount code ""Madness) and several new books and magazines have arrived, but before then I'd like to take a moment to share some personal thoughts...

Firstly, the radio and TV are filled with conversations about "putting boots on the ground" - and personally I think that is to a certain extent misinformation.  Its not the boots on the ground I'm concerned about, its the men and women wearing those boots for whose safety we pray.

If merely "putting boots on the ground" would defeat our enemies, I'd be all for it. -If shoving cases of Red Wings and Justins out of the back of a C-130 would pummel our enemies into submission with leather - GREAT! 

Unfortunately however, that would only work in something like a Looney Toons cartoon.  It takes our nation's best wearing those boots - and putting their lives on the line to accomplish military objectives, and of course with that comes risk.  The risk can be reduced through the use of overwhelming force - think Normandy or the First Gulf War - but there is always risk, and there will always be someone's mother, father, brother, sister, wife, husband or child getting awful news.  These are not "boots" regardless of what the media or politicos would have us believe.

Secondly, I am sure that all of you have heard about the soaring cost of fuel, and the impact it is having on shipping costs.  In addition, earlier this week we had a couple of major health scares - one of mine and one concerning my son.  These events have given us much to think about, and we will be making some changes to our business.  We had already begun reducing our footprint at shows.  Books are heavy, and I'm just not able to load and unload 16 tables of books for a three-day show anymore.  So if there is a particular book you'd like us to bring at a show that is on our schedule - email us a week or so in advance and we're happy to bring it.  Also, between with the health situation and the rising cost of fuel (and everything else), we are cutting back on the number of shows we attend. Our schedule can be seen here.

While as we've seen, the price of crude had goes up, and the same day gasoline goes up (even though that more costly crude is still a half a world away from our gas tank), and the newly expensive gasoline was made from crude bought at the old price. But, when (if) the price of crude drops, I doubt that the price of gas will drop the same day.  

We don't want to be in the same situation - for years we've tried to keep our shelves full - and our prices stable and fair.  However, Denise and I cannot afford to absorb the often dramatic shipping cost increases (and exchange rate changes).  This leaves us the choice of raising prices and continue stocking as we have - and when the global economy stabilizes HOPE we sold out and are not left with a big inventory that we "paid too much for" - OR we order less on the front end and face the fact that we will sometime run out.  We've decided that it is better for our family if we run leaner on our inventory and don't risk being inventory heavy at inflation-fueled prices.  For new releases, this makes it even more important that you take part in our reservation program.

We thought it only fair to let you know what our plans are in this area.   Thus, if you have been sitting on a fence on a purchase - buy now.  Also, from now through Tuesday we are offering an additional 15% off of orders of $150 or more of in-stock titles.  To claim the the discount, you MUST enter the discount code Madness.

Just in this week is the new Warpaint book, #152 the Ju 86

Military Modelcraft International 354
Model Airplane International
Fantasy Figures International
Model Military International
Scale Aircraft Modelling
Tamiya Model Magazine International

From last week we still have a few of these left:

Phoenix Aviation Modelling International
Air Modeller 125
Hawker Sea Fury
US Army Tractor Trucks and Semitrailers
USMC Tank Markings

We are grateful to have the ongoing opportunity to serve you!

Sincerely,
David and Denise Doyle

https://daviddoylebooks.com