I was told by the Estes people in Austin last October (Maker's Faire) that they make
a killing on sales from Wal - Mart. Apparently not just the model rocket stuff, but the
Cox line of products (R/C airplanes) as well.

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Dave, NAR # 21853 SR.

If their sales in WM are so great, then, why did their VP of Sales and Maketing leave the company almost 9 months ago and his biggest accout was WM?

How can we possibly answer that question?

People leave their jobs for thousands of reasons and we have no information on this particular case. Do you?

Was he fired?

Did he get a better paying job/promotion at another company?

Did he have a family and wanted to leave the cold "South Park"-like area?

Maybe this should become a "post a funny reason why he might have left" thread?

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-Fred Shecter NAR 20117 (L2)
Southern California Rocket Association, NAR Section 430

One of my local 'supercenters' has (currently) 3 rockets on the shelf + 3 packs A10-3T, 5 C6-5, and 4 C6-7 Nothing marked down, although they must have found another pack of C6-3 to mark down - it's in my motor box now!

I checked the planogram they had taped to the shelf, and they are devoting about 6 linear feet to rockets. This is in Western NY - just north of Buffalo.

OK, apparently now my Walmart REALLY wants the kits gone (see photo below).

Plan-o-gram shows starter kits, RTFs, and variety pack motors. No kits.

Also checked my local Meijers, last launchable on the shelf was on clearance for $5.60, although a toy department employee told me rockets are seasonal with Meijers, "don't worry, they'll be back."

I guess only time will tell if the Launchables format kits are a thing of the past.

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I've still got a Thunderstar for you if you still want it Dave - we just need to hook up, maybe at Needville next weekend or NASA next month (I'm scrubbing this weekend, it's going to be too cold for me).

But look for me in the green F-150 and I'll have it.

Mike

Thanks, Mike! I've been so busy I completely forgotten your offer made earlier.

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Dave, NAR # 21853 SR.

I stopped by my closest Walton Market last night and took a look at the rocket section. Lean pickings compared to the past. There was one 3 pack of A10-3T's and a couple of RTF kits.

None of the above!!!
It's all connected to the demise of the Estes Forum, their marketing manager being fired , and other internal things that went on that I cannot discuss here.

Went by the "other" Wal - Mart near my house, and the rocket shelves are still basically
bare from the aftermath of the Christmas rush. A few starter sets, RTF rockets, and motors.
But taped on one of the upper shelf, there is a diagram of what to stock in the near future,
and it appears the Launchables will get quite a bit of space, along with several new starter
sets and RTF rockets & motors. I didn't think to take a look at the shelf map when the new stock is suppose to take effect.

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Dave, NAR # 21853 SR.