Offer to IPMS members from Dragon Model works....

[ghodges]

I got this email today.... and the way it's worded it implies many IPMS Chapter Contacts (like myself) may have also gotten it.....

Dear  First Coast,

 I hope you're doing well.

 My name is Jessica, Export Sales Manager at Dragon Models Ltd. With the ongoing global trade changes and resulting supply chain disruptions, we understand that getting access to your favorite model kits is becoming more challenging.

 To better support IPMS chapters, Dragon Models would like to offer *direct purchasing opportunities* with special group deals, including:

 

-  Direct purchasing from Dragon HQ

-  Special group pricing and offers for IPMS members

-  Hassle-free, door-to-door delivery with minimized tariff impact

-  Early access to new releases and exclusive items

 

We’re committed to working closely with IPMS chapters to ensure the community stays strong and supported during these times.

 

If you're interested in learning more, we’d be happy to share details and discuss how we can best work with your chapter.

 

Thank you for your time, and we look forward to connecting!

 

Warm regards,  

Jessica

Export Sales Manager  

Dragon Models Ltd.

 

This was my answer, based on m own personal viewpoint:

 

While I understand you're "doing your job", I'm not sure I appreciate this attempt at a "go around" that implies a private Chinese company (is that a real thing, by the way?) is offering special treatment to select Americans in order to erode support for or allow "us" to ignore our own government policies.

 

I have to decline your offer and will recommend that course of action to all my American fellow modelers and IPMS members. I will simply buy American and/or build from my stash until your government and mine reach a new trade agreement, whatever that may be in the end. Let's both hope it happens sooner than later!  

 

Sincerely,

Gil Hodges

IPMS #10803

 

I'm NOT starting this topic in order to have ANY sort of debate on POLITICS. 

 

I AM interested in whether or not the Eboard is aware of this and whether THEY have any stance or recommendations for the IPMSUSA membership. I'll understand if the moderators want to move this to the private members section below.

 

Gil 

[MikeOberholtzer]

Hi Gil,

Thanks for sharing this. Would you mind sending me the email address this came from and the email address they sent it to? You can send them to me privately at treasurer@ipmsusa.org. I want to investigate if this is a spam attempt or an actual Dragon marketing message. It just doesn't seem legitimate, but who knows? It certainly wasn't anything the Eboard approved. Let us know if anyone else mentions getting this.

Thanks,

Mike

[Ron Bell]

I'm no specialist in international trade, but I know if you get a package from overseas, it has a customs declaration label on it. So, if an importer doesn't pay the tariff on the item because it has been shipped 'door to door', it may be that you will have to pay the tariff to get your package. Just a guess.  

[ghodges]

Email sent Mike! I look forward to further input on this from the Eboard.

 

Gil 

[noelsmith]

Sounds a bit odd to me that a large plastic kit manufacturing company would be approaching individuals directly ?  How would a company like that have your email address anyway ?

Don't they have distributors who they are contractually obliged to export to in the US or anywhere else for that matter? 

 To do what is being suggested means that a payment from s personal account  would have to be made at some point to purchase said kit(s) ?      Hmmm! ???     One should be wary.

Edited May 19, 2025 by noelsmith