News on Autoships for Anchor Bay

Anchor Bay dealers will receive autoships of the red-hull version of the USCGC Mackinaw. If you are the recipient of one of those Anchor Bay autoships, and if you want to also receive the same number on the white-hull version, you need to contact your dealer ASAP and ask them to also place an order for you for AB118W, the white-hulled version, specifying the matching number you want.

First priority for these matched number sets will be given to Anchor Bay dealers already receiving autoships of Anchor Bay products.

Remember that every Harbour Lights dealer does not necessarily also sell Anchor Bay or if they do, they may not currently be receiving Anchor Bay autoships.

If you are not receiving autoship numbers, but would like a matched number pair, contact your dealer and request that they place such an order for you. You won't necessarily be able to choose which number you get, but they will try to get both pieces with the same number. Dealers who sell Harbour Lights Limited Editions can order Anchor Bay products.

The white-hull versions will be numbered from 1-500. and the red-hull versions will be numbered from 1-4000. In both products #1-10 are held back.

The Mackinaw will not be available until June. The first availability will be at the Mackinaw Decommissioning June 9.

In our last conversation with Harbour Lights, they had about 250 of the white hull remaining.

Jim

Jim, what does that translate to for those of us who have to wait until the white hull version is officially available through a dealer?
250 gone; 1-10 held back. Does that mean only 240 were ever planned to sell to collectors?

Maybe I'm just confused...wouldn't be the first time.

In a converstation with Kathy last week she said that 500 would be available. When I asked her about the 250 rumor she said that was untrue and there would be 500 made.

The question is: Are there only 240 remaining ? It sounds to me like there will be only 240 left after all the different allotments have been distributed. Maybe I'm wrong - happens to me all the time!!

On Monday, our sales rep, who submits our orders to Harbour Lights, talked to Kathy about the "white hull" version. The purpose of this call was to determine if the white hull would be part of a dealer's standing order, or if the dealer had to specify how many they wanted, in a separate order.

Our sales rep called us back, saying that we, as dealers, had to order them separately (no standing order would be sent automatically). She also was told us that there were about 250 white hulls left. She said that a certain number of them had beem alotted to specific events. Don't know if this means that some will be given out as raffle prizes at the regional events, or possibly even at in-store events. We have had Anchor Bay pieces given out at our in-store events, by Harbour Lights, so I guess this is a possibility.

Maybe some of you out there would know more about any Great Lakes events where these would be given out??

One more thing. We have already ordered our white hull pieces, even though this new release has not been officially announced. Possibility all the interest that people have shown on this web site has caused other dealers to pre-order, and this may explain why there are only 250 remaining??

Jim

I feel sure that GLLKA will have some for their Mackinaw Decommissioning event that Harry will be at in Cheboygan on June 9th as John mentioned when he opened this thread...

As much as I would like to, I can't make that 1100 mile journey on the 9th. Any volunteers to do some shopping for me?

Jim, are all those for your auto ship customers, or will you have extras for HL collectors/LH Depot customers like me?

See, the problem is...interest (big interest) in the Big Mac is not a localized Great Lakes thing (she types from VIRGINIA)

240 isn't enough to go around.

Well, I placed my order with GLLKA as soon as I verified that they would have them (I'm a member) and I am all set!! Now to find space!! And recoup the money that was originally allotted for the Tidewater trip!! Problems, problems! :p

Judy,

We've ordered enough for all of our customers that we THINK will want a white hull. If we get more orders/requests, we'll just add to our pre-order from Harbour Lights. So, it's not a problem if you need you. Just let us know.

Jim

Thanks Jim. That's good to know.

And we keep worrying about loss of interest in Harbour Lights. I'm not buying into that idea. Talk about the supply being low, and collectors (like me) go into a panic.

I spoke with my dealer in Oregon about getting a both the red hull and white hull version. She didn't even know what the Anchor Bay release for 2006 were going to be. She said they hadn't been notified yet.

It looks like Harbour Lights may need to make a better effort to inform their dealers a little sooner in all parts of the country before releasing info to the general population of HL enthusiasts.

Bob

Bob,

Most dealers don't know yet. We're not supposed to know about this piece until the June announcement for the summer/fall releases. Tony C. (not to be confused with Tony Conigliaro, Red Sox fans) is rather upset that this info had leaked out ahead of time. Of course, he was not with Harbour Lights last year when this info first slipped out.

We only found out about by reading it here. Some times it pays to be a collector before you're a dealer.

Jim

The three great lines of communication: Telephone, Telegraph, and Tell a collector!

Bob

I would like to thank the Collector's Forum for once again being on top of a Harbour Lights situation and letting the members know what needed to be done. After reading the post about contacting my dealer to order the white-hull version of the USCGC Mackinaw, I called my local dealer who knew nothing about the red-hull version let alone the white-hull version. She called Harbour Lights and was able to order the white-hull version with my autoship number to go along with the red-hull version. Without the heads up from the Forum, I would never have known about the situation until it was too late. Thanks for all the help.

I would suggest all members with autoship numbers call their local dealer if they are interested. My dealer got back to me within five minutes after receiving my call.

Scott

I did place another call to my dealer to ask for the "matched pair". Unfortunately, I got their answering machine so I'll have to call back to confirm that they received my message.

This white hull/red hull thing has been good to generate interest in Anchor Bay. It will be interesting to see if some people buy just the white hull and not the red thinking it could appreciate in value and be a good item for eBay.

I figure the more we talk-up these little surprises from Harbour Lights, the more likely we will see more surprises in the future.

Bob

The Decommissioning Ceremony for the USCGC Mackinaw has been changed to Saturday, June 10 at 13:00 hours.

I'm very happy to announce that my dealer sent me a note saying she reserved both the red and white hull versions of the Mackinaw for me! I really lucked out when I was able to secure auto ship #15 for AB's a few years ago. I'm a numbers person if you haven't discovered that fact already.

Bob