The Plague Returns to Dorset

As some of you may know the plague of the 1300's enter England through the port of Melcombe Regis here in Dorset. Well the bad news is that it is back in Dorset - in fact it is in the A&E HQ! So sorry for the lack of updates but we are all feeling sorry for ourselves - after all we are only men...!

Malvern show....

Thanks to everyone who dropped by the Pathfinder stand to say hello and to buy. Not too sure where the recession is but we sold more than the last two Malvern’s put together. The discounted German tents certainly helped and we do still have some left if you need one or before they are all gone – a very cost effective tent for the new season.

As you know we will have a price rise in the New Year, the VAT is going up and our productions costs are too. So again if you would like a tent at 2009 prices for 2010 then put a 50% deposit down today and a small wall tent, German and British officers tent is yours. Also applies to the pyramidals and large fly sheets.

TENT PRICE INCREASE!!

2010 is going to be another big year as it is the 65th anniversary
of the end of the war so the events calendar is looking pretty busy
again.

Beat the VAT and price increases.

Buy a 2010 tent at 2009 prices!

As you know the VAT goes back up to 17.5% from Jan 1. This along
with the price increase from our manufacture means that there will
be a price increase across our tentage range from Jan 1. We have
soaked up all the price increases to us over the last 18 months but
now with the latest increases we have to change the prices.

But the good news is that you can still buy now at 2009 prices and
all you have to do is to put down a 50% deposit. Or you can but
now at full price - we just want to make sure everyone has enough
notice.


So you can put a 50% deposit down now and the tent (s) are yours.
This secures your tent at 2009 prices.

In stock we have the following:

German Officers tents
Flysheets
Groundsheets

British Officers tents
Flysheets
Groundsheets

Large US flysheets

On a pre-order basis - these go quick to US clients so you may just
want to grab one now. They are having a big event in January which
keeps taking all of our stock.

US Small Walls
Flysheets
Groundsheets

We are at Malvern so if you would like to have a chat then please
drop by.

Kind regards.

Jack.

German tents - grab a quick bargain

OK folks we have some bargain tent news for you.

We are at Malvern next weekend and we will be taking an amount of ‘seconds’/ex demo German tents with us.

Every time we do a new show we erect a new tent – and as we done around 12 shows this year we have some ex demo stock. We also have some stock that we have classed as seconds – nothing structurally wrong with them at all but some may have a different shade in one of the panels and that is it.

So we will be clearing this stock next week and you will be able to buy just the canvas so it will save you a vast amount of money.

Also we must bear in mind that the VAT rises back to 17.5% from Jan 1 and so all of ranges will be increasing in price too. So this is a great opportunity to get a bargain and if you so wish you can come back to us next year for the pegs are poles.

The prices are from £370 - £399.99 which in some cases is a saving of £180!

Please do let me know if you would like us to put one to one side for you?

Kind regards,

Jack.

HOT off the press!

Stoves – just to let everyone know that the stoves are just about to leave from the US so thank you to everyone for your patience. And I don’t think we will have them in time to bring to Malvern but that isn’t too much of a problem as most folks aren’t needing them until the show season starts again - that said we could do with firing one up in the office this morning.

The stove pipes and arrestor are here so they are safe.

Stay tuned for more details!

Customs…your nicked!!

Customs…your nicked!!

Last week I was over in France again delivering tents to our Dutch agent Jean Peirre. Now we do this about once a month and then I usually go to Normandy once a month to delivery to Dead Man’s Corner. They are long days but constructive days as you have to think, clear your mind and get some ‘planning’ done.


But without fail, every time I go through customs I get pulled. It doesn’t matter who else is around – it is just me. You could have a T 54 main battle tank roll through customs and they would just way it through…The see me in a higher van and that’s it! The SAS abseil down from helicopters, armed police pop out of dustbin and the whole of the docks get locked down.

Last week on my way back and clearing through Dover I got pulled and the conversation went like this:

Customs guy (CG) – morning Sir, where have you come from?
Me (Me) – erm Dorset
CG – Sir the ferry has just come from Dunkerque NOT Dorset
Me – oh yes sorry (couldn’t speak at this point as my mouth had dried up) I have just come from Dunkerque..
CG – yes clearly, how long have you been there?
Me – 52 minutes.
CG – 52 minutes – WHAT were you doing there?
Me – meeting a guy in a car park and delivering some stuff…
CG – stuff?
Me – yes stuff
CG – what sort of stuff SIR…
Me – Tents!
CG – tents?
Me – yes tents! In fact we are the worlds leading supplier of authentic WWII tents. We send them all of the world and supply film and TV companies. In fact our Dutch dealer makes major sales, in deed since the beginning of the recession he has seen his sale grow month on month.

Furthermore GBP performance was the positive surprise yesterday, supported by a 'Don't panic' article in The Times and some other pound-friendly writings. The pound gained a cent versus the euro as some economists warned the Bank of Eng¬land not to be fooled into pumping too much money into the economy on the back of Friday’s unexpectedly weak GDP figures. Many analysts said that the economy was stronger than the official figures suggested. Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, which produces the monthly purchasing managers’ indexes, said he was bemused by data suggesting Britain was still in recession while other European countries were pulling out.

Part of the criticism of the figures was because economists got their predic¬tions wrong, but it also reflected deeper concern about the data’s reliability.

Economists at Goldman Sachs published a detailed research note saying that the GDP figures were not only inconsistent with the purchasing managers’ surveys but that they were hard to square with other official data. Goldman Sachs also said that sterling is heavily undervalued according to purchasing power parity theory.


CG – thank you Sir, please move on now…………..

The new 9x9 command tent!

The 2010 sample is here.

We have been working on the new model 9x9 command tent. This is one of best selling tents and we have sold them all over the world. The picture below is from our manufacturer and we will put some more information up and pictures when we put the tent up here at Pathfinder HQ.

These tents will be strictly on pre-order for the 2010 season. Now that we have dealers all over the world we expect them to go quick - as these guys will take a fair amount of our stock. SO PREORDER EARLY! Price £399.99

Exporting to the USA

Long time coming!

Shipped goods on mass yesterday to our outlet in the USA, D-Day Quartermaster http://www.ddayquartermaster.com As you know we have been selling into the US for a long time but it is wonderful to have the guys at D-Day Quartermaster to handle all of our US sales. And they are doing some great business there!

So the first of many big shipments left Pathfinder HQ yesterday and it looks like we will have to replenish stock pretty soon....Chris stop selling so much!

So Pathfinder will now have domestic stock in the USA and keep your eye out as we are extending the range too.

Camo wars

So camo nets hate me - it is a fact. We are making nets this week for an order for the US so all hands to the deck. We have all heard of the expression working our fingers to the bone?! Yes well this is the case with camo nets, my fingers are so sore, my eyes of full of burlap and make back hurts.

Sam suggested that we should just buy the new plastic camo nets - yes I know these weren't around in WWII but the man has a great point!!


........now going to rub cream into my hands. I am feeling sorry for myself.

Camo Nets

This week, we will mostly be making camo nets! Yes the time has come to make some more. Now what is so hard about that I hear you say?! Actually it is harder than listening to a politician. Like so many things made during WWII there are so many variables. But more of that later along with some images of the finished nets - you will love them!

Rain is awesome!!

"Why is rain so great?"

Ok, I know what your saying but there's so many reasons why rains awesome.

1) It helps the plants to grow
2) Kids can splash around in puddles
3) Helps our crops grow
4) People are more likely to drive on the speed limit??
5) Ermmmm...

Sad to say it but I can't think of anything else and 1 and 3 are pretty much the same, but after a long period of heat, and sunshine a bit of rain is refreshing. Ok, ok so we haven't had the kind of heat recently either to be happy the rains here..... but it's England, what do you expect?

I'm pretty much digging a hole for myself, but there's another reason I'm happy. We have just uploaded our first product video on YouTube!

The first video features Jack Beckett going over the M1941 Tent Stove and you also get to see for yourself what is included with every M1941 Tent Stove. Stock will be with us in 3 weeks time and again stock will be very limited.

Over time we will be recording a video for every product we have from the Small Wall Tents right through to the German Groundsheets and will also pass on advice and information about each product in every video to help care for your tentage.

To see our latest video (our first one!) CLICK HERE

Tanks, college and reenactors

Jack here - and for the first time since I can remember I had a weekend off.

So I thought I would have a break from all of the war stuff and history. Turning your hobby into your business has many many plus points. But is also has some not so good points - it means that you never have a break.

We have never done so many shows as we have this year. It takes time to get ready for them and time to get over them. And you tend to just talk shop if you are at a show just as a member of public. Even if I am at a show as a member of public and I see one of our tents there then I will go over and say hi and make sure everyone is happy with their purchase.

Time for a weekend off.

So Saturday then, Jess and I took the GMC down to Bovington Tank Museum! And Sunday I went to Napoleonic reenactors show!!!!


- I need a hobby!!!!!

France again!

"Jacks off again to France"

Yep, he's off again and very happy to say the Camo Net's are now in full swing! With all the ranges we have here, hand making is something we're very keen on.

This does have a down side though..........just 1 of our reproduction Camo Net's net's will take between 3-5 days to complete from the very start to finish which means there are a limited amount of Camo Net's available before Malvern. So if your looking to get yours delivered or wanting to pick one up at Malvern order now!

We've had awesome feedback on our Camo Nets and a quick thank you to Andrew for letting us know his thoughts.

Pain!?

"it erts..."

Now, to put you in the scope, we have tents ranging from weights of 5kg - 80kg+. We lift and inspect every single one along with all the poles.

So any injury or strain you would think would happen when we're here, well not to case. I sat on a chair......yes a chair on Saturday and my back went!?

Now I have come up with a really sensible way of dealing with it as it's happened a few times now (did fair bit of martial arts which started it years back).

1) My back goes - stand still
2) Say something - [bleep] sake
3) Positive attitude - Oh for gods sake... Grrrrr
4) Quick Moaning - Tell the wife and then get tea and coffee on demand and also means she won't ask me to do anything including changing the kids nappies.
5) Then just getting on with it knowing in 3 days I will be back to normal - tell the wife it takes 5 days.......well........it would be wrong if I didn't.....

France!

"Back from France"

Another trip over to France to drop off an order to the awesome Jean Pierre. Long day though and Jacks glad to be back - although he hates my coffee now??

He got pulled over by customs again coming back (they really like Jack) and got the usual questions and then sent him on his way.

Note: If you ever travel with Jack (anywhere abroad, by air, car or bus) expect to run late at the other end. He's just got one of those faces.....


Sam out...

7 Days of no decent sleep......

I bet it will be 8 soon!

Well to explain, I have 2 little girls. One in 2 1/2 and the other is just over 6 months. They are absolute angels......however at night one of them (6 month old)....believes her daddy and mummy don't need sleep. She beleives night time is......in fact......another play time.

It's now been 7 days, I have bags under my eyes and the only thing I can think about is my warm duvet and my pillow with the added bonus of having to drink coffee to stay awake.

Now if you have kids then you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't got kids yet, you have all this to look forward to! haha

Monday morning sure looks fine...

Monday morning sure looks fine...by Friday I have travelling on my mind..

Those of you of a certain age will know that is a great line from a Fleetwood Mac song.

But back to reality and Monday mornings are always fine as our email inbox is always full. Recently we have been asked for tents to be shipped to Paris, 250 ration crates shipped to New York. This no problem but alarm bells start to ring when the 'customer' is happy to pay £3000 to ship two pyramidals to Paris. When we say that we can do it for £200 they insist that they are happy to pay the £3000.

Then they email 'their' credit card details. But when you get back to them to say that you have just checked the cards and they are reported stolen....they seem to ignore us...

- was it something we said?!!

The time has come...

Hi all,

Bargain time! We have some graded stock which is up for Auction on Ebay. There is a German Tent along with 3 Small Wall Tents so check it out and pick up a bargain! - If you would like to go there right now click here.

All the auctions end in 10 days or less from today so get there quick!

If you have any questions about any of the Graded items feel free to get in contact with us.

Something I'd like to share...

Hi again on this sunny Dorset Thursday morning - think our summer has finally arrived!

I read this yesterday evening and just made me laugh.

"Ex-asda employee is caught on camera licking (yes licking) a raw chicken before putting it on the selves for customers. The matter is now being investigated by the Police."

Bit of a mad thing to do but if your into that kind of thing..........

2 things ran through my head. 1) He has the chance of catching something 2) The customer who bought the chicken, will cook it and eat it. So doesn't that mean he is taking all the risks and any germs he's put on it will be killed by the customer cooking it??

Don't get me wrong I'm not going to say he should have done it and I don't remember that being taught in health and safety lol, but I always thought anything on the chicken would be killed in the oven...

I'd love to know everyone's thoughts, and also if I'm right or wrong let me know! sam@pathfinderdistribution.com.

RARE GERMAN TENT!!!

A rare German tent is on it's way..........

Stay tuned to hear FIRST 1) What tent and 2) When it will be available for order.

This is going to be THE product for 2010!

Why Mondays are great.....

Hi all,

Why the strange title? Are you that mad? Well, I believe Monday is an awesome day. Monday is the beginning of the working week and after a refreshing weekend is also the best day of the week to just "get it done"! It's also a fresh start every week. Monday is your beginning, Friday is the ending and the weekend is to refresh.

Just some of the things that make Mondays great: Looking forward to replying to emails from the weekend (you never know exactly what your going to get) and also you have the great opportunity to speak to many people from all walks of life on the phone everyday. A whole 5 days of working on solutions coming up with ideas doing all the normal paperwork and researching new products!

Now that's what I'm talking about!! Better yet we have awesome weather here again AND we also remembered to water the plants.........

Sun sun and more sun!

Great sunny weather today! Shades on: check Suncream: check.

All busy at the Pathfinder HQ today. We're now on facebook (although still learning our way around...), and the Pathfinder Group for World War II re-enactors is up and operational on Facebook as well! CLICK HERE and we'll meet you there

Feel free to join and you can also upload any of your images, videos or leave your comments for everyone to see and comment on.

We'll also let you know the latest news and any approaching events which may be of interest.

FIRST RELEASE OF INTEL: For the build up to Christmas we have a promotional code for 10% off any UK order. To get your 10% off either process your order through the website and enter the code: happy christmas (case sensitive) OR when you call to place your order you have to say: HAPPY CHRISTMAS!! and the 10% off is yours.

Should I have stayed home?

After pulling out of my parking space....... I got stuck in traffic within 10 seconds. The road then narrows and some wise guy (you know who you are), thought it would be a good idea to drive half way through it while sitting in traffic.

Sat there for a good 10+ minutes before the traffic started to move and he FINALLY got out the sodding way!

Then I got stuck behind an old digger going at about 10 mph with no chance of overtaking thanks to the traffic on the other side.

Then peace. Back to 60mph and partly traffic free...............not for long! Got stuck AGAIN behind a couple going 35-40mph in a 60mph zone who thought going above 40mph means you HAVE to use your brake!?

Again, a load of traffic on the over side meant no chance to overtake. Finally I saw a window and FINALLY shifted into 3rd and drummed it past them.

End result: a 10 minute journey took 35 minutes instead.


Right that's my moaning over!! Other than that, it's a great looking day and full steam ahead as always.

Operation Market Garden...

Not long before the 65th anniversary so make sure you have everything you need. It is a good time to make sure you have a British officers tents if you are away at the commemorations as they look the part! Also in stock are the flysheets and the groundsheets for them too. It is time to look right.

We were hoping to get Arnhem for the celebrations but we have just run out of time.

And finally, Sam's wife has just arrived with a huge packet of biscuits...time for tea!

It's Monday!

Morning all and just getting over the Victory Show. The drive back wasn't as bad as the journey there - 4.5 hrs.

It was the first time that we have been there as last year we were half way when we got the call that it was cancelled. But it has to be one of the best shows of the year and if you have never been then make damn sure you do next year. It is a well focused show and had a nice feel to it.

The amount of aircraft that flew over was out of this world - Lanc, Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang, B17 and of course the Vulcan! They just didn't do a flypast they were there to put on a display. The Pathfinder TV Crew (me) was there with their video camera and will upload the videos to YouTube in a while.

We had a good time and we done some great business with our German tents. I had a bit of luck with a German tent that we have been trying to track down for over a year...I have now sourced one and it will be the hit of 2010. More details to come.

And finally thanks to everyone who dropped in to say hi and thanks for their tents that they have used throughout the year. It is nice to know and we much appreciated it.

Party Time!!

Jacks gone!

He's now on his way to the Victory Show, he'll be there later on today and fingers crossed for some good weather. Plus he's sporting his brand new Pathfinder cap! We'll have tea and coffee so feel free to come and say hello and check out Jacks new mustard colour cap.

Youtube Videos

We've just uploaded our first videos.

Just CLICK HERE and we'll see you there!

The First of many!!

Hello and welcome to the first......yes FIRST!! Pathfinder Distribution Blog.

We decided we wanted to feel "youthy" so here we are. Today we're getting things ready for The Victory Show and Sam's catching up on the website updating and Jacks asleep.......again, well he is getting older :)