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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Oct 27, 2014 20:11:19 GMT -8
I am on Overland Hobbies emailing list and it is one of the few list I am on and it is great. I like their selling strategy. I get emails almost every few days but I see it as basically "Latest Info update" emails for me. The emails tell me what is new and when it is due out without having to ask or be on EVERY manufactures email list individually. Many emails have nothing of interest to me but I get to receive latest news & offerings often. Some people would see their emailing as pushy and I could surely understand that side too. If I had no interest in knowing what is coming out by getting that quick detailed email then I would consider them quite annoying quickly. Now I know I could go search out the info online myself but it just comes to me regularly from Overland Hobbies and I like that. They send me emails for pre-ordering models and IF I am interested in the model, well I would consider making the pre-order (Like I did with the two pre-ordered Athearn SD70M Flared/Phase II models earlier this year). Their prices are d*amn decent too and that is good because if their prices were without any discounts I would get highly annoyed and would have block them completely. Know what I mean?
The latest email I received from them was today. It was for a pre-order of the Athearn 40' boxcar with Youngstown doors. I have no interest in that at all and just deleted the email after quickly glancing at it. And to be honest I actually do not spend much money buying new model railroad items like rollingstock and engines like I see many people doing. I usually do not have specific wants other than wanting the 64' Trinity Reefers when they were coming out, Those Exactrails TTX High cube Trinity boxcars when they were new and an OCCASIONAL piece of rollingstock that I see a cool picture online of the prototype tagged & weathered that I want to recreate. Otherwise I do not buy all road numbers of ANYTHING!! In fact, I have NEVER bought all of the road numbers of any model released, EVER. I generally buy one or two, here and there.
Overland Hobbies emails puts just enough good pressure on me to consider making more Here and there purchases since I can quickly let him know I want what is new and in stock, pay with Paypal and wait for it to arrive. It is easy pressure for me, NOT HIGH PRESSURE SALES that annoy. The last high pressure sales I felt was from that awful Canadian Hobby place that was selling those Pacific Western Cylindrical Hoppers and was offering direct sales "At discount prices". (However everything they were TRYING to sell was at LIST price) I KNOW everyone felt their high pressure sales with them calling and emailing us daily to buy direct from them!! I had to cuss that guy out on the phone after calling me daily way too many times like a bill collector!! LOL, seriously though. I do not feel that pressure from these regular Overland Hobbies email.
With all that said, I am glad they are doing good in that new hobby position because the writing is on the wall that the Brass division is not doing good by no means. That division is shrinking badly and will come to a halt in a couple of years or three, in my opinion. I may be wrong, and I do not mean to offend them but when Athearn and MTH are releasing NEW models before Overland does, well something is wrong in the brass market. Example #1, Athearn is releasing the new Caterpillar demo unit & newer Caterpillar version SD70ACEs with the newer ANT FARM Antennas above the cabs, this is way before Overlands version BUT Overland Announced the Caterpillar SD70ACe way before Athearn but have been experiencing "delays" for years now. typically we would see the OMI versions of any new model months and years before we would get a plastic counterpart version. Example #2, MTH is releasing the newest ES44AC versions with the new ANT FARM on the cabs before Overland which also announced those versions way before MTH. In the 90's Overland was releasing 200+ of a model, then it was lowered to the low 100's, Then lower to 75-90. Now you are seeing engine releases of #1 of 50. With HUGE MSRPs on these models at $1060 it makes it very clear as to why that division will dwindle away. I see the next release runs at about #1 of 25-30. That's bad. Sad but just my observation.(P.S. I mean NO OFFENSE to this observation and opinion either, I swear) Shoot as a brass SD70ACe and flared SD70M fan, I usually purchase 2 models a year but I am actually more of a fan of the first two runs (Green box) SD70ACes because the metal stamped details like the cabinets and other details are WAY CRISPER than they were in the later runs (Blue boxes) That is a FACT! So quality is suffering under the Ajin Model Trains company Vs. the original Ajin Co. and prices have risen dramatically. Plus they dropped the on board Digitrax DCC to "give us" the option to choose our own decoders like it is an upgrade. NOPE, sorry! It Cost less to manufacture then they raised the MSRP at the same exact time. Simple to see.
Well what are your constructive thoughts about the two divisions of Overland? On their email list? Like it? Etc etc.
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Post by bigb6flyer on Oct 27, 2014 20:55:46 GMT -8
Al,
I too am on Overland's email list. I too largely window shop from them and use it as a 'What's out there/what's coming' barometer. I still get Pacific railway whoever they are models emails but wouldn't order from them as they are all msrp; they only make sense if you live in BC and are heavy into Canadian modeling IMHO.
I don't owe any brass pieces, don't plan to, and frankly cannot justify acquiring any brass. Guys like me are probably why your seeing the brass market shrink. Yes I am fortunate to have some disposable income for model trains and other hobbies and interests but I cannot justify brass when high quality plastic has become near brass quality.
Another email I regularly get that is similar in frequency is HOHobbies out of Charlottesville VA. These guys are quick to let you know of the latest and greatest upcoming releases, are big into preorders, have zero sales pressure, and offer very attractive discounts should you feel inclined to order. Also, I get modeltrainstuff's emails about new available products; a lot of folks like this store bc: they don't do preorders, their website is excellent, they are B&M store, they have an accurate inventory of what is on-hand that is visible on their website, and they have fast shipping and great prices. There is also a very similar setup and email that comes out a couple times a week from Trainworld. Those guys have made a quantum leap in embracing the internet, which should be applauded.
I feel fortunate to be at a stage in the hobby where I am out of the accumulation phase. Pretty much any thing that makes it to my layout has either earned its right to be there or has been a piece that I've wanted/been looking for for a long time. I am not a collector, I am a runner of the trains I buy. If I find myself not running it, it gets sold off.
Take care,
Brad
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Post by wmcbride on Oct 27, 2014 21:17:50 GMT -8
I really like Overland's emails and website since their photos are first-rate. I also think their discounts may have become a bit higher than they used to be (just an impression). I have found them very reliable in pre-ordering and in regular orders.
Al, that Canadian firm to which you alluded was annoying. I knew nothing about them and called looking to buy some colorful Canadian car (probably a hopper) and the question, "How would you like to get that car for free?" just reeked of a cross between a late-night infomercial and a used-car salesman. Ugh.
Bill McBride
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Post by atsfan on Oct 28, 2014 3:13:25 GMT -8
PWRS is well known as odd sales tactics.
As for The brass market, it is fading away quickly.
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Post by WP 257 on Oct 28, 2014 4:39:52 GMT -8
Can't stand PWRS...find their selling approach totally unacceptable.
Still prefer M.B. Klein's website over anybody else--and they are no hassle when there is an issue or a need for a return.
I will be very sorry to see Overland Models brass go, but the handwriting seems to be on the wall. They have a caboose project, several years in the making, that has had to switch builders at least once. The lack of delivery is probably not helping the situation with their more "casual" customers--the ones who might only be able to afford a lesser dollar model here or there to fill holes in their favorite railroads' rosters' where nothing "close" is available in plastic. To carry reservations on the books for years without delivery is just not going to help their situation. Now they are at a point where they may not be able to actually deliver the cabooses for anywhere near the price point previously established some years ago, when some of the orders were placed, and I do not believe it is OMI's fault at all, but more issues with their supplier(s).
I have no issue ordering from Overland Hobbies, but so far they have not had something I had to have at the moment I was shopping their website.
Regarding actual production numbers of models, Overland was actually down to only 50 or so of each roadname, of even more popular models like SD40-2's and Canadian big MLW's back during the late 1990's. The lesser demand models were less than 25 in quantity even at that time. The exception of course was the brand new diesels in real life, where Overland was able to sell a lot more, but overall the production numbers were dropping significantly even back then. 3 or 5 years later, when the new diesel is no longer the newest in real life, the real market value of the Overland versions tends to drop, as most would-be buyers want the latest greatest thing. Saw it happen time and time again...
I like Brian Marsh and his Dad very much; they've stood behind their product and have gone the extra mile above and beyond to help me out in the past. I wish their plastic line would have done better for them--perhaps they were a couple years ahead of their time there. I cannot say anything bad about them as they are a class act.
Any issues I ever had were a result of Ajin cutting corners and slipping some models through that had QA/QC issues that were not caught by OMI.
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Post by bigblow69 on Oct 28, 2014 6:28:09 GMT -8
Can't stand PWRS...find their selling approach totally unacceptable. Still prefer M.B. Klein's website over anybody else--and they are no hassle when there is an issue or a need for a return. I will be very sorry to see Overland Models brass go, but the handwriting seems to be on the wall. They have a caboose project, several years in the making, that has had to switch builders at least once. The lack of delivery is probably not helping the situation with their more "casual" customers--the ones who might only be able to afford a lesser dollar model here or there to fill holes in their favorite railroads' rosters' where nothing "close" is available in plastic. To carry reservations on the books for years without delivery is just not going to help their situation. Now they are at a point where they may not be able to actually deliver the cabooses for anywhere near the price point previously established some years ago, when some of the orders were placed, and I do not believe it is OMI's fault at all, but more issues with their supplier(s). I have no issue ordering from Overland Hobbies, but so far they have not had something I had to have at the moment I was shopping their website. Regarding actual production numbers of models, Overland was actually down to only 50 or so of each roadname, of even more popular models like SD40-2's and Canadian big MLW's back during the late 1990's. The lesser demand models were less than 25 in quantity even at that time. The exception of course was the brand new diesels in real life, where Overland was able to sell a lot more, but overall the production numbers were dropping significantly even back then. 3 or 5 years later, when the new diesel is no longer the newest in real life, the real market value of the Overland versions tends to drop, as most would-be buyers want the latest greatest thing. Saw it happen time and time again... I like Brian Marsh and his Dad very much; they've stood behind their product and have gone the extra mile above and beyond to help me out in the past. I wish their plastic line would have done better for them--perhaps they were a couple years ahead of their time there. I cannot say anything bad about them as they are a class act. Any issues I ever had were a result of Ajin cutting corners and slipping some models through that had QA/QC issues that were not caught by OMI. I would love some of the Potash hoppers they are making but ordering from them(PWRS) seems like too much drama for my liking. |
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Post by runs2waynoka on Oct 28, 2014 7:38:24 GMT -8
I'd like to get some of those too, the POTX cars, but I don't need six of them which it appears is the only way PWRS is offering them.
The PWRS "business model" (and the fear of) has to cost them a good amount of potential sales of their own NARC cars, which are very nice, quality cars.
The previously run HS 4550 hoppers seem to command high prices on ebay, and seem to be rather scarce. I got lucky and picked up several secondhand at a train show...
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Post by bigblow69 on Oct 28, 2014 8:45:17 GMT -8
I just contacted my dealer today and looks like all the SD70ACE's I was interested are sold out. I'm getting to the point of "why bother" anymore. In one hand you wait a year form announcement to delivery, take a chance on it when it gets here in regards to the quality, and if something is wrong can't get a replacement. Now I was very pleased at the way the NS heritage units turned out by Athearn so much so i decided upon a purchase of three. The model looks more in proportion to the prototype than the MTH unit and being Tsunami equipped fits right in with my standardization.
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Post by riogrande on Oct 28, 2014 9:41:11 GMT -8
I simply can't afford new brass so I never got on OMI mailing list; I can see why they are having to shift to other products since it seems the market is shrinking. I've only ever bought one brass item new in my life, and that was a Division Point caboose I bought two of - and I was disappointed with the quality of workmanship and the way they rendered the windows - some of the parts were crooked and/or a bit bent (roof ends), and the windows were a poor representation of the D&RGW modernized windows. (I believe they looked bad because they tried to use the body of a caboose tooled to represent them "as built" and adapt that body to the modernized version - it didn't translate very well. Disappointing considering the reason why you buy brass. I kept the best of the two and returned the other for a refund. The price of brass has gone up considerably since then and my disposable income down, so I don't anticipate buying any brass for the forseeable future.
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Post by WP 257 on Oct 28, 2014 9:51:44 GMT -8
riogrande--
Oh, I hear ya, loud and clear. Well said. With some limited exceptions, the Korean brass never quite attained the quality standards that the Japanese once had...
When I once upon a time dabbled in brass, and traded it fairly often, I had only a tiny house with a relatively cheap mortgage and no kids--so I had a little disposable income. That is no longer the case.
I struggle to pay off more than one DCC-ready diesel at any given time--others have to go on layaway--and brass, I can forget about (except I have a $50 deposit on an OMI caboose I don't believe I will ever see--deposit is with dealer, not OMI). Also, since starting over with Mexican stuff, I've paired the rolling stock down to the bare minimum and am starting to rebuild that fleet from virtually nothing.
However, if I have a Mexican branch line, I don't need that much rolling stock, just old beat up 40' boxcars and American gondolas carrying pipe.
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Oct 28, 2014 11:06:36 GMT -8
I wonder what the status of those Overland Models NS Heritage ES44ACs units that people were waiting for? Did any of them EVER arrive on the market yet? I do not think so but maybe some have. I only pre-ordered one engine from OMI, the Caterpillar SD70ACe but that looks like it will never come to fruition. Aww well, no money no loss for me.
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Post by riogrande on Oct 28, 2014 11:11:08 GMT -8
Could be NdeM - I have very little experience. I had pieced together a Kumata California Zephyr which was imported by Oriental Limited/Hi Country Brass/Challenger, but sold it at a loss when the BLI cars came out (being practical and wanting finished passenger cars). The only other brass I have was bought second hand, including two Palace Car Company D&RGW combines, and 5 brass Overland brass D&RGW cabooses (two still need paint and decals).
I don't know if any of the above were Japanese or not, knowing little about brass. I only was able to afford the above stuff because, like you, I was living the single life and a good paying job for a while - so even despite the fairly stiff child support payments I was able to afford a few luxuries at the time. Now that my daughter is in college, budget is getting pretty tight, so I'm in a similar boat. I sold off some unneeded models to stash away enough of a kitty to finance some upcoming Genesis diesels and get one of them with sound.
Mexican branch line is an unusual thing to model these days! What inspired you to model it? (with apologies for getting a bit off topic!)
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Post by atsfan on Oct 28, 2014 12:50:43 GMT -8
I just contacted my dealer today and looks like all the SD70ACE's I was interested are sold out. I'm getting to the point of "why bother" anymore. In one hand you wait a year form announcement to delivery, take a chance on it when it gets here in regards to the quality, and if something is wrong can't get a replacement. Now I was very pleased at the way the NS heritage units turned out by Athearn so much so i decided upon a purchase of three. The model looks more in proportion to the prototype than the MTH unit and being Tsunami equipped fits right in with my standardization. What brand or models are you looking for? Athearn's? |
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Post by WP 257 on Oct 28, 2014 13:40:46 GMT -8
riogrande--
First, I have owned the Palace Car Company passenger cars. If I recall correctly, they were made in Korea by Samhongsa, and some of the trucks do not roll very well (we used to replace them with the reasonably priced IHC metal/sprung passenger car trucks that you could buy for about $20 per pair--but they are not the same truck as the prototype had). I believe Kumata was actually a Japanese builder and their quality would tend to be better, on the average piece, than the later Korean-made stuff.
Why some Mexican branch line? Well, this may sound a bit lame but I just like the bright paint schemes used on the Mexican diesels, and they actually had quite interesting operations--mixed trains with former American railroad lightweight passenger cars and 40' box cars all in the same train--pulled by six-axle Alco Centuries, sometimes on 4% grades even...Pretty much anything goes. Although production was limited for a long time, we are now starting to see more Mexican rolling stock available. Also I prefer desert scenery, and part of my layout is desert...Other lame reason is I had some friends who were into trains, not all of which were mentally well-adjusted folks, and one of which served jail time for odometer fraud...just not the best friends or role models to have. Me going "Mexican" is me starting over and trying to forget all of that baggage, even forgetting about some of the roads my friends liked. Sometimes you just need a fresh start, and there's things about certain roads and/or eras I just prefer not to remember.
The manufacturers have learned that Canadian and Mexican stuff (generally speaking) sells. The Canadian market for new diesels (if correct for Canadian roads) is hotter than the American market, so I have been told...That's why you are seeing more Canadian models (not just from Rapido). They sell, sometimes 2:1 or more relative to American roadnames.
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Post by bigblow69 on Oct 28, 2014 14:27:00 GMT -8
I just contacted my dealer today and looks like all the SD70ACE's I was interested are sold out. I'm getting to the point of "why bother" anymore. In one hand you wait a year form announcement to delivery, take a chance on it when it gets here in regards to the quality, and if something is wrong can't get a replacement. Now I was very pleased at the way the NS heritage units turned out by Athearn so much so i decided upon a purchase of three. The model looks more in proportion to the prototype than the MTH unit and being Tsunami equipped fits right in with my standardization. What brand or models are you looking for? Athearn's? Athearns in the 8700 series with PTC. |
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Post by bigblow69 on Oct 28, 2014 15:00:40 GMT -8
I wonder what the status of those Overland Models NS Heritage ES44ACs units that people were waiting for? Did any of them EVER arrive on the market yet? I do not think so but maybe some have. I only pre-ordered one engine from OMI, the Caterpillar SD70ACe but that looks like it will never come to fruition. Aww well, no money no loss for me. As I seem to recall those were announced and needed a deposit from people to move forward with project and that deposit was to be passed on to the builder. i also seem to recall there was such an uproar on this forum and its predecessor about needing a deposit. I myself don't have a problem with the deposit model as it shows a intent to purchase something and not just some passing fancy. However it did backfire on me once with Caboose hobbies. never refunded my deposit and I refuse to deal with them to this day.(Don't tell a customer that a model is going to be $900 and then try to charge me $1200). You listening Caboose Hobbies? I have nothing but kind words with my dealings with Overland Models and Brian & Missy. I remember once that Caboose Hobbies had a model that a customer backed out on purchasing and Brian informed me of it. I told him I didn't want to deal with Caboose Hobbies and he had the model shipped back to him and I set up a layaway plan with Overland Hobbies. |
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Post by riogrande on Oct 28, 2014 16:30:24 GMT -8
riogrande-- First, I have owned the Palace Car Company passenger cars. If I recall correctly, they were made in Korea by Samhongsa, and some of the trucks do not roll very well (we used to replace them with the reasonably priced IHC metal/sprung passenger car trucks that you could buy for about $20 per pair--but they are not the same truck as the prototype had). I believe Kumata was actually a Japanese builder and their quality would tend to be better, on the average piece, than the later Korean-made stuff. Interesting. Hopefully my cars will run ok! Why some Mexican branch line? Well, this may sound a bit lame but I just like the bright paint schemes used on the Mexican diesels, and they actually had quite interesting operations--mixed trains with former American railroad lightweight passenger cars and 40' box cars all in the same train--pulled by six-axle Alco Centuries, sometimes on 4% grades even...Pretty much anything goes. Although production was limited for a long time, we are now starting to see more Mexican rolling stock available. Also I prefer desert scenery, [/quote] Many like Santa Fe for it's bright paint jobs too, so that's not unusual. I like desert scenery and mountain scenery, but plan on doing desert. A fringe benefit, I don't need many trees! That's makes total sense if there has been few truly Canadian models made and there was a pent up demand. Jason is their hero - I would like to try one of his gondolas if I can scrape together the money and they are still around! |
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Post by atsfan on Oct 28, 2014 17:02:48 GMT -8
What brand or models are you looking for? Athearn's? Athearns in the 8700 series with PTC. What road were those in? As in railroad. |
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Post by bigblow69 on Oct 28, 2014 17:28:10 GMT -8
Athearns in the 8700 series with PTC. What road were those in? As in railroad. UP not out yet. |
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Post by atsfan on Oct 28, 2014 17:34:21 GMT -8
What road were those in? As in railroad. UP not out yet. Maybe I am missing something but if they are not out how are they sold out? |
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Post by WP 257 on Oct 28, 2014 18:16:03 GMT -8
Does "sold out" with regard to brass also mean "fully reserved" ie no unspoken for models left even though not yet produced?
"There's no such thing as bad publicity"...so after this thread perhaps I'll check Overland Hobbies website more often. I'm sure Brian and Missy deserve my business as well as anybody else does.
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Post by Judge Doom on Oct 28, 2014 18:17:13 GMT -8
I can't see myself buying any brass now or in the future - for the expense it's not worth it, that $800 or $1500 could better be spent on multiple highly detailed plastic cars or locos. A lot of the older Brass I always pass by at train shows marked down for a few hundred doesn't compare quality and detail-wise to a lot of the recent plastic models. It's only a matter of time before a lot of those brass-only models pop up in plastic or as resin kits, heck even in 3D printed form! If I wanted to "invest", I'd skip Brass and go to the stock market.
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Post by WP 257 on Oct 28, 2014 18:26:11 GMT -8
I can't see myself buying any brass now or in the future - for the expense it's not worth it, that $800 or $1500 could better be spent on multiple highly detailed plastic cars or locos. Hi there-- I can completely understand your viewpoint as I'm on a limited budget myself. However, I was (too) cheap even in my brass days. If I wanted something new, I often sold something else that I already had to buy it.
There's a few pieces I would (almost) kill to own now! Some are engines I actually owned. Some are engines I saw available cheap back in the day. For example, the Overland Models/Ajin "Anthracite Road" 4-6-2's were simply wonderful models--accurately done, well painted, and run great right out of the box. Problem is this: not everyone needs a Reading G1sa (original version, 1920's-30's appearance, 4-6-2) but most folks wanted the Reading G-3 (late model) instead. The G1sa didn't sell very well (and can often be found today for $900 or less)--but it's one of the best steamers Overland ever did! At the time I bought two, a painted one and the semi-streamlined one...later sold them (that was a mistake). The one I ignored at the time is the one many people covet today: The OMI/Ajin blue Boston and Maine "Minuteman" 4-6-2. It's simply beautiful--and the kicker is this--I have an 8 year old son who has seen the photos of that engine and really wants one, and I could easily have bought them back in the day for only $600 (they were close to $1000 retail MSRP), if I'd only done that. Although they are out there, I lack the funds and don't think I'll ever own one. |
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Oct 28, 2014 18:39:38 GMT -8
I actually do NOT even remember if it was Caboose Hobbbies that I had a reserve for the OMI Caterpillar SD70ACe demo unit but as someone stated earlier, there was something about OMI telling the dealers that they would now need to get deposits (10%??) for the reserved engines. I never followed up on the pre-order after that. I would have sat around for a year or two (totally forgetting about the model at that damn point) then I would have gotten a call or email out of the blue that the model was in and I just needed to pay the "NEWER higher price" by that time, maybe somewhere at the $1140 MSRP and $950 "discounted price" from caboose Hobbies. Then I would be like, 'Nahh man, I am not paying even more for it than I expected 1-2 years ago, sell it to someone else now.' Now if I had left a deposit months ago after it was announced and I was expecting to pay the $825 price and after it arrived 1-2 years later and was told it would now be $950, well I would be even more pissed but I would still say NO to buying it and tell them to keep the $80+ and donate it to OMI because it seems like they need it more than I do. Seriously though, with a 2 year delay in releasing a model there is BOUND TO BE ANOTHER INCREASE IN THE MSRP from $1040+ to $1140+.
Anyways, for as far as my "pre-order" status I am sure that after that deposit fiasco my pre-order was then canceled by the dealer and the manufacture after I did not produce that 10% ($82.50) deposit. Did anyone else pre-order any of their newer announcement engines and then got the info that deposits would be needed for pre-orders, and then after that, you left the required deposit?
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Post by WP 257 on Oct 28, 2014 18:48:59 GMT -8
Sorry, can't help there Big Al.
I have/had a $50 deposit with another dealer on a brass caboose, only I then switched roadnames to a different one (also allegedly coming to them). They erased my $50 deposit credit, so on my account it appears that I owe the full amount if the darn caboose ever shows up. However, the kicker is it will never show up for the $325 or so price point the dealers are showing. There's no way the project can get done at that price point now...it's been too long. Fortunately, that credit card was replaced by the bank (due to hacking) so the dealer can't just charge me when/if the caboose ever appears.
Of course, Atlas, Athearn Genesis, Bluford Shops and others are now filling the gap with some of the very same or similar cabooses.
I can say that other dealers are taking deposits on just about all brass--even the lesser priced stuff--now.
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Post by bigblow69 on Oct 28, 2014 19:11:41 GMT -8
Maybe I am missing something but if they are not out how are they sold out? Horizon is taking only backorders from what I understand. the only make what is ordered beast strikes again. I usually only order from my local store so if he can't get it I will probably likely pass. |
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Post by iccn1000 on Oct 29, 2014 7:38:17 GMT -8
Heres my guess at Horizon: Since they killed their "hobby shop" online, I'm wondering if Horizon doesnt want to carry the overhead any more. It used to be that the SD70Aces, GP7/9/38-2s, etc were available after release. Well now its a preorder game. They take preorders for a month and make a few extra and when they are gone, you have to find them or wait for the next release. Makes sense. What I dont like is that I have had instances were customers are asking me a month after the preorder date for locos and they are not available. Now I'm losing business to other retailers who preordered them. So I'm telling everyone to preorder what you think you want, if you cancel, its not going to hurt anything as the next guy will want them. Thanks Rob Gruber www.dcctrain.com |
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Post by WP 257 on Oct 29, 2014 10:07:50 GMT -8
I don't know if it's a glitch in Horizon's system, but some time ago, when I wanted certain SD45-2's that were hard to find, it was apparent (and was confirmed by my phone call to them) that when items were sold out, the Horizon website would still allow folks to place a "backorder" for the sold out item--even though they have absolutely no intention of making more of said item number any time soon.
Or is Horizon trying to use the "backorder" count to determine if a re-run (of Athearn items) is worthwhile?
Likewise, Intermountain has items that are not currently announced, much less planned, for re-release (I've checked) yet some dealers actually allow you to place those same items on "backorder".
Any clarification on this would be appreciated. Thank you all.
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Post by iccn1000 on Oct 29, 2014 11:11:28 GMT -8
Yea, Intermountain lets you do it. And its great that they let you do it. I only use Horizons Fastserve interface for ordering, so I dont actually talk to my rep unless there is an issue. But i have never heard of them accepting backorders for Athearn products except parts. (We had genesis motors on order prior to this whole sound frame thing coming out) Thanks Rob Gruber www.dcctrain.com |
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Post by atsfan on Oct 29, 2014 11:32:13 GMT -8
Heres my guess at Horizon: Since they killed their "hobby shop" online, I'm wondering if Horizon doesnt want to carry the overhead any more. It used to be that the SD70Aces, GP7/9/38-2s, etc were available after release. Well now its a preorder game. They take preorders for a month and make a few extra and when they are gone, you have to find them or wait for the next release. Makes sense. What I dont like is that I have had instances were customers are asking me a month after the preorder date for locos and they are not available. Now I'm losing business to other retailers who preordered them. So I'm telling everyone to preorder what you think you want, if you cancel, its not going to hurt anything as the next guy will want them. Thanks Rob Gruber www.dcctrain.comSounds like a race to the bottom to me. Horizon is losing sales and leaving money on the table. |
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