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Post by rapidotrains on Jul 28, 2015 19:09:04 GMT -8
I got an email from a direct customer asking me if I had any FPA-4s left. He had reserved with a deep discount store before the deadline and they never showed up, and his emails to the store did not receive a response. He sent me a copy of his order, and the store was going to charge him less than their cost. The $325 locomotives were offered at $189 each, a whopping 42% off retail. Evidently they discovered their error at some point but decided to take the famous "head in sand" approach to customer service.
So a warning to anyone who pre-orders from stores offering very deep discounts. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. I advise going with a store that has delivered to you consistently in the past or comes recommended by a friend.
-Jason
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Post by WP 257 on Jul 28, 2015 19:37:31 GMT -8
Good advice, and I must agree.
There are times I pay more to order from a reputable, long-time store--but they have generous, reasonable layaway terms that allow me to buy models I might not otherwise be able to buy at all, if I had to pony up all the cash at one specific point in time. Plus, they always have some extras of just about everything, so I can carefully examine models and take the one that I think looks the best--is worth the higher price.
John
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 28, 2015 20:53:59 GMT -8
...and the store was going to charge him less than their cost. -Jason I think that could be what is what is called a "loss leader". Nothing wrong with that. UNLESS you don't honor the price. I'd sure like to see a copy of that referenced paperwork. How about sharing? Ed |
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Post by Brakie on Jul 29, 2015 0:59:12 GMT -8
That's why I used three reputable on line B&M shops that was once famous mail order shops.Their prices is reasonable with fast shipping and IMHO that's far better then buying at full MSRP at my not so local hobby shop.
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Post by eh49 on Jul 29, 2015 2:37:49 GMT -8
So Jason, could you supply him with what he wanted?
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Post by atsfan on Jul 29, 2015 5:27:32 GMT -8
Sounds like the camera online world.
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Post by rapidotrains on Jul 29, 2015 6:08:05 GMT -8
So Jason, could you supply him with what he wanted? Unfortunately there were too many locomotives there for us to fill the order. It's too bad as I know he really wanted those engines. I believe that some of the larger Canadian stores still have them in stock so he is not without recourse. And there are plenty on eBay. -Jason |
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Jul 29, 2015 6:52:15 GMT -8
Well I guess there goes my order for 5 of the New Haven FL9 that I have reserved from a former Brass importer for the cost of $169 huh? I just thought I was getting a VIP price off of the $325 retail. Aww man, I knew it was just too good to be true! Aww well, I will simply reserve 5 of the Walthers SD70ACe with sound for only $65.99 from the former brass importer instead. That is a better deal!
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Post by Dear Leader on Jul 29, 2015 14:12:43 GMT -8
Well I guess there goes my order for 5 of the New Haven FL9 that I have reserved from a former Brass importer for the cost of $169 huh? I just thought I was getting a VIP price off of the $325 retail. Aww man, I knew it was just too good to be true! Aww well, I will simply reserve 5 of the Walthers SD70ACe with sound for only $65.99 from the former brass importer instead. That is a better deal! So your saying you got toasted by Overland Hobbies? |
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Post by Judge Doom on Jul 29, 2015 16:17:37 GMT -8
Well I guess there goes my order for 5 of the New Haven FL9 that I have reserved from a former Brass importer for the cost of $169 huh? I just thought I was getting a VIP price off of the $325 retail. Aww man, I knew it was just too good to be true! Aww well, I will simply reserve 5 of the Walthers SD70ACe with sound for only $65.99 from the former brass importer instead. That is a better deal! So your saying you got toasted by Overland Hobbies? Trashing Overland Hobbies? Very uncool Al. |
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Post by eh49 on Jul 29, 2015 16:24:16 GMT -8
Al, how do you figure that? I might be wrong but I do not think the FL9's have even shipped to dealers yet.
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Post by Dear Leader on Jul 29, 2015 16:43:14 GMT -8
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jul 29, 2015 16:58:38 GMT -8
Hey, Al, you need a sarcasm font 'cause some people just aren't getting your humor.  |
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Jul 29, 2015 17:05:48 GMT -8
Relax. It was clearly a joke and I never once mentioned the companies name that you couple of guys assumed. For your information, Canadian Model Trains is also a former Brass importer that no longer exist so was I referring to Overland Hobbies or CMT? You few people need to lighten up and get outside sometime. Walthers SD70ACe with sound for $65.99?! You really believe that price?! Puh-lease.
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Post by MONSTERRAILROAD on Jul 29, 2015 17:08:37 GMT -8
Hey, Al, you need a sarcasm font 'cause some people just aren't getting your humor. You are absolutely right Paul! Maybe I need to start every sarcastic reply like this: 'Sarcasm in 3..2..1.. I hate all model railroaders that buy Brass engines! Hate them! They are all rich and stuck up!' |
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Post by Dear Leader on Jul 29, 2015 17:37:42 GMT -8
Relax. It was clearly a joke and I never once mentioned the companies name that you couple of guys assumed. For your information, Canadian Model Trains is also a former Brass importer that no longer exist so was I referring to Overland Hobbies or CMT? You few people need to lighten up and get outside sometime. Walthers SD70ACe with sound for $65.99?! You really believe that price?! Puh-lease. That why I asked. As for CMT, I know they were a dealer, and they had special runs imported for them by Overland, but I never know they imported there own models. |
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Post by antoniofp45 on Jul 29, 2015 17:38:21 GMT -8
Paul, a sarcasm font for Al? But then that would ruin the punch lines! It's fun to "keep em guessing". Give them a chance Al. The guys will catch on. |
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Post by Dear Leader on Jul 29, 2015 17:42:05 GMT -8
Hey, Al, you need a sarcasm font 'cause some people just aren't getting your humor. You are absolutely right Paul! Maybe I need to start every sarcastic reply like this: 'Sarcasm in 3..2..1.. I hate all model railroaders that buy Brass engines! Hate them! They are all rich and stuck up!' If your poor, your mentally disturbed. If your rich, your an eccentric. |
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Post by Judge Doom on Jul 29, 2015 20:59:44 GMT -8
For your information, Canadian Model Trains is also a former Brass importer that no longer exist so was I referring to Overland Hobbies or CMT? Simple, you could have never reserved the FL9 with CMT, as they went under years before it was even announced by Rapido. And everyone knows that Overland recently put their brass importing operations on hiatus, possibly for good. I hear old Tommy boy is harder to find than Osama, maybe he's hiding in the same cave. |
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Post by stottman on Jul 29, 2015 22:02:49 GMT -8
In this day and age of constant price hikes each run, how is a consumer supposed to determine whats "too good to be true"? Especially when its the store providing the information?
I have different runs of the same boxcars from the last 10 years or so. Price has doubled.
One runs $19.99-37.99... Another, $12.99-25.98.
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Post by atsfan on Jul 30, 2015 3:29:23 GMT -8
In this day and age of constant price hikes each run, how is a consumer supposed to determine whats "too good to be true"? Especially when its the store providing the information? I have different runs of the same boxcars from the last 10 years or so. Price has doubled. One runs $19.99-37.99... Another, $12.99-25.98. Same way as in the camera world. Buy from someone you know or with a rock solid reputation. |
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Post by riogrande on Jul 30, 2015 3:35:20 GMT -8
Al, I have to get this out of my system once and for all. When I see your avatar picture I want to say in the voice of the Batmans (Dark Night) Joker: "Why so serious!!!!"
Ok... I return you to your discussion on prices, scamming and saurcasm.
*moving to the crew lounge*
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