Rapido RDC - some paint schemes at risk

[rapidotrains]

Hi guys,

Looking at our advance orders for the RDC, we're way above target. However, some paint schemes are way BELOW target. So our total numbers are OK, but they are skewed to specific paint schemes. Our biggest sellers so far are VIA, CP and SP.

These are the paint schemes that are at risk of being cancelled:

• PGE
• Amtrak
• B&M McGinnis
• CNJ
• MBTA
• New Haven (both)
• PRSL

The order deadline is March 7th, and we'll know for certain then which schemes have made it. In the meantime, we're putting together a video of the model along with a final promotional push to try to get the word out.

rapidotrains.com/ho-scale-absolute-rdc-project/

If you want to make sure you get your RDCs, please reserve before the deadline. And please let your modelling friends know about it.

Thanks,

Jason

[stevef45]

WOW! Those are some big roadname's to be cancelled.... Hopefully you get enough orders to get some of those done.

[rapidotrains]

Yeah - we're not sure why some of them are so low so far. Hopefully when the big distributor orders come in we see a real change. We get about 50% of our orders on the day of the deadline, and there is always the possibility (it's happened before) that one of our distributors is sitting on a PILE of New Haven or B&M orders and will send them in on the deadline.

Amazingly, C&EI already has a lot of orders. Now why would we have more advance orders for C&EI than New Haven? No clue.

-Jason

[atsfan]

Possible influences include fewer dealers to push order, some dealers don't do that anyway, some stores have no signs up etc to let people know about it, some people just don't pre-order and don't care if they don't get something, etc etc.

Not to mention some don't need or want an RDC, the economy is tanking, stock market riches are way down, etc.
That impacts spending money, and more importantly, people's willingness to spend on discretionary items.

money.cnn.com/2015/08/26/investing/stocks-markets-2-trillion-erased/index.html

[emd16645]

Or any other government conspiracy?

[Judge Doom]

Feb 17, 2016 6:44:21 GMT -8 emd16645 said:

Or any other government conspiracy?

Obama is responsible for the glut of RDC preorders.

Trump will make it all better. Or sink the US trying

[jonklein611]

How many more to keep Amtrak in the mix? My wallet might hate me, but I might be able to get another one.

[Paul Cutler III]

NH fans do not have a bottomless pit of money to draw from (believe me, I know!). What with the NH FL9, NH GP9 and NH 8600 coaches all coming out in short order from each other (all within a year), it may be that the NH RDC's are not getting ordered because the NH money well is a little dry at the moment.

[notabob]

Feb 17, 2016 4:22:52 GMT -8 rapidotrains said:

Yeah - we're not sure why some of them are so low so far. Hopefully when the big distributor orders come in we see a real change. We get about 50% of our orders on the day of the deadline, and there is always the possibility (it's happened before) that one of our distributors is sitting on a PILE of New Haven or B&M orders and will send them in on the deadline.

Amazingly, C&EI already has a lot of orders. Now why would we have more advance orders for C&EI than New Haven? No clue.

-Jason

Jason,

Here in New England we obviously have a large number of NH, B&M, and MBTA modelers.  From speaking to folks at my club, there are still relatively few that are aware that Rapido has gotten into the NE roads.  Many still associate Rapido with mainly Canadian models.  Perceptions are changing, but not as fast as you guys may like.  I know Rapido has done road shows in the past.  Not sure what your marketing budget/plans are, but perhaps a swing through New England may be in order?  There are still several good shops left around the region, as well as numerous clubs.   I'm sure many would be amenable to hosting you guys for a visit/demo, including my club (North Shore Model Railroad Club in Wakefield, MA).  May not be possible in time before the RDC deadline, but I'm sure those won't be the last New England road models that you guys will release.  Something to think about, perhaps. 

Also, if I may - a note regarding MBTA (and I think I've said this at least once elsewhere).  I've found that most folks modeling MBTA tend to model the more modern era.  I regularly see people trying to detail Walthers cheesy F40PHs and the now extremely hard to find Horizon coaches into passable MBTA screamers and Pullman/Bombardier single-level coaches.  Those have been the backbone and the face of MBTA for longer than just about any other model, including the ex-NH 8600s or RDCs.  This may explain the relatively low pre-order quantities you've been seeing for those.  I would expect an MBTA F40PH to do pretty well in this neck of the woods, once you hopefully get around to doing the later phases.  And if you ever get around to doing commuter coaches - I think a more modern MBTA coach like the Pullman/Bombardier would do much better than RDCs or 8600s. 

My $0.02, for what they're worth...

[sp8299]

Feb 17, 2016 6:32:57 GMT -8 atsfan said:

Possible influences include fewer dealers to push order, some dealers don't do that anyway, some stores have no signs up etc to let people know about it, some people just don't pre-order and don't care if they don't get something, etc etc.

Not to mention some don't need or want an RDC, the economy is tanking, stock market riches are way down, etc.
That impacts spending money, and more importantly, people's willingness to spend on discretionary items.

money.cnn.com/2015/08/26/investing/stocks-markets-2-trillion-erased/index.html

...or so the Germans would have us believe!

Attachments:

[rapidotrains]

Feb 17, 2016 7:46:13 GMT -8 jonklein611 said:

How many more to keep Amtrak in the mix? My wallet might hate me, but I might be able to get another one.

We won't know until the final orders come in next month. Trust me, if we're just short by 10 or 20 units we will go ahead and make them. But if our total orders for a paint scheme are only 38 (like they currently are with PGE), then we can't make the extra 200-250 needed to meet the minimum.

After March 7th I will give everyone an update then on what has and hasn't made the cut.

It's possible that a historical society or other group may step in and make sure that a paint scheme that didn't get enough orders actually gets made.

If you can afford another RDC, by all means please order it! Worse case scenario is the scheme is cancelled and then you aren't out any cash. If the scheme goes ahead, delivery is not expected until the early fall so you have time save your pennies.

-Jason

[jd]

You can't do this Jason! I've waited too long for a quality RDC with specific details for the CNJ. I already have two on reserve with one dealer, and two more on reserve direct with you guys. Hope enough dealer orders come in at the last minute to push it over the top. Oh well, guess I can order another one or two, but my wallet will hate both of us for doing that.
Guess all I can do is keep my fingers crossed.
-JD Lane

[el3672]

Jason....Throw me over the fence a couple of those CNJ units

I already have two Reading Comp. on order and I'm placing an

order for two CNJ/ one with sound. Fingers/ toes all crossed the

CNJ run makes the cut.

Alex K.

[atsfan]

Here is an example impacting this issue.
Not unique to Trainworld (in fact many places like Kliens dont even do per orders).
But it says "taking backorders". Doesnt say "reserve" etc. so I dont know exactly what it means but for the CASUAL train modelers it means they are not available and
Backordered. If the ordering deadline hasn't passed, how come rhey are backordered.

Not to mention some roads like PRSL arent even listed. No wonder they are not getting ordered.

Yes to the small group that tracks these things, maybe they know somehow. But to the majority, maybe not.

www.trainworld.com/search/?bymanufacturer=6049&bycategory=&byscale=&r=0.5696512837894261

[el3672]

Caboose Hobbies lists all the RDC's, even PRSL as a stock status "Pre-Order" item.

I've been getting great on line pricing with Caboose for over 20 yrs  and plus you get

their best price with an early pre-order.

[jonklein611]

Feb 17, 2016 10:21:13 GMT -8 atsfan said:

Here is an example impacting this issue.
Not unique to Trainworld (in fact many places like Kliens dont even do per orders).
But it says "taking backorders". Doesnt say "reserve" etc. so I dont know exactly what it means but for the CASUAL train modelers it means they are not available and
Backordered. If the ordering deadline hasn't passed, how come rhey are backordered.

Not to mention some roads like PRSL arent even listed. No wonder they are not getting ordered.

Yes to the small group that tracks these things, maybe they know somehow. But to the majority, maybe not.

www.trainworld.com/search/?bymanufacturer=6049&bycategory=&byscale=&r=0.5696512837894261

That's how trainworld handles preorders.

www.trainworld.com/pre-orders/scale/ho/

If your order with them ahead of the pre order deadline, you'll get one for sure (I've done it with a bunch of Atlas, Kato, and Rapdio products through them).  They also order a few (like Klein's), so after they go "in stock", you can order with everyone else that wants one and hope you get one!

[rapidotrains]

Here's another interesting tidbit. DCC/Sound is outselling DC models three to one, which is normal for us. But again it's totally skewed. On some paint schemes it's pretty even and on others sound is outselling silent by five or six to one.

I have been manufacturing model trains for over 10 years and I still get surprised by stuff like this.

-Jason

[atsfan]

Feb 17, 2016 11:55:25 GMT -8 jonklein611 said:

Feb 17, 2016 10:21:13 GMT -8 atsfan said:

Here is an example impacting this issue.
Not unique to Trainworld (in fact many places like Kliens dont even do per orders).
But it says "taking backorders". Doesnt say "reserve" etc. so I dont know exactly what it means but for the CASUAL train modelers it means they are not available and
Backordered. If the ordering deadline hasn't passed, how come rhey are backordered.

Not to mention some roads like PRSL arent even listed. No wonder they are not getting ordered.

Yes to the small group that tracks these things, maybe they know somehow. But to the majority, maybe not.

www.trainworld.com/search/?bymanufacturer=6049&bycategory=&byscale=&r=0.5696512837894261

That's how trainworld handles preorders.

www.trainworld.com/pre-orders/scale/ho/

If your order with them ahead of the pre order deadline, you'll get one for sure (I've done it with a bunch of Atlas, Kato, and Rapdio products through them).  They also order a few (like Klein's), so after they go "in stock", you can order with everyone else that wants one and hope you get one!

My point is it isn't very clear so I cannot believe that is not impacting sales.

[jonklein611]

Feb 17, 2016 12:42:17 GMT -8 atsfan said:

Feb 17, 2016 11:55:25 GMT -8 jonklein611 said:

That's how trainworld handles preorders.

www.trainworld.com/pre-orders/scale/ho/

If your order with them ahead of the pre order deadline, you'll get one for sure (I've done it with a bunch of Atlas, Kato, and Rapdio products through them).  They also order a few (like Klein's), so after they go "in stock", you can order with everyone else that wants one and hope you get one!

My point is it isn't very clear so I cannot believe that is not impacting sales.

This is true.  Especially if people are waiting until it's "in stock", which would be too late to help the cause.

Also it's annoying they don't have the whole lineup available for preorder.

[jaygee]

I'll take a set of McGinnis cars, if that helps.

[pboilermaker]

Where can a guy pre-order a B&O without paying $325?

[canrailfan]

Feb 17, 2016 18:03:40 GMT -8 pboilermaker said:

Where can a guy pre-order a B&O without paying $325?

Bill McBride recommended Hogtrainz in the Bowser SD40-2 thread. I put in an order and had it in 8 days, even coming through customs to the Great White North! I was impressed with the service and the prices. I can recommend them too.

www.hogtrainz.com/RAPIDORDC.html

David

[ddatrainman]

Feb 17, 2016 18:03:40 GMT -8 pboilermaker said:

Where can a guy pre-order a B&O without paying $325?

Factory Direct Trains. Great customer service, I believe you only pay 1 cent to reserve your preorder

www.factorydirecttrains.com/rdc-1.aspx

[lvrr325]

My buddy who's involved in taking care of the real PR-SL M403 managed to come down with cancer in the fall. I had to cancel one of the two he'd wanted when I first told him about them. The short discount doesn't help. But it is what it is.

[John Sheridan]

Feb 17, 2016 20:41:19 GMT -8 canrailfan said:

Feb 17, 2016 18:03:40 GMT -8 pboilermaker said:

Where can a guy pre-order a B&O without paying $325?

Bill McBride recommended Hogtrainz in the Bowser SD40-2 thread. I put in an order and had it in 8 days, even coming through customs to the Great White North! I was impressed with the service and the prices. I can recommend them too.

www.hogtrainz.com/RAPIDORDC.html

David

I would recommend either Factory Direct or Hogtrainz. I've worked with both & they are excellent.

[autocoach]

Feb 17, 2016 12:42:17 GMT -8 atsfan said:

Feb 17, 2016 11:55:25 GMT -8 jonklein611 said:

That's how trainworld handles preorders.

www.trainworld.com/pre-orders/scale/ho/

If your order with them ahead of the pre order deadline, you'll get one for sure (I've done it with a bunch of Atlas, Kato, and Rapdio products through them).  They also order a few (like Klein's), so after they go "in stock", you can order with everyone else that wants one and hope you get one!

My point is it isn't very clear so I cannot believe that is not impacting sales.

Going deaf, sound is now becoming irrelevant.

ken

[kcjones]

I can't believe that the MBTA is even on the list. It seems like they scattered like the wind when they were pulled from service. The first one I saw was down in Pensacola at a restaurant. There are two parked behind a warehouse in Tigard OR outside of Portland.
JL

[Chad]

A shame some of those roads may not be made. But to be selfish as long as the SP unit is done I am happy. I do hope for those that want the endangered roads more orders do come in. I am sure these will be great.

[notabob]

Feb 18, 2016 16:40:41 GMT -8 kcjones said:

I can't believe that the MBTA is even on the list. It seems like they scattered like the wind when they were pulled from service. The first one I saw was down in Pensacola at a restaurant. There are two parked behind a warehouse in Tigard OR outside of Portland.
JL

There was a hulk of one stored outside of BET in Somerville for long time.  There was another stored somewhere in Palmer.  Not sure if either is still around.

[antoniofp45]

Paul,

You hit a homerun on that one! That's why I didn't post earlier. I was going to "plead" that a New Haven version be produced, but then remembered that I've been saving funds for those beautiful 8600s (McGinnis minus skirting).

Do I want to see a NH RDC from Rapido? Absolutely!

For some weird reason the Life Like P1K version, specifically the New Haven flavor (I have two), has a grainy finish (Those of you that own one take a look). Made me wonder because the other P1K silver painted RDCs came with smoother silver finishes (yes, I checked). I assumed that "strange happenings" occurred at the factory when the NH versions were being painted.

However, a beautifully detailed Rapido NH RDC would be a huge leap forward. If it's not offered now, perhaps Jason would consider offering it in the future once the latest FL9s and future 8600s orders/sales pan out a bit.

Feb 17, 2016 7:52:28 GMT -8 Paul Cutler III said:

NH fans do not have a bottomless pit of money to draw from (believe me, I know!). What with the NH FL9, NH GP9 and NH 8600 coaches all coming out in short order from each other (all within a year), it may be that the NH RDC's are not getting ordered because the NH money well is a little dry at the moment.