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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 5, 2024 13:49:28 GMT
Yesterday I gleaned two pieces of information about Lionel’s upcoming 2024 Big Book catalog.
One… I received an email blast from Mr. Muffin’s Trains that included a short note saying the new catalog will be released Thursday, Jan 11th.
Two… while searching for an item that was catalogued in 2021, I was told by another dealer that they had just received a full list of items in the new catalog… and prices are on the rise again. So we were discussing how interest in trains released in recent years would rise, because people won’t want to pay the high prices for the stuff in the new catalog.
Shouldn’t really be all that surprising that Lionel continues to be oblivious to the fact that they’re pricing themselves beyond the practical limits of a growing number of enthusiasts.
At the very least, I sure hope Lionel hired a better proofreader and spell-checker than the one they hired last year. We shall see.
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Post by Adam on Jan 5, 2024 14:32:53 GMT
Not surprised to hear the prices going up. As always it will be fun to look but I wont be buying anything from it.
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Post by dennym57 on Jan 5, 2024 14:55:19 GMT
Somebody must be buying it just not me..ever.
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Post by Adam on Jan 5, 2024 14:58:26 GMT
I don't mind buying Lionel stuff, but I hesitate to preorder based on the mixed experiences we have seen as well as the cost of new. I am seriously considering one of the Doodlebugs as they aren't too expensive and are neat.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 5, 2024 15:12:19 GMT
I don't mind buying Lionel stuff, but I hesitate to preorder based on the mixed experiences we have seen as well as the cost of new. I am seriously considering one of the Doodlebugs as they aren't too expensive and are neat.
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Post by josef on Jan 5, 2024 15:55:56 GMT
I don't mind buying Lionel stuff, but I hesitate to preorder based on the mixed experiences we have seen as well as the cost of new. I am seriously considering one of the Doodlebugs as they aren't too expensive and are neat. LOL, The Doodlebugs are overpriced. They're not scale, they're from MTH molds which weren't scale, and nothing improved in the body works nor detailing. They're double the price of what they should be. I would rather buy used on the market then new from Lionel. Sorry if this sounds cruel, but this is one item besides the Strasburg passenger cars were Lionel is overpricing and gouging hobbyist to the hilt. 400.00 will buy some very neat MTH scale engines also which are being released.
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Post by Adam on Jan 5, 2024 15:57:28 GMT
I don't mind buying Lionel stuff, but I hesitate to preorder based on the mixed experiences we have seen as well as the cost of new. I am seriously considering one of the Doodlebugs as they aren't too expensive and are neat. LOL, The Doodlebugs are overpriced. They're not scale, they're from MTH molds which weren't scale, and nothing improved in the body works nor detailing. They're double the price of what they should be. I would rather buy used on the market then new from Lionel. Sorry if this sounds cruel, but this is one item besides the Strasburg passenger cars were Lionel is overpricing and gouging hobbyist to the hilt. 400.00 will buy some very neat MTH scale engines also which are being released. Funny you should say that. I am looking on ebay at used MTH Doodlebugs and they are around $100~$150, but PS1 (which I don't mind). You make good points and I think I am more likely to buy used myself.
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Post by dlagrua on Jan 5, 2024 16:00:10 GMT
IMO, Lionel is surviving in a small "high end" market niche of select customers but how long the BTO business model can last or how high the prices can go before business tails off, are the big questions. It seems Lionel is eager to find out.
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Post by rockymountaineer on Jan 5, 2024 16:26:17 GMT
IMO, Lionel is surviving in a small "high end" market niche of select customers but how long the BTO business model can last or how high the prices can go before business tails off, are the big questions. It seems Lionel is eager to find out. As much as I hate to admit it, Lionel has nothing to lose by pushing the pricing envelope. They have a band of YouTubers who are acting as their marketing arm... seemingly promoting some of the most expensive Lionel offerings these days. And even when Lionel makes a major screw-up, the YouTubers often treat the faux-pas in a light-hearted fashion. So the more gullible viewers are influenced to believe, "Well... that's not THAT big of a deal. Stuff happens. But look at how much fun these guys are having with their new purchase anyway!". 
Remember when Mike Reagan would produce basic videos from Lionel's offices? They were educational and comprehensive. Today, Lionel no longer NEEDS to do that, because YouTubers are tripping over each other to pump out new "entertainment" videos almost weekly -- if not daily -- that essentially allow enthusiasts to live vicariously through their purchases, as their subscriber counts and video views skyrocket. The big question, however, is how many fans are actually moved to PURCHASE the goodies being promoted by the YouTubers?
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 5, 2024 16:32:12 GMT
IMO, Lionel is surviving in a small "high end" market niche of select customers but how long the BTO business model can last or how high the prices can go before business tails off, are the big questions. It seems Lionel is eager to find out.
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Post by josef on Jan 5, 2024 16:33:16 GMT
IMO, Lionel is surviving in a small "high end" market niche of select customers but how long the BTO business model can last or how high the prices can go before business tails off, are the big questions. It seems Lionel is eager to find out. Soon Lionel will find out with delays, problems mechanical, electronics, color, parts, and now a lose in ability to correctly spell words and returning re-works with more damage then originally sent for repairs. How much abuse can a hobbyist take before enough is enough?? It pains me that so many are accepting these problem into their hobby. How many would accept problems in appliances, cars or trucks, or a home with inept assembly and build? How many would look at new car lineups, order one and then wait a year or more for delivery?
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Post by david1 on Jan 5, 2024 18:32:36 GMT
This why I no longer buy New items, the catalog means nothing to me. Lionel priced me out of the new market about 5 years ago.
I only buy in the secondary market now and have been very satisfied. Although the prices will keep rising in the secondary if sales start to rise. But on the other hand there is so much on the secondary market that the prices will be kept down.
It seems Lionel is trying to kill the hobby, its a sad state of affairs.
Dave
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Post by JKP on Jan 6, 2024 0:31:01 GMT
I'm looking forward to the new catalog, I am still looking for a few engines. Unless they come out with new UP fallen flags rolling stock(tankers...) I won't be interested.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 6, 2024 2:01:26 GMT
I never say never but I just paid invoices on several custom MTH freight cars today and added a few more that caught my eye. This comes on the heels of receiving my Strasburg Decapod. I am always interested in a train catalog but unless Lionel comes out with a Legacy Amtrak/Surfliner Charger locomotives I'll just be an observer.
I've had enough of $100 box cars and $120 cabooses (although I did spring for a Lionel Vision Line PRR Crew Talk caboose, it was too cool to let go by). Honestly I need to stop buying for a while, stop letting life get in the way (including procrastinating) and start building the layout.
But there is that new Menards Gym building.... hmmmm..... maybe just one more!
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Post by harborbelt70 on Jan 6, 2024 10:58:57 GMT
But there is that new Menards Gym building.... hmmmm..... maybe just one more!
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