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Post by Traindiesel! on Mar 2, 2024 6:23:02 GMT
…..My biggest reason not buying BTO special run is also 1 mold with new colors and Decals make them so. Which I don't understand when a hobbyist can do the same. You still would need to buy the model offered to do the painting and decaling for the same price. Then you’d have to buy the paint and decals too. Less cost, less expensive and a lot less work.
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Post by curtis on Mar 2, 2024 15:20:32 GMT
I wish people would stop and think about BTO for a minute along with custom runs. BTO requires so many to be ordered or it is not built. Custom runs also require so many to be ordered. Dealers will order either BTO or custom runs if they think they can sell them. This is why you can call a dealer months after they have received there stock of them and they may still have one. DEALERS USUALLY ORDER MORE THAN THEY HAVE ORDERS FOR! That is just the facts and nothing but the facts!
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Post by rockymountaineer on Mar 2, 2024 16:07:50 GMT
... DEALERS USUALLY ORDER MORE THAN THEY HAVE ORDERS FOR! That is just the facts and nothing but the facts!
Or in the case of MTH, they’ve already established the production run quantity BEFORE they announce the offering. So at that point, it’s first-come / first-served — which tends to stimulate demand generation. Of course, there’s a natural mitigation factor that can temper the demand, if said enthusiasts already allocated funds for earlier-announced offerings.
As a general observation though, it seems the custom-run market is reasonably strong… since the “extra” items ordered beyond firm customer pre-orders seem to be selling fast. Recent cases in point include Train Loft’s Rio Grande Big Boy, Brady’s UP Big Boy, and Stockyard Express’ MTH U.S. Army Challenger — all of which sold out QUICKLY after arriving Stateside.
In addition… I watched one of the Allentown ATMA Dakman Production YouTube videos, where METCA “teased” a Lionel Legacy E6 AB offering AND some dozen or so freight cars to be announced within the next month. I believe production quantities for most — if not all — of these offerings have already been confirmed with the importer. So they too will be first-come / first-served once they're officially announced.
Lionel requires 40 units for locomotives. MTH is a bit more lenient, because I heard Stockyard Express had 23 units made of their U.S. Army Challenger. Rolling stock, on the other hand, often requires 100 units of a given piece. So dealers and clubs are highly motivated to move these gems quickly upon receipt from the importer.
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Post by superwarp1 on Mar 2, 2024 19:35:50 GMT
Thank God for the custom runs. It’s the only thing I’ve bought over the past few years
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Post by JKP on Mar 2, 2024 20:13:15 GMT
I don't mind BTO, just not much BTO that I have wanted. Not a fan of MTH emails at all, I'm sure I miss a few, very little that I have actually ordered from them. I do give Lionel credit for producing a catalog twice a year. I don't mind Lionel's pricing(just don't buy as much), my biggest issue/concern is service/parts after the warranty period.
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Post by josef on Mar 2, 2024 22:47:54 GMT
biggest issue/concern is service/parts after the warranty period. Key Words.
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