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Post by runamuckchuck on Apr 5, 2024 20:22:50 GMT
Too bad the solar eclipse is not going to coincide with the York official opening on the 18th. If Pa was in the cone of totality then we would all be in the dark. Other than gripping and grinning is the presence of any model train importer to any event that big a deal any longer?
Is it just that it's the thought that counts? Is it that we feel as though we are being taken for granted?
The suspected answer is 'yes' to both questions with a bit of nostalgia for when social interaction was face to face, not FaceTime.
I would much rather have these importers spend their time and effort on quality and innovation rather than just showing up for some PR.
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Post by david1 on Apr 5, 2024 21:56:18 GMT
Maybe if Lionel faced their core customers who are complaining about QC, and various other problems that keep popping up they would see how upset some of their customers are and do something about it. But from what I see they really don't care that people are upset.
What they are doing is a recipe for disaster, how long can you keep ignoring your customers. Many Lionel buyers that I know in my circle have sworn off BTO, and from buying anything Connected to Lionel. if this keeps happening the future of Lionel is in jeopardy.
In my life I seen this happen 3 times that a company I worked for go out of business because of carelessness of remembering that the customer is number 1. Btw these were very large companies, much larger than Lionel.
I hope Lionel the best but if today is anything close to what they are doing and it doesn't change better start collecting bottle caps!!
Dave
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Post by Adam on Apr 5, 2024 22:06:28 GMT
Unless those core customers stop buying I don’t think it will ever happen. You gotta him ‘em where it hurts.
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Post by Traindiesel! on Apr 6, 2024 1:06:45 GMT
I f that’s the case what is Lionel’s reasoning for attending other shows? The shows all cost money to attend and set up. And the choir usually attends them too.
The York Meet event has been operated long before Lionel ever showed up. I believe that the TCA has promoted Lionel more than Lionel has! It’s not a matter of who needs who. It’s supposed to be a collaboration for the benefit of members and customers. And it’s the choir who is buying the product and who needs to be listened to. Unless Lionel feels the TCA members know too much about defects that they seek out “new converts”.
That's an easy one. Let’s compare York 2007 to York 2023. 2007 York attendance was over 14,000, last Oct just over 7000. Now let’s take the Amherst show at the Big E, total attendance was over 26,000. Now tell me where Lionel's money is better spent?
I love Lionel but they make buying their products frustrating so they’re shooting themselves in the foot. They think they don’t but they need to get out amongst the people all the time. If not, out of sight out of mind.
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Post by superwarp1 on Apr 6, 2024 16:31:22 GMT
Like I said, preaching to the choir or getting new converts. I would think making good products or at least getting the paint right would be a bigger concern over whether or not they attend York.
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Post by curtis on Apr 6, 2024 23:00:22 GMT
I tend to think the numbers are higher for Amherst (18,000 in 20230), DUE TO WHAT IS THERE, not who is there. You have all scales represented from everything I have seen about the show and O gauge is NOT the most, but HO is and this is not even counting N, Z and G. Now if you take that then it makes sense for Lionel to show up. 1. They are trying to EXPAND their HO presence. 2. You will have way LESS O Gauge Hobbyist complaining. Now think about it. Would you want to hear people complaining or present your product to people who DO NOT KNOW about your flaws? And as for attendance, 7000 vs 18,000, I think 7000 for mainly just O Gauge says something.
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Post by dennym57 on Apr 8, 2024 14:37:58 GMT
Why is everyone so concerned with what Lionel does or doesn't do? Nobody has mentioned that none of the other big dealers were at York either. I didn't see Atlas, MTH or Nicholas Smith there.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Apr 8, 2024 15:58:44 GMT
Actually MTH was there for certain, and perhaps Atlas.
MTH was near one of the entrances to the Orange Hall, and Atlas was near Trainz at the far of the Orange Hall as I recall.
For better or for worse, Lionel is the remaining big dog in O27/O/O scale trains.
Even in its' diminished attendance capacity York is still a big deal.
If you import/sell trains on the scale that Lionel does, the question is why wouldn't you be at York?
In the absence of an official answer, speculation abounds from grudges to being taken for granted, or worse yet ignored.
Any one involved in sales knows or should know that customer goodwill is priceless.
Ultimately attendance at York may not make economic sense, yet it is just the right thing to do for your customers and prospects.
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Post by curtis on Apr 8, 2024 16:07:43 GMT
Why is everyone so concerned with what Lionel does or doesn't do? Nobody has mentioned that none of the other big dealers were at York either. I didn't see Atlas, MTH or Nicholas Smith there. Denny, Denny, Denny. Stop looking for people to talk to and look at the booths. lol MTH has been at least to the last three. They were between the doors that you come into the orange hall. I personally have talked to Rich Foster every time. As a matter of fact I talked to you right after leaving the MTH booth.
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Post by dennym57 on Apr 8, 2024 18:28:01 GMT
Why is everyone so concerned with what Lionel does or doesn't do? Nobody has mentioned that none of the other big dealers were at York either. I didn't see Atlas, MTH or Nicholas Smith there. Denny, Denny, Denny. Stop looking for people to talk to and look at the booths. lol MTH has been at least to the last three. They were between the doors that you come into the orange hall. I personally have talked to Rich Foster every time. As a matter of fact I talked to you right after leaving the MTH booth. I don't remember. Who's Rich Foster?
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Post by david1 on Apr 8, 2024 23:35:01 GMT
Rich Foster has been with MTH since the beginning and since Mike Wolf retired he is the front man/part owner of MTH.
Dave
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Post by curtis on Apr 10, 2024 22:29:12 GMT
Consider Rich Foster as this. Rich (wanting to be) Foster (Foster daddy of MTH). I can tell you this he is passionate about trains and MTH. Yes he is Part owner (main owner actually) of MTH.
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Post by superwarp1 on Apr 11, 2024 12:56:57 GMT
Mike still has his hands in his baby MTH. Don't fool yourself otherwise, Mike is still pulling the strings. Mike just can't walk away fully.
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Post by curtis on Apr 12, 2024 12:06:56 GMT
Mike still has his hands in his baby MTH. Don't fool yourself otherwise, Mike is still pulling the strings. Mike just can't walk away fully. You are correct (as I stated) but Rich is the primary but with Mike being, lets say, the Leader of controlling interest. lol Just as he is with Parts and the MTH Electronic side. But if you think about it would you want to let go of your baby if you were the one that conceived it and brought it to the greatness that it is?
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Post by superwarp1 on Apr 12, 2024 15:06:57 GMT
Mike still has his hands in his baby MTH. Don't fool yourself otherwise, Mike is still pulling the strings. Mike just can't walk away fully. You are correct (as I stated) but Rich is the primary but with Mike being, lets say, the Leader of controlling interest. lol Just as he is with Parts and the MTH Electronic side. But if you think about it would you want to let go of your baby if you were the one that conceived it and brought it to the greatness that it is? If you ever talk to Andy Eldaman who feels free now that he's a independent contractor and speaks his mind without fear. You can really get a inside look on MTH. What Mike did selling off the pieces like he did was IMO a big mistake. We almost lost a great asset but they are coming back with all these special runs. I'm hoping the MTH of tomorrow is equal to or better than the MTH pre Mike retirement.
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