|
|
Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 16, 2024 14:30:48 GMT
I realize we can't go back in time on a whim, and shop at train stores like we did years ago. But it sure is fun trying.
Case in point... here's Mr. Muffin's latest video highlighting all the Lionel FEF's that just arrived. Had you pre-ordered one based on the catalog illustrations, you'd be hoping on a wing-and-a-prayer that Lionel's factory manufactures something that's at least close to the catalog image. But how does that compare to making a decision BASED ON WHAT'S ACTUALLY DELIVERED?
Seriously, I much prefer the latter approach. Nothing beats buying what your eyes can actually SEE and HEAR. Nowadays, Lionel often produces 6-12 different SKU's for a given product. And in the case of the FEF's, the different SKU's FOR THE SAME ROADNAME, i.e. Union Pacific.
So take a moment and watch this video... and you'll see some models have a glossy finish… while some have a more muted matte finish. Some have platinum bearing caps... others have black. One has white trim lines and driver wheel outlines... one has silver... one even has red... but most have no trim on the wheels. At least THIS time, Lionel's factory seems to have stayed clear of using that gosh-awful, chaulky primer gray for the smokeboxes -- which has become a deal-breaker for me. After all, NOTHING makes a $1,700 scale model look like an O-27 starter-set toy locomotive than that primer-gray color on an otherwise nicely detailed locomotive.
No... Lionel definitely got these right. Although I wonder how many folks will buy one of these after "shopping" for them, instead of pre-ordering sight-unseen. One of these jewels is calling my name. But I already have a some goodies due in later this year. And we all have our limits. Dang those pesky pre-orders. It's so much more fun going on a shopping spree, and just buying based on the little nuances that call your name (rather than settling). After all, some of these variations just can't be seen in a catalog. And even if you could, we can never be sure that's what Lionel's factory will deliver.
Shopping in the good ole' days was much more gratifying. Onward...
|
|
|
|
Post by dennym57 on Aug 16, 2024 15:28:55 GMT
Those locos are beautiful! I can say that I will never pre-order anything. My favorite was the last loco. Steve is living the life.
|
|
|
|
Post by superwarp1 on Aug 16, 2024 15:31:31 GMT
Agree and disagree. I'm not a fan of that UP grey but it's much better than the last run of Hudsons eveyone is returning for the MTH one. The smoke box graphite is much improved. I don't like shiny engines or even Matt black. All get weathered to tone it down.
I only pre-order on must have items. Case in point the special run Muffins B&A berk. These days and the crap shoot on paint or mechanics, I wait for the suckers do the pre-orders and hope dealers have left over stock. Maybe even snagging one on the secondary market a few years down the line. I'm in no rush for anything these days after getting a couple of lemons over the last ten years.
|
|
|
|
Post by rtraincollector on Aug 16, 2024 15:43:50 GMT
I have never done a pre-order, and will never do one. If I can't see at least actual picture of it, not a catalog lie, I'll wait for secondary market any way.
|
|
|
|
Post by josef on Aug 16, 2024 18:17:27 GMT
Only time in my life I pre-ordered before seeing actual model was in 1964 when I pre-order a Mustang and only went by test and design engineer concept. Took 3 months but got one of the first 1964 1/2 Mustangs to roll out of the factory. Enjoyed it several months before Uncle Sam sent me on a paid vacation to South East Asia.
|
|
|
|
Post by steveoncattailcreek on Aug 16, 2024 19:25:51 GMT
Only time in my life I pre-ordered before seeing actual model was in 1964 when I pre-order a Mustang and only went by test and design engineer concept. Took 3 months but got one of the first 1964 1/2 Mustangs to roll out of the factory. . . . and I'll bet it cost less then in absolute (non-adjusted) dollars than the tag on most of the new pre-order engines coming out lately! You may have gone further upscale, but IIRC the base Mustang (three speed, six banger) was stickered in the vicinity of $2,700, and even the Corvette Stingray started at just a bit over $4K . . . 
|
|
|
|
Post by josef on Aug 16, 2024 19:55:29 GMT
Only time in my life I pre-ordered before seeing actual model was in 1964 when I pre-order a Mustang and only went by test and design engineer concept. Took 3 months but got one of the first 1964 1/2 Mustangs to roll out of the factory. . . . and I'll bet it cost less then in absolute (non-adjusted) dollars than the tag on most of the new pre-order engines coming out lately! You may have gone further upscale, but IIRC the base Mustang (three speed, six banger) was stickered in the vicinity of $2,700, and even the Corvette Stingray started at just a bit over $4K . . . I still have original sales receipt somewere here. 2475.00 was base price. I added backup lights, full center console, and safety belts, (yes, safety belts and back-up lights were not standard then) white sidewall tires, spinners on hubcaps, radio. Wimbledon White and red interior. Yes, total was 2712.77. Traded in a 58 Ford, some money down, payments were 39.55 a month for 24 months. Insurance through State Farm was 69.88 every 6 months. Dealer had no extra fees except license plates and sale tax. Nowadays you have dealer added, paper work, etc. etc. fees. (PS- Don't ever pay dealers prep, the manufacturer allows Dealers a payment for this).
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Aug 16, 2024 20:34:06 GMT
In the beginning Steve seems to be channeling Wolfman Jack as he grooves to the music! That last engine would look good heading a circus consist!
|
|
|
|
Post by david1 on Aug 16, 2024 21:42:30 GMT
Only time in my life I pre-ordered before seeing actual model was in 1964 when I pre-order a Mustang and only went by test and design engineer concept. Took 3 months but got one of the first 1964 1/2 Mustangs to roll out of the factory. . . . and I'll bet it cost less then in absolute (non-adjusted) dollars than the tag on most of the new pre-order engines coming out lately! You may have gone further upscale, but IIRC the base Mustang (three speed, six banger) was stickered in the vicinity of $2,700, and even the Corvette Stingray started at just a bit over $4K . . . I ordered a 1970 Mustang Mach 1 in bright red with Cleveland heads, 4 bolt mains, duel exhaust, 4 barrel carb, shaker hood scoop and 4- speed. Bought it $3200.00. Don't remember how much I put down but my payment was $89.00 for 3 years. In that time they had the grabber colors of bright iridescent colors, at first I wanted grabber orange but the salesmen talked me out of it. It was horrible, glad I stuck with the cherry red!! Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by rockymountaineer on Aug 16, 2024 22:32:47 GMT
In the beginning Steve seems to be channeling Wolfman Jack as he grooves to the music! That last engine would look good heading a circus consist!
|
|
|
|
Post by ron045 on Aug 16, 2024 22:37:20 GMT
Part of the fun I enjoy is hunting for that White Whale in a shop or train show. If I just pre-ordered whatever I wanted/needed, I would not have the fund of the hunt.
I want a High Cube 50 or 60 ft TTX Boxcar. I refuse to pay $120+ dollars for any on ebay and am not interested in pre-ordering one from Atlas for $80 and waiting two years.
I'll wait and see what finally arrives at train shows or the shops.
|
|
|
|
Post by JDaddy on Aug 17, 2024 1:22:27 GMT
"At least THIS time, Lionel's factory seems to have stayed clear of using that gosh-awful, chaulky primer gray for the smokeboxes -- which has become a deal-breaker for me."
LOL Battleship grey for president!!! Yeah, absolutely right on that one. I only preorder if it's a special run that requires a minimum count to get made. After I dodged the Henry Dreyfus 3500-dollar boat anchor... Learned a lesson when I ordered a PS-1 Great Northern Box car in green, and orange and they changed the colors to a Sherman tank green and pinkish orange. Barf ...
It doesn't really make sense to preorder.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Aug 17, 2024 12:13:35 GMT
"At least THIS time, Lionel's factory seems to have stayed clear of using that gosh-awful, chaulky primer gray for the smokeboxes -- which has become a deal-breaker for me."LOL Battleship grey for president!!! Yeah, absolutely right on that one. I only preorder if it's a special run that requires a minimum count to get made. After I dodged the Henry Dreyfus 3500-dollar boat anchor... Learned a lesson when I ordered a PS-1 Great Northern Box car in green, and orange and they changed the colors to a Sherman tank green and pinkish orange. Barf ... It doesn't really make sense to preorder. That's one of the reasons I may be drawn to fantasy paint schemes; you can't mess up what never existed especially on holiday items (Yuletide not withstanding).
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Aug 17, 2024 12:37:12 GMT
The inherent threat to potential customers in a BTO world is that if you do not preorder your object of desire it may not be made at all. That and if it does get made anyway, and turns out to be fine or better you may not be able to find it at all let alone at a reasonable price in the retail or secondary market. A case in point is Trainworld's preorder price for the Halloween F-19.
A second example would be the cautionary note on Lionel's recent return to aluminum cars to the effect that due to the challenges of production actual quantities would be very close to the BTOs received.
It is a well thought out marketing quandary for consumers.
Sometimes it is difficult to have fun with so many decisions to be made.
|
|
|
|
Post by ron045 on Aug 17, 2024 12:38:23 GMT
"At least THIS time, Lionel's factory seems to have stayed clear of using that gosh-awful, chaulky primer gray for the smokeboxes -- which has become a deal-breaker for me."LOL Battleship grey for president!!! Yeah, absolutely right on that one. I only preorder if it's a special run that requires a minimum count to get made. After I dodged the Henry Dreyfus 3500-dollar boat anchor... Learned a lesson when I ordered a PS-1 Great Northern Box car in green, and orange and they changed the colors to a Sherman tank green and pinkish orange. Barf ... It doesn't really make sense to preorder. That's one of the reasons I may be drawn to fantasy paint schemes; you can't mess up what never existed especially on holiday items (Yuletide not withstanding). Seems like you can't get the color wrong. Eventually in a locomotives lifetime it will be the shade or color the model manufacturer decided to use. Which Yellow is correct on this SD70?   
|
|
