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Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 13, 2023 15:50:56 GMT
As many folks already know, Lionel will not be at the TCA York Train Show next week. But they are managing to spend several days at ComicCon in NYC's Javits Center this week/weekend.
Sigh... And even while snubbing the TCA and long-time train enthusiasts by skipping York, it appears Lionel is still up to their old tricks... such as offering two "limited edition" EXCLUSIVE box cars -- only 50 made of each. Naturally, the shysters came out in droves. And a $75 boxcar (not surprisingly sold-out at the show on Day 1) is already selling for $450+ on eBay (not including shipping). 
So let me understand this... Lionel wants to chase new markets. I get that. But at the same time, they insist on feeding the same shyster frenzy that has soured this hobby for decades. I'm sorry, but I can't imagine the message that's being sent to these "new market" attendees. Get to the show EARLY for a "collectible"... or be at the mercy of losers in the secondary market who provide no added value aside from lining their own pockets with cash from folks with more money than brains. Oh yeah... that's bound to draw some new blood.
If you're wondering where YOU stand in Lionel's priorities today, then look no further than their decision to attend ComicCon instead of York. On the other hand, Lionel DID officially announce their new Vision Line Triplex today (October 13). They just didn't feel the need to make an in-person appearance at York next week for their big announcement, because they realize it'll sell like hotcakes ANYWAY. Gotta give them credit where credit is due: Lionel definitely understands the market that's made them who they are today VERY well.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 13, 2023 17:29:27 GMT
The way I heard it the snub is supposedly directed more toward TCA than to the hobby/hobbyists. Something to do with not having their same space at York or some such turf issue. What with the internet, FaceBook, X, influencers and the like TCA influence is not what it used to be. Even nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Personally I have no beef with TCA, however I get the sense that in the big hobby picture, the train is leaving the station and TCA is in some sense still at the ticket window.
Although I like it conceptually does anyone really need a Halloween Vision Line Triplex? Pretty expensive night light.
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Post by dennym57 on Oct 13, 2023 20:39:03 GMT
I already said how I feel about them. If I buy anything by them it will be lower end.
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Post by david1 on Oct 13, 2023 21:24:18 GMT
Its ok for to look for new markets but don't forget about your core audience!! Seems they are forgetting who buys these trains.
Dave
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 14, 2023 20:56:49 GMT
Those really limited offerings cut both ways, a few lucky flippers, a lot of angry/annoyed hobbyists.
Is this the new age of punitive marketing?
If you think this is bad you should try the limited edition audiophile record reissue racket. A record sells out in under 5 seconds and is up on Ebay in under 15 seconds for 10 times the original price if not more.
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Post by david1 on Oct 14, 2023 23:03:24 GMT
The solution is to not buy from those people who sell at over inflated pricing. if you do your just continuing the practice of people who are unaware of the practice will keep getting overcharged for items they want.
Dave
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Post by eddieg on Oct 15, 2023 0:14:07 GMT
Why would Lionel go to a comics show?
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Post by firewood on Oct 16, 2023 18:22:59 GMT
Why would Lionel go to a comics show? I figure they are trying to get a foot in the door with the folks that collect super-hero figurines and the like. With some of the oddball paint schemes they’re using, their market seems to be more for random collectors instead of old train nuts like us. (For example why a ‘Fezziwig’ camelback locomotive? I have no idea, other than a non-existent connection to Dickens ‘Christmas Carol’ ) Dave
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Post by Craignor on Oct 16, 2023 19:37:20 GMT
Who cares?
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Post by dlagrua on Oct 16, 2023 20:35:37 GMT
Lionel offers "limited edition boxcars" but who were they shipped to? It sure sounds like they went to the scalpers. IMO, long term, as the audience gets way smaller these boxcars will be worth little. Focusing on ComicCon? This sounds like an act of desperation.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 17, 2023 22:02:28 GMT
Maybe the folks at Lionel needed a little comic relief.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 21, 2023 0:30:51 GMT
Rumor haș it that those Comic Con cars will be produced in greater numbers at a later date. If so let's not get our undies in a bunch.
A visit to the LCCA 'Booth' provided various delights including those LCCA convention cars from the AC&W at far less than the secondary market prices in the usual places.
If you did not attend the convention subtract the cost to attend from the cost of the car at the LCCA 'Booth' and I dare you to say you did not come out ahead!
In addition the LCCA had two of the most delightful Christmas box cars available for sale from 2022 and 2203.
And last but not least one dealer was known to have stated that the prices for some of the offerings in the LCCA 'booth' were less than dealer wholesale.
What is not to like about York?
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Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 21, 2023 15:25:48 GMT
Rumor haș it that those Comic Con cars will be produced in greater numbers at a later date. If so let's not get our undies in a bunch. A visit to the LCCA 'Booth' provided various delights including those LCCA convention cars from the AC&W at far less than the secondary market prices in the usual places. If you did not attend the convention subtract the cost to attend from the cost of the car at the LCCA 'Booth' and I dare you to say you did not come out ahead! In addition the LCCA had two of the most delightful Christmas box cars available for sale from 2022 and 2203. And last but not least one dealer was known to have stated that the prices for some of the offerings in the LCCA 'booth' were less than dealer wholesale. What is not to like about York? The LCCA offerings can be very addictive, but you'll burn through money fast -- no matter how you try to rationalize it. On Thursday when I walked through the LCCA booth, there were three AC&W freight cars still available... one of which (the tanker) is still also available on the LCCA webstore. The Unibody Tanker was $90, which isn't "that" bad of a price for something special. But the other AC&W freight offerings were 2 of 3 boxcars/reefers that were available at the 2023 convention. The third boxcar (Volunteers) was sold out. Don't quote me on it, but I'm pretty sure these were EACH up around the $179-$199 price point... which is a bit too steep for my blood. And I can't wrap my head around the logic that rationalizes I should factor in travel and convention expenses into the cost of these goodies at York. Sorry... my brain just doesn't think that way.
The problem is these offerings can be HIGHLY addictive. You buy one... and you find yourself wanting all of them in a particular series. Fortunately for my wallet, I managed to browse the booth without buying anything. And it felt so good that I "escaped" with money still in my pocket. Bottom line... I've been around this great hobby long enough to know that the REAL comparison point for offerings like this is what you might be able to sell them for down the road. And quite frankly, I find if I spent $200 for a boxcar... I'll be lucky to get $75 for it, if I try to sell it at the big Allentown ATMA shows in November and February each year. So I'm just not gonna travel down that road anymore.
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Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 21, 2023 18:44:13 GMT
Rationalization or self deception whatever works right? But if I were to sell these cars I would definitely use Ebay based upon the sold results for these cars back in August. But we all know the story about how quickly interest fades in light of the next big thing. The real big winner will be my estate as they paid nothing for any of my stuff so it is all pure profit to them no matter what they get.  But getting back to the Comic Con cars, IMO the calculated and dare I say cynical creation of collectible 'value' for so called limited edition items attracts folks who have no interest in the applicable hobby. These so called flippers are simply in it to make a buck. They could not care less about their adverse affect on those who really are invested in that particular hobby. Such behavior strains or breaks the relationship between the hobbyist and their various manufacturers/distributors in ways which are not beneficial to those who care about the hobby. But in the spirit of the upcoming holiday season let me encourage you all to at the very least admire this year's LCCA Christmas Box Car which to me has much appeal with a mid 50s/60s feel to the artwork. (I have no financial interest in the sale of any LCCA merchandise). |
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Post by rockymountaineer on Oct 21, 2023 20:14:29 GMT
... But in the spirit of the upcoming holiday season let me encourage you all to at the very least admire this year's LCCA Christmas Box Car which to me has much appeal with a mid 50s/60s feel to the artwork. (I have no financial interest in the sale of any LCCA merchandise). In my quick travels through the Orange Hall on Thursday afternoon, I also saw a cool Christmas boxcar exclusive offering from Trainworld that I plan to pre-order fro $75. Here's a small image from their website, since I neglected to capture a photo of the prototype car that was on display in York, as it was boxed behind cellophane protection. Click the thumbnail to enlarge.
I didn't see a date on the boxcar, but the graphics are quite the eye-catcher in-person -- done in the style of pin-up artwork from the mid-20th century.
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