Change the way you buy your new trains......

Now THAT is really thinking outside the box, Steve!  Hats off to you for your creative approach to marketing and selling toy trains.  Even if there's nothing I "need" right now, how could I not place your store at the top of my shopping list for future purchases?  Thanks...and thanks for sponsoring this Forum!

I've already placed preorders for Atlas rolling stock with another Atlas dealer in Cedar Falls, IA through the first half of 2016 but when the next Atlas All Scales Catalog comes out in 2 months I will definitely be placing my orders through you.

 

Now that's what I call really wanting somebody's business and there is no way I can pass that up with future purchases, including any MTH or Lionel items.

I guess my disagreement is with the concept itself--especially on preorders. Seems to me the same price should hold for everyone, and if you can make a better deal on a preorder item specifically for Joe Blow then you are basically admitting that everyone else is being overcharged.

 

As you mentioned, the margins are thin on preorder items, so I think your best option is figure out the lowest price possible for an item (that allows you to make the money you need to run a viable business) and offer the item on that basis to all of your customers. 

 

 

Jeff C

Interesting point. There are other dealers that require prepayment to get a lower price. Seems to me, I'm following the same precedent. Being prepaid takes the risk of the preorder not following through. Lowers my cost. 

Where does this mentality come from, that if one person manages to get a deal, then everybody else is entitled to the same?  Maybe it's Joe Blow's turn to get cut a break.

 

Have you ever seen the range of prices  on airplane seats for the exact same flight?  I doubt we're even talking about a tenth of that range here.

I'm not a dealer, but from my understanding, buried in the contract they have with a Manufacturer either directly, or indirectly through a distributor, they are not allowed to show the prices below a certain set point off of MSRP, even if the margin allows them to sell below that point. The loop hole is that the potential buyer can offer to pay a price that is below the minimal contractual obligation price, and the dealer can accept that offer, and everything remains hunky dory. My $0.02.

Bobby

Great new option within the regular pricing structure of e-commerce with online retailers. Very similar to that of Best Offer from the auction site on the Buy It Now prices but now from a reputable dealer.  I applaud Steve on this for first, he still has an opportunity to make a sale that he otherwise might not if someone decides to move elsewhere.  Think of the amount of inventory that he has to buy in order to maintain his dealer status so if he can move product and get funds back into the business in order to buy other stuff to sell again.  In the end, he still has the ability to reject any offer for he has a right to make a profit.  Oh my, make a profit.  It is just another selling tool for him to stay competitive for the last thing anyone wants to see if another shop closing down.  

 

Like other said look at travel tickets, furniture and auto purchases.  Plus the one person that walks in off the street might only buy 1 item a year and yes might pay a little higher price that say those that buy many items through out the year.  In the end, Steve makes more money off of those due to the frequency and can possible have a different pricing structure for those for he knows they are repeat customers.  

 

Pre-order policy is in line for it keeps those individuals putting their money on the line vs Steve or any dealer and then having someone walk away.

 

Steve,

 

Thanks for the 2 transactions earlier I appreciate it.  

 

David

What happens to the payment if the pre-ordered item is never produced?

 

Tom B

Can I just keep it?.... LOL.... It would be returned, of course....

 

As Bobby suggests above, most of the manufacturers have a Minimum Advertised Pricing policy on at least some of their items...... This is often in effect until 6 months after the item has shipped..... Obviously, a dealer and a customer agreeing on a price does not violate a MAP policy as it's not being advertised..... 

 

Thanks all for your comments, and the offers I have received today.....

 

Steve........

Good Evening Steve,

 

Congratulation! When innovation and technlogy come together you have a winning idea!

 

Best Regards,

Frank