What the cut off date . May10?
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Yup!
If you are ordering from a dealer, like us, that can't buy directly from Lionel, you'd better get them in a few days earlier. We have to get them to the distributor early next week. Like many, we don't require a deposit, so there's no reason to wait till the last minute.
Why I agreed with you I am debating on how much I want .
doesn't the pre-orders mainly apply to build to order items?
Originally Posted by bigdodgetrain:
doesn't the pre-orders mainly apply to build to order items?
With the emphasis placed on "build to order" in the latest catalog, you would think so.
In reality, it has been like this to a great extent for quite some time. There are exceptions for items dealers think may sell, so they order some for stock.
The other exception is when the train company produces something at their own risk and they show up before a normal order/production/delivery cycle can complete. This (seemingly, based on blow outs) happened a little over a year ago when Santa Fe Northerns, Mallets(several road names), and a few other steamers ended up being blown out. The signature for these items was that they were available in stores nearly before the announcement of their existence.
Most of the "Build to Order" talk is hype. True that if you don't order an item you really want, you may not get one(or you will have to scour quite a few large dealers to find one), but that's been the case for a while.
There is too much big $$ product out there (and even too much quantity for low $$ items) for most smaller stores to order "one of everything" just in case a buyer comes along. It costs too much to keep inventory that may or may not ever move.
On the flip side, the bigger dealers became bigger for a reason, they have a decent handle on predicting success and failure (and have their own pre-orders to help them judge). I feel confident suggesting that if a large dealer gets 200 orders for a certain steam engine, he may order 3 more for sales that will likely materialize once the item hits the street.
-Dave
I think Dave45681 is pretty close to the mark on all this stuff.
If you really, absolutely must have something and want to make sure you get it, pre-ordering is the only way to go, whether it's 'build to order' or not. I also think pre-orders sometimes help the manufacturers decide what to actually make and what to cancel. So, your pre-order could be the one that decides whether they actually make the product or cancel it.
Ah the main reason is i am on the fence on the es44s the c/n and the up even though I own the diecast one... With buying the the Bigboy I really don't know if I want to spend the cash on them 2 .. Even though they will be out before the Bigboy.
The other point is the number of pre-orders, or lack of Lionel receives on a certain item. If not enough pre-orders come in the item may be canceled.
I wouldn't be "on the fence" on any item unless it's a common set or other unit. If you don't pre-order you might regret it later.
Steve, Lady and Tex
