Do manufacturers/importers read "What would you like to see ---"

Do bears go poo poo in the woods?

TEX
Steve

Theres at least a "couple" of Lionels "tech" guys that read the forum and chime in from time to time,so its probably a good possibility.

quote:

Originally posted by TexSpecial:
Do bears go poo poo in the woods?

TEX
Steve

Not unless someones around to hear it

Representatives of all the manufacturers do follow things on this forum, and likely on some others as well. In most cases, the respective CEO's are included in the group that follows things discussed online.

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Do you think this helps get items made?

Perhaps, to some extent, but they have many factors to consider in deciding what will eventually be made--factors that most here don't even give much of a thought to.

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Wouldn't direct input be more useful?

Yes, because it often shows more thought being put into the request, particularly if supporting details and justification is provided rather than just the "I want..." (we all want something different) or "These will sell like hotcakes" (nobody here can predict sales) kind of presentation.

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Isn't it too late to get these products made in 2012?

With few exceptions, probably yes. Shooting for 2014 would probably be more realistic. You can be quite certain that 2012 production was decided on some time ago.

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Originally posted by Allan Miller:
You can be quite certain that 2012 production was decided on some time ago.

And 2013 is probably being sorted out as we type!

Rusty

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Do you think this helps get items made?

I hopes so.

I hope the manufacturers realize that not all of the modelers in this country go to York (I know, it's hard to believe ), or even most of the train shows held each year. If they only go by what they hear at one or two shows (or by the same people each time) then the selection is going to be very one-sided.

I'd like to see the manufacturers take a break from reproducing the same stuff all the time and try offering some other things besides Hudsons, GG1s, or that same old caboose model that seems to be the only one ever made.

quote:

Originally posted by Allan Miller:
Representatives of all the manufacturers do follow things on this forum, and likely on some others as well. In most cases, the respective CEO's are included in the group that follows things discussed online.

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Isn't it too late to get these products made in 2012?

With few exceptions, probably yes. Shooting for 2014 would probably be more realistic. You can be quite certain that 2012 production was decided on some time ago.

This is why you should all be chiming in now to get the 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1964 NEW YORKS WORLDS FAIR cars done now. It will take a least a year to convince MTH to get these cars done. Note carefully, there will be only one 50th Anniversary, and thats it.

rat

We know the Mike Wolf, himself, reads this forum because he has responded on occasion to questions/comments.
In fact, John Pignatelli of the Angels Gate Hi-Railers, lobbied for a couple of years on this forum for a particular engine. And, when Mike Wolf announced this engine at York, he had a copy of one of John's forum comments in his hand.

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Originally posted by RickO:

quote:

Originally posted by TexSpecial:
Do bears go poo poo in the woods?

TEX
Steve

Not unless someones around to hear it

and step in it.

Certainly they do; why would they not?

quote:

Representatives of all the manufacturers do follow things on this forum, and likely on some others as well. In most cases, the respective CEO's are included in the group that follows things discussed online.

I am absolutely certain Alan knows a lot more than I do on this, but it's a subject I've discussed several times with and asked about with several of the makers - just out of curiousity or maybe because I wondered if they knew of some discussion going on here about them.

Now, generally this was with tech or repair people - management may actually be the ones following the message boards. But, mostly they said either they do not read message boards or maybe that they had "heard" of some controversy being discussed but hadn't personally looked at it.

My take is, those folks simply don't have the time to be reading here or elsewhere.

I would venture a guess that the way to insure a product suggestion gets read is to personally bring it to a maker's attention. And I think it varies with each company. For instance, the person in charge of sales or marketing might be more interested in what goes on here than customer service or the tech help desk.