Do you typically pay full retail for trains?

I purchase alot of my trains at shows, usually used, or new a great prices ( 30 - 50% off cat. price ) or off E bay.   I also purchase from my local trains stores, who usually give a good discount.  I do purchase from Forum sponsors who also give a hefty discount.  Rarely have I ever paid full retail.

 

Welcome to the Forum and best of luck with your layout! 

I see no reason to pay full MSRP when shopping around for a mail order purchase unless it's a unique or hard-to-find item. But I'm fully aware of the financial hardships that a small brick and mortar shop deals with while attempting to stay in business. As long as good service is provided, I have no problem paying full retail on some, even most, items, although discounts are certainly appreciated. This is a hobby steeped in tradition and nostalgia. The small local hobby shop is one of those traditions, albeit a dying one. Not wanting to support that trend, I've done my best to support my local shops. In the end, these are only toys, and if I can't afford the difference between the full price and discounted one I should be questioning my purchase anyway.

I have paid full list ever since I learned that the margin for premier MTH engines was less than 15%. When I started purchasing engines in 2004 (more than 50), I had 5 Train stores to frequent and support. Four have closed since that time and I am more than willing to pay full price to help them stay in business. If/When the remaining  store in my area closes, I will be in deep kimchee to have my trains serviced. Having sold 9 engines due to a lack of space for 50% of list,  future engine purchases are no longer in the cards. I did purchase the fasttrack for the Jan 2015 4 by 8 grandchildren summer layout and accepted the 10% discount because the margin for that $1K item significantly greater than the margin for the MTH premier engines as I understand it.

If its something i really want, then sure. Being in 2 rail, i'm use to paying more than the original price on many things.

Normally, not for anything except 3rd Rail locos.  I shop around:  MTH, Lionel, WBB, Atlas, etc., I usually buy at a small (seven percent?) discount on average.  RMT - I've learned to wait for the sales or discounted offers.  

 

And Menards?  I don't view them as selling anything at full retail: everything O-gauge on their site costs about 40% below what I would expect elsewhere, but even there, sometimes when I order, say, a dozen cars are once, their website gives me an additional discount. 

Short answer is No. That being said it's a good thing to research the pricing. Some dealers will be upfront about their discounts, some may or may not offer you anything off. During my travels to many of the train stores in Maryland, Pennsylvania New York and New Jersey some have had great prices advertised and some made me walk away.  It seems some places have a higher cost of living and their prices reflect that.  This past weekend I took a drive down to Side track Hobbies.  It’s about three hours away and I wanted to visit the store.  I went with a couple items in mind, and ended up adding two MTH Premier freight cars to the mix based on the sticker price on the items.  The owner gave me an additional 15% off on the MTH items and 20% off the already low price on the Lionel Light tower.  Will I make the drive back there again?  You bet.  People will tell you to build a relationship with the owner. Well it's a two way street, store owners need to work on their relationship building skills.

Everyone, thank you for all of your valuable input.

 

I don't know if I ever seen this much activity on any other forum.

 

I'm used to replying to everyone that answers a question that I post, but that may get quite confusing here.  : )

 

I definitely read each and every reply and I truly appreciate it.

 

Happy Pappy: I see what you mean wishing you could pay retail. Haha.

 

 

 

 

  I totally hear you Dave.  I started to slowly get back into the hobby over the last few years and have basically bought almost 100% online, from either auctions (besides eBay such as Stout, NETTE, Live Auctioneers, etc.) or OGR sponsors and non-sponsors.  About the middle of last year I finally decided to go check out the 2 local Orange County area shops that I had heard supposedly had a large O-Scale selection and was shocked especially after everything I had heard.  Dismal websites (had to get the addresses) with no eCommerce, mediocre selection, and as mentioned above, almost everything was FULL RETAIL...including 2-8 YEAR OLD stock.  I did pick up some decent deals on a few used pieces.  One shop even charges for catalogs unless you buy something...seriously?  I know running a business is costly, ESPECIALLY in screwed up California, so you would think they would fight to get their customers/potential customers back in the door in regards to online shopping.  The Train Crossing does give 10 off when paying cash which is cool.  Both shops had friendly employees and they are GREAT places to get back-issues...no shipping charges .

  I used to work the motorcycle industry, both aftermarket manufacturing sales & marketing, racing sponsorship and retail sales, and that industry is extremely competitive in all aspects.  We gave out catalogs, to both dealers and consumers, like they were water (no drought jokes haha).  The B&M shops had great websites with powerful eCommerce integration, like a few of the OGR sponsors.  I know manufacturers have MAP policies in place, for good reason since you don't want to de-value your product, which actually allow for advertised discounts.  

  I really did want to support my local guys since I love seeing and smelling the stuff in person (but now days you have various online reviews with HD images/videos), and I LOVE opening a shiny new toy right in the store right after buying it and running it on the in-store layout, but unfortunately when the price difference is that much, especially with tax on top of $2000-$3500+ over time, and I'm fighting for every gig/party I can get, it adds up quick.  I have to watch my money which unfortunately means going elsewhere...plus no sales tax.  California sucks at spending my money.  Unfortunately online pricing and selection beats out my local guys...wish it didn't,   plus it gets delivered to me.  I don't mind special ordering but not at full retail plus tax.  Don't get me wrong, I still go in but not often and I don't expect to walk out with a major purchase...unless there is something great on the used table.

  I'm glad there are options like pre-orders, sales, the OGR sale postings and auction guys.  I just wish we had shops and shows like other guys have.  

Hardware,

The number of replies here often makes a return reply on everything near impossible.

Just keeping up with the "important points" you want to comment on is hard enough. 

Based on your location, you have many excellent nearby choices that price competitively.  And if you join TCA, you can go to York twice a year and learn a LOT about prices.  (Gentlemen - please don't scare the new guy by turning this into a TCA bashing thread.) 

Absolutely never. Almost anything can be had at a discount if you do a little research. If I can't find what I want at a discount than I don't need it.

Never ever pay retail.......didn't your mother teach you how to shop?

 

JohnB

No.

 

There is a lot about this hobby that is not obvious to a newcomer.  I think this is a good, reasonable thread.  

 

And back to the original question.  As I said earlier I seldom pay list price.  With 3rd Rail and Golden Gate a person pretty much has to. It takes a while to learn the good sites and what discounts to expect.  Expect a bit more below list if you pre-order (don't put money down, just make a commitment you will live up to), but even when not, you generally I find Premium stuff at a bit more than 10% off ($1350 Premier sets at $1200, $400 for a $450 loco) but lower price items might be priced close to list ($11.95 plastic sheets for scratchbuilding at $11 - only 8% off).  I seldom by from the lowest possible price i can find.  The reputation of the retailer matters a lot to me, and as I have said earlier, I have found those I think offer good discounts and great service, and stick with them. 

Do I typically pay full retail for trains?

 

Normally, no.  Like Lee, I have paid full price for some of my 3rd Rail/GGD items.  I have paid close to or even more than full price to get hard to find individual cars from sets to complete or expand my sets.  I paid a ridiculously high price for a Bicentennial car I really wanted; glad that doesn't happen too often.

 

I mostly buy from my LHSs and get a nice discount from them.  I've bought many excellent items here on this forum, all below full price, and never had a bad experience.  My best deals have actually come from Stout Auctions.  I bid low on the items I like, and every now and then I'm the only bidder on one of them and get it.  I do use eBay but only when an item I really want comes up on it.  Now a days that doesn't happen very often.

Actually, What is Full Price? Catalog Price? No

List price at my dealer, Many times. But he lists at less than Catalog price every time.

Typically it's around $100 less for a given MTH engine and I haven't looked at enough Lionel product there to be sure.

Can I beat my LHS price online? Sure, but I find him friendly and helpful, why not drive there, have a nice chat and keep him in business for the little I would save.

Plus, I have the product in hand when I get home that day, it's not in some shipping nightmare.

I have not paid full retail for a train purchase in many years.

 

Jeff Davis

I think I always pay retail or more, specially on E bay.

Welcome to the forum. I never pay full retail. As said previously; find a good hobby shop. There are plenty of them on the sponsors list.

No but I have been known to pay market value at one point I bought the Gevo for $1250. Worht the money, no, worth having, yes.

I pay what I think is reasonable after looking around. Sometimes for me that has meant paying the price marked on the box. The closer that price gets to MSRP, the more assertive I am in asking for a discount. Most of the time that nets me some sort of discount or something else thrown in with the deal.

Williams by Bachmann 23910 Peter Witt streetcar list price $329.95

 

The Western Depot price $250.00

 

Amazon.com price $210.99

 

Trainworld (OGR forum sponsor) price $199.00

 

eBay price $180.97, $148.55

 

Mario's Trains price $140.00

 

Promotional purchase price from Mario's Trains (OGR forum sponsor): $119.00

 

Best time to buy is during promotions or blowout sales.

Wow!  I guess that's all I can say.