High cost for the Lionel Operating Forklift Platform?

You can usually find the modern 6-14000 for half the MSRP price if you are patient.  It's price probably has to do with its popularity and lower volume availability.  I have the 14000 and it's made of the same materials as the original.  Just uses a smooth can motor instead.  The Fastrack version was canceled and never made.  It's a very cool accessory and things like that are always popular.  There is one on eBay right now with a lot of bidders on it.  It will probably jump up to the 150.00 plus range when it's over.  It's worth the price in my opinion.  It's so cool.  I recommend the can motor version which works perfect and is smooth and quiet.  

Postwar versions on eBay appear to be going for less than the reproductions. I'd get the repo, but I hate the big tag they slapped on it.

When I bought my two 'repros' about 10 years ago when they were new, I paid $204 and $209.  I've always liked this accessory since I was a kid so I bought two (one for a back up!).  Very reliable and easy to operate.  My grand kids like it too.

As far as I know, Lionel (and most other manufacturers of ALL goods) price their products as high as the market will bare. Sure, their cost is a factor, setting a bottom number.
So, why is the forklift relatively high?

Maybe its because the original postwar 264 forklift isn't all that easy to find complete and in nice condition, so the demand is there.

The 264 accessory's value is also determined if the 6264 flatcar that goes with it was the earlier-production with die cast bar-end trucks which are more common, or the late-production version with plastic AAR trucks, which are harder to find.  Even more scarce are "transition period" 6264 cars that were made that had the sheet metal truck mounting frames common for the earlier die cast trucks but had AAR trucks riveted on them instead.

Kevin,

As somebody posted earlier, postwar value is largely determined by condition.  The postwar #264 accessory (circa 1957) was always one of my favorites, and it's something that is seldom found in good condition.  So  i think that was part of the pricing rationale when the re-issues were recatalog'd in 2000 and again in 2009.  Couple that with today's emphasis on maximizing profits whenever possible, and we have a perfect storm of sorts where the price is set high even without the accompanying car -- now sold separately, and whose price has also increased significantly just looking between the years that the two #264 re-issues were catalog'd.

Your comment on MSRP's is a good one, and that's how consumers have been trained to think.  But in reality, most sellers in a fiercely competitive marketplace work UP from their internal cost -- which is often not publicly known by consumers.  We saw that happen in spades here on the forum when Lionel announced the V/L Big Boy.  The $2700 MSRP never came into play (and was largely laughed at), as dealers competing for pre-orders positioned their street prices between $1900 and 2000 -- presumably up from their cost by one or two hundred bucks.  Some offered free shipping as an enticement, but that still comes out of the deal and needs to be factored into a cost-up pricing model.  

Don't ever feel the need to apologize for or clarify why you are asking a question here.  By and large, VERY few folks here view objective observations/questions as "complaining", but those that do tend to be vocal about it -- which unfortunately gives a false impression overall.

Hope that helps.

David

I picked up a good operating original one with wood and that white fake crane on ebay a few months back for $75.  Didn't have the car, but I got a repro one for under $20.  I've always like this one because it's reliable and easy to operate.  There's no constant adjustments like with some of the coal loaders and other accessories.  seems like I'm always having to do something to the other accessories to get them to operate.  this one is pretty straight forward but has a good action.  So I think that makes them desirable.  Also, as mentioned, the forklift just sits on a peg in the base, so I can see how it could easily become lost over the years.  One of my favorite accessories.

And just to clarify.  The 6-14000 made in 2000 was the only reissue made and not a huge volume.  The 6-24270 was catalogued but canceled and never made.  So the last reissue was 15 years ago.  So when they come up for sale people grab them and prices go up on bidding.

quote:

The 264 accessory's value is also determined if the 6264 flatcar that goes with it was the earlier-production with die cast bar-end trucks which are more common, or the late-production version with plastic AAR trucks, which are harder to find.  Even more scarce are "transition period" 6264 cars that were made that had the sheet metal truck mounting frames common for the earlier die cast trucks but had AAR trucks riveted on them instead.

LOL, I don't have a complete 264, but I do have one or two of the flatcars. Now I am going to have to check to see which version I have. Probably the common, die cast truck one.

The AAR-truck equipped 6264 flatcars also had the numbers to the left of the Lionel inscription on the sides.  The bar-end truck versions had the number to the right.

Bar-end (variation A) from Tandem-Associates:

Variation B with the AAR trucks (from postwarlionel.com)

I noticed that neither of those two sites referenced above mention the transition variation.  But in fairness it's pretty obscure to the point where I'm sure many aren't aware of them; I didn't even know they existed until about a year ago although I don't know how many were made.

I have 3 postwar versions and the reissue. This is one of Lionel's best operating accessory IMHO. The reissue was released twice. 125.00 for the reissue is a decent price. But I have seen some postwar ones in good condition going for about the same.

Thanks for all of the responses so far.  They've been very helpful and has cleared stuff up a bit.  I thought I was missing something or was thinking wrong when I noticed that the old Forklift set included the flat car and the newer one didn't, but for the same high price.

I will purchase one eventually for my layout, but down the road.

Something to think about, look how many of the old accessories Lionel has just released in the last catalog, all upgraded designs and many are now command control. I am just guessing here, but I think that if these do well there will be more to come. Before long, you might just be able to get a brand new one for a similar price as the older ones?

My point was not so much command control, but that they are once again producing the old accessories and some with upgrading to the previous designs. If the do this one it could be better than the older ones whether manual or command control?

Update.

I'm sending thanks to two OGR members on two different forum subjects (Track Plans and Layout Plans being the other).

Thanks to member wrawroacx I now have a Lionel Forklift Platform (along with the flat car), ahead of my acquisition schedule and for a great price.  Thanks Tom!

Another one of the things that makes the OGR forums and the way members help each other so wonderful.

So it looks like the lumber part of my under construction Inglenook Sidings layout is taking the lead (I already have the MTH repro of the American Flyer Sawmill as my first purchase)