Chris Lord posted:

My biggest complaint is that all the product URLs have changed.  In my inventory one of the fields I saved was the product URL.  When MTH redesigned their site the URLs still worked.  They don't for the new Lionel site.  A HUGE oversight as ANYBODY who bookmarked ANYTHING is now SOL.

Well!!!   It looks like the old product page URLs are working again on the website.   I just checked a few in my inventory spreadsheet and they didn't 404.  They found the correct page.

THANK YOU LIONEL!!!!

Now if they could fix the printing issue I'd be in heaven. This is what a page looks like when I print to PDF

It's growing on me.

After a long time of visiting I just stopped. I really did try hard to understand the new one  and just finally give up.

I just about did the same here. But, they did a excellent job of listening to all you computer guys/gals and It's MUCH BETTER!!!

Larry

YES: I liked the Lionel Website from day one.

As model railroaders, we are all into, improving our "Problem Solving Skills" 

Gary &

Chris Lord posted:

Chris Lord posted:

My biggest complaint is that all the product URLs have changed.  In my inventory one of the fields I saved was the product URL.  When MTH redesigned their site the URLs still worked.  They don't for the new Lionel site.  A HUGE oversight as ANYBODY who bookmarked ANYTHING is now SOL.

Well!!!   It looks like the old product page URLs are working again on the website.   I just checked a few in my inventory spreadsheet and they didn't 404.  They found the correct page.

THANK YOU LIONEL!!!!

I second the thanks to Lionel! And another thanks to you for posting the info that it was now fixed! I just checked mine and all but two are working again! I fixed those and now I am back in business. Thank You for the heads up on this! (Glad I didn't update my links to the new ones)

They still need to improve the search feature.  Trying to search by item number is virtually useless, as the search function often doesn't find all the products unless you use the exact item number.  Also bring back the advanced search function the old website had.

On a plus side they at least finally have hi-res images available for all the products.

The misprinting of the web page is not uncommon.  If it doesn't look right using your browser, try another browser like IE, Firefox, Chrome.  If the site programmer doesn't pay attention to this potential problem, it can look like your example.  Some programmers learn their craft on one browser and it doesn't work well with others.  There is a federal government site for employees that was built by a "Firefox" guy and it works great with Firefox, but is NOT IE friendly.  Your problem is avoidable if the site is built for multiple browsers.

I use firefox, and I can't get the lionel site to work hardly at all. I have to switch to IE, but even then the site it hard to navigate. It takes forever to load, and often I'll get a blank white screen. When the screen is white, I have to scroll way down to view any content. I think they need to invest in a better design and I have a feeling they are missing out on some sales because of it. Also, a beginner may not know the difference between lionchief, legacy, visionline, american flyer, etc. The site offers very little explanation. I know it took me a little while to learn what was what, and I had to use sites like this to do so. (not all bad, I enjoy this site). It just seems like Lionel is missing their mark.

I could not find where to click to open the catalogs.....I had to open Google again and type in "Lionel Catalogs" just to access the catalogs.

Losing interest and not worth my time................ 

I like it!! A challenge to navigate gives me a grey matter workout! I get to try numerous browsers etc.

Awe forget about it and let's see what MTH has going on 

Lionel has a website? Wow!

What about Hafner or Marx?

The website functions about as well as their other initiatives to satisfy customers.

It's getting better.  While I understand their main business is selling trains, the website seems to push that envelope.  I would like it to be a bit more user friendly for those looking for support, Legacy files, and past product.  It has improved in all these areas just still not quite there for most of us.  Of course some of the comments above, without specifics, doesn't help them make changes.  There was a thread where the web designer logged in and was looking for constructive and helpful input.

Well as Saturday Night Live used to poke fun with these movie reviewers...

About sums it up...

coltm16a2556 posted:

I use firefox, and I can't get the lionel site to work hardly at all. I have to switch to IE, but even then the site it hard to navigate. It takes forever to load, and often I'll get a blank white screen. When the screen is white, I have to scroll way down to view any content. I think they need to invest in a better design and I have a feeling they are missing out on some sales because of it. Also, a beginner may not know the difference between lionchief, legacy, visionline, american flyer, etc. The site offers very little explanation. I know it took me a little while to learn what was what, and I had to use sites like this to do so. (not all bad, I enjoy this site). It just seems like Lionel is missing their mark.

I get the website normally with IE and Edge. So...maybe something on your side. I can't say that I like the new site yet, but it is getting better.

I do find the search function to be weak in that I get no results for obvious searches. However if you ever did any searches in manuals or parts, those areas had the same lack of hits for words that should have hits.

I just tried to find an instructional manual for my hellgate bridge, took me a while to guess which sub-page it'd be on, a process of elimination it was, and after finally finding the right area the database didn't even have the manual listed (6-32999). I ended up e-mailing customer service to see if they may can find one for me.

It's a sign of the times that many companies, large and small, have poorly designed websites; it appears many designers don't seem to have a clue about running a business or attracting customers. Poor websites are a capital destroyer as my business-minded friends like to say. I suspect that for Lionel, and MTH, others, potential customers who have a passing and/or nostalgic interest in electric trains  will browse to the Lionel site with a strong impulse to find and buy something, only to give up and leave after a minute of two of weeding through all that fluff. Us "train people" spend the time going through sites, but we are the exception to the normal customer I think.

One common trait that successful companies have integrated into there web designs is simplicity and ease of operation. Display your products, price, and how/where to order, and customer service. Everything else is glitter.

Well as Saturday Night Live used to poke fun with these movie reviewers...

LOL, the movie reviewers were characters on a show called "In Living Color" .
The actors are Damon Wayans and David Allen Grier.

The show is credited with launching Jim Carrey's career.

The show started out very politically incorrect and very funny. But they insulted just about every group, so they got away with it for a while.
Eventually, I thought the show was politically incorrect, and not funny anymore. Apparently I wasn't the only one who felt that way, the show was canceled after five seasons.

I ran across reruns on cable not too long ago.

hate it !!!

Paul Kallus posted:

It's a sign of the times that many companies, large and small, have poorly designed websites; it appears many designers don't seem to have a clue about running a business or attracting customers. Poor websites are a capital destroyer as my business-minded friends like to say.

True. And sad to say that several well known train dealers have some of the  most poorly designed/operating web sites out there. I know I've given up and abandoned a purchase in the middle of the process on several occasions. 

Suspect I'm not the only one that's had that experience.

The key to the whole thing is to hover your pointer over the products link in the upper left.  This causes a drop down menu animation that lets you find anything you want including catalogs.  Once you select a topic, say freight cars, you can then do a search that is focused within that category including archived products.  It is new and different.  I think that it is oriented to touch devices.  The search is really pretty good.  The support site did not change and can be found right at the top of the page on the right.  That site works like it always has.  Lionel should do a youtube video going over the features of the new site.

I just retried the search window and could not cause a "no results". So pretty good. I amend my previous comment. Hovering over the left top does bring up a lot of options and they are reminiscent of the old familiar site.

Miken posted:

  That site works like it always has.  

Unfortunately that's just not true.  Here is my list of the things that don't work (or aren't present) that worked/existed before the new design.

• Catalog listing for products is very generic. Sometimes lists year not specific catalog
• Older catalogs (before 2010 have been removed)
• Printing item pages does not work well. Page is overlaid with http links
• All item URLs have changed. Any that were stored previously are no longer valid
• Manual link no longer not always included in item pages
• ‘Related items” are no longer included in item pages
• Item feature icons look selectable but clinking on them has no effect. (e.g. Lights, Smoke Unit, Wireless Tether)
• Lack of “Site Map” to easily find pages
• Can not search by a partial item number.  Example, try searching for 6-8253, old site would find 6-82534, 6-82535, 6-82536 and 6-82537. New site finds none of them.

It's just not user friendly.  That's the bottom line.  I used to visit twice a week, now it's once a month, due to the PITA factor, navigating it.

Add to Chris Lord's list:

• Can not search by a partial item number.  Example, try searching for 6-8253, old site would find 6-82534, 6-82535, 6-82536 and 6-82537. New site finds none of them.

Screenshot of old partial item number search attached:

Miken posted:

  That site works like it always has.  Lionel should do a youtube video going over the features of the new site.

If you need a YouTube video on how your site works...then it's not working.

ed h posted:

Add to Chris Lord's list:

• Can not search by a partial item number.  Example, try searching for 6-8253, old site would find 6-82534, 6-82535, 6-82536 and 6-82537. New site finds none of them.

Screenshot of old partial item number search attached:

 

 

Ed, use the new search.  It works with partial product numbers.

MartyE posted:

Miken posted:

  That site works like it always has.  Lionel should do a youtube video going over the features of the new site.

If you need a YouTube video on how your site works...then it's not working.

The point is that the site is working as designed it is different from the old one.  People were not aware that by hovering over the products link would generate a automation that has a lot of what you are looking for.  When I get a new version of software or a site that I use does not work the same as before, I search youtube and forums for how to use it.   I don't like to change, but I know when I have to bite the bullet and change and I know when to look for the knowledge I need to work with what I  am given. 

Chris Lord posted:

Miken posted:

  That site works like it always has.  

Unfortunately that's just not true.  Here is my list of the things that don't work (or aren't present) that worked/existed before the new design.

 

• Catalog listing for products is very generic. Sometimes lists year not specific catalog
• Older catalogs (before 2010 have been removed)
• Printing item pages does not work well. Page is overlaid with http links
• All item URLs have changed. Any that were stored previously are no longer valid
• Manual link no longer not always included in item pages
• ‘Related items” are no longer included in item pages
• Item feature icons look selectable but clinking on them has no effect. (e.g. Lights, Smoke Unit, Wireless Tether)
• Lack of “Site Map” to easily find pages

I was referring to the support page still working as before.  The rest of that old site is not maintained (I'm assuming) as there is a new website.  I just go there to look for parts or manuals. 

I have given the site a few months to sink in and my verdict is that I do not like it.

While it is very attractive and modern-looking, I still find it difficult to navigate.

I suppose that it is designed to appeal visually to newbies, etc., but for established hobbyists, it is not very user-friendly.

I haven't checked here for recent posts for several months regarding Lionel's new web site, but I continue to be disappointed regarding the step backward on their product search for older item numbers. Their new web site is now "No Results" for almost everything including newly released items. Speaking of New Items, no on second thought I won't bring that up. They ought to look at the web site for MTH and see how product search can work