How many delay purchasing trains?

NOPE , there are about 3 legacy engines on forum right now (under my review), but

I need the $$$, price, and nobody has committed just yet,!!  cuz,  In March, I know where there will be some, more

I would like to have 2 more specified roads,  I am gonna run them TMCC

 

A few years back, when I had the finances, I bought three of the newer, somewhat expensive toys.

One of the new toys, so far, so good.  The other two toys, were not so good, after a few repair attempts by my local butchers, the items eventually had to be sent back to the respective manufacturers, for repairs.

Of, these two malfunctions, one was on warranty and the other was out of warranty and cost about close to $230.00, for repair, this was in addition to the original cost of $450.00!!!!!  Of this last cutie, the total cost to look, play and enjoy it was $680.00!!!

So, now reading all of these horror stories of expensive goodies breaking down, almost right out of the box, I hold off on these newer, expensive, cute goodies!!!

Ralph

I have absolutely held off on Lionel because of the availability issues of the 990 set. I thought about buying the Cab1L base and running through the DCS handheld, but I really don't want to do that then turn around and buy the 990.  Obviously I could buy used, but the prices people are asking are ridiculous and you have to worry whether it could be repaired if it broke.

 

Meanwhile MTH has plenty of things I like and can buy for motive power and there is really nothing in the Lionel corner that I must have at this point.

Ralph,

 

    Very well put and in good taste.

 

Art

Since I got back into O gauge about eight years ago, I have had a list of locos and rolling stock I want: if it's on that list and MTH or Lionel announces it, I pre-order. My logic for doing so, and paying pretty close to full list price, is: a) I really want the loco so full list price is not too much considering its value to me, b) I want the manufacturer to be there for me with more like this is the future, so paying full price is encouragement to continue to stay in and do business like that.

 

Otherwise, I may watch and buy when I get a good opportunity - the Vision PRR CC2 is a good example.  It was not on my list and I did not buy initially, but several years later one came my way at a good price, and it is now one of my favorite locos).

 

That makes no sense to me. Unless it's a direct sale, the manufacturer sells it at wholesale to either a jobber or a large dealer getting wholesale for it. It's the dealer who makes the incremental markup, and he doesn't determine what the manufacturer makes in the future.

 

Gerry

 

 

 

I think I've only had one pre-order, maybe 2.  I did that because I wanted to ensure I got the item, in my case a 3rd Rail Seaboard Air Line E7.  If it's not an absolute "must have" (and there's not many of those) I wait until I can afford it.

 

I haven't bought anything since October/November 2013 that was train related, other priorities come first.

Art,

Thank you for your backing me up.

These, news toys are detailed, beautiful and do dishes and windows, BUT at what cost initially and at what cost if and when they break down and how soon?

I'm, somewhat old fashioned and I believe, unless I'm barking up the wrong tree, that if, the items were made here in America, they probably would last at least a decade.

Cost and salaries, I feel would be a little cheaper, but then again I'm probably wrong.

One model train manufacturer, who claims to make their goodies right here in the good ole' U.S. of A., is not far from where my wife's Maternal family's home is, in Penna. and I would like to visit the manufacture, as they say one can come and visit without an appointment.

Take Care,

Ralph 

Not for the reason you have.....but after retiring I had to change my buying plans drastically. I still buy....but not multiple items from each new catalog! 

I like to preorder as opposed to buying 2nd. hand. That way I at least have a manufacturers warranty & believe me I've had to use that several times.

I haven't delayed buying Legacy locomotives because of worries over the Legacy control set, which I don't own and have no intention of buying any time soon. They work fine under TMCC, and I'll get a Legacy setup when and if I get around to it. 

 

That said, I only have three Legacy units, two of which are among my favorites and the other one I wish I hadn't bought. I have all but stopped buying new locomotives because I have plenty and I hardly ever see anything new that I want, especially from Lionel. The last couple of engines I've bought have been MTH Euro units, which are more unique and interesting than what I've seen lately in US-prototype engines.

If you want it and can afford it, you should buy it. 

 

Art

Guys,

 

This is a good question! Finally, one which I'm prepared to answer! I 'm glad you asked......as I don't have the room and I'm not inclined to purchase any more shelf queens. Over the years, I have seen quite a few want-to-buys but I take stock of what I have and say no more! I have seen many a hobbyist over stock himself only to leave a mess for his family to fight over and divide.

 

Since this is supposed to be a hobby of enjoyment (not distaste) it is important for all of us to be more responsible in our purchases. Otherwise we will continue to be thought of as train fanatics.

 

I urge all of us to plan carefully not with wild abandon. It involves making estate plans that are easily understood as to how in fact we would like our property to be distributed after we are no longer here.

 

Yes, that day is coming!

 

Mike Maurice

Lack of a Legacy system (I have one ordered) has not caused me to postpone any Legacy engine purchases. Purchased my first Legacy engine early last Sept. Ordered the Legacy 990 at the same time. 

 

For me, purchases are driven by road name and fund availability. I have had no warranty issues so far, but only had MTH until my Legacy purchase last Sept. Since re-starting in the hobby, this was the first new Legacy diesel in my chosen road name and colors that has been available to me.

 

I have the 990 Set, but I still have no desire to buy Legacy engines.  There are at list 3 Sunset locomotives that I want to buy way before I would even consider a Legacy engine.  So...for me...there's no delay...there's just no desire.  Matt

I have no plans to buy anything train oriented, although I'm looking forward to meets/shows like York and Allentown. I have a number of other hobbies and interests, so there is always something to buy. Yesterday it was a new archery bow string for $8.

Interesting thread; it never ceases to amaze me that Lionel (or MTH for that matter....) does not have the coin and/or where-withall to at least STOCK their primary command system and transformers so that potential CUSTOMERS can at least get one when they want one. Why buy an engine(s) when you can't even run or control it?

Even in today's corporate mentality where "stock on the shelf" is a dirty phrase, you'd think someone would wake up.....

Back in the Postwar days, a transformer could always be found somewhere in town.

Cut off your hand to spite yourself Lionel & MTH......

You've got that right D&H 65.  I have tinkered with the idea of purchasing the Legacy system a couple of times but each time I get close there are none available and I know a few other people who have been in the same position.  It makes no economic sense.  What happened to the basic law of supply and demand?  There is plenty of demand out there but no supply.  Who in the world is running Lionel, Alfred E. Neumann?  

Yes, I've thought about this also.  I still bought a new H7 though, I wanted it badly and rolled the dice.  Try not to buy new, but made an exception on this one.  Found a 'gold mine' in nice used trains.  Only 1/11 engine purchases was new.   

 

If I was buying a lot of new Legacy engines, I wouldn't have rolled the dice.

 

I refuse to buy Lionel's Cab 1L.  It's a stop-gap measure until the Legacy 990 is available again.  Later, you can spend more money to buy the 990.

 

Yeah, OK, sign me up for that (read-sarcasm).... 

I am the same way.  I am new to O scale.  I don't want to buy something that I know I will replace in the future.

 

I won't be buying a cab1L or TMCC either,  going to wait for the real thing and only buy

once. I am hoping the revisions they had to make will be an improvement in the system, and not the other way around.

 

I do agree they should keep a supply of these things on hand, as it is their flagship product. However in all fairness to Lionel, I don't think they could have predicted the part being discontinued that supposedly held everything up.  As I understand it, this is what caused a major delay, as they had to re-design some things to adapt to using other parts that are available.

I will only buy Legacy engines.  In my opinion, nothing comes close as far as sound, operation, and special effects.  MTH has some characteristics on their control system that I wish were on Legacy, but since I too have to keep my spending in check, I have decided to stick with Legacy.

Buy used...but i run everything i buy...also not held up by all the 'bells and whistles...'...not into fifteen hundred dollar trains, and not worried about the latest and greatest...like buying a loaded auto, it's more stuff to go wrong. Like stuff i can work on myself, or that is not a major expense to pay a tech to do...but that's me...

...but also just buy what i can pay for at the time...then wait until i can afford more...

However in all fairness to Lionel, I don't think they could have predicted the part being discontinued that supposedly held everything up.

 

They should.  Heck, every manufacturer that uses present day electronic components should buy enough spares to make repairs possible for X number of years.  Of course, that would cost $$$, something they probably don't (but need to) take into account as much as they should.

 

Just look at the electronics industry over the last 2-3 decades, the speed at which they've progressed is phenomenal.  Companies that make these parts don't sit idle in between orders, they're always designing new pieces to do things faster (and stay in business).  If they made a rock-solid (expensive) component that never failed, they would go out of business very quickly.  Of course this rock-solid design would be obsolete by the time they got it to market, so.....

 

This isn't isolated to Lionel so you are right in a sense, even the U.S. Navy has issues getting spares and I bet their budget is a bit bigger than all of our train makers combined.

 

I've been fortunate in having only 1 real problem with an engine (1 out of 10 total) and that was a Railking RS3 with Locosounds that wouldn't run below 50 degrees.  Above 50 and everything was fine.  Moved the layout indoors and problem went away.  Swapped out to ERR Cruise Commander to make sure problem would not return

I hope to get a Legacy #990 one day and purchase a a couple Lionel Locos. I run all MTH currently under DCS which was way easier to get for a good price. I see some ebay adds asking $1200 Buy it Now for a #990 which is ridiculous!

I still don't have legacy yet and currently use TMCC, but when I buy a Legacy locomotive, my dealer, does a full unboxing and thorough checkout with legacy in front of me free of charge. 

 

This makes sure the locomotive I go home with is fully operational and should work when I get home.  Once I get it home, I use either TMCC or conventional knowing that the last time it was checked out with Legacy, everything worked properly.  Plus it gives me an excuse to play with Legacy in the store for a short time.

 

If you are worried that all the features won't work under Legacy, have the dealer check it out for you when you go pick it up.  Most will be happy to do it.  Then when you eventually do get legacy, you at least now everything worked when you purchased it.

 

I would not let it delay my purchase of a locomotive just for not having the command control.

 

Also, for some reason, eBay has some very ridiculous prices of the 990 like someon mentioned, probably because many dealers are waiting for replenishment from Lionel, but don't overpay for it.  You can always order it from your dealer and when it comes in, you won't be ripped off.  Most dealers will have sales, coupons, or a discount off MSRP.  Just need to wait for it to come in stock or call around.