Now, they have taken the first steps to obsoleting the TMCC, this May (a week!) "Obsolete" can be an adjective or a verb- Lionel is using it as a verb:
- 1.cause (a product or idea) to be or become obsolete by replacing it with something new."we're trying to stimulate the business by obsoleting last year's designs"
How many times will their customer base "buy" Lionel's latest system as THE FUTURE of train control?? They must hope that their future buyers don't look at history. Why purchase a new Legacy locomotive, at $ 1000, or Legacy system, when history says it too will be eliminated, like TMCC?? And with no hope of longevity- maybe ten years- maybe less??
Is LionChief really going to last?? What happens when my LionChief Plus engines start to age and need boards, or parts??
Service: Will Lionel continue to send us to "slave" parts distributors with impossible to work online websites? And no stock?
Here is a variation of a post I put up on another thread. Here are some thoughts on marketing:
Lionel means ELECTRIC TRAINS. Not plastic mono-track cars, or Nascar collectibles.
They should focus on making SOME good, basic, traditional size, conventionally-run O Gauge trains at reasonable prices- say $ 150 for engines, with electronic reverse board, lights and basic smoke. Enough to please a newbie.
Put these standard O Gauge engines in the sets, not LionChief as they do now. Include a 40-watt transformer in the sets. I don't think Set buyers are likely to "upgrade" to LC+- too little difference between LC and LC+ is seen by the average customer- the differences are all hidden for the most part. While I see a difference in power, performance and sound of LC+ over standard LC I don't think the average set buyer will. Drop the conventional LC engines altogether. From transformer control to walkaround, handheld control to LC Plus IS a big upgrade.
If the sets revert to conventional control, then set buyers already HAVE the transformer in the set to run a LionChief Plus loco when they upgrade. Lionel can then keep and further develop the LionChief Plus line, with enough continuity that LHS buy them without fear that they will be obsoleted and have to be sold at a loss. LC+ available at the current price levels is fine.
AND- how many set buyers are going to buy a Legacy engine?? To make the jump from LC?? Casual hobbyists buy an engine that costs 4X what the whole set costs? No- LC+ has a long-term market IF Lionel lets it be so.Then some semi scale and scale stuff, but never over $ 1000 for a locomotive.
-Focus on QUALITY. When you buy one- the thing is perfect. Period.
- Rethink Built To Order (BTO). This stuff is too hard to buy right now. Order 9 months ahead?? And then- you might not even produce it?? What do you mean there are no PRR locomotives this year?? Only old guys who are looking for something specific will put up with it, NOT the general market. BTO is a terrible business model for the average consumer. I don't get it- no other hobby is like this. Do you think they intro new whiz-bang RC planes with a 9-month pre-order wait??
- your LHS can't afford to carry many Lionel engines and rolling stock, either. The distributors either. Margins are paper thin. Costs are way high.
Due to all this- everybody has to go to the Internet except when they need some lychen or balsa wood. The hobby has to support the distributors so they can afford to STOCK. Put margins in so LHS can afford to sell the stuff and not drive everybody online.
Vision Line?? Quit spending research dollars and time on it. Current development is enough to attract anybody! Now the big feature on the Niagara is that the thing simulates picking up water on the fly?? ANOTHER smoke generator to cause a service rerurn?? Cmon!!! Few are willing to pay for these engines at near $ 2000.
All this said- I have several LC+ engines- and all are perfect. Lionel is getting some things right!! And- I see things getting better. But it's a HUGE line- it needs to be trimmed.
