RMT Lives???????

RMT's "true status" over the past few years has remained quite the mystery to many toy train enthusiasts and observers.  The nearly perpetual -- seemingly daily at times -- emails that announced "newly found" inventory in their warehouse would give even the most casual observer reason to doubt that so many "warehouse discoveries" could be found so frequently.  So we all pretty much realized the "going out of business sale" was a bit of a ruse to encourage enthusiasts into buying stuff at so-called liquidation prices.  However, it was strictly caveat emptor, since the sale prices were almost ALWAYS  higher than the regular RMT product prices ever were -- even when RMT wasn't in its perpetual "going out of business mode".

And yes, a casual glance at the RMT website today seems to show recent mid-April updates that have scrubbed any mention of RMT liquidating stock in typical going-out-of-business fashion.  Quite the contrary... several product categories are now showing "new roadnames expected later in 2017".  So are we now to conclude that the past few years have been nothing more than a bunch of smoke-and-mirrors misleading enthusiasts to spend premium dollars for left-over inventory... only to now finally discover that the reason to spend those premium dollars never truly existed, since new inventory may become available later in 2017 anyway.   What happened to all those emails that stated, "When they're gone... they're GONE!!!"?   

This isn't the first time RMT has taken dealers and consumers for a ride, and it may not be the last either.  However, they will most certainly have a MAJOR credibility problem to overcome going forward, if they now expect to offer new merchandise later in 2017 after several years of staging a "going out of business" sale with weekly warehouse finds.  I'm sure most folks here can draw their own conclusions by connecting the dots without too much creativity. 

Yes Vallieone, that's an interesting change.

I haven't looked too much at the RMT website lately. Although there are periodic threads about RMT still being around, they haven't produced any product in a few years, so it's like they're more of a retailer and less of a company, or better said, an importer.

As David indicated above, there have been changes with RMT over the years that could easily cause one to question whether or not this will actually happen, which then lends itself to credibility issues. There were those of us looking forward to the one-time-announced, continually delayed MP-15's and revised Box Cab engines.

What surprises me is that it is new rolling stock that is said to be forthcoming. There is still RMT rolling stock available for sale at other places. The one item I haven't seen in a while is the S-4 Bang switcher. And the scant few that RMT Direct has had for sale - even at higher prices - have sold immediately.

There's more of a market for reasonably priced conventionally controlled 027 locomotives than one would gather from reading the forum. And it's been years since I've seen some particular road name S-4's for sale. I would think the S-4 would be a good bet for more production, but with the added sheet metal construction, maybe the actual production costs have exceeded their viability. But then there's still the MP-15 and Box Cab. Although RMT said the Box Cab would be re-engineered to accommodate the BEEP mechanism. Maybe that work was never done.

But given the absolutely ridiculous prices from Lionel for traditional products, which are nearly on par with the new scale products, and yet have none of the development, tooling and actual production costs AND now the competition and attractive pricing from Menards, I wonder how RMT sees themselves as fitting into the market today?

Lionel has always maintained US production would raise costs too much. Yet the LionScale products are priced better than nearly all the foreign made traditional products. Hmmm? Certainly raises some questions about the total credibility of that assessment

Well, Walter sometimes posts here. Maybe he will clarify or add more details as they become more resolved.

One thing for sure, whether you like the Menards products or not: It makes their business model of announcing new product when IT IS actually available, seem very appealing. And despite some quibbles over quality issues, one cannot argue with Menards pricing nor their determination to resolve those unhappy customer issues.

Then again, RMT operated in a similar fashion in the early days, which also built a deserved reputation for customer satisfaction... well, outside of projected product delivery schedules.

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

This isn't the first time RMT has taken dealers and consumers for a ride, and it may not be their last either.  However, they will have a MAJOR credibility problem to overcome going forward.

Judging from what's on the RMT site, they don't have dealers any more, they only sell direct.  I can understand, I doubt any dealer would touch them at this point, they're still smarting from the last experience.  I'm am a bit stunned at some of the listed prices, for instance the PRR Speeder at $179.99!  That's a bit steep for this little rig!

Same here - I was looking at one of their cabooses the other day and they listed a smoking nc-5 caboose at $199.00!!

Sorry - no thanks

Computer glitch deleted all proper pricing on most of website. It has to do with hosting company redoing their platform. Trying to fix.

Those late 2017 product comments/listings were not to be published but actually were never-deleted drafts from 2013 (Aristo-O era) that somehow showed up again but were published.

Contact RMT directly for any questions that I can answer.

I am trying to help Susie sort this all out.

Any above posts with legitimate and fair comments are always appreciated.

Otherwise, it is all incorrect speculation and rumor.

I'm going to York and I'm gonna have fun next week. A safe trip to all.

Walter/RMT

Hummmmmm,I have gotten great deals from them a few years ago though.

There was an unusual time where RMT was dumping stock at the Aristo split, those days will never happen again.  I bought a ton of stuff at that time, and it was impossibly priced, I'm sure it was at production cost or possibly less.  I don't think it's realistic to expect anything like that again.  It's also not realistic to pay the currently posted prices, but as Walter has stated, that's a website issue.  I'll withhold judgment until the website issues are sorted out.

Walter Matuch posted:

Computer glitch deleted all proper pricing on most of website. It has to do with hosting company redoing their platform. Trying to fix.

..... 

Walter/RMT

Thanks for the update Walter��

Walter is a nice guy so I don't understand this several years of "warehouse finds". Plus his going out of business prices are higher than his regular prices were.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

This isn't the first time RMT has taken dealers and consumers for a ride, and it may not be their last either.  However, they will have a MAJOR credibility problem to overcome going forward.

Judging from what's on the RMT site, they don't have dealers any more, they only sell direct.  I can understand, I doubt any dealer would touch them at this point, they're still smarting from the last experience.  I'm am a bit stunned at some of the listed prices, for instance the PRR Speeder at $179.99!  That's a bit steep for this little rig!

In 2013 I paid $39.07 for that speeder letter for BNSF!

Just talked to Matuch on the phone.  I got a fair deal on the bicentennial caboose and a very nice deal on the matching gg1.  My other gg1 is a conventional mth unit the should look nice together.  Since I can't make it to York this will have to be my fix

After following this company for a time, its anyones guess how RMT is run and what is really going on. The simple solution is; if you like the products and the prices, you buy, if not you walk!

Jim 1939 posted:

Walter is a nice guy so I don't understand this several years of "warehouse finds". Plus his going out of business prices are higher than his regular prices were.

That about sums things up quite accurately.  Any one-on-one dealings I've had with Walter have been very cordial, and I've purchased from him directly at very good prices when he was active at York years ago.  I recall getting a sweet deal on ore cars at York during one of the October shows ($15/car) several years back, and then an even better deal on ore cars the following January during an inventory reduction sale ($10/car).  Again, this was going back about 5-6 years ago if I recall correctly.  Not sure we'll ever see those price-points again though.  But the recent "going out of business" prices were much, MUCH higher than those.   That's what folks have found so puzzling.

David

12:57PM

Just processed Order #12007

Thanks to all.

Walter/RMT

Walter Matuch posted:

12:57PM

Just processed Order #12007

Thanks to all.

Walter/RMT

God bless you!

See you at York Walter. 

You know what would sell, I think.  O-27 diameter track and switches in O-31 profile rails!

Some of the issues going on is that RMT had to get a new maker for its products.

I bought some stuff from RMT a few years ago and the prices were pretty good then. Not sure if I will buy anything right now as the prices on their website seem a bit high for anything, but that was around 9 months ago, so don't know if the prices are the same or what.

Lee Fritz

We still have many RMT items for sale on our web site!

Rocky Mountaineer posted:

RMT's "true status" over the past few years has remained quite the mystery to many toy train enthusiasts and observers.  The nearly perpetual -- seemingly daily at times -- emails that announced "newly found" inventory in their warehouse would give even the most casual observer reason to doubt that so many "warehouse discoveries" could be found so frequently.  So we all pretty much realized the "going out of business sale" was a bit of a ruse to encourage enthusiasts into buying stuff at so-called liquidation prices.  However, it was strictly caveat emptor, since the sale prices were almost ALWAYS  higher than the regular RMT product prices ever were -- even when RMT wasn't in its perpetual "going out of business mode".

And yes, a casual glance at the RMT website today seems to show recent mid-April updates that have scrubbed any mention of RMT liquidating stock in typical going-out-of-business fashion.  Quite the contrary... several product categories are now showing "new roadnames expected later in 2017".  So are we now to conclude that the past few years have been nothing more than a bunch of smoke-and-mirrors misleading enthusiasts to spend premium dollars for left-over inventory... only to now finally discover that the reason to spend those premium dollars never truly existed, since new inventory may become available later in 2017 anyway.   What happened to all those emails that stated, "When they're gone... they're GONE!!!"?   

This isn't the first time RMT has taken dealers and consumers for a ride, and it may not be the last either.  However, they will most certainly have a MAJOR credibility problem to overcome going forward, if they now expect to offer new merchandise later in 2017 after several years of staging a "going out of business" sale with weekly warehouse finds.  I'm sure most folks here can draw their own conclusions by connecting the dots without too much creativity. 

AMEN, What he said

Walter Matuch posted:

12:57PM

Just processed Order #12007

Thanks to all.

Walter/RMT

Eight people bought speeders at $179 before they go "on sale" for $250?  Impressive!

I got a good deal on RMT track several years ago which appears to match the old Kline snap track which is still available on EBay and a few other sites. I like the appearance of  these tracks and have essentially replaced all my old 0 gauge track (including 42" diameter curves). Matching 031 snap track switches still can be found but are quite expensive ($70 each) so I am using the 022 lionel. My experience with RMT engines has not been so good. I bought a PA switcher and a PA diesel AA units for 027 size track and they definitely are underpowered.

I did notice at Trainland in Long Island selling 0 Line stuff which appears to be RMT cars and accessories  under a new label. Anyone have info on this?

John F posted:

I did notice at Trainland in Long Island selling 0 Line stuff which appears to be RMT cars and accessories  under a new label. Anyone have info on this?

 The research on O Line Reproductions.

More reference HERE.

This isn't the first time RMT has taken dealers and consumers for a ride, and it may not be the last either.  However, they will most certainly have a MAJOR credibility problem to overcome going forward, if they now expect to offer new merchandise later in 2017 after several years of staging a "going out of business" sale with weekly warehouse finds.  I'm sure most folks here can draw their own conclusions by connecting the dots without too much creativity.

I'd rather give Walter/RMT the benefit of the doubt, and believe that circumstances changed, causing him to reactivate the business. Heck, did anybody buy RMT items as an investment?

The only RMT that I purchased were some of the Budd cars. IMHO, they are nice cars, bargain priced for a while. If RMT makes more of them, I have no idea what a reasonable direct sale price might be.
All I know is that while they are nice cars, I decided mine could go in the last thinning cycle. I still have two Sperry Rail Service cars left, one mint and one with minimal run time (test run). I've had them out at a couple of shows. So far no takers.

The problem with most of the RMT motorized units, including the RDC units, are the plastic gears.  I have three of them here that were sent to the shop for repair.  All three have the plastic gears stripped, so unless I can find new trucks, they're a total loss.

My experience with RMT engines has not been so good. I bought a PA switcher and a PA diesel AA units for 027 size track and they definitely are underpowered.

My experience also...couldn't pull a fart out of an old man walking home from a chili party.

RMT will keep the products for a few more years at the prices listed. Keep looking in that warehouse for more dust collector items.

O GAUGE PLAYER...Appreciate your concern. Never said RMT was a collector item and they are not dust covered either.

Walter

Walter you could fix this entire post by just telling us the truth about "warehouse finds" and higher prices on old stock.

Walter, I certainly hope you took no offense at what I wrote above.

Whether or not RMT was to ever make another new product, I for one would like to say I am pleased and happy with the RMT products I have purchased over the years. Especially for some of the road names that were offered that have not been offered by any other company for 027 kinds of rolling stock and locomotives.

I can't speak for others, but I have had no problem with the pulling power of either the RDC Buddy or the Bang S-4 switcher. Nor do either of those locomotives suffer from the "jack-rabbit" starts of their predecessor K-Line versions.

Nor can I say I will never in the future, encounter gear problems, But I can say that as to this date, I have experienced no gear stripping or problems with RMT engines - or any other locomotive with plastic gears. Though I will add I do maintain them, keep the gears lubricated with plastic safe grease. I do not then put the loco down on either carpeting or a floor surface - which is potentially inviting problems. And I have seen many photos and videos of folks who are placing locomotives on the floor or carpeting, even plush shag carpeting. Bad idea.

And as many people have said on this forum, I also have enough trains. I am not in dire need of more. That might not be an encouraging thought to any one in the manufacturing or importing business, but it is a reality for many operators in the hobby today.

So I am thankful for what I have and am thankful to RMT for the products that were made. And for as much I know about the manufacturing end of the hobby business, I also know it is a lot easier to sit in the back seat of the car, hollering directions up to the front seat.

It's a different story when you ARE in the front seat with your hands on the wheel, monitoring the gas gauge, with your eyes on the road watching traffic and trying to anticipate what's coming up ahead around the bend. 

I really like the Beeps and Peeps that I have, I just didn't like where the prices ended up.

 I had suggested (as their website says to) some more Western roadnames, maybe Walter was having a Bad Day, but I felt his reply was rather Curt, and turned me off to more purchases. It's too bad some Beeps in BN Cascade Green and Black, and BEEFs/Peeps in Union Pacific would have found a home in my collection, But as Brianel027 mentioned, I am also one of those that has enough to last me a lifetime. Produce something that I WANT, and I can find room for it, but the items that would have appealed to me, just weren't produced.

 The lack of UP Beefs/Peeps, didn't just lose the sale of ONE set, but in my case, it lost the sale of THREE UP sets, a Santa Fe and NYC sets as well. I have Nephews that I have collecting ATSF, NYC and a Nephew and Great Nephew(Actually they are ALL Really Great) collecting UP, and it is getting harder to "Balance" Christmas and Birthday Gifts among them, UP Beefs and Peeps would have covered all 4 of them for Birthdays and Christmas for a year, plus a set for myself.

Doug