Waiting to the last minute to order your Big Boy?

I just keep waiting on $2000 to drop into my lap.....the wife wants a new car and if I spend $2000 on a model train I better be able to take her to work on it!!!

A Big Boy is about my last steam loco I really want.....but I'll just keep hoping!

Much as I love the Big Boy I just cannot begin to afford this one.

Sounds like a great deal for someone though.

Ditto here. I'll hold out a few years and buy one 2nd hand for 1/2 price.

I'm  hoping this fancy Big Boy will flush out some Williams or other conventional versions for me to scoop up!!

I've been going back and forth on it.  After watching the video of it in action, I was so close to pulling the trigger.  But after a night's sleep, I am resolved to hold off.  By the time I bought the cars to pull behind it, you are looking at serious money for a model train that can really only be enjoyed fully on a much larger layout than I'll ever have.  So I'll sit this one out to be able to afford the other trains I want this year.  Congrats to those who bought.  Can't wait to see all the pics and videos when they come in.

Self control is a good thing.  It always rewards us with something positive in the end.

As for me, it's too late, I ordered one.  Hard to resist this one since I am a UP steam freak.  I already have a bunch of PFE reefers but I bought some VL ones also. 

A lot of money, you are correct, but this was my only purchase this year.  Never buy stuff for myself, so it was a heck of a treat!

Like you, I can't wait to see/hear it first hand, and see other's pics/videos of this locomotive.

Hope springs eternal. I guess.

With this loc., you might wait a long time for the price to go down 50%.  A very long time....

It will go down in a couple of years. Maybe not half, but alot less than 1850. You could always get the jlc version which will decrease even more now that its no longer the latest and greatest. John

I truly wanted to order one, but the wife wants to retire, so,I got both PFE 3Packs to go with the previous Legacy Big Boy...This allowed me to get the L&N Mikado, and the 765 Berkshire.

Some of my Local buddies purchased the new VL BIG BOY...I will enjoy their Engines and visiting their Layouts. God has Blessed me with Great Friends, And (Knock on Wood) Good Health, so, now is the time for me to Scale Down. I am sure this will be the best Big Boy to date, Enjoy.  Happy Model Railroading.

Well, with the deadline extended, anyone want to get an $1850 Big Boy?....

Folks, don't you ever learn from history?  Anyone who thinks this latest incarnation of the Big Boy is gonna hold its value long-term is living in la-la land -- as long as the importers continue bringing new product to market every year.

We live in an era that's driven by the technology treadmill, with even the most minor incremental new features resulting in prices of "n-1" (and "n-2") versions of a product to plummet like a boulder.

Think I'm wrong?  Ask folks trying to sell JLC challengers for $900+ that were originally purchased at $1800.

What makes you think the Big Boy is gonna be any different?  BTO?  Hardly... I said it before, and I'll say it again... BTO is largely a marketing ploy.  We're already seeing the BTO order deadline "extended" at least once.  

David 

Right on Dave!  John

Righty-o. 

With the "deadline" being extended several times so more folks can order it, the VLBB is going to be one of the most common locomotives out there, until the next one.

Pretty soon, folks will be posting wanting to know which cab number had the lowest production so they can see if they got the "rarest" one. (Hint: It ain't gonna be 4014...)

So buy a VLBB to enjoy, not to invest.

Rusty

I bought the 765, the 1225, and the vision line reefer sound cars. The vision line Big boy will just have to wait.

I rather have one of the MTH big boys from 2004 to 2009. Maybe a few years down the road I will pick one up.

>>>>Think I'm wrong?  Ask folks trying to sell JLC challengers for $900+ that were originally purchased at $1800. 

What makes you think the Big Boy is gonna be any different? <<<

Dave, 

You nailed this one!  Well put!

Those JLC Challengers are being bought for less than half cost! I've watched several list for $1200-1995!   The one thing they all have in common?  They aren't selling, and never will at those prices. The only ones I've watched sell have been in the $700-800 range...

Technology marches forward.  Like it or not.  Prices reflect that.

Originally Posted by Rusty Traque:

Rusty, 

That thread is coming, just wait!  And, based on that "knowledge" they "learn" we'll

eventually see for sale ads like this: "this is the rarest of the VL BB".  Who cares when they made thousands of them anyway?

I predict about a month or so after they're delivered we'll see the thread asking "who has what number?'.

People were asking in the threads what was the least ordered VL BB for a reason. 

Like you, I bought to enjoy.  Not sure why anyone would buy a train as investment.  Poor choice if you ask me.

Anyway, I can't wait for my VL BB to arrive.  It is gonna be an epic locomotive.

Boy, this thread got off track quick. Steve just wanted to know if anyone was interested in placing a last minute order.

I know what you mean Joe, anyone who is buying anything today in hopes of it being collectible  someday or holding it's value is nuts. buy it because you want to run it and enjoy it or don't.  this reminds me of the baseball cards I had in the 60's, they became collectible just like post and prewar Lionel. in the 80's everyoue and their brother bought complete sealed box sets in multiples in hopes of the same thing happening. NOT! just a bunch of recycling trash today.  if you are going to buy something, ENJOY it.

in answer to your question Steve, I already had mine ordered from last year or you would have been my choice. thanks for asking.

I too have already ordered mine.  I am buying this toy now to play with this toy now. I have no delusions about its value.  I know I will never sell it for more than I paid for it.  I also know I could wait 2 or 5 or 10 years to buy it for less money than I paid for it this year.  But, because I have no desire to delay my gratification and I want to play with it now, I will not wait years before I purchase it.  I don't care how many Lionel makes, well okay I do care that they make the one that I ordered, other than that I could give a hang.  

I also don't care who else buys one or why anyone else chooses not to buy one. You want a VL big boy?...great buy one, you don't want a VL big boy?....great don't buy one.  I just don't get all the scrutiny and bluster over purchasing a toy.

For what it's worth, Who Really Cares what this engine brings down the Road? If The Railroad Buff's want this highly Desirable Engine, they should get it, ENJOY IT, RUN IT, as that's what it's for, Then Everyone Needs To Quit Knocking this Investment...It's for Enjoyment and you can NOT put a price on that.  I have never seen anyone take their money with them, nor any of their Belongings....It's Really a Great Opportunity for all of us That Lionel is willing to Make Such a Highly Featured Model, of a Railroad Icon!!!

We should say Thank You to Lionel for their Fore sight...Either Buy it, or Do not Buy it, but do not Knock others for their Choices....This is America...

WHAT???

A thread drifting off topic?

I'm shocked, shocked, I say...

Rusty

You're right Joe!

I thought all this was hashed out awhile back...

Guys....this thread going off Steve's original intention is not fair to him as a sponsor offering a special price to anyone that wants it....so....please take the "discussion" to a separate thread.  I don't want to have to close the thread.

Thanks for your understanding....

Alan