Lionel Shipments

Nobody really knows until dealers get a shipping memo from Lionel.  And I guess Lionel prefers to keep it that way.  

 

The website shipping schedule is completely useless, given the way it's maintained.  Looks like it was last updated 9/16.  But unless you've printed out a prior version with which to compare the most recent one, you can only tell what has shipped by seeing what's been removed from the new posting.    If that's not confusing enough, there are still items listed with a July 2014 delivery, and that was 2 months ago.  

 

So when all is said and done... it's really not that much more reliable than the fairy tale delivery dates listed on dealer price sheets when catalogs first get published.

 

Hopefully one of the dealer/sponsors who post here may have some better information for you.

 

David

This is a sore subject for some of us (myself included) if you have allocated a train budget based upon anticipated delivery dates. I suppose that position is fallacious!

 

Anyway, the best thing to do is to call or email the dealer with whom you have the order, and they can give you the most up-to-date info. Mind you, you'll get up-to-date information, not necessarily the info you want to hear!

 

Also, Charlie of Nassau Hobbies does a great service to the forum by posting "now shipping" threads.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Lionel sure has a bad system of getting their merchandise out for sale. 

We will post as soon as we get word from Lionel

Agreed... and when one considers that Lionel is moving toward more BTO-style product ordering, they need to revamp their direct communication with consumers -- relative to both product pre-ordering as well as product delivery status --  it they expect BTO to even be mildly successful.  Right now, Lionel's customer-facing online shipping schedule is nothing short of abysmal.  Sorry to be so critical, but it's not like we haven't asked more politely in the past.  

 

David

Charlie's updates is the reason I took my money from Ro to Nassau.  Information can be invaluable. 

Ben.

I like Atlas' HO shipping schedule .... they list when the shipping container left Asia. Its gives you 6 - 8 weeks heads up. Although, sometimes they fail to update it.

 

(Still hoping for that September ship date for Legacy Heavy Mikados  

I'm pretty sure Lionel continues to publish a bad shipping schedule to aggravate David.

LOL, Marty!!!

 

It's just a pet peeve of mine, that when a company creates any type of customer-facing document, it's best to do it right or not do it at all.  That was my mantra when I was a product marketing manager in former Corporate America days.

 

David

The first MLB made in the USA cars are shipping and Frosty the Snowman set also

Thanks Charlie I just ordered The Orioles Box Car from you.

That is the way things used to be done....it is called credibility...something most corporations, governments, and even people have abandoned over the past 8 years.

Yep... That's about the right time frame...  8-10 years...

 

David

I don't think it is fair to single out one manufacturer for shipping problems. They all have much of the same issue because of the nature of dealing with the Pacific rim. The only exception is probably 3rd Rail that appears to have a much tighter control over their manufacturers.

 

I don't get hung up about this anymore, it is what it is.