Riddle Me This!!! Lionel's 18" Aluminum Passenger Car Saga Continues???

Dude... you really need to go run some trains, or something.

Someone else noticed this discrepancy and there's already a thread on it here:

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...36#41412508344492336

Unless you are told something different it looks like this is a catalogue mistake.

I do not pay attention to shipping schedules, pre-orders, BTO's...

When I am ready to buy, it is either available or it is not.

I agree with you David, it gets quite amusing to watch Lionel spend time and money on a part of their website that is 100% useless.

David, I pay NO ATTENTION to the shipping schedule. I think Charles Ro covered the cancellations correctly.

PTC, I agree that Charlie Ro covered the plan as best as we've seen thus far.  But it's kinda difficult to ignore a customer-facing document that is published for the world to see.  Are we really saying some clueless individual took the time to update this document with those new dates and still got it wrong?  Say it ain't so.  

FWIW, I did forward my question to Lionel's Talk To Us group, and as promised will share their response here when I receive it.

Until I hear back from Lionel, I think someone posting on the other thread (which I was unaware of at the time I started this one) may have best explained the confusion for now:  namely these dates are perhaps the ETA's for the 21" plastic cars that replaced the cancelled 18" aluminum models.  And the person updating the shipping schedule didn't change the SKU's.  

But sheesh... Even if that were the case, this represents an all-time low regarding Lionel's ability to treat this document the way a customer-facing document should be handled.  Pretty embarrassing. 

David 

I just see what Charlie from Nassau Trains knows... he seems to have all the right information... then I call my LHS to see when he will be getting it in. Always a 3 week lag.

Folks,

I received a very professional and prompt response from Lionel this morning.  As we suspected, the shipping schedule is not correct.  The only 18" aluminum cars currently scheduled for production are those listed in the 2015 Signature Edition catalog.

False alarm.  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.  

David

P.S.  Note to self:  Do NOT click on the shipping schedule link again.  

The customer service rep was nice enough to apologize for the inconvenience.  If they do remove the erroneous information, somebody else will need to tell me... 'cause I've resolved not to click on that webpage anymore!!!  

David

Why doesn't Lionel just take down the shipping schedule and publish each month what will be released that month. Which is basically what they send to their distributers.

It is too easy??? makes a lot of sense???? Just joking, OK

How about I keep you informed? Ok?

You guys are lucky - all you get to worry about are shipping schedule changes.  Check out the folks in 2-rail who are simply frosted that they cannot get these manufacturer/importers to even consider their favorite model for production! Borderline apoplexy!

Seriously, you need to take a break from the forum, and go run trains or build something. You stress out and scrutinize every little thing. Its just a Hobby. How many ppl actually care about the shipping schedule besides yourself.  You literally start a post each month, b/c of some perceived error on the shipping schedule. Let the dealers keep up with the what/ when/ where, and just enjoy the hobby. Sheesh!!!!

Actually, everytime I see one of these Shipping Sked threads I have the very same thought. The Sked is obviously filled with inaccurate and confusing information. I'd take it down and either re-tool with something that works or just bag it.

In the end, I don't really care that much as I use the larger Lionel dealers (check their site or a quick call or email) to get the info I want.  

I pre-order almost everything from my LHS when the new catalogs come out. They call me when it comes in and I go pick it up. So far nothing I have ordered has been cancelled, but I imagine that will happen sooner or later. If so I will either get something else or even better, save some money.

OK by me!!

I don't think David is that off base. If you are trying to save monies and since the move to BTO items have been advertised. How do you budget your spending if something is not available? Or it comes in all at once?

The basic for Economics is the right product, for the right price, for the right time.

If you meet all of these you have a happy customer and repeat sales.

I find it frustrating in that I had to sit down and pick and choose what I wanted to buy so I would not miss the house payment.

I know I am not alone. So I passed on new products that if I knew they were being delayed, I would  have ordered and purchased.

Thus lost sales for Lionel, and a lost customer for future products as well.

I know I am not getting all stressed about it, must of us have plenty of trains to run, it will just make it tougher to find sets that I wanted to buy....

+ 1 !!!

For those planning purchases, Lionel simply lists 'expected delivery' date in the catalog.

All you have to do is add 6-24 months and you're in business 

6-24 is not always sufficient..... cough cough ... Smoke Fluid Loader.....(2011)  .

(I know, that's reportedly a parts issue, and I am happy they are dealing with correcting it before putting the product in the market, but still....)

-Dave

Sorry to disappoint you Sir Gromet , but I'm not gonna get drawn into any pot-stirring or personal attacks here.  James is entitled to his opinion, and I'm more than happy to let readers draw their own conclusions as to whether this latest snafu was a "perceived error" or not.

When I was a product marketing manager during my many years in Corporate America, I took pride in ensuring information I conveyed was as accurate as possible -- especially to customers.  And that's the standard I would hope still exists among today's product managers and executives.  It's really amazing that there is a contingent of enthusiasts in our hobby who really don't care if information is accurate or not.  Just because "it's a hobby", their favorite importers can do no wrong.  And if that helps them enjoy this hobby a bit more, then more power to them.

I started this thread, because I thought that perhaps Lionel might have re-considered the production of some additional aluminum cars when I saw the new 2016 dates for these 18" Texas Special cars (amongst others).  I wouldn't have minded one bit if they actually delivered them in 2016 or even 2017 for that matter, because I really PREFER the 18" size and aluminum.  I didn't pre-order the 21" plastic version of these Texas Special cars, but it will be interesting to see how they turn out.  I DID pre-order the 21" Empire State Express set, so I figured that's enough of a gamble for now. 

At the very least, Lionel did re-affirm that these 18" Texas Special aluminum cars have indeed been cancelled.  And as I indicated earlier, the customer service folks were nice enough to apologize for the confusion this recent shipping schedule hiccup caused.

David 

I can't understand what the fuss is about.  I and most others have enough Lionel, MTH and other passenger cars to run a real railroad.  Perhaps we have enough for several railroads.    

What is everyone going to do with the older trains when the new ones arrive?  I think it is safe to wait and see what gets off the boat.  At least that is what I am going to do.  I don't have enough space on the layout for the trains I already have.

Joe

David

Lionel has corrected their schedule this afternoon and removed from the list the canceled passenger cars!

I personally like to know when i can reasonably expect to see my stuff so i can have the money to pay for it

Wow, I sure hope Lionels QC department is not managed by the same guy that manages the shipping schedule. ;P

However, it is very interesting how fast they fixed it after David called them.

David...how about asking them for a work from home job, where you QC their web site?

I will gladly be your side kick, but only if they pay us to fix their website

How amusing