Does the Forum Influence Your Equipment Purchases?

I'm usually late to the game with current catalog orders so most of my purchases are made based on others experiences. Most of those experiences are from other forum members.

The Forum absolutely does influence my purchases. In perusing various threads, I get ideas for engine or accessory purchases that perhaps I knew little about and the thread gave me ideas. But it also applies to maintenance products (oils, grease etc) and electronics (breakers and the like). I firmly believe that just because you've used something for 20 years or more doesn't mean it's the best product out there and that perhaps there's something better. I like to experiment, so buying something that people like (for reasons I consider important) very often pays off in the sense that you discover something better than what you've been using (through habit and.....inertia). Just three examples of such products that I've switched to since joining the Forum are......Red and Tacky grease, Mobil 1 oil and.......63/37 solder (kudos to GunrunnerJohn). There are countless others.

 

-Roger

Yes, Sir.......it definitely is a factor influencing my purchases.   I would not have purchased my Cab Forward or my PE Express Scale locomotive if it were not for the recommendations and insights of those who post here on this forum.  The forum is a invaluable tool,if utilized wisely......I could not imagine all the mistakes I would make in purchasing if I was left to buy some of thes products in the blind.

 

-Pete

I think that the forum definitely influences some to buy when they might not have otherwise.  It hasn't worked that way with me lately, but who knows?  I know it was very hard to resist the VLBB and the TOT.

 

Art

Yeah it does. Having read countless complaints about all the circuitry in new locos I have no great desire to by any except broken ones for conversion to DC.

Yes, definitely.

I think in a good way.

Larry

Not in the slightest for me.

Yes definitely.  You guy's are a bad influence on me! Just last week I was scrolling down the tinplate forum and I saw a member bought a tinplate candy container from England that looks like Big Ben with a working clock. He found it in Home Goods a while ago and I thought to myself;"How cool is that".  I jumped on E-Bay and found one! Needless to say it's sitting on the layout on my Standard gauge platform.  

Interesting topic Brian. The forum absolutely influences my purchases. Whether it is alerting me to something I did not know was available, or suggesting other items to compliment existing equipment - I can count on this forum for reliable information.

 

To that I wish to say a big thank you to OGR and the forum sponsors.

 

Paul

Yes, absolutely, Brian!  There have been a couple of times since I've been hanging out here that a fellow Forum member's review of an actual product and features has prompted me to purchase that particular item. 

 

And there have been many occasions where seeing the actual color/paint scheme of an item reviewed here has "pushed me over the edge" in making a purchase...not just locomotives, but rolling stock as well.  As we all know, the catalog depictions aren't always accurate, so there's nothing like seeing photos of the real thing posted by other members!

If I see something on the forum (in a photo thread) that I liked but was previously unaware of, it could influence me to go out and find one.  Otherwise, my buying habits follow my personal tastes and my budget constraints.  My mind is usually made up when I first see something in a catalog, then it falls to my accountant (me) to determine if it can be worked into the budget.

 

Andy

    I have made two purchases from the Northern Michigan Railroad Club. 100% satisfied each time. You can find them at 

http://www.nmrrc.org/

    Just last week, I published a YT video about these purchases...... Also in this video see other local road names and take a ride on the Detroit & Mackinac Model Railway.

Nothing has arrived today that was influenced by this forum, that is not to say that yesterday's delivery or tomorrow's are not a direct result of photos, comments, or a video posted on this forum.

 

A number of posts have talked about the visit to the LHS allowing them to see, and perhaps buy, what they otherwise might not have, I believe this forum has the exact same effect. One can see in detail the product, hear / see it run, and read or hear the comments (review) of the owner or multiple owners, then with just a click or two on a banner it is on its way to you!

 

Have a strong feeling it's not just the two of us in this boat, Brain. Drinks will be served on the lido deck starting a 4:00....

 

Yes it has, numerous times I would see a train here and thought I would like to have that. 

 

 

 

Not the Forum; no.  Now, George Brown's reviews in the OGR magazine have convinced me I needed to have something on more than one occasion.

Curt

PS Brian - Braves traded Gattis to the Astros this afternoon.

Not really.

Since my area of interest is so specialized I can honestly say, No! 

I don't make big train purchases, but two examples I can think of.  I wasn't going to purchase a lionel hogwarts express set (even though i'm a fan of the books/movies), especially after the poor reviews I read on amazon, but I read some posts here that said it was decent enough, so when I saw one on ebay for $60, I picked it up.  When it arrived, I was plesently surprised.  I was prepared for how light the cars were, but the engine exceeded my expectations.

 

the other example is that this forum definitely turned me on to Williams.  I have mostly Lionel postwar, so I have been able to discover Williams' selection of postwar copies and postwar inspired pieces (all at affordable prices!).  when my next paycheck comes in i'll be making my first Williams purchase

The forum has influenced one purchase by me.  In December 2011 someone posted that Amazon was selling the Lionel Coke 125th Anniversary set for $140 with free shipping.  Was too good to pass up.

 

I have also bought used post war trains and accessories from other forumites on the buy/sell forum, but I don't think that's what the OP had in mind.

 

Pete

No.

No.

 

I'd say definitely yes.

 

A lot of times the Forum has given me a heads up on an item I may have overlooked that I would really like to have in my stable. One that comes to mind is the re-issue of the scale-wheeled MTH UP/Katy Heritage SD70ACe. Spotted it on one of Charley Nassau's shipping posts and I had completely missed it in the catalog (got outbid on the first release on eBay. A quick E-mail to my dealer and it was on its way. Would have missed it completely.

 

On other occasions, Forum members have provided clarification that helps in a purchase decision. Some items didn't impress me in the catalog, but the finished product photos on the Forum prompted a purchase. On other occasions, clarification as to prototype helped a lot as I'm trying not to stray from prototype, except for those few "what might/should have been" items.

No this forum or any forum has ever influence what I buy the only thing that does that is my checkbook or credit card  

Nope, but I will say this , I did read about the closeout pricing on the 3751 on the forum and was able to get one at a pretty good deal. I usually have my preorder set within a half hour of reading the catalog.

 

rat

 

 

"I did read about the closeout pricing on the 3751 on the forum and was able to get one at a pretty good deal"

 

In one case it did, so a qualified yes? 

Passenger Train Collector ..... your postings of your Gold Edition Polar Express train, and your Christmas village that it runs around .... has influenced me, and even more so .. my wife.

 

My wife thought it was one of the most beautiful things she's ever seen. I agreed. Annemarie has looked at your photos of the train and layout many times since. She showed little interest in model trains before this.

 

We may not be able to afford the train until the 25th anniversary issue ... lol .... but we're on our way building the Christmas village to run it around. Annemarie wants it to look like just what you and your wife did.

 

Health and happiness in 2015

Jim

 

 

Jim, Elizabeth and I really appreciate your comments. We have learned so much from members of this Forum and it has enriched our enjoyment of this hobby.

 

If we have provided any motivation for you and your wife, we are greatly appreciative that we could help.

No. I've been keeping my trains running for half a century now. And upon my retirement I will explore the various control systems. The fun is in the learning. I buy along certain roadnames and favorite prototypes.

A partial yes when it comes to members parading items for sale in the recent posts column. I've bought a thing or two as I seen them drift past, but don't really go to the for sale forum looking for "trouble."

I can honestly say that I cannot think of one instance where it did.

As a matter of past performance,  I usually purchase the less-popular items.   I don't know why,  but I guess I like the ugly ducklings!

It does, but let me qualify...For example, it was here that I learned about the 5161 Trinity hoppers in BNSF Heritage paint that Atlas was making for the GSC, so I purchased them. the same thing happened with Weaver's MW ribbed cars. Had it not been for a forum thread, I probably wouldn't have delved into Weaver products.

 

As far as motive power is concerned, I can't really think of an instance. I pretty much know what I want as far as motive power us concerned, even if it is not "popular."

 

I haven't had a situation where I ran to the phone to order something after seeing it on here. However, it has created a longer shopping list for things to buy later or at the very least admire.

 

It is fun to watch the excitement of others build in some threads about new releases that they must have!

In a word, yes.  Brian, remember your post with the Golden Polar Express? 

Upon seeing your photos, I got right on and bought a set.  I buy things from many of the sponsors, based upon reviews and comments here on the Forum.  Price also has an effect on my purchases, and most of the Forum Sponsors offer better than average prices.  

 

I am also influenced, both positively and negatively about different items discussed here on the Forum.  I bought my first Lionel ZW-L based upon Lee Willis's review here.  I have thought about buying different things, and if I have concerns, I ask for input from members.  The answers and remarks I receive often influence whether I decide to ultimately make the purchase or pass  on the item.

 

I proffered this same question some time back, and most responses were that the Forum had little or no influence on making a purchase.  Those folks almost in unison stated that they were of their own mind, and they could not be influenced by others' opinions or recommendations.  I welcome input from others, most of whom have vast experience beyond my own.

Seems like everyone here, except me, bought the Vision Line Big Boy. I'm actually proud that I didn't.

 

Generally speaking, if it has no business on my layout, it has no business in my house. 

Without a doubt!  Just when I think I have all the trains that would interest me, this forum exposes my folly.

 

Especially when this forum notified us that K-Line was folding up.  What!!?? I haven't picked up all the 21" passenger sets I want yet!!  Luckily I found most of them locally.  "No vacation this year honey, there's trains that need to be acquired!"  "Not even Aruba?" she asked.  "Well, ok, I'll put this set back".

 

With all the great information, tips, alerts and reviews this forum has been and continues to be a great resource for train information and friendships!

 

Besides, I've found it's soooo much easier to give in.  

Absolutely.   And the sponsors/vendors help to feed the associated addiction 

I got excited about 3 or 4 modern items because of the forum. Bought them, had buyer's remorse in each case, and sold them. This is not to say I don't have other modern items that I am thrilled with and keeping.

I would agree and say yes. It is very interesting to me to see what everyone thinks about the newest catalogs that come out. I always enjoy everyone's input. But if it is a FRISCO item I will buy it regardless of what anyone else thinks.

YES, I bought a Polar Express set last fall when Pat's was blowing them out the door.  It looked nice under the Christmas tree.  I also bought an ABBA set of Santa Fe F3's off the Buy/Trade forum.  Yesterday I bought a stack of Santa Fe books from the B/T forum.