Lionel Made in America Cars

Guys and gals... Reality check time!!!

All we need to do is look at the complete lack of any premium prices whatsoever that folks are now willing to pay for the "last" Lionel locomotive made in the USA... or even ANY Lionel item simply because it's made in the USA.  Stuff that was considered very rare in their day (i.e., MPC passenger set add-on diners and vista domes, #5712 reefers, just to name a few) are all but yawners nowadays, and they command no premiums whatsoever.  This is all a ploy by sellers hoping toy train enthusiasts will think they're adding something extraordinarily rare and/or valuable to their "collection".  

$200+ for this year's Christmas box car?  Absolutely absurd, and I'm sure the sellers are laughing all the way to the bank.  That price will never hold up over time... and folks probably won't even give these cars a second look in a couple of years -- if not sooner.  Might as well just light a match to those C-notes... what a waste!

If you got the car at a regular price, then just be glad and enjoy it for the sake of enjoyment -- not because you think it's something rare or super valuable.  'Cause it's just another "moment-in-time collectible"... nothing more.

David

I am in full agreement!  Don't be suckered into paying a ridiculous premium for something that you'll be able to get by this time next year for possibly less than the original selling price.  "Made in the U.S." will NOT be enough to make these cars valued collectibles.  It's great that Lionel is trying to move some production back to the homeland, but please exercise some common sense in buying things like this.

Thank you for the info.

Sounds pretty nice. I wouldn't buy one, but I'll enjoy having one.

$200+ for this year's Christmas box car?  Absolutely absurd,

LOL, as ole Barnum use to say there is a sucker born every minute.

I paid $49. But hey I guess the question if people will pay more for "Made in the USA" has been answered.

Seriously though I hope we see more Lionel USA made items. Hornby has brought some of it's production of Humbrol model paints back to the UK so it looks like a trend may be developing.

Regards

Nick

>>>>All we need to do is look at the complete lack of any premium prices whatsoever that folks are now willing to pay for the "last" Lionel locomotive made in the USA... or even ANY Lionel item simply because it's made in the USA.<<<

I received my Lionel baseball cap from LRRC today. Nice hat and a nice gesture from Lionel.

They both have their appeal...the last of the made in USA items stemming from the General Mills era of comeback.  And the attempt to use vendors to create a made in USA product.  In my book both are equally desirable aspects to collect.  Now if the next Chinese run of Christmas boxcars show up with red trucks as pictured...we will have even more to talk about.

My hat came Monday. I thought it was a nice gesture too.

So does this mean that the cars that didn't get produced or shorted will be being produced in the next few months to fill backorders and those who weren't able to get one? Or are those of us who didn't preorder basically going to get the shaft?

Jerry

Just catching up on this thread. Folks are really paying $200 for that Christmas boxcar?!  Why?

Incredible !

Because unsuspecting toy train enthusiasts are getting caught up in all the hype.  The sad reality is the sheer number that are now listed on eBay should show ANYONE how rare these cars are NOT!    I really don't understand people's gullibility sometimes.

David

The cars that come from China will essentially be a different product.

Maybe the Chinese version will be more rare than the USA version.

Gentlemen,

   I do not believe Weaver would want the job, unless on a very specialized limited basis.  Say one Christmas car a year and even then it might over whelm them.  Although I might start collecting Christmas cars again, if it were to happen.

PCRR/Dave

Does this (made in the USA) include the Angela Trotta Thomas cars?

I found one car that I really liked that being the Santa Claus and Coke Christmas car. Very nice and while I paid retail it supported my local hardware store that carries Lionel and I was happy to get one. While it is a shame that the company folded things do happen and I would suggest just waiting a while and those that missed out will likely find one in the future. Not fun right now but things happen.

Its my understanding that all orders will be filled. However, we may not see the remaing cars until March. March is better than never. 

Interesting that this years Lionel employee Christmas cars (6-29972) were also made in the USA.

From the different post that I have read on this forum pertaining to e-mails received from Lionel, I don't put to much faith in their e-mails. I'm not sure the employees at Lionel know exactly whats going on.