Questions for dealers and buyers.

It would depend I would say on how much the difference is. By the sounds of it the lower price is not the same as the pre order level. If the dealer says no and you get it elsewhere then you have salvaged something on a price reduction, but I suspect that your loyalty will still see you return back to your favourite supplier and remember to keep an eye on the last date for pre order pricing

I think that in the long and short run, you are better off sticking with a reliable dealer. You build a relationship and can count on them to deliver what you ordered. We all seek the lowest price, but this should not be the only consideration.

I agree with Passenger Train Collector. I support my LHS as much as I can, which is probably 90% or so of my train purchases. They are a small, local shop, it helps them remain in business and gives me a place to visit and see and talk trains. When I have a problem or need help with something, they support me in return. This is all more important to me than saving a few bucks here and there.

I agree with you guys. For the record, the difference in price is close to $200. I am still on the fence on this item. I don't think I will get it. I was just looking for some input on how people usually handle this type of thing In case I do decide to order this item.  The item is also still a preorder at both dealers. 

We try to be as competitive as we can, particularly for local customers. 

I have a local dealer that I do all my pre-orders from.  (I won't mention their name, but their initials are "JusTrains".)  For older items that may no longer be in stock that they do not have, I have a couple other local shops I check with.  Failing that I search other out of area dealers I've had good business dealings with.

It seems to me that pricing isn't all that much different across the board with most of the bigger dealers.  When you're spending $400 for a locomotive anyway, a couple bucks savings isn't that much of a difference plus the additional shipping costs from a few of them, especially if the item is one you crave and desire.  I prefer buying local as I always get good pricing and excellent service.

I let the owners of the few local shops (within 75 miles) I have a relationship with know I'm aware of prices and services available elsewhere. It's my way of keeping them honest and preventing them from taking my business for granted. May the Lord protect any of their employees who make the mistake of letting me walk out without opening my wallet because they didn't recognize my attempts to remain loyal to the local brick and mortar proprietor.

The owners know I'm not gonna beat them up over price and don't expect them to undercut internet pricing, though there is some negotiation. But they also know service, honesty and attitude are points where I'll be less forgiving.

Just my opinion but if you've got to tell or remind the store to "be honest and fair" perhaps you need to find somewhere else to shop. 

I shop at one local store only, despite there being another one of the "same calibre" about 1/4 of the distance away. That closer store however has an owner who is SO impossible to deal with and SO incredibly rude and surly. Why go further? They are honest, GOOD people, who make you feel welcome. Sadly, they want to retire and their store, a well known one and often mentioned here, is for sale but we all hope and like to think they'll be there forever. 

I have always done all my pre-orders and "big" (over $600) loco and rolling stock set purchases from a single dealer - initially an LHS here in Carolina and now that they have retired one of the advertisers here that is providing reasonable prices and superior service.  Smaller stuff, particularly if under $50, I tend to buy when I see it available where-ever that is, from who or whatever site/local store.  

I learned the hard way what happens when you shop price instead of using a reputable dealer:

1) Used instead of new

2) Previously repaired stuff

3) Broken and rattling parts in box

What you save in price is negated by the costs of shipping back to the culprit, stress, and the fact that what you bought was not what was advertised.

I only buy from Trainworld, Nassau, Marios Trains, and Patricks Trains.

I'm confused. There isn't necessarily a difference between "reputable" and "shopping price". I know that during all the years I bought from Kirke at Justrains, he was very reputable and always had one of the best prices.

A $200 difference is a significant difference. Assuming it isn't a blowout (do we still have them?), the less expensive dealer is an option I would seriously consider. And definitely consider if "reputable". If it is a dealer that has a history of problems, then the $200 wouldn't motivate me at all.

Gerry

Agreed.  I have only purchased from two dealers so far.  Both forum sponsors.  One was way back when I was doing G scale.  The other has been getting my business now that I have switched over to O.  As far as I know, I don't have any local hobby stores.  Although Jeb from Megasteam said that one had opened up in Manasas recently.  That is still quite a ways away from me.  I might have to stop by and take a look when I am out that way for apple picking this weekend.

It is not a blowout.  This is a preorder for the vision line big boy.  Both dealers are forum sponsors.  Both seem to get high praise from all that have used them.  I probably won't get the big boy.  I don't really have the space for it.  At the same time, I really like the looks and sound of it.  I do have 072 track.  Just not sure how this thing would look going around the curves.  I keep going back and forth on this item.  I guess there is also the possibility that even if I preorder now, I might not get it because I technically missed the cutoff date.

quote:

Just not sure how this thing would look going around the curves

 I've run my 773 less than ten times. It will go around 031 curves, but I think it looks horrible, and dwarfs the layout.

jpcommons,

If in fact you've been a dedicated customer and the dealer knows this, reread the post by PTC a few times. It does not hurt to ask the dealer. Odds are the dealer will do the best they can. 

Actually the VL BB prices looked like blowouts to me from the start, when you consider the MSRP as the starting point. They started selling them at $700-$800 off list from the beginning. Steamer pricing and layout size leaves me behind, I only buy diesels and try to stay under $500 each. However, that is starting to become more difficult with the last couple of catalogs. My LHS does give me a pretty decent discount for a small shop though. Prices eliminated me from steam long ago. Gotta try to stay within my budget, at least as much as possible. That one Big Boy would get me at least 4 modern diesels if I stayed within my budget limits. I will have to agree with you that $200 is a pretty substantial savings though and that would be a tougher call for one to make.

I support my LHS on most things, especially engines.  I do however love finding bargains at our monthly train show.  And I do buy hard to find items where ever I can.

Art

Blowouts are DEFINITELY out there.  Just check around.  I make it a point to regularly browse Charlie Ro's "super sales".  But be warned it's a dangerous practice, with which my wallet is all too familiar. 

No, no, no.  That was all part of the lure of Lionel's new overly inflated MSRP policy.  Street price for the Big Boy should have been just a shade over the street-price of the recently announced Lionel Y6b (which is coming in at $1400 give or take a few $$$).  There's nothing in the Big Boy that justifies a $600 street-price premium over the Y6b.  Enhanced steam blowdown effects and a depleting coal load, yes.  But $600 more?  Absolutely not.  There is really no other conclusion to draw once you can get yourself past the Vison Line badge.

Now back to the topic of pre-order price variations... I expect that we'll continue to see cases where pre-order pricing anomalies do occur though.  And they'll be pretty easy to spot.  For the most part, the dust has settled around the 25-30% off MSRP for pre-order pricing of Lionel's newest product announcements.   More importantly though is how much margin dealers are still working on at those price points, and that's largely an unknown except for those "in the business".  But suffice it to say, they're still making a healthy profit or they wouldn't be doing it.

A prime example of a pre-order anomaly???  Here ya go...  I was literally shocked the other day when I received an email newsletter -- from another OGR Forum sponsor -- offering 10-15% off MSRP for Lionel 2014 Volume 2 pre-orders.  Yes, that's right... 10-15%.  REALLY????   Are they living on a different planet?    For something like the Y6b, that equates to an almost $300 additional cost at the smaller discount off MSRP compared to what most of the dealers have posted already.  

What am I missing here?  Unless they just happen to order some extra "on spec" for dealer stock, so they'll eventually be the "only game in town" when other dealers sell out... what kind of strategy is that, now that most folks who want these gems are likely shopping for the best pre-order price from reputable dealers?  Perhaps they know something about BTO that further reinforces my thought all along that Lionel's entry into BTO has all just been something to generate the buzz factor.  After all, we know MTH and Atlas-O have been BTO (for portions of the product line) all along.

Never ceases to amaze me...

David

That's why I have a relationship with those local hobby shop owners. We know each other and I don't have to remind them how to do business. When I say I let them know I'm aware of prices and services available elsewhere. That's not reminding them how to conduct their business or to be honest or fair. It's part of developing a business relationship and being forthcoming and honest as a customer. It lets the shop owner know I'm not just an impulse one time buyer. Maybe the owner has a few limited special deals he can offer that wouldn't be wasted because he knows he has the opportunity to create repeat customer.