Large Scale Central

A different marketing approach

General Discussion
#1

Hi all,

I guess some of you have noticed the full page ad for the new PIKO Taurus engine in the most recent GR.

What a surprise to see a MSRP of $399.99 (converted that is 312 Euro), when the MSRP in Germany is just slightly under the 220 Euro mark. It will be interesting to see what the street price is, both in NA and Europe.
Perhaps the PIKO price was set that high not to embarass LGB with the BR 101 (LGB20310) which sells at a ridiculous MSRP of $785 .

Right now many of the European large scalers are not amused when they see at what bargain prices some of the LGB items were being “blown out”.
Judging by the PIKO Taurus I’d say LGBoA is trying to recoup some of what was lost on the “LGB clearance sale”.

Something tells me that this will be a “saga in installments”! :wink: :slight_smile: :smiley: :smiley:

#2

MSRP- Manufacturer’s SUGGESTED retail price.

#3

Big LGB newz coming soon…(And good news at that!)

So don’t touch those television dials, Phun Phans!

#4
John Joseph Sauer said:
MSRP- Manufacturer's SUGGESTED retail price.
Hi JJ

I’m well aware of that

HJ said:
It will be interesting to see what the street price is, both in NA and Europe.
As soon as delivery in Europe and NA happens, we can [b] really [/b]compare. ;) :)
#5

The Lone Railroader said:
Big LGB newz coming soon…(And good news at that!) So don’t touch those television dials, Phun Phans!

Marvin, How soon?? :wink: :slight_smile: Several things would be very good news, lets wait and see. :wink: :wink: :wink:

#6

The final plan is not set in stone yet.

But IF the changes go one-way…Yule be able to see my smile, hear me hoot, hollar and LAUGH…all the way to Canada.
IF it goes the other way…it’ll be one sad day with MANY happy days following…

Stand by…

#7

Hmmmmmmmmm :wink: :wink:

#8

LGB is beginning to realize they have competition out there. USAT and Aristo are producing locomotives with a street price under $300. If LGB wants to continue in the US market they will have to have products in that price range. Americans are not brand loyal. We’re a cheap-assed :smiley: bunch of model railroaders and the price (and quality) has to be right. This is a big market so they either have to play or pack up and go home. Too much money here so they are playing! :slight_smile: Looks like my GE 4/4 II and GE 4/4 III will have a new stable mate…:slight_smile:

Warren

#9

Interesting rational…However, if it were true, only Chevys and Fords would sell in the US. I see a lot of Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, BMWs, Mercedes, etc, so the postulation can not be completely accurate.

Have you notice fewer & fewer LGB owners post on these chat forums, now. Most just got sick of the Red Box Bashing and moved to a closed circle of friends. However, some will always buy LGB, as others will buy Bachmann, Aristo, USAT and other brands. Some brands match up in scale/size to others better. The good thing is that they will all run on the same size track…Couplers matching, well that’s an old subject that’s still not fixed. And I have no desire to stir up that debate.

#10
The Lone Railroader said:
............................................

Have you notice fewer & fewer LGB owners post on these chat forums, now. Most just got sick of the Red Box Bashing and moved to a closed circle of friends.


…

Marvin,

Yes, I noticed! Hallelujah!!

Actually to be more precise fewer of the “dyed in the wool, rabid LGB owners” post on the fora. They found a quiet little room called the “LGB Forum” to sing from the same hymn book and to study the gospel according to “Saint LGB”.

Every once in a while I get a copy of an interesting thread on that forum from my friends. Looks like the natives are a bit restless, too. :wink: :smiley: :smiley:

#11

Yes, that’s why I’m there and it’s usually quiet. Not always mind you.

However to be accurate…Yes, there is some disdain on some models and illogical business decisions recently.

I try not to partake in the chatter, but fail miserably on occasion.

Been here too long for one day…Adios

The Lone Railroader

#12

What is a LGB ?
I do use their switches.
Bud

#13

I think Hans has a long range alarm clock reminding him it’s time to knock LGB again .
Tiresome .
Schadenfreude .
Mike

#14
The Lone Railroader said:
Interesting rational......However, if it were true, only Chevys and Fords would sell in the US. I see a lot of Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, BMWs, Mercedes, etc, so the postulation can not be completely accurate.

.


Actually it is…most Chevy’s Ford’s Toyota’s and Nissan’s are between the $20K and $30K price range, where BMW’s and Mercedes range closer to $40K to $50K and up hence your more likely to buy the lesser priced car irregardless of maker.

If you consider most of LGB to be average price tag of $400 to $1000 thats makes them analogous to the BMW and Benz, where Chevy/Toyotra of USA and BAchmann at $300 its no surprise that LGB is begining to take it in the pants sales wise and is beginning to take steps to address it with a cheaper line of product, they can do so using the Piko line.

#15
Victor Smith said:
.............................................

If you consider most of LGB to be average price tag of $400 to $1000 thats makes them analogous to the BMW and Benz, where Chevy/Toyotra of USA and BAchmann at $300 its no surprise that LGB is begining to take it in the pants sales wise and is beginning to take steps to address it with a cheaper line of product, they can do so using the Piko line.


Vic,

My sources indicate that EPL/LGB was less than amused when the PIKO Taurus was presented at the 2006 Nürnberg Fair. Of course it was the second year in a row that someone sprung a “real surprise”; in 2005 it was Brawa with the “really to scale” 1:22.5 RhB items. If you have people move in on what used to be your “sole domain” from both ends then it gets tricky.
Of course there was a lot of speculation since the NTF (Nürnberg Toy Fair) where PIKO would produce the Taurus…and the latest info indicates in Sonneberg, Germany. Let me tell you, there are quite a few people who can barely wait to get a Taurus in their hands to go over with a fine-toothed comb to determine which parts stem from where.

Another interesting aspect of the PIKO/EPL relationship is the fact that PIKO used to be (maybe still is?) producing a number of accessories for EPL.

I wouldn’t be surprised if in the not too far future EPL ends up being owned by PIKO :open_mouth: :open_mouth: ; but of course this is just “mean old HJ” looking at how things could settle out.
What I usually do is line up all the known facts - among them big sell-off of existing inventory at fire-sale prices - and try to see some rhyme and reason behind the indicators. Some say I have too much time to think. :wink: :slight_smile: :smiley:

Mike M files it under “HJ’s Schadenfreude”. Whichever, neither prevents me from thinking, not so far anyway. :wink: :wink: :smiley:

#16
Victor Smith said:
Actually it is...most Chevy's Ford's Toyota's and Nissan's are between the $20K and $30K price range, where BMW's and Mercedes range closer to $40K to $50K and up hence your more likely to buy the lesser priced car irregardless of maker.

If you consider most of LGB to be average price tag of $400 to $1000 thats makes them analogous to the BMW and Benz, where Chevy/Toyotra of USA and BAchmann at $300 its no surprise that LGB is begining to take it in the pants sales wise and is beginning to take steps to address it with a cheaper line of product, they can do so using the Piko line.


Still illogical…I, for one, do not buy “the lesser priced car irregardless of maker”. I have learned the axiom “you get what you pay for”, well. And can afford the better grades.

Actually, LGB is shifting more to foreign markets where the other Large Scale Manufacturers have no presence. The “cheaper line of products” from LGB that you will see will have diminished sound systems and electronics (as already noted in other LSC posts), but it will be better for most here because they put R/C and other commerically available sound systems in their trains.

And LGB is not taking in the pants as much as you think. Remember, a lot of LGB Owners don’t post on these chat lists anymore, so their absence gives a false impression that might imply LGB is not selling.

#17
The Lone Railroader said:
..........................................

And LGB is not taking in the pants as much as you think. Remember, a lot of LGB Owners don’t post on these chat lists anymore, so their absence gives a false impression that might imply LGB is not selling.


Marvin,

There is one cardinal rule to remember, the banks and other institutions who provide the lines of credit don’t really care which fora anyone’s customers visit. They have one bottom line … and when the jig is up, she’s up!

Remember LIMA, ROCO and Märklin!

#18
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
There is one cardinal rule to remember, the banks and other institutions who provide the lines of credit don't really care which fora [b]anyone's customers[/b] visit. They have one bottom line ........................ and when the jig is up, she's up!

Remember LIMA, ROCO and Märklin!


Oh, I fully agree. However, Lionel Trains dumped their archives before closing down the Michigan Plant and moving their entire production over to China. Germany’s Labour Laws with the great but costly Social Welfare Programs plus the employees extended August paid vacation period, it might just be that the 125th Auction & Anniversary Sale could have been a pre-moving sale…but this is only conjecture on my part.

And you may be correct about new ownership at EPL???

The Lone Railroader

#19

I knew it! I really knew it!!!.

I am going away for a week and the LS World is about to fall in and I will once again miss all the action without computer access.

Which Banks and which LS business(es)?

Don’t tell me Rene is going to pick up another fire sale bargain like he did with Piko?

#20

Hi Tony,

You gotta be in the right place at the right time. :wink: :wink:

Dr. Wilfer seems to have a knack for that kind of thing, but only time will tell. As I wrote, it’s just “mean old HJ” looking at the scenarios and connecting dots.

Marvin,

You think the stink about not buying Chinese LGB was major over here, well you should read what some of the Germans have to say on the subject, right at the grassroot level!
Remember that’s the clan that got Wal-Mart to throw the towel!! :wink: :slight_smile: