Price adjustment for switches and crossings straight from the big guy -
July 30, 2007
Greetings!
Though we were told that all track prices had doubled, we thought this through and re-evaluated all of the switches and crossings that were more labor intensive than rail intensive. Sure enough, the content of rail was far less than the doubling of prices warranted, so we received a recalculation reflected in our latest price list. (You can download a copy of the track price list here.)
Brass has already gone up by 5% since we set our last prices in June. We are hard-pressed to maintain these prices. However, we will try to maintain the pricing for the balance of 2007, but will likely have to adjust in 2008 if the copper pricing maintains its skyrocketing advances.
We will make credit adjustments for the higher switch and crossing prices charged in the interim period. We will also continue our sales through February 28, 2008, which is in place to try to soften the sticker shock of the rapid price escalation.
The good news is that we should be able to have a steady supply of track in the near future and we will continue to expand the range with new switches and crossings.
Please note that our pricing is lower than track was priced in the 1970s when G-Gauge boomed into existence. We noted a new maker in Europe has posted a price of 15 Euros for a 60-cm size (2 feet), which works out to a foot price of $10.50 dollars, so the price increase is a world phenomenon and not just one related to China production.
We apologize for not having questioned the switch prices before the initial price announcement, but it was the customers that pointed this out to us: thank you.
Please click here for the latest track price list.
All the best,
Lewis Polk
Aristo-Craft Trains
-Brian