Funny thing is, most of the folks ranting aren’t even Accucraft customers.
I’ve never bought anything from them either and probably never will. They’re outside my price range, and that’s ok. I don’t buy Ferraris or Lamborghinis either.
BTW, I don’t know how much bearing this has on their price increase, but Accucraft did get some damage from the quake.
I would hazard a guess that a good proportion of the price rises are tied to the ever sinking US$.
The A$ touched US$1.10 last week.
At one stage, not long after I started selling my RCS stuff in the late 1980’s, the A$ was worth US$0.57.
If you think prices are high now, then wait until the Chinese government is forced to value the Yuan at real market value. 25% increases will be chicken feed. At present, the Yuan is artificially kept low in value to make Chinese goods attractive to the west and compete unfairly on the world market. We really have not seen anything as yet. Soon China will have a monopoly on world production as multinationals have outsourced all these years chasing lower and lower production costs and maximum profits.
ps. Ray,
I purchased three expensive RGS Geese, being sold on the museum quality byline in their advertising. I do not know what museum they refer to but that was the last of my purchases from them. Each item had issues with either operation or build quality. Never again!
How will the Chinese be forced to revalue the Yuan you might ask.
I don’t know, but when the Chinese start calling in the loans made to the USA to fight the two wars the USA is currently involved in, the poop will really hit the fan.
That will trigger the struggle to be top dog in the World which China will win hands down.
Just look at the price of gold compared to the fiat currencies of the world and one can understand why it seems that the “prices are increasing” when actually the value of the fiat currency is dropping.
Our collections and even brass track will continue to be more valuable. I get a kick out of friends and family that point to a piece of real estate and tell me they could have bought that for $xx.xx “back in the day”. They can say that again in 20 years.
Buy Brass!! 
Assets, such as collections and brass track, are only valuable if they can actually be sold.
Otherwise they are only potentially valuable.
Sarcasm on:
There are alternatives.
Don’t buy anything you don’t really need to live … that includes food items that fall into the luxury category. You’ll save money and probably loose weight while you’re at it.
Don’t think you can afford your hobbies anymore? Get rid of those that cost too much, are too complicated, take too much time and effort, only seemed a good idea at the time.
Always remember you’re in charge. When it comes to hobbies you don’t have to buy anything ; it’s your choice. so choose wisely.
And if all else fails, start a club to remember the good old days, but hurry up! You never know how long you’ll remember the good old days!
Sarcasm off!
Ray Dunakin said:
Funny thing is, most of the folks ranting aren't even Accucraft customers.I’ve never bought anything from them either and probably never will. They’re outside my price range, and that’s ok. I don’t buy Ferraris or Lamborghinis either.
BTW, I don’t know how much bearing this has on their price increase, but Accucraft did get some damage from the quake.
I guess now would probably not be the right time too ask for a pony?
David Russell said:You'd be better off asking for a camel (a horse designed by committee) since it is more versatile. :P :lol:
I guess now would probably not be the right time too ask for a pony?
David Russell said:Got two out back. Which one ya want? Brown or yellow?
I guess now would probably not be the right time too ask for a pony?
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Sarcasm on:There are alternatives.
Don’t buy anything you don’t really need to live … that includes food items that fall into the luxury category. You’ll save money and probably loose weight while you’re at it.
Don’t think you can afford your hobbies anymore? Get rid of those that cost too much, are too complicated, take too much time and effort, only seemed a good idea at the time.
Always remember you’re in charge. When it comes to hobbies you don’t have to buy anything ; it’s your choice. so choose wisely.
And if all else fails, start a club to remember the good old days, but hurry up! You never know how long you’ll remember the good old days!
Sarcasm off!
And one other thing!!!
Welcome back, you’ve been missed. I guess the surgery went well?
John Bouck said:I want a pink one!David Russell said:Got two out back. Which one ya want? Brown or yellow?
I guess now would probably not be the right time too ask for a pony?
I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but USA and Aristocraft trains are still largely reasonable, just not much 1:20.3 from them. I for one, will be happy with my Bachman K-27, and what other 1:20.3 stuff I have, and stop dreaming about a K-37, and will re-think 1:29 again. Still alot of fun stuff out there if one doesn’t need the very best. I still run one of the old Aristo Pacifics. Runs and looks great with the right rolling stock. Now that I’m “almost retired”, I think I’ll try my hand at building my own. Anyway, its all about fun with what we already have…and I suspect many of us have more than we can run at one time anyway. Accucraft has just become, even more so, a soley boutique manufacturer it seems.
David Russell said:Seeing pink elephants, eh?John Bouck said:I want a pink one!David Russell said:Got two out back. Which one ya want? Brown or yellow?
I guess now would probably not be the right time too ask for a pony?
Mik said:Too much Stewart's Root Beer, that's what that was ...
Ever seen an Elephant Fly
I’ve seen a horse fly
I’ve seen a deer fly.