Large Scale Central

Let's start up a company!

General Discussion
#61
Geoff George said:
This is easy, I would take what is out there and make it work right. Kind of like what Barry and others have done.

See I should be CEO I come up with the easy answers.


But could you do it at a price that would sell? I think that was one of LGB’s problems. They made good running, bullet proof stuff, but priced themselves above what the masses could afford. Aristo, USA & Bachman swooped in with products at a price point well below LGB. It’s not surprising to me that quality and quality control gets compromised to meet a price.

I buy what I can afford, knowing many problems and fixes are well documented, and deal with it myself.

Bachman has decided to keep pushing the price point up, especially with the K and the Forney. I think they either need to step up to the plate on quality, or cut their prices.

#62

Back before the centralization of manufacturing, individual artisans would make components that would be assembled at a central location. Thus the term “cottage industry”.

Having a network of artisans building components for one of these ideas or qualities of smaller well made accessories, compiled and distributed via an internet catalog may serve our hobby well.

I see so many excellent products made by individuals within this community sold at a good value, but discovering them initially and then finding them again when I am ready to purchase is a problem.

A retail distribution network must usually add a 30% or more markup to cover overhead costs, often a brick and mortar location/warehouse. Eliminating that with a “factory direct” purchase would reduce the hobbyist’s cost and would increase the manufacturer’s volume. But most manufacturers are loathe to loosing their retail network. So we have a “catch 22”. Even poor quality goods are priced similar to better quality ‘stuffs’ to maximize profits.

Which brings me to a question on why Bachman lists a locomotive at a $900 MSRP when probably no one ever pays that price (usually 50% of that) for the item?

#63

Starting with a gazillion dollars I would just retire with that money and work on my RR. :slight_smile:

#64
Shawn said:
Starting with a gazillion dollars I would just retire with that money and work on my RR. :-)
Sounds like a plan. :D