Large Scale Central

LGB 'country of production' error(?)

General Discussion
#21

HJ,
in relation to the family forum link, it is definately scary that someone like McM could be in control of a forum and be able to not only moderate, but cull any potential ‘dissenters’ (classifying a dissenter as anyone who opposed his geriatric line of thought). This reminds me of a moderator on another site who cuts out the chaff with a heavy hand, lacking the ability to be able to ‘control a crowd’. If one is not able to even post on McM’s site then what chance of actually speaking to the circus ringmaster, the omnipotent one, himself. If the ringmaster had any concern for the thousands of devotees, then he would have made a statement outlining the future hopes for the company. Instead he relies on a geriatric spokesperson to cull out any worthwhile discussion. This reminds me of a company who spends millions on an expensive press launch, outling the future expansion of the company, only to find that they have spent every last cent on the launch and there is nothing left to actually invest in the future of the company. Maybe time to start transferring remaining assets to friends to look after them, in case the hammer falls.

There was much hullabaloo in the 1/22.5 world that Barry Bogg's prototypes were intransit to San Diego for future production consideration.  Production of the models would have reinvigorated the stagnant scale.  Alas,  this is not to be.  Coupled to this is McM's heavy handed response to Frolin Marek.  I feel that Mr. 'Lack of Personality' is rapidly nailing the last nail into the coffin containing the hopes for a resurgence in the scale with emphasis on North American content.
#22

Tim,

You said - “My concern is the moral ethics of the marketting.”

Wow! So you really think that there is or has ever been moral ethics in Marketing?

I wish I had your faith in humans. Maybe I’ve seen too much.

#23

Tim I hardly think that 1/22.5 will ever fall by the wayside, like Lionel, theres just way too much stuff already out there, it will never go away and even if LGB/Marklin entirely blows off the US market, which I highly doubt, someone will fill the niche.

I havent bothered with the Family Forum and if the situation is being run as poorly as you describe it, the only coffins being nailed are in any outsider interest in that particular website. It wouldnt be the first “Invited Members Only” forum out there.

#24

Quote:
Tim, You said - “My concern is the moral ethics of the marketting.” Wow! So you really think that there is or has ever been moral ethics in Marketing?

#25
Tim Brien said:
I believe this to be a deliberate act, as I was already aware that this car was made in China and so printing an end label that stated, 'Made in Germany', is, in my opinion, deceptive and an attempt to mask Lehmann's main production problem - maintaining a consumer base while outsourcing production.
Seems to me the quality of the product should be the best way to maintain the consumer base. If it's as good as you say, that won't be a problem.
Tim Brien said:
My concern is the moral ethics of the marketing.
Fair enough, but I think you'd have a stronger case if the deception was intended to create sales for an inferior product. In this case, with such a high quality product, the "deception" (if indeed it was intentional) seems really pointless.

On the other hand, if it was made by a terrorist organization or something, then the origin would be an issue regardless of the quality. So I guess it depends on how you feel about China.

#26

Just a follow-up on this item. I received a second item, LGB #40918, Rio Grande 40-foot boxcar and this item is clearly identified, ‘Made in China’ on the printed end label, unlike the first purchased car which stated, ‘Made in Germany’ on the end flap, although it is obvious that the car is actually ‘Made in China’. LGB really lifted their standards with this release as the walkways and end platform, being ‘see-through’, bring the car up to the standards that we expect these days from a manufacturer. A very nice looking model (toy).

#27

Tim,

I’m very glad that you are happy with the LGB rolling stock. So how do you know that it isn’t just the label that was made in China?

#28

Kinda reminds me of the stuff out of USA.

No “periods”.
Seems some town in Occupied Japan was named “USA”.

I do have one item that’s “Made in Occupied Japan”, and remember the cries when toys fell apart that were “Made in USA”.
That stopped real quick when complaints rolled in.

Funny how the real stalwarts of the line now feel Chinese made versions are just fine.

Amazing self-hypnosis.

#29

I fell asleep halfway through this thread…

-Brian

#30

Ric,
both cars have ‘Made in China’ imprinted in the car body, both boxes have ‘Made in China’ printed on the box, one box has an end label printed 'Made in Germany and other is printed ‘Made in China’.

Dave,
no self-hypnosis here as far as acceptance of quality. I see no collector value in the American standard gauge line, whether made in China or Germany, so purchase for personal use only. Now if we were talking about pre-1990 stuff, Made in Western Germany, then that is different. I now believe that basically anything, Made in Germany, will become highly sought after as the ‘realities of production’ become readily apparent. Possibly just my imagination, but I believe a 1993 manufactured LGB Forney to be better made than a 2006 Chinese made Forney. They look similar, but it is all down to perception. I have yet to see an older model LGB product suffer from plastic embrittlement.

#31

totally brain dead now!

#32

brian donovan said:
totally brain dead now!

It is my opinion that only the sticker is actually made in China. After all, only the sticker is actually marked ‘Made in China’. So long as a product does what I want for a price that I can afford, I could care less where it’s made. In the scheme of things, just one or two toy trains isn’t going to tip the economic balance one way or another - or do any of the posters here have evidence to the contrary? If there is a growing concern, as there seems to be, about China’s manufacturing base, perhaps we ought to look at the larger view. They are currently building twenty or thirty new warships a year, about 150 warplanes, and many new towns and civil engineering projects, totalling about $5Trillion per annum. Do you really believe that our investments in Chinese-made toy trains makes an important contribution to spending at this level? If so, then do not buy them. tac

#33

Still searching for Oktoberfest…this better be some good stuff…

#34
Bart Salmons said:
Still searching for Oktoberfest........this better be some good stuff......
D cups, at least. By the way, are you on the Julian or Gregorian calendar?