Large Scale Central

LGB of America wholesale Toys and Hobby Goods...now?

General Discussion
#81

Meanwhile, back to the LGB ofAmerica/G45/Marklin saga, concensus on page 1 of the posting series closes on waiting until Marklin runs ads and a PR press release from G45/LGB of America.

Those comments make sense.

However…

My interest is heightened by the possible “deal” Marklin could strike with G45 – that is IF Marklin sees a costly legal fight to extract sole possession of the logo and useage of “LGB,” and whatever product may still be in LGB of America’s warehouse (yes, speculation). It may be that there is a no challenge by anyone for Marklin making LGB trains so they cut a deal with G45 to retain the LGB of America logo for distribution rights.
Huh? Try this fantasy: My take is why would LGB of America in San Diego, even want the logo if they had no LGB product to distribute? Yet, they claim to have a warehouse of product (according to LGB of America’s corporate press releases earlier). IF they do, the product gains value IF LGB of America is associated with Marklin. Marklin says you keep the corporate logo for distribution (only) and can sell the warehoused items with no legal challenge IF we get a wholesale price. Otherwise, Marklin sends in inventory sniffers, closes up the warehouses, takes the product, hassles in court, trys to get the products back, and screws up the new “all-is-OK” image. They keep LGB of America on board as distributor and repair shop until they see if damage control makes this outlet here in da’ West an acceptable hobby shop feature as a keep-in-place distribution source.

OK, since we are structuring time awaiting the outcome, what’s your take?

Wendell

#82

If LGBofA has a “warehouse full” it isn’t rail. tie strips and most of the other things we try to get. Sounds like a lot of smoke to me!

#83

While LGBoA may not have a lot of what some people need, they may and probably do have quite a bit of inventory. If that inventory was purchased before the bankruptcy or while Schontag had control it would belong to LGBoA and there is nothing Marklin can do to get it without paying LGBoA for it. As I see it, the worst damage that Marklin could do to LGBoA is prevent them from using the name. Thus they would have to do business as G45. Since LGBoA is an American company on American soil this could put Marklin at a big disadvantage in any legal pursuits against them.

#84
Kevin Morris said:
Fred Mills said:
Gone...
Don't go. Your opinion is welcome. Just like everyone else's.
Then why did you rip him a new a$$hole.??
#85

Wendell Hanks said:
Meanwhile, back to the LGB ofAmerica/G45/Marklin saga, concensus on page 1 of the posting series closes on waiting until Marklin runs ads and a PR press release from G45/LGB of America. Those comments make sense. However… My interest is heightened by the possible “deal” Marklin could strike with G45 – that is IF Marklin sees a costly legal fight to extract sole possession of the logo and useage of “LGB,” and whatever product may still be in LGB of America’s warehouse (yes, speculation). It may be that there is a no challenge by anyone for Marklin making LGB trains so they cut a deal with G45 to retain the LGB of America logo for distribution rights. Huh? Try this fantasy: My take is why would LGB of America in San Diego, even want the logo if they had no LGB product to distribute? Yet, they claim to have a warehouse of product (according to LGB of America’s corporate press releases earlier). IF they do, the product gains value IF LGB of America is associated with Marklin. Marklin says you keep the corporate logo for distribution (only) and can sell the warehoused items with no legal challenge IF we get a wholesale price. Otherwise, Marklin sends in inventory sniffers, closes up the warehouses, takes the product, hassles in court, trys to get the products back, and screws up the new “all-is-OK” image. They keep LGB of America on board as distributor and repair shop until they see if damage control makes this outlet here in da’ West an acceptable hobby shop feature as a keep-in-place distribution source. OK, since we are structuring time awaiting the outcome, what’s your take? Wendell

Wendell, My take a) this according to Nürnberger Zeitung from July 27th 2007 (published in the “Politics” section - go figure!)

NZ said:
… Wie aus informierten Kreisen verlautete, hat Märklin für über vier Millionen Euro den Zuschlag für LGB erhalten und erwirbt damit Formen, Fertigware und die Markenrechte; Maschinen und Immobilien sind darin nicht enthalten. …

HJ translates

HJ said:
… Informed circles indicated that Märklin won the bid for more than 4 million Euro and the purchase includes tooling, inventory and the trademark rights; machinery and real estate are not part of the deal. …

Note: I added the bolding in the translation! If the distribution comes out of New Berlin, WI from Märklin USA won’t make any difference to most - except to the extremely rabid! Most just care if they can get the product they want at a price they can afford in a quality that they can accept. True pragmatism. Same goes for Europe or just about any place else. On those trademark rights, guess what, this is how the logo looks on the letterhead that comes from Märklin regarding LGB matters i.e. what will be delivered, what can be delivered and what the different modi are for orders etc. etc.

b) There has been/is considerable trade in remainders and surplus goods from the “Now Defunct”, most of it being dealt by two ebay users, one is “lesbottes” the other is “bluebuy”. Both of those have some very pertinent connections, most interesting is “bluebuy” who among other stuff apparently peddles starter sets with 120V powerpacks in Germany. Wouldn’t you like to know where those came from?? :smiley: :smiley: :smiley: :wink: Wendell, you are a smart guy! I let you figure out the rest. :wink: Oh, one more note: there hasn’t been a press release from the Sandy Eggo company nor has there been News from Hummelstown. Tells me quite a bit! :wink: :slight_smile: PS. Some years ago one of the containers from the “Now Defunct” went overboard in an Atlantic storm, at least that’s the legend/story. Someone could start a salvage op, retrieve the goods and sell them as living proof of the extreme quality. :wink: :slight_smile:

#86

because?

#87

Hey Hans, maybe I can get rail and tie strips that way!

#88

HJ-
Yipes!
“Tooling, inventory, and trademark rights” ownership is very clear to me.
Now, the saga goes to “sea” – and to the premise that the e-bay “fencing” merchants who have (had?) access to the warehouse(s) that have the LGB products, may be exposed. IF they do exist, who are they? Who knows, in advance, of their purpose?

Meanwhile…
So, Marklin has flown the new flag! Has LGB of America taken theirs down?
Will my speculation of a Marklin/LGB of America “deal” come to reality? NO! IF there is no merchandise “stored” somewhere in the bowls of hobby America, no deal. LGB of America has nothing to barter with. There’s no reason to deal. However, IF Marklin can claim an accounting for warehoused merchandise having been sold outside of the courts – merchandise a new owner had rights to – Ouch! LGB of America may owe big money. However, IF there was no accounting for what was sent to those warehouses from Germany…well, uh, er, tough. Yet, big problem. IF there IS still merchandise in USA storage, then there’s inventory counting. Now, if there was any accounting of production in Germany, and what was shipped tothe USA, there is a comparison basis for the counted warehoused merchandise. Then, IF there is significant discrepency, what happened to the merchandise? IF the warehouse larder is minimal, then there’s nothing to deal with anyway. Also, that inventory discrepancy may afffirm estimates of warehouse disposal against an original court order from Germany at the start of this saga.

No matter. If any of these speculations are accurate, my guess is then bye-bye to G45 being a distribution arm of Marklin-owned LGB .

Good stuff.

Keep the data coming. Who owns what and when and what consititutes corporate insulation within and outside the USA, will be good material for my argumentation classes

Wendell

#89

Wendell,
the LGBoA/G45 consortium made three separate bids for the ‘now defunct’ company. On each occasion the bid was at the last minute and always a few Euro short of the required amount for an outright successful bid. This in itself says something about their intent. forget politics and the power of the banks. If the consortium wanted the company they would have come up with the cash. Maybe they were beating to a different drum and the melodrama did not play out as orchestrated?

         On another note,  a discussion on another forum turned sour due the overzealous nature of its resident moderator in relation to a definition of a particular word - "stooge".  One apparent translation was 'strawman'.  I was watching an English drama the other night and the term 'strawman' came up.  The use of the word was explained that a "strawman is easy to push over".  The relevance to the original insolvency purchaser, Schontag,  is very pertinent.  Was he the 'stooge, the strawman' because he was easy to 'pushover',  by pulling out the finance from under him?



         Sow as ye shall reap is a very apt explanation of what has transpired.  For those who still believe that this saga is a simple business venture gone sour,  then the ending will be "and they all lived happily ever after."  For the others,  well 'next week'.
#90
Doug Arnold said:
Hey Hans, maybe I can get rail and tie strips that way!
The communication from which I scanned the letterhead indicates the following (this is paraphrased to protect the innocent ;) )

“The production of track items which are out of stock will be resumed in short order. Deliveries will be timed to assure a good Christmas selling period.”

:wink: :slight_smile:

As for getting track items via the remainder/surplus merchants … hmmm looks like there was always more than just good demand. Some of the items are selling at real premium prices on ebay.de

Some people are quite ticked about the prices … well it is “supply and demand”.

PS it will be even more interesting to see how the different mfgs get in each other’s way when Piko and Train Line 45 hit the market.

#91
Wendell Hanks said:
HJ- Yipes!
Yipes indeed! Of course there is always the possibility that I translated incorrectly, that the sources didn't know "bugger all", that the News happend on July 27th etc. etc. - you know all the "objections your Honour" that can be raised. ;) :) :D

I’m sitting here on written, solid proof info that is “hot, Hot, HOT”, but it is the usual story, letting the cat out of the bag would reveal my sources and I’m not going there. :wink: :slight_smile: :wink: Just have to be patient; we’re counting 11 months so far and a few more weeks won’t make much difference. I promise not to cite the (in)famous “Next week” as an excuse. :smiley: :wink: :smiley:

#92

This is a general reply to the utter prats who are “contributing” to this “Forum”

One of our respected elder statesmen , one Fr Fred gets grossly insulted by some young idiot and how many of you leap to Fr Fred’s defence ?

Not bloody one .

This site is going downhill fast , and I am not happy to see someone’s hard work producing it go to waste .

Where are all the old regulars who would have kicked ass here ?

You deserve what you get .

Mike

#93
Urban Dictionary said:
[b] 2. prat [/b]

n. English term, primarily used in United Kingdom. The literal meaning is “bottom” or “rump”; aka backside, buttocks, sacrum, tail end. This lends itself to the slang meaning of “ass,” or “clueless person of arrogant stupidity.” It is not always directly translatable to American slang. For example, if you used the term “prat hat” in the U.K., you would likely be laughed out of town by the locals.

I can’t believe what an overbearing idiot he is. What a prat!


Are there mirrors in Uxbridge??

#94

You deserve what you get , including hans .

Mike

#95

And, how many actually CALLED Ferd and talked to him about this?

Ask him.

#96
Mike Morgan said:
This is a general reply to the utter prats who are "contributing" to this "Forum"

One of our respected elder statesmen , one Fr Fred gets grossly insulted by some young idiot and how many of you leap to Fr Fred’s defence ?

Not bloody one .

This site is going downhill fast , and I am not happy to see someone’s hard work producing it go to waste .

Where are all the old regulars who would have kicked ass here ?

You deserve what you get .

Mike


Mike it is a pity you do not understand what irony is.
Earlier in the thread I posted this.

TonyWalsham said:
Well there you are dear padre, you have been told.

So pay attention!!!


Fr Fred does understand what irony is and would know that what I said was in support of him.

#97

Mike,
I would rather face a public indignation of an insult ‘online’ than the underhanded tactics of a moderator on another forum, who boasts his six-gun shooting prowess at ‘resolving’ conflict, by firstly, innuendo on a forum posting response and then backs it up with personal disgusting email attacks. At least on this forum the ‘atmosphere’ is open for all to see. not hidden by cowardly personal attacks. His ‘minder’ evens agrees with his disgusting attacks on members, as long as it is kept to personal mail only and does not overflow into the forum site. Too many hide behind a friendly online persona and then reveal their true personality with personal mail. I prefer that true personality be revealed ‘online’ for all to make their own mind as to the direction and purpose of these attacks.

#98

Mike, you may have also missed this…!!

Warren Mumpower said:
Kevin Morris said:
Fred Mills said:
Gone...
Don't go. Your opinion is welcome. Just like everyone else's.
Then why did you rip him a new a$$hole.??
#99

Thank you, Mike, for your post. Nice to see you posting again.

Yes a few have called, and we are all one big bunch of grown up kids playing with our model trains…

I often type things, with good intentions, but always it seems they can be taken by someone, the wrong way, through not properly being read, or my mistake of thinking I’ve discovered some idea of humour.

I at first sent out a responce, which I edited with “I’m gone”. The original responce would have done no good, and just prolonged a bickering that no-one would win.
If others can make mistakes, it goes hand in hand that I can make worse ones. So; let it drop, and we can all get back to “Playing trains”

I have found that most of us, who live far from each other, lack one important thing, in our communication.
When you actually meet the people you are talking with through email; it makes for a much better relationship. The new, modern types of communication, are fast, and easy to use, but lack the personal contact that is oh so important in any relationship.
Personel contact is even more important when discussing any part of our lives as deeply planted as our passions and interests, in our hobbies.
We have to learn to roll with the punches and practise a wee bit of that so often held back, forgiveness. We aren’t all, at any time, without fault, ourselves.

I like the line about the moderation in practise on other sites…and the freedom we have here.
Freedoms, as we are all growing to know, are only as permanent as how strongly we defend and respect them…
Freedom of thought, speech, and farting, are dear to my heart
My choice of holy water is also, most important to me too.
I’ll defend these freedoms for others also.

#100
Mike Morgan said:
You deserve what you get , including hans .

Mike


You’re welcome! :slight_smile: