Large Scale Central

Mail Order and Review Significance

General Discussion
#1

Considering there are only four model train shops left in the Los Angeles area, and likely the same story for other major cities, do you agree how important our “REVIEW” and “PROBLEM SOLVING” sections are now, and will continue to become, since mail-order is the only purchase recourse for many of us? True, some of us travel to a train show see, touch, and purchase from what is available. That’s only if a specific manufacturer and enthusiast coincidentally meet. However, gone for many is any physical product contact and assessment at the time of purchase. Therefore, the product is likely only introduced to us on a mail-order web site or from ads in Garden Railways.

In short, my opinion is our “REVIEW” and “PROBLEM SOLVING” features will continue to gain importance and essential value to our large scale hobby as model RR shops evaporate or discontinue carrying large scale products as they yield to mail order.

I encourage you to write reviews and problem solving of product foibles based on your mail-order purchases.

Your comments?

#2

Precisely! and it is interesting to see the different approaches different fora take.

Typical example is the MLGB Allegra which is delivered as either a analog or a DCC version. There where/are a few problems which were discussed in the GARTENBAHNprofi review.

In the fora the comments were/are all over the map.

Taking a page from LSC and a Swiss forum I started three sticky topics i.e. general review, cosmetic improvements and DCC fine tuning.

Depending on outcome I’ll plan on doing that again. It prevents “swamping”.

#3

I strongly agree Wendell, and these 2 topics, problem solving, and REAL reviews, unbiased and objective are what I want from a train forum the most.

I can get the rest of what’s here on facebook ha ha!

Oh, while I am not a modeler, I do enjoy reading about live steamers and modelling, some day I may enter those aspects of the hobby.

What I want to give back is helping others, especially beginners.

Greg

#4

I agree Wendell. The hobby shops that are still around are increasingly staffed with folks who just don’t know. If I were to have a Lionel question, my choice of knowledgeable shops has been cut from 2 to 1. Large scale, its been cut from 1 to 0. And getting an answer from one person at a hobby shop does not compare to getting answers from a whole group of folks. Maybe someone in that group, has figured out an easier fix for the problem, a fix that I can do with my limited array of shop tools.

#5

A month after Aristo died nobody at the brick and mortar knew…

#6

I guess I’m a little better off as I have access to TOC! Also a number ao years in HO and working and repairing my rolling stock. However, I will say I do like to see and touch what I’m interested in. Like the time I saw the Bachmann 4-4-0 and then bought one. I have done most, but not all of my installs and with good results. And I will add that having a place where you can ask questions and find answers is very important, so please keep it up.

Paul

#7

If it wasn’t for forums like this I would never have been able to accomplish what I have over the years. It has helped me save time and money.

#8

Agreement of REVIEW and PROBLEM SOLVING importance is obvious from the responses.

What remains is the conclusion:
Whatever is purchased, write a REVIEW.
Whatever problems are resolved write it up for PROBLEM SOLVING.

#9

And don’t post pictures of your latest purchase on the review forum unless you intend to actually do a review?

bad greg bad greg bad greg…

:wink:

#10

Perhaps the review forum should be retired?

How many of us really feel qualified to do a real review?

And then suffer the slings and arrows because we didn’t point out the obvious faults?

Or perhaps we are just happy with what we purchased and want to share our joy?

#11

Another option would be to encourage people to do reviews.

Perhaps make some helpful suggestions about what features YOU might be interested in.

Not everyone knows what features YOU might find relevant.

#12

Bruce Chandler said:

Perhaps the review forum should be retired?

How many of us really feel qualified to do a real review?

And then suffer the slings and arrows because we didn’t point out the obvious faults?

Or perhaps we are just happy with what we purchased and want to share our joy?

1…Perhaps

2…A couple

3…Because the couple that do, really enjoy the slings and arrows?

4… Agreed 100%

#13

I think that ANY effort at a review has ALWAYS been encouraged and met with thanks.

Just posting a picture of your latest purchase does not qualify as a review to me.

Maybe you have not visited the review forum lately to understand my comment, sorry.

Greg

#14

Greg-

I appreciate, among many, your continued efforts to help us make products work. While I didn’t review your “need for review” comments, I know you strongly support each of use reporting product successes and foibles – and effective remedies. With so few RR model shops in existence, and fewer yet who carry large scale, without product reviews we are a take-a-chance hobby with each mail order.

Thanks,
Wendell