Large Scale Central

Possible negotiating snags regarding Märklin LGB® in NA

General Discussion
#21

Wendell,

Dennis emphasized

Dennis Paulson said:
My answer is #4
And it is all ready underway now .
Marklin-LGB is already shipping to US dealers and taking orders for product .
And LGBoA is NOT involved in this !

Has anyone ascertained David Buffingtons status at G45? If memory serves one post read “He sold his ‘whatever’ to Jakob”. After the “not so smooth” insolvency - by all appearances solved in a different manner than was expected/anticipated - that wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Matter of fact little in this Saga is a “big surprise”, gets unraveled in the customary way with more to come.

BTW I don’t believe the customers care if the stuff comes from New Berlin or San Diego. Strictly a matter of how much faith Märklin has in receiving money for goods shipped! OTOH there are always irrevocable letters of credit, which are as good as cash. :wink: :slight_smile: :wink:
All kinds of solutions for any number of “problems”, including that snag of PIKO HO material being handled by LGBoA.

My solution for that one “You can take either one and leave the other. Your choice!” But you know my attitude, it’s all about giving people choices. Let them chose! :smiley: :wink: :smiley:

#22

But then again…LGBoA distributes Marklin’s products…G45 becomes a distribution company in it’s own right and distributes Piko. In reality the same company under 2 different names…but it’s what the vast majority of the buying public perceive…it’s two different companies. Problem solved…but the agitators won’t buy it…:confused:

#23

Wendell,
to continue using LGBoA (Freehold,N.J. and San Diego) as a distribution/service department, would give a matter of ‘acceptance’ of the company. In the long term this would harm future relations with the consumer if Marklin were to phase out LGBoA in favour of its own premises in New Berlin. Right now consumers need assurance as to the future of the distribution and servicing/warranty repairs of any future purchases. Largescalers are generally a fickle lot and purchase what they fancy, not specifically what they need. This fickleness will see an exodus of potential LGB customers, looking elsewhere for a more reliable (meaning availability of supply) manufacturer. There will then exist an inertia on the part ofthe consumer to return to LGB as a supplier of items that thet may want. This reluctance will express itself in reduced sales.

         The days of the 'baby-boomer' LGB collectors is reaching its zenith.  The average largescaler of today, wants a reliable product to run,  not store in boxes or place as shelf queens on the mantlepiece.  Marklin can ill afford to lose the remaining collector base clientele and should make all endeavours to remedy the current supply situation.  If this means entering into an agreement with LGBoA,  then all the better for the current consumer,  if not particularly advantageous to the manufacturer.
#24
Tim Brien said:
.......................... 
         The days of the 'baby-boomer' LGB collectors is reaching its zenith.  The average largescaler of today, wants a reliable product to run,  not store in boxes or place as shelf queens on the mantlepiece.  Marklin can ill afford to lose the remaining collector base clientele and should make all endeavours to remedy the current supply situation.  If this means entering into an agreement with LGBoA,  then all the better for the current consumer,  if not particularly advantageous to the manufacturer.</blockquote>

Tim,

And that is the crux of the matter: Märklin stated quite clearly that collectors present a finite market i.e. one better look what other markets are ready to be tapped. Of course this was all refering to the Märklin/Trix product line, but chances are pretty good that what applies to “Spur 1” (1:32) isn’t too far removed from 1:22.5 …

BTW has anyone inquired lately how far along that LGBoA USRA 0-6-0 is?? :confused:

#25
HJ said:
BTW has anyone inquired lately how far along that LGBoA USRA 0-6-0 is??
Probably on the assembly line right next to Aristo's 2-8-0.....:(
#26

Warren,
the Aristo 2-8-0 is a definite ‘goer’, unlike the ‘teaser’ presented by the other company. Both locomotives would receive ready acceptance in 1/29 scale, as a need urgently exists for a smallish steam locomotive. I think that the next decade would be a possibility for the 0-6-0 entering service (if at all). An interesting scenario would be if Marklin took up production of a very similar locomotive to the LGBoA mockup. It would be a relatively inexpensive entry into a popular market.

#27

I don’t call anything with Aristo a “definite goer” until it’s on the water to the dealers. We still have not seen the GP40 or the SD9. And it’s my understanding that both are ahead of the 2-8-0…depending on which side of the bed Lewis got up on this morning. I’d almost place a bet that the 0-6-0 from LGBoA will hit the dealers before Aristo’s 2-8-0.

#28

Why would Lewis Polk bother with that piddling little 2-8-0? He’s too busy struggling to cobble together a 1/29 “Me Too” Erie Triplex to do battle with that MTH interloper.

:wink:

#29

Tim,

Your LGB “baby-boomer” collectors do not get started good till next year… I would say the manufacturers better hang on because it could be a good ride or the pits if they are not prepared…

#30

Yes thats whats needed , 3 or more mfrs to make the Erie Triplex steamers in large scale ! :- )

#31

I want mine built in 7/8ths scale…:smiley:

I like the WOW factor. :stuck_out_tongue:

#32

Vic,
I am unaware of an Aristo ‘me too’ triplex. Lewis hopefully learned with the GG1 that no matter how many TCA members request a locomotive, it is the day to day consumer who is making the bulk of the purchases. The GP40 is almost ‘on the water’ and from memory the SD-9 was canned. This leaves the way clear for the 2-8-0 to leap ahead. This will be a very popular locomotive, given the response to date.

MTH has a dedicated band of collectors who will buy anything that Mike produces.  Other manufacturers do not have this advantage and need to research the market to get the best return on each product release.  The triplex was a very limited release prototype and from memory, its lifespan was limited to but a few years, prior to dieselisation.
#33

Tim Brien said:
Vic, I am unaware of an Aristo ‘me too’ triplex.

Tim, as Foghorn Leghorn would say: “Its a joke Son, I see ya lips movin but ya aint laughin’…” :wink:

Can you blame me after 3 Big Boys & 3 GG1s ??? Meanwhile I’m bashing HLW Macks into tram engines since every manufacturer has jumped onto the “bigger is better - 10’ diameter min required radius” bandwagon… :wink: