Just when we all thought that LGB Walthers pricing policy is going to escalate LGB/Marklin prices beyond the reach of mortal man, Trainworld is apparently disposing all their remaining stock at almost unheard of prices. Stock in very limited supply.
One wonders if a certain distributor has required stores to dispose of existing (pre-2006) stock, prior to receiving new Marklin manufactured items.
Hi Tim
I see the Wild West Forney is back to its sale price before all that hullabalu meltdown drove the prices way up, so the “firesale” is in reality just back down to pre-meltdown street prices.
The Virgin Records store here went under also, they were “discounting” 50% off the listed price, too bad I have a good memory, DVDs I had previously purchases at marked price of $14-$19 were shockingly remarked to $29 and some to $32 for the same freaking DVD!!! Some savings!! mark it up double then “discount” it 50%, theives and I told them so, good riddence!
So I’m too much an old bunny to get excited until I see “firesale” prices below what I can find listed in past GR issues, I know what my pricepoint for the WW Forney is and it aint there yet.
The $150 for the D&RGW switcher is a good price though…too bad I’m not interested.
Vic,
Genesis at $250 and Amtrak cars around $170 are not bad. American standard gauge at $60.00 each is not bad. Ore cars at $40.00 each. Diesel switchers at $160.00 each is good value. Ridge Road still listing their normal prices, so powsibly sale limited to Trainworld clearance. Email did state that Walthers was handling LGB sales(?) and servicing. I can understand ‘distributing’ but to mention ‘sales’ is indeed strange. Perhaps sales exclusivety?
Victor Smith said:This is becoming very common. Management turns over the store to liquidators who first mark everything up to list or above. Then then start the Going Out Of Business sales at 20-30% off the inflated price. People who buy at this stage are actually paying more that the original marked price. This has been proven by carefully peeling off multiple price stickers. It's not until they get beyond 50% off that things are even marginally cheaper than before the sale.
[i][/i]The Virgin Records store here went under also, they were "discounting" 50% off the listed price, too bad I have a good memory, DVDs I had previously purchases at marked price of $14-$19 were shockingly remarked to $29 and some to $32 for the same freaking DVD!!! Some savings!! mark it up double then "discount" it 50%, theives and I told them so, good riddence!
There used to be a clothing discounter around NYC named Syms that had the slogan “An educated consumer is our best customer” From the looks of the buying public, there aren’t too many “educated” consumers left. Probably why Syms went out of business.
Jon, I’m always wary about GOOB sales, they are often comletely bogus if you shop around and compare prices.
Tim, yes those are good prices, all I was saying is that if you look in back issues of GR you’ll see the same or near same prices just before EPL did the Big Hindenburg. This was back when EPL themselves were authorizing clearence level prices. I suspect Trainworld is selling these at just above cost to them. If I had the coin I would consider biting the WW Forney and do a major repaint on it, but fun-money is scarce today and I already have so many kitbashed engines already that adding yet another really doesnt enter the equation, I have no justification, so I’ll have to pass.
I checked around both Wholesaletrains.com and Ridgeroad Station ALSO appear to be clearing out there LGB shelves as well, but looks like they have alot less remaining in their warehouse.
Always be wary of those percentage off sales. My wife loves Hecht’s department stores because they are always sending her special discount coupons. I try to explain to her that they mark up the prices more than the discounts, so at best you pay the same price as a Walmart or Target. Doesn’t seem to slow her down. Sigh…
Thanks for the tip! I noted Trainworld had not updated their closeouts for a while, I would have missed it. At last I now have the LGB tankers I wanted! No complaints about the pricing, seems very good to me. Trainworld seems to get most of my LGB dollar, something I will miss in the future.
Vic,
prices spiralled upwards when Silvergate apparently effectively raised their wholesale price level by not allowing discounts to dealers. Retailers then had to markup their prices to reflect the new wholesale (non-clearance) pricing. Goods were not selling at the increased pricing level and so the market took control and pricing decreased. The level now is at the late 2006 LGBoA firesale levels.
Well, I guess the RhB crowd cleaned up while the cleaning was even better. There is hardly anything RhB on that list, not that it matters, I made sure I got what I needed while the price was good.
Yep, thats it: spring/summer 2006 is about the time I last saw prices like these. Right after the shock and awe firesale at the Family Picnic in Germieland and right before EPL did the final big firework!
Jon Radder said:
This is becoming very common. Management turns over the store to liquidators who first mark everything up to list or above. Then then start the Going Out Of Business sales at 20-30% off the inflated price. People who buy at this stage are actually paying more that the original marked price. This has been proven by carefully peeling off multiple price stickers. It's not until they get beyond 50% off that things are even marginally cheaper than before the sale.There used to be a clothing discounter around NYC named Syms that had the slogan “An educated consumer is our best customer” From the looks of the buying public, there aren’t too many “educated” consumers left. Probably why Syms went out of business.
Anyone who believes the fliers will “save” several millions during a lifetime and not have a cent to show for it. 
Paul Lambert said:I wish I could get Cris to understand that buying something you don't need, _just_ because they give you a coupon for it, isn't really saving money. Even worse when you factor in the price of fuel to get there.
Always be wary of those percentage off sales. My wife loves Hecht's department stores because they are always sending her special discount coupons. I try to explain to her that they mark up the prices more than the discounts, so at best you pay the same price as a Walmart or Target. Doesn't seem to slow her down. Sigh....
I guess I don’t quite understand why people are getting bent out of shape about this simple announcement of an LGB clearance sale. Since the rumor has been circulated that LGB will no longer produce U.S. outline trains, I would think people would want to take advantage of getting what is left since that is primarily what is left. I have purchased a few things in the last couple of months as we may never see them again. It just seems that there is a lot of negativity surrounding this simple post. If you don’t like the prices of LGB, don’t buy it. Just my opinion.
Tim Brien said:
Just when we all thought that LGB Walthers pricing policy is going to escalate LGB/Marklin prices beyond the reach of mortal man, Trainworld is apparently disposing all their remaining stock at almost unheard of prices. Stock in very limited supply.One wonders if a certain distributor has required stores to dispose of existing (pre-2006) stock, prior to receiving new Marklin manufactured items.
“???
How or why would anyone want that to happen? Geeze?
It is amazing that no-one was informed that SG Dist. HAD to be rid of their inventory by Jan.1. (This had nothing to do with WALTHERS!)
Some retailers are pretty pissed too as they we not offered the deals.
And no…we did not buy any of the closeouts that were already on closeout.”
I assume we = were?
Tony,
email sent.
Dave,
you have come from a very sheltered forum site where very little debate/discussion is allowed that may get even the tiniest bit heated. Discussion of LGB is a very emotive topic and, unfortunately, someone new to the scene would be dismayed. Do not worry. Simply sit back and enjoy this site and the discussions encountered on the site. While it may at times seem offensive, I feel that the fact that so many protaganists return to the discussion, that they actually enjoy the heated comraderie encountered.
Ah hum, to the “no more NA proto from LGB®” I’d say. lets wait until the Nürnberg Fair and see what LGB® presents. BTW any NA distributor will make it his/her business to see that NA product is in the pipe. Only fools take on lines with limited market suitability. 
PS As far as distributor is concerned has any one gone to the trouble and looked at how the array of product available from Walthers increased in the last 30 years? It is quite amazing!
PPS Tim, some people like to lead a sheltered life (on sheltered sites).
HJ,
Why was that PPS, instead of PSS?
HJ,
I seriously doubt that any reputable company/individual would accept a contractual arrangement that only included a portion of potential items available. No doubt the remaining tooling will be one day put to good use, now that the well trodden/discussed saga is now history as of January 1st, 2009. But then, I am the eternal optimist and relish further discussion on the said, often visitted, topic.
Tim, does the fact that I have posted a couple of times on MyLargeScale make you think I come from a sheltered site? I am simply trying to gather more info after Large Scale trains. Hans, if your comment about people leading a sheltered life is directed at me, piss off. You must have pretty liberal moderators on this site. Don’t worry; I won’t be posting aymore as some of the people here are just rude.