Lionel Premium Sets

[tschmidt]

I think you almost have to pre-order everything now. It is difficult to plan that far in advance sometimes. I guess keeping inventory down saves money for the manufacturer.

TomS

[dwiemer]

Mark,
I have noticed that as well. It seems that once they determine that an item will be "hot", MSRP is out the window. I have mostly postwar, but the prices of the high-end sets are keeping me from getting some newer items. I mostly am an operator, so I am not looking for the "collector" value, but just looking at current prices for the sets you describe and some of the mad rush over the pre-order items from the new catalog, I think I will have to continue in the Post War catagory for some time now.
Also, seems you can't even get deals at the shows anymore.
Dennis
PS, I used to be a firefighter in NJ. There is a guy named Norman on the job in Newark who has quite a collection and also is a dealer. One of my friends is a DC there and I could get information if you would like to catch up with him.

[Birds]

The prices I have been seeing for current releases are either at or slightly below (before shipping) MSRP.

This includes the local Mom & Pop dealer, and several e-tailers.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone else observed the recent asking prices of some of the premium sets offered by lionel? Such as the BN coal trains, CN tank train, grain train etc..Were these sets produced in low numbers? I have seen them going for almost double the original asking price, also some of the scale diesels are going for double also. I dont get it.

I guess I better order the new PA coal train set and all the add ons, (I hate when they do these add on things to complete a set) along with the rest of the items I want.

I would like to hear from other SERIOUS LIONEL Fans about there views.

Mark