Bob Keller
RT: No idea what you are talking about as far as Target's proprietary information that I know. But it SOUNDs nice.
I am simply basing my opinions (which is pretty much ALL that you are reading in this thread from EVERYONE) on what is being presented here. "By MANY accounts"...could you be just a BIT more specific on that. Many accounts from WHOM??? What we are hearing on the forum from those that have been keeping an eye on their local Target stores is the sets were NOT selling well at all. Now we see Target attempting to unload them to clear their shelves of Winter stock, and getting opposition from someone (Lionel?) to them selling them at discount. The fact that Target tried to sell them at discount makes it pretty clear that they did not fly off the shelves as the optimists would have one believe.
IF, and that's a pretty big IF, Target did order the number of sets that Bob says they did, that is a considerable investment in Lionel merchandise. One can certainly understand Target trying to get some kind of return on their investment, even if it means selling them for less than full retail. The alternative is storing them until next year and then selling them again. I doubt Target had that as their master plan when they agreed to sell them. Stores like Target, Wallyworld, and K-Mart make their $$$ selling in volume. Note how the Christmas merchandise is ALWAYS on sale at heavy discount after Dec 25th, so they DON'T have to store it all year. Target probably just lumped Lionel with the rest of the Christmas merchandise, and that's why they want to sell it at discount. Is Target selling Lionel trains a silver cloud? Time will tell. It depends on whether Target decides that they made a decent profit. If Target sells Lionel next year, then you can figure the big Target experiment was a success. If not...welll
Dep
Virginian Railroad
probably ordered 50,000 or 100,000 sets
WOW! No wonder the 1000 sets ordered by Disney haven't sold out. I would never have dreamed that the order was over 5000 sets myself.
Deputy wrote: njalb1: Just because they are forced to advertise them at full retail, doesn't mean they will be SELLING them. They didn't sell during Christmas season, which is prime time for Lionel, so why would people buy them now???? And if they aren't selling them at all, then all those handouts won't be getting into anyone's hands anyway. Dep
njalb1: Just because they are forced to advertise them at full retail, doesn't mean they will be SELLING them. They didn't sell during Christmas season, which is prime time for Lionel, so why would people buy them now???? And if they aren't selling them at all, then all those handouts won't be getting into anyone's hands anyway.
By MANY accounts, the Lionel Target sets did quite well throughout the good ol' USA. Since the trainsets will be in Target year 'round, I 'spose that's why the prices rose quickly after Christmas.
Once again, I would like to know how the hackers on this board were able to get into Corporate Target's sales information....
jonadel wrote: Dep--You SHOULD forward your advice onto Target, I'm sure they would appreciate your insightful knowledge on marketing. Actually, maybe not, I think they are doing OK. Jon
Dep--
You SHOULD forward your advice onto Target, I'm sure they would appreciate your insightful knowledge on marketing. Actually, maybe not, I think they are doing OK.
Jon
LOL !
Jon: Sarcasm is lost on me Besides, having a bunch of Lionel trains left over on the shelves this far after Christmas is hardly "doing okay".
SOMEONE should get with it at BOTH Lionel and Target if they actually want to get trains in the hands of consumers. We have already posted on other threads about better ways Lionel can advertise. If the common folk can think of this stuff, why can't the geniuses at Lionel's marketing department come up with it???
So many roads, so little time.
Dr. John wrote: Wow! $124.95 would be a steal for this set! I've heard the $174.95 price in several market areas. I'll make a run to Target this Friday to see if they have the set in stock and if so, for how much. Last time I went they had none in stock.I would be greatly tempted if the price is around the $175.00 mark.
Exactly right John!!!! Target SHOULD be discounting them right now. Isn't it better to get the trains out into the hands of consumers, rather than trying to get max price for them, which at this time would be pretty hard, if not impossible to do?
Don
They did sell well in some markets.ALL retailers discount items after the holidays.Target is NOT, thank God!, a HobbyStore, and I don't want them to become one either! Could you imagine going to Target and asking some 16yo how an engine works? Or taking an engine into Target to have it fixed? It would most likely end up lost in their inventory.
Deputy wrote: njalb1: Just because they are forced to advertise them at full retail, doesn't mean they will be SELLING them. They didn't sell during Christmas season, which is prime time for Lionel, so why would people buy them now???? And if they aren't selling them at all, then all those handouts won't be getting into anyone's hands anyway. DepIMO I can't understand why there is always this negative energy ???
IMO I can't understand why there is always this negative energy ???
Quote"
On the contrary, the Target sets are now being discounted heavily due to lack of sales. "
Not any more ???? They are full retail...........
.
"Those handouts that were included in the Target trainsets would be more encouraging if TARGET was mentioned somewhere in them"
Why ? Lionel is directing the purchasers after thier inital purchase to thier LHS !! Now that makes sense to me, as Target is not a Hobbystore ???????????
Sorry lion....but them's the facts
Deputy wrote: njalb1: Read Dennis' post above. "It would be a good thing if they sold year round. I hope they have a larger selection. Perhaps they can have some nice K-Line offerings."That would indicate Target getting into toy trains pretty heavily. I think, if that were the case, there would be more fanfare than what has existed so far. It's a nice optimistic outlook, but I question whether it will be a reality. Why would an announcement be needed? Because Lionel needs all the publicity they can get if they really want to sell trains as a year-round quantity. The holiday trainsets, from all reports we have heard, were not exactly "flying off the shelves". We didn't hear anything about shortages of Lionel/Target sets or Target desperately trying to resupply the shelves with Lionel products. On the contrary, the Target sets are now being discounted heavily due to lack of sales. I'm sorry if I don't buy into the optimism that others so readily grasp at. Those handouts that were included in the Target trainsets would be more encouraging if TARGET was mentioned somewhere in them. Dep
njalb1: Read Dennis' post above. "It would be a good thing if they sold year round. I hope they have a larger selection. Perhaps they can have some nice K-Line offerings."
That would indicate Target getting into toy trains pretty heavily. I think, if that were the case, there would be more fanfare than what has existed so far. It's a nice optimistic outlook, but I question whether it will be a reality. Why would an announcement be needed? Because Lionel needs all the publicity they can get if they really want to sell trains as a year-round quantity. The holiday trainsets, from all reports we have heard, were not exactly "flying off the shelves". We didn't hear anything about shortages of Lionel/Target sets or Target desperately trying to resupply the shelves with Lionel products. On the contrary, the Target sets are now being discounted heavily due to lack of sales. I'm sorry if I don't buy into the optimism that others so readily grasp at. Those handouts that were included in the Target trainsets would be more encouraging if TARGET was mentioned somewhere in them.
QUOTE " Target as a "hobbyshop" for Lionel products is also a stretch to believe "
No one ever said that I was told that they will continiue to sell trains in thier toy department (store or online) all year long as other TOYS are. Why would an announcement be needed ?? Target web continues to sell the 3 sets. Under the Special set it does indicate that it is now available only on line and not in the stores. Maybe some stores will send back thier extras.
IMO I can't understand why there is always this negative energy. That is one of the reasons that I stopped posting here before Christmas
After buying the Target set the small flyer inside indicates where (LHS) to buy other items. Target is not trying to be a hobbyshop ? Here is what the outer booklet looks there are items shown inside available at LHS!
I would think, if Target is going to be a regular year-round retailer of Lionel products, that Lionel or Target would have made some kind of announcement to that effect. Haven't heard a peep from either one about it. One or both of these companies is missing the boat if that is true I also find it odd that if Target wasn't able to sell the Lionel trainsets during the holiday season when they were advertised and in any kind of demand, that they would decide to keep them as a regular item all year round. Not a very sound business decision. Target as a "hobbyshop" for Lionel products is also a stretch to believe.
njalb1 wrote:My three local targets indicated that Thier home office raised the price (Target not Lionel) as they decided to sell trains all year long.
Have to agree with you. It would be a good thing if they sold year round. I hope they have a larger selection. Perhaps they can have some nice K-Line offerings.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
There are several on e-bay right now. Most listings include something about a "50 piece set", so if you search on "50" you are bound to find a few.
Heres one;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-Lionel-lines-Train-NIB-50-PC-Die-Cast-Engine-O_W0QQitemZ250070685760QQihZ015QQcategoryZ4148QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
RollTideBama wrote: last week, in our Target stores, the Lionel set was on 30% clearance for $175. I had seen posts from others that elsewhere in the country they were down to 50% at $125. so i decided to wait. Today, there were still 6 or more on the shelves, but now at the regular price of $250 again. the worker in the toy section told me that they had gotten a mssg from the "vendor" (Lionel?), to mark them all back up to $250. not sure if they will ever get back to $175, or lower. does anyone know more info about this? p.s. It's SABAN Time!
last week, in our Target stores, the Lionel set was on 30% clearance for $175. I had seen posts from others that elsewhere in the country they were down to 50% at $125. so i decided to wait. Today, there were still 6 or more on the shelves, but now at the regular price of $250 again. the worker in the toy section told me that they had gotten a mssg from the "vendor" (Lionel?), to mark them all back up to $250. not sure if they will ever get back to $175, or lower. does anyone know more info about this?
p.s. It's SABAN Time!
Yikes...not sure if Lionel would be the vendor or not. But that doesn't sound like a good idea. Target is NOT going to want to keep them on the shelves now at that price when the season is over and they are trying to clear the shelves of seasonal items. And even if Lionel isn't the vendor, Target isn't going to like getting dictated to like that. They aren't going to be crazy about handling that stuff next year with that kind of attitude.
Skullie wrote:Theres 4 Target stores near me and Ive been to 2. But I havent seen any train sets. Of course from the sounds of it I might have not looked in the right spot. I havent asked any of the employees either.
I went to a local Target and did not see any sets and I asked an employee, and she had no clue. I went to another Target and found the last set they had on a lower shelf in the toy section. It was not in a easy to spot section at all. I snatched it up before checking with the bride as I didn't want to lose it. The price was about $174. You may have to ask or search hard for the remaining sets.
My local hobby shop blows out Lionel sets at 10% off after Christmas. Sometimes more. Target is no different. They are not making the brand cheap for two reasons. First, their prices points ($250, $200 on sale, and $175 on clearance) are still more than you pay for the basic set at the hobby shop and Hobby Lobby. It is just that their set is a good value with a few extra goodies but a little less power.
I believe the next stop after Target will be locating the closest hobby shop for accessories.
Jim H
mgmlodi wrote:Will Target repair Lionel trains, or sell StandardO items? When that happens Hobby shop owners may well be in Chapter 11
No, of course they won't repair Lionel trains. They don't repair anything. Buy any product at a big box store and one of the things you'll find in the box is a slip of paper that says "Thank you for selecting this _____ product. Please do not return this product to the store. Call us toll free at _______ or visit our website if service is needed."
And you'll never see Target or any other mass merchandiser sell train items other than starter sets, and perhaps an accessory or two. They are not geared-up to do that.
The thing that is killing hobby shops is US--the consumer whose primary source of shopping is eBay and "blowouts" or clearances and who, in the next breath, laments the passing of the local hobby shop. We have met the enemy, and he is us!
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