Broadway Liimited Delivery Dates.

[dazzar]

Just checked the new delivery schedule for BLI. Very disappointing.
Items that were to be released months ago have all gone back even further.
Why advertise more new releases, until they have existing products under delivery control.

[MudHen_462]

Yeah, I guess my (BLI) NW-2 that I have ordered will be a little later. I'll be surprised if I see it before Feb. or March of 2005.

I can't figure whether they have over-extended themselves, or if it is a quality control problem that they can't lick.

[davekelly]

Well, if it is a quality control problem I'd rather have them solve it than ship bad stuff.

[johncolley]

I agree. I am waiting for an NW-2 Switcher, too, but I would rather wait longer than get an inferior product now. After hearing the difference between the soundbite on my computer and the actual E-7 models due to the difference in speaker size I can only wonder what the switcher will sound like unless they face the speaker thru the fuel tank?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by IronGoat

Yeah, I guess my (BLI) NW-2 that I have ordered will be a little later. I'll be surprised if I see it before Feb. or March of 2005.

I can't figure whether they have over-extended themselves, or if it is a quality control problem that they can't lick.

We will never know for sure, but I believe they have over-extended themselves but the market has treated them well. I never expected to buy any of their products, and now own seven engines and have several more on reservation. I also know several people who only purchased brass before this and now buy BLI also.

As soon as the Santa Fe 3751 arrived, I called them about the chuffing problem. When the PRR J1's came, it had the same problem and I called again. Both times, the technical support person took my information and told me QSI was coming to pick up the production engines to solve the problem. They actually send me the parts without my calling them back, so I rate them an A+ on service.

I have more patience with BLI because they offer a great value for the product and my BLI engines have all run well. It would seem they jumped on the sound band wagon at the right time, and just kept adding on, but that must take a lot of money to import all of the items they have listed. Remember, this is the same person that used to import under the Oriental name, so they have experience.

[cacole]

Broadway Limited is not the only company that is guilty of announcing a product schedule and then falling months, or even years, behind. I have noticed this over and over, especially with Bachmann. I think these companies announce a product and then see how many orders trickle in before they even begin to tool up and actually have the product made, so they don't wind up with shelves full of something that no one will purchase. Bachmann, in one case, even cancelled production of a locomotive a few months ago, and I assume they did so because there was not enough interest generated.

[Anonymous]

I can understand getting behind on a scheduled arrival date for a new model, but I ordered an in-stock ready to ship loco from BLI over a month ago. They said it would ship in two weeks and it hasn't been shipped out yet. It will only take 3-4 daysonce it is shipped. This is the longest I have waited on a model railroad product. If they are this far behind now, how bad will things get over the holidays.

[Anonymous]

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one disappointed, but I agree with JohnColley and BangerT1...I'm bummed out right now, but I'll wait and be happy when i get it.

I also hope that BLI is fixing some of the problems that were picked up on with some of the engines I have on order. From what I gather, the AT&SF 2-10-4 was quite wrong, so i changed my order to a 2-10-2...maybe they're fixing the 2-10-4 and I'll just have to get one of those as well...shhh don't tell the wife! [;)]

[Anonymous]

I believe that we are witnessing a "sea change" in the hobby.

In old days the store was fully stocked and could be counted on to have the smallest most rare widget easy to get to.

I have seen increasingly that hobby shops ask for orders and the manufactor will decide if there is enough orders to fill the production run for a item.

I fear in the future basic supplies will be made availible such as wheels, paints, brushes etc... and hardly anything else. If you wanted a Caboose you would have to submit a request to the hobby shop which then will determine if such a product will be made and when. The manufacterors that make the products are beginning to tire of the supply chain problems, products that dont sell very often, suppliers sometimes reducing prices below retail to get product out of the warehouse etc etc etc

I have begun to set aside a small amount of money as a "War Chest" so when that Email comes from my hobby shop asking for orders before a deadline, I would be prepared to "Buy on the spot" by submitting the order.

I no longer listen to or read (Believe) the release dates. They are constantly pushed back so often by so many makers I am happy to get the product when it does come out.

Case in point... The Broadway Limited's Heavy Mikado. I witnessed one run and it was much better and stronger than my Athearn Genesis Light Mike and I went to order a copy for myself. Only to find that they ceased the production run and it will be unknown when a new one will be made.

Short story, I finally got my Heavy Mike but it took Broadway about 7 months. (And without the front coupler that works) however, I am satisfied with the product and am willing to wait. But not too long, someone else may release a similar product sooner and that may merit my monies to be directed that way.

Be first with quality models "On-time" and dont try to throttle the hobby down to either train sets for children or very limited one time orders that only "Well-off" modelers can afford to buy on the spot.

[AntonioFP45]

I really hope that BLI is not playing the game, as mentioned above, of seeing how many orders come in first.

Realistically, these models come from China. Problems in any type of production can creep up just before a mass shipping of a product. Happens in other industries.

Hopefully Broadway is just taking the same approach as Soundtraxx with their Tsunami Decoder and eliminating every last possible glitch that their products may have. Don't forget what happened when BLI first introduced the GG1s! A whole batch of them had a gear flaw and BLI had to jump in and satisfy the customers.

Cheers![:D]

[Anonymous]

I long ago canceled my order for a BLI UP 4-8-2 as the original shipping date of june is now winter 04/05. forget it. i'm getting an athearn challenger instead.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jjwest870

I long ago canceled my order for a BLI UP 4-8-2 as the original shipping date of june is now winter 04/05. forget it. i'm getting an athearn challenger instead.

Thats true..but how late is the Athearn Challenger?? They weren't any better on their delivery date either...

[rexhea]

Well, I am waiting for an SW-7 and Southern E7A and B. When I found out they were being delayed by months from the already delayed September date, I sent them an email asking to varify.

What is curious in their reply is that the E7 has already been released in other roadnames. Was there a problem with those? The last paragraph was when I told them I now had other choices and was seriously considering using them.

I wonder what would happen to an automotive supplier if he failed to deliver as promised. [xx(]

EMAIL REPLY

Rex,

We are sorry to hear your disappointment. Unfortunately, what you have
heard from your dealer is correct.

The vast majority of modelers do not understand the complexity of
bringing out a top notch locomotive. At BLI, we would rather delay a
delivery date than bring out a product that we know is not up to
standard. We hope you can understand our position.

We know that you have choices on which manufacturer's product you
purchase. We hope that we can maintain your business by providing you
with premium quality models--although later than expected.

Thank you for choosing Broadway Limited Imports.

Sincerely,

Broadway Limited Imports, LLC

[AntonioFP45]

Well,

Glad that BLI responded and Rex shared it with us. IMHO, it can be a little frustrating but it's worth the wait. 2005 will be here before we know it!

[rexhea]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Well,

........... IMHO, it can be a little frustrating but it's worth the wait. 2005 will be here before we know it!

I agree with your opinion, Antonio. It is worth the wait. I have been very pleased with the two BLI's that I have and I will wait for more. Patience is something I have never had when I get excited about getting a new goodie [;)] .

After all, I still have a BLI L&N E7on the way and that will heal the wounds for awhile.[:D]

REX

[Anonymous]

I support BLI, the "tipping over" point was when my friend's Heavy Mike took my 15 onery cars on plastic wheels up the 3% grade without a slip on his pike.