Please vote! What do you like, RTR, Kits, Both?

[Anonymous]

My modeling skills are still less than to be desired but I am improving. I like the idea of something that I built working more than just buying it. But on the other hand, i like to Just buy the damn one I want and run it also.

[BRAKIE]

Right now I am on a RTR kick and don't want to build kits-not even a simple blue box kit..I've built enough Athearn,Bev Bel/Athearn and some MDC and AccuRail kits over the years that I am no longer interested in kits.I prefer to operate my trains now instead.

[Anonymous]

If two items cost the same and one is RTR and the other a kit, then I'd go with the RTR. I'd prefer to spend my time doing other things as opposed to fiddling with fragile little peices. Atheran, MDC, Mckean, Walthers, and Accurail are kit I prefer.

[cisco1]

There was a time when all we had was kits. I still prefer them but if you factor in your time, the RTR stuff can be a real bargain.

[sebamat]

I like kits, but only as long as they are not too difficult and do not make necessary to 'work' on the pieces (filing etc) because I do not have the right tools, and you can no more do it on the living room desk but need to go to the basement.

The reason is both $$$ (kits are max 50% of a rtr!) and fun at building them.

With some p2000 and Blueprint kits I hit a level of difficulties that is already over my possibility, and ended up with damaged/bad looking cars.

As I had several bad experience with tank cars, I will probably buy them RTR next time.

sebastiano

[CNJ831]

Sure wish Bergie would re-instate the disclaimer that used to run on these pages indicating that polls and surveys conducted here are for the entertainment of readers only and unlikely to be representative of, or statistically significant, regarding any question at hand...and would be surely invalid if you use the results in a discussion with manufacturers as to what modelers want!

CNJ831

[ClinchValleySD40]

If I see something I want/need, I buy it. Doesn't matter if it's kit or RTR.
No preference.

[Anonymous]

CNJ831, What are you alluding too? Last time I checked the statistics on this poll, the total count was less than 70 people! To be of any significance as a poll, I would think thousands of respondents would be necessary.

I take what the few manufacturers I have received communications with have said about RTR vs KITS to have far more weight, than what this small poll is showing! As I have said many, many times: What opinions you or I may have about what is happening in this hobby will have little bearing on the course the hobby will take! The manufacturer's will respond to the market, which is determined by the buyers of their products! If they don't, they will loose market share! It would be extremely naive of me to think I can influence any outcome here!

In fact my reasons for posting all of my posts on RTR vs KITS is my sadness for what I perceive as the loss of modeling in America and a need to commiserate with others whom might feel the same way with an attempt to understand the other side's point of view. I know that many of you disagree with me on my perceptions of this trend. So, what else is new?

[CNJ831]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DeSchane

CNJ831, What are you alluding too? Last time I checked the statistics on this poll, the total count was less than 70 people! To be of any significance as a poll, I would think thousands of respondents would be necessary.

DeSchane - My contention was because of the way you worded your original post and what I think most would take it to mean ("I am talking to manufacturers and asking for your help to determine the direction this hobby is headed in reference to HO Rolling Stock."). To me this wording implies the desire to use results of a poll here in hopes of demonstrating some particlar aspect of kits vs. RTR to the manfacturers. If not that, of what point is this poll rather than just a discussion? As I've pointed out in the past, any polls conducted here are meaningless because of the insignificant number of persons responding. And I still would like to see Bergie re-instate the poll/survey disclaimer this forum used to run. I think too many readers really do take what a minute sampling here may suggest as actual fact across the hobby.

Be that as it may, you and I are in essentially the same camp, in that I'm a dyed-in-the-wool kit and scratch builder. I am also of the opinion that the great major it long-time hobbyists are also very heavily kit oriented. Kits have never flown off the shelves at any time in the hobby's history. It has always been possible to pick up a given one at any time one desired months or even years after issue. That RTR should turnover rapidly nowadays only points to mentality of, "Buy it now because once the limited run it's gone, it's gone!" The method of selling by the manufacturers has changed, not the hobbyists.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

CNJ831, Yes, I am interested in the direction the hobby is heading. I have also emailed manufacturers and asked their opinions and asked everyone who would respond, to choose what they like.

Bergie's choice to close this coded-clandestine-subterfuge infested thread down, if it's out of line. Where it has gotten so, escapes me, however!

[dave9999]

cnj831,
The disclaimer is still there... right at the end of the poll results, right where it has always been.
I don't think the results here, though given by model railroaders, could be used to speak for all
model railroaders. Dave

This post is for entertainment purposes only and does not reflect the opinion of all model
railroaders. [:)]

[Anonymous]

CNJ831, From just under the poll results here is this Forum's statement on the information contained in the Forum's polls:

(Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users).

I agree with you and expected as much when I posted the poll; the results would be small and fairly insignificant to really mean much.

The manufacturer's which responded to my questions on RTR vs KITS (there were only three responses out of seven quarried) stated: kits will continue to be offered as long as they sell, see the future continuing with only offering RTR and wanting to provide kits, however, seeing kits not selling from the hobby shop's shelves as well as RTR. You will have to take my word as this being what they said, as I will not reveal whom said these things nor quote them directly! You certainly can quarry them on your own.

My perceptions of what the manufacturer's whom responded are saying is; kits will continue to be offered, if they sell, however, RTR stock moves faster!

What I see on the hobby shop shelves I visit, shows growth of RTR and decline of kits.

As of today, Jan. 12th, 2005, the results of this poll show greater interest in preferring kits and preferring kits & will also buy RTR 62%. while prefer RTR and preferring RTR & will buy kits 27%. No preference was only 11%. The largest percentage was prefer kits but will also buy RTR at 45%.

What do you take the results of this poll to mean? Now that it will be re-posted on the front page of the forum, more people may add responses. However, I would guess the percentages might stay close to the same.