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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.
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