BLI update from BLI Sales Director /

[Anonymous]

This is an email I received from the Sales Director at BLI. I wanted to share with you that they are trying, but we all know they are way off schedule. .

Larry,

Today's model train locomotives are extremely complex involving very small mechanics, electrical and electronic systems, sound and every software! There are a multitude of things that can and do go wrong or cause delays. Specifically, the UP Mountains are expected around December while the AT&SF 2-10-2 and 2-10-4 will release sometime early next year. This month alone we have released the USRA Heavy Mikado and now the PRR K4's are ready to ship. Believe me, we have our hands full and are delivering many locomotives, though you may not be aware of them all.

All the best,
Tim Nissley
Director of Sales
Broadway Limited Imports, LLC

[johncolley]

I have been patiently waiting for a GN NW-2 switcher while delivery dates keep getting pushed away. Just curious as to why you would advertise something you are not prepared to market? Is the problem getting decent sound from a little switcher body? John

[rexhea]

...or, come out with something new when you can't even meet the orders of previous or promised releases. I got news for you buddy, I have been very pleased with BLI's products, but as soon as there is another company with the same-----you are out!

[Anonymous]

I ordered a UP MOUNTAIN on 9/9/04 that I thought was ready to ship. The last I heard was it would be available in November, now your telling me December. What gives?

[Anonymous]

Patients is a virtue people. Remember, these locomotives are a redical departure from everything that has come before. You should be thankful, that BLI is delaying a product to address quality control concerns, rather than releasing a substandard product, like another model train firm who brought us a DCC and sound locomotive and are now leaving the HO market......for a third time.

James.

[johncolley]

That's not an answer to our questions!
1. What are the problems? and
2. why are they spending lots of money, that could be addressing said problems, on these great ads if they are not ready to deliver a product?
Thank you! Don't give us a runaround stall and tell us to be patient. If you don't know the answers, say so!

[Virginian]

The reason companies announce something as soon as they know they are going to do it is because some people who may have been going to get something else, may like their offering more and decide to wait for it. The release date is usually somewhere between where the accountants want it so the money starts hitting the books and when the production people say they can do it - pulling out all the stops and if nothing goes wrong. Usually the accountants win (Optimism Forever!), and then production busts a$$ but unforseen things go wrong and the new product is way late. Happens all the time in lots of industries.
Say, anyone seen a Tsunami sound unit lately?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by johncolley

That's not an answer to our questions!
1. What are the problems? and
2. why are they spending lots of money, that could be addressing said problems, on these great ads if they are not ready to deliver a product?
Thank you! Don't give us a runaround stall and tell us to be patient. If you don't know the answers, say so!

I have to agree they have not answered the question I asked, but there are problems that have sufaced that will take time to fix. We will only find out the real news when some kind of announcement is made by either BLI, the dealers or maybe in the Model Railroader concerning the real problem.. $$$$$$$

I still have reservations and the web page states the new BLI PRR K4's are in. When is the last time you could buy a K4? I have a few good K4's, but then Hey, a few can always use company. The PRR had 425 of them.

[Anonymous]

BLI is not doing anything other model RR manufacturers don't already do. Do you think the brass locomotives you see advertised in the magazines are ready to ship when the ad is printed? Try buying an Sn3 PBL locomotive as soon as it is announced. For years LifeLike, Bachman and Athearn have been advertising products that don't ship for months. Most of us in the hobby have learned to deal with it. The best thing is buy from a dealer since they won't bill you until the product ships.

[railman]

it all takes time...be glad they're being produced. Saw one of their E-units, wow. Prolly worth the wait.

[rexhea]

Ok! If the focus seems to be on production problems, then why is there another several months delay on the rest of the E-7 roadnames when there has already been a release for some roads. Is there a problem with the first ones? Run out of paint? I have an E7 L&N and if there is a problem with it, I haven't noticed it. Please explain or is it too complex.

[Virginian]

I am assuming they have to pay for these locomotives before the manufacturer ships them to BLI. And they have to sell a lot of run # one before they can afford to order run # 2. They probably have a few local bills and salaries to pay too. If they borrow the money, the price goes up. And then there are 5 other companies buying from the same manufacturer and the production shop time schedule is full all the time out months in advance Kinda the same way it takes the automobile manufacturers years to roll out a new model. Manufacturing is complicated. The US has lost out to far Eastern manufacturers on a lot of things because of cost. Via "free trade" we are subsidizing the increase in standard of living for 3rd world countries at our eexpense. A truck from Evansville, Indiana may take a day to get to the dealer, but the slow boat from China takes a bit longer. In short, welcome to the new millenium and the new world order.

[rexhea]

Va,
What you said makes a lot more sense than that released by the companies. For them, in essence, to say, " We would explain it to you, but it's too complicated for a hobbist to understand." is insulting. I believe the bottom line lies with the fact that these products are imported and the companies in the USA have no control over the business practices of the foreign manufacturer.

I don't believe that the average hobbist really cares what their problems and woes are in getting the product to the market. The complaint is the deliberate and obvious premature announcements of product availability or the inadequate sales forcasting for aiding the retailers to maintain sufficient levels of inventory to meet the demand.

Will these practices continue? Sure they will until publications like MR, MRR clubs, and NMRA put the pressure on them to change. Can you and I change this? Only if we put the pressure on these organizations.

REX