RMT -- BEEPS --- $30 more

[Buckeye Riveter]

When did the price of Beeps go up by $30.00?  Was I asleep at the switch?

See link:  http://readymadetoys.stores.yahoo.net/o-gauge-diesel.html

I think I paid around $69 ea. at the first of this year for my BEEPs.

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

WOW...That's  a big increase. They were $59.00 at one time.

[Wes Whitmore]

That stinks.  That was the best deal in town.  Seemed about right for no bell, no horn...

[dwiemer]

Buckeye, that is how I remembered it, but also, while we were in York at the last TCA, Walter's wife said that what they had there was the last of the ones at the current price and that they were having a new pricing structure when they got back.  She didn't give a date, but seems it has come.  I think they went up on everything, not just the Beeps.  I guess since Lionel and MTH went up, they joined the bandwagon.  You probably will be able to still get good deals on the bay of E.

Dennis

[hrin]

 OUCH

[Warburton]

Look at Lionel's new pricing this year. I know the manufacturers are between a rock and a hard place, but they seriously run the risk of princing many out of the toy train market altogether. I know I have had to cut back on what I order significantly. 

 Now even the low-price providers are jacking up prices in a big way. And all this in the middle of the worst economic climate in seventy years, with 10% unemployment.

[Buckeye Riveter]

The way I figure it, there has been a 40% increase in the price of a BEEP.   $69 x 1.40 ~ $99 

I have purchased like new Lionel locomotives for $100.  They were not the top of the line, but they had a horn, lights and four axles and great paint jobs.  They pull more cars than the BEEP. 

I guess my BEEP collection ends at three.

[sir james I]

With two tiny motors, they are not worth a $100. True prices are going up but percentage wise thats a whopper of an increase.

[Train-O]

Buckeye Riveter,

With the prices going up and at an unreasonable jump we might as well buy prototype locomotives, then it'll be easier for our wives to fit us in when they make us hit the road.

I would like to know in that web.site page that you have, who's the engineer in the photo., that's waving and sticking out of the engine's cab?

Ralph 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Train-O

I would like to know in that web.site page that you have, who's the engineer in the photo., that's waving and sticking out of the engine's cab?

Ralph, I have no idea. 

[brianel027]

Without getting off track too much, there is one thing I've noticed, coincidence or not. Ever since the parent company of Bachmann (is it Kader Holdings?) took over the manufacturing facility at Sanda Kan, everyone who has product made there has announced dramatic price increases. Makes me wonder if it is really cost-driven or a matter of one single company that makes nearly all model trains having all the various companies in their back pocket so-to-speak.

I don't follow MTH as much because they make so few traditional type 027 sized trains, but I haven't heard of them raising prices like the others. Then again, MTH has a separate production facility.

Now an observation comes to mind: over the past couple decades I don't know how much the hobby has actually "grown" with totally new people getting started. Obviously there are some in this category. But seems to me from what I read, the good sales in trains are mostly being fueled by a set number of modelers who are simply buying more and more product. So often one can read comments on the train forums like "I already have more than enough trains." Or "I'm becoming more selective over what I buy." I wouldn't imagine that thinking bodes well for the train companies.

I'm not saying doom or gloom here. But as many others have said, the new price increases are making them reconsider their purchases and cutting back on them. Others have said they will continue buying, but it's got to be a must have item, and not just something they think they'd like.

Of course, the thinking might be different for someone just entering the hobby who doesn't have a layout already full of trains.

So when you consider the $40+ list price that new separate sale single Lionel starter set cars are listing for, or $65 for a metal framed 6464 type box car, $99 for a RMT Beep seems like a deal. Not to me though. They're all overpriced, especially for non-essential discretionary spending products, as these are. Even the mail order discounts don't seem that good: $35 on the $40 car?

I know I'm with many others when I have no plans of buying much at these new prices. Maybe if the stuff fails to sell and the companies are forced into deep blowouts, then maybe I'll re-consider. And I've never been an advocate of blowout prices. But with these new higher list prices, I guess the only stuff some of us will be buying will be blowouts or used items.

[dbaker48]

 Sure was shocked to see that happen!  Sorry to see it !  Unfortunately I don't think it will end in very good results, even if they wer'nt forced into it.

[Seayakbill]

Since Williams / Bachmann / Kader Industries is basically in direct competition with any conventional O Gauge electric train company I would guess that they will increase their manufacturing prices to any company needing their services. They only could get away with it if there was limited production capacity from other electric train manufactures which seems to be the case with the downturn of Chinese manufacturing. Maybe MTH should use their facilities to start manufacturing for other companies to bring in additional revenue.

[DMUinCT]

Strange ----- I can buy a Full Scale, highly detailed, large "G Scale" box car with metal wheels from Charles Ro's USA Trains or Aristo-Craft Trains, built for them by Sanda Kan, for $50 to $75.  Same price as some "O Gauge" from the same factory? 

"G" Gauge

[traindaddy1]

First, my Social Security becomes frozen for the next two years (with higher medicine costs) and now the "BEEP" price increase.  Everything seems to be going up. 

I don't know all the facts behind the increase but the increase % makes me wonder.  It's a nice little engine however, for me, I think it is a bit too much. 

[Train-O]

Buckeye Riveter,

Thank you for your reply.

The photo., super imposed by computer, is a neat touch for the engine.

I wonder, if model railroading will become so high tech. and higher priced, that it will be unaffordable by us mere mortals?

Ralph 

[Seayakbill]

I have 3 of the Beeps, if I can't find a better price than $100 won't be getting anymore.

[jjm]

Don't mean to pile on, but I would have to say that the $100 price point does not work for me either.  I thought these little engines were a great value, but a 50% increase in price is pretty steep.  Further, on my layout Beeps really have trouble on switches, so they are useful only on circles of track.  And they lack the bells and whistles too.  It's a shame, but I think the $100 price point is probably going to push a lot of people away.  You can find a used basic service engine in other brands for not much more money, and sometimes less.

[rtraincollector]

Okay this is for the Lionel Fa with hip waders on but at charles ro Quantity in Basket: None
Code: L18994
Price: $79.95

again at charles here is the 0-6-0 switcher by lionel

Quantity in Basket: None
Code: L38600
Price: $79.95

Theres just to examples to why I would not buy a beep at the new price

[Buckeye Riveter]

rtraincollector

Theres just two examples to why I would not buy a beep at the new price

RT....I have a Lionel Docksider, U.S. Steel with smoke and whistle.  Here it is listed on EBAY Buy it Now at $99.99.   Docksiders so far have been very reliable from reports by owners.  They can pull at least ten cars on the level.  

Will we see a 40% increase in the Docksiders?

[rtraincollector]

I have 2 of the docksider's and love the I think jefelectric put TMCC in his. the only thing I'm not really over joyed about with them is the whistle/horn but other than that I love it. I can live with the whistle/horn lol. I even got a cheap slope back tender that I added to it and it don't look that bad with it.

By the way if you didn't figure it out that 0-6-0 that Charles Ro offers is the docksider.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Ma & Pa Junction are still showing Beeps for $54.95 to $69.95.

check their webpage.

Chuck

[sir james I]

Local stores might raise the price right away but I would guess that on line sellers will keep the current price until they have to buy new stock at the higher price.