Joe,
While it would be nice for products to be made in the USA the actual cost is very high due to wages & benefits paid to employees, even extremely high CEO salaries. While items can be made overseas and shipped to the USA for less then production cost in the USA. Sometimes quality is better and sometimes quality is worse then made in the USA. Also from what I understand there is a lanquage difference in most overseas companies, even to include reading from the right to the left instead left to right.
Lee Fritz
A lot of Weaver products were made here but they got into a bind trying to compete high end with the other companys. Of course the high end stuff would have been imported like the others. Economy wise it would only help if the seller used the money to buy something new but that would only be a very small ripple.
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cwburfle I like Prewar and Postwar Lionel, as well as some of the older Modern era stuff, most of which was made in the United States. But I don't think is helps the US economy when we buy and sell old product.
I like Prewar and Postwar Lionel, as well as some of the older Modern era stuff, most of which was made in the United States. But I don't think is helps the US economy when we buy and sell old product.
It only helps our economy when it is bought and sold thru a retail operation would be my say on that. All these sales that are by private individuals I would say not.
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You're not too far off, Becky. A lot of it is the necessary profit margin to be competitive. As someone who has worked in retail for 20+ years, it is frustrating to see the shift in manufacturing to the Pacific without much of a dent at the cash register. Unfortunately, the Big Blue Machine from Arkansas has set the bar on what one wants to pay for anything, and what the perceived value is, whether it's a toy train or a pair of shoes. If item "X" costs $100.00 to make locally or $30.00 overseas, trust me, the flag waving stops in a hurry!!
That's it in a nutshell Rob. Lionel's have always been expensive toys. But in recent years the prices started at levels they were at when made in Michigan and stayed there when production moved to China where it was cheaper to manufacture them. We, the consumer, were not able to benefit from that drop in production costs, at least not directly at the point of sale. But rather we got benefits from Lionel having more cash on hand for innovations and improvements. The cost of manufacture however, have continued to rise.
My guess is for Lionel to achieve total US based production once again the prices would have to rise at least 35%. But that's only a guess. I'm not an accountant, economist or comptroller and I've never seen Lionel's books. I'm just train crazy.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
Oh, and not least, thanks for having me!
Hi all, thanks for responding! I like the idea that Lionel is at least trying to do some production here, and the cars so far are a great first step. That being said, I heard the owner of MTH call it "token American procution" and I hope it isn't just that. I'd love at least one US made engine. So far the cost of the USA made boxcars has been about $5 more from what I've seen. Interestingly, my cousin who is a leader of industry type pointed out that, "you don't know where the plastic came from, the paint, or the metal, and I guarantee you that it can't be made 100% domestically, so why worry, just buy what you like!"
The LionScale cars are least painted and assembled in North Carolina using both U.S. made (ex Weaver molds, I believe) and imported parts. It's the never ending Catch-22 when trying balance labor and production costs (domestic vs. foreign) and what consumers are willing to pay.
Discuss away!
I, personally, like the postwar Lionel "Made in the U.S.A." but got to admit that there are some attractive foreign-made items at more reasonable prices than would be charged if they were made here.
Of course, like everything else, the quality may not be there.
Guess it depends on one's focus.
Welcome.
aboard! This is a very laid back place and somehow I doubt the discussion will get "disappeared" (like in some places) unless things turn nasty.
I'd like to see more (all) trains made here but I'm not sure if the market could support it. This is the age of discounting and everybody it seems has gotten accustomed to the idea that everything should be priced the "Wal-Mart way".
I don't see why not. Welcome aboard, we have a lot a fun here and really learn from each other.
I don't like that all toy trains aren't made here, but what can you do? It is what it is.
Hi, I'm new to the forum and was wondering if it is ok to discuss the manufacturing (or lack thereof) of trains here in the USA. I'm asking first, as I tried on another forum and was yelled at and kicked off for even mentioning the idea! Thanks, Joe
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