Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
No. The Hobby Shop takes your order and sends it to the Distributor. Usually you pay up front and then wait a year if ever. If they have enough orders the item gets made. When the order is complete for that production run, no more will be availible except returns and unsold stock (And eventually Ebay)PCM started this gauge thing recently I think in some kind of response to the constant barrage of questions as to if a item will be produced. Or perhaps a Pavalov's Marketing Stragety to get customers to feel as they MUST order or miss out. I dont know. All I know that on a basic level this gauge is a slap and a insult to my intellect and desire to be a customer. I'll spend my dollars somewhere else.Back to the Hobby Shop... the recent introduction of Factory Direct Trains really casterated the Hobby Shop because they can price items so low retail right out of the factory that the Hobby Shops basically says "That's it! No more... no money in it"This is the only company in the entire hobby that is trying to do crazy stunts like this. All the others quietly produce and release Locomotive items on time and without fanfare.Oh that one engine order I have with the store? It will be paid in full sometime this summer and all I have to do is wait to see it next year. The other two engines I plan to buy are availible at the store right now and online without any wait. Just need to get the budget straight before I go down and buy it.Most cases the engine arrives then you need to pay it. That is where the problem of sight-unseen orders come in. If you discover that the engine does not run or other problems it will need to go back for repairs tying up the capital.Sometimes with this gauge it;s easy to see if a company has any desire to produce an item. At least it saves me the waste and agony of waiting a year or more while they decide if they want to make the damn thing.Ultimately I think it is a very poor business model and one that does not work. If it did, all the other Manufactors like Atlas, Proto, Walthers etc etc etc will do it or already have done it.Im sorry to be so negative, but Im very disappointed with this and expected better like they used to be under a orginal management.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community