Toy Train Manufacturing Companies slow to update their www

[bostonboxer]

Hello, I keep looking for updates on the internet for new product releases and other than for the Atlas company, it seems that things run on a very slow clock. The internet is such an easy way to keep customers informed, I would think. Wonder why this is? don

[Railphotog]

I don't know about others, but Atlas has a lot of info on their homepage

http://www.atlasrr.com/default.htm

On the upper right there is a link to January new releases.  Is this new enough?

 

 

[philnrunt]

  Bob- I absolutely agree- Atlas does keep a very current site, I get a couple of updates a month from them. They are one of the few that seem to take advantage of the web.

   I also get regular updates from both Direct Trains and BLI. I suscribe to all three of these sites, if you haven't, you might sign up for them. Free, and always nice to see whats coming out.

   OTOH, I also signed up for Athearn's newsletter, but it only shows up every blue moon.

   Why manufacturer's don't climb on board- pardon the pun- I don't know.

 

[Lillen]

I think that generally speaking this hobby is way behind on the Internet. Just try to order something as a newbie. it's next to impossible finding what you want. There are seldom pictures of the items being sold and there is a weird way of finding them. Take a look at a major player like Caboose hobbies, for a company that large their website is a mess. Compare the MR companies in general with most other businesses and the situation is scary if you ask me.

 

If these companies realized this, both manufacturers and retailers I think they would gain a lot from it. Just try to find out what decoder fits and if that engine have a plug or not often require me at least to come to these forums and ask or resort to e-mails.

 

Now, I'm not oblivious to the fact that it costs a lot of money to run a good and up to date website, but some just don't seems to care. I think that the BLI website is among the better one when it comes to giving specs on their products. Some are still lacking but in general they are quite good. Also their forum is great since they have a guy from the company giving info when people ask questions on an almost daily basis. That is great, not rumours but facts straight from the company.

 

Magnus

[Pruitt]

Maintaining a web site can be time consuming. A lot of model RR manufacturers are very small concerns. I'd venture that at many of these places, the owner updates their website when they have the time, which is not often.

[BRAKIE]

Hello, I keep looking for updates on the internet for new product releases and other than for the Atlas company, it seems that things run on a very slow clock. The internet is such an easy way to keep customers informed, I would think. Wonder why this is? don

 

Don,Why not sign up for your favorite manufacturers mailing list?  You see every month you will receive their monthly announcements. I get the Atlas and Athearn monthly announcements without fail.I find that is a great way of getting information and budgeting ahead for the items I want.

Also be sure to check your favorite on line shops for their  new product announcements..The better on line shops keep their list updated.