claycts wrote: PLEASE, PLEASE stick a fork in this, it is DONE!!! I am starting a thread on the Ferrari forum about who can afford $1.25Mil for an Enzio. Not me, I bought a Testarossa instead. Think it will get the same PLAY TIME.? Exact same difference in BOTH questions. Who can afford it? Anybody who wants to!
PLEASE, PLEASE stick a fork in this, it is DONE!!!
I am starting a thread on the Ferrari forum about who can afford $1.25Mil for an Enzio. Not me, I bought a Testarossa instead.
Think it will get the same PLAY TIME.?
Exact same difference in BOTH questions. Who can afford it? Anybody who wants to!
I completely agree !! I cannot see the point in beating a "DEAD HORSE" further into the ground
Safety Valve wrote:Now it's on life support this thread is. I wonder how many will fight to keep this alive much more than it has already been.
Maybe the ecnomics of a brick and mortar LHS have changed dramatically with alternative hobbies (computers and computer games) and the internet to provide another distribution channel. There must be alternative channels or how would the Walthers and Lionels, etc., of the world make "big" profits.I doubt it is very profitable to run a niche business. We might be better off as consumers if Wal-Mart or Target or Costco had a train dep't. to depress the gross margins. But the proof is in the decline of the LHS that it ain't all that wonderful. Last month, Marklin was sold by the family to a British based investment firm which included the assumption of about $40 million in debt and a small payment to the family. This is one of the premier and highest priced lines of HO and Z-scale trains. Even they have been relocating production to Hungary and China. And the participation of Germans, Austrians, Swiss in the model train hobby is more extensive than in the US (Possibly because their children can see a lot of prototype trains rather than us US-based geezers just remembering them.)
Last point-how much is that basement or garage worth on your house that you've stuffed full of plywood, track, rolling stock. My house was $35,000 in 1948 and $1.5mm now That's 6.75% compounded rate of return. That's real inflation. So if you want to complain about the cost of the hobby, you also ought to complain about the increased cost of putting it somewhere.
I just got back into this hobby after a 18 year rest. Yes, I am amazed at the increase in prices. I am more amazed at the cottage industry producing good quality buildings, detail parts, rolling stock, etc.....I am also amazed at the quality of the new models... I just bought Bachmann's 3 truck shay it's sweeeet. and the biggest thing I see now is digital control and sound. Yeah, this can be an expensive hobby ( so was this computer I'm typing on!) but regular plastic modeling is also pricey. Thats what I was building during my hiatis from railroading, You can drop a hundered bucks on a single model aircraft or afv. THEN go and buy aftermarket detail parts for it. You can very easly make even a $25.00 model plane cost 4 -5 times that amount with detail parts and decals etc... I t all bols down to what you enjoy and what you are willing to spend your money on . Dont get me started on what I've spent on my car modifying it!
Sorry, sometimes I tend to ramble but its just some of my .02 worth!
I lose my DSL for over a week and come back to find this topic near the top of the list.
Kinda reminds me of the Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch. http://www.davidpbrown.co.uk/jokes/monty-python-parrot.html
But why should I care? I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK, I sleep all night and I work all day.......
Andre
andrechapelon wrote:I lose my DSL for over a week and come back to find this topic near the top of the list. Kinda reminds me of the Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch. http://www.davidpbrown.co.uk/jokes/monty-python-parrot.html But why should I care? I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK, I sleep all night and I work all day....... Andre
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Driline wrote:ummm...what was the question again?
HOW AM I TO PAY FOR ALL THESE TRAINS AUGH!
LOL.
Safety Valve wrote: Driline wrote:ummm...what was the question again? HOW AM I TO PAY FOR ALL THESE TRAINS AUGH! LOL.
Lets see, (1) Silver Streak Kit $29.95, (1) Atlas RS3 $69.99, (1) Ambriod Kiy $19.95, (1) Mantua Camelback $79.00 and (1) Prescision Brass Big Boy $2,695.00.
Wife who understands and pays for all of the above "PRICELESS"
I bought her this: Krysti, wife, is in the pink
She liked it!!!
What was this thread about?
claycts wrote: Safety Valve wrote: Driline wrote:ummm...what was the question again? HOW AM I TO PAY FOR ALL THESE TRAINS AUGH! LOL. Lets see, (1) Silver Streak Kit $29.95, (1) Atlas RS3 $69.99, (1) Ambriod Kiy $19.95, (1) Mantua Camelback $79.00 and (1) Prescision Brass Big Boy $2,695.00. Wife who understands and pays for all of the above "PRICELESS" I bought her this: Krysti, wife, is in the pink She liked it!!! What was this thread about?
I can appreciate your taste for wanting the finer things in life. I own and operate 2 catering companies in Atlanta, GA and Ft. Lauderdale, FL areas and I currently have over 250 model steam loco's in my personal collection so I can understand your burning desire to flaunt things, however there also comes a time when we all need to be humble.