by Desertdweller
This is a sad state of affairs. We need to ask ourselves how it got to be this way and what can be done about it.
Are we willing to give up some of the ready-to-run offerings for lower-priced models that involve assembly and finishing? Do we as model railroaders even want to be model builders, or would we rather have simply a ready-to use hobby? Do we want to ignore the fact that newcomers of any age are unable to enter the hobby because of high prices?
Model railroading began as a craftsman's hobby. It appealed to home workshop types, especially people who wanted to learn/maintain skills during the Depression. It actually was a depression-era hobby that appealed to unemployed or grossly underemployed men. When I got into this hobby, I joined an O-scale club that dated from the 1930's and still included original members. In those days,(the 1930's) one had better be at least an amateur machinist if one wanted to have locomotives. It was considered quite a boon in the late 1940's-1950's when locomotive kits became available. At last, someone without a lathe or drill press could build model locomotives!
You can complain about arrogant "take it or leave it" manufacturers, but they wouldn't be so arrogant if their products weren't selling so well. The best way to protest high-priced locomotives is to refuse to buy them. I think a lot of this is the fault of the model railroad press. They seem to have convinced would-be model railroaders they need to have things like onboard sound and DCC if they want to be "serious hobbyists".
Walthers has taken a kick in the head from another poster. I would not know about getting e-mails or letters from them, but I do know firsthand that their phone service is first-class. The people who take your phone orders obviously work there, and will actually check stock for items you are requesting. Walthers was one of the original old-time model railroad companies, and is family-owned.
Another company that I feel is responsive to customer needs is Bachmann. This company has not only greatly increased the quality of their offerings over the past 20 years, but actually maintains a customer service department that offers help and stocks repair parts for their locomotives. They have their own blog website where anybody's products can be discussed and questions answered.
Les
Are we willing to give up some of the ready-to-run offerings for lower-priced models that involve assembly and finishing? Do we as model railroaders even want to be model builders, or would we rather have simply a ready-to use hobby? Do we want to ignore the fact that newcomers of any age are unable to enter the hobby because of high prices?
Model railroading began as a craftsman's hobby. It appealed to home workshop types, especially people who wanted to learn/maintain skills during the Depression. It actually was a depression-era hobby that appealed to unemployed or grossly underemployed men. When I got into this hobby, I joined an O-scale club that dated from the 1930's and still included original members. In those days,(the 1930's) one had better be at least an amateur machinist if one wanted to have locomotives. It was considered quite a boon in the late 1940's-1950's when locomotive kits became available. At last, someone without a lathe or drill press could build model locomotives!
You can complain about arrogant "take it or leave it" manufacturers, but they wouldn't be so arrogant if their products weren't selling so well. The best way to protest high-priced locomotives is to refuse to buy them. I think a lot of this is the fault of the model railroad press. They seem to have convinced would-be model railroaders they need to have things like onboard sound and DCC if they want to be "serious hobbyists".
Walthers has taken a kick in the head from another poster. I would not know about getting e-mails or letters from them, but I do know firsthand that their phone service is first-class. The people who take your phone orders obviously work there, and will actually check stock for items you are requesting. Walthers was one of the original old-time model railroad companies, and is family-owned.
Another company that I feel is responsive to customer needs is Bachmann. This company has not only greatly increased the quality of their offerings over the past 20 years, but actually maintains a customer service department that offers help and stocks repair parts for their locomotives. They have their own blog website where anybody's products can be discussed and questions answered.
Les
