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522 Posts
I understand the view of the collector and one day I really must try to check the value of some of my pretty old continental catalogues. I am sure I have some from the 1960s . . .
The surprising thing is, that although there has been some retooling since then, the Continental products (incl catalogues) were so innately good (and EXPENSIVE!) that many of them are still illustrated near the same today as then! A prime example is how often do track pieces change? Which strongly supports the proposal that the need is only to add or insert to existing catalogues, rather than sinking substantial quantities of money into constantly reissuing much of the same material, year after year, subject to a few additions and omissions.
Although the catalogue collector/investor exists, I most seriously doubt that he/she is a major reason for the existence of catalogues. They are primarily to promote and sell product. I would also seriously doubt whether the income from new catalogue sales alone makes any kind of significant contribution to the manufacturers profit. As a marketing tool, sure, but not as an profitable product in its own right. If it is, then I would disapprove rather strongly!
Free?
I have often thought this. After all,how many people would pay for a mail order catalogue from, say, Argos or feel happy to be charged money for a Ford or Nissan catalogue?
A newcomer to the hobby probably wants a whole bunch of catalogues at the start and a good variety of them could easily cost him the price of a small locomotive! That tends to pi . . . . . . . . er, depress him!
Shopkeepers and technology?
Small computers have been around for nearly thirty years now and are commonplace everywhere. A PC and printer require minimal space and they have a lot more uses than printing catalogues. - stocks and accounts, anyone?
In addition, now that this subject is open beyond the narrow confines of a Hornby base, just a bit of common sense would see ALL the manufacturers taking advantage of the technology, thus multiplying the positive advantages many times over - to the benefit of all manufacturers, retailers and customers.
The principle just makes too much good sense to be delayed for much longer
"I see that train acomin' . . . "
Or should that be 'acumen'?
The surprising thing is, that although there has been some retooling since then, the Continental products (incl catalogues) were so innately good (and EXPENSIVE!) that many of them are still illustrated near the same today as then! A prime example is how often do track pieces change? Which strongly supports the proposal that the need is only to add or insert to existing catalogues, rather than sinking substantial quantities of money into constantly reissuing much of the same material, year after year, subject to a few additions and omissions.
Although the catalogue collector/investor exists, I most seriously doubt that he/she is a major reason for the existence of catalogues. They are primarily to promote and sell product. I would also seriously doubt whether the income from new catalogue sales alone makes any kind of significant contribution to the manufacturers profit. As a marketing tool, sure, but not as an profitable product in its own right. If it is, then I would disapprove rather strongly!
Free?
I have often thought this. After all,how many people would pay for a mail order catalogue from, say, Argos or feel happy to be charged money for a Ford or Nissan catalogue?
A newcomer to the hobby probably wants a whole bunch of catalogues at the start and a good variety of them could easily cost him the price of a small locomotive! That tends to pi . . . . . . . . er, depress him!
Shopkeepers and technology?
Small computers have been around for nearly thirty years now and are commonplace everywhere. A PC and printer require minimal space and they have a lot more uses than printing catalogues. - stocks and accounts, anyone?
In addition, now that this subject is open beyond the narrow confines of a Hornby base, just a bit of common sense would see ALL the manufacturers taking advantage of the technology, thus multiplying the positive advantages many times over - to the benefit of all manufacturers, retailers and customers.
The principle just makes too much good sense to be delayed for much longer
"I see that train acomin' . . . "
Or should that be 'acumen'?