[Doddsy]

QUOTE (john woodall @ 28 Jan 2009, 03:59) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Its is interesting that people see the GBP100 as a make or break point in terms of whether to buy a locomotive or not.

I see it more as a psychological barrier. By which I mean that once you have accepted this price, they will continue to increase prices up to the next barrier, £150 perhaps. Much the same thing went on with fuel prices in this Country (UK) did it not? The £1 a litre barrier was crossed and how long was it before £1.50/ltr was being pushed? Admittedly, the fuel market has been tamed somewhat but I did envisage the £2 litre just over the horizon.

Cheers

Ian

 

[FUNGUS]

Ive commented on this thread earlier but wanted to add a few more thoughts.
After the mortgage etc is paid we have very limited disposable income. I smoke, My wife does handy crafts and we both enjoy building the layout.
I have decided to quit smoking. I reckon I was buying 5 to 6 packets a week at £5.61 each.
Do the maths. That equates to a new ready to run loco a month that I was cloging my lungs with

So if you really have to have the latest RTR model from who-ever and dont mind paying the high prices commanded now, think where you can make economies elsewhere.
For instance we have switched from branded items in our shopping trolley to super market own and have cut our weekly shop from around £100 to around £70 (that doesnt include the saving from quitting smoking)
Regards to all
Steve

 

[Doug]

QUOTE (John H-T @ 27 Jan 2009, 22:39) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Bachmann are keeping very quiet about 2009 prices and there is very little info on their website.

I understand, contrary to posts elsewhere on the Forum, that they will not be anouncing their plans for 2009- until mid to late February. ...

We should have news from Bachmann at the Toy fair in a couple of weeks. We'll report then.

 

[rb277170]

QUOTE (Doug @ 28 Jan 2009, 15:22) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>We should have news from Bachmann at the Toy fair in a couple of weeks. We'll report then.

As I understand it Bachmann will be at a new trade fair on Sunday 22/02/09 when the announcement will be made. They are also attending Model Rail Scotland 20-22/02/09. I wonder if they will make a simultaneous announcement there?

The good thing about Bachmann is that the announcement will be immediately followed by the Collector magazine and catalogue , if you are in the club.

Russell

 

[John H-T]

Russell, that coincides with what I have heard. Bachmann will not be anouncing their 2009 range at the Toy Fair but at their own fair on 22.2.1009.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

 

[BVM]

I note that Hornby said they "might have to increase prices".

Perhaps this is a smart piece of marketing tempting people to "buy early and beat the increase"-certainly that is the line being adopted by my local retailer.

Good for short term cash flow which is the name of the game at the moment!

 

[poliss]

It appears that Hornby buy their products from their suppliers in dollars and they have 'hedged' the rate at $1.90 but this cover will end in April. Thus after April they may have to increase prices.
Story from Reuters. http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2009/0...S-UK-HORNBY.php

 

[PeterPug]

QUOTE A world without Hornby would be a really, really crap place. Of course they've got to raise prices given the current economy. It would be naive to think they can survive as a business without doing so. But compared to the continental manufacturers, Hornby is a bargain.

RonO

I agree 100%. We already have a world without Triumph, Rover, Humber, Austin, Morris etc. because foreign products were 'better'. If Hornby were to go then Britsh Outline RTR would effectively be left to Bachmann - particularly for steam engines. I'm not sure what that would mean long-term, but suspect that it would not be all that good for the future.

It would be nice, though, if Hornby were manufacturing in the UK.

Lie back and think of England, folks!

 

[Brian Considine]

As a European modeller it's not something I've had to consider as most of my models have been the "other" side of £100 for some years.

Having said that my purchase's have slowed down a lot in the last 12 months or so - a combination of now being fortunate enough to have most of what I want & belt tightening.

 

[dwilson9]

Some would say that British RTR is already Bachmann - all Hornby's products come from factories with Kader over the door ...

Hornby has proved to be a superbly resilient business over the decades and will weather this storm. Will I buy as many locos and rolling stock items this year as last? No.