Subject:
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Re: My opinion on Train Marketing
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Sat, 21 Dec 2002 22:25:52 GMT
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In lugnet.trains, Ahui Herrera writes:
<snip>
> Perhaps Trains (in general) are not of this generation.
Actually, I think that they were not of *my* generation. With the advent of
TtTE about 15 years ago, I believe we are actually seeing a renaissance in
train interest.
<snip>
> Times have changed and unless TRAINS finds a way back it will forever be where
> it is at now: An old-man's toy.
Young kids are growing up with the wooden Thomas cars and videos. You couldn't
ask for a better foundation on which to build a renewed interest in trains.
<...>
> But even this type of set would still run in the $80+ price point.
> A motor is ~$30, a speed reg another ~30, 1 box of track and pieces ~20-30
> So the lowest would be ~80. Still too much and is this not what the blue
> train is at? That IMO is a go starter set for a kid. Big train, lots of
> minifigs, and everything else you need. The two new sets that came out this
> year (The TARGET and TRU exclusives) ARE NOT good sets.
>
> 1) The price point is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
Agreed. A retail starter set should hit the magical number of $89.99. But for
a little perspective-- have you checked the prices of Brio lately? "Moon
river!" ;-)
TLC should have 1 starter passenger train set and 1 freight train set at this
price point (even if they need to be a type of "loss-leader" as the buckets
are), and then accessorize like crazy.
And why TLC hasn't come out with a Christmas train starter set is beyond me!
<memo to self: talk to Brad at BW about a Christmas train starter set> And
then add collectible cars each year! This is a tried and proven strategy in
model railroading. How many of you would run a Christmas train around your
trees that pulled collectible cars from previous years-- admit it, you *all*
would! :-) Even I, a devout alternative width advocate would do it-- because
of its *collectibility* quality. Heck, I buy the Lionel Hallmark train
ornaments every year, and those babies aren't exactly cheap-- about $40 if you
include loco and tender. And this year they added a passenger car, so make
that $60, and that's assuming you purchase them in their release year. The
first loco in the series MIB now *starts* around $70 alone....
Where are any new examples of lessons learned from the wildly successful Sante
Fe limited edition run??
I guess my point is that there are a lot of marketing strategies that TLC could
and should be working on to bolster their train theme. What it will take is a
commitment from Billund that says "okay, we are going to produce a full train
line" and from there develop a *comprehensive* strategy instead of what is
happening now: LD keeping the trains theme alive via CPR. Let's see an
investment into purchasing a ventilator and get this theme *off* of life
support and get it healthy and growing!
JOHN
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: My opinion on Train Marketing
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| (...) Perhaps Trains (in general) are not of this generation. I remember that I loved to see trains running while I was a little kid. I also loved to go to the aracde and spent a whole dollar on acrade machines. But then the "dark ages" came... No (...) (21 years ago, 21-Dec-02, to lugnet.trains)
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