Signed up at Yahoo last night. Then joined up at Micro Trains group and I to got my denial e-mail today. Now I own 312 Micro Trains cars, so I could probly contribute something. OH WELL, Dan
I look at the initial retail cost and assume that since it is a limited run, they probably have done so to help insure that they recover from tooling costs and the other short ends of running limited pieces. If I were interested in the caboose, I would check out shows and watch eBay for a little bit. Maybe even wait and see if they broaden the production. The latter might take a while, if it happens at all - but it will probably include a cut in the retail price. --Joseph
I saw the $33.00 caboose at a hobby shop last Saturday. Cautiously but anxiously, I removed it from the shelf, then opened the lid. I inhaled slightly, then gently lifted up the clear plastic liner and ever so gingerly rubbed my index finger across the WP logo. Oh, I just had to bite my lip! With trembling hands, I draped the clear plastic back over the caboose and carefully closed the lid. I put the box back on the shelf, gently dusted it and stood back in amazement. "I did it," I exclaimed to my buddy. "I touched it!" A smile broadened my face. I felt flush, then passed gas. I congratulated myself that I had overcome temptation and avoided the lure of the $33.00 caboose. But at least I touched it! (Sorry, just had to be a little sarcastic on this. It was actually pretty nice, but not $33.00 nice.)
Craig: Economy of scale comes into play here, bud. Kato is going to make and sell a heck of a lot more Stuporliners than M-T is the said caboose. If you knew you'd be selling a lot more of one product than another wouldn't you lower the prices a bit to boost sales? Likewise, if you knew something was going to be a limited production, wouldn't you raise the price to pad the profits a bit?
A smile broadened my face. I felt flush, then passed gas. I congratulated myself that I had overcome temptation and avoided the lure of the $33.00 caboose. But at least I touched it! Hope I have that much self control!
A few N Forum members mentioned not being able to access the micro-trains group at Yahoo. That's precisely why I posted their reply in full in my original post. As to why they are denying new memberships to the group, "Quien sabe?" (who knows?). eNjoy
