Some of us are in situations where it's better to not pre-order because we don't know where we will be or what circumstances will be driving our decisions. I still have items on pre-order from 2009 that have yet to be released. I've moved from Japan to Kansas to Saudi Arabia in that time and will probably move again to Germany by the time they are released. There are reasons for everything... Brian
Personally, I love being able to preorder but it depends on the shop. I've never missed out on anything I preordered from TrainBoard advertiser Wig-Wag Trains and I get a great discount. I'm sure that any time anything CB&Q is released, they put me down for one even before I send the order. As for my experience with preorders and moving, I moved three times in four months. I've got family members who still send my Christmas card to my old address (and I've been in this house three Christmases) but with an e-mail to George at Wig-Wag each time I moved, I didn't miss a shipment. The real trick is remembering what you preordered. Andy Tetsu Uma
When George gets an email from me he has got to be thinking, "Good God where is he off to this time...." But, he normally just sticks my stuff in a box and it makes it to whatever location I happen to call home. He's also the only one I pre-order from 99% of the time. Who do you think holds those lovely orders from 2009... Brian
It seems that KCS is quite popular! I preordered the KCS hopper cars because I figured there wouldn't be too many made, and I wanted to be sure to get some. I hope IM announces another batch of 12 soon.
He sure does . There are two stores that I get Xmas cards from. Wonder if that means I'm spending to much money? Nah, this isn't anywhere near as expensive as my #1 hobby/money pit... Brian
Size, Ya know, I have to admit I do not like to pre-order. I don't like anyone being able to exert that much force over my actions. Still, that is the way the current business model works. Arggggg!
I generally don't pre-order because models never come out when the manufacture originaly states so I have no idea when I'm going to have to pay for them. I also may not want them or as many of an item when they finally do come out. I haven't had any problem with missing out on anything when it comes out, just need to stay in the loop as to when they do come out. On the other hand this new run of Intemountain BNSF Trinity hoppers sold out faster then I thought, luckily I was able to score all 18 of them today.
I agree with this post 100% - I stopped pre-ordering a while back after I got burned on some cars that came out with flat spots on the wheels and horrible trucks, then came the horrible colors on the Kato ATSF SD45 Kodachromes. I do not care if I have to pay full retail, I am only buying what I can see and test from now on. Oh, and I scored all 18 BNSF Trinity hoppers on Saturday:tb-biggrin:
