Prices!

[Bittern]

first and foremost, I'm a steam-lover, however, I'm not limiting myself to purchasing steam loco models, as there's quite a few diesels I'd like too.

Now, Hattons sells items for good prices. A Heljan 26 for £49? Sounds good. Oh, a Hornby FSR 156 for the same price? Even better!

But when Hattons doesn't have that one model you'd like, where to turn? I decided Hornby's website would be my next step. And this is when my jaw dropped.

http://www.hornby.com/sets-and-train-packs-88/r2950/

£91 pounds for a 156? Seriously, WTF Hornby? What makes this 156 worth that? Does it fly?

So, you folks got any opinions on this? Do you think some of the models out there are just a tad over-expensive?

 

[atomicdanny]

Its because Horby sells them at the full RRP price (and a lot of people do buy it at that price!), although it is a new one rather than the stock that can be a few years old which is on hattons (except the new stock obviously)

Although saying that hattons have it for £74 (although I'm guessing it hasn't been released yet though!)
http://www.ehattons.com/StockDetail.aspx?SID=32167

The FSR model was probably released a few years ago, that's why it isn't as expensive as the newer unreleased version? (new things are always expensive at first!)

 

[ChampsRacing]

Thats not so true, the bachmann cep hasnt been out that long and i recently bought it from hattons (BR Blue/Grey) for £104, but i do agree alot of things are over priced.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Hattons have a reputation for low prices, thus selling more models and making enough money to keep going.

Hornby already have profits from supplying Hattons and other retaillers, they have no need to reduce the price on their site to encourage buying.

The problem is then with the small retaillers who have to sell at RRP and can't keep the customers coming in when they see Hattons selling the same models much cheaper.

 

[EM2]

Buy a copy of Railway Modeller, and check the websites of any of the dozens of shops that advertise there.
There's plenty of alternatives to Hattons.

 

[Heinz57]

The hobby now is rediculously over priced I think. I mean look at Mk3s, they cost around £25 RRP. Twenty five quid for one carrige? You could fly to Spain for that price!

With the prices increasing its just getting harder and harder for people to do the hobby

 

[Bittern]

The hobby now is rediculously over priced I think. I mean look at Mk3s, they cost around £25 RRP. Twenty five quid for one carrige? You could fly to Spain for that price!

With the prices increasing its just getting harder and harder for people to do the hobby

I saw some very nice Pullmans in Hamleys in Glasgow recently. Nearly £50 a go!

 

[Heinz57]

£50? For that price I'd like a £20 note included!

 

[FlyingScot]

Think that's bad? Well, I was just snooping around on the bachmann website when I saw bachmann's version of bill and ben. How much? $55.EACH. I really think that the hobby is getting more expensive by the minute.

Your handy hornby corrispondent, flyingscot, out

 

[Heinz57]

Hold on a second? $55 each? For carriges?

To call that expensive would be an understatement

 

[GearJammer]

Call me strange if you like but i would sooner pay a bit more cash for a model and hand the money over to my local model shop than a big name retailer, one reason is that if i get a problem i can take it back and talk to the fella that runs the shop about it, i also like to support my local shop, ive built up a good relationship with him, in fact he once put a loco to one side for me when i never even asked for it, but he knew it was something i would be interested in!
However i do think somethings are just getting stupidly expensive, especially coaches and wagons, buying one is'nt to bad, but these days with way trains are formed you usally need 6 or more of a particular vehicle, then the price just becomes prohibitive.

Shame but im affraid i can only see things getting even more expensive.

 

[455driver]

Hold on a second? $55 each? For carriges?

To call that expensive would be an understatement

Bill and Ben are locos, based on the ones formerly used at Fowey docks, so about £30 in the Queens currency.

 

[Heinz57]

Bill and Ben are locos, based on the ones formerly used at Fowey docks, so about £30 in the Queens currency.

So they are! Appollogies it's been quite a few years since I was a Thomas fan!

 

[455driver]

I have 2 young kids, so dont have a choice .

 

[FlyingScot]

I have found possibly the most outrageous price EVER!!! As you know, the bluebell railway is 50 this year, and to celebrate, they have commisioned hornby to make a small train pack including just this lot: hornby bluebell railway black stepney terrier locomotive and a maunsell brake in bluebell railway blue. For this pair, they are charging £150. I would expect to pay only £60 to £70 for that set.




P.S. I'm not joking.the bluebell railway really did paint their stock in those liverys.

 

[GearJammer]

I have found possibly the most outrageous price EVER!!! As you know, the bluebell railway is 50 this year, and to celebrate, they have commisioned hornby to make a small train pack including just this lot: hornby bluebell railway black stepney terrier locomotive and a maunsell brake in bluebell railway blue. For this pair, they are charging £150. I would expect to pay only £60 to £70 for that set.

And you want to know whats really outrageous??????????? People will probably buy it!

 

[Daimler]

And you want to know whats really outrageous??????????? People will probably buy it!

I must admit I'm tempted...

But then I am a Bluebell member

It is pricey though...

 

[FlyingScot]

And you want to know whats really outrageous??????????? People will probably buy it!

Poor people, losing their wallets to an overpriced model.......:cry:

 

[EM2]

I've never understood this attitude. If you want a factory-finished Terrier and Maunsell brake in those liveries, then you have to accept that they are unlikely to be mass-produced because of their specialist appeal, and they will only, if ever, be produced as a limited edition. So you'll be aware that there will normally be a price premium to pay.
If you *really* want a model, and you don't have the skill to produce it yourself, then most people will happily pay a large sum for it. Witness how the FIA Trains LMS 10000/10001 diesels went at £475 each and if you want one now, you'll have to a) find someone who willing to sell one and b) find a good bit more than £475

 

[DJ_K666]

I have found possibly the most outrageous price EVER!!! As you know, the bluebell railway is 50 this year, and to celebrate, they have commisioned hornby to make a small train pack including just this lot: hornby bluebell railway black stepney terrier locomotive and a maunsell brake in bluebell railway blue. For this pair, they are charging £150. I would expect to pay only £60 to £70 for that set.




P.S. I'm not joking.the bluebell railway really did paint their stock in those liverys.

I think they just used what paint they had in the early days. Probably explains 323's blue livery. They've repainted the Maunsell into blue for the occasion. Shame the other coach that formed the first train isn't in a rail-worthy condition as I'm fairly sure that would have been done too.

Here's a pic
http://train.fotopic.net/p64883661.html

 

[GNER 373]

I spend most of my time scouring the web looking for a bargain. Hattons, Rails of Sheffield and a local shop Pooleys Puffers are where I always head for. Failing that I head of to eBay and scour there aswell! But I'd rather spend the time hunting then paying Hornby direct! I would never buy from Modelzone either just far far too expensive, although I do have an old friend who works in one near to me who offered 'staff' discount!