RTR Market Sectors

[kevinlms]

Is there really a market for 3 (or more) (sub)standards?

 

How well does Hornby really do with their 'RailRoad' & 'Normal' ranges? I realise the original intention was to provide for customers, mostly younger ones, to have models that didn't lose bits as soon as they were taken out of the box - obviously leading to returns as 'not fit for the purpose'. This is obviously a way to lose money, by having product returns for whatever reasons.

 

For a retailer (discounting the large discounters - sorry), just how difficult is it for them to stock a duplicated range (colour, number, with or without DCC or DCC sound) of even some of the locos?

 

To suggest that a retailer would need to stock a 3rd tier of models to another standard, would make them most unhappy.

 

As Coach & others have suggested, those who desperately want models to higher standards are going to do so and to many price isn't an issue. Look for threads on the Norris layout - paid top quality builders for the layout & stock. This isn't the RTR market, its custom built & at a price to match. Are the factories of China going to remain cheap - I suspect not!

 

 

Another thing people endlessly want is a model depicting their favourite number/name. Do they hold back from ever buying say a 'Jubilee' (191 examples), because the one they want (in LMS Crimson, LMS Black, BR Black [british Railways or 2 crests]) = many 100s of possibilities? Or should they buy one and if unable to do so themselves, ask or pay someone else to renumber/name it for them?

 

 

Edited to remove duplicated word.