Subject:
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Re: the perfect way to sell lego trains
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains, lugnet.dear-lego
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Date:
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Tue, 24 Dec 2002 23:01:36 GMT
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Viewed:
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3167 times
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Jonathan Wilson <jonwil@tpgi.com.au> writes:
> Here is the right way to sell lego trains, these are the sets to have:
> 1.several train sets, all unpowered, as a starting point (all train
> sets + all add-on locomotives would show ways to add motors and in
> some cases lights as well). Have perhaps one high-speed passenger
> train (ala metroliner) and a freight train (ala Freight Rail Runner or
> Load & Haul RR)
> Box for these would clearly state that they are unpowered and what set
> to buy to make them powered.
I think unpowered would be a BIG mistake. All locomotives should come
with a motor.
> 2.add-on pack with motor + regulator.
I don't see this as necessary.
> 3.motor as seperate pack
> 4.regulator as seperate pack
I prefer regulator and track as separate pack, motor bundled with the
locos.
> 5.light pack (sutable to add lights to all trains)
Yes. But some locos should include lights, so the kids see how they
work, and foster demand for more lights.
> 6.accessory packs (how about a "train workers" pack or a "train
> accessories" pack (with say signage, signals and other things that
> make a plain looking oval of track into a railroad) and of course the
> "train spare parts packs" with say, the train connecting wire and
> other such items.
Definitely yes on accessories - level crossings, signals, etc. in
particular. But why spare connecting wire? That just invites
short-circuits.
> 7.add-on cars (freight and passenger, coordinated to match with the sets)
Yes!
> 8.locomotives (unpowered), also things like railcars, multiple-unit
> passenger trains (as seen on a lot of urban rail & subway systems),
> MOW vechicles and whatever else.
As I said before locos should be powered.
> 9.track buildings, such as level crossings, stations, freight loading
> cranes and whatever else.
I see this as combined with #6 above.
> and 10.add-on track. The existing track, perhaps augmented with new track.
Yes.
> If you think about it, the motor and speed regulator are the most
> expensive components of a typical set so removing them and making them
> "optional purchases" that can be bought later on makes perfect sense.
A loco without a motor is much less fun to play with. Little Johnny
shouldn't be forced to remove the motor from his Metroliner to make
his Super Chief loco run.
> If the line was successful, they could make extra stuff like more
> track parts, powered accessiroes (ala 12V), sound units for that
> authentic feel or whatever.
Here's how I'd do it:
1. Basic Oval (2 straights and 16 curves) with power regulator and
connecting wires.
2. Locomotives, including motor.
3. Various freight and passenger cars, all sold individually.
4. Starter Kits consisting of one each of #1 and #2, and an assortment
of #3, like the My Own Train kit currently available.
5. All of the accessory packs you listed.
Also, these should be available through model railroad & hobby shops,
not just big box retailers.
A huge number of LEGO buyers, no matter how much you tell them about
the phone and web ordering for S@H will never use it. There's
something about going to the store and bringing home the box.
The trouble with LEGO's corporate structure is that LEGO Direct is a
separate division from the rest of LEGO, and as such, is in direct
competition with retailers. So there is an incentive for S@H to want
to hoard certain sets for themselves, and not support efforts like
putting LEGO trains in hobby shops.
--Bill.
--
William R Ward bill@wards.net http://www.wards.net/~bill/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consistency is not really a human trait.
--Maude (from the film "Harold & Maude")
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: the perfect way to sell lego trains
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| snip (...) snip I disagree, as a child the only lego train set (as opposed to a single vehicle) I could ever afford was the unmotorised 7715 (URL) had a battery motor from when i was younger so used that, doesn't give you the remote control I am (...) (21 years ago, 29-Dec-02, to lugnet.trains, lugnet.dear-lego)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | the perfect way to sell lego trains
|
| Here is the right way to sell lego trains, these are the sets to have: 1.several train sets, all unpowered, as a starting point (all train sets + all add-on locomotives would show ways to add motors and in some cases lights as well). Have perhaps (...) (21 years ago, 22-Dec-02, to lugnet.trains, lugnet.dear-lego)
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