Yet Another PCM Delay!

[bobcat]

I'm just glad that they haven't announced anything I really want.

I would be afraid it might scare off another company that could actually what I want, like say a C40-8 ;D(Bachmann doesn't count :)

[nscalesteve]

"mum look - this porno actor is giving this old man a hand !"

[POVC]

I didn't mention this earlier during my recap of Hartford, but I had a long conversation with the PCM rep at at the NSC Swap-O-Rama.  I'd like to say it was positive, but unfortunately that was not the case.  I tried real hard to explain the N-Scale position, but I still don't think they get it.

I started by talking about the E-7 and telling him how much I liked it, and how members of our club own over a dozen and run them regularly.

Then I asked him about the M-1 and told him I had been waiting on them ever since they were announced (at the same time as the E-7), and when would they be out.  His response was "when they got enough reservations".  I told him directly that the average N-scaler is unlikely to reserve an N-scale steam locomotive from a new manufacturer sight unseen, because they have been burnt by bad ones too many times in the past.  His first response was that they had done the E-7.  I said that was a diesel, which was more forgiving.  Then he mentioned all the HO steam they had done; I said that was HO, not N.  At that point he said they were a small company without the deep pockets of some companies, and that they needed to at least break even, so they would not start production till they had enough orders to at least break even.  I told him I doubted they would get enough pre-orders and that they needed to bite the bullet and produce it; if it was as good as they are claiming it would fly off the shelves.  I then ask him how close they were on reservations for the M-1, and he said "close".

Then I asked him about the E-8, because I really didn't understand that one; it uses the same mechanism as the E-7 and tooling is done for the shell, since I saw it on the demo unit in Cincinnati 2 years ago.  Again, his response was not enough reservations to break even.  One of the other members of our club indicated that he has heard they have less than 500 reservations for the E-8, and said he told PCM they made a mistake doing the E-8 (where they have competition from Kato and Lifelike), rather than the E-6 (which supposedly they told him they were going to do when he talked to them at the San Diego convention in 2005).

I didn't even bother to discuss the PA, other than to say I couldn't figure out why they chose that engine.

He also mentioned that PCM was a little disappointed in the reception they got in the N-scale market, and that they were not selling as many units as they expected (ghee, I wonder why!).  I didn't bother to point out that they weren't selling many because they weren't producing many.

So the bottom line is we are caught in a vicious circle and neither side is blinking.  N-scalers won't pre-order or buy PCM locomotives until they can see them operate which they can't if they don't exist, and PCM won't build them until they get enough reservations which they won't until they develop a better track record.

Tim Nixon

[wm3798]

The good news is that PCM won't lose any money, only customers and market share!

Hey Gregg, you're a SCORE volunteer... why don't you go straighten them out?

Lee

[TrainCat2]

I do NOT understand why all the flap. The M1a's and b's shown at the NTS were beautiful and will do well. Did not see them run though. Granted, the question is when they will ship, But the locos were STUNNING to say the least. And this is progress, From reservations to prototypes.

[Mark5]

The M1a's and b's shown at the NTS were beautiful and will do well. Did not see them run though. Granted, the question is when they will ship, But the locos were STUNNING to say the least. And this is progress, From reservations to prototypes.

Excellent!  If they produce some kickass N scale steam, then more will follow and maybe they can get past all this pie in the sky nonsense.

[wm3798]

Sorry, a non-operating prototype don't make the grade.  N scalers, particularly steam enthusiasts, are all from Missouri.  If PCM wants to sell those things, they better show us.

I look up, I still see pie.

Mmmmmm.  Pie.

Lee

[POVC]

I do NOT understand why all the flap. The M1a's and b's shown at the NTS were beautiful and will do well. Did not see them run though. Granted, the question is when they will ship, But the locos were STUNNING to say the least. And this is progress, From reservations to prototypes.

You saw them?  Because they certainly didn't have any prototypes of the M-1's at the NSC Convention, only some E-7's.  I don't recall anyone else mentioning actual models and I've not seen any photos either.  I'd be a lot more positive if I saw some actual models.  Got any photos?

Tim Nixon

[3rdrail]

Hey Gregg, you're a SCORE volunteer... why don't you go straighten them out?

Lee

Not for a year and a half now, Lee.   >  I resigned from SCORE when the District Director was replaced by a moronic retired oceanographer that knew nothing about entrepreneurship but everything about filling out forms. I was the local Chapter Chair. The SOB then shut down the chapter.  :

The SBA is trying to shut down SCORE, we competed with their salaried drones. 

[keystonecrossings]

This is the first I have heard that a prototype was shown at the NTS.

Then why not at the NSC?

And why the lack of photos? Did they quickly pull the units at the NTS?

[DKS]

I'm just glad that they haven't announced anything I really want...

Actually, I wouldn't mind having some of those H2a hoppers. But they keep getting bumped to the end of the queue. At this rate, we might not see them until 2010, if at all. May not be as interested in them by then.

[lock4244]

If they've announced something you want, this must be the worst form of torture imaginable. They announce so others shy away, then they keep bumping back the delivery or say "when we get enough reservations"?! If they announce an ES44AC or DC or the SD70M-2, I'd be pretty pissed.

This saga seems to have dragged on for forever with no end in sight. And Kato gets bashed for delivering a model 9/10th's of a second after they announce  ;D

PCM, Procrastinator's Choice Models 

[Mark5]

If they've announced something you want, this must be the worst form of torture imaginable.

Torture:

[keystonecrossings]

Today PCM/BLI posted a "certificate" indicating they use lead-free paint (given the China issue).

So rest easy if you are concerned there may be lead in the PCM vapor you've been breathing for the past four years!  ;D

[sparky]

Today PCM/BLI posted a "certificate" indicating they use lead-free paint (given the China issue).

So rest easy if you are concerned there may be lead in the PCM vapor you've been breathing for the past four years!  ;D

Shouldn't that state that they intend to use lead free paint if they actually ever manufacture something?  :