BLMA bridge 'on sale' in Walthers

[bsoplinger]

For those who support their LHS and are considering the nice BLMA brass bridge, it will be on sale from Walthers for 180 instead of its regular 250 for the next 2 months. So if your LHS supports the Walthers sales, order now

In silver:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/176-2000

Also available in black as part 176-2001

[Scott Lupia]

I never understood how they could put something on sale if it is not in stock. 

Scott

[railbuilderdave]

Speaking of bridges does anyone know how to model rivets for kitbashing bridges at an HO or N scales?
Dave

[chuck geiger]

No offense to BLMA, but how in the world can someone afford a 180.00 bridge?

[tom mann]

No offense to BLMA, but how in the world can someone afford a 180.00 bridge?

I spent more than that on bridges last year

[John]

No offense to BLMA, but how in the world can someone afford a 180.00 bridge?

It is brass .. that price is quite comprarable to what the HO guys pay .. plus you are looking at less of a market ..

[TrainCat2]

No offense to BLMA, but how in the world can someone afford a 180.00 bridge?

My 52.5" HO Whitford is $950. You get what you pay for in brass.

.

[Craig Martyn]

Before things get too out of hand here...

There was a bit of a mix-up with this product and it's sale price.  As Scott mentioned, the product is on sale before it's in stores, and with the distributor/dealer pricing being the way it is, this sales price really cuts down on the margins.  I don't believe Walthers took this products short discount into account when they listed it as a sale item.

Please give us some time to work through this pricing issue so it doesn't have a negative ripple throughout our dealer network.  Mistakes can happen but we're doing our best to get things settled.

As for the price, $225 retail is still a bargain for the amount of work and craftsmanship on each bridge.  I've uploaded a massive photo to showcase this products quality (click on the link to see):

http://www.blmamodels.com/images/misc/5000-1.JPG

[railbuilderdave]

Before things get too out of hand here...

There was a bit of a mix-up with this product and it's sale price.  As Scott mentioned, the product is on sale before it's in stores, and with the distributor/dealer pricing being the way it is, this sales price really cuts down on the margins.  I don't believe Walthers took this products short discount into account when they listed it as a sale item.

Please give us some time to work through this pricing issue so it doesn't have a negative ripple throughout our dealer network.  Mistakes can happen but we're doing our best to get things settled.

As for the price, $225 retail is still a bargain for the amount of work and craftsmanship on each bridge.  I've uploaded a massive photo to showcase this products quality (click on the link to see):

http://www.blmamodels.com/images/misc/5000-1.JPG

That is a nice bridge, is it brass? 
Dave

[Craig Martyn]

That is a nice bridge, is it brass? 
Dave

Yes.  The bridges are all-brass, completely assembled and painted - total work time between 25-30 hours per unit.  If you've ordered a Silver bridge (BLMA #2000), you'll get exactly what you see in the photo...

[bsoplinger]

Before things get too out of hand here...

There was a bit of a mix-up with this product and it's sale price.  As Scott mentioned, the product is on sale before it's in stores, and with the distributor/dealer pricing being the way it is, this sales price really cuts down on the margins.  I don't believe Walthers took this products short discount into account when they listed it as a sale item.

Walthers does have its very own version of reality when they make up those sale fliers. Things on sale that aren't in stock the entire 2 months that a sale runs, items on sale at prices so far under the dealers regular cost its like pulling the rug from under the LHS, etc.

Walthers often has 'sale' prices on new items from newer manufacturers. I'd guess there's some arm twisting involved between Walthers and the manufacturer along the lines of "if you want us to carry your line you'll give us xxx items at the special discount rate of yyy%" so they can have these sales.

I've often wondered when I see sales in the fliers how they do it. Say its a $100 item, dealer cost around 60ish (when it isn't on sale), and they have it on sale for 30 bucks. Now does the dealer get to buy it for at least as little as 30, if not a bit less to at least make a few bucks, during the sale period or is the Walthers dealer expected to eat the difference between the sale price and their cost? I assume that in order to be a "Walthers dealer" they have to honor the sale prices but if it means losing money I can't see how it can be done.

The people who make the sale flier and decide what it on sale and for how much do not talk to the people who's job it is to order items from the manufacturer. The buyers only have certain times of the year that they buy from certain manufacturers. That is how they can have sales on items that aren't in stock and aren't going to be in stock for the entire 2 months. But if you have a Walthers dealer order the item at the sale price, it will get back ordered and shipped for the sale price whenever it does come in stock, although again, I don't know how the cost to the dealer changes when a sale item is ordered.

As far as the BLMA bridge goes, I figured the cost of this item in the 'sale' was at least as good as you'd get via mail order anywhere and you could support your LHS instead which is why I posted the notice about it. It is a lot for a bridge but its also a nice brass bridge with lots of detail, that's in scale, and is pretty inexpensive in terms of brass.

[chuck geiger]

I might be a dope, but in HO take Noch 24.00 dollar bridge and weather it up and it looks great. In N  scale nothing beats a 4.50 Atlas Warren or Plate. Then take the reamining 150.00 and spend it on beer and scenery material. Plus these distrubutors and vendors price these things so high and when they reduce the price it looks like a great deal. kind of like jewelery.

[Scott Lupia]

Craig, you don't have to defend the pricing of your bridge.  I have seen what is out there, been working with what was "available" for years.  This bridge is worth its price.  It is also what people have been asking for for years.  A better alternative to the ridiculously expensive brass bridges that have been available. 

People that want a nice bridge will be able to recognize that.

Scott

[chuck geiger]

Yes.  The bridges are all-brass, completely assembled and painted - total work time between 25-30 hours per unit.  If you've ordered a Silver bridge (BLMA #2000), you'll get exactly what you see in the photo...

So we pay for labor? - Look again this is a forum and we are entitled to our opinion. I can understand the price of brass engines...But when you start manufacutring brass yard towers, brass bridges, they are painted and weathered and after that it's just part of a scene. One of the finepoints of this site when Ed introduced me to it, was modelers who took pride in next level ideas and projects - To pay up to 1.000 for a brass bridge for a layout is escentric. To each his/her own I guess. I just don't have the money to put into the hobby I use to. Be smart and futuristic pertaining to the hobby. Unless your single or your wife let's you control the pocketbook when it comes to the hobby (boy I'd like to see that) How can you afford these prices for these prememium models? Just a vent! BTW It's a beauty of a bridge though, the catwalks and railings and detail.

[nscalesteve]

So we pay for labor?

so we pay for labor ? no, nobody pays for labor nowadays ! that's why a custom paint job from steve4painting costs you only US $8.75 (yes that's right, $8.75 for the paint, the decals, the power and the toilet paper the painter uses during his meeting on the throne...)

I can understand the price of brass engines...

...and why ? because they are all engineering masterpieces ? why do you think brass engines are so expensive ? because of the US $7.28 worth of brass used to build one or because of the US $0.98 for a 3 pole motor ?