Thank you very little, Uncle Pete (et al)

[Chris333]

What do they mean by plug and play DCC?  Is this a drop in board replacement or a NEM 651 or 652 socket?

I think it means you have to buy one and open it to find out. Or wait for someone else to buy one and open it. So far they are just artwork.

[peteski]

This begs the question as to why only they do this and not the other manufacturers? 

Jon

MT has had its product prices adjusted to the number of colors and pad-printing operations for many, many years.  I don't recall if they did the same for the FT locos, but it doesn't' surprise me that they are doing it on this model.

Why others don't do it? I suspect that they just charge the averaged out for all the paint schemes. So, someone who buys a very simple paint scheme is partially paying for someone else's complicated paint scheme.  Kind of how Obamacare works. 

I also think that I do recall seeing some recent mode offerings where some paint schemes cost more than others.

[Kisatchie]

...So, someone who buys a very simple paint scheme is partially paying for someone else's complicated paint scheme.  Kind of how Obamacare works. 

Except Obamacare doesn't work.

[spookshow]

Wow, despite it being a big mistake, I actually learned a few interesting things from this thread 

Cheers,
-Mark

[peteski]

Except Obamacare doesn't work.

Um, I meant to say "That is how Obamacare was supposed to work".    But I digressed...

[MVW]

OK, as long as it's been brought up: Obamacare works just fine. It's the federal website that's f'd up.

Jim

[GaryHinshaw]

Ixnay ethay Obamacareway alktay.

[Rossford Yard]

MT has had its product prices adjusted to the number of colors and pad-printing operations for many, many years.  I don't recall if they did the same for the FT locos, but it doesn't' surprise me that they are doing it on this model.

Why others don't do it? I suspect that they just charge the averaged out for all the paint schemes. So, someone who buys a very simple paint scheme is partially paying for someone else's complicated paint scheme.  Kind of how Obamacare works. 

I also think that I do recall seeing some recent mode offerings where some paint schemes cost more than others.

This seems to be the truth.  Frankly, I think all the mfgs would be better off varying the pricing of locos with either complicated, or unpopular paint schemes.  If I want an IHB loco, which is probably not modeled by too many, and they can only sell 300 of them, I wouldn't mind paying more than for the UP, SF, BNSF, etc. that sell 3000 or more.  Set up cost for those 300 is just as much as set up for the 3000, so the cost should be $5 or so higher.

Not sure about the big difference in MT. Surprised its that much for just one extra mask.  I suspect that its a way that they can be a little sneaky in raising prices, as in "as low as $109.99" when we might see each successive run have one at the low price, and others at the higher prices.  Letting it be known that the price varies also invites the possibility of even higher prices.  I doubt we will see one at $119.99. unless of course, that becomes the new low price.

Trust me, I am not complaining.  I want the loco, and I want it in IHB, no matter what price. (within some reason, like under $169.99) I am just explaining what I think is the business rationale, albeit, I have no inside knowledge, so its just an opinion.  I call it sneaky, but its really just good business.

[kalbert]

No I don't think BNSF ever considered/threatened a licensing fee, but they do keep a pretty close eye on what their brand goes on.

[MichaelWinicki]

This seems to be the truth.  Frankly, I think all the mfgs would be better off varying the pricing of locos with either complicated, or unpopular paint schemes.  If I want an IHB loco, which is probably not modeled by too many, and they can only sell 300 of them, I wouldn't mind paying more than for the UP, SF, BNSF, etc. that sell 3000 or more.  Set up cost for those 300 is just as much as set up for the 3000, so the cost should be $5 or so higher.

Not sure about the big difference in MT. Surprised its that much for just one extra mask.  I suspect that its a way that they can be a little sneaky in raising prices, as in "as low as $109.99" when we might see each successive run have one at the low price, and others at the higher prices.  Letting it be known that the price varies also invites the possibility of even higher prices.  I doubt we will see one at $119.99. unless of course, that becomes the new low price.

Trust me, I am not complaining.  I want the loco, and I want it in IHB, no matter what price. (within some reason, like under $169.99) I am just explaining what I think is the business rationale, albeit, I have no inside knowledge, so its just an opinion.  I call it sneaky, but its really just good business.

Interesting take and it's one I agree with.

If I were a manufacturer I would be using tiered pricing in order to justify economically the making/building of products that aren't wanted by the mainstream, but there is a segment of customers out there that want the "white elephant" and are willing to pay for it.

Kind of like what Woodland Scenics does with their built-up/detailed up buildings.  Many of us will look at those and their accompanying price points and say, "Too much... not worth it".  Well I'm betting there's a group out there that is buying those left and right because they have more money than they do time or maybe lack the confidence or skill level to complete buildings like that.

[nkalanaga]

Kalbert:  I don't blame them for that.  Letting it be used on just anything is a good way to end up with a poor public image, and possibly lose their trademarks.  My father worked for the NP through the BN merger, and one of the first company news magazines, then monthly, actually had complete lettering diagrams, with fonts and heralds, so that anyone could get the lettering right.  They said that as long as people made and bought "toy trains", they might as well look correct!

"So, someone who buys a very simple paint scheme is partially paying for someone else's complicated paint scheme.  Kind of how Obamacare works."  Actually, that's how ANY insurance plan works.  It's called "risk averaging", and has been done for hundreds of years.