So Atlas is doing MAP pricing now?

[greenwizard88]

We have actually been doing MAP pricing on NEW items for a few years now.  Rerun items and stock items like track are not included in the MAP policy.

It doesn't bother me at all. Just keep making great products!

[CRL]

👆 This.

[Point353]

We have actually been doing MAP pricing on NEW items for a few years now.  Rerun items and stock items like track are not included in the MAP policy.

MAP pricing only seems to inconvenience the consumer.
What is the advantage to the manufacturer and who is driving its implementation?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

We have actually been doing MAP pricing on NEW items for a few years now.  Rerun items and stock items like track are not included in the MAP policy.

Yeah, but what's the point if all it takes is a second click to see the price? Does it actually have any real effect? That's my point.

A low price is still a low price, if you see it on the product detail page or your cart. As long as the low price is what's charged, what does it matter?

I guess this stuff matters more to me than some others because I generally campaign to make the web MORE usable in my professional life. Adding an extra click (or more) like this is one of those things I've definitely had "conversations" with designers about (and usually won). It's one thing to do this if it has an effect, but in this case? I doubt it does.

[nscalbitz]

We have actually been doing MAP pricing on NEW items for a few years now.  Rerun items and stock items like track are not included in the MAP policy.

I wanted to say I thought this, but it's been so long since I actively sought...
d

[Mark5]

I find it annoying and useless as well. Adds more clicks.

[wes_sutton]

Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My very life today
If I don't get some models
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away

Models, children, they're just a click away
Just a click away
Models, children, they're just a click away
They're just a click away, click away.

[peteski]

I see so many things nowadays done without any logical thought put into it. Hopefully someone has put in some logical thought as to why using MAP pricing method actually helps brick&mortar stores, or maybe even the manufacturer itself.

I just don't see how requiring to put an item in an online merchant's shopping cart to reveal the lower-than-MAP price will do that.  Put me in the "silly idea" camp of modelers.  But MAP pricing is here, and we just have to put up with yet another slight inconvenience of the supposedly very quick and convenient online shopping.

[rrjim1]

It doesn't bother me at all. Just keep making great products!

Another +1 from me! 

[basementcalling]

MAP pricing only seems to inconvenience the consumer.
What is the advantage to the manufacturer and who is driving its implementation?

Can you imagine if Bachmann tried to implement a MAP policy given their overinflated pricing structure?

Atlas is not that outrageous, but I am cynical of MAP strategies given that a discount of some kind is pretty much baked into hobby pricing at many locations now. I'm not sure how it helps a consumer overpay for an item if they buy it at MAP price at a small B&M shop charging full retail, or at a hobby chain like Hobby Town or such, but I know if I bought items at the listed MAP price unaware of discounts, and found out I could have bought the same item at a 30-40% discounted price from what the manufacturer recommends, I would have second thoughts about using that vendor and perhaps the whole hobby pricing structure.

[learmoia]

MAP = MSRP... The intent of MAP is to force the internet to list their stuff at MSRP on the surface to try to make small Mom and Pop Shops, MFG direct, and Large Chain (Hobby Lobby and Amazon).. appear competitive in the market place..

Once you take 5 minutes to get acclimated to the Model Train market.. you quickly learn not to buy trains from Amazon, MFG direct and retail Mom and Pop shops have almost died off..... And the idea of MAP is worthless..

What really frustrates me is dealers who list NOS items at current (discounted) prices...

~Ian

[MichaelWinicki]

MAP = MSRP... The intent of MAP is to force the internet to list their stuff at MSRP on the surface to try to make small Mom and Pop Shops, MFG direct, and Large Chain (Hobby Lobby and Amazon).. appear competitive in the market place..

Once you take 5 minutes to get acclimated to the Model Train market.. you quickly learn not to buy trains from Amazon, MFG direct and retail Mom and Pop shops have almost died off..... And the idea of MAP is worthless..

What really frustrates me is dealers who list NOS items at current (discounted) prices...

~Ian

Ian,

MAP is usually not MSRP.

"MAP" is the Minimum Advertised Price a manufacturer or whomever controls the product allows that product to be advertised for. 

And while MAP could be the MSRP, it is usually some discounted amount off the MSRP. 

[learmoia]

Ian,

MAP is usually not MSRP.

"MAP" is the Minimum Advertised Price a manufacturer or whomever controls the product allows that product to be advertised for. 

And while MAP could be the MSRP, it is usually some discounted amount off the MSRP.

..... When an MFG only lists a MAP price (Kato)...  or they list a price  and dictate MAP pricing.. MAP=MSRP..   If they list BOTH MAP and MSRP then I agree with you, but I haven't seen that yet...

... But why say it's a MAP price.. Say MSRP, and dictate MAP policy behind the scenes...