Opinions requested regarding the WT restaurants

[bbussey]

I just got word back from the contractor that as long as it's a full tray, they would combine interiors and exteriors on the same run for the same cost.  So that effectively drops the batch quantity from 32 pieces to 21 pieces and makes it that much more viable.

Springfield is approaching rapidly and I'll be in Michigan on business the following week, but I'll work on getting the product page set up for taking reservations on the White Tower buildings so it can be activated in February.  Each time the batch quota is reached, I'll send PayPal invoices and submit an order to the contractor.

[sizemore]

I'm in for one! The cost is reasonable!

The S.

[lock4244]

No White Tower in Canada that I'm aware of. However, seems to me that it could easily pass for one of those party store type deals... certainly as a one off. And in the late 1980's, Tim Horton's hadn't annihilated most of it's domestic coffee competition, so 'Castle Doughnuts' would be plausible as a one off as well.

I'll bite for one.

[sirenwerks]

I know I always get in trouble for this but @ $24 I would jump, in part to support ESM (because I don't have an immediate need for a WT). Pushing $40 and I will build it myself. The cost threshold, at least my personal one, has been breached and the modeler in me starts tugging at my sleeve and reminding me I have excess styrene to work with. Sorry Bryan.

[wm3798]

Yellow Card.

For an N scale structure measuring 1/25" x .75" at $34, I'd be out.  Not just because I'm broke, but for $34, I can buy enough scribed styrene and detail parts to build a very nice White Tower, and probably a White Coffee Pot, a White Castle, and probably a few buildings in between.

It's very clever to include the menu board, the clock on the wall and erect nipples on the counter girl, but let's face it, apart from extreme macro photography, you're never EVER going to see them.  Unlike the riveted interior of the G-26, or the multiple configurations of the X58, you're paying for details that will have little impact on the average viewer.  And since you're using the translucent resin, will it even be possible to light the interior to show off the details without the building having that thermonuclear glow?

At $22, I'd be willing to spring for a novelty produced by a friend, but to go past $30 for a model that small borders on the absurd.  You're talking about a model with no moving parts, and one that will marginally enhance a busy urban scene any better than a quickly built styrene scratch build with home made decals at a fraction of the price.

I'm glad that some members of the audience are happy to spring for it, and I'm sure you'll be able to sell out the run.  But sadly, I won't be playing along at this point.

Besides.  I'm holding out for the Sip and Bite.

Lee 

[bbussey]

That's why I asked, because I thought even the original price was pushing it for a small static background model.  No worries.  I'm pursuing it because it seems to be something that a lot of people wanted once they saw the solid model drawings.  As I said, in batches of 20, I can make them as long as the demand exists, so everyone who wants one will get one.

[Ian MacMillan]

I think that the price is completely reasonable considering its a limited run and a unique structure.

[up1950s]

I will go for 2 , one as a White Tower , and one I will try to bash into a White Castle perhaps .

[Philip H]

When it comes to structures, I used to be heavily in Lee's camp - some Evergreen, a little Squadron Putty, some odds and ends from the parts bin, and I was good to go.  I expect to do that on this layout for several structures.

That said, these days I have so little modeling time that a structure like this fills two needs - it allows me to have a signature structure on the layout, and it allows me to do so with minimal time investment.  So the slightly higher prices is worth it.

And if you have looked at quality N scale kits these days, $34 is not out of the ball park by that much.

[Scottl]

I don't have much to add here, other than we are now routinely seeing $20-30 rail cars and detail parts at $5 a package.  This is an expensive hobby but manageable for those with modest means because the individual purchases are relatively inexpensive.  Collect them over the years, and it adds up.

I say this because a $34 building does not seem expensive to me, given it is detailed, well scaled and of (seemingly, I have no idea) iconic stature.  In the picture of the simplest layout, it is a small price for something that will look great in a photo or give some pleasure.

I'm just happy to see a small manufacturer navigating the emerging technology, finding a way to make it work for him, and to share it.  This is really getting transformative, but of course, it will come at some kind of price. 

Cheers

[DKS]

We're making Z scale structure kits that range from $30 to $50, and we can barely keep up with the demand for them. Go figure.

I'm holding out for the Sip and Bite.

What's the rest of the structure look like? Might be a possibility.

[wcfn100]

I will go for 2 , one as a White Tower , and one I will try to bash into a White Castle perhaps .

I may go the Castle route too.  If I can find the time I think I can pull the letters off this:



I'll make the file available to anyone here who wants it.  We could RP some free standing letters too if I can import the vectors into the 3D software.

edit: Okay, so it didn't really need that much time.



Still needs adjustments.  But the bulk of it is there.


Jason

[Chris333]

Put me down for a kit as well. Just lemme know where to sign.

[christoph]

I don't see a place for the White Tower on my layout so far, as my town is still not planned,  but I think the higher price is O.K..
For me this would be something special and not a "mass building" like the many Faller/Pola town buildings I used in "the other town".

[Ian MacMillan]

To each his own I guess.

Being a big fan of the craftsman kit when I was in HO, I routinely dropped $400 on a single kit. In N, I have no problem buying kits for a single building in the $150-$200 range as well.  For me I feel that the money is well spent in that type of kit, but I can see where others will balk at it. 

So like I said before I would be definitely in for one... maybe two.