I was searching for the name of a train store to pass on to Jim who lives in Southernmost Ohio and while looking at the Lionel Dealers Page, http://www.lionel.com/Dealers/Findex.cfm
it struck me that there seems to be more Lionel Dealers listed for Ohio than there were a year ago. Anybody else notice an increase in dealers in their respective state?
When Chuck and I did our tour of the the Eastern Ohio Train stores in September, I remember thinking that there were stores listed in that area that I had not heard of before. Here in Central Ohio, Robbies Hobbies basically is the old Blue Caboose and John and Betty’s is working out of their house/garage, but the total stores in Ohio seems to have increased.
Jerry Calabrese said on Friday that Lionel is now in all Macy*s, Targets, Menards, FAO Schwartz, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond (or Linens & Things I forget which). That’s a LOT of stores coast to coast.
Well you guys, Lionel would have to hit the big stores as described because going up in small seperate hobby stores with Lionel stuff, are just not going to survive. The internet kills them. They would really have to give a big discount on everything. At least out here in the west, every train store I’ve been to, every thing they sell is regular priced. How can you buy an $799. engine for that price when you can get it at $649. in the internet? So there they stay at thier selves. Why won’t the hobby stores give a discount on thier Lionel items? I am sure that if they did, Lionel items would move more rapidley. Your thoughts… Reuben
I think they’re burbling up - I saw the C&NW set in Menards (a midwest Home Depot sort of store). A friend in management at the local Target noted their big stock-up for Christmas is happening now. I saw a cool Lionel branded area rug and couch throw in BB&Beyond on Sat.
WOW !! Here in Missouri there are 33 Authorized Lionel Dealers!!! I cannot believe how many there are. Just recently, I thought there was only a dealer in Saint Louis, Kansas City, and maybe Branson. Now they’re all over the place! Even in Iowa, there are 18 - when I thought the only ones were in Des Moines, Colfax and Cedar Falls or something. Lionel must be getting more popular for all these new dealers to show up. I almost can’t believe that all of these places are able to support themselves, with so many of them appearing.
I think it is getting easier to become a Lionel Dealer.
There are two Lionel dealers listed for Tucson, AZ.
The first has some starter sets and track, but no layout*. They will order what you want from the catalog.
The second has one piece of fastrack (usually a crossing) and a pile of catalogs, but no layout*. They will order what you want from the catalog.
The third (unlisted) Lionel dealer in Tucson has more Lionel stuff than both the others combined, but no layout*. They have a display cabinet of Lionel and MTH freight cars. I have purchased several Lionel freight cars from them because I liked the way they looked in the display.
*Lionel Rule#4 for dealers: You must maintain a Lionel 0/027 gauge train layout in your retail store.
Wayne, that is an interesting point because the four Lionel dealers’ stores that I have been in recently have great layouts, but they are built around MTH. [:)]
Why does Lionel still push these rules on the LHS? The big boxes seem to be exempt. [%-)] Follow the $$$$$$$$$$$$$.[:-^]