Kevin, the cut off for PA preorders is May?
I will preorder with a local dealer around here when I get my questions answered.
Sheldon
There is not any guarantee my wife will still be on board with this purchase even tomorrow, much less in May!
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-Kevin
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Ok, I understand.
Have you considered ordering from another vendor besides direct from Rapido?
I’ve had good luck with Factory Direct Trains, Trainworld and Overland Hobbies among others. Some of those sites don’t have the Rapido PA listed just yet but they should very soon.
Good Luck, Ed
I have never preordered an item like this before that has not even been manufactured yet. I was under the impression that preordering from the manufacturer was the only option.
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How does pre-ordering from Train-World work?
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-Kevin
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I have only preordered a few things, but generally the dealers have a web based order system and you get on their list for that product. Generally you don’t pay until the item ships, or you pay some sort of small refundable deposit.
When I get my answers from Rapido, I plan to contact several vendors near here and see what their price and terms are.
UPDATE: I just checked trainworld, they are taking orders, but do not have the undecorated models listed. I will shop elsewhere.
Sheldon
Kevin, I sent you a PM.
“Taking Backorders” is their way of saying the item is not in stock but you can order it.
I like the fact that when their inventory comes in they call you to make sure you still want the item you have on “backorder”.
I bought the Royal Hudson, a pair of RDCs and some B&O FA-2s from them.
I forgot to mention Tony’s Train Exchange. They are pretty decent too (and they list the undecorated for those so inclined):
https://tonystrains.com/manufacturers/rapido
Good Luck, Ed
Ed,
Like me, I’m pretty sure Kevin is only interested in DC powered undecorated…
Sheldon
I don’t believe that taking backorders and taking pre-orders mean the same thing.
Looking at Rapido’s website, they also say taking pre-orders. The closing date for pre-orders is 05/22/2020 with a (probably wishful thinking) delivery date of Fall, 2020. See: https://rapidotrains.com/new-product-delivery-schedule.
I think what they, Rapido, try to do is match final production paint schemes and so forth to the pre-orders so that they don’t make too many of one scheme and not enough of another. So if only 10 pre-orders come in for undecorated but 200 come in for XYZ RR, they won’t make 200 undecs and only 10 XYZ.
I think that back orders relates to orders after the fact. So after the pre-order deadline passes and the model is delivered, if any of the folks who pre-ordered change their mind, these now available models will go out to those who back-ordered.
It also seems to me that some dealers limit the number of models for which they will accept pre-orders. I deal with a distributor. And when I pre-ordered two Rapido B36-7s the rep told me that they were only allowed to accept pre-orders for so many of each flavor of B36. I don’t know if this was a manufacturer mandate, or a local management decision. I suspect that it was a local decision. Maybe they got burned too many times by folks who pre-ordered an unpopular roadname which they then could no get rid of.
Maxman, at Trainworld, a “backorder” is a preorder, take a look at their site and look up anything that is currently in “preorder” status from any manufacturer.
I plan to place my order with Toy Train Heaven.
Sheldon
If you say so. I just looked in their policy section and they say that “back order and pre-orders are available for items that are not currently in stock as well as items that have not been released yet”.
Sounds like two different things to me.
What am I missing here?
I’m getting confused.
Just trying to lay out some options for potential buyers.
All the items I’ve “preordered” through TrainWorld were made through the “Taking Backorders” option. They have fulfilled every order.
Thank you, Ed
You’re not missing anything. Yes, Tony’s has the undecorated versions, Trainworld does not have them listed.
I’ve never dealt with Tony’s, no opinion either way about that.
Sheldon
And if you go to their “preorder” section, all the tabs to add the items to the cart say “backorder”…
Sheldon
Possibly Trainworld has chosen not to order any of those? Or maybe they just forgot? I suppose you could call them and ask.
I think it is very likely they simply don’t think undecorated models will sell. They don’t have to commit to numbers until May, so it makes no sense to me.
But again, it has become a ready to run hobby…
Sheldon
Sheldon, I get what you mean about “a ready to run hobby”, although I don’t place the same negative connotation on it that you do.
That said, someone who won’t buy an undecorated loco is not necessarily a ready to run hobbyist. I will use myself as an example. I scratch build structures on occasion, install decoders, and enough other tasks to exclude myself from the RTR hobbyist classification. But, painting undecorated locos to match their prototype color scheme is a whole other art form. You need special tools and skills to do that.
Rich
Rich, my only negative connotation regarding that comes from some of those “RTR modelers” who seem to question why anyone would build a kit or paint and decal any loco or rolling stock.
You are a modeler of of the highest caliber in the areas that interest you, and that is fine. I have the highest respect for your work and respect your modeling skills and choices.
I buy lots of RTR rolling stock and locomotives. I have no issue with that aspect of the hobby. I also build kits, paint and decal my home road equipment, kitbash all sorts of rolling stock, improve the detail on less expensive models, etc.
But there are those on this forum who subtelly or openly make it clear that only high end, high detail RTR is acceptable to them, and again, they can’t understand those of us who still build kits,&nbs
Sheldon, you make some good points, and I wasn’t trying to suggest that you were directing the RTR comment at me. The only point that I was trying to make is that purchasing an undecorated loco in order to paint and decal it to match a chosen prototype color scheme is near the top of a modeler’s skill level.
On more than one occasion, I was seriously considering the purchase of an undecorated loco to add to my roster, particularly for a lesser known roadname. But, in the end, I was convinced that my unskilled efforts would make a mockery out of the finished product, so I took a pass.
Rich