I can’t believe the new catalog (Lionel), introducing the new Vision line, and putting a qualified rebate on them? That is nuts!
I won’t be buying either one, but I sure don’t understand the marketing strategy. Buy the PRR engine for $2,000 and receive a $200 rebate, AND the privilige of a $500 rebate on another engine that is $2500? And, just how many people would have both those roadnames on their layout? Don’t understand.
Then having to pay sales tax on the MSRP, unbelievable. In Calif. sales tax at 10% would be $450, and IF you bought both you get $750 rebate. I guess they were afraid they might have to ship something in the Vision Line.[2c]
Your Subject line caught my eye. It just happens that my layout specializes in PRR and Santa Fe. I don’t care if it is illogical, but I have sentimental reason for having both lines.
This is a very common sales gimmick, often used to sell cars. Our tax laws have you pay sales tax on the full amount also. So if you get a $1500 rebate on the car you pay 6% or $90 for the privelege of allowing them to keep your $1500 for a while. I don’t get it. Why do people do this?
Of course I wasn’t trying to be offensive. I have a majority of UP & SP, and sitting right in amongst them is one of my favorite NYC switchers. It too would seem illogical, but I liked the engine so much I couldn’t pass on it. The thought I was trying to relate is PRR and Santa Fe linked is a bit unusual, I think, from Lionel’s perspective. (Or did they respond to a specific request for the fellas that focused on those to lines? lol, just joking.)
I too have seen many rebates, but this is the first time I saw Lionel offering it linked to the purchase of another high end engine. I’m sure their will be many situations when a couple of guys get together to take advantage of the offer. But, it doesn’t seem to me the best thought out plan to try and move the required quantity to get the units up to production levels.
Hi railers tend to be non roadname biased and will mix eras and roads in their collections that never co-existed in real life. You see it all the time and there is a lot of it here in the photo threads. In that sense, it’s a package deal that looks attractive. Otherwise it doesn’t make a lot of sense. All the big dealer discounts have not been announced yet. The discounts alone may or may not be attractive.
Lionel offered similar rebates in the century club. I have the literature buried somewhere and If I recall correctly, Lionel had a similar kind of deal with the Smithosian 2 rail Series they did back in the early 90’s.
Add me to the list of PRR/BNSF collectors. I am trying to build my layout with a 1950’s PRR theme but I am also a fan of BNSF (and their previous roadnames).
Having said that, having only a 6’ x 9’ layout, neither engine in the Vision Line is practical for me. However, I do like the ATSF work train in the classic line…
Well Lionel beat me to it. Both those engines sport the new blow down and whistle steam effects. I was going to try doing that myself. The steam blow off effect on the JLC GG1s is IMHO the best effect I have seen using smoke generators. It looks like steam for sure! I had planned on ordering one of those units to experiment with, but now its already been done[:)]
When I was a kid, I was fascinated by hinged exhaust stack lids and how they would dance to power up. The Genset is looking more attractive in that sense. Especially after seeing the price whittled down by discount and rebate. The suckers got three of them!
Don, timing could not be better for a little of what I can contribute. Last evening, I DVRed a program on RFD called “Trains and Locomotives” This episode was from Heron Rail Video on the PRR Late Steam Vol.2. They have several shots of both PRR and Santa Fe steam working side by side in a yard in Ohio. I think it was Bayside Yard? Anyway, I guess you could say it was prototypical. They said it was common in that particular yard, I guess for bringing shipments from coast to coast. Regarding the Vision line, while it may be nice, it is out of my price range. Sure I could afford it, but I’d rather spend that kind of money on family.
Dennis
I think that Lionel is trying to use bait & catch to sell stuff. Rebates don’t get me to buy stuff!! Usually it is decent pricing for a quality product. Anyway $2000.00 is out of my reach for any locomotive! My latest locomotive an SD-45 was only $300.00.
Going back a many years the Santa Fe sent boxcars all the way east, even to New Jersey. I have seen an old photo of Reading Lines pulling a Santa Fe boxcar on a mixed frieght train through Pennsylvania.
Also the Santa Fe on some of their older boxcars had the letter Q and a phrase nearby that said the Q stands for quality.
I didn’t detect any real bait and switch. They say “$200 rebate - see page XX for details” clear as day. And the details are clear as day.
I see the rebates no different than a dealer giving one a break when buying 3 items at a show because it reduces set up fees. But as Don points out, you have to buy something Pennsy and something ATSF which does not make a lot of sense.
There is something for every budget in the catalog and the mid range items far out number the high end items. High end operators, mid range operators, and low end operators can co-exist in the same camp. Or can they?
I see a posting on the OGR forum that Lionel has already modified the rebate program. A rebate will be available for each engine separately. You do NOT have to purchase the PRR 0-8-8-0 to be eligible for the $500 rebate on the 2-10-10-2.
As it stands right now.
$200 rebate on the PRR 0-8-8-0
$500 rebate on the Santa Fe 2-10-10-2
Buy BOTH engines and the rebate is $750. A bonus (small) for anyone that buys both engines.
I’d hold off until Lionel puts something in writing. If they have changed to either, or, there’s no reason they cannot contact the forum administrator to publish/post a letter to that effect. As I read pg 27 you have to buy the 0-8-8-0 before being eligible for the 2-10-10-2 rebate.
I don’t care how good they say there vision Line is the prices for those Locomotives are insane I can see the freight cars being that price because they have fetures on them but ,eventhe wind turbines are way to expensive!!! The only thing i am going to get out of the line is the tank cars w/ the freight car sounds.
Rebates? Cash back? What’s next, Zero percent financing…? For a company that is supposedly emerging from bankruptcy (BTW, thanks for forgiving their debts folks…), I’m not sure Big L should be following selling tactics of the BIG 3.
If your comment “thanks for forgiving their debts folks” is addressed to Lionel, then it is incorrect. Lionel paid off it’s debts when it emerged from bankruptcy.
Finally! A post that makes sense! Over 8 years, that’s $20.84 per month for a Pennsy 0-8-8-0! Yes, you heard me right $20.84 PER MONTH. (or $500 cash back if you pay cash) Can ya dig!!!
