 Joined: 27/12/2009(UTC) Posts: 904 Location: Kalk Bay, Cape Town
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So how exactly does one become an Insider member? And the costs involved? I notice some models will only be available to Insider members only - 37040. Does this mean that these particular Insider models are more "rare/sought after" than the non-insider models? Or do these models become available to all after a while anyway? Just wondering if its worthwile joining........?!  thanks Joe
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Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC)
Posts: 2,232
Location: Spain
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Originally Posted by: Joe Meiring  So how exactly does one become an Insider member? And the costs involved? I notice some models will only be available to Insider members only - 37040. Does this mean that these particular Insider models are more "rare/sought after" than the non-insider models? Or do these models become available to all after a while anyway? Just wondering if its worthwile joining........?! I´ll offer you my personal opinion on the subject; The Insider club is a trap, and you´ll probably be better off buying the model on Ebay or from a friendly shop. It will probably be faster and cheaper in the long run, unless you live in Germany. -Or in some way can sign up and organize your memebership as if you were located in Germany proper. -But dont take my word for it. I´ve never even been a member...  |
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 1 user thanked hxmiesa for this useful post.
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 Joined: 04/06/2009(UTC) Posts: 17,005 Location: Scotland
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Hi Joe, I'm not a member either, but I do like Insider Loco's.  Ian.
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1 user thanked Ian555 for this useful post.
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 Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 6,802 Location: Cologne, NRW
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Originally Posted by: Joe Meiring I notice some models will only be available to Insider members only - 37040. The theory: only Insider members receive an order form for this model (deadline was April 30). The reality: you can order these Insider models from some dealers even if you are not an Insider. Many will be sold on eBay once the model is available. Rumours say that Insider models are amongst those M* models with the biggest production runs, so don't expect them to become rare. |
Regards
Tom
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Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re |
1 user thanked H0 for this useful post.
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 Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 6,003 Location: Australia
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Henrik is correct.. Most if not all of the Insider models are available on eBay, but what is interesting is the likely production number of Insider models compared to (say) MHI models.
I have been a member for many many years.. So here are my observations..
1. I have only purchased the 10 year Insider loco, which despite the same catalogue number has changed over the last few years.. My version for example has mFx and sound, while the earlier version had high efficiency digital..
2. The Insider locos are one off like the MHI, but they tend to be at the bleeding edge of the technology of the time.. I also suspect that there are more Insider models made than MHI, but I notice that Koll's 2006 and 2011 guides do not speculate on the numbers produced.. I seem to remember that there are at least 50,000 Insider members - if only half purchased a loco then it is a production run of 25,000.. Which is between 10 and 100 times the production of the locos listed in Kolls' Special Catalogue.. (MHI are not in the special catalogue either - I just used this for comparison)
3. I find the Insider News and the Marklin Magazin a good read.. I look forward to both, but I get less out of the Marklin Magazin now that it has expanded to include the newly acquired LGB.. Yes, Inside News can be seen as a marketing tool, but I am interested in the product so it is appropriate for me..
4. The delivery service to Australia varies widely.. Sometimes it takes 8 weeks to get your pack and then the next one will arrive in Australia before it has arrived in France.. Weird!
5. Of greater concern is the clubs apparent difficultly with processing payments from outside Europe.. I would like to see on-line payment of the membership fee as long as Marklin themselves do not store the credit card numbers.. They do send an invoice that suggests that they only way to pay is by bank transfer, but you can ring the number and they will take your card details for you over the phone..
6. There is an on-line Insider Club member portal, but the last time I used it everything was in German and hard to navigate.. At some stage they reset all the passwords and didn't bother to set up a process to let everyone (at least outside Germany) know how to access the new portal so I have not been able to use it for a few years.. One day I may get the time to contact the club to sort it out..
In short, I like being an Insider member, but it is wearing sometimes.. Is it good value - probably not in the traditional sense that club membership means savings or exclusive access to something, but I will probably sign up again next year as long as I am still working..
Cheers |
Adrian |
1 user thanked xxup for this useful post.
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Joined: 08/01/2006(UTC)
Posts: 2,208
Location: Shady Shores, TX - USA
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When I had the Insider Membership (2006-2007) I loved the Marklin magazine and the hard bound catalog (last year for that) but I thought that the actual insider club news magazine was rather limited compared to the insider club news that had been produced in earlier years. It took fore ever to get my membership going 1 and a half years and many emails, then cost went up, marklin USA got reorganized so right when my membership was up I didn't know if the subscription was going to have to be renewed through marklin usa or with a bank transfer to Germany.
I got the insider car but never got the other special order car from that year and I didn't have the extra cash at the time to order the BR05 insider lok at the time.
I really only miss the marklin magazine. |
DT
Now powered by ECoS II unit#2, RocRail
era - some time in the future when the space time continuum is disrupted and ICE 3 Trains run on the same rails as the Adler and BR18's. |
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Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC)
Posts: 2,232
Location: Spain
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Originally Posted by: dntower85 I really only miss the marklin magazine. The Magazine is not what it was... -And what bothers me even more is, that if you sign up for the english version, you´ll get a DIFFERENT version than the original german one, without all the ads. (I actually find all the non-Märklin accessory ads more interessting than the Märklin ads ;-) Does the english version still come without the ads¿? |
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Joined: 31/01/2004(UTC)
Posts: 6,028
Location: Scotland
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Joe. Stay with the outsiders. It is cheaper and less hassle. If you want an insider model you can get one elsewhere and these models cost more as they know they have insider folk hooked.
By saving the subscription buy something nice from Marklin.
dave
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Joined: 27/08/2005(UTC) Posts: 11,282 Location: Strathpine QLD
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Originally Posted by: hxmiesa Originally Posted by: dntower85 I really only miss the marklin magazine. The Magazine is not what it was... -And what bothers me even more is, that if you sign up for the english version, you´ll get a DIFFERENT version than the original german one, without all the ads. (I actually find all the non-Märklin accessory ads more interessting than the Märklin ads ;-) Does the english version still come without the ads¿? Since I am now an Outsider and have been since the beginning of this year all I can say is what was happening in previous years NOT this year.for a while , the English Version of the MM was a lot smaller (about 24-32 pages less) than the german version and the Insider Magazine was about half size. definately being dudded. In the MM some articles were omitted as in hte eyes of the editor they would be of No interest to the NON German person.     NN |
wearing the Pink Pinny, which is hard to see and now an waiting for a new shiny tin Hip
Junior member of the Banana Club, a reformist and an old Goat with a Bad memory |
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 Joined: 14/04/2005(UTC) Posts: 2,296 Location: St. Michael, Barbados
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I am an outsider with a few insider items. Got 'em for same reason I choose other models - cos they appealed to me for some reason, certainly not because they were limited in any way. One I would like to find is the glowing firebox one, that seems very cool (hot) to me. Carol says I am limited but that might be a NON MRR topic    . Jeremy. |
Jeremy.
1). If at first you don't succeed, bungee jumping mightn't be for you.
2). The early bird may get the worm, but it's the second rat that gets the cheese. |
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Joined: 29/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 75
Location: Sheffield,
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Just got another letter from the Insider Club, apparently my credit card details expired 3 months ago.
Letter is un-helpful, it doesn't detail what payment options are available.
It mentions that if I choose 'by transfer' I should let them know first, but it gives no details and doesn't even confirm the outstanding amount.
Bit of a shambles really.
I'm in two minds on the one hand I look forward to receiving the magazine but am often disappointed by it's content, in short if they don't make it easy for me to pay then I think I'll just let it lapse.
I'm kind of fed up of seeing very similar layout plans every issue, I'd much rather it had articles on readers layouts, there are plenty of layouts on this forum, that'd be great to see in there.
As for the Insider model's it often seems to me that you have to pay to join the club just so you can buy the most expensive models Marklin make. |
Marklin - Sheffield S6 - Snooker table plus modest Marklin layout or no snooker table and HUGE layout?????? |
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 Joined: 25/09/2010(UTC) Posts: 175 Location: Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
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I am from Canada and therefore under Marklin USA. I am an Insider member. Marklin USA is doing a great job communicating to its members. There are occational special notices or unusual stuff, eg. english layout books and more recently 60801 Marklin sound programmer which is not yet showing in Germany.
I do enjoy being a member but the cost is high. The english magazines are not nearly as good as the German ones when I checked a couple years ago. You do have access to Insider models but I have not taken advantage of them recently as it is not my interest or too expensive for my interest. (am building a layout so rather buy track than trains at the moment)
However, as a member, including being a digital club member, does have benefits. I do get good support from Marklin USA on product issues. I do get access to the Marklin TV which usually has interesting clips. The Insider magazine has a few tips but not as much as the Magazine. You do get the latest cataloges included as well as an insider car.
It is expensive but with the magazines, the cataloges, the insider car do come close to getting a decent return. The bonus is that the insider models are usually worth collecting! Every year I review if I will renew subsriptions to this, Model Railroading and Trains. This one almost made the axe earlier this year based on value received. |
Harald
CS1 DB & Canadian Era 3-6 |
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 Joined: 23/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,060 Location: Beverly, MA
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Hi all,
Waste of money.
Dr D
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Joined: 18/03/2007(UTC)
Posts: 3,770
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Originally Posted by: witzlerh I am from Canada and therefore under Marklin USA. I am an Insider member. Marklin USA is doing a great job communicating to its members. There are occational special notices or unusual stuff, eg. english layout books and more recently 60801 Marklin sound programmer which is not yet showing in Germany.
I do enjoy being a member but the cost is high. The english magazines are not nearly as good as the German ones when I checked a couple years ago. You do have access to Insider models but I have not taken advantage of them recently as it is not my interest or too expensive for my interest. (am building a layout so rather buy track than trains at the moment)
However, as a member, including being a digital club member, does have benefits. I do get good support from Marklin USA on product issues. I do get access to the Marklin TV which usually has interesting clips. The Insider magazine has a few tips but not as much as the Magazine. You do get the latest cataloges included as well as an insider car.
It is expensive but with the magazines, the cataloges, the insider car do come close to getting a decent return. The bonus is that the insider models are usually worth collecting! Every year I review if I will renew subsriptions to this, Model Railroading and Trains. This one almost made the axe earlier this year based on value received. My sentiments exactly. I live in Australia, and deal direct with Germany regards the Insider club. I get value for money, as it all works for me. This includes my phone calls support, videos, Club cars and locos, magazines. regards Kimball |
HO Scale - Märklin digital DB ep III, C Track - other 2 rail HO scale models (US - N&W and Australia - Queensland) - English LNER/BR Hornby Dublo 3-rail - a few clockwork items O gauge Märklin and Hornby. |
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Joined: 22/01/2012(UTC)
Posts: 490
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I never thought there was sufficient on offer to justify becoming a member. Should there be any model I must have then I am sure it can be obtained through alternative ways and probably cheaper too.
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 6,802 Location: Cologne, NRW
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Originally Posted by: Iamnotthecrazyone Should there be any model I must have then I am sure it can be obtained through alternative ways and probably cheaper too. It's true you can get every Insider model even without Insider order form. With or without Insider form, the price is always negotiable. |
Regards
Tom
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Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re |
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 6,802 Location: Cologne, NRW
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Originally Posted by: scraigen Just got another letter from the Insider Club, apparently my credit card details expired 3 months ago. If you have a new credit card, send them your details and tell them to charge the card. Bank transfers from the UK can be expensive - especially if the bank traps you with a "split cost" transfer on the first run. "Split cost" means: you pay Euro 105 to send Euro 100 to the recipient - who will get only Euro 95. So you'll have to pay Euro 15 to send the missing Euro 5. Ask for a transfer where all costs are covered by your bank. Better use a credit card. BTW: the Märklin invoice comes when it's too late to cancel the membership for the next year. |
Regards
Tom
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Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re |
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Joined: 09/04/2010(UTC)
Posts: 828
Location: Gawler South Australia
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As being in Aussie land, got a letter stating CC will be redrawn again for continuance. if you do wish to continue please advise us so worked well for me this year. As for being a member, like the magazines and have never bought an insder, wanted the steamer from last year but no funds.
cheers Dale
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Joined: 09/05/2011(UTC)
Posts: 843
Location: Manchester, England
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Hi All,
I joined the Marklin Club for the first time, online back in March 2012, and so far all I have received is a one page letter, a ruler and a membership card.
I thought you got a catalog, magazine, and Insider special item, as standard? Or do I need to do something to activate the items. All I do know is that the money has been debited to my card, and so far I am not too impressed.
As with everything maybe I have misunderstood or not followed the procedure or something (not that there was anything in the introductory letter) but maybe someone can advise in this respect.
Many thnaks
Glenn
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 Joined: 15/02/2008(UTC) Posts: 443 Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
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Glenn Worth giving them a call. You should have received at least one set of magazines by now. The order form for the annual car should already have been submitted and they are very inflexible with this. I have missed a couple of wagons over the years as I missed the posting deadline. You basically have to post the order forms to an authorised Marklin dealer, I use gaugemaster. The order form for the free catalogues will be in the next mailing I believe. Catalogues and the annual car normally arrive with the dealer in December and you have collect them or pay for delivery to you. Gaugemaster are usually quite efficient, but this year they have not confirmed receipt of my annual car order form. Why Marklin cannot send these directly I have no idea. Feel free to PM me if I can help further. Ashley Edited by user 31 May 2012 18:43:02(UTC)
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1 user thanked AshleyH for this useful post.
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Joined: 25/09/2010(UTC) Posts: 175 Location: Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
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One thing that Marklin has recently done is increased the warranty to 5 years on insider, MHI and other special runs. If you are not a member and buy these selected models on eBay or not from the "local" dealer, the warranty may not be transferable...
Glenn, English Marklin/Insider magazines are published every 2 months and I think you just missed them. No worries, you are going to get a years worth. |
Harald
CS1 DB & Canadian Era 3-6 |
1 user thanked witzlerh for this useful post.
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Joined: 09/05/2011(UTC)
Posts: 843
Location: Manchester, England
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Sorry for my late reply, but I have not had the chance to get online and browse/chat, but I would like to start with a big thanks to Ashley H and Harald, for your replies.
I am happy to say, I have now received two magazines and two supplement magazines, and order forms for everything under the sun. Ashley thanks for clarifying why I have to send certain forms to the dealer, I have not done this but will now.
Onwards and upwards.
Best Regards,
Glenn
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Joined: 01/03/2009(UTC) Posts: 1,338 Location: USA
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Just recieved my 2012 Insider Catalog bundle today. Finally.
r/Thomas
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ETE-ENE  ECoS iTrain TouchCab C-Gleis German Era Id & IIIb USA Era IIIb SBB Era III SJ Era IV GC Era V |
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