Hi all:

What follows is a quote by Kevin made in another topic:
"Why aren't Marklin loks cheaper?<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>"

That is a very good question my friends! Why do we have to pay so much money for something like an HO Locomotive?

Best regards,



Thanos

Hi Juan,all,
Like any manufacture, Märklin has a price for it's dealers and the dealers set the actually price they sell it to their customers.Within the last 2 years,Märklin has given the option for a dealer to buy direct from the factory,which can mean a lower price.Some US dealers are doing this and have very competitive prices to those dealers in Germany.Those who still buy from Märklin USA have found that the prices charged by them is much more than buying directly from M*.

I try to buy from my local dealer,but the big price items(i,e, loks) I buy from my dealer in Germany,as I can save any where from $40-$80 on a model.

Kevin!

Moderator,Märklin Bar&Grill

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MarklinBandG/

I must say that I have not had many "lemons" from Märklin, generally consider them as "worth the money" since I am not surprised and get the mechanical quality I expect to find for the price. Some other manufacturers have greatly disappointed me regarding the price/performance, especially when the price has been very close to Märklin prices.... I want my trains to run reliably and not break down due to bad design of the drive... But the overall price level is horrendous indeed...

I agree, Maerklin locos are expensive.
But I also think that I get very good durable quality.
By simply comparing prices for 3-rail AC locos, Fleischmann, Pico or Brawa seem to charge much more for their locos than Maerklin. Roco may be a little better in price, but often I read that the quality is not quite there. But then I found that a Roco E03 analog was as expensive as the recent Maerklin E03 digital.
There is little chance that Maerklin will reduce their prizes despite that more and more product is no longer made in Germany. But I can try to find used Maerklin locos or try to find a good deal through mail order. But of course if you long for a particular loco (e.g. especially expensive Insider Models) then there is little hope but to pay. I found close-out models available at a good discount locally or by mail-order. I buy from local, US or German dealers (Take 16% VAT off and shipping is paid for).

The only excuse I have for paying Maerklin is that I have stuff +35 years old and still working (now digitally!). It's a hobby and in the end it is us who have to decide to pay for it and how much.

Happy Railroading ... Hans

Hi all:

I totally agree to the quality issue and I am a Marklin fanatic which means that I wouldn't go for another brand.
However, I still consider that according to what a Marklin locomotive actually costs (how much does the motor cost? because the chassis is surely not that expensive) the price is very high (I am talking about digital here). And we are talking about mass production here...
Of course retailers have to make a profit and Marklin has to make a profit as well. It would be nice to know the wholesale price of a locomotive...
My reasoning concerning high Marklin prices comes from the following example: The Viessmann alternative of a Marklin k83 decoder costs half the price and the quality is equal. This also stands for all Marklin products that we can find alternatives from other manufacturers. For example check out the price of transformers. Therefore the conclusion is easily formulated: if they overprice their other products why couldn't they do the same for their locomotives?

PS. Because I don't want to be misunderstood during September/October I have bought two Marklin locomotives...

Best Regards,




Thanos

I do not know why all of you are claiming about pricing of Maerklin.
I live in Japan. If you buy suff in Japan prices are 3 times (in words "t h r e e t i m e s" higher then in German shops.
Who wonders that I buy via mail order from german dealer.
Do not support crazy dealer !

I like the Patek Phillipe motto:

"You never own a Marklin - you just look after it for the next generation".

I think this is very true regarding Marklin trains - I haven't seen many 35 year old trains from their competitors still running and in the same or mint condition.

Marklin trains are not just a hobby, but they are indeed an investment as well. Just try and sell some other second hand equipment and see what you get for it compared to Marklin (not that I would ever dream of selling any of mine <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>)

Another case in point is that Marklin Dampfloks (BR 40's and 50's, Big Boy) are some of the very few that can negotiate the smallest curves in the catalogue due the engineering and design - one pays for that.

Hi, I am getting intertested in model trains and am looking to buy a starter set. There has been a lot of discussion here about buying over the internet. This sounds great but does anyone have experience of customs taxing the stuff as it enters their country? I live in Switzerland and it seems that when I order over the internet (amazon)every now and then they hit me with a tax based on the value of the product.

Any experiences that you can share with me.

Nick

Hi Nick,

Where in Switzerland are you? I was visiting Zurich, and was pleasantly surprised with the amount of train stores. Even the toy store was carrying a very healthy collection of trains. That's a luxury we don't have here in the USA!

Check around on ebay and websites, but at least drop by your local stores, and give them a try as well. They can give you advice on where to start (as can we on this list :)
Often starter sets are priced very competitevely, and with the fact you don't pay shipping, it may end up being a good deal buying locally.

Good luck with your new hobby!

Charlie