Graham Farish 2019

[PLD]

Interesting that items from one manufacturer are considered "expensive" yet comparable products, at a higher price point from another manufacturer are considered "bargains"...

Take as a simple example; this Farish Tanker which can be had for under £20 from a number of places is apparently expensive according to some.
https://railsofsheffield.com/products/30719/graham-farish-373-777d-n-gauge-45-tonne-glw-tta-tank-wagon-shell-bp-weathered
While a Revolution 35 ton Class B which is comparable in size and complexity is £27 yet we apparently can't get enough of them at that 'give away' price!!

Does a past record of 'Cheap and cheerful' (cos that's what Poole era Farish wagons really were) give different expectations to a new entrant to the market?


As someone said a few posts ago, "you pays your money you make your choice" if you want cheap and cheerful, buy Peco or second hand, if you want finer detail (as a significant proportion of the market do), pay the premium for the latest spec models.

[Bob G]

The Farish TTA is actually an early China designed model (2007), and apart from the finer ladder and finer underside, is not a huge leap forward from the Peco model of 1967.
I dont like the way the ladder is in two bits, as it was only in one bit in reality.
Bob

[Newportnobby]

We're only a couple of weeks away from Chinese New Year so I wonder whether Farish can push anything out before that long break

[jpendle]

So retail price for the CL319 has just gone up to 299 pounds, the new 450 is 375 pounds and the Voyager is 399 pounds 

By comparison, the reliveried CL60's are 145 pounds. and new coaching stock is 50 pounds max.

So I can tolerate a 2 car MU retailing at 200 quid, cos that's what a loco and a coach would cost bought separately, but 100 pounds per vehicle for a 3 or 4 car MU seems a bit steep even to me.

There has to be more to this than a rise in manufacturing costs because, as far as I can tell, the Voyager isn't even new tooling.

Perhaps Bachmann can't meet volume any more so they are pricing for very limited runs?

Regards,

John P

[njee20]

The Voyager remains bizarre, as they say it's a "revised Virgin livery", but that was never carried by any of the 220s, which were all transferred to Cross Country.

That does seem a ludicrous amount of money. Cheltenham Models have a Virgin one listed at £200 that's been going to all the shows, doesn't seem to sell, hard to imagine them going for double that. Particularly if they're still woefully slow.

[snitchthebudgie]

Perhaps Bachmann can't meet volume any more so they are pricing for very limited runs?

Perhaps they're missing the sales volume from Hattons?? 

[Paddy]

I wonder if the new Farish prices reflect the market size for British N gauge.  Perhaps, in the past the OO range was cross subsidising?  Farish do produce some wonderful models but the prices are beginning to feel expensive (I know the pain point is different for each of us).

Kind regards

Paddy

[Ben A]

Hi all,

I doubt the Hatton's dispute is having a significant impact; after all there are plenty of other online retailers and I doubt there many customers who will say "if I can't get it from Hatton's then I will go without."

However, we know the volumes for N are significantly lower than 00, and it may be Farish, having been stung with the MOQ for the 350 which took years to shift and ended up in the bargain bins. I don't know if John P is correct, but it is certainly one possibility.

Cheers

Ben A.

[longbow]

Parent company Kader Holdings has been having a pretty torrid time of late due to increased competition and the ToysRUs collapse, with profits halving in 2019 and falling into loss in 1H 2010. Their shares have fallen almost 70% over the last two years.  So it would be no surprise if they were limiting resources and raising margins in their niche product areas such as Graham Farish. 

[Paddy]

Hi @longbow

Wow, I see what you mean.  Kadar's interim results do not look good.  The business seems to be facing some real challenges.

Kind regards

Paddy

[honestjudge]

Maybe Hornby should buy out Graham Farish!

[njee20]

Given their exceptionally precarious financial position that would seem a bizarre choice.

[honestjudge]

Given their exceptionally precarious financial position that would seem a bizarre choice.

I prefer the bizarre, makes life interesting.

[njee20]

But why would they do that...? Bachmann aren't selling. Hornby aren't buying. Just seems a weird comment. 

[honestjudge]

But why would they do that...? Bachmann aren't selling. Hornby aren't buying. Just seems a weird comment. 

It's just a comment,  idle speculation, chill out.