Does factory weathering of new locos prevent further sales?

[sparky]

I must admit to liking my locos in an ex paint shop condition...why do the manufacturers insist on pre weathering locos..it just prevents buyers like me from purchasing different loco variants..I fully understand some like to customise their locos and weather to make them unique so factory weathering seems pointless to me??

[MikeDunn]

Because some people (most ?) aren't happy with either trying it themselves, or sending off to a 3rd-party at however much they will charge ?

And maybe the mfrs see a gap where if they provide a weathered item they may be able to surcharge it ?  I don't buy weathered ones myself, don't know if they're the same price or not.

[port perran]

I like to have my locos lightly weathered so am happy to have the option of buying them in this state.
However, I have noticed that "factory weathering" isn't necessarily very permanent. My factory weathered 08 seems to be getting cleaner !

[oreamnos]

IIRC (I could be wrong), in the 14-15 Farish catalogue, all the Peaks, Class 37s and Warships on offer come weathered and there isn't a "pristine" option.  Which is a pity, since I too will not be buying any of the new variants so weathered.

Not only do I not like them, the weathered versions come with a price premium - see the new Farish 25 where the weather ones are about 10 quid more than the pristine ones.

Given that the whole model railway concept is really a make believe fiction of "real life," I like to carry that fiction to the condition of my stock.  So on my railway, everything is always kept washed, clean and shiny!

Matt

[sparky]

Its not the price its just that if a model is only available weathered than those that don't like these locos are immediately precluded from buying..whereas if you like the weathered look then get that air brush out !

[Komata]

FWIW:

It would seem that manufacturers have indeed found a 'niche' and are exploiting it, prompted no doubt by the (at times numerous) 'letters of complaint; which appear in the model press when a new locomotive is released into the public domain.  With the writers of such letters opining for a 'weathered' locomotive to make it look 'more realistic', and a 'sympathetic' model press which advocates the same thing, it is little wonder that 'pre-weathered' has become almost the norm  / standard for such items.

The people have spoken, the industry has responded, and yet.....

One is tempted to paraphrase Lincoln's dictum about '...All of the people all of the time'

As I said, FWIW.

[PLD]

Sorry, but this sounds like a rather selfish whinge to me...
You are effectively saying "I don't like it so no one else should be able to have it..." There will also be others who I'm sure would prefer all models factory weathered.

I don't know of any model that has ever been released 'weathered only' so there has always been an option for those of you who don't like it so what is the problem?

As for a £10 premium for the weathered version being too expensive - it is an absolute bargain, even a mediocre 'professional' job will cost you 4 - 5 times that!

[red_death]

Bachmann are reasonably clear that they are meeting market demand...some factory weathering is better than others.  For example the Dapol weathered BR blue Western almost had me reaching for my wallet - it looks great.

I disagree that a model railway is necessarily a make believe fiction - of course it can be, but it isn't the case for everyone...

Cheers, Mike

[petercharlesfagg]

Just my four penny'th.

For my own part I can understand the need of those who would like the weathered versions of locomotives, rolling stock etc.

From another point of view the pristine item is just as important.

I do feel though that any manufacturer who offers ONLY weathered versions is taking a risk in losing sales and potential future custom.

For my own part, IF (a big if) I wanted one of my locomotives weathered then I do feel that it is MY Choice and I should be given the opportunity to purchase pristine if I so desire! 

As long as the manufacturers keep supplying both then there should not be a concern?

Regards, Peter.

[oreamnos]

There is an ebay seller in Taiwan who sells the un weathered new releases for about £70 .... I got a few this way as I like to weather them myself

New farish as yet unreleased 37, in ex factory pristine condition...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261608321114?redirect=mobile

I saw your other recent posts elsewhere on this board about the unweathered green 37s and I have been waiting and checking to see if this seller would list another, but I haven't checked in several days.  So thank you for the link to the one he most recently listed as I just purchased it - for only £63!

As for modeling being make believe fiction, by definition modeling is a re-creation of something in real life.  Some like to mimic reality as closely as possible while others choose not to.  Either is correct, but both are still fictions.

Matt

[sparky]

Just take the current farish diesels..if I want a disc code 20..sorry no...if I want any form of blue peak then again no.. Why not offer both versions of liveries as an option...so at least we can all choose..if the bulk of the sales of a loco type is expected to be in the weathered condition then I would be happy to pay extra for non weathered or if the reverse were true then pay less for the non weathered.. This is not about being selfish or in anyway about the cost...its about providing we the consumers with choice...the dapol westerns give you a broad choice of both colours and weathering to suit what you personally prefer..why can't this be standard for not just locos but rolling stock as well?

[Woolleysh33p]

Interesting post.

Personally, I wold like mine pre weathered HOWEVER

dapol do a brillian weathering job now, which no one can argue about in my opinion 

But

Farish weathering in my opinion is very poor - it is just a quick spray, whereas dapol have much better weathering with faded  paying in areas.

If I was buying dapol, it would be weathered, and if I was buying farish, it would need to become much better, as they are charging £10!plus for something a child could do. 

Thanks

[Geoff]

Maybe the manufacturers want the pristine punters to try the weathered version, one thing I do know that this pristine punter will stick with what I like.

[Ben A]

Hello all,

The manufacturers respond to market demand.  There is clearly a demand for weathered models, so they're supplying them. I also think Farish's weathering is improving with practise!

As far as I'm aware, there aren't any types that have been released only as weathered versions, though some particular identities have only been available weathered.

Having said that, isn't it easier just to re number a model than to weather it anyway?

Cheers

Ben A.

[Bealman]

Sometimes I buy a weathered model, sometimes a clean one. Depends on if I like what I see. I'm quite happy running both together on my layout.