Bachmann Web Site - What goes into a Graham Farish Model?

[johnlambert]

Has anyone else seen the latest item on Bachmann's web site, showing just what goes into a 3-car DMU?

http://www.bachmann.co.uk/details.php?id=402

There's even a nice image showing all the component parts 

[GaryAlan]

wow, I find it hard to imagine, when you see exploded views of parts, the actual smallness of the finished coach.

[Newportnobby]

Perhaps they've read all our complaints about pricing and are trying to justify things

Quote
To make a model worthy of the Bachmann name it takes design expertise, skilled craftsmanship and strict quality control. With so many parts and processes involved, Graham Farish continue to delight the most discerning of enthusiasts with our award winning range of N scale models.
Unquote

Some would debate that.

[Yet_Another]

Some would debate that.

But hopefully not here. Again.

That picture is in the 2016 catalogue, probably the text is as well, but I don't have it to hand to check.

[Drakken]

These price's are starting to get out of control. I appreciate you might have development, Tooling etc but £170 is just way to much. I know I'll get both sides probably saying this. 'If you dont like the price then don't buy it' but come on a 45% increase wow.

I'm still building my little shunting yard but when I come to buy the first loco for the layout I'll either wait it out till I find one at a decent price or buy something that is down on popularity and see if I can get something cheaper that way. See what pops up on Dapol's Monthly Special's

[JasonBz]

They don't need to justify the price, that is what they cost if you want one.

I don't think they are expensive; costly yes, but not expensive.

[Drakken]

There will be a point where they start pricing people out of our hobby which will be to the detriment of all.

I couldn't agree more 

[red_death]

Are we really doing the price thing again?

Model railways have always been relatively expensive and a "luxury" item.

Older stock may will be available cheaper (manufacturing was cheaper or margins have been cut to shift stock) but the crucial thing is are you buying the same thing - if you want an NSE livery 101 (for example) you either pay the going rate, wait in the hope that it is discounted (and risk missing out) or buy a cheaper one and repaint it. The 101 in RR was certainly announced well before 2015 (2010 or 11 IIRC so not surprising the latest run are significantly more expensive than the original run!).

I'm still waiting for someone to give the solution to reducing prices...

Cheers, Mike

PS I just had a look at China's average wages and they are currently at least a quarter of the UK's wages so I don't see it being economic to bring back to the UK for some time yet.

[red_death]

But it is quickly going from an affordable "luxury" item to one that is totally unaffordable

Based on what evidence? And what is your solution?

[Newportnobby]

I admit to being astonished at the amount of parts resulting in the major percentage of a model being hand made rather than machine built, so my previous estimate of the proportion of wage cost of the overall cost was probably well out of kilter

My reference to the QC bit stands, although I seem to have been luckier than many NGF members.

[red_death]

Yet wages are still rising: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/china/wages-in-manufacturing (the figures you provided are an index not an absolute figure)

[Newportnobby]

Labour costs in China peaked in 1st quarter 2012

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/china/labour-costs

Colin

I believe there is still 2-3 years (brain fart won't allow me to recall which) left in the Chinese Govt's mandate of a 20% wage rise per year.

[Chris Morris]

It's a free market place. If any other manufacturer can make and profitably sell a similar dmu at a much lower price there is nothing to stop them.