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Post by QcKraag on Nov 4, 2018 6:53:58 GMT -5
Frank, At this point I think of it as "pick a date". To add more interest, Walther's shows a ship date of April 2019. I've been considering get a Fast-Track jig, but they're probably backordered to May 2019. Mark I have a jig and enough stuff to make a good 10 turnouts if you want, I’ll give you a good price on them
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Post by QcKraag on Nov 4, 2018 6:57:09 GMT -5
Guys, I know we live in an instant gratification kind of world, but I don't see any big inconsistency with what Atlas has said, and what is happening: 69 days ago: "I am actually in China right now. The right turnouts are done the lefts are in production, then we will have the shipment" Typical production runs take 20 days. Shipping takes another 30 days. Distribution takes another 20 days. They are not far off. And that is another thing I really don’t understand, why use distibutors, just another price increase... I really don’t understand that concept lol
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Post by markm on Nov 4, 2018 9:58:47 GMT -5
I have a jig and enough stuff to make a good 10 turnouts if you want, I’ll give you a good price on them Thanks, but I'll pass. I'm starting to question how much more time and effort I want to put into model railroading. And that is another thing I really don’t understand, why use distibutors, just another price increase... I really don’t understand that concept lol
Distributors are basically an accounting tool. It allows manufacturers to keep their customer list small and they are able to clear inventory and claim a sale quickly by shipping to distributors.
Mark
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Post by dazed on Nov 4, 2018 13:12:19 GMT -5
And that is another thing I really don’t understand, why use distibutors, just another price increase... I really don’t understand that concept lol Distributors are basically an accounting tool. It allows manufacturers to keep their customer list small and they are able to clear inventory and claim a sale quickly by shipping to distributors.
Mark
This. And to add, it helps improve cash flow and distribute risk in a healthy manner.
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Post by markm on Nov 4, 2018 14:09:01 GMT -5
Doug, Not really. Distributors demand a hefty price cut. In my business it was 40-60% of single unit MSRP, leaving little working capital. Also all the distributors I worked with protected themselves with a "freshness" cause that allowed them to return all unsold product any time after 180 days for a full refund. Not only does it kill cash flow it can also stick the company with an unplanned inventory tax.
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Post by zscalehobo on Nov 6, 2018 9:35:20 GMT -5
Latest update from Paul Graf today: "The turnouts are undergoing QC inspection, plus the factory only sent one side so it is not really useful to sell them that way."
I'd say we're still a couple of months away.
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Post by dazed on Nov 6, 2018 10:06:35 GMT -5
Doug, Not really. Distributors demand a hefty price cut. In my business it was 40-60% of single unit MSRP, leaving little working capital. Also all the distributors I worked with protected themselves with a "freshness" cause that allowed them to return all unsold product any time after 180 days for a full refund. Not only does it kill cash flow it can also stick the company with an unplanned inventory tax. I said it distributes risk, not removes it. The freshness clause is interesting. Those types of arrangements are normally there for the bankers, but in practice you would use them "sparingly" or "at your peril". Akin to filing an insurance claim...you might get away with one before your rates shoot up, but you don't want to go to that well too often....lest you find yourself in a different "column".
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Post by markm on Nov 6, 2018 22:58:12 GMT -5
Frank, Thank Paul for the update. Even if it wasn't what I wanted to read, it helps me plan my snow days. I do have to disagree with him. Even with just the right turnout (which I assume from previous posts is the one on hand) I could get a lot done:
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Post by BAZman on Jan 2, 2019 18:44:37 GMT -5
THEY ARE HERE !!!! (January 1, 2019). I just got a notice that my turnouts and crossings have SHIPPED !!! shop.atlasrr.com/c-1474-z-track.aspx(click each item and if it says 'In Stock' you can PURCHASE !!! )
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Post by cwrr on Jan 7, 2019 19:19:53 GMT -5
Zscalemonster.com has them in stock, get ahold of Anthony!
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Post by ztrack on Jan 7, 2019 20:07:08 GMT -5
We just got them in as well. They will be on Ztrack Center (www.ztrackcenter.com) and Z Scale Track soon (www.zscaletrack.com). They do look very good!
Rob
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Post by markm on Jan 7, 2019 20:41:47 GMT -5
I should have some by the weekend and the weatherman says it's going to be snow days.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jan 8, 2019 15:49:35 GMT -5
Based on pictures, I'm a bit concerned about the quantity of plastic on the crossing. I don't know how electrical conductivity will be maintained on enough wheels to prevent stalling.
On the other hand, the turnouts look fine.
Again, this is all based on photos.
More details before the weekend.
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Post by markm on Jan 12, 2019 10:59:57 GMT -5
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Post by Rob Albritton on Jan 12, 2019 12:45:43 GMT -5
A few more thoughts on the atlas turnouts.
First and most important, the atlas turnouts are a significant event for the development of Z scale. For the first time we have a major model railroad manufacture providing flex track and turnouts designed for more experienced consumers. Until now there was no middle ground between basic snap track with prefixed dimensions, and the advanced skills required to hand lay track.
While I believe these are the best turnouts so far (and i say that without doing extensive testing. Yet)
More to come in the next post....
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