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Post by ztrack on Aug 3, 2015 18:23:27 GMT -5
  Getting into Z scale is easier than ever with our all new AZL starter sets. Ztrack Distribution is combining AZL's amazing trains with Rokuhan's track system to provide those wanted to get started in Z a great launching pad. Each starter set package contains the following: AZL EMD GP38-2 Five AZL freight cars Rokuhan R028 track oval Rokuhan R047 siding package with two turnouts Rokuhan RC03 controller Rokuhan A028 adapter Rokuhan rerailer AND A one year subscription to Ztrack Magazine! All of this comes at a special discounted package price! Just this week, we have added starter sets for ATSF and SP/SSW. To view these special packages please see: www.azldirect.com/starter-packagesOr for more options, please see: www.ztrackcenter.com/starter-setsDon't wait any longer, get started today! Rob |
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Post by nscaler711 on Aug 9, 2015 0:15:15 GMT -5
UMM ouch... $415... Yea that's quite a bit for people just looking into Z...
I don't even like the prices of Bachmann N scale sets I see anymore...
Ok so I did the Math...
MSRP = ~ $510.20
VS
Zscalemonster prices = $449.95
So basically you are just getting the 1 year subscription (bi monthly @ $36) for free...
Yep still kinda hard to swallow for anyone getting started...
I think a F59PHi set + loop of track might be easier to start off with...
But this is just one guys opinion...
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Post by smr on Aug 9, 2015 2:30:58 GMT -5
UMM ouch... $415... Yea that's quite a bit for people just looking into Z... I don't even like the prices of Bachmann N scale sets I see anymore... Ok so I did the Math... MSRP = ~ $510.20 VS Zscalemonster prices = $449.95 So basically you are just getting the 1 year subscription (bi monthly @ $36) for free... Yep still kinda hard to swallow for anyone getting started... I think a F59PHi set + loop of track might be easier to start off with... But this is just one guys opinion... I think this is a fair comment. If you compare it with the starter packs by Märklin in Europe, the smallest ones start around 90 Euro and the big ones are between EUR 250 to 390. Your package is a really big one, may be his concerns can be addressed by having something smaller available, too? Best, Sven |
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Post by ztrack on Aug 9, 2015 7:10:02 GMT -5
nscaler711 Avatar
Aug 9, 2015 0:15:15 GMT -5 nscaler711 said:
So basically you are just getting the 1 year subscription (bi monthly @ $36) for free...
Umm I think your math is off. Did you include the $36.00 in the Z Scale Monster price? If you did, then you are still saving $34.95 on top of the $36.00 for the subscription... If you didn't, then the savings is $70.95. Either way, it is more than just a subscription to Ztrack Magazine, Z Scale's ONLY print magazine that is full dedicated to Z scale with 40 pages, all cover delivered to you every 8 weeks! Yes that is a shameless plug.
I created this set to be just that, larger with more of a selection of rolling stock. With five different freight cars, those getting into the scale can have a variety to start with. I very much looked at the larger Marklin starter sets as a model when coming up with these packages. We launched similar sets over a year ago and are doing very well with them.
The other part is that these prices are realistic. Z scale tends to be more expensive than the other scale. Smaller runs and higher quality drives up prices. But here is the fun part. We can create custom packages for folks. If folks want smaller packages to get started, we can do that. We can also do mixes of different rolling stock and even locomotives. Since we have everything here, it is easy for us to do so.
How many of you would be interested in a smaller set? Possibly a GP38, 1x car and 1x caboose (if matching the road name), a small oval of track and the smaller RC02 controller? If there is enough interest, I can work up a few options for these sets.
Rob
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Post by nscaler711 on Aug 9, 2015 7:55:01 GMT -5
Yes I added the price of the Magazine to the list of Z scale monster, and your price on the magazine website says its $36.00 for one year.
So the $450 I calculated was with the Magazine and all products that go with said set.
Also you're right i did miscalculate, its actually $448.23. Sorry. So without the Magazine Subscription its $413.23.
As far as a smaller set, yes that would be nice, A loop of track two cars and a boose would be appropriate and the RC02.
For example;
GP38 @ $99 (Msrp) / $90.09 (zsm)
3 BAY ACF $36 / $32.30
23,000gl Tank car $32 / $29.12
WV Caboose $61 / $55.51
RO28 Oval $24.95 / 19.96
RC-02 controller $35.10 / $28.08
Rerailer $1.50 / $1.20
Power adapter $15.60 / $12.48
Price for that could be
$305 MSRP or
$268 ZSM
I only used ZSM, cause I have bought alot of stuff (alot for me anyways) and I like the guy and his prices. Now I'm not saying your prices will be more than his but I believe your Rokuhan stuff is actually cheaper...
Its just one mans opinion, I am honestly not trying to step on anyone's toes, I just like to think about people in my situation that can't drop $400+ in one go. I can barely afford the set I would buy.
If you do make that one too sign me up for Santa Fe lol.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 9, 2015 9:07:55 GMT -5
So....
to keep the conversation going.
What is the right mix of products and price for a Z scale starter set?
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Post by mgatdog on Aug 9, 2015 9:11:24 GMT -5
nscaler711 Avatar Aug 9, 2015 0:15:15 GMT -5 nscaler711 said: So basically you are just getting the 1 year subscription (bi monthly @ $36) for free... Umm I think your math is off. Did you include the $36.00 in the Z Scale Monster price? If you did, then you are still saving $34.95 on top of the $36.00 for the subscription... If you didn't, then the savings is $70.95. Either way, it is more than just a subscription to Ztrack Magazine, Z Scale's ONLY print magazine that is full dedicated to Z scale with 40 pages, all cover delivered to you every 8 weeks! Yes that is a shameless plug. I created this set to be just that, larger with more of a selection of rolling stock. With five different freight cars, those getting into the scale can have a variety to start with. I very much looked at the larger Marklin starter sets as a model when coming up with these packages. We launched similar sets over a year ago and are doing very well with them. The other part is that these prices are realistic. Z scale tends to be more expensive than the other scale. Smaller runs and higher quality drives up prices. But here is the fun part. We can create custom packages for folks. If folks want smaller packages to get started, we can do that. We can also do mixes of different rolling stock and even locomotives. Since we have everything here, it is easy for us to do so. How many of you would be interested in a smaller set? Possibly a GP38, 1x car and 1x caboose (if matching the road name), a small oval of track and the smaller RC02 controller? If there is enough interest, I can work up a few options for these sets. Rob Rob Sounds like your shooting yourself in the foot . Really Z scale in my opinion is not that bad in price. Have you bought any new O scale Lionel engines lately? For $500.00 +/- that all you get is just the engine . No track,freight cars, caboose and power pack. But I can see we're the guys are going and ya it would be nice with just a basic oval set with engine and couple cars . It would make a nice gift to get a friend and get them started in Z scale. Bob |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2015 10:49:25 GMT -5
I think if you had a set with an engine, 3 cars, and a caboose you would have a nice starter set. A five unit set would be a good place to start and leave room to sell more products in the future.
Pricing is different for everyone. Someone that wants a z scale set will pay the money. Sure you can buy n scale cheaper on some products but I've seen several engines that run upwards of $300 so it's still comparable or more expensive than some Z scale.
I buy quite a bit each month and prefer AZL products. The level of detail and quality of the chassis makes it worth the money to me.
I think you could manage a $300-$350 starter set and have a nice product to market.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 9, 2015 11:19:33 GMT -5
I think if Rob droped the caboose, he could do a BASIC starter set for:
GP38-2
3x freight cars
Oval of track
Power Pack
Ztrack subscription
for $199
(and I would like to point out that this is fun for me to speculate, because I NEVER get to do this! - this is a Ztrack deal, not an AZL deal, so I have NO IDEA what Rob will do. I have no control over this at all!)
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Post by tjdreams on Aug 9, 2015 12:39:14 GMT -5
I agree with Rob. A starter set at $199 would be a better price point to get someone to try Z than one at $400 +.
I go to all the local train shows as well as a couple in nearing states every year. I see starter sets in other scales from $69.99 to 199.99 all the time, But I've only seen Z scale sets (trains only sets not starter sets) at 2 of the 7 shows I've bin to so far this year. When trying something new Most people are going to be hesitant to spend a lot of money on something new.
While most of us who are already into Z know that its a little more expensive than the other scales do to its smaller size and smaller production run. New comers are not going to know this all they are going to see is the Z scale starter set is 4 times more expensive than the N scale starter set sitting next to it on the hobby shop/store shelves or the table at the train show. And which one do you think they are more likely to try? Espicaly someone who's on a fixed income or has a limited hobby expense budget?
David
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Aug 9, 2015 15:12:14 GMT -5
I have purchased 3 starter sets. MT f-7 UP no power supply $169.99 Marklin USA set with pacific 169.99 on sale ajckids then I got the marklin mikado set from scoptrix back in the day for 249.99 included two turnouts. Now the marklin sets had those white crappy power supply. So why not make a set with rokuhan track snail speed controller a loco car and caboose for around 220 or so? Those starter sets really helped get me going.
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Aug 9, 2015 15:20:31 GMT -5
I have purchased 3 starter sets. MT f-7 UP no power supply $169.99 Marklin USA set with pacific 169.99 on sale ajckids then I got the marklin mikado set from scoptrix back in the day for 249.99 included two turnouts. Now the marklin sets had those white crappy power supply. So why not make a set with rokuhan track snail speed controller a loco car and caboose for around 220 or so? Those starter sets really helped get me going. i know everything is relative to 11 years to 8 years back in the day but I like
david mentioned fixed income and price point. Z is so much better than 2003/4 but still price is a factor.
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Post by domi on Aug 10, 2015 0:46:40 GMT -5
In my opinion sets with turnouts and more than a loop of track, thus beeing expensive, are a mismatch.
1) Experienced Z-scalers like us won't purchase any set whatever occurs, as they prefer to purchase their stuff at the piece depending on their needs (sometimes a few turnouts for their in-progress layout, sometimes a locomotive, sometimes a bunch of cars, etc).
2) Newcomers will appreciate something they'll put on their desk and they'll let run a few loops without taking action (then, they'll eventually move to step 1).
Thus, a set that consists of a single GP38-2, 2 or 3 cars (caboose or not caboose), a simple loop of track and a power pack, all for less than $200, seems to be a better aim in my opinion.
Dom
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Post by amtk908 on Aug 10, 2015 13:14:28 GMT -5
Guess I'll throw my opinion in...
I believe that there is something very attractive about the $199 price point in attracting new participants to Z scale. At that price point it is still more expensive than the street price an N scale or HO scale starter set of comparable features and quality but not too uncompetitive. We who model in Z scale all understand that Z scale equipment is currently more expensive and why that is. However, someone wanting to familiarize themselves with Z scale, I believe, is far more likely to do so with a starter set price sub $200.
I had dabbled with Marklin Z scale back in the 90s but it was when the street price of the AZL Surfliner set went sub $200 that I was convinced to give Z scale another try. Even then having to purchase a loop of track and a power supply separately, it was still what I considered a cost effective reentry. I was personally interested in the Surfliners though and would probably not have paid that for a locomotive and three freight cars. I guess that it got me back into Z scale though, as I now have 17 locomotives, 70+ cars and a 3.5' X 10' operating layout.
I understand that everyone has a "sweet spot" with regard to pricing. I have talked-up Z scale with a number of my modeling friends and, based upon those conversations, I think many of them would bite for a sub $200 buy in.
Just my opinion.
Thanks and regards,
Cliff
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Post by davestubbs on Aug 10, 2015 13:15:04 GMT -5
My 2 cents
Keep in mind that these are starter sets. They are made too get people hooked on the scale and then expand. I don't know about other people but I thought about my first set for a long time because of the cost. Finally got my first Marklin set and within 5 min of playing I had the Z bug bad. Now I can't wait for the 1st and the 15th to see what AZL will release next. My point is a starter set needs to be as cheep as possible but also needs to be rock solid out of the box. for example I love my GP30's after I tore them open and reset the boards. Things like that will discourage people from the scale. The goal is to get new people playing with z scale and wanting to expand what they already have. So yes Rob a simple oval, Engine, and 1-2 cars would be a great start and let face it a starter set with controller for under $200 is needed but at the same time it isn't a cheep scale and people need to know that before they dive in.
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