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Post by BAZman on Aug 26, 2020 15:24:29 GMT -5
I tried to store my OOCL containers in the white blow-mold but they don’t fit (just a bit too long). This was for the last release, 906510-3O SP MAXI-I Set with 5x OOCL containers.
Eventually, I’ll double stack and creat a new tray for them, for shows.
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Post by DAZed on Aug 26, 2020 19:16:36 GMT -5
That's so weird...I saw someone else comment about them not fitting. But I have had containers in mine from the git-go. (mix of AZL, Rokuhan, MCZ) Maybe there were two versions of the blow-mold? Mine were from the first SP run and first BNSF run.
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Post by ztrack on Aug 26, 2020 19:37:29 GMT -5
I'm not sure.. I have both AZL containers and Rokuhan containers in my MAXi boxes. The AZL are a bit tight, but I was able to insert them, both single and double stacks. Try putting the containers first, and bow the insert slightly to open the container space. This may work for you.
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Post by bloodynose on Aug 26, 2020 22:23:04 GMT -5
I had the same problem with the latest BNSF release with the COSCO containers. They were so tight that something was going to give and it probably won't be the storage tray! I also encountered the same issue with an earlier release that included containers. I haven't tried all of the ones I've bought but the couple that I did try would not even begin to go in without a lot of force!
I just figured that they were all from the same mold so no need to check the rest.
I have a heat gun so maybe some day I'll heat up the containers and make them fit...
lol
Just kidding...
I'll probably fashion a piece of wood the same size and shape as a container, slightly longer, and adjust the slots in the trays with a little heat.
If successful I might even see if I can modify a few for 48' containers.
It's disappointing though, all other jewell cases, single and multi car boxes with molded storage trays have had plenty of room for the car wrapped with film to keep them from rattling around.
These trays are almost like what you would expect to get with a tool set! You know, wrenches or screw drivers made of steel that would stay in place if you dropped it down the stairs!
Come on guys... really!
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Post by BAZman on Aug 27, 2020 19:59:15 GMT -5
I liked earlier 3 car packaging which held a double stack within each pocket.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 28, 2020 10:07:52 GMT -5
I liked earlier 3 car packaging which held a double stack within each pocket. Sooooo...... The story with Maxi-I is as follows: The container molds were damaged beyond repair during a transfer between factories. We had intended to make a new 40’ container mold to go with the Maxi-I but that was canceled due to customer feedback on this very forum. We had a significant number of messages, public and private, expressing concern over the estimated Maxi-I price. The only viable way to Significantly reduce the price was to eliminate the container tooling cost. We also had a large number of fully produced containers still in inventory from the original tooling. We decided to use the existing containers, but since they were already in North America, we would have to put them in the packaging at the distributor. We liked the idea as it would allow us to be more flexible as we made up the product mix and respond in real time to customer demand. The problem is that since the factory was not inserting the containers at the time of production, they just took simple measurements of a sample container and made a cavity based on that size. For anyone who has ever done precision manufacturing, you will know there there is a lot of math, and a little bit of trial and error when producing items. You make a mold, see how well it fits, then make a little adjustment. This is especially true with vacuum forming where the molding is not a precise science. Since the factory was not responsible for the container insertion, they made a best effort. The sample production packaging worked fine. When the mass produced item arrived, they had used a slightly thicker plastic for the tray, and the fit was more snug. The freight cost to send the whole production run back would have been prohibitive, so we had what we had. The containers will fit if you use a plastic sheet to insert them. If you have any of our outher products, you probably have plenty of the material. So this was our best effort at a new idea. It did not turn out as well as we had hoped, but we did learn, and now they make the cavities with a little more generous size to prevent the problem in the future. The other bit of good news is that Maxi-I sales have been strong. So, we have recently commissioned a new 40’ container mold - we expect to see these delivered in late 2021. Next year you can give your Maxi-I sets a new look with new containers for less than $9 per container. I hope much less. Cheers, -Rob(A) AZL |
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Post by DAZed on Aug 28, 2020 13:19:36 GMT -5
We had intended to make a new 40’ container mold to go with the Maxi-I but that was canceled due to customer feedback on this very forum. We had a significant number of messages, public and private, expressing concern over the estimated Maxi-I price. The only viable way to Significantly reduce the price was to eliminate the container tooling cost. We also had a large number of fully produced containers still in inventory from the original tooling. We decided to use the existing containers, but since they were already in North America, we would have to put them in the packaging at the distributor. We liked the idea as it would allow us to be more flexible as we made up the product mix and respond in real time to customer demand. -Rob(A) AZL You stated--on this very forum--that the street price for the Maxi-I's would be about $180 ("I estimate that the 5-unit articulated Maxi-I WITHOUT containers will be MSRP $199 - street Price about 10% less. Add $5 per container if you want them.") versus the actual street price being in the $145 range. I know y'all love customer shaming,  but I'm not sure this one is all our fault. Had you more accurately estimated the price, I think you would have had much more positive feedback on the price of the Maxi-I's and containers. (I assume the price sensitivity was not over $5 containers, but rather over $230--street price--Maxi-I's loaded with assumed old tooling containers) Overestimating by 25% is pretty significant. It would have made a ton of difference from my perspective. The other thing is, there was no indication from AZL that the containers would be new tooling until around Thanksgiving of last year. So that also makes a huge difference as the existing containers are not the best representation in the world, to put it kindly. (I've still bought some though...they are nicely decorated and look fine mixed into a train.) Armed with info that the containers would be newly tooled, that would have also made a huge difference in price tolerance. (again, from my world view) Now, I'm sure you'll counter that you were going to roll part of the cost of the container tooling into the price of the Maxi-I's, or something like that. Fine, do what you do. But the bottom line is you did present an inflated price to your customers and "scared people away." And then, they hit the streets at a pretty reasonable price. But hey, you did manage to dump a lot of your old container stock in the process....a win for you and hopefully that helps push other projects forward.  I for one look forward to the new containers and will be in line anxiously awaiting for them. (and also the aforementioned 53's) Hopefully there will be some nice Maxi-IV's to accompany those.  |
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 28, 2020 22:23:27 GMT -5
I'm going to remove some of the snarky stuff here in the sincere hope that it was all meant as just good fun.... You stated--on this very forum--that the street price for the Maxi-I's would be about $180 ("I estimate that the 5-unit articulated Maxi-I WITHOUT containers will be MSRP $199 - street Price about 10% less. Add $5 per container if you want them.") versus the actual street price being in the $145 range. That is all correct. What follows is what I hope is either misunderstanding, or just a confused sequence of events. Had you more accurately estimated the price, I think you would have had much more positive feedback on the price of the Maxi-I's and containers. (I assume the price sensitivity was not over $5 containers, but rather over $230--street price--Maxi-I's loaded with assumed old tooling containers) Overestimating by 25% is pretty significant. It would have made a ton of difference from my perspective. The original estimate was for a Maxi-I with new tooling containers. The product containers would be optional - some sets with them, some sets without them (as requested a whole bunch of times by customers) ....but ... folks thought that was a little too expensive. So we changed our plans and did get the price down about 25% by eliminating the container tooling!the bottom line is you did present an inflated price to your customers and "scared people away." And then, they hit the streets at a pretty reasonable price. As I recall, at the time I did a significant amount of flag waving that those were just estimates, and that things could change. Furthermore, people did indicate that the price was a bit high, so we took feedback from dealers, customers, and this forum to adjust our plans, change the product and lower the price. That is the very definition of transparency, listening to our customers, and working with them in co-operation to make better products. I for one look forward to the new containers and will be in line anxiously awaiting for them. Many thanks. We sincerely appreciate your support! -Rob(A) AZL |
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Post by DAZed on Aug 29, 2020 13:14:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the response. I think the confusion happened because nobody knew the containers were new tooling until way after the fact. (way after the wave of concern about price) Had that been more clear from the git-go, might have been a different story entirely.
Not to beat a dead horse, but it goes to the lack of product info that AZL disseminates about new products. (which has seemed to improved very recently btw...thanks for that) Would revealing that you are creating new container tooling alongside the Maxi-I's really created some sort of competitive risk for you? I would think quite the opposite...seems to me you would be showing value to your customers.
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Post by ztrack on Aug 31, 2020 19:47:22 GMT -5
 Just to show I am not making it up.. here is one of my sets with 10x Sealand containers from AZL in the packaging. Rob |
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but I'm not sure this one is all our fault. Had you more accurately estimated the price, I think you would have had much more positive feedback on the price of the Maxi-I's and containers. (I assume the price sensitivity was not over $5 containers, but rather over $230--street price--Maxi-I's loaded with assumed old tooling containers) Overestimating by 25% is pretty significant. It would have made a ton of difference from my perspective.
