Time to Stir The Pot

M

Mastiffdog

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Sep 7, 2003
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Over on the other forum there is alot of discussion about two big issues:

1. UP Logo and licensing

2. Athearn sale to Horizon Hobbies

Here's my opinion, and of course, I'd like to hear yours...

1. I could care less about what UP does with their logo, name or otherwise. I buy what I like, and like what I buy (most of the time!). I believe that all of the crying and moaning going on over this issue is nonsense, and by the time these so-called ominous licensing fees impact the modelers, it will be minimmul. To those that want to cry over it, I say, when you own your own railroad you can make the rule (just like your home layout), until then stop all the diatribe.

2. Athearn is another loser topic. Who really knows why Athearn decided to sell? Who really cares? You like Athearn? Good, go buy it, there's still plenty of that stuff around at reasonable prices. Why does everyone believe that Horizon will charge more? Personally, I could care less. Why is everyone so concerned that the little cottage type dealers will be blown out? Hello? So you guys won't buy from Horizon and life will go on. Or you can align your business with what Horizon is requesting and continue to buy the Athearn.

The good news is that there are loads of other choices of nice material to buy. Why worry?

What's the big matzia here?


DOG
 
"What's the big matzia here?"

Change. People HATE change, especially when it hits them where they live (and hobby).

Thankfully, I'm immune to the UP logo issue as I do not model UP, or any of its subsidiaries (though the SP was tempting for a while).
I understand their reasoning, and in this age of weak markets, I understand their desire to get every penny they can.
on the other hand, I also understand that modellers aren't going to cut into their true profits like CSX or BNSF would, so why can't they cut us a break?
But, as was explained at rec.models.railroad, the actual consumer impact would only be a few dollars, on a $50+ model, I think we can live with it.


As for Athern selling out? This is the first I've heard of it. But I don't really buy any of their stuff, either. I don't model with diesels (except a 45-tonner and maybe - if I can find one - an Alco c415), and I think their steamer looks to toyish (c'mon, nickle silver rods? Puleese!).
I'd say, wait til we see what the new people will do. I've heard other nasty rumors and refuse to believe them til I start seeing proof (such as Bachmann going to Special Order only on any piece valued more than $200 - such as all of their engines, etc.)


but it all boils down to that hated occurrance, change. Once people get complacent, they tend to stick there.

Michael
 
Hey Jon, nice work, you tracked that one down like a dog! Do the IHC units run any good? Not familiar with those locos. (Pardon the pun)

DOG

P.S. Jon, I was hoping you'd throw in a comment or two about the controversy about UP and Athearn. Geez.
 
I second the opinion of free market... I use to read/post on them other boards but anymore it's too much flamin and BS. That's why my browser only sees the-gauge anymore. I like the respect shown on this board for others feelings and opinions. DASH
 
UP Logo

I am trying to follow the discussion, but I do not know what UP is doing, trying to do, or plans to do. Can someone briefly explain? It would help. Dave
 
Basically UP is exercising the copyright on their logos and all the logos of the companies they have purchased over the years and is asking (demanding) that they be paid for the use of said logos just like Pepsi, Coke, McDonalds, etc. already do. It has some modelers up in arms because they feel that UP is only being greedy. It will add from $1 to a million (depending on source) to the price of a loco with UP or UP owned logos on them. I have heard $1.34 for a loco a lot as a true figure. DASH
 
They are licensing, and charging royalties for, usage of any of their "brand identities" (trade marks, heralds, etc.). This includes not only UP symbols but the symbols of any of the RRs (and there are a lot) that they have bought up.

Go here for more information (it's their own site, so it's from the horse's mouth!)

They appear to be special-handling model RR stuff. The royalties appear to amount to 3% of the wholesale price - don't know what it is for non- model RR. Here's an extract from their model RR-specific agreement:

A royalty of three percent is payable on any product bearing a modern, historic, or constituent logo licensed by Union Pacific. The icensee will pay an advance on royalties of not less than $100, with the actual amount of the advance based on the wholesale price of the product(s) and estimated annual sales of UP-branded products. Royalty reports and fees must be submitted every six months for the term of the contract.
Click to expand...
 
1. I buy all my equipment used so this will have no impact on me. (Pssst...hey bud, wanna buy a pre-license UP reefer real cheap?)

2. I guess my nostalgia gene kicks in for this one. Athearn is an old friend from way back. They provided a great product for a great price for a pimply faced 12-year-old in 1972. When their price tags went over the century mark, I had to say goodbye. I still go out of my way to get their older stuff though.
 
Hey Jim,

I am sorry for offending you with my post, but maybe "stirring the pot" as the topic may have been to harsh for some folks.

I was just trying to "stimulate" the forum with some friendly discussion which happens to be very relevant model railroading topics.

Also, just out of curiousity, you did kinda open the thread and peek at all this "pot stirring". Then you post to the thread and say you came to the gauge forum to avoid the bickering. Jim, who here is bickering? DOG to Jim, DOG to Jim, hello? The thread is about opinions and self expression.

Like I said, I am so sorry this thread has offended but no one put a gun to your head to open it. And besides your opinion was off topic to boot.

DOG
 
I buy most of my equipment used also, so these issues won't affect me.
UNLESS Athearn blue box parts become unavailable. Then I'll just have to start fabricating replacement parts of my own.
 
I saw an ad for a loco this month. something like, $150, $155 for UP.
As long as they don't force us to have non-prototypical copyright symbols on the cars...
And since they're on the wrong continent, it won't affect me in this incarnation.
 
Here goes:

1). UP deal...huh? what is it, like 50 cents extra for a frieght car....get over it.
2). I'm an N scaler so that means......I don't care. Horizon just wants to preserve the hobby shops and frankly, what's wrong with that?
 
I agree with Blake on both counts. It's not worth stirring the pot. The only thing I'd add is the actual cost to the manufacturer's to use UP's logos would be more than the 3% royalty, due to the extra bookkeeping, paperwork, hassle, etc.
 
Originally posted by dash10
I second the opinion of free market... I use to read/post on them other boards but anymore it's too much flamin and BS. That's why my browser only sees the-gauge anymore. I like the respect shown on this board for others feelings and opinions. DASH
Click to expand...

DASH - that's the main reason I signed on as a Moderator here.... :) :) :) Thanks - (From all of us)

DOG - I have no opinion on either subject either - I'm into PRR G gauge :D

~~ Mikey (Moderator)
 
Frankly I believe this poor horse has been beaten to death on just about every forum..The best we can hope for is the other railroads including short lines and regionals doesn't follow UP lead..What is done is done and not much we can do to change it..

Boycott? I don't think that would work as thousands of modelers will continue to buy UP/UP merged road cars and engines...Oh yes a boycott would not hurt the UP at all.It would hurt the model manufacturers if they can't sell UP products or if they refuse to make any more..Then we will loose as the manufacturers would need to raise their prices on non UP cars and engines to cover the lost sales of UP/UP merged roads engines and cars...
So in the end its a no win situation for us..:(
 
Since I don't model UP this discussion is a purely theoretical one for me. But don't GM, Ford, John Deere and of course Coca-Cola already charge some kind of royalty for the use of their logo's and product likenesses?

Personally I don't like corporate greed any more than the next person but UP are by no means the first to travel this path. If it makes products too expensve then people won't buy, but I imagine the manufacturers have a pretty good idea of what they can charge.

Meanwhile, I've got another pot to stir. Making a big batch of chili!!!!!

cheers
Val
 
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