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Im not sure if this is new or not. Seems Atlas has had a club like this for O scalers for some time now. Looks like they are doing this for HO and N scalers. Does anyone plan to sign up for this? Its something like 30, 45 and 60 dollars depending on what level you want. Personally, im not a big fan of these types of "marketing" clubs you have to pay in to be a part of, but thats just my opinion so I dont plan on it.
Read the newsletter today........seemed to be mostly promoing the club and offers, with not a lot of "modeling" info. I was looking at the $45 N scale membership..........the "free" car, is probably worth the $15 extra over the standard membership, but I'm not sure if the $30 is worth it.......I just don't seem to be able to get a feel for what benefits would be useful to me. I do like the concept of the club exclusive items.
Read the newsletter today........seemed to be mostly promoing the club and offers, with not a lot of "modeling" info. I was looking at the $45 N scale membership..........the "free" car, is probably worth the $15 extra over the standard membership, but I'm not sure if the $30 is worth it.......I just don't seem to be able to get a feel for what benefits would be useful to me. I do like the concept of the club exclusive items.
Thats the way I looked at it too. Downloaded that newsletter today myself. Thats what prompted me to make this post actually. I was primarily intrested in any modeling tips or info it may have contained. All it really turned out to be was nothing but marketing for club exclusive cars and any potential sales, closeouts, over stocks, etc. Nothing that would intrest me really. I like club exclusive stuff but at those prices, no thanks.
Atlas is good at marketing. In a down market, this is a good way to get some money, harvest some e-mail and postal addresses of active modelers, and give you a little in return. The freight car is worth the additional $15 if you're going to join at all, but I think I'm still paying them a fee to send me marketing materials.
Atlas is good at marketing. In a down market, this is a good way to get some money, harvest some e-mail and postal addresses of active modelers, and give you a little in return. The freight car is worth the additional $15 if you're going to join at all, but I think I'm still paying them a fee to send me marketing materials.
I can think of better things to do with the money, like buy model railroad supplies or rolling stock. Case in point: This last Friday I ordered two new Bachmann flatcars with container loads. In my opinion better than any club membership.
I have no idea if your typing that list was good or not, but I can understand the reason for belonging to the groups. It's similar to modelers belonging to clubs and going to model rail shows. In order to successfully show your achievements, belonging to a group effort is usually necessary. When winning a competition, the ribbon is a recognition of your achievement (it's value is not one of monetary value, but a recognition of what you have accomplished) in fact priceless on a monetary scale. In order to get recognition you have to compete and belong. In order to compete you have to know the other contestants. So the true value is a personal one, and fees just support the venues for the socializing.
The above is totally different than what is being offered by Atlas, what their price of membership covers is allowing you to be first in line to purchase their product, also a cost effective way of doing a survey on whether a new product will be a success or not, helping avoid a mistake of producing an item that would be a failure. There may be other advantages for it's membership that I'm not aware of and stand to be corrected if so.
Ah! Well to each his own, if there is value in belonging then by all means it is worth it. For myself I don't see any advantage.
I joined NMRA this year and that will be enough for me! I did that so I could join the local modular group. To be a member of the modular group you had to be a NMRA member so that was that. Not a bad deal and I don't pay for marketing materials to be sent to me.
Dave
I'll have to agree with J-W on this. I'd rather purchase items I can use on the layout AND - most "regular" cars & engines are limited run too. I'm sure there is a collector's market for the club cars. The HO & N items are a new venture for Atlas.
I have no idea if your typing that list was good or not, but I can understand the reason for belonging to the groups. It's similar to modelers belonging to clubs and going to model rail shows. In order to successfully show your achievements, belonging to a group effort is usually necessary. When winning a competition, the ribbon is a recognition of your achievement (it's value is not one of monetary value, but a recognition of what you have accomplished) in fact priceless on a monetary scale. In order to get recognition you have to compete and belong. In order to compete you have to know the other contestants. So the true value is a personal one, and fees just support the venues for the socializing.
