Got a BLI "wish book" in the mail today. Much "wHolly Oversized", and two pages of PA's and E-7's in N scale equipted with sound. No N-scale steam or anything else. With "Discount Trains" sawing off the legs of "normal" dealers, I don't see them being a "player" in any scale, myself. You can't kill e-tailers and LHS with those "close-out" deals and expect many repeat purchasers. My take on the whole deal: If BLI has something you want, wait 'til Discount Trains has a "fire sale" on them. BTW, Athearn/Horizon has cut pricing on some FP-45's a bit. Talk to your favorite "pusher" on what they can do. It's not much, and all I see is ATSF unit #100 in Warbonnet Red. Might bring down the selling price $3-5, if he's placing a big order anyway. Ask polietly and don't be upset with him if he can't do anything. I'll cut thru some BS here. If you buy $X worth of stuff, you pay the freight. If you buy $Y worth, Horizon pays the freight, and you can sell stuff a bit cheaper. If you buy $Z worth, you get an extra % off some items, and you can sell it a tiny bit cheaper still. (Costco and Sam's Club do this in a huge way). Now you know the "secrets" of retail sales.
