Anyone bsides me taken the MT Consumer Survey

[davefoxx]

Would you purchase trucks with metal wheelsets if the flanges were big enough to floss your teeth with?

 

Not me.  Those things might take off a finger!  ;D

DFF

[Mr. G]

I just had to go over the the MTL website and put a plug in for a Playboy "Playmate of the Year" series, complete with centerfold illustration.  ;D ;D ;D

I really don't need to know where you inserted a plug. 

When does MTL 2.0 come out?

When the bugs have been worked out of MTL 1.4. 

I took the survey and contemplated suggesting "MT Foobies" as a theme but said California Narrow Gauge instead.  I know it won't happen, but a guy can dream.

[davefoxx]

I followed suit and put "Prototypes" for the theme, although I also threw them a bone and said Star Wars, figuring it would never happen anyway.

Doug, Doug, Doug!  Don't plant the Star Wars seed in MTL's mind.  They'll spend at least six years just offering the characters from the cantina scene in Episode IV.  ;D  I can just see it now, collectors fighting over that limited-edition "Greedo" box car.

DFF

[ednadolski]

4. Are there any “themes” that you’d like to see Micro-Trains use for a series of releases?
- Yes, try "prototype" and "common North American freight cars".

Ed,

You win the "Response of the Week" award for that answer.  Nice!  Take that, MTL!

Dave

Normal ride height, body-mount non-pogo couplers, metal FVM wheels.

If they can't do that, then I want Speed Racer and Gigantor the Space Age Robot (Davey Crockett has already been done, right?). And oh yes, factory weathered by monkeys on a Psyllium Bran and Elderflower diet.


(Just a little fun at MT's expense...) 

[ednadolski]

I can just see it now, collectors fighting over that limited-edition "Greedo" box car.

Cool -- Is that the Special "Greedo Shoots First" Edition?

[Kisatchie]

I took the survey and asked for a 50' waffle side boxcar and a 40' flat. I don't know why... I'm selling cars, not buying.

"Hmm... I'm disappointed
that Kiz didn't ask for a
banana car..."

[GonzoCRFan]

3. What two new body styles would you like to see from Micro-Trains?
"86' Greenville auto parts boxcar, PRR/PC/CR X58 boxcar"

4. Are there any “themes” that you’d like to see Micro-Trains use for a series of releases?
"a 'reality' theme would be a refreshing change of pace..."


5. What length of time is too long for a themed series for you?
- Other "I don't buy any "theme" releases, I want to buy stuff that actually existed"

[Walkercolt]

OK, you guys don't like (and I assume don't buy) "theme" cars. Those make the money for new product development. Did you look at this month's "Micro-News"? They are going to do a "themed" set of Ringling Bros. Circus train. You want Fox Valley wheelsets? Buy 'em. They don't roll as well as delrin-on delrin, and people didn't like the original KAYDEE N-scale metal wheels on delrin axles. YOU design an N-scale coupler that works as well as the MT, without the "slinky" effect that seems to bother so many of you, patent it, and get rich. If people want it, that is. The dreaded "pizza cutters" keep trains on imperfect track, which lots of people have. If you want to be "Proto-160", and set your own standards and pay thru the nose for the stuff you want, then do it. The P:87.1 group has. The P:48 group has. Believe me, for every "negative vote" MT gets, they'll get thousands of "positives". Why am I so sure? I see what sells at the store and at shows.

[John]

So, I assume you have answered the survey then with - everything is fine, don't change a thing.

[Ian MacMillan]

OK, you guys don't like (and I assume don't buy) "theme" cars. Those make the money for new product development. Did you look at this month's "Micro-News"? They are going to do a "themed" set of Ringling Bros. Circus train. You want Fox Valley wheelsets? Buy 'em. They don't roll as well as delrin-on delrin, and people didn't like the original KAYDEE N-scale metal wheels on delrin axles. YOU design an N-scale coupler that works as well as the MT, without the "slinky" effect that seems to bother so many of you, patent it, and get rich. If people want it, that is. The dreaded "pizza cutters" keep trains on imperfect track, which lots of people have. If you want to be "Proto-160", and set your own standards and pay thru the nose for the stuff you want, then do it. The P:87.1 group has. The P:48 group has. Believe me, for every "negative vote" MT gets, they'll get thousands of "positives". Why am I so sure? I see what sells at the store and at shows.

You you obviously missed the point on what a survey is, and that is taking in all opinions from both sides and the middle...Nothing you stated has anything to do with Proto 160 or 87.....BELIEVE ME, as someone who also models in Proto 87, what is being asked by n scalers still doesn't come close to Proto standards nor have the scrutiny that Proto modelers demand. There is a difference between modelers who want better quality and options, than modelers who want true scale perfection.

When someone asks for input on their products, expect to get all demands....even if it is the minority. We all know the fantasy schemes make  MT the money, still doesn't change my opinion that I think money would be best spent else wheres.

[lock4244]

Guilty. I completed the survey and tried to be diplomatic. I said I don't buy the "themed" stuff so I have no opinion, but I did ask for accurate 100ton trucks.

However... had I wanted to be a smart a$$, I would have suggested a "themed" line commemorating earlier MTL "themed" lines. Commemorative car recalling the Popsicle-Pete car anyone?

[Puddington]

I, too, told MTL that the theme stuff was for the birds in my and my wallets opinion; I asked for a HW observation/solarium style and a 2 window steel side caboose.

[Denver Road Doug]

OK, you guys don't like (and I assume don't buy) "theme" cars. Those make the money for new product development. Did you look at this month's "Micro-News"? They are going to do a "themed" set of Ringling Bros. Circus train. You want Fox Valley wheelsets? Buy 'em. They don't roll as well as delrin-on delrin, and people didn't like the original KAYDEE N-scale metal wheels on delrin axles. YOU design an N-scale coupler that works as well as the MT, without the "slinky" effect that seems to bother so many of you, patent it, and get rich. If people want it, that is. The dreaded "pizza cutters" keep trains on imperfect track, which lots of people have. If you want to be "Proto-160", and set your own standards and pay thru the nose for the stuff you want, then do it. The P:87.1 group has. The P:48 group has. Believe me, for every "negative vote" MT gets, they'll get thousands of "positives". Why am I so sure? I see what sells at the store and at shows.

Yes, apparently their current way of doing things is PERFECT.   Why else would you do a survey?

It's nice to see all the MTL apologists...I am fiercely brand loyal in a lot of areas and I appreciate/understand totally.  But in reality there's no reason they need "themes" to be the only way they make the money for new product development.  If they did their homework they would find plenty of actual prototype (or at least somewhat approaching reality) cars that would also make money for new product development.  I think they are so hell bent on creating a collector environment that they are overthinking themselves into this situation.  And that is fine with me...there's enough competition now that not having MTL cars of interest doesn't really phase most of us.  Yes, we still want the couplers but MTL is just sitting on that stuff, not many new developements or attempts to improve their products.  I guess the other somewhat frustrating thing is they keep introducing new tooling and sitting on it, and/or sitting on old tooling like the 89 foot flats.

I'm actually glad to see them trying new things, like Joe's involvement on a couple of forums and now this survey.  Considering more etched metal details is also big.  So I guess they're listening to us "rounding errors" a little bit.

[lock4244]

Too bad they didn't ask if we'd like to see any available body types/paint schemes re-released. I'd like to get some more of those CN open tri-levels. There's a runner pack I'd go for.

[sirenwerks]

OK, you guys don't like (and I assume don't buy) "theme" cars. Those make the money for new product development....

I sometimes think this is a chicken and egg thing. Maybe if they concentrated on make prototype equipment more they might increase (or recapture) market share. I imagine it was one of MT's execs who said the collectors cars make the money, probably was his idea when he swept the floors, which is why it just HAS to succeed. Didn't GM say everyone in the US wanted big, American-made gas guzzling vehicles...? Whatev.