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NEWS AND UPDATES
07/25/21
Upcoming Pre Orders
July 27:
AtlasO Preorders
July 31: Walthers Preorders
August 31: WalthersProto PRR Name Train Preorders
Walthers Updates
From Walthers 07/20/21:
The new WalthersTrack line has proven very popular with
HO modelers! We've
been closely monitoring the ongoing issues with
production and shipping to
keep you and your customers informed on availability.
This has resulted in
unforeseen delays for the new Code 83 #8 Turnouts
(#948-83019 and 83020),
both of which are now expected in December 2021.
Delivery of #4, 5, and 6 turnouts, as well as Code 83
Flex track (all
currently out of stock) is expected in August or
September. Thank you for
your support and patience!
From Walthers 07/23/21:
Thanks for your efforts to make the WalthersProto
1960s Combined Super Chief/El Capitan a complete
success! After delivery of the gray Baggage Car
(#920-9681) included in the Denver Connection (#920-827)
deluxe edition 3-pack, we discovered a minor error with
the packaging. The factory-printed car number, #3817, is
correct, however the end label shows car #3735. While
some of these cars were shipped before this was
discovered, if you've already received yours, no further
action is needed. We're delaying shipment of the
remaining cars here in Milwaukee for new labels, but
they'll be ready to ship shortly. Thanks for your
patience.
New SceneMaster Container Crane
Here's a new HO kit that will appeal to contemporary
model railroaders and vehicle collectors alike! Based on
construction
cranes equipped with lifting equipment to handle
containers, the prototypes are often found at smaller
port facilities, making
them an ideal size for most layouts. Highly detailed
plastic parts molded in four colors and complete
assembly and rigging
instructions make this a fun project and a great
addition to your inventory. In stock for immediate
delivery, order yours today!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE CONTAINER
CRANE
On Going Sale
Last 3 days!
Santa will be returning to the North Pole Tuesday at
9pm for Christmas preparations.
As he does every year he has been holding his big summer sale at
BRH. but time is running out!
Click On The Banner To View The Sale Info!
07/18/21
June Sales
As expected, June sales where down from 2020 when
everyone was home during the lockdowns.
June 2020 vs. 2021 over all sales down a whopping 58%
year to year. The past 90 days BRH has seen new
customers drop by 33% but returning customers are up
20%. Receipt totals are down 26% but average daily
transactions are up 30% and items purchased was up 47%.
This means that people are ordering but the big ticket
items are not there for sale. This is not a BRH issue it
is a manufacturing issue and BRH does not foresee it
getting any better in the short term as we have been
stating in previous News and Updates.
New Office Computer And Telephone Systems
BRH has added a new phone system to the office and
the retail store and a new computers for the office. The
computers still have to have the software added to them
and those upgrades and reinstalls are in process.
Retail Store Inventory
Just the structure kits and rolling stock inventories
still need to be counted! Hopefully in the next two
weeks this will be completed and then the BIG online
retail store inventory reduction sale will begin!
On Going Sale
Santa has arrived from the South Pole on his way
back to the North Pole for Christmas preparations.
As he does every year he holds his big summer sale at
BRH.
Click On The Banner To View The Sale Info!
Upcoming Pre Orders
July 27: AtlasO Preorders
July 31: Walthers Preorders
August 31: WalthersProto PRR Name Train Preorders
Not Many Product Announcements
Right now there are not many product announcements
coming from the manufacturers. Prices continue to go up
so order today to get the best price. Pre order /
advance reservations may be needed so think about a year
ahead for what you want on your layout. The days of just
stopping into the retail or jumping online to get what
you need are long gone now. Please be patient when
ordering and remember this is all Covid 19 related!
07/01/21
Fall Modeling Season
Think ahead about your fall and winter projects for
you model railroad! Product shortages are going to get
worse and with all of the manufacturing and shipping
issues product availability is going to get a little
sketchy as we approach the cooler weather.
So, best to order now what is currently in stock or get
that advance reservations for items that you will not be
able to wait on like track and scenery items.
Order today what you think you will need!
July 4th Schedule
As of this update Blue
Ridge Hobbies will be closed Friday July 2nd through
Monday July 5th.
USPS, Fedex and UPS closed July 5th
Milwaukee and Easton Warehouses closed July 5th
Atlas closed July 2nd through July12th
Upcoming Order Deadlines
Order deadlines approaching soon:
July 15: Broadway Limited Preorders
July 15: Atlas Trainman/AtlasO Preorders
July 27: AtlasO Preorders
July 31: Walthers Preorders
Rapido Trains Announces More New HO and N Models
New HO Scale and N Scale freight cars, and more HO buses
are coming down the rails from Rapido Trains. New HO
Scale
announcements include the USRA Single-Sheathed Wood
Boxcar, available in 6-packs and individually and the
deluxe lighted
version of the 1959-1986 GM New Look-Fishbowl Bus
decorated for Edmonton, Alberta. The USRA Boxcars will
feature over a dozen
road names and cars will have road name-specific doors. In
N Scale the Class B-100-40 Plug-Door Boxcar, notably
used by SP and
Amtrak (express service), has been announced. These cars
are also available in 6-packs and 3-packs, depending on
the scheme. The HO
Scale models were great sellers, so make sure N Scale
modelers know they're coming. The cars are now open for
preorders - make
sure to reserve yours now!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE
RAPIDO PRODUCTS
On Going BRH Sales
Click on the sale logo to access
ALL IN STOCK ITEMS ON SALE!
06/20/21
HAPPY FATHERS DAY
Where's The Product That I Ordered
Some of you have been asking
about your back orders and advance reservations so I
decided to give an update as to the biggest offenders
for taking a long time getting the products you have
ordered to you. Covid aside, here is the list
manufacturers with long long wait times.
Con-Cor (we are no longer taking orders for this
manufacturer)
Atlas
Bowser
Intermountain Railway
Lionel
NJ International
Merten
Accurail
Peco is trying to
catch up and we do not have much on back order right now
however the UK has again extended the Covid shutdown
another 30 days.
Please be patient!
Price Increases Starting To Show Up
As I stated in recent News and Updates, model
railroading prices (along with everything else in the
world today) are going to go up. Case in point, Woodland
Scenics is having a price increase effective 7/1/21. Not
all items are changing, the attached list is just the
items going up in price - most are significant. If you
want to beat the price increase place an order now.
Woodland is not back ordering at the current price so
orders will be fill and kill. Price list is attached
showing both the old and new price as well as the
percentage increase.
Also on Thursday Atlas’ recent notice advising a
temporary shipping container surcharge on
Dealer/Distributor invoicing has been rescinded.
In light of recent Atlas supplier price increases caused
by rising raw material costs, labor, and exchange rates,
as well as the increase in shipping container costs, the
following pricing policy is being established for N, HO
and O track and accessories.
Atlas will increase All Scales Track & Accessory prices
an average of 10%, effective July 2021.
Atlas stated that they will be canceling all distributor
and dealer back orders on track and accessories and
giving only one opportunity to order at current prices
for in-stock products. Atlas reserves the right to
adjust or cancel order quantities based on availability.
All orders must be received by 12:00 noon on Friday,
July 2nd, no exceptions.
Atlas will begin shipping orders as soon as possible.
Once shipments are completed in July, any open track and
accessory orders will be cancelled and new
dealer/distributor orders will need to be placed and
confirmed by Atlas.
BRH has contacted our wholesalers about this Atlas
update and BRH is awaiting a response as to how the
track and accessory cancellations will be handeled. As
of this update Atlas rolling stock, locomotives and
vehicles are not affected to our knowledge.
We are getting price increase notices from many
suppliers, we'll due our best to keep you updated.
Milwaukee Warehouse Power Outage
It seems that over
night Thursday some bad storms rumbled through Milwaukee
that knocked out the power and internet at the warehouse
around 4am according to our sales rep there.
With date, the normal 6am order from BRH customer orders
from 6am Tuesday through 6am Friday could not be
transmitted.
BLI MAP Policy
Update
BRH had several customers email us regarding
the new BLI MAP policy.
Here is what they had to say:
I read your latest newsletter about the MAP and I
agree, BLI is being obstinate and doesn't seem to care.
The sad thing about this is that BLI gets the same
amount regardless of what you sell the product at.
Higher selling prices will simply mean reduced volume
and less money for BLI. That's basic econ 101. As for
wanting to maintain the image of high quality by high
prices, that doesn't work either as you mentioned in
your newsletter.
MAP pricing kills distributors / shops. I see it all the
time with landscaping equipment. Hold your ground and
drop em if need be. Keep up the good work!
Owners and enthusiasts like you, especially with your
great communication on shipping issues and what's going
on in the industry, are what keeps this hobby personal,
and out of the hands of Amazon type retailers.
Thanks to all for the kind comments
Upcoming
Order Deadlines
Preorders due this week - don't miss out!
June 23: Atlas Preorders
June 24: Broadway Limited Preorders
July 15: Broadway Limited Preorders
On Going BRH Sales
Click on the sale logo to access
THANKS FOR THE
SUPPORT! |
