WAITING FOR THE TRAIN

[HONDO74]

On TV, they showed stores full of merchandise, but everything is "out of stock".

How do you show a store full of merchandise with nothing in it.

[Roy]

On TV, they showed stores full of merchandise, but everything is "out of stock".

How do you show a store full of merchandise with nothing in it.

I can't remember the name of the show I saw. The store was full of display samples, with prices listed, but when the show host asked to buy items, they were invariably told "it's out of stock". And, they wouldn't sell the display sample. Apparently, the North Koreans just hope to eyewash and bamboozle Westerners, most of whom aren't aware that the store is a sham.

[robert.]

BEST was a store that worked that way. One of each item was on their showroom floor. You would take a ticket from an item. Then go pay for. A few minutes later someone would bring out you item. Many customers were told at the register. " we don't have that item"

Retail concept
Best employed the "catalog showroom" concept for many of its product offerings. Although some product categories (such as sporting goods and toys) were stocked in traditional self-serve aisles, the majority of products (notably consumer electronics, housewares, and appliances) were featured as unboxed display models. Customers were permitted to examine and experiment with these models, and if found to be desirable, they could be purchased by submitting orders to store personnel. Saleable versions of the merchandise (typically boxed and/or in its original packaging) would then be retrieved from storage and delivered to a customer service area for subsequent purchase

[Roy]

BEST was a store that worked that way.

I remember Best, and the others which followed. The Downtown Disney Store, just outside the park, still operates like that. I've bought a couple of Disneyland monorail sets that way.

[E7]

Add another: Jewelcor

Items were on display, then the customer went to the counter to order what they wanted. Sort of a PITA if it ended up your item was out of stock, as you wasted a lot of time.

[Roy]

That must've been before the widespread use of computers in individual stores. These days, store workers carry handheld devices which can tell if that store has stock on any item.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

These days, store workers carry handheld devices which can tell if that store has stock on any item.

And they still get it wrong.......last trip to Floor and Decor to get flooring to match up a room with the other rooms, "It's in stock, but I can't find it... but the next store 2 hours away has it......" So I'm going to drive to their other store to get told again, "It's in stock, but I can't find it..."?

You can have computers and handheld devices, and there's nothing like having humans involved if really want to totally screw up and lose customers.

[Roy]

The Disneyland Mark VII monorail set I got at the Disney Store. These are battery operated and radio controlled:



All the units are a bit shorter than scale. There are three real trains: red, blue and orange. More playset info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjJqTzyLuho

[MurphOnMillerAve]

I can't make up my mind which is more interesting, the model train or the beautiful tabletop.

[Mitch]

Yeah! That table top is a beauty.

Roy, how much rail came with that set, and was there an opportunity to purchase more? And, not to be nosy, just inquisitive, what's a set like that go for?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

what's a set like that go for?

Walmart had the one version for $299

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Monorail-Tra ... OsQAvD_BwE

[Roy]

Roy, how much rail came with that set, and was there an opportunity to purchase more? And, not to be nosy, just inquisitive, what's a set like that go for?

Mitch, and all, the photo I posted just came off the web. It may actually be a similar diecast set which is just a static model. I don't have the display base, or the table.

Below the photo is a video link, which shows a set like mine. It comes with an oval of track, and you can buy more track. I bought the Mark VII monorail red, which was the first MVII version issued. It's radio controlled, just like the one in the video, and cost $80 plus tax, a few years ago.

[Roy]

what's a set like that go for?

Walmart had the one version for $299

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Monorail-Tra ... OsQAvD_BwE

Rufus, that's the Walt Disney World version, with the "Lear jet" nose. It's also not radio controlled. You should be able to score one of those for less than $300.

[Roy]

Here's a layout with the Schuco Disneyland-Alweg monorail, which was made in the 1960's:



They are models of the Bob Gurr-designed Mark I monorails, and were track powered.

[robert.]

Walmart.com. Is a platform for other vendors. Anybody can sign up and sell there. My point is a lot of items may have never been sold by walmart on their site.