More Lightships?

I can't help but wonder if some of the troubles Harbour Lights has had selling Anchor Bay is because of the diversification of the line, away from lightships and more towards pleasure craft, tugs, fishing boats etc. I like tha new Coast Gaurd boats, and will probably buy the new cutter. But as far as the rest of the line, I have only bought the lightships, as they are "floating lighthouses" I have to think if Harbour Lights stuck more to lightships and Coast Gaurd ships, this line would see a revival.

The Coast Gaurd ships should sell well to even the general public, as there should be a wider market here. But it seems every dealer I go to has a Tug, Sardine and Pleasure boat, and the dealers are grumbling about them, and many say they are dumpinng the line.

Am I way off base here? Anybody have any thoughts?

Mike

P.S. I'm one of those that will miss the display case, and would pay more to get it, but thats a topic for another post.

I have from the begining felt that HL should have stayed with lighthouse related items light ships and CG vessels.Second I believe they should have the cases available but as a separate entity so people that wanted the cases could buy them but not have to.Bill O'Brien

If HL sticks with replicas of well known vessels, the AB line should prosper. USCG boats are a good choice since many current and "ex" Coasties would buy them beside a regular HL collector. I'm still hoping we'll see a Nantucket Lightship forthcoming from HL.

Bob

Anchor Bay pieces just plain don't sell in this area of Michigan no matter what the piece. All of the local dealers still have the lightships available and only one dealer still has them for full price. Most dealers have them selling for 50% off.

Personally, I feel it is not so much what style of vessel is created (although the USCG vessels seem to have a great response), but rather the price. $170.00 is a lot for people to shell out for one piece. Maybe by eliminating the display case, prices can be lowered increasing sales. Time will tell.

Just a theory....

-Todd

[This message has been edited by Todd Shorkey (edited 06-04-2001).]

Maybe future AB's should offer the display case as an option. It would be tough to display an AB without some kind of protection against dust, pollen, etc. The boats wouldn't be as easy to clean at the lighthouses.

You are absolutely right, Todd. $170 a "pop" can be tough to swallow especially when you can buy at least two lighthouses for the price of one AB.

Bob

I agree Todd and Bob. I guess now that I think of it, I got both of my lightships at 50% off, so true price does have a lot to do with it. And as far as the cases go, I like the fact that I can display them outside of my cabinets, to save room for lighthouses. I,to,would like to see the display case made available at least as an option.

Mike

Note that this new model w/o case is the same price as that of the last one with case ($125). The one previous to that was a lightship for $170.

So if the case were included with this new piece it would apparently be back in the $170 range. At those prices HL probably figured that their market for this new boat would be pretty slim.

The glass cases are classy, much nicer than the plastic jobs you can find. It would have been nice to have them as an optional purchase for those who wanted them.

Maybe they are testing the waters, so to speak, to see how this new offering does?

I'll probably get the 110', but would rather have seen a historic CG vessel such as the Mackinaw or Storis or Campbell or Eagle (would pay more for Eagle).

Rich

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Scratch most of my last post here as I was wrong on the price, sorry.
http://www.lighthousekeepers.com/forums/Forum20/HTML/000046.html

Is $75 the real retail price without the case? That AB should sell out quickly. Now that's a good deal!

Bob

My Dad went with me to the show and Regional, and immidiatly fell in love with the new Cutter. Our dealer is no longer an autoship for AB, but will order one for him. Thats one more sold to someone that wasn't interested in AB's before.

Mike