General > General Discussion
Sound Familiar?
Alan:
--- Quote ---Jeff is spot on accurate with this:
I believe that Ring Engineering would do well, for themselves and the community, to put forth some sort of "continuity of business/prototcol" (sic) case to insure that if Ring Engineering goes away, a continued supply of RailPro compatible products will continue to be available. That could ease the tensions created by the single supplier argument.
--- End quote ---
Yes and No. A statement may pacify some people and that would be good. However, a statement is nothing more than a statement. It is not a money back guarantee. So, it is really only a feel good thing. But if it leads to more RP sales....
While it is prudent to evaluate pros and cons, I believe the single supplier issue is way overblown. Many, many things people buy are single supplier or proprietary yet they don't factor it into their buying decision and they don't lay awake at night worrying about it. Do you not buy a Maytag washing machine because you can't be sure Maytag will stay in business? (just an example to make a point, I know on the inside washing machines are fairly generic)
Let's say for a moment Ring did go away. What is the worst that can happen? You would have to buy a DCC Command System when you purchase your first DCC decoder. All along you can keep using your RP stuff and convert it to DCC at your leisure. Doesn't sound like a crisis to me.
TwinStar:
Alan,
You are correct but I can understand the sentiment. Maytag isn't going to go out of business with the death or retirement of its CEO or a board member. Ring may. As so many small businesses in this hobby close the doors with a death or retirement it is understandable to either look for longevity or to buy everything you might ever need while it's available. Details Associates parts come to mind.
Truthfully, many of the posters concerned about Ring going out of business will probably succumb to Father Time long before Ring shuts its doors. If it is a financial success I'd have to think another vendor would purchase the assets and continue the line. It'd be nice if Walthers would just buy every going out of business shop and continue the product lines. One can hope.
I think Tim and I are around the same age, 41, and I'm not at all concerned about outliving RailPro. If Ring does go out of business tomorrow then I call dibs on all of Bill's stock!
Alan:
Yeah Jacob, you are right. A one-man operation does raise the risk level. I suppose it boils down to an individual's risk tolerance - stocks vs money markets. Unlike a financial crash, I don't see changing out a control system as a major life event. Some may.
MustDecide:
I visit this website/user group forum very often to see what is new and see what is happening in the RailPro world. But this recent talk of Ring Engineering and going out of business really bothers me just as I was about to place my order. Now I need to wait again. Why did this subject seem to surface out of nowhere or is that part of the big surprise we are waiting to hear? I did not see the post on MRH.
darryl.trains:
Even "IF" RP went out of business and hopefully it doesn't, mean the product will not be useable for a long time as it is presently. I remember having Keller Engineering products, 1992, still working long after he closed shop and then when I decided to sell my goodies, there were many folks willing to pay good money for hoard. I suggest having fun with RP and forget about what might happen much later down the track, pun intended ! Cheers, salute or your salutations... TOF in Arid-Zona
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