Rapido Trains N Scale Survey

[MetroRedLn]

Rapido Trains wants to hear from N-scalers! Fill out their survey!
Note - it doesn't ask for any specific products, but they want to know our general preferences and tendencies as N scalers:

https://form.jotform.com/23066507464...VV-hnmxv6gCFCM

[el Gato Gordo]

I tried to follow the link, but all I get are blank pages.

[Steve from PA]

I just did it, had no problem

[Bryan]

Came up fine for me.

Found it odd that the question about area that you model (with note “if applicable”) was mandatory even though none of the options applied to me or anyone that doesn’t model North American railroads.

[Heiko]

My nitpick with that survey was the cost questions. See, my "cost limits" for a standard 4-axle diesel are way lower than for an all-the-bells-and-whistles 2-8-8-2 steamer with about three times the number of parts... but then probably Rapido is not thinking of N scale steamers, are they?

Same for a single 40ft boxcar vs. a multi-unit lit passenger car or container loaded well car...

Well, those are minor nitpicks, I do appreciate them asking and hope they'll find some niches like the NSC Centerbeams again,
Heiko

[donzi]

Anytime a hobby manufacturer puts a survey to their customers, it’s a good thing.
I was glad to see it, and happy to fill it out.

[wentzeljr]

Filled it out with no problems. Some of the questions were interesting, wondering what they looking for.

[Spookshow]

Seems to me that a survey with flawed questions is going to yield flawed results.

-Mark

[el Gato Gordo]

First page never came up for me, but I was able to bypass it. Then came the question about geographic area, which naturally did not include Europe. Okay, I understand the focus of this manufacturer is North America. But it is short-sighted to make that question, or any question, a roadblock.

[WP&P]

I got stuck on the question that asked,
"What do you mean, an african or a european swallow?"
and I got flung into the Gorge of Eternal Peril.

No, seriously though, my eyebrow raised a bit when the question of price came up and had $200 as the lowest option. I know they were asking about a sound-equipped locomotive, but still, there are some like me who actually don't want sound-equipped and would appreciate lower cost options that don't try to offer all the literal bells and whistles. It seems like more and more, manufacturers just want to assume the boutique price as a default, and I got the sense that this survey will serve to justify that assumption, since there were no other real options.

[sid]

no surveys fer me nope . you want info read these forum's and you will get much needed info as to what we n scalers want.... me newer equipment at good prices IE cheap but good products . lots of detail.. did i mention cheaper prices . if not cheaper prices the better equipment with so much detail that its worth the price . NO broken gears and replacement parts for everything . QUALITY and QUALITY control top notch for prices paid.. be better that the others best customer service for said product is prob HIGH on everybody's list...

[Allen H.]

me newer equipment at good prices IE cheap but good products . lots of detail.. did i mention cheaper prices

Pick one or the other.
You can't have your cake and eat it to.

[Heiko]

No, seriously though, my eyebrow raised a bit when the question of price came up and had $200 as the lowest option. I know they were asking about a sound-equipped locomotive, but still, there are some like me who actually don't want sound-equipped and would appreciate lower cost options that don't try to offer all the literal bells and whistles. It seems like more and more, manufacturers just want to assume the boutique price as a default, and I got the sense that this survey will serve to justify that assumption, since there were no other real options.

Interesting: Seems like they are showing different questions to different users - I was asked my "reasonable price" for a DC locomotive, but not for a DCC+Sound one, IIRC.

I'll try again later from my work laptop

Heiko

[Allen H.]

Interesting: Seems like they are showing different questions to different users - I was asked my "reasonable price" for a DC locomotive, but not for a DCC+Sound one, IIRC.

I'll try again later from my work laptop

Heiko

You're right.
When I looked at the survey the first time it asked about a reasonable price for a DC loco and the first price stated was $49-$99, now I see that option is gone.
The overall look has changed a bit as well and some of the questions/answers are a bit different.

In my opinion, most surveys are as useless as a screen door on a submarine.
Years ago I made the mistake of buying a Dodge Dakota, it had a lot transmission troubles.
After multiple times of trying to get it fixed (which they never could fix it) I was handed a survey to fill out.
It had no place to explain the issues or voice my opinions, it only had fixed answers that would help give the dealer a 5 star rating.
One question asked if the waiting room was clean?

[Heiko]

...and now it's gone entirely (at least for me...)

Heiko

[badlandnp]

Did it, then went to their page and got an email directing me to their suggestion page. I commented that their survey was only diesel. So, put my two cents in for pre and no USRA Mikes and Pacific's. Got a nice personal email back thanking me for the suggestion, as they hadn't considered that before!

[gamitzu]

IE cheap but good products . lots of detail.. did i mention cheaper prices . if not cheaper prices the better equipment with so much detail that its worth the price

Sound tempting but have to keep in our mind the sky rocketing prices of every thing this days. At least to be reliable and without factory faults out from the box. I want to run a model straight from box, without any needs or repairs, just to enjoy this hobby, without swearing against factory and the last hand which touch the model and put the QC OKAY. I also agree with analog and DCC fitted or not. Its Big B.S. to force modelers to buy DCC&Sound just to be run on analog. Lot of people enjoy just running loco without any sound or DCC control. Not my case, but is not fair for a lot of people, being long time players or just beginners. This time, lot of part of expenses came from maritime transport, as prime materials or as finished product. All costs are reflected in. What is wrong on this survey is lack of space to wrote what i want, what is reflect my opinion about them and products. I want Rapido but i do not want to pay 250$ and after running fault to start to google on web for repairs and ways to make it to run perfect. Till now, for me, only KATO and Scale-Trains deserve 11 stars. Scale-Trains do not make a lot of N scale models, but what they make deserve respect.