Johnangler Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 I would love to know what the discussions were over Member' Club for 2022.Last year membership was £30 and for that we got 4 magazines, a badge, a card and lanyard and the free engine; they then added on 10% discount in the period leading up to Christmas (annoyingly just after I had ordered something!).Now the free loco has become a low cost model only and the 10% discount has been added as standard. It seems to me that the overall value is significantly dimished unless you are planning to buy at least £160 worth of goods from Hornby (which I am unlikely to do this year). The most significant thing the £30 membership gets you is four magazines at an equivalent value of £7.50 per issue -because the card is a standard membership items in most clubs - and, unless you collect badges do you really want one, and who needs a new lanyard each year?I know that the 0-4-0 models are not to everyone's taste, and personally I'm not in need of another one, however I have always thought that the club membership was good value but if you rejoin this year the comparative price of membership has increased by over 50% so good value is no longer a description that I would apply.It raises the question: do Hornby think that the club is something to be phased out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Club membership fee has always equated roughly to the retail price of the ‘free’ loco. The rest is thrown in, likely funded by the profit on the freebie.Compare Hornby, Airfix and Scalextric club fees versus the retail value of the free gift.ROW membership fees simply add on the P&P amounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McTrain Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 I agree Johnangler. Doesn’t seem much value for £30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 With the 'free' loco the membership cost was only just worth it. Now that the loco has been dropped I think that is no longer the case. Plus there are only so many Railroad 0-4-0s most people would want. As I've mentioned in another thread, the 10% discount isn't a draw either, (not for me anyway) as most retailers' prices equate to similar. Maybe some find the magazines worth £7.50 each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Going Spare Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 A point I don't think has been made yet is that, although not free, there is a Club 0-4-0 loco on the website - R30202 - that is priced at only £17.99 as a 'Hornby Club Exclusive'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Yes, that's the one that used to be 'free'. So if you want it, Club membership has effectively gone up to £47.99, or possibly more if you have to pay for delivery on top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnangler Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 A point I don't think has been made yet is that, although not free, there is a Club 0-4-0 loco on the website - R30202 - that is priced at only £17.99 as a 'Hornby Club Exclusive'. I did refer to that in my initial post, referring to it as "a low cost model"and making the point that this effectively increases the equivalent cost of membership by over 50 percent. Suggests to me that Hornby aren't too interested in maintaining the club as membership is likely to fall. The extra benefits of membership that I didn't mention are the free entry to the Hornby Museum and reduced price tickets to the Greta British Model Railway Exhibition but I don't think they redress the balance of reduced value for money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulleidboy Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 While I can understand that the Club may not be as good value for some members as it was in the past. If you buy your loco's from Hornby, as a Club member, the 10% discount is worth having. I know the same discount can be had from other retailers, but you do also get free postage (over £50), and you are guaranteed to get the loco - which under the current Hornby supply rules to some retailers, you may not. Also price has always been honoured as at time of order. So, personally, I think the cost of Club membership is worth it - I have already saved this years membership cost on the savings made from orders over the last couple of days. I cannot see the "End of the Line" for the Members Club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnangler Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 Bulleidboy you may be right for committed Hornby Buyers. It will be interesting to see what happens. I don't wish to see the demise of the club but I am puzzled by the overall balance of changes and value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olly Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 I'm sure you do get a free loco with your membership for 2022? it's a red 040 R30202 to celebrate 75 years of Hornby/Tri-ang.Maybe worth checking with Hornby First Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 I'm sure you do get a free loco with your membership for 2022? I am not convinced you do. It is not listed in the Club benefits. 🚂 Don't miss your train! (hornby.com) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 In fact if you scroll down that page RDS has given the link to you will see the club loco ROW exclusive at a reduced price . . .https://uk.hornby.com/products/hornby-row-collector-club-0-4-0-loco-club-exclusive-bundlehclub1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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