What I found interesting is that at the Wal-Mart site, the decoders are listed under Toys. That shows you what they are. IMHO when you shop W-M or Amazon or any online service, be very careful. I tried buying a PC on Amazon. Listed as new and when received, was used. I must say Amazon was great about it. I shipped the PC back to Amazon and they refunded my money. So it's caveat emptor.
[quote user="Doughless"]
hobo9941 Most likely Walmart allows the item to be advertised on their site and takes a commission. Allows them to get into the model railroad electronics business with zero investment.
Most likely Walmart allows the item to be advertised on their site and takes a commission. Allows them to get into the model railroad electronics business with zero investment.
Just like Amazon. Just like any retailer really. Its not much different than the old Sears catalogue of the early 20th Century.
Amazon, Walmart, and Sears don't make anything. They are simply a hub by which customers can get a look-see at products, then order them.
Sears had a catalogue. Amazon and Walmart have websites. Not much difference really.
[/quote
Many, many, moons ago when I took marketing I think they called it "drop shipping. The store are catalog company never acually touched the product. It was shipped direct from the manufacture. Just a variation.
Cheers
Lee
- Douglas
NWP SWP I despise Walmart for that reason you look at their website and you not only see stuff they sell but what others sell through them, much in the fashion of Amazon or eBay...
I despise Walmart for that reason you look at their website and you not only see stuff they sell but what others sell through them, much in the fashion of Amazon or eBay...
Why do you despise it like it is a bad thing when in actuality it gives buyers more options and if they combine resources and can offer us products for less... common sense.
Of course look at your total cost and compare. Go with the cheapest, and Bob's your uncle.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Walmart has been trying to aggressively "grow" their online presence. As others have mentioned they're using their site to allow other sellers to access their huge network.
A few weeks ago I bought a teapot from Amazon. The seller was some obscure name "Marketing Plus" or something like that. When the teapot arrived it had a Bentonville, Arkansas return address and the box inside was from Walmart.
Maybe a year ago I was looking for an out-of-production Broadway Limited steam locomotive. I found one on Ebay sold by Trainz.
I decided to Google the SKU number and "Trainz" and found the very same engine was being sold through Amazon, Ebay, Etsy and one other, maybe New Egg or Shopify.
The whole business is called E-Commerce multi-channel listing. There are dozens of services offering to set this up for sellers, for a fee.
I bought the Broadway locomotive through Amazon for $20 less than Ebay and included free Prime shipping. Sometimes, Amazon listings of certain items from independent sellers have ridiculous prices. I think these are phishers.
Doing a little Googling can pay off.
Good Luck, Ed
Right, any vendor can sell things on Walmart’s website. It just like any vendor can sell on Amazon or eBay. If a business model works why not copy it? Almost all successful businesses are copies of other successful businesses. If your local hobby store wants to stay in business they need to follow the trend. And the new trend is not having your own website but instead selling on popular websites.
All major online retailers do this, they allow smalelr sellers to piggyback on their system. Amazo has done this almost from the time they stopped being JUST a book store, Newegg does it as well for computers and home electronics. No surprise Walmart is doing it as well. At least on Newegg there is an option when searching to restrict to only the items they themselves have, because they don't seem to do much to vet their partner sellers. Amazon is pretty strict but even then they can lapse - like the hard drive I got that was shipped in a box with NO padding at all, bare drive in an anto-static baggie. As expected, it was DOA. Return was no problem, however I specifically called out the packaging as the fault. Stressed this repeatidly witht he customer service rep. They sent out a replacement, even before I sent the bad one back, very good service. But the replacement came packaged (if you can call it that) the very same way. Luckily this one worked, but I'm still not sure I trust it.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Not a big deal. Just a sign of the times.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
richg1998 How about posting the link? Well I just did a Google search for walmart dcc decoders and they are out there. I did not compare brands prices. Rich
How about posting the link?
Well I just did a Google search for walmart dcc decoders and they are out there. I did not compare brands prices.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Train-Control-Systems-1422-T1-KA-Decoder/131091362
Take Care!
Frank
CNR378 Appear to be shipped and sold by other companies. As an example on a mrc decoder it says: Sold & shipped by Trainz Peter
Appear to be shipped and sold by other companies.
As an example on a mrc decoder it says: Sold & shipped by Trainz
Peter
I just saw the same. Kind of like Amazon.
Google Trainz.
They are definitly a DCC supplier. They joined up with Walmart
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
I was looking for decoders today and did a Google search and low and behold a link to Walmart popped up. I clicked on it and they do sell name brand decoders and a lot had free shipping.