FYI Memo on Unauthorized Internet Selling of Athearn Products

[jsanchez]

Some of the maufacturers are already owned by distributors , Bowser is a distributor, Branchline is owned by a distributor, Con-cor is a distributor, the difference is they are not trying to be greedy or exclusive like Horizon is with Athearn and realize there is more money to be made by using multiple distribution channels and especially Walthers. The amount of model railroading manufacturers carried by Horizon is far less than Walthers so it still makes much more economic sense to be distributed by Walthers than to try and ignore them. I've heard other situations similar to the other James of customizers now having to find other brands to work with, luckily the other companies are more than happy to fill this void.

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

James,Think of this..What will you do when the other manufacturers are bought out by distributors? No,We have not seen the end of buyouts including the buyout of all major brands inlcuding Atlas and Kato USA...Sound far fetch? Don't bet the farm.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: I am so disgusted with how things are turning out, I am about to take that plunge already. Living in Wyoming, Self Sufficiency is the rule for a lot of model railroad items. As everything is almost a special order item.

As long as I can obtain DCC decoders I am good to go. (If I can find plans on how to make my own that supports four digit adressing I can make my own if I have to as well).

Be patient, that is actually coming down the tracks in a few years. The technology to do this alreaady exists!

[BRAKIE]

James,I was thinking of the buyouts of Atlas,Kato(USA),Stewart,Life Like and other non distributor own manufacturers yet to come..Sound far fetch? Don't bet the farm..
Greed? Not likely.It more like streamlining of the hobby.The old ways are giving out to the new business world of mega mergers and buyouts..

[Anonymous]

Hey, SWchief, whenever I click on that link it just locks up my computer. I would like to review the information, but can't get to it from here.

[CBQ_Guy]

I mentioned this the other day to my LHS owner, who is an authorized Horizon dealer, and he hadn't received any letter like that and didn't know what I was talking about.

He may have gotten once since then, though!