Prices in Walthers Sale mailer???

[Anonymous]

According to the Walthers circular/mailer, they have a list of LHS's that participate in the same sale. Have any of you had a hobby shop honor those prices? I thought I would do my part and support a somewhat local hobby shop, save a little on some things, and buy some at list, rather than save a bunch and shop online. The Walthers ad says their HO 90' manual turntable is on sale for 32.98. I went to Merri-Seven trains in Livonia, Mi, and was charged $40. On top of that, they have a wall of Athearn BB kits, many in th $9-11 price range. Is this common with your findings? Are hobby shops really selling for list and ignoring advertised sales? Do Athearn kits normally go that high? I am still in shock.

[AntonioFP45]

See my post in WALTHER'S BUDD CAR EVALUTATION.

So far the Happy Hobo Trains owner, Kevin Ptylak enthusiastically supports the decent discounts as it is helpful to his business. Seems like these incentives are designed to attract customers to hobby shops and give internet Discount Train sellers real competition.

Myself for example:
I bought two Walther's passenger cars off of EBay not too long ago. Even with Shipping & Handling I saved money off the regular Walther's price. Now with the latest prices listed in the Walther's Flyer I'll be buying my next 3 cars from Happy Hobo instead. Hence, the increase in customer sales and an opportunity to support your local hobby shop. Win-Win!.

IMHO, if a dealer that sells Walthers products and does not participate in the program then he or she loses with me.

[dknelson]

I'd talk to Walthers if a dealer they list as participating does not participate. I deal direct with their retail outlet but my experience is they really intend for this to be a LHS promotion. If that dealer is getting some kind of price break from Walthers but then charging regular price to the customer I think Walthers would be irked.
Dave Nelson

[3railguy]

Was your hobby shop on the list? This is how it works I think. A manufacturer (or supplier) finds they have an overstock so they decide to blow it out. They contact all the hobby shops and offer package deals on it all. If the hobby shop buys into it, they become part of the program. Next, the advertising begins. I doubt the supplier offers credit to shops that bought stock before the blowout packages are offered.

[Anonymous]

My hobby shop is on the list. I e-mailed Walthers customer service and informed them of my experience. I don't expect to visit the hobby shop again. I will revert to online shopping as I get the most from my dollar. If my LHS is going to do whatever is necessary to drive away business, I will go away. Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me!!

[Noah Hofrichter]

The hoby shop I went to, now closed though, was part of the Walthers shop list, and when I wanted to order something from them out of the catolague, they had it in stock and gave it to me for the catolauge price. I think you just have to mention the sale price to them.

Noah

[dknelson]

Noah has a nice website. Check it out.
Dave Nelson

[Jetrock]

Of the two hobby shops I visit, one tends to have the Walthers mailer and definitely honors their prices--although they normally sell items for less than the Walthers catalog price. At the other one, I haven't asked but don't see the mailer there.