I have noticed that some items Walthers marks as "discontinued when sold out" later have that note removed.
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-Kevin
Living the dream.
I have purchased Plano products from a number of different suppliers in the past and direct from Plano, Plano charges a very realistic shipping and handling rate, so I usually buy from him direct, and he is a great modeler to give us these parts.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Just to close the loop on this, I have learned that the discontinued when sold out message for Plano stuff on the Walthers website catalog is part of a larger rethinking on their part of what their role and focus should be as a distributor. A number of other specialized/low demand/low volume lines or types of products are being phased out and you will be seeing more of the "discontinued when sold out" phrase from Walthers.
The explanation given to me is that in common with many hobby shops their business model is no longer consistent with having an item sit in inventory for years hoping/waiting for the particular modeler somewhere who wants it. Stated another way, as a distributor to hobby shops they were finding themselves with more and more stuff that seemingly hobby shops were not ordering any longer in any quantity.
Dave Nelson
I guess we shouldn't confuse a retailer's statement of "discontinued when sold out" with a manufacturer's "discontinued when sold out".
I have only purchased and worked with one of their products. I used their walkway kit when I upgraded an Athearn Blue Box covered hopper. I bought the kit at last year's St Louis RPM after talking with Keith and he made sure all of my questions were answered and I got the right parts. I am more than satisfied with his products and plan on purhasing more.
I plan on attending the St Louis RPM in July, if I remember, I'll ask him about the Walther's statement (not that it matters).
Terry
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
jasperofzealAs far as I'm aware of, Plano is still in business.
Yes he is. I just received an email from Keith Hapes, at Plano, he is, in deed still going, with about 20 or more new projects in the works.
He stated that about 95% of the products you see on the Plano web site:
http://www.planomodelproducts.com/
are in stock.
He's not sure what's up with the Walthers thing, and why, but it doesn't matter to him.
Mike.
My You Tube
As far as I'm aware of, Plano is still in business. I just placed an order this past weekend and received it yesterday. All the parts I ordered arrived and I'll probably do another order from them soon.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
I just sent Keith (Plano) an email. We'll see what I get back.
The Plano firm has long made metal detail parts in HO and N for freight cars, locomotives, and trucks. That includes a large number of after-market parts for specific brands of cars and locomotives.
In searching Walthers' online catalog I noticed that all Plano products are listed as "discontinued when sold out" (nonetheless most seem to be in stock at this time). The Plano website is still up although not updated in a few years.
I do not know if this development merely means Plano and Walthers have parted company, which happens, or if Plano is no longer shipping, which would be a shame as they have some really distinctive stuff not otherwise available.
Either way if you have a detailing project being planned that calls for Plano detail parts (as I did - coupler "cut bars"), sooner might be better than later when it comes to gathering your parts supply. I'm heading over to Walthers as soon as lunch is over.