Anybody order direct from Walthers?

[Bob Hayes]

Not to sound like a broken record, but I too have ordered from Walther's, but only sale items and only during their free shipping on over $100 orders. Speaking of sale items, if you do the math, you can find some great deals from them. Occasionally, I have found items at 50% or more off MSRP. I usually don't buy anything unless the sale price is greater than 20% off. And delivery has been quick too. I just go through the area I'm interested in, make sure it's in stock, check the price, do the math, add it to the cart and at check out, enter the credit card number and I'm done. They have all the shipping information on file. Never any problems either. LHS is just getting started, so they don't have much I want.

Bob Hayes

[davekelly]

I've ordered a couple of time from Walthers had no problems whatsoever. While, yes, Walthers does charge "list" for the stuff you buy from them, but I believe their reason for doing this is to not undercut the retailers that buy from them. This, I think, is a good outlook as it ensures that there are numerous places to buy from . . . .LHS, mail-order, internet etc. I see Walthers as the place to purchase things that can't be found at the LHS or internet sites. It is interesting that some folks complain that Walthers is out of stock on stuff that is on the internetsites, but perhaps its because the retailer (and others) bought out the stock that Walthers had. I dare say the local Ford dealer will have 2005 models on the lot way after there are none at the plant.

[siberianmo]

I've ordered dozens of times from Walthers and found that as with most things in life, once you figure out the ins and outs things work out fine.

I prefer the phone for ordering, as I've found that the time in processing an order if done over the net or by Email can take much longer. By phone I've rarely had to wait any more than 5 business days for an order to arrive - and most times even sooner. I'm talking about thousands of bucks worth of stuff over a 2 year period.

So, for me - they've been fine. Just prefer to wait it out until they offer the free shipping on orders over $100 - that's a real plus.

[Anonymous]

[^]My usual shopping trip starts with an MR inspiratation,article,web pix,something to start the wheels.Next,grab the big book,lastest MR and shop a source on the web.Forthe need help,show and tell items its to my local shop for input,and purchase,even with the wait for deliverry.While I wait,prep site,do a rough in etc. When that is done usually the shop has my stuuf.From Walthers I 0rder B/O stuff from such as IHS etc.Never a problem with Walter's service or sales But I"m an ole fence leaner ,hands on and my local shop encourages'theis sort of hands on help and desire to help.This has no value,so thanks Roy's in Mesa,az.

[BigOzzy86]

My LHS lets me in on their 10% discount as well.... so it pays to keep the LHS in business. I.E. a $100 engine on your own plus shipping equals maybe $107.... With the LHS only $90.. and no shipping fee.

[Anonymous]

Like most of the others here I have used them to get things that my LHS's might not have. I shop local hobby shops in my area first, check prices, figure convenience, etc... Never had any problems to date...

[k9wrangler]

I was told by Standard Hobby that they could beat Walthers prices, might be worth a call to them on the sale items. They chg about
$9 shipping on most orders.

While I have shopped with Standard, I never have tried to see so how they are on the sale items.

[Anonymous]

I use them for small items like detail parts.I like Precision scale and alot of hobby shops dont stock it.They made a mistake on an order and promply sent me the correct part free of charge.First rate outfit.Dan

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jshrade

I was looking at the current sale items, and I found one that sparked my interest this morning, so I placed my first order with Walthers. The price with shipping, was roughly the same as list price, which is what my LHS would have charged me, and I'd have to wait until the LHS had enough orders together to place one big order from Walthers, so with my LHS it could take up to 6 weeks to get anything. The kit I wanted is listed as 'in stock' on the Walther's site, the sale price is right (for me) and I haven't found it in stock anywhere else, so i went for it!

Anybody ever have any experience buying direct from Walthers, good or bad? Just looking for feedback so I'll know if my order will be shipped in a timely manner, or if I'm in for a headache waiting for it.

Thanks!

Jeremy

Jeremy I recently bought a large order from Walthers just this last month (July 2005)to take advantage of the sale also. I got my order through the mail in only 3 days, all was in order, it was well packaged and shipped and done promptly and Walthers had an online tracking resource that let me watch when and where my order was etc.. I would give Walther a 100% and will be using them for direct orders in the future.

Peace.

Coyote

[hd8091]

I have had good luck with Walthers , however their shipping charges leave much to be desired. My last order was about $125. and they charged me S12.50 shipping for items that probabily weighted only two # . They didn't even send it Priority Mail, their flat rate mailers are only $8.00 anywhere in the US and the order would have easily fit in one of their free boxes. I am a little cheesed off at them as it took over a week to get my stuff.
tom

[Anonymous]

I too have ordered from them a few times, always making sure the item was in stock first. I always received my items within a week, and I like their shipment tracking feature.

But, like Yoshi and others, I only order from Walthers as a "last resort", when I can't find the item at my LHS.

[SilverSpike]

I have ordered from Walthers many times and have never had any major issues. My last order took about a week for delivery, but at the basic USPS rate I guess this was fine. I usually check their web site first for in stock items and only order those that are currently available, as they do seem to have a lot of out of stock items. You just have to be careful to check what is in stock first if you want it soon.

[dtbowyer]

I've ordered from them before also, and have had no problems. I don't care for their search engine, though.

David

[Anonymous]

I never had a problem either, but before I had computer, some stuff I ordered was out of stock, but they always sent refund check back with order, now I prefer LHS, they give 10% discount and pay shipping. Shipping prices are way to high, especially on small detail parts that come in an envelope.

[Noah Hofrichter]

I've ordered from them before, and they service was quite good. I usually get my stuff through the hobby shop though, as they will honor the sale price, and they don't charge shipping.

Noah

[Anonymous]

I too have ordered items directly from Walthers with no problems, but only items that I could find nowhere else as they rarely offer any discounts other than closeout items. It does get you on their mailing list for a monthly catalog os newly arrived and sale items.

Bob DeWoody

[Anonymous]

My dad just ordered something from them, so we'll see how that goes.

I have had what I consider the priveledge of shopping in their "retail" store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I went there just for the experience, as for the most part, I can get their stuff cheaper from my LHS (20% or better discount) than direct from Walthers. Basically, they have a small amount of actual product on display (mostly sale items), maybe 4 or 5 rows of stuff... Then they have a large bank of PC's, when you can browse their website, write down what you want, and take it to the counter. The person at the counter disappears for a few minutes and comes back with all of your stuff.... Pretty sweet.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GrayLoess

I've ordered from them several times as well, and never a single problem.

Jeremy et al [:)]

I have ordered from them. As far as prices, shipping, and time to receive the order I have had no problems with them. My only complaint lies in the fact that my Frisco GP-15 has BLACK handrails. [:0] [B)] [8] This is extremely inaccurate.

[Adelie]

I've also ordered from them a few times, with no complaints. I order from them when I'm looking for something the LHS does not carry and I can not find it elsewhere. Prices are no great shakes, even on sale, but I'm sure they do not want to be seen as competing with the LHS, since it is their customer too.

[Anonymous]

I've ordered from them several times as well, and never a single problem.

[railroadyoshi]

From what ive heard, the prices are outrageous
i order from the LHS to take advantage of a 10% discount
im trying to support the dying breed of hobby shops, so thats why i havent taken a serious look at trainworld etc up till now

[Pruitt]

I've bought direct from them several times. Surprisingly, the local hobby shops around Cherry Hill, NJ (near where I live) have something of a dearth of HO supplies, this area being real big into tinplate. So I often buy directly from Walthers.

They're generally good to work with, but once you place an order, it cannot be altered. If it hasn't shipped yet it can be cancelled though, and you can re-order. Walthers is apparently very automated.

[Anonymous]

I was looking at the current sale items, and I found one that sparked my interest this morning, so I placed my first order with Walthers. The price with shipping, was roughly the same as list price, which is what my LHS would have charged me, and I'd have to wait until the LHS had enough orders together to place one big order from Walthers, so with my LHS it could take up to 6 weeks to get anything. The kit I wanted is listed as 'in stock' on the Walther's site, the sale price is right (for me) and I haven't found it in stock anywhere else, so i went for it!

Anybody ever have any experience buying direct from Walthers, good or bad? Just looking for feedback so I'll know if my order will be shipped in a timely manner, or if I'm in for a headache waiting for it.

Thanks!

Jeremy