loathar I shop Walthers a lot because of their inventory and customer service. I usually only buy things on sale from their monthly flyers. Never had a bad experience dealing with them.
I shop Walthers a lot because of their inventory and customer service. I usually only buy things on sale from their monthly flyers. Never had a bad experience dealing with them.
Second the motion. I especially like the fact that their phone rep can tell you, real time, if an item is in stock. That, all by itself, is worth occasionally paying full MSRP (less the sales tax I don't get charged.)
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with a lot of 'generics' from Walthers)
johngriffey18ca1 I don't discount my work because it's impossible. But that's a long story. The problem is there is a load of overhead. I'm not saying sell it to me for what they bought it for, I'm saying instead of making $70 an engine make make $20 or $30. Look at MB Klein, they sell at a very fair discount and thier business is booming. Ok, they're obviously not the size of walthers but they are doing very well. Walthers had a foot in the door decades ago and MB Klein is fairly small and hasn't been around as long as Walthers and business for them is booming.
I don't discount my work because it's impossible. But that's a long story. The problem is there is a load of overhead. I'm not saying sell it to me for what they bought it for, I'm saying instead of making $70 an engine make make $20 or $30. Look at MB Klein, they sell at a very fair discount and thier business is booming. Ok, they're obviously not the size of walthers but they are doing very well. Walthers had a foot in the door decades ago and MB Klein is fairly small and hasn't been around as long as Walthers and business for them is booming.
rrebell johngriffey18ca1 I don't discount my work because it's impossible. But that's a long story. The problem is there is a load of overhead. I'm not saying sell it to me for what they bought it for, I'm saying instead of making $70 an engine make make $20 or $30. Look at MB Klein, they sell at a very fair discount and thier business is booming. Ok, they're obviously not the size of walthers but they are doing very well. Walthers had a foot in the door decades ago and MB Klein is fairly small and hasn't been around as long as Walthers and business for them is booming. MBKline, 1913, and Walthers 1932! Nuff said
MB Klein 1913 - that's funny, that's when his father started the hardware store, not when he started selling model trains out of it.
Sheldon
Sheldon - in response to your quest for specifics, I would be glad to point out every single questionable statement and figure in this post, but it'll have to wait until I have a day off to go through this whole thread with a fine tooth comb.
My main point in making the earlier post is that some, certainly not all, customers read what is posted on these threads as fact. When they read about the wholesale discounts that we get, and if they take them as factual, then it appears that we are making far more profit than we are.
Granted this has only happened once, but recently a gentlemen from out of state came in my store and mentioned about "100% profits" selling trains. I asked him where he heard that and he said he read it on a forum.
Personally I don't think it is wise to be posting exactly what my discount rates are. Other train shop owners don't appreciate it, distributors don't like it and manufacturers don't want it out in public. It's really no one else's business, in my opinion.
So it's hard to post "specifics" on a thread like this. I just thought it needed to be said that some... not all... of the things mentioned in this thread are at least questionable.
That's probably all I'm going to say. It's Saturday and I'm going to go sell some trains now. Hope everyone has a happy and productive weekend enjoying our hobby!
ATLANTIC CENTRAL rrebell johngriffey18ca1 I don't discount my work because it's impossible. But that's a long story. The problem is there is a load of overhead. I'm not saying sell it to me for what they bought it for, I'm saying instead of making $70 an engine make make $20 or $30. Look at MB Klein, they sell at a very fair discount and thier business is booming. Ok, they're obviously not the size of walthers but they are doing very well. Walthers had a foot in the door decades ago and MB Klein is fairly small and hasn't been around as long as Walthers and business for them is booming. MBKline, 1913, and Walthers 1932! Nuff said MB Klein 1913 - that's funny, that's when his father started the hardware store, not when he started selling model trains out of it. Sheldon
selectorIf Walthers will sell you the single tiny lift ring for $2 plus $6 shipping, can you hope to get the same item delivered when it must be shipped to a distributor first, and then redirected to the LHS, or maybe to you? Not for the initial $2, unless the distributor is working for good will alone.
Well actually, yes. In fact, less.
Example, The latest Walthers flyer I recieved has WS Plaster cloth roll on sale for $6.98. (no reason for that, I just opened the flyer and looked for the first item I recalled the asking price at my LHS) Which actually happens to be what my LHS sells it for all the time last time I checked a couple months ago. Paying Walthers shipping and handling, my out of pocket cost for a roll of Plaster Cloth is $15.93. At my LHS it is, including tax, $7.54. If the cloth was not on sale the selling price would be $8.99 so add $2.01 to Walthers but keep the LHS the same. I can buy 2 rolls at my LHS for the price of 1 from Walthers. Or anywere they charge retail and add shipping. Actually, any online store that charges shipping and handling, and gives up to a 20% off suggested retail, it is cheaper and handier to buy from my LHS. But ONLY because I am luck enough to have a well equiped train hobby shop within about a 20 minute drive.
Now, that is on an in stock item. As I have never had to order something they did not stock, I don't know for sure their policy. However, since they order regularly from Walthers, I don't see why there would be an additional charge.
I'm not knocking Walthers, and I understand why the sell to the public. To pick up the customers that don't have access ro a LHS. And I understand why they don't want to compete with the lions share of their customers, the Hobby shops.
THAT being said. There is a lot to be said for feeling comfortable dealing with a company you trust. If that is worth the extra to you, if knowing that you will have a hastle free experience should your purchase arrive damaged rather than a hastle ofver a cheaper price, or for what ever reason you choose to do business with whatever company......, that's your choice and have at it.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
maxmanHamltnblue Sorry to have bored you with an opinion.
Hamltnblue
Sorry to have bored you with an opinion.
Not bored with your opinion. Just think the thread has run it's course.
Springfield PA
Geared SteamYou support your local LHS, but not your local auto manufacturer?.....
Everyone looking on, and those who have responded, I think it's time to put this one to bed. It has largely all been said, and said nicely. Some of us should re-examine our assumptions, it seems, or at least allow that we may not have it quite figured out the way we had thought. That includes moi-meme (myself, in French).
-Crandell
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