HaroldA I am coming in late on this discussion so I read the first and last page of posts. It's interesting how our discussions manage to take turns from the original topic posed by the OP - and I am not complaining - just making an observation.
I am coming in late on this discussion so I read the first and last page of posts. It's interesting how our discussions manage to take turns from the original topic posed by the OP - and I am not complaining - just making an observation.
I am reposting because half of what I wrote didn't get on the forum....
Anyway, what I continued to say was - returning to the original topic - I only order from places that actually have the inventory and then only after I call. The only places I trust on line inventory numbers are Amazon - who doesn't carry RR material - and MB Klein. Speaking of Amazon, I think if they ever got into the model RR business I believe they would give Walthers a run for their money.
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
BRAKIE dti406My LHS owner told me to order direct, and has no problems with that. He does not have an account at Bowser although he does at a lot of other suppliers. He has always done a good job in getting me the parts and stuff I need. ------------------------------------------- Walthers carries Bowser and Cal Scale..Couldn't he just add the needed items on his next Walthers order? Now for the record if that was my shop I would have a account with Bowser since they're a major player.
dti406My LHS owner told me to order direct, and has no problems with that. He does not have an account at Bowser although he does at a lot of other suppliers. He has always done a good job in getting me the parts and stuff I need.
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Walthers carries Bowser and Cal Scale..Couldn't he just add the needed items on his next Walthers order?
Now for the record if that was my shop I would have a account with Bowser since they're a major player.
Larry,
Respectfully you need to go back to the beginning of the thread. That was the whole problem, Walthers told the LHS they could not get the items from Bowser - but Bowser DOES have them in stock.
And I agree with you, who runs a model train store today and does not have an account with Bowser? I don't get that one bit?
Sheldon
Walthers I hope you are listening.
A few posts ago I said that if Amazon ever got into the model RR business they would give Walthers a run for their money. To illustrate this, I am an Amazon Prime customer mainly because I own a Kindle. That said, Amazon's inventory is, for me, always accurate and when I order anything from them it is on my doorstep 2 days later - no exceptions - and always at a lower price than I can find it anywhere else. When I have had a question or problem, which is very rare, they are very responsive and always resolve it in my favor. So, if I can purchase anything I will always do so from Amazon.
That said, much of what you all have written about are really customer service issues. There are many mail order companies that can take a lesson from them and, frankly, based on what some of you have said, Walthers needs to listen.
HaroldA Walthers I hope you are listening. A few posts ago I said that if Amazon ever got into the model RR business they would give Walthers a run for their money. To illustrate this, I am an Amazon Prime customer mainly because I own a Kindle. That said, Amazon's inventory is, for me, always accurate and when I order anything from them it is on my doorstep 2 days later - no exceptions - and always at a lower price than I can find it anywhere else. When I have had a question or problem, which is very rare, they are very responsive and always resolve it in my favor. So, if I can purchase anything I will always do so from Amazon. That said, much of what you all have written about are really customer service issues. There are many mail order companies that can take a lesson from them and, frankly, based on what some of you have said, Walthers needs to listen.
You need to check Amazon out, they sell trains. It's under toys and games, search for whatever you want. I won't say it's all there, but there is a bunch.
Enjoy
Paul
IRONROOSTERYou need to check Amazon out, they sell trains. It's under toys and games, search for whatever you want. I won't say it's all there, but there is a bunch.
I was there the other day. It seems to be many Model Power kits, some Walthers kits. a few accessories and some train sets. It doesn't appear Amazon actually stocks these - rather the business is contracted out.
I bring that point up because first and foremost we are customers. Virtually everything we use starts with us making a purchase somewhere. So many times in this forum we have carped about what are really customer service issues - this thread being one of those times. The question is, why should have to tolerate poor customer service? Granted many of the companies we deal with have captive markets/products but I believe there are always alternatives.
Now at the risk of inflaming a few people, many times we will say we need to support our LHS. I don't because the 'train guy' is rude and obnoxious. I few years ago I went in there asking to purchase some Shinohara turnouts to which he said, and I quote, 'Old man Shinohara isn't making anything anymore.' I went to MB Klein and purchased everything I needed, at a lower price and have done so several times since. So why should I support my LHS?
We are customers first and if we demand good service then maybe, over time, we will get it. In the meantime support those people/companies who are reliable. responsive, and provide good products at a reasonable price. If we buying anything else this is what we would do - why should model RR be any different?
HaroldA Now at the risk of inflaming a few people, many times we will say we need to support our LHS. I don't because the 'train guy' is rude and obnoxious. I few years ago I went in there asking to purchase some Shinohara turnouts to which he said, and I quote, 'Old man Shinohara isn't making anything anymore.' I went to MB Klein and purchased everything I needed, at a lower price and have done so several times since. So why should I support my LHS?
I checked MB Klein, they seem to only care about the RTR crowd, they have 44 Cal-Scale Parts in stock, 1 Details West, "0" Plano, and "0" Detail Associates (among others). I have more parts in one of my parts drawers! So now where do you go.
Rick J
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!
I received an e-mail from Walthers this morning wondering if I wanted to keep my backorder or not. This is kind of a special day for me. It's been TWO YEARS since I ordered a pair of old time rolling stock. I got the baggage/mail car but the passenger coach was B.O.'ed. I have since acquired two similar cars AND a locomotive for less than the cost of the two cars from Walthers. I guess I'll now have a three car train or a two car and one for sale. Haven't decided which yet. BTW the cars I ordered were listed at the time as available and on sale. Guess you can put anything you don't have on sale. Prefer to haunt my LHS and have gotten great deals! A turntable listed a Walthers for less than half price and NIOB to boot! I check out things in Walthers and go to my 2 LHS to buy. Works for me.
God's Best & Happy Rails to You!
Bing (RIPRR The Route of the Buzzards)
The future: Dead Rail Society
dti406 HaroldA Now at the risk of inflaming a few people, many times we will say we need to support our LHS. I don't because the 'train guy' is rude and obnoxious. I few years ago I went in there asking to purchase some Shinohara turnouts to which he said, and I quote, 'Old man Shinohara isn't making anything anymore.' I went to MB Klein and purchased everything I needed, at a lower price and have done so several times since. So why should I support my LHS? I checked MB Klein, they seem to only care about the RTR crowd, they have 44 Cal-Scale Parts in stock, 1 Details West, "0" Plano, and "0" Detail Associates (among others). I have more parts in one of my parts drawers! So now where do you go. Rick J
The nice people at Bowser have all thre of those product lines in stock and waiting for your order.
It seems like common sense to me - buy the product from the people who have expressed an interst in your business by having the prdouct available.
http://www.bowserorders.com/.sc/ms/sch/ee?search=DETAILS+WEST
ATLANTIC CENTRAL dti406 HaroldA Now at the risk of inflaming a few people, many times we will say we need to support our LHS. I don't because the 'train guy' is rude and obnoxious. I few years ago I went in there asking to purchase some Shinohara turnouts to which he said, and I quote, 'Old man Shinohara isn't making anything anymore.' I went to MB Klein and purchased everything I needed, at a lower price and have done so several times since. So why should I support my LHS? I checked MB Klein, they seem to only care about the RTR crowd, they have 44 Cal-Scale Parts in stock, 1 Details West, "0" Plano, and "0" Detail Associates (among others). I have more parts in one of my parts drawers! So now where do you go. Rick J The nice people at Bowser have all thre of those product lines in stock and waiting for your order. It seems like common sense to me - buy the product from the people who have expressed an interst in your business by having the prdouct available. http://www.bowserorders.com/.sc/ms/sch/ee?search=DETAILS+WEST Sheldon
Sorry Sheldon, I was being sarcastic in that all these people think MB Klein is the best vendor out there, and he is not! I intend to order from Bowser for the parts I need as they have them. Also my Plano Parts from Plano as he has them and very reasonable shipping charges.
MB Klein was once a great full line model train store who also had great prices, But they have changed with the times and are not just a big discount Internet vendor like many others.
I remember as they were moving from their old location they cleared out a lot of the detail parts and such. They knew that stuff would not sell as well over the net and the net was their future marketing plan.
After they first moved, buying stuff from the retail store, that was in the "warehouse", was actually difficult. They changed that after a number of old customers simply walked out - I was one.
Rick and everyone,
I have been saying this for years, the day is comming soon when the only hobby shops left wil be those big enough to buy EVERYTHING direct. And many manufacturers of the more specialized products will only sell direct to the public, or offer a small wholesale discount to those "large" retailers, but again distributors will be cut out complelely.
Do you think there are and "distributors" in the supply chain at Wal Mart? Of course not - always low prices, always.
Bowser will do well and is already postioning themselves to do even more direct to customer sales.
It is comming, and Walthers will eventually adapt by getting out of the distributor business, and maybe out of even mail order retail of other brands.
But what do I know, I'm just a hick with a pickup, some guns, and some little trains without brains who use to work in this business.
I purchase the majority of my model railroad needs directly from Walthers. Some years ago I surmised that they would not be my only source of products, for several reasons. They don't carry all brands, which apparently is not always their decision to make. Some items can be found elsewhere at a more attractive price. It is not realistic to expect them or any retailer/distributor/manufacturer to have everything in stock at all times. For all of these reasons, and other considerations as well, this is why I also shop Trainworld, Caboose Hobbies, Tony's Train Exchange, and several hobby shops. As with many other aspects of our lives, you have to expect to shop around.
Walthers gets most of my hobby money because (1) they have a great selection of products, (2) they ship the same or next day, (3) their customer service staff is very professional, (4) their technical support is also very good, and (5) they know how to treat customers (they have replaced parts of kits that I destroyed, free of charge, even though I made it clear that I had ruined them, and explained how I ruined them).
I could save money by ordering from a LHS, but mine doesn't cater to model railroaders, and keeps intermittent hours. The nearest LHS that does cater to my hobby is 100 miles away through the Cascades, an unpleasant 2 to 3 hour drive each way in the winter (if you don't have to chain up). I have spoken with several LHS staff in other regions who claim to beat Walthers prices, but ordering from a shop in North Carolina, who orders from Walthers in Wisconsin for delivery to NC, who would then ship to me in Oregon, is just not practical, not to mention taking 2 or 3 times as long to receive my products.
The bottom line is, as many others have posted in this thread, shop where you are appreciated and you get satisfaction.
It is hoped my allegiance to Walthers will not provoke a continuing discussion about their inability or unwillingness to satisfy every need. This is just my humble opinion.
Wilton.
I think Oregon Shay has hit "the new normal" nail on the head. I'm in the same situation as he is......there are only 2 model train shops left even remotely near here. One is about 75 miles away (through mountain passes that are treacherous in the winter) and the other is close to 100 miles away. So, the majority of my purchases are online. I've bought direct from Walthers, from Ebay, from Hobbylinc (whom I've been very pleased with) and several others. I've also bought direct from several much smaller outfits, like Musket Miniatures & Hi-Ball Graphics. I've had good service & results with all of them.
It only stands to reason that as LHS's keep closing the way they are (and many larger box stores do away with their hobby departments.........as most seem to be doing........),the need for distributorships will also decline. Most of the manufacturers, both large & small, are now selling direct online & we're going to see most of the remaining, large online hobby shops buying direct from them instead of distributors. It's the new normal, not just in the hobby business but in many others as well. Like it or not, we have to get used to it & live with it.
Carl
"I could never belong to any club that would have me as a member."