I was going to my hobbyshop today, to see if my walthers autoracks are in yet. I go there to find they were not there. This is November they were suppose to be released October. It seems everything I want out of that catolog has a backorder on it. These are not the only items I have on backorder. A trackplanning template and a Athearn grain hopper. ALL cameback BACKORDER! I am begining to think that walthers does not carry nothing. They to order everything on the spot when they get that particular order in. If these companies want to continue to have this hobby grow that have to start carrying things. Walthers has know excuse if they get low order some more. They are a Warehouse for pete's sake. They must not have anything in the warehouse because everything on backorder. I never use to have a problem getting what I want from them. Now it like trying to pull teeth Anymore. I just don't understand it. It is not the hobbyshops fault. they just can't get it from Walthers. Limited runs all SUCK! It is just not walthers thats do it it. It is all the companies in model railroading. I don't think people would like it if the grocery would apply this priceple also. Only supply enough food so some people could get it. then we will yank the price up some more then produce a little more. I know I am camparing apples to oranges here but it proves a point. OPINIONS WELCOME I may have stepped out of line a little bit. Correct me if I am wrong. ------------------ Keep on railroad'n
well Jack, I'm now about 43 years in model railroading and learned 2 things you need in this hobby (also in other situations of life); to stay calm and to have patience. I had orders that took 2 years to be delivered. Do not get nervous but enjoy! ------------------ Paul the 2nd Paul Van Herwegen HO Rappannahock Terminal Railway G Emerald Valley RR http://users.pandora.be/paul.van.herwegen/ [This message has been edited by Rappannahock Terminal (edited 14 November 2000).]
Totally agree on the limited runs, i would have loved to pic up some of them GP40's Atlas came out with... I still can, if i don't care about getting a CB&Q unit.
Jack, I have to agree it is very frustrating. You think you have problems with HO try modellng N scale. Oh well i suppose it give me time to save my money between orders. ------------------ Regards Paul Cassar-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
Hi Jack, I've been to your shop in G-Burg a few times, nice place and right across from the Train Depot. I know lots of hobby shops have this same problem with Walthers. I once had roof mounted AC units on back order for 4 YEARS! Finally got them this last June. It is frustrating to be in a hobby that seems to like driving it's Boosters NUTS by this Limited run thing. Maybe someday things will get better. But like someone else said, at least you're not in N-Scale! Well, I have to go climb a tower, where did my H&K93 go? ------------------ Brent Tidaback, Member #234 BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot! "Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners!" The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF
Gentlemen, I got bummed out for trying to warn you guys awhile back, so I do feel somewhat exhonerated! I TOLD YOU SO!!HA! My long time Hobby Shop just hates to deal with Walthers! He tells me Walthers has been trying to take over the world market so they can adjust prices. They have bought out the entire supply, then release them a little at a time as a limited run, then raise the price and release some more as a second limited run, and so on. They make the dealer buy a "Quota" before they will sell to him, and the discount doesn't make it profitable to the shop. Case in point: Mantua's 2-6-6-2 with tender was advertized in their catalog for around 79.95 (80.00). MR had several adds for it at 69.95(70.00). The Hobby Shops had to charge $145.00 in order to stock one to sell retail. Walthers wont even answer our letters, the phone line is not a working number (last I tried), and so far they haven't even answered e-mail. Personally I don't believe they have a warehouse at all. I think they are simply a go-be-tween us and the factory for Mail Order. They squelch the Hobby Shop so our only source is through Walthers. We can't buy direct from the factories, although some are now getting wise and selling direct, but not openly. Its tough to be supportive to them! My 2 cents. I said I wouldn't try to warn you anymore, and I am not. This, you brought up, I'm just giving you an explaination of what I have been told when I ask the same question. Now you know why I scratch build so much, I can't buy it anyway! ------------------ Watash
I have about a 50/50 chance of getting what I want from them. Another company that really buggs me is The Red Caboose. They list freight cars in their catilog that they havent had in years. I have a 6 pack of N&W boxcars that I ordered almost 2 years ago still on backorder. ....Mike
OK I agree, But you look in model railroader to say they want to expand this hobby to young children. If the child grows up to be a modeler. We have another generation in the hobby. I do take some time out and take some of my friends kids train watching. Shoot one of them will look out another friends window and scream TRAIN, TRAIN TRACKS! He even does this when I wear one of my train T-shirts. I have one crupted. I know because the parents and my friends give me that look. Anyway back to the subject. If they want to expand the hobby they need to have items on time and a reasonable prices or the hobby will just fizzle out. I will not wait on walthers forever. To me these other companies need to wake up and smell the coffee. THey could be losing a lot of money to boot. My particuilar hooby shop can't get somethings but I can go other places to get thos e items. I support my local hobbyshop to fullest extent and I told them this if I can order it. it will be though them I hate going to train shows and those little dealers are carrying more than my hobbyshop does. Because they get there merchindise first from walthers. Example those autoracks I ordered from Walthers will be at the train show before my hobbyshop has mine in. TO TELL THE TRUTH THAT SUCKS! another rant for a different time. Maybe I better go get a cold drink of water now! ------------------ Keep on railroad'n [This message has been edited by Jack Doran (edited 16 November 2000).]
OK Just to be fair! I'll give credit where credit is due! I e-mailed Walthers asking about a Model Masterpieces 60' Gallos turntable & pit kit (D&RGW) that had the wrong instruction sheet enclosed. Guess what? Tom Schmidt, Walthers Customer Service replied today! We may have been e-mailing the wrong address. Tom was helpful! tom@walthers.com I'm sending another e-mail about the size and availability of another product they have in the catalog. We'll see how that goes. ------------------ Watash
Trouble with Walthers, I can't believe it! When ever I order from my local dealer, I am lucky to get 25% of my order. When I had my own store, my customers were always upset when they did not get their special orders in a timely fashion, if at all. I once got a Christmas order on Dec. 24 after placing the order before Thankgiving. After two other times like that, I looked for different distributors. If your current dealer has problems with Walthers, ask him to look for alternate sources or go direct to the manufacturer if possible. Good luck! Rod v. B.
The only reason I am having this rant is becuase I like doing bisness with the local hobby shop. I like the service I get there and they know what I am talking about. And another point I am trying to make here is your not going to let someone else work on car if your current shop is doing excellent. with service and quality. The only thing I can't get them to order is the bowser roadrailers. and they will not order them for me because none of there suppliers carry them. I even asked the owner to pick bowser up direct. they won't do it. This will one of only a hand full of times I will go against them. the item I am looking for would sell like hotcakes in BNSF land. They are the BNSF ICE roadrailers. ------------------ Keep on railroad'n
It has got to the point that if the Hobby shops doesn't have stock, I look for alternatives as to what they do have and don't even think of ordering anything. As Watash says, you have to become a scratch builder to get what you want but this isn't always feasable. So what else is new eh! ------------------ Robin Maberly and Tayside
Several weeks ago, I ordered some TTX paint from two hobby shops here in England. After chasing them, and waiting until I was desperate, we ordered online direct from Walthers, and it arrived within 5 days!! The paint I ordered here has still not arrived from either dealer Support my local hobby shops??? ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maxwell Plant: ....on back order for 4 YEARS! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Sorry.... But anyone that waits 4 yrs for something on backorder needs help! *w* Any company that would expect someone to wait 4 yrs needs to be shutdown. I would have my cash back and blow it on something totally useless instead. ------------------ RR: K, C, & Bird Butt Railroad - SP, NS, and ROCK admirer. Its a coal mining region of a place far far away, that runs, SP, NS, and some CSX.. Also some Custom RARE Bird RR sd40-2's coming! Era: Time stands still round these parts, and we have everything from Steam, to Diesels of today.
I agree, waiting for four years was nuts! But, they were the only dealership (Walthers) that had them at the time. Now, I have other options! ------------------ Brent Tidaback, Member #234 BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot! Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners! The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF
