Has anyone here ordered directly from Walthers without going through their local train/hobby shop, or even specifying a local shop? I don’t have an lhs since DK&B Railways in Hightstown went away a few months back. I’m in Trenton, NJ, and I don’t consider Gene’s Trains in Brick or Big Little Train Shop in Somerville as local. They may be great shops to deal with, but definitely NOT local (each is an hour or more drive - not worth it). I figure if a shop can back-order from Walthers, why can’t I and cut out the middleperson?
Thanks all, and have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Unless you shop Walthers monthly sale catalog, you will be playing full list price plus shipping. I have the same problem, the only good train hobby shop left in my area is about 60 miles away. I have been ordering from Model Railway Post Office and Tony’s Train Exchange. I am sure others will have their recommendations also.
If you’re going to order over the internet or over the phone, the first choice of mine is Trainworld, followed by M.B. Klein and Hobbiesusa.com. Trainworld has about the lowest prices and they’re exceptionally fast. Just make sure you have all the information on hand before you call.
Dick
Texas Chief
Ditto. Although Walthers does provide great service, I get most of my stuff from First Place Hobbies at http://www.1stplacehobbies.com/default.asp. Most things are 20-40 % off retail.
But there are many places to buy via mail or on the net, some are net only, others have both physical and net locations. Most of the ones that advertise in MR, etc., are reasonably reliable. For engines, Trainworld at http://www.trainworld.com/ is impossible to beat for closeouts.
So check some of MRs advertisers for the stuff you want. But check shipping charges as well as prices. Today, one may have the best price for a particular item, tomorrow another may.
And note that some of the places don’t actually stock much of anything – when you order from them, they order (often from Walthers), then re-ship to you, so also see what they say about how soon items will ship. Several sites list it individually for each item, and/or show which ones are in stock.
I’m in the same boat. My LHS is almost an hour away but fortunately, I drive that way on other business several times a week so I usually make at least one stop there for my current needs. If I need something quickly, I’ll buy it from my LHS when I’m in town. If I can wait, I usually order online where I can get a better price. There are numerous online and phone-in retailers where you can get much better prices than the MSRP that Walthers will charge.
Walthers has an on-line order department called Terminal Hobby Shop from which all direct orders to individuals are shipped, and I believe it is a real shop that you can visit if you’re ever in Milwaukee.
I have had to order from them a couple of times because they had items that no other on-line or local dealers could get. You will suffer the same delays from Terminal Hobby Shop that you would through a local dealer if the items are not in stock or are on back-order, but if they do have them shipment is about as quick as any other mail order source.
Are you asking about the mechanics of ordering from their web site? You don’t have to designate a local hobby shop. Once you’ve selected an item for purchase, just click on the Order Direct button and choose Walthers Showroom as the hobby shop selection.
Although they list standard domestic shipping as 10-14 days, I’ve always received my orders in a week or less. And one time a sale item went Out of Stock/Backorder after I ordered it; it showed up 2 or 3 weeks later, no additional shipping charge, and the sale price was honored.
I generally order from here: http://www.rrtrains.com/ They ship directly from Milwaukee, their inventory status is apparently linked to Walthers’, but they also list and discount items (like Athearn, from Horizon Hobby) that Walthers doesn’t offer.
Thanks to all that took time out from their Turkey day to respond. For me, it’s not so much about price (although I’m not as rich as Croesus), but about having what I want without having to play games getting the stuff. I doubt many shops have on hand what they advertise as carrying and end up ordering from Walthers or Horizon anyways. Why have another link in the chain that can break?
Yes, that’s true of some. And if you LIKE paying retail, fine. But some show stock status for each item right on their web pages. The one I buy from most often, probably twice a month over the last 3 or 4 years, http://www.1stplacehobbies.com/ has only once not shipped an item that was shown as in stock when I ordered.
I have ordered from Walthers & had good service, but I prefer my LHS which happens to be MRPO (mentioned in a previous reply). They are 40 minutes from my home, but I go at least once a month. They discount and have Athern & many other lines as well as all the Walthers stuff. They advertise in MRRCraftsman with a full page or two - check them out.
I understand from a friend who has been there that Terminal Hobby Shop is not like most hobby shops. They have next to nothing out on display. You simply walk up to the counter, ask for what you want, and they go back into the warehouse and get it for you. My friend was quite disappointed.
Morning all,
You might want to try www.discounttrainsonline.com . I have bought from them on several occassions, and they have great discounts. I also buy from Walthers and Trainworld. All have excellent service and fast affordiable shipping.
Neal
I was surprised to see that DK&B is closed. I got some good buys there. I am fortunate to have 3 LHS within a short drive from my home. One you might try is Model Rail Craft, which is located in Little Silver. Jeff Carhart the owner is very helpful and beats Walther’s prices. I call in my order and pick it up at the shop. It will still be a long ride from Trenton but you can deal with him on the web site. Here is the web site:
Doc
I ordered from Walthers and had no problems at all. As a matter of fact, they missed a order I placed and sent it to me without any trouble. I order from them all the time for HO products, and sometimes Horizon Hobby which also has good service. The larger items I put on layway I use my LHS which is HobbyTown.
I direct-order from Walthers and am on the mailing list for their monthly sale flier. When ordering by phone, the op can verify whether or not the things I want are in stock, and they are very courteous and very prompt in shipping orders. Count me as a happy Walthers customer.
Incidentally, the Terminal Hobby Shop (Walthers) was one of the first advertisers when Al Kalmbach started publishing Model Railroader, a couple of years before I was born.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I’ve ordered both directly from Walther’s and used their option to order through a specific hobby shop. As someone else mentioned you will pay full price through Walther’s unless there is a sale. They don’t want to compete with their customers. If you get the Walther’s monthly sale catalog there is a code number on the back that will get you free shipping on orders over $100.00.
The Walther’s hobby shop option does not necessarily mean ordering through a local HS. It just gives you the option of using a hobby shop that is one of their vendors.
Personally I prefer using Coryville Station: http://www.coryvillestation.com/ They’ve always been very reliable with fast communication and shipping and usually some of the best prices around. They also have an outstanding vendor area at the better train shows.
Just one man’s opinion.
FritzvB
I have ordered a number of things directly from Walthers. All my orders have been through Walthers monthly sales catalogs and I have saved a bundle. As a added bonus, when you order more than $100 worth of items, shipping is free. Jeff
I occasionally order directly from Walthers, when they have enough stuff I want on sale for me to order over $100 and get free shipping.
Walthers on-sale - All Scales
Walthers on-sale - HO Scale
Walthers on-sale - N Scale
Walthers on-sale - O Scale
Walthers on-sale - On30
Walthers on-sale - G Scale
Walthers on-sale - Z
ScaleWalthers on-sale - S Scale