People;
In the past few days I have picked up four different HO scale John Deere tractors by Athearn at Wal-Mart, and I have seen two others, for a total of six different models in HO scale. The other two were too new for me, but are undoubtably applicable for many on this forum.
For more information on the history of John Deere tractors see:
http://petcaretips.net/history-john-deere.html
I purchased the following models: Waterloo Boy, Model B, Model D, Model GP and Model 50.
Here are the ones I have found: Model 50, Waterloo Boy, Model 6420, and Model GP. They do not seem as plentiful as the Malibu cars. The Athearn site lists 7 models. Great detail for the price.
Jim
I’d sure like to know where these Wal-Marts are that are featuring model railroad equipment–here in Sacramento, the closest thing in the store seems to be a Bachmann starter-set in HO.
Of course, for me, shopping at a Wal-Mart is something akin to being trapped in a chasm with the big bugs from the latest remake of KING KONG, but I’m just kind of curious. Is this something that only happens if a Wal-Mart isn’t anywhere near a hobby shop? Or have they suddenly decided to get (GASP!!) ‘selective’ about what they stock in which state?
Inquiring minds want to know, LOL!
Tom [}:)]
Tom,
Find the Hot Wheels and that sort of toys. Look around and look closely and you’ll find them if they’re there.
dw
Tom;
To add to dw’s comment, in the three stores that I have looked in so far, the automobiles were either accross the aisle from the Hot Wheels - which have a great deal of shelf space, or on the other side of the island.
The tractors were not at two of the Wal-marts; suburban ones (Eagan and Shakopee MN), they were at the more rural one (Mankato, MN). There are tractors of several different scales in the display. The HO ones seem to be selling the slowest.
Must be an Eastern thing – I have never seen any HO items at Wal-mart out here in the boonies; not even the train sets at Christmastime that everyone keeps referring to. Hot wheels by the hundreds, which are close to being S scale, but nothing smaller.
im in asheville nc and the 2 walmarts (1 super and one normal) both have the cars and the tractors actually there are so many of them both thats all thats on the shelf at mine so i went and bought a crap load
In talking to a very nice lady at the local store, I found out the local stores do not order this stuff . It is done higher up the ladder by some kind of regional manager or something, so not every store gets it. In general, they arrive in small quantities. The last thing is that the employees will often grab all the stock before it hits the shelf. (I suppose they are modelers or collectors or something.) She said the few straight Athearn sets she got never hit the floor, the only ones that did were John Deere.
You guys need to take a page from the Star Wars / X box “fans”. Sleep in your cars, pitch a tent in the parking lot, camp out in line or bribe an employee. Now you know our secret.
Seriously though, what I have found out is you can go to 3 different Marts and then at the 4th you will find the tractors and cars. They are always next to the Hot Wheels among the larger die cast stuff. The cars seem to arrive 2 boxes at a time. The tractors will be on a peg next to the larger JD tractors.
My wife used to be in retail and yes, employees do raid stuff before it hits the floor. It may be what is happening with the train sets. I do not think this is what is happening with the cars / tractors. They are not exactly this years Tickle Me Elmo or X box, if you know what I mean. What may be going on is the regional people in charge may not be ordering this stuff. Try sending Sam an Email and see what he says.
Jim
I’ve yet to see those tracters up here at any Canadian Walmarts I’ve been in. I want to get 6 or so because I plan on modeling a John Deere or a heavy equipment dealer on my layout.
Wal-Mart sold Atheran’s sets of tractors also. There were two sets, wach having four each. One set sold a newer style tractor, a Model 50, and two of the same tractors that look like the Model 50. The other set had a Waterloo Boy, 2 GP Tractors, and one more old one. They are also sold sererately. I first saw them at the Portage Supercenter about 2 months ago. They never sold one, until a couple weeks later. Now they are harder to find, but now I see that the Portage Supercenter has introduced the sets, and the Waterloo Boy and the Model 50.
I don’t have these in my local Walmart (even though I’m in the middle of farm country PA). I was giong to go looking for them at other stores. How much are these selling for? My father’s an avid JD collector and I’d like to find some for Christmas, but if they aren’t cheap, they’d blow my budget.
I seem to remember that the tractors were around $2.88 but its been awhile.
Jim
I have purchased many of these tractors at my local Wally Land and I can’t find the word Athearn on any of them. My store has had these for over 1 year.(some 1/87 stuff, A lot more 1/50 scale stuff). I wish I had a K-Mart locally so I could get some of the CAT equipment I’ve heard about.
CAT equipment is available at Shopko for $6
Loather are you saying that K-Mart carries HO scale Cat equipment. I have one near me I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip