I guess it would be related to the items they manufacture—the increases are supposed to add $2-$5 to the cost of their MSRP.
IF there is a price increase, it’s probably to the distributers and hobby shops and not directly to retail customers. Therefore the MSRP stays the same. (Imagine the mess if their yearly catalog quotes one price, and a mail order customer gets another)
However Walthers has been having super huge mega sales lately. You can get some really good prices on stuff. I think the recession is starting to bite into Walthers bottom line. So they are trying to unload excess inventory.
Any price increases right now would be “risky” at best. Cost of fuel is down. And factories in China are now fighting for business, given the downturn. Once contracts expire, there’s no reason Walthers shouldn’t be able to get cheaper goods.
Indeed! I notice that the majority of Walthers’ Cornerstone series of structures, both built-ups and kits, are being currently offered at up to a 60% (!!!) discount, something previously unhead of for this company and a likely sign of there being an almost desperate effort being made to clear their shelves.
CNJ831
So the price hikes–even if to the retailers–would be risky. If so, then one could assume the increases would be more a speculation than anything else—[:)]
I just got that Email from Dallas Model Works about Walthers prices going up too. I think we can beleive it coming from Craig. He said some prices are going up significantly.
I read about this in an email from Dallas Model Works also. Below is a link to their site where they discuss this.
It seems to me that Blue Ridge Hobbies was not making making up this price increase as accused. Wronglhy slamming a business doesn’t seem right.
Who did this unconscionable act?
You spelled “Wronglhy” wong.
OK, we have the latest Walther’s catalog, and we have a past catalog (2008), it is now April 7th, I do not see any increased prices. Case closed !
I got this from Dallas Model Works the other day:
Hello Ken,
You may or may not have already noticed, but at the beginning of this month, Walthers increased the prices of all of their products right across the board – some rather dramatically.
This includes not only all Walthers accessories, rolling stock and locos but Proto 1000, Proto 2000, Proto N and Life-Like products as well.
It went on to say they are holding the prices until their inventory is gone.
Ken
So, it looks as though Blue Ridge were correct in their announcement after all - I’ll never visit Ky again without feeling a strong sense of shame[:I]
Ok, it seems that Walthers are increasing prices of the brands they own and not all of the items they stock.
I guess that is a relief - well, of some sorts anyway[tup]
Bruce[:)]
I’m guessing the price increases are only to the hobby shops/distributors. Of course that increase will be passed along to us when we go to visit said hobby shop.
Oh well–back to sharpening those budgetary pencils—[:-^]
Rising prices are a fact of life. Thats why we go to swap meeets, to help stave off inflation. I could get all politicky here too, but thats for another forum.
The only problem I seen lately at swap meets is the prices is near full price…Better deals can be found.
However,used equipment found at these meets can be a gold mine.
DG: You could be absolutely correct, but not too many LHS can afford to take the hit without passing on the increases because they themselves are in financial hot water.
I have spent several days surfing for 027 Santa Fe 3stripe over and under the windows. I have seen rip-offs, out right stealing,bait and switch by licensed dealers. The one thing I don’t get is why aren’t dealer inventories on line if thier struggling to make a go? Hard to feel for them.
BN RICK