I’m new to this hobby. I rarely buy from Walthers because I search the net for the best deal. Is this reference book for the $16 something that someone like me should buy?
Who like’s them, and why?
If you like picture books, go for it. I have not bought one in many years. The Internet does it all.
Rich
I buy one every few years. I find it a nice way to know what’s out there. Even if you don’t order from Walthers, it’s nice to know (for instance) what all the various snowplows from Details West look like and then search on the one you want online.
I agree. And since so many dealers order from Walthers, you can get an idea of what is available to them. Also, not every smaller manufacturer has a presence online.
Lastly, it’s just fun to look through for ideas.
Jim
Someone gave me my first Walthers catalog in 1978. It opened up my eyes to all the products that are available, especially PARTS. It is a great reference book. They were meant to be for hobby shops to order from but it was better if customers could take them home to look through and tell the hobby shop what they needed since everyone has a construction (wish) list and only buy products off of that list.
I buy the catalog every few years to keep up to date. I have gotten rid of a few old ones but now I wish I had kept them because many items are longer in production so they are no longer listed but are still available as NOS (new old stock) on the internet.
Sometimes Walthers IS the best deal.
I don’t believe I have ever paid retail at Walthers except for a few times when I could not find the item I needed anywhere else.
However, I always look at the “Walther’s Flyer” http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/flyer
and the Bargain Depot/Last Call
http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/bargain_home
Sometimes the savings is substantial. You can request to have a print copy of the Flyer mailed to you (about every six weeks or so) and it will usually have news about new and future Walthers products.
I like to page through the Flyer. It’s like getting the Big Book highlights… and it’s free!
Ed
I still get a catalog every couple of yearssp I guess I’m about due thos year. The only time I buy from Walthers directly is when can’t get it anywhere else. My detail parts I get here http://www.mgdecals.com/homepage.htm He has the best supply plus he’s got some great decals too.
I also buy them every few years. Even though I’m primarily in S, it’s nice to see the tools, paint, etc. that are available. Even though you can find a lot on the internet, having much of it in one place is convient.
Enjoy
Paul
The walther catalog is a fancy picture book that’s outdated before you buy it. The computer age has all but eliminated the need to buy Walthers catalog.
Here’s why.
By going to walthers.com you can see if there is any Details West plows in stock.This is the method hobby shops used if you need to preorder any detail parts. You can also look through the monthly sales flier and check the deals and plus you can check the new product announcements.
Jim,
If you’re new to MRRing then the Walthers catalog is a good investiment, as it will give you an good, general idea of what is specifically available in your scale and era in one handy medium. And, if you are into building things (or think that you might be), you can more easily peruse all the scratch-building supplies out on the market, or get ideas of what you could or would like to build.
Like others, I buy one every few years or so. And you might even be able to purchase a 2015 (or older) Walthers catalog at a reduced price at a LHS in your area.
Tom
Well…I am a Walthers Yardmaster’s Club Member, so I receive a new reference book every year I renew. I have been doing that for a few year’s now and I will freely admit, I have saved a lot of money in just shipping alone, not to mention the 10% standing discount on many, many Mfg’s products. I have and still do use other distributors and direct Mfg’s for items that Walthers does not carry…but all in all, Walther’s is by far the best in savings and QC, In My opinion…In the past two yr’s…I have ordered over fifteen (15) times from them and only had one problem…was not even their fault…it was a Mfger’s pakaging error…one phone call and I had a new one mailed to Me the same day and no questions asked, also was allowed to keep the item in question. Biggest bargains are their Warehouse sales…up to 70% off on some items…Sent by E-mail, to member’s…Not Your road name…not a problem for Me…little paint will fix that!!!
Just a satisfied customer…
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
Not often, but if Walthers has a closeout on an item, it can be the best deal. I have bought some passenger cars at rock bottom prices, but that doesn’t happen often.
When I first entered the HO scale side of the hobby back in January 2004, I bought the 2003 and 2004 catalogs. I felt like a kid in a hobby shop. But after a few more years, I stopped buying the catalog. It is no longer all-inclusive and the Walthers web site is actually a better source.
Rich
Rich,Before the computer age entered my life back in 2001 I use to buy the catalog every year without fail and since I had preorderd it through a hobby shop the 2002 catalog was the last of its kind.Today I get e-mails from Walthers almost daily.
I agree…I too was like a kid in a candy shop when I received my new catalog…
Jim,Been thinking…Maybe you should buy the catalog just for the experience of seeing how much exist in the hobby–and maybe experience the kid in the candy shop feeling? [;)]
But, he is no longer going to stock parts as nobody (except us hardliners) is buying detail parts anymore.
Also, Walthers is the only way to get a current Detail Associates parts list as he has no website nor a catalog.
Rick J
My brain is still pre-computer age. For shopping and to check stock status, I rely on the internet via the Walthers website. But for random browsing, being able to turn pages works lots better for me. You see things you didn’t know you were looking for or might need in the future.
Yeah, a good reason alone IMO.
Like others, it’s only an every so often purchase. My current one is 2012, so I’m about due for a refresh.
I also get one every few years. I often find myself thumbing through it in bed before I turn in for the night. You will discover more items you never knew existed by browsing this than by searching for specific items online. Personally, I can spend much more time leafing through their paper catalogue than aimlessly browsing online in the hopes of seeing something that catches my fancy.
I buy one every few years and since it has been a while probably will get one this fall at Trainfest. Since I live in Milwaukee I can get the monthly sales flyers right at Walthers’ showroom.
The problem, or at least MY problem, with using the internet rather than a paper catalog (and this is where I differ in opinion from Larry) is that for me the internet is very good for searching for what you know or assume exists, but the paper catalog when browsed through often shows you something that you did not know existed and thus were not searching for. This is true not only for parts and scratchbuilding supplies, but for track accessories such as from Peco. It was the catalog, not an internet search, that showed me Peco has a capacitor discharge unit as well as a number of different sorts of switch machines for their turnouts, because I never dreamed Peco had that stuff. That said the search function of the online Walthers catalog is a very useful tool when looking, let’s say, for anything marked “Standard Oil” or “Pure Oil.” The paper catalog would be cumbersome if not useless for that kind of searching. And the online catalog lets you easily expland your search beyond “your” scale which sometimes can also be helpful.
Curiously it is also my old Walthers paper catalogs that show me unavailable stuff that I need and want (and failed to get when it was new) and thus give me a good heads-up for my swap meet want lists (and if I was so inclined, Ebay searches). At some point even the 2016 catalog might fill that purpose. I too used to usually throw away the prior year’s catalog and now regret it.
Dave Nelson
Dave,
I agree, a very good use. I still have my 1971 catalog, the first one I ever purchased. Being a packrat runs in the family, so kept it due to my “genetics” but it was good to eventually find out there was a reason for keeping them. I’ve used mine many times to reference out of production items or answer question from others.
Guys,I found it easier for me to go to (let’s say) www.manufacturer’s name.com to see what they currently offer,new product announcements and the in stock availability instead of relying on a paper catalog in the instant information computer age.
Walthers even has a manufacturer list of manufacturers on their web site.
As I noted above, Detail Associates does not have a web site nor a catalog, so your only source is the Walther’s website which loads O so slowly or the book, which is easier to use.
Rick J