Reminds me of the old joke “Ten cents each or two for a quarter.”
Is this the same thing adjusted for inflation? [:D]
they are smart in making money but i mostly still stick to athrean.
ctcbound…Walthers is a PRIVATELY held company, we cannot buy shares in that company.
What is up with the cost of the new Proto 2000 GP-30’s with sound… *** $265. The proto 2000 GP9i’s were at least $180… what is up with the $80 price jump…
One other point that I forgot, Walthers is more like a Wholesaler for the LHS, but will sell to the general public at full price. That is so they can protect the LHS’s. If Walthers undercut the LHS’s and sold to us at the same prices or even lower, just what do you think would happen eventually to all those smaller LHS’s, especially those in fringe population areas? Hmmmmmm? Better retake Economics, Marketing, and General Business Practices 101 for those of you who still don’t get it.
If you think Walthers is bad or has turned evil, consider you would not have a hobby if it was not for Walthers taking many chances for many years (decades) with what is actually a small spending population segment. They are not always perfect; I am dissappointed at times with the heavy and so-so detailing of bridges, structures and some W’s equipment, and with the fit and finish of the new lines of the past decade or so. But they have made it possible for modelers to have such a huge choice at many levels, and for you to get it through a local dealer. How else could you get little, obscure, cast detail parts from suppliers pouring hot metal in their basements?
Regarding Life-Like price jumps, it used to be manufacturers would take more time to pay-off development and mold-cutting of a new model. Back then, if Athearn or IHC or Rivarrossi came out with a couple new items per year, we were satisfied. Presently, we want it all, NOW! So, perhaps W’s is looking for a faster pay-off to keep development and profit dollars flowing.
Remember 1) appreciate what you have 2) if you have a complaint or suggestion tell Walther’s not just the forum 3) nobody is making you to buy any Walther’s product!
Happily modeling trains for nearly 4 decades, JP
----support your local shop and small domestic manufacturers----
Right ON JP !!
Thats right JP and Grayfox, and as for simon1966 man u sounded like walthers has become the walmart of the hobby world lol. But i did enjoy your post. There is good and bad in everything esp. walthers. One gripe was how much Proto 2000 prices went up for loco’s, and I agree I think it was steep and just a lil to much but at least now if you want a loco they always (well 9 times out of 10) will be in stock thanks to walthers decision to make sure that the locos they now produce will always be on hand, not just made to order with a few extra produced and when the models run out its tuff s*** unless the manufacture such as atheran, atlas, and kato do a 2nd run. And remember the local hobby shop can still get you a P2000 and almost always be lower than MSRP. Nuff Said Shawn
The problem with most of you live out of state away from Walthers. I go to Walthers pretty much every month. Whats nice is you can buy damaged package goods there for 50% off and usually its a torn box only. Now ontop of that I am glad they are a little higher cause they have a program for us locals buy 500 worth get $50 off on your next purchase.
Now as for MRSP and LHS prices. Yes Walthers charges us full value they have an agreement to all the LHS out there that they wont become a full hobby shop a seperate Identity if you will. And they wont give us that great LHS deals. But I have never has a problem taking a product back to them if it was broken or not right where as some LHS say sorry No returns.
I wi***hey would unretire the bascule bridge. I’ve been trying to find one for it seems like a year and the only place I’ve found them is ebay and they usually sell in the $120 - $140 range. (original MSRP $79.99)
As for Walthers in general, I don’t understand why people complain about their prices. They are high for a reason, just like so many other people have said here, they are a distributor, not a retailer. They want you to buy from the LHS. The LHS is their real customer, not Joe Schmoe looking for a 5 pack of KaDee’s. Most distributors and manufacturers don’t even sell directly to the public. Trying calling Ford Motor Company to buy a car direct. They’ll send you to a dealer and that is what Walthers is trying to do with their pricing.
Bryan
I have found Walthers’ pricing not to be out of line. If you go to their website, you can register with them and receive their Terninal. It’s a sales flyer that comes out quarterly and I’ve found some good deals on the stuff in it. Once you’ve received it, you will receive a customer number that you use for future orders. If you buy from them, the price that’s listed on the website is overridden by the sales price.