Was doing a bit of early Christmas shopping from Walthers. Was unable to find Cal Scale detail parts with the search engine. Tried a lotta different ways. Finally had to type in each catalog number from my 2013 Walthers big book. That worked, but it ain’t effective search.
[Edited by admin to remove political statement]
Hey, they don’t allow my old browser there, don’t know why any company would exclude a browser, seems like bad buisness to me (advising that it will not work well is fine, but exclude, no).
Try Bowser. They distribute Cal Scale, Cary, Selley, & others.
Tom
If you think that’s bad try to parts over the phone.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Did you try this?
At the bottom of the home page, there’s a buncha letters in a row. Click on “C”. Get a list of manufacturers. Click on “Cal-scale”. Get two buttons. One is “Super Detailing Parts”. Click on this and get a LOT of Cal-scale parts.
Ed
That’s interesting. I just went to the site and put cal scale in the search box. If I select the box at the bottom that says “show stock items”, I come up with 10 pages of stuff. If I select “include discontinued out of stock items”, I get 14 pages.
Maybe you spelled cal scale incorrectly?
Another option is using Google or another browser to search Walther’s.
I have problems with the Walthers website too. I tried to look for Mi-Jack container loader in N Scale and I saw over 5000 items.
Sometimes it’s hard for me to search on that website.
The Walthers website has always worked very well for me. The key is knowing the number for the manufacturer when you do the advanced search. That mfg code is in the walthers catalogs and on the site as well.
I have been searching Walther’s for some time. Always worked for me.
I have found the parts at the Bowser site also.
Rich
Google this:
cal scale site:walthers.com
Keep politics out of this Forum or you’ll find yourself on the wrong end of the Ban Stick. You’ve been warned.
I love the Walthers search engine, one of the best. I did nothing more than type in Cal Scale in the manufacturer box and got 15 pages of detail parts.
What part specifically were you looking for?
I just don’t see a problem here.
Rich
That’s my experience as well… No issues.
Just went to the site. Clicked Advanced Search
Category - Super Detailing Parts
Scale HO
For Manufacturer I just typed the word “cal” and Cal Scale parts showed up, all 14 pages worth (I always include discontinued in my searches). Sometimes their site can be awkward but this was not one of those times. It was fast and got the results I sought pronto.
Dave Nelson
Transparency and ease of use for all users should be the principal attributes of ANY online search tool.
Not all of us need to be “well-versed” with the Walthers mfgr codes in order to be able to use their search engine.
I have used it, obtained pages and pages of results, then gave up and looked on other websites.
I mean it takes me about 90 seconds to find a vehicle-specific replacement part for my suv on the Auto Zone website- they too have a large inventory, same as Walthers!
How many sales do they lose daily because potential customers are frustrated by their search tool?
Cedarwoodron
From what I have seen, the biggest hindrance to using Walther’s I have found over the years is lack of Patience.
I usually look for different super detail parts and have no trouble.
Walther’s is pretty good but knowing how to search with Google is a big help.
Rich
I have never had issue finding items by a manufacturer on Walthers site, a specific item however… That sometimes is hit or miss. But then again, I use advanced search and go by manufacturer name, or Walthers own manufacturer number, which is easily enough obtained.
When I have the item number as well, I just key it in. Much easier to go right to the specific item page than to search via descriptions/catagories/etc…
Now, to find a specific thread on Kalmbach forums… That search engine I have issues with. But, that’s where knowing how to google comes in handy… Yes, Google is your friend. [:)]
So, yes, the “site:” search tip is a good one. (To find threads I use “site:cs.trains.com” then subject. Always works. So, “site:Walthers.com” then item description should work as well.)
But, as far as Walthers site having issues, not on my last purchases from them… So, unless they changed something after that…
Like some of the posters above, I find Walthers website a bit frustrating to navigate when searching for parts and detailing items; especially when my results yield 10 to 20 pages!
I’ve resorted to the “side door entrance” method by Googling the item’s name and adding “at Walthers” or “by Walthers”. Almost always a link comes up that leads directly to the specific item or items at Walthers’ website. Metaphorically, the added step of using Google is like asking a “middle man” to find what you want.
I guess I’m a dinosaur but, to me, Walthers previous search engine (was it 5 years ago?) was MUCH easier to navigate.
From my understanding (just the rumor mill on other forums) Walthers may be getting ready to make a major upgrade or improvement to its website. As CedarwoodRon points out, something similar to what automotive parts dealers use would be fast and very user friendly.
Generally I’ve found Walthers search to be fine; search skillz FTW!
It’s usually a combination of picking the right thing from some of the drop down boxes and a good keyword. Perfect? Nothing is.