Walthers sale prices and your local hobby shop.

[wcfn100]

For some reason I am under the impression that when Walthers issues a sale that local hobby shops should be able to get that item for you at the sale price.  But when I mention that to the guy at the store, he looks at me cross-eyed, calls the boss, and says there is no such deal.

Did I make this all up in my head?


Jason

[Mark5]

Did I make this all up in my head?

That's a good theory. 

Mark

[sizemore]

There is nothing that says the LHS has to honor the Walthers sale. Basically some honor it, others don't or won't. They do it to liquidate their stocks on hand to make room for either the same item at a higher retail, or new items altogether.

[asarge]

No you did not Jason and I cannot uynderstand why so many shops don't take adavantage of this. Basically Walthers does protect dealer margins even at the sale price. If a dealer signs up for the program and has the sale catalogs in their shop, they are exopected to honor the prices in the flyer. But any dealer can get the prices. For those that use the Walthers Express ordering program, they don;t see the reduced margins when they order thru the system, but it is reflected on the invoice. The people checking in the orders at our shop check it and it's rare that Walthers makes a mistake. If we already have the itiem in stock, we will still honor the WallyWorld price, but then re-order for stock at the reduced wholesale price.

Some are too stupid or lazy to know how it works and some will take advantage of it to order items they can sell and make more margin by selling at their normal prices. Some also just don't realize any possible potential to build sales.

[ebmonon36]

There is nothing that says the LHS has to honor the Walthers sale. Basically some honor it, others don't or won't. They do it to liquidate their stocks on hand to make room for either the same item at a higher retail, or new items altogether.

What I don't understand is why they need to liquidate before they can raise the prices.  Couldn't they just decide to raise them without liquidating?  Or am I clueless about some of the magical workings of retail...?

[Mark5]

No you did not Jason and I cannot uynderstand why so many shops don't take adavantage of this. Basically Walthers does protect dealer margins even at the sale price. If a dealer signs up for the program and has the sale catalogs in their shop, they are exopected to honor the prices in the flyer. But any dealer can get the prices. For those that use the Walthers Express ordering program, they don;t see the reduced margins when they order thru the system, but it is reflected on the invoice. The people checking in the orders at our shop check it and it's rare that Walthers makes a mistake. If we already have the itiem in stock, we will still honor the WallyWorld price, but then re-order for stock at the reduced wholesale price.

Some are too stupid or lazy to know how it works and some will take advantage of it to order items they can sell and make more margin by selling at their normal prices. Some also just don't realize any possible potential to build sales.

That's a pretty good policy. Too bad other stores can't or won't follow this.

[wcfn100]

Well I just got off the phone with Walthers and they tell me basically that there is no reason my local shop can't honor the sale prices.  From what a understood, when they order the item(s) from Walthers, the price they pay will be reduced so they still make a margin.  Obvious, for sure, but why would this shop not know any of this? Oh, well.  I guess I get to go over tomorrow and look like the a$$hole who knows how to run their business better than they do(wouldn't be the first time). ;D


Jason

[up1950s]

Walther's has sales all the time . For a LHS to keep up would be time consuming , and time sensitive . Would Walther's sell a LHS items at a further reduced price than normal ? I don't think that would happen . The LHS bought items a a pre sale given wholesale price , and expects to make a percentage or price above that bought cost . Walther's has the Terminal Hobby Shop and I think thats where the shelves are being bled by the sale . Any LHS can do the same on their own for the same reasons .

Edit THIS POST IS POOP ON A ROCK , NOW BACK TO MY CROW DINNER , SORRY

[Dave Schneider]

What I do is place my order through Walthers and have it delivered to my local hobby store. It comes invoiced at the sale price. No fuss, no muss, no runs, no hits, no errors....and, no shipping charge!

I picked up 4 of the Superior Paper Mills at something like $39 a piece this way. The guy at the shop was amazed at the price, especially since they had been out of stock for years, and only spent a month or so at full price. As others have mentioned, he didn't know it was on sale.

Best wishes, Dave

[asarge]

Walther's has sales all the time . For a LHS to keep up would be time consuming , and time sensitive . Would Walther's sell a LHS items at a further reduced price than normal ? I don't think that would happen . The LHS bought items a a pre sale given wholesale price , and expects to make a percentage or price above that bought cost . Walther's has the Terminal Hobby Shop and I think thats where the shelves are being bled by the sale . Any LHS can do the same on their own for the same reasons .

Read my earlier post Ritchie. They do protect dealer margins and they are very good to work with.

Well I just got off the phone with Walthers and they tell me basically that there is no reason my local shop can't honor the sale prices.  From what a understood, when they order the item(s) from Walthers, the price they pay will be reduced so they still make a margin.  Obvious, for sure, but why would this shop not know any of this? Oh, well.  I guess I get to go over tomorrow and look like the a$$hole who knows how to run their business better than they do(wouldn't be the first time)

Oh they know about it Jason. Unless they are brand new in the business.

[Denver Road Doug]

That's a pretty good policy. Too bad other stores can't or won't follow this.

There are plenty of stores that will.  I know several local shops that do, two of them as standard practice.  Some you have to prod them a little but they will if reminded.

[wcfn100]

Well I think my hobby shop learned something new. 


I got a call today after I told them to just call Walthers and see what happens.  "Yes, we can sell them to you for those prices". 


Some peoples kids.  sheesh.


Jason

[asarge]

Told ya! Glad you got 'em straightened out without the brass knuckles