Athearn/Walmart connection

[cfesmire]

I've always liked what Athearn has done with their highway vehicles. All of the releases of the KW 900, Ford C and Freightliner cabover are very nicely done. Their website now informs us that a John Deere commemorative train is available at WalMart. Is WalMart getting into the scale miniature business or is this a one shot deal? Can we expect to see other Athearn products at WalMart in the future? And finally would any of this be a good or a bad thing?
Personally, I have mixed emotions about it.

[stanhas87]

Dear Chester:

I been buying miniatures at Wall Mart for a while and the way I see it goes like these: this store is competing wuth Toys R Us and Target and the last ones are megastores.Hence,something original has to be offered. Mattel had models specially made for them (and ione never cand find it) and Maisto have a series of toys that are also specially made for them. The Athearn deal-again to my view-has to be the same 'promo' oriented deal.If it sells,well,if not...........Incidentally,either Maisto or a chinese company molded their truck and trailer,and I think that was on HO.
For all that I know,Wall Mart has an interesting range of toys and models.But-my opinion-I doubt that they will get too much involved with models.To my view,they are more on the 'specially for Wall Mart' or promo-oriented models.
Good or bad? Different collectors have different tastes; but if this store will get involved on modelism,it will ditacte how this activity should be oriented,and frankly,I do not see that with good eyes.
Incidentally,Toys R Us have train sets as well,and these are considered the 'cheapest' ones one can buy.No doubt,the Wall Mart ones may be the same.If a set costs over $20.00,people just will not get it.

[Eric]

If it is good or bad is not easy to answer, personally I think that it could be the start of a good thing because it might help in making more people aware of the existance of 87th scale models . After all, for most people visiting Wal-Mart is something they do at least once a week, visiting a hobbyshop is definately not.

[skunk]

Hmm. On the one hand I loathe WalMart and what they are doing to culture and local businesses etcetera, but it would seem to me that WalMart will only stock some rather cheap items.
Paradoxically, this can be a good thing for us, as our hobby gains exposure while not really taking a whole lot of sales from the hobby shops. I don't see WalMart stocking Evrat or High-Tech modelle kits quite yet, but I do see growth in interest in 87th scale vehicles as possible.

[Lee]

Athearn sent out a news letter yesterday, Friday March 26th, announcing that they are moving their business from their 24 year present location to a new site in May. Athearn is having a parking lot sale open to the public May 1st and 2nd selling everything they do not wish to take with them in the move. No information as to just what will be in the sale.

[Christian]

A couple of months ago Rietze sold a series of special sets through Germany's biggest chain of discount stores. The sets apparently sold out quickly, maybe because they were only available in a few select stores and not the entire country. I assume that most of them went to collectors and that the average buyer didn't really notice them.

[stanhas87]

Dear Christian:

Good point.As I stated,what will make that Athearn to sell at Wal-Mart will be its price;if it is over $20.00 it may be left on the shelfs.And I also that people who knows the brand will grab it.People knows that Wal Mart have Hot Wheels and Matchbox and that is about that.
The oposite-recognition of 1/87 scale-may be valid too.But both the store and manufacturer of the model should promote this event,but I do not see it happening.