I received this email message from my dealer. Jim “To all Märklin and Trix dealers: After a thorough review of our North American distribution program, we have made a decision to implement a new program to have all warehousing, sales and administrative functions handled by an exclusive distributor. We have appointed Wm. K. Walthers, Inc. as our exclusive distributor for North America. Marklin Inc. will have a small staff in the United States to provide sales and marketing support to both Walthers and the North American network of authorized Märklin and Trix dealers. The inventory will be transferred to the Walthers warehouse in early spring. All orders for 2008 Märklin and Trix new items will be entered with Walthers. Until the inventory is transferred to Walthers, fill-in orders for standard line merchandise will be entered, shipped and invoiced through Märklin, Inc. Warranty work will also be handled by Märklin, Inc. until all inventory is transferred to Walthers. Dr. Tom Catherall will continue to provide both technical support for the Märklin and Trix Systems products and write the bi-monthly Digital Club newsletter. Customer service for the various Club programs will be handled by the Marklin Inc. staff. Walthers is the largest model railroad distributor in the United States and we feel they are the ideal company to handle the distribution of Märklin and Trix products in North America. The combination of Walthers' distribution expertise and the experience of the Märklin, Inc. support staff will provide a high level of customer service, and a foundation to expand sales in this very important market. The new program will be formally introduced at the Nürnberg Toy Fair. Staff from both Marklin, Inc. and Walthers will be there to answer questions, distribute the 2008 new items order forms and business terms, and review the new Märklin and Trix product assortments. A mailing with the same information will be made in conjunction with Toy Fair to the dealers who will not be attending the fair. This is the beginning of a new era and we look forward to a very exciting 2008.” Fred Gates Dr. Gerd Uhlmann President Export Manager Märklin, Inc. Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH
Hmm, Märklin don't even have a US Engine or Car for 2008 (Z-Scale) to offer so I'm happy that AZL and MTL and of course some small Manufactures offering what we need.
It surely seems the purchase by the present management group is not favorable to Z. There ie no new american z releases this year, and if you look at the current released catalog there is reallly a sparse selection of any Z. A closer look at the catalog will show that even some of those cars are no longer available. Marklins salesperson out of Atlanta has said for years the release of passenger cars and other items were imminient, yet again proves not to be the case I remember when Walthers handled the marklin line previously, and stress I hope they change, but they do not seem to carry much product in any particular item. They seem to take orders and then order them from the manufacturer. With this technique this leaves the grey market at an advantage which may hurt local dealers. I like the availablity of ging t my local dealer for an item which I may need quickly, and not having to wait weeks. Walthers is a excellent dealer but does have it's limits. Going to the most obvious is what influence will Walthers have with Marklin in Germany. In addition with out any releases for USA this year, what does marklin plan to do in the future with Z. I think MTL should be commended for the amount work they are now putting into Z, with SD-40, E8, passenger cars etc. As for ther companies like Full throttle, AZL, etc. they add to a much needed products for Z, and I look forward to the many releases they will be providing.
I have never bought one item from Walther's,(well, actually that's a lie. I bought the new N/Z catalog 'cause it was only 9.99) I try to go thru the local Ma & Pa places around here first, but even those places have to go thru them too. That's why it's nice to have all the small companies that are dealing with Z now, you can deal with them direct!
I've always thought Marklin USA was a bad way for Marklin to approach distribution in the US. Basically it seems that Marklin USA operated as a psuedo middleman... buying from Marklin, GmBH at the wholesale book price and then they would take a markup. Inturn the US dealers would have to do an additional mark-up and that would throw the prices for Marklin products in the US up too high. I was always blown away by the prices retailers here in L.A. would charge. A Marklin swiss Crocodile set 81423 was priced at $559 a few years ago at a big model train shop here in L.A. The same item from a dealer in Florida that bought direct from Marklin Germany was priced less than $420. The item from from an ebay vendor in germany... $319. I'd love to support my local dealer but man that is a big price difference. I hope Walthers handles it differently, but they seem to work in a similar manner. I have a feeling that they will just carry over the Marklin catalog and continue to do it the same.
Z is a small market, also in Europe. Why should Marklin invest in Z scale? MTL produces nice engines and nice cars, and for a much lower price than Marklin. I do not buy any Marklin cars anymore. I have ordered my first MTL engine and car and look forward to it! Marklin has not improved its products, and its only recent investment was the GG-1. MTL releases new rolling stock every month.
Joe D are you reading this blog. You better start to gear up at MTL because it appears there will be a lot more business comming your way. Robert
