All,
For those whom haven't heard the sad news, Horizon Hobby Distributors (the RC guys) have purchased Athearn. Their policy now is not to sell to any other distributor and all hobby shops must have a storefront operation to be able to purchase Athearn items. Just another way to shut down the small shops. This is another move by the big disributors to turn hobby shops into showcase stores which have nothing in stock and everything needs to be ordered. This policy "Stinks". I would use other adjectives, however, this is a family webpage.
Read this quote from small Hobby Shop:
You may have already heard the news that Athearn has been sold to Horizon Hobby Distributors, a Chicago area hobby distributor. Unfortunately, this has significant impact. Horizon has chosen to be the sole distributor of Athearn. Beginning March 1, 2004, they will stop selling to other distributors. Horizon requires that all of their dealers have a storefront operation, so I will not be allowed to buy Athearn products
from them.This situation does not make me happy. I think it's bad for the hobby, and it's bad for my customers. I believe that it will lead to higher list prices, higher "street" prices, and decreased availability. I wish that there were something I could do to change it, but there isn't.
Enough is enough!!!!! Everyone get with your hobby shops, your clubs, etc. and bring to light the issue and let's all as model railroaders make an issue of this! Horizon needs to know that this policy of theirs is not heathly for the hobby. At least Walther's sells many brands. Horizon will not sell to Walther's either.
Am I upset! YES, even though I don't do much in HO anymore, I have in the past been a strong purchaser of Athearn products.
I have another spelling of Horizon because of this situation. Once again, this is a family webpage, however, I think you get the jest of my other spelling!
Thanks,
Marc
For those whom haven't heard the sad news, Horizon Hobby Distributors (the RC guys) have purchased Athearn. Their policy now is not to sell to any other distributor and all hobby shops must have a storefront operation to be able to purchase Athearn items. Just another way to shut down the small shops. This is another move by the big disributors to turn hobby shops into showcase stores which have nothing in stock and everything needs to be ordered. This policy "Stinks". I would use other adjectives, however, this is a family webpage.
Read this quote from small Hobby Shop:
You may have already heard the news that Athearn has been sold to Horizon Hobby Distributors, a Chicago area hobby distributor. Unfortunately, this has significant impact. Horizon has chosen to be the sole distributor of Athearn. Beginning March 1, 2004, they will stop selling to other distributors. Horizon requires that all of their dealers have a storefront operation, so I will not be allowed to buy Athearn products
from them.This situation does not make me happy. I think it's bad for the hobby, and it's bad for my customers. I believe that it will lead to higher list prices, higher "street" prices, and decreased availability. I wish that there were something I could do to change it, but there isn't.
Enough is enough!!!!! Everyone get with your hobby shops, your clubs, etc. and bring to light the issue and let's all as model railroaders make an issue of this! Horizon needs to know that this policy of theirs is not heathly for the hobby. At least Walther's sells many brands. Horizon will not sell to Walther's either.
Am I upset! YES, even though I don't do much in HO anymore, I have in the past been a strong purchaser of Athearn products.
I have another spelling of Horizon because of this situation. Once again, this is a family webpage, however, I think you get the jest of my other spelling!
Thanks,
Marc