Your note and info.
Say Mingo,
Thanks for insight about the WKW sales rep keeping tract of their *Authorized* dealers inventory, that something I didn't stop to think of. Also any sizable business such as WKW most certainly has to be computerized and have a huge Data Base setup for each of their authorized dealers to easily keep tract of what they've ordered in the past as well as what their current orders are now. Any large business simply just couldn't function without the use of computers and the internet.
So that all helps to substantiate my position as I received this from a WKW sales Rep verifying my order had indeed been placed with but then I get a song and dance about why my order wasn't filled?? I don't buy it and told Mr. Schmidt just that.
>>
Here's the note he wrote back to me and I quote:
Hello Mr. Smith,
Thank you for taking the time to contact Wm. K. Walthers, Inc.
Please accept our apology regarding your inability to obtain (3) of the
Model Power #490-6586 models from your dealer, The Hobby Smith. Our records indicate that you had ordered (2) on 10/14/07 (web order #342492) and (1) on 10/15/07 (web order #342510) via the Walthers web site and designated each one to be sent directly to The Hobby Smith. It is important to point out that following this procedure, it does not automatically allocate those items to the dealer. There are several reasons why we don't do this. The first is that the dealer may already have the items in stock, so allocating
them may be an unnecessary duplication. The second is that each dealer may not necessarily want to obtain the items from Walthers. They may elect to obtain some of them from another distributor. Once Walthers e-mails the
web order to a designated dealer, it is the dealer's responsibility to fill
it. Unfortunately, sir, I'm not sure how many of the #490-6586 items were
in stock at the time you placed both orders, although it appears as though
existing stock was rather limited. Regrettably, this item is completely
sold out and has been discontinued by Model Power.
I wish I could provide more immediate assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Tom Schmidt
Walthers Customer Service
>>
So you see he confirms that both my orders were not only received but a little farther down in his note even states they were email to their dealer so it becomes highly suspicious as to why WKW would even bother to email a dealer if they already knew they were indeed out of stock. Their inventory control most certainly would give them up to the minute or even to the second insight as to how much stock was left. Also as I stated they indeed had the exact same Loco's only with a 5 instead of a 6 for the last part number so they were indeed not out of stock except from WKW's standpoint and it is there responsibility to make good for any product sold that they allegedly are out of stock on and the other loco's could have been substituted.
In actuallity I've even found them elsewhere but not at the sale price WKW sold them to me for. They made the offer of supplying the product, I accepted, they emailed their authorized dealer of the sale which more than says they must have the three items I ordered available to deliver to the dealer and should have held the product aside rather than selling the product out from under me.
From what Mr. Schmidt states it's very plain what transpired, what reason would there be for WKW to email an order to their dealer that they knew full well they didn't have product to fulfill. It doesn't make sense at all but it sure can be twisted to make excuses.
Also what Mingo states below is that WKW most certainly uses computers to not only transmit orders but also to check available stock I'm quite sure and I be willing to be that every item shipped or purchased directly from WKW carries a BAR Code lable and is run through a scanner to not only show that's it's being sold but also keep track of stock remaining, it the only a large distributor can function.
So their saying the order I placed was transmited/emailed to their dealer so he could determine if he need to request they ship the three items [Loco's] to him and in the next breath they're saying they're out of stock?? Sure sounds like a bunch of double talk to me!!
Well I should thank all that have taken part in this effort to bring this situation to light and the information that has surfaced. I still firmly feel and believe that WKW is the responsible, indeed Mr. Schmidt's reponse more than substantiates my position, all you have to do is read between the lines and it becomes quite clear as I pointed out.
Mingo if I can offer a ear to your problem feel free to contact me.
David
Actually ..they do
Its based on the sales reps however,The WKW rep comes once a month and he is pretty cool, other times its done on the phone or direct email. He takes my friends sales and then enters it on his laptop to Walthers. Its part of the "package" of being an "authorized" dealer.
Some use paper some use a computer, it is of course up to the Dealer to decide if they want to carry a certain product or not based on turn over and etc etc etc.
My friend who owns our little town hobby shop here has had his " issues" with WKW many times in the past due to having to wait for that certain amount to be reached before the order can be placed and then hoping the item dont leave WKW inventory by the time its placed. Believe it or not we dont have to many train hobbiest around here so orders are slow.
Unfortunatly WKW has the Market and if you want the what I call Wal Mart selection of items you almost have to bow to WKW as now there established.
I am not taking sides on this post as I dont completely understand the situation.
I to am having a MAJOR issue like this for a part for my car soooo I know how you feel trus but hang in there. You part is for a model, mine is for my bread and butter.