Walthers lowers prices to Dealers for Marklin, Trix, 4MFOR new items 2009

After we posted our complain for high prices from Walther's to USA Dealers, we have just received the following letter from them:

"February 13Th, 2009

Dear Marklin Dealer:

Given recent dealer feedback on our 2009 Marklin new item pricing and the volatility in exchange rates, Walther's and Märklin GmbH would like to announce that we have reviewed our pricing and have lowered them to close the gap with pricing in Germany.

Attached are updated order forms for each of the new item product groups. Over the course of the next couple of days we will be working to update our system with this new pricing.

Please be sure to get all of your new item orders to Walther's by February 28th., 2009 to earn your early order discount. [added by us: (3% is the discount, same in Germany so this is not any extra advantage)]

We value your business and hope this new pricing addresses some of the issues you have brought to our attention.

Sincerely,

Kevin Copsey
VP of Sales
Walthers"

Well, this is the proof that what we said was correct [Walther's prices are well over 35% to 40% higher than Factories to Dealers in rest of World] and that we had the reason about Walther's returning to their policy of high markups to Dealers, however, the new prices are still not good.

I will recognize that Kevin Copsey is very concerned about all this and that he is trying to do his best, he listens to us but the policies at Walther's is what is wrong. One person can do nothing there.

Walther's has reduced about 10% to 12% the old published Dealer purchase price for new items 2009 but this is still too high compared with the prices in Europe to Dealers there. Starter sets are not included on this reduction and juust a few bucks were discounted, not even worth to mention it.

However, they have announced the prices for LGB and here AGAIN we have the 30 to 36% gap.
Why they don't lower all the rest of regular products in the same percentage, why only new items 2009 from Marklin, Trix and 4MFOR?

We can not trust Walther's and I ask for a campaign to avoid buying ANYTHING from them as all is overpriced.

They tried to sell us at that high price. If it wasn't because we complained and spoke with them, we will still have the original price. This is not right. Why we need to complain to get better price? why they must have these high margin?

Even when I'm on risk to be singled out and even removed from my dealership at Marklin, I will keep fighting against Distributors greedy that only makes our products a lot more expensive and harder to sell.

This year of uncertainty and heavy recession, we can not tolerate this unfair practices that deepens our concerns and possibilities to stay alive in business.

It is not fair either that one person must fight as I do to get a small piece of bread.

Food is for all and must be at the same price and in the same quantity. I agree with scales of prices based in volume of purchases, but the base price must be the same for all.

What Micro Macro Mundo has done since 1994 in benefit of the collectors is well known. Always trying to get the best price and conditions not only for Customers but for our Competitor Dealers that take benefit or our work without any danger or risk on their part.

But this will also end. I'm sick of be getting things for others. From now on, or you join the fight for Factory Direct Sales or you are OUT of my fight, now I'll be fighting for my self only.

This discount will benefit all Dealers, not to us as we do not buy new items at Walther's, so enjoy now and at least have the decency to recognize what we do for you [Dealers]