Places to buy from

There was a bit of discussion around here some weeks back on this. I pasted out some quotes at the time, but now can't find the original topic to continue .

The quotes I pulled were:
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> The only places that I have had really good service from is Train World, All Gauge, Lees trains, Standard hobby, and Easter Railroad Classics. Those I have dealt with via mail order. The best is my own local hobby shop though. Peach Creek Shops. <hr></blockquote>
and
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> I also recommend Internet Trains. I also would like to suggest the following:
Caboose Hobbies in Denver and Standard Hobby Supply. <hr></blockquote>


Since then I've been trying to buy stuff from some of the suppliers recommended, but can't say I'm impressed. Bearing in mind that I was trying to spend several hundred dollars (HO stuff) and the parcel was going to be of significant size I e-mailed the likely suppliers to get a guesstimate of shipping cost and also to clarify some of the ordering details in two cases.

What an eye-opener! Trainworld didn't bother to reply at all. Standard Hobby replied with a one liner that told me nothing. Caboose Hobbies replied more helpfully but didn't help with the shipping cost.

I then split the order between SH and CH. CH are generally somewhat more expensive so I gave them the items that had a price closer to SH.

CH took the order OK, but when some items were out of stock they fluffed some of the quantities on the alternatives.

I had trouble with SH's online ordering - it quickly demonstrated how NOT to build an interactive website (Rule 1 = All controls must be both idiot-proof AND clever-proof). Since they really don't seem to like e-mail I then had to fax the order - which they never got. So I had to fax it again! They now seem to have it, but with their communication record so far I wouldn't be at all surprised if they send the order twice!!

It will probably be the new year before I actually get the stuff from either SH or CH. Should be interesting to see what arrives, and what is on my Visa card bill!

As a result of this I have been looking into other sources and (following an advert in MR) visited 1stPlaceHobbies ( http://www.1stplacehobbies.com ). The prices look good, inventory seems good and the 'find' facility on the website is good. The downside was that they said they didn't currently do 'foreign'. So I asked them (via the support form on the site) when they would, and got a very helpful e-mail reply just a few hours later (They can do foreign now ). Thus far I am favorably impressed by this outfit. Has anyone else had any dealings with them? (Like actually bought stuff?) What kind of experience did you have? Anyone here know them 'personally'? - their address is in Bluffton, Indiana, which just features on my world atlas.

 

Mike:

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> As a result of this I have been looking into other sources and (following an advert in MR) visited 1stPlaceHobbies ( http://www.1stplacehobbies.com ). The prices look good, inventory seems good and the 'find' facility on the website is good. <hr></blockquote>

Unless I miss my guess, their "stock" is actually whatever is in stock at Walthers and not actually in their own inventory.

Chris Toth

 

I have had pretty good service from National Hobby in Atlanta. They need to learn how to advertise they have products in stock that are not on there website or in there adds in MR. I have been to there store and they do not have evrything in stock A large order will be shipped when they get it from thier supplier. I have place large orders with them and had them in 3 to 4 days but I am close to them. I think when it comes to online shopping N-scalers have it better. As for my local hobby shop I will be glad when he is gone, and someone else moves in.

 

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> their "stock" is actually whatever is in stock at Walthers <hr></blockquote>
Do you mean that as good or bad, Chris? I'd think that Walther's stock at discount prices was good; but I probably missed the catch .

Kraydune, I also have a problem with a local shop - never has anything I need (and I'm talking plastic strip, brass and paint - not a specific & rare freight car). I tried to support him as he is my 'local', but last time I went in (and that is "last" in both ways) the owner was behind the counter with the radio on doing a word puzzle. I stood there for a minute, but he didn't budge. So I wandered around for a couple of minutes so he could finish whatever had his attention, and then went back to the counter. Still no response. So I left and will not bother him again. I actually have to get all my generic materials from a plane & auto model shop that is a little further away from home in the opposite direction - they have the stuff and are keen to help.

Maybe I'm odd, but I like to communicate before handing over my hard earned cash .

 

Mike:

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> Do you mean that as good or bad, Chris? I'd think that Walther's stock at discount prices was good; but I probably missed the catch . <hr></blockquote>

Nothing wrong with that as long as you realize they will most likely have to order the items from Walthers after you place your order with them. That of course will delay the order some compared to their actually having the items in their own stock.

Chris

 

Thanks for that post. I have been like wise disappointed in Internet dealers, or deals with web sites I should say.
Now I call them on the phone from the ads in the train magazines and make an order if their answers suit my needs.

My biggest complaint is the off hand way parts suppliers treat you.

 

I have used InternetTrains on two orders (1 recent and still outstanding). They did a nice job on the first. If you use them, make sure there are not better prices from published sources. You can normally secure a price reduction as part of your order if you present them with the competitor's lower price.

 

Yes, InternetTrains seem quite expensive. By the time I add 20% carriage, 4.5% duty and 17.5% tax their prices are much the same as UK suppliers, so there's not much point. With (eg) Standard Hobby the same exercise can save me 10% or more, which is significant on a large order. Price matching as Tigerman mentions is a pain in the **** if you have an order of 20 or 30 items. I might do it for a small order, but then I might buy in the UK as the actual ££ saving wouldn't be so much.

All I'm asking for is really low prices and decent service. I don't think that's unreasonable

Gil, I agree about phoning - but given time zones and transatlantic call costs ... Anyway, internet shopping is the future so these people have got to be edjercated

 

You might try Toytrainheaven.com. I haven't placed an order yet with them, but what contact I have had with them has been positive. They don't have an internet ordering system, so you either have to call it in, FAX it in, or e-mail it. The one FAX I sent them asking about their available items they responded back with my marked-up list overnight. A prety good sign compared to some of the others I've worked with. They also have the best prices I've seen yet. Try $7.30 for Athearn passenger cars or $4.00 for freight cars.

I've tried Internet Trains. They lost my order, and then sat on it because they didn't have what I asked for and then shipped some of the wrong stuff. They seemed good to work with over the phone, just under-stocked and too willing to hold you order instead of telling you that something wasn't available. I imagine though that's a common practice with most of these outfits.

Is their a perfect place to work with? If anyone finds it, let me know O.K.? There'll be a BIG reward!!!

Mark

 

I have been using WC Becker (http://members.aol.com/wcbecker) for a while now for most of my purchases. The main reason I buy from him is his free shipping (in lower USA 48) on orders over $85. He uses a sliding scale for his pricing. The more you buy the more you save. You can save up to 28% off list. To get that discount you have to spend at least $250. Even if you don't reach that amount, if you do the math and factor in the shipping charges, he frequently beats out everyone else. A lot of places are now charging $8.00 for shipping. MRPO is another option. They have a standard 20% discount and have been running a $1.99 shipping promo. You can usually do better ordering your locomotives elsewhere. A lot of places sell locomotives for 40% off list.

 

Just an update on this.

I ordered quite a lot of stuff from both Standard Hobby and Caboose Hobbies.

I'd say Standard failed. Despite holding the order 4 weeks for stock, it was despatched with significant shortages. They also seem very reluctant to engage with customers or to use e-mail, I keep getting notes by snail-mail which is to say the least not very efficient for trans-Atlantic communications!

Caboose did a bit better, but still sent the order short (and had to be prodded to tell me what they had sent). They also charged me well over the maximum shipping I authorized without asking.

Had a look at ToyTrainHeaven, First Hobby and a few others, but they all seemed relatively expensive.

I then ordered some of the 'short' items (some State Tool & Die Hot Metal Cars) from 1stPlaceHobbies using their website system,
www.1stplacehobbies.com
I found this very good, and the cars were significantly cheaper than SH. A couple of days after ordering I got an e-mail saying the order was ready to go and giving me the choice of air or surface mail with actual costs. I chose air (this was on 20th Dec) as the extra cost was less than the higher price I'd have paid if SH had supplied these cars. The stuff arrived immediately after New Year. This would indicate that they either have an express arrangement with Walther's or they do indeed hold their own stock. (The website does actually indicate if an item is in/out stock.)

Today I got another e-mail asking if the order had arrived OK, because another UK customer had had a dispute with customs about his order. That's what I call service. This is of course just one order, but I will certainly use them again

 

For N scale, try TexNRails

 

I am lucky to live 20 minutes from what I feel is the best hobby shop this side of Denver.

Little Choo Choo Shop in Spencer, NC.

I don't recall their website addy, I thought it was http://www.littlechoochooshop.com but that doesn't seem to work at the moment. They have a decent size store, and not just the same old stuff you find everywhere else. They have several huge display cases full of MT stuff, and overall a quite impressive amount of stock I do believe they'll ship if you call in an order. The prices are significantly discounted from Walthers list.

They're in the hobbyshop listings in Model Railroader.

I am not affiliated with them, I'm just a satisfied customer

 

I'd like to throw my 2 cents worth in here as well. I deal quite a lot with PF&S railway Supply in Pasco WA and have been consistantly impresses with them. THey are a distributor as well as a retailer and carry a massive inventory (I go to their "store" a couple of times a year). When you call, ask for Sharon and she will set you up and get it right every time. Their number is (509) 266-4384 or email at prantle@3-cities.com . I've probably spent 5000 with them in the last 3 years and have always been pleased.

 

I guess I should feel very lucky that I have two very good hobby shops in the area around my home. The HOBBY HOUSE is the older of the two and the new guy in town is SCALE REPRODUCTIONS, both of these places are in LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY USA. If you are going thru Louisville, stop by either place, these are what hobby shops should be. They are listed in the Louisville Yellow Pages. SCALE REPRODUCTIONS is looking for new business all the time. They offer club discounts, have donated door prizes to club functions, and have asked modelers what we wanted them to carry (they became a MICRO-TRAINS dealer). If they don't have it, they will get it for me or let me know where I can find it.
Since I am in N-Scale I have dealt with BROOKLYN LOCOMOTIVE WORKS for years, another quality operation. Ordering by mail at first, now by FAX and online also. NO BS from this place just good service. NOTE: You guys in those BIG scales(HO, S, O, G, etc) need to get a store like this! LOL
Another very good N-Scale supply source is TEX N RAILS in Florida. I ahve also deal with these people for years and had nothing but good service from them.

To end this all, I still say: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOBBY SHOP. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE MISSING UNTILL AFTER THEY ARE GONE!

 

My favorite is for N-scale is 4Nscale.com.
They were very helpfull when my first order didn't arrive within weeks and they proposed themselves to put a tracer on the order.
Finaly everything arrived but they did not letting me down until the order arrived.
Very helpfull and good service.

Paul

 

I placed an order with Internet Trains last week and they sent me a confirmation that it had been shipped. Also I used their search and emailed their sales dept about my search. They did not have this particular item but directed me to a place where it could be found. I liked that

I have also had good dealings with Nagenset Hardware, Longs, and Standard Hobby Supply.

My favorite hobby shop is about 1.5 hrs from my house. It is Tucker's Hobbies in Warren, Massachusetts.

 

I am very fortunate, as I have Tex-N-Rails a little more than 20 miles south of me. I've been dealing with Harry & Brad almost since the day they opened their doors. Always a pleasant experience and the prices are right.