Good deals Bad deals

[Anonymous]

I don't buy many trains from my not-so-local dealer (it's a 45-minute drive, each way) because I buy all my major train items from a select list of stores via mail order. But it sure is handly to have a brick-and-mortar store available for a once-a-month-or-so trip to pick up small accessories, scenic items, paints, a few sections of track, and the dozens of other little things that go into building a layout. It's possible to get most or all of those items online, of course, but it sure is a pain in the butt, and the shipping/handling charges often exceed the cost of the items. Besides that, when you see it in an actual hobby shop, you know what you're getting. I find that especially valuable when I'm shopping for model paints, figures, and other small accessories where I want to see (and examine) what I'm actually spending my money for.

If you're just buying trains to stick on a shelf or to run on a bare sheet of plywood, I guess it doesn't matter much if you do all your buying online. But if you get involved in building a detailed layout at some point, the availability of a local hobby shop quickly becomes a real asset.

And I guess I'm just lucky, because the overwhelming majority of hobby shops I've even visited across the country have always made me feel more than welcome, There may have been an exception or two, but they have been so few and far between that I don't even remember them.

[thor]

Re;- 'little dealers' - most of my experience with same has, up to now, been mom and pop motorcycle dealers whih are the best because they know what a spare part is and what you can substitute unlike the big boys whose clueless staff rely on a microfiche!

Anyway, I too hate to see these guys go out of business BUT in SOME cases, no names, you can't help wondering if they have or ever had a clue! My nearest little guy has offered me a real good deal on a big MTH Pacific, I know because I checked with other sources and was told by a guy at TrainLand that it was 'a steal and below cost'.

However the same guy whose shop front boasts Official MTH and Lionel Dealer has almost nothing on his shelves except a ton of airplane kits and diecast cars! In fact I'd have not been told about that loco or offered it had I not said "Well whats that over there then?" when he said he had nothing in stock!

Most of the time his two 'helpers' (?) are either on the phone with friends, judging by the conversation at least I hope they dont talk to customers like that or rebuilding various R/C car and truck kits which from the looks of them are well used and possibly their own.

More than once I've asked for something and been told 'we don't have any' only to then have to point out that I can see it for myself.

[darianj]

I know what you mean...It's a bitter-sweet situation.

[dennyblock]

A little dealer down the road from me just closed, hate to see him go but love the clerance deals. Bought a 6-18431 trolley for $20, a 6-12912 working pumping station for $40 new in boxes. Plus about a dozen other smaller things. A love hate relationship, know what I mean?