Order from Charles Ro

[Anonymous]

I don't get it. I place an order on their web site, add to the basket then get a letter in the mail that they are sold out. Can't these places implement an inventory system that actually works? Or mabey they don't care???

Guess I gotta call each time I want to order something. Anyone else have this problem with them or other mail order sites?

Thanks,

Dan

[Anonymous]

When you deal with Ro, just call their toll free number and get a live person to speak to. Ask if the item is in stock, yes or no. The last time I called, ol Charlie himself answered the phone and we had a pleasant conversation. That's the only way to deal with the large mail order houses. Likewise the same with Trainworld. I don't trust ordering on their websites. So much product is moving in and out that they don't know what they have from one minute to the next. If you call Trainworld, you better have the item number ready, otherwise "da numba" gals will rake you over the coals. No chit chat with them.[swg]

[BobbyDing]

My experiences with Charles Ro web ordering have been the same. Call them first to check stock, then place your order via phone. Western Depot's web ordering seems to be top notch. Always have what I order (web site shows quantity in stock), I get several emails confirming the order and shipping info all within 24 hours. I watched their stock count before and after my last order and the items were subtracted from their online stock just after I got the shipping details (with tracking#). Their not the cheapest prices, but I suppose the extra cost is justified by an excellent system.

My 2 cents.

Bobby

[Anonymous]

ATSF Rock is right about "DA NUMBA GIRLS" at Trainworld, but, when they say they have something, they have it! When they dont have something, they dont. You can save a lot there, and due to geography, I get things NEXT DAY even if I order at 4:00PM Eastern. Normal shipping prices.

blabree11

[Anonymous]

I don't order most stuff on-line. I pick up the phone and call them. Saves being disappointed by an e-mail and gives me a chance to meet the folks at the other end. I've been ordering from Charlie Ro since the mid-80s, and have yet to be disappointed.

[3railguy]

Well,..they had the courtesy to send you an email. Some don't even have the courtesy to do that. Websites take time to update. Take the advice of others and call. It's much less cumbersome than messing with the internet.

[luther_stanton]

Many of the on-line dealers frustrate me for this very reason - they just do not update their web sites! I have been let down many times especially when looking for items from 2 - 3 years back - three that really stand out were an Icing Station, a Milk Car and most recently a Lionmaster J3 Hudson. You do a search on-line and find it, only to discover they are sold out. [:(]

As other suggest, I have taken to calling to check on quantities. For most of the train dealers, I do not even go through their shopping carts even though it would be more convenient for me as I can do it after hours - instead I pick up the phone and call.

- Luther

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys, from now on I will call them and do the order over the phone. Still frustrating, as Luther pointed out, to search on-line then find out it is sold out.

I've read people ordering for Ma&Pa Junction, I will have to check out there web site.

Thanks,
Dan

[bibeaud]

QUOTE: Originally posted by daniels

I don't get it. I place an order on their web site, add to the basket then get a letter in the mail that they are sold out. Can't these places implement an inventory system that actually works? Or mabey they don't care???

This happened to me too! It was for some K-line cars that were advertised for quite some time, yet Charles Ro claims that they never had them. I guess that is why they call it Vaporware in the computer/gaming industry?

[Anonymous]

It's awfully hard for a small retail business to keep a website up to date on a daily or even weekly basis. There's still a whole lot of human involvement required in the process, even with automated inventory reporting.

And it's surprisingly easy to pick up the phone and call a dealer. Many or most even have toll-free numbers for ordering. The Internet is not the be-all and end-all of commerce, despite what some online junkies may believe.