What I am looking for in what is supposed to be a fun, uplifting, "toyesque" hobby is a retailer (whether on-line, mail order, or in my neighborhood) who helps make the buying experience match the hobby - fun. Not some glum, rigid, no-fun, impatient order-taker who expects 3rd Reich exactitidue under penalty of banning the caller with her "delete" button. That is why I will seek other shops where my experience will be much lighter-hearted with a helpful staff who at least gives the impression that they like what they do. Granted, not every front line person gives a good impression, cares about helpfulness, or likes what they do. But it is the job of management to train, enlighten, or weed the Clingons out.
MikeG wrote: If you have bought from train world how was the experiance? Thanks Mike
If you have bought from train world how was the experiance?
Thanks
Mike
Very reliable!
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
lynbrookyankee wrote:Kent, Of course you're right about Brooklyn being a geographic part of Long Island but us New Yorkers refer to Long Island as being outside of NYC. FYI, Lynbrook got its name because of transplanted Brooklynites: they reversed Brook/lyn to rename the village (it was originally Piersalls Corners).
Kent,
Of course you're right about Brooklyn being a geographic part of Long Island but us New Yorkers refer to Long Island as being outside of NYC. FYI, Lynbrook got its name because of transplanted Brooklynites: they reversed Brook/lyn to rename the village (it was originally Piersalls Corners).
As a kid in the early 70's my friend and I used to ride our bikes about 10 miles from Wantagh Long Island to Trainland in Lynbrook. It was like the promised land to us kids. Now I stop by when visiting the inlaws.
No matter what store comes up in these kinds of threads, you'll invariably have someone come forward who has had an unsatisfactory experience.
As I noted in my earlier post, I've had good xperiences with Trainworld over some years. The prices are about the best you'll find anywhere; they stock in great depth and will tell you what is or is not immediately available; and they ship promptly. In terms of mail order, those are the things that tend to count most. For the vast majority of their customers, they are not a "local hobby shop" where you might stop by for a cup of coffee and to make small talk with the employees.
Yes, you do need to know what you want when you call in an order (including the stock number). They run multi-page ads in all of your favorite train magazines, so determining and making note of that number should be no real problem. With the huge amount of inventory they have available in various scales, I certainly can't blame them for not knowing all the numbers and descriptions.
There are still plenty of train shops around, so those who have what they feel are bad experiences still have lots of options. As for me, I'll continue to deal with Trainworld as one of my favorites for as long as they have what I want at a price I'm willing to pay, and can get it to me promptly and safely.
lionroar88 wrote:We all have our good and bad experiences with hobby stores. ....IMHO people have bad days, now if I run into them on a regular basis and they are always in a foul mood, well then that is another story... I have bad days myself, keep in mind that customer service is very nerve trying business...Brent
IMHO people have bad days, now if I run into them on a regular basis and they are always in a foul mood, well then that is another story... I have bad days myself, keep in mind that customer service is very nerve trying business...Brent
This is true, but I don't think I'm wrong in saying that they have 1 or 2 people working there that should stay in the back room. That hasn't stopped me from going there though...most of the workers are friendly and helpful and I haven't seen anyone beat the prices.
lionroar88 wrote:IMHO people have bad days, now if I run into them on a regular basis and they are always in a foul mood, well then that is another story... I have bad days myself, keep in mind that customer service is very nerve trying business...Brent
Brent, I agree!
Alex, Your comment is a wake up call to Train World. I hope they are listening!
Rod LaFrance
I ordered twice at Trainworld in 1986 and in 2005 and both were serviced well. They even warned me for not buying a Std. 0 item that needed at least 031 curves because they understood from the rest of my order that I had a 027 layout.
So, I am pleased with their assistance. They choose very reliable, but more expensive shipping methods which are always based on boats to Europe. So although their shipments are slow their service has been great.
Greetings
Eggo
Alex,
Sorry to hear of your bad experience - this is certainly no way to encourage young people to join this hobby. As a consumer you are absolutely correct in not giving your business to someone that did not treat you with respect.
I am 14 and at the TCA show the trainworld staff treated me like dirt, they ignorred me and seemed to think that I was just wasting their time when I asked about a locomotives features. I will never purchase anything from trainworld because of how I was treated at York.
Alex W
I didn't know that Brooklyn was not part of Long Island. There must be a new canal or river. Wow! I've been away too long!
I have bought from trainland recently at the store. No problems.
Former Yankee.
lynbrookyankee wrote:I live in the same town on Long Island as Trainland (Lynbrook) so I can't comment on online/phone orders. In person I have always found them friendly, courteous and helpful - recently they didnt have what I wanted in stock & called the Brooklyn store to check; they had it and shipped it to the Lynbrook store and I picked it up the next week - they did not require deposit or credit card. I have brought various items in for repair and the work was always done in a timely fashion at what I consider a fair price. I definitely recommend them.
Follow-up to my earlier post: I, too, have had repairs done at the Lynbrook store. Excellent.
I have made five or six purchases from them over the last 14 years. "James" was my last purchase. I have found them excellent to deal with! No problems! I recommend them highly!
Dick
Got my MTH tri-plex off of them from eBay on a best offer sale got it for $500, free ship.
laz57
Yes. Trainworld and Trainland.......Brooklyn and Long Island......They have been in the business for many years and really know trains.
I order from them regularly--O gauge, Large Scale, and On30. Great prices and very prompt service.
Have your "ducks in line" in terms of what you're ordering when you call on the toll-free line (product number and description, credit card info, etc.) because they don't usually have time for small talk, or are not inclined to engage in such. Call their info line if you have questions about products.
Take one look through most any of the model railroading magazines, regardless of scale, and you'll see that they offer a very wide variety of product and definitely stock in more depth than most hobby stores.
Hands down, for prices, service and speed, they can't be beat.
Texas Chief
I highly recomend them.No problems over the years.
Ed
Trainland & Trainworld are the same owner one is in brooklyn and the other is in long Island. They are both good places to order from and very nice people to deal with.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Been buying trains from them for years, never a problem. My advice to you is if you are calling to check stock on an item, do not call the 800 number, instead call the info line. They get a little irritated if you do. Sometimes the "numba girlz" as they are called over at OGR land are a little short on conversations, all they do is sit there and take orders all day long, so they sometimes can be a might touchy. Typical New York City mentality.
Make sure you have the number of the items you want to order and your credit card ready, then it will be a pleasant buying expereince. Only had to return one item, again they took back the item and promptly refunded my credit card.
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