Hi Roy, first of all I hope your business takes off. We need more (IMHO) G Scale retailers in Canada. I hope to start construction of my RR this summer, It will be narrow gauge steam. I have started with a BM Annie and am now building some rolling stock from wood and other bits. Will use running gear from BM flatcar kits. I have decided to go with AMS 250 flex track and will use their switches and ones that I will build from GR mag plans.
If you can help me in anyway I would be interested.
Randy
HI Randy
i own www.pineststation.com in chatham ont i just openned last november but would like to help you with pricing or any question you have about g scale trains.i am a member of the G scale club here in chatham and have had my layout for 2 years now the club webpage is www.swogscale.com
thx for your time Roy Walker
Dennis;
Congrats on your new regional destination for G-scale supplies ! It ot' to make the hobby more doable and enjoyable for the regional enthusiasts.
Is Roy any relation to the Walker who hosted a autoshow based in Chatham, formerly seen Saturday noonish on our local citytv affiliate ?
Hope ya have a great rwy construction season this year !
doug c
p.s. next time your conversing with Roy pls. let him know . . . . he may wish to have his webmaster correct the spelling for "AristOCraft" on his home page, although maybe he is selling cheap one-offs from hongkong
There is now a large scale shop in Chatham, Ontario, operated by Roy Walker. You can see his site at pineststation.com, or email him at rwalker13@cogeco.ca. This is a big deal as there are no real large scale stores within a 2 hour drive of the area. There is a non profit G scale club as well at swogscale.com. The club has been working with this new store to help promote the hobby. We welcome any questions. Regards, Dennis.
I live in Ontario and I have bought almost all my stuff on ebay at quite a saving but I have bought some items from ridge road station and RLD hobbies If you are not careful on ebay you can pay too much. Know your prices and set your limit!! If you have a friend or relative living stateside have the stuff shipped to them and pick it up when you visit. Never ever have anything shipped by UPS across the border. Have it shipped by United States Postal Service (USPS) It is generally cheaper and a lot less hassle. Hope this helps
Doug
Correction: from a note i received from a reputable source (almost 2 months back) within the AKT org. they are unlikely to make it thru the rocky mtns this yr to attend our ST'10 show ! Good idea to contact them (AKT/CGST) direct for update(s). doug c
Regionally;
Chinook Hobby shed all their G-gauge rolling stock via their ebay account over a month ago ! They just have some odds'nends when it comes to supplies or details.
UT down in Nanton, continues to have the best asking $ on the majority of items. But don't drive over based on their website pricing availability and $$ have changed. Tony did answer my email last week with regards AC track pricing and availability In reply I read it as not much AC track left in stock but USAT is his fave now (likely offered a great $ within a bulk order)
Trains'n Such on 4st n.w. in town here have less than half dozen various engines left but with high "asking" price from back when a high u.s. dollar combined with the embedded brokerage fees that CdnHobbyCraft and other distributors (of the time) therefore the majority of Cdn. dealers had to deal with up to a yr. or so ago. PM hobby on 32ave ne . . same !
re: AKT I purchased a box car via their ebay acc't a few yrs back with shpg charges final at my door costs were similiar to (regional) UT store shelf $ . So I tend to hesitate at ordering from them but . . . .
With AKT I would find it best to compile a list and attend our SUPERTRAIN (a IASTS) again happening in mid-April (2010). If you've got a wish list in 'round that timeline I would send it to all the known G-gauge resellers attending our show and ask them if any of it will be seen within their show booth ? . . a subtle hint to them that you and others will be looking to buy if available and the price is right !
shipping costs = the total price of gas/ accomodation/food/attendance to partake of the two day annual show here in Calgary !
"G-gauge may not Rule, But it GROWS on YA !! " djc'99
KV
I have dealt with Ultimate Trains but only in thier store. I go to Calgary to visit kids and grandkids three or four times a year and drive right by there. They have always been very good to deal with but they only have Aristocraft and USA trains. If this suits what you want to model it is OK. If you are interested in Bachmann then try Chinook and Hobby West in Calgary. They have a pretty good train dept and you will occasionally find them on ebay as well. I have also dealt with Art Knapp both in person and by mail. They are quite accommidating and will work with you. I purchased all my track from them as I travel to Vancouver once a year for medical checkup, and I can save the shipping. Sometimes they have good deals but you need to know the US pricing to decide if it is or not.Canadian shipping is always high but this is not the fault of the dealers, rather with Canada Post. If you are buying something large or heavy it is sometimes more economical to use a courier or Greyhound. When I purchased my Bachmann K27 from Art Knapp the shipping by mail would have been over $50. By greyhound it was only $25.
One of the biggest problems the dealers have to face is our wildly fluctuating dollar. If they place an order when the dollar is near par then it is easier to compete with the US pricing, if however they place an order when the dollar is very low then they have no choice but to try and sell for a higher price. I am not defending the pricing but just letting you know the other side of things. Having been involved in retail sales in the power sports industry for the last 9 years and living only 50 KM from the US border I am very aware of the effect that this had on sales. And don't think Americans are unaware of this. When the dollar was low, our store always did a brisk business with US buyers who could sometimes have substantial savings on a large item.By the way, I am in the West Kootenays, not that far from you.
Vulcan
One of the best shops to buy from that is very competitive with the U.S. is Art Knapps in Surrey, B.C. I live in Ontario and my more expensive purchases are from Ridge Road Station. Shipping is the one thing that drives up prices. Even Art Knapp tends to gouge when it comes to shipping. You are always best to deal directly with the seller and keep shipping costs out of the equation. I was at Knapp's in 2006 and his selection is very good.
Dennis
Thanks Vulcan for your input. Have been looking at Ultimate trains in Alberta, their prices seem to be better, at least here in the west. Have you had experience with them? And the shipping should be less (only one province away)
Hi Randy
I am also in Canada, and when I started into G a couple of years ago I had the same questions. There are, to the best of my research, no Canadian dealers who will even try to match the US pricing. I have found that I can purchase from the US and still save money, except on track. Not promoting any particular dealer but I have had good luck and service from Ridge Road and St. Aubin. The real secret is do not buy from anyone who will not ship USPS (US Postal System ). I have found some sellers who will only ship UPS. This is the absolute most expensive way to get anything to Canada. If you live near the border there is also the option of shipping UPS to a drop point near you, and then bringing it across the border yourself. It is easy to do. There is also E-bay, but be very careful of the price you are paying and the shipping. Some sellers are just rediculous in their shipping charges. Good Luck and welcome to the world of Canadian G scale.
Ron
Hi to everyone first, been surfing the boards on the net for several months trying to learn as much as I can about this hobby. Alot of info is out there if you take the time. And I have, it's great to be able to get so much from you people.
I have one question to start of with (much more later), I live in Canada and there seems to be a lack of competion with the States. Searched quite a few Canadian sites and can't find anything price wise that compares to US pricing. Looked at lots of American on-line sites but as soon as you add customs/brokerage fees and shipping the price just goes out of the roof.
Quess what I am trying to ask, what are my fellow canucks doing to get their G-scale fix
Thanks Randy
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