On-Line places to get train stuff - good & bad

[Anonymous]

I'm a newbie and there are a lot of on-line places to get train stuff. I've read through some of the strings and hear some different comments on different stores. I've read that Hobby City in NY is a place to probably stay away from and Trainland in Brooklyn seems pretty good, etc.

I'd like to maybe see if I could get some opinions on one string about places you've shopped, and been treated well or been treated poorly, good quality vs. bad, good customer services vs. bad, good prices etc.

I fully realize the opinions will be all over the place and I don't think there is a answer to this topic, I'm just looking for some previous opinions of people who have spent their hard earned money.

Thanks
Me

[cacole]

Such a list would be too long, there are so many on-line dealers. If you have a question about any one in particular, it would probably be better to just ask about it before ordering. I have 10 sites in my Favorites folder that I peruse periodically to see what's new or coming down the pike.

[Anonymous]

Trainland and MB Klein are my two favorite sites. They have the best prices and I've never had a problem. I use DCC on my layout. For DCC related items(decoders, wiring harnesses, lights) I use Loys Toys again without any problems. I'm on a fixed income so I have to watch for bargains and these sites have as good of price as any others I have found. I've been in the hobby over thirty years. I've only done alot of mail order from websites and the like for the last five years.

[ATSFCLIFF]

Hi and welcome aboard. I am not sure which scale you are modeling in. If you are in N-scale, try N Scale Supply at www.nscalesupply.com I have used them for a number of years and find their prices fair and provide good and prompt service.

[Anonymous]

Familarize yourself with the policies of the mail order firm.

The disadvantage is, you can't pre-test so out of the box do if it doesn't run
what's your recourse?
Do you return it to the vendor & exchange it?
Who pays for the return postage going back?
Who pays for the return postage to you?
Should you send it directly to the manufacturer for repair?
Mail order vendors are not in the repair business.
What are the initial shipping expenses on a new order?
What is the policy on back orders and will there be subsequent charges?
Item out of stock but we can get it for you. Should I substitute?
Be aware of restocking fees for returns
Additional expenses can eat away at the discount savings.

Should you order on their free 1-800 #, also have their stock number. Remember, they are paying for the call.

[Anonymous]

The bad (in my experience):

Hobby Circle


The good (in my experience):

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/

http://www.tonystrains.com/

http://www.traintrack.net/

[MAbruce]

Good (from experience)

Trainworld: http://www.trainworld1.com/index.html
Toy Train Heaven: http://www.toytrainheaven.com/

Good (from word of mouth – so I’ll try them out soon):

Model Train Stuff: http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/
Caboose Hobbies: http://www.caboosehobbies.com/
Wig Wag (N-scale) http://www.wig-wag-trains.com/ProductLinePage.htm

Good & Bad

eBay (I’ve had only good experiences – but you must be very careful and know your prices and equipment).

Brooklyn Locomotive Works (N-scale): http://blwnscale.com/Opening%20Page.htm (I’ve heard both good and bad – but no direct experience).

[ClinchValleySD40]

Good ones I use:

Track products - Standard Hobby
Cars and engines - Kleins or Caboose Hobbies
DCC - Flying Scotsman or Steve's Depot or Youngwood

[Anonymous]

www.caboosehobbies.com is the best i have found. their customer service is excellent and their product selection aint too bad either.

plus, when you buy from them you are supporting a regular bric\k and mortar hobby shop, if you care about that kind of stuff.

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Originally posted by plane_crazy

I'm a newbie and there are a lot of on-line places to get train stuff. I'm just looking for some previous opinions of people who have spent their hard earned money.

'NEWBIE'S' NEED:
To SEE a product before they buy it - not sight unseen.
Someone to hold their hand and give DIRECTION
Someone that can ANSWER 1000 questions.
Someone that can can help SOLVE a problem.
Someone that can FIX things or show them how.
Exchange a purchases if he is UNHAPPY.

On-Line sellers do not do this. Mail Order houses cannot do this.
Used items on EBay can be where a greedy seller finds a greedy buyer - and really be a can of worms. Goin' fishin'?

"Hard earned money" on any unsatisfactory item is a total waste. You have to earn it TWICE!

I'm not saying that everybody is greedy. But a Newbie looking for the cheapest price, is looking for trouble. WHO was it said "A fool and his money are soon parted"?

Am I calling you foolish? NO - but can you answer all Chuck Walsh's Questions?.

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Don Gibson

But a Newbie looking for the cheapest price, is looking for trouble. WHO was it said "A fool and his money are soon parted"?

Am I calling you foolish? NO - but can you answer all Chuck Walsh's Questions?.

Great, first you call the new guy a fool, and then you claim you're not calling him a fool. PLEASE! [:(!]

Plane-crazy – There have been several replies to your question, and as most forums go, you often get much more than what you asked for.

Take the advice here in stride, and keep in mind that some people will frown on using on-line sources because they feel they are causing the Local Hobby Store (LHS) a hardship (and make some rather insensitive remarks in the process).

You asked a good question and I think you got some good answers. The rest is up to you. Don’t be afraid to hunt around for a good deal!

[Anonymous]

Don,

Where would you recommend I look at the product, get someone to hold my hand, answer my questions, solve my problems, fix my probelms, and make me happy?

I certainly don't want to be greedy, open a can of worms, waste my hard earned money; or worst of all be a fool.

Where would you recommend I shop?

Everyone else, thanks for your feedback, it was exactly what I was looking for.

[Don Gibson]

Starting out - (you said you were "a Newbie")

Taking you at your word: A Hobby shop with a reasonable train departmet.

These are generally staffed with modelers working part time who will help you spend your "hard earned money". (Is there any other kind?) Most of all they can steer you away from problems. They are paid to help customerr's into the hobby.
Also, if they don't do right by you, they go out of business..

How close? Somewhere you can get to once a week or once a month.

Are all hobby shops equal? No. Some are better than others.- sort of like wives (and customers).

I'm glad you read my post. Whether you agree with it or not, it shows you are intelligent and articulate, and i mean that in the most complimentary sense. Once you get the hobby under your belt - say your 2nd layout - you can start buying things sight unseen and trust your luck, Hopefully You'll be better informed. You might even agree with me.

[AntonioFP45]

Any feedback on:

www.traintrack.net

[Anonymous]

www.discounttrainsonline.com is a good place. large selection and good pricing. you have to wait a few days for them to ship but when they ship them you get them with in 2-4 days depending on where you live.
Walthers.com is also good. Once you order with them you get a qaurtily sales catolog that has good deals in it.
Andrew Miller

[jsoderq]

First, to me it is important to be able to check inventory. Walthers has the most accurate up to date system for this- but list price except for sale items. trtainstuff is the online service of MB Klein in Baltimore a very old and great brick and mortar shop. If you ever get there stop in. Caboose hobbies is excellent especially in the west. Again if you get the chance stop in.Toy Train Heaven is the online service of Bowser and their hobby shop. Good prices and online inventory. Model Railway Post Office I have been dealing with for a long tiime -good prices and excellent service but not a full online inventory.Remember, do your homework (know exactly what you are ordering) have all the part numbers road names etc and get to know your vendor. They are easier to deal with if they know you and you know them.

[simon1966]

I have purchased from my local hobby shop. From E-bay (great results if you know what you are looking for, stick with good sellers and know how much you are willing to pay) and from the internet from http://www.tomstrains.com/ho.html
Toms trains has a hideous web site, but responds quickly to e-mail enquires. Has a good shipping policy and excellent prices. He often runs some really good inventory clearing sales. I have purchased a lot from him and been very happy.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Any feedback on:

www.traintrack.net

I've had good luck with them - my only problem came with an order that came due and got lost during their move across country - but that kind of thing doesn't happen very offen ! I didn't get the order, but I wasn't charged, either.

Other than that, I've been happy with them.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gbailey

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Any feedback on:

www.traintrack.net

I've had good luck with them - my only problem came with an order that came due and got lost during their move across country -

George, I did a buy with a trainTrack out of Oakland Maine about 18 months ago.

I'm assuming this maybe the same firm. Was referred by Bill Nanney from
Atlasrr.
If so, is was a good execution-good delivery for a Kato SD 90.

Looking at this site I see where his Riv Steamers are 25% to 30% higher and 15% more
on Budd cars thanTrainworld.

[Trainnut484]

Plane-crazy, welcome to the World's Greatest Hobby [:)]. As some posted above, it's wise to shop at a hobby store first before buying onlline. A good bet is to look in the Hobby store Directory in the back of Model Railroader and find a hobby store close to your area. Even look in the phone book.

If a railroad runs through your town/area, ask some of the railfans that gather at trackside. Good source of information there.

Once you do find one, get on their web mailing list (if the LHS has a web site) to get news of new stuff that comes out.

Happy train buying [:)]

Russell