Internet/Mail Order Heros

[Anonymous]

I thought I'd post a topic so that folks can share with each other information about internet/mail order suppliers that they would readily buy from again. While price is important to me - fast shipping, easy to navigate websites and a customer oriented attitude are much more important. I prefer to hear about "heros" rather than villians. I also think the best way to reward those suppliers that only list in-stock items, ship quickly, work with you to fix any problems, don't gouge on shipping costs and put the customer first is spread the word.

I've had great success with Internettrains.com, discounttrainsonline.com, and modeltrainstuff.com. (who also lists quite a bit of stuff on ebay).

I recently ordered three Life Like Subway sets from Manhattantrains.com, two of the silver sets and one of the redbirds. The silver sets showed up within a week, the redbirds were back ordered. Because I had only been billed for the two that were shipped I just kind of forgot about it. About a month and a half later, having remembered the back order I called to see what the status was. The gentleman (and he was definately a gentleman) who answered the phone took my information and within 15 minutes called me back. He had checked his computer and the tracking information from the shipping company - apparently it got lost somewhere. He said he'd send another one and track down the original one. No finger pointing, no "wait a few more days" or anything like that - it was obvious that he was upset at the shipper and wanted to make things right by me. Well, within four days there was a Proto Subway set at the house (I also noticed that there was no additional shipping charge on the backorder - way to go!). I fully understand that sometimes there are problems beyond the supplier's control - the key to me is how they handle things. Manhattantrains is going to get more of my hobby money in the future!

Also . . . yesterday I placed an internet order from a company that I had never heard about before - Cherry Creek Hobbies ( http://www.cchobbies.com/). This morning when I turned on the computer there was an email saying that my order would be shipped today. Wow! I'll let y'all know how this turns out.

[Anonymous]

A freind has placed orders for myself and others with Trainworld many times, great prices, fast shipping. Can't ask for anything more!

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

I have done business with Bessemer Hobbies, http://www.bessemerhobbies.com/ (an eBay store) twice now, and have had really good results both times. One purchase was an auction and the other was through thier store. They have a very good selection of Stewart Hobbies and Branchline Trains.

Also, I bought my BLI E7's from Max Model Trains (https://maxmodeltrains.com/index2.html). Good price, nice guys. I have several BLI CZ cars on order through them as well. When I have emailed questions I have a response within 24 hrs. I will definately do business here again.

[Anonymous]

This subject has come up a few times since I have been on the Forum. However, I deal with on a regular basis; 1st Place Hobbies, Walthers' Terminal Train Shop and Caboose Hobbies. I still love to go into a Hobby Shop and buy the stuff I feel I like to inspect, before buying. I have had no problems with M.B. Klien, Standard Hobby, Eberle's, Southern Digital, Steve's Train Depot and Toy Train Heaven, although I don't regularly do business with these last folks. As a matter of fact, I haven't run into any bad apples. I'm not saying they are not out there, I'm just saying I have'nt run into any!

For good prices, ease of shopping on the web, wide selection and quick delivery, I think 1st Place is my favorite.

[BRAKIE]

For me its modeltrainstuff.com for HO and buynscale.com for N scale.
I also like First place hobbies and Dan's Depot..[:D]

[Anonymous]

Trainworld.
78 hour dely and you can track the shipment on line from Brooklyn to your door step.
Right now they are giving an additional 10% discount on stock item thru 09/13
to preferred customers.

Next time around 1stplacehobbies is on my list.

[lupo]

I buy 90% of my US MR stuff through mailorder / internet shops,
mostly the names coming up here often:
firtshobby - internethobbies etc.

I also got good deals from http://www.discounttrainsonline.com , the way they fill in their paperwork always saves me the 19% VAT sales tax that I normally have to pay for goods imported into the Netherlands, they also have good sales deals.
also good service from http://www.valleymodeltrains.com/ they have a fine selection of the better structure kits H0 and 0 and keep track of backorders as well, if something is out of stock when ordering they sent a mail when the items were back in stock.

[johncolley]

Walther's is usually good but sometimes there are a lot of backorders. Two "greats" in my book are Mike Womack at Max's and Bruce Petrarca at Litchfield Station. Totally customer oriented, knowledgeable people, both. Kudos, guys! John Colley, Port Townsend, WA

[rexhea]

I have had very good response time from Tony's Trains and with LHC's that have web sites. They usually will ship that day or the very next at cost (not the min. $7.50 rip) and have competitive pricing.

Not like Internet Trains or Discount Trains that have a 2-5 day delay befor shipping.

[orsonroy]

I've had very good luck with Walthers, Trainworld, and Hobbies USA (Mitch), for internet mail order. I've also had very good luck ordering directly from some manufacturers online, especially Tichy, Red Caboose and Westerfield.

[Anonymous]

I buy a lot of equipment from both Ontracks and Hattons - Ontracks for Bachmann HO and G scale, also LGB, Hattons for Hornby/Bachmann OO scale and some other equipment. Addresses are www.ontracks.co.uk and www.ehattons.com - might be of use for anyone wanting specialist equipment as both will ship worldwide.

[Anonymous]

Ray, I forgot all about HobbiesUSA(Mitch). He's very responsive and sends out informative emails detailing what the status is from his suppliers. His 35% off Walthers instock items was the best! Blew a big chunk of my hobby budget on that one!

[csxns]

Hobbies USA by Mitch RULES i like him.Dans Depot is good also.MB Clines has it all but too slow in shipping to my address.

[Anonymous]

www.towerhobbies.com

[orsonroy]

Oops...I forgot to mention that I really like dealing with Bowser too. I've ordered from them both via snail mail and email, and have always had my order within five working days of them receiving my order.

And yeah, I really like dealing with Mitch. It seems he's been getting the bulk of my hobby budget these days, especially when it comes to engines!

[Trainnut484]

I've had good experiences with Firsthobby.com and Trainworld. They have great prices and helpful folks.

Take care,

Russell

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I've had real good luck with David at Dash Railroaders. Working on my 4th order with him.

[dknelson]

Is Perry's Hobbies still in business? I used to have very good service from them.
Dave Nelson

[jrbernier]

For mail order/internet I like to use M B Klein(modeltrainstuff), Peach Creek Shops , and Toy Train Heaven - All give very good service. I have ordered from a few others, but they do not have good stocking, or service is poor. For DCC I have only used Tony Train Exchange - his folks know the technical stuff and he has great prices/good service. My LHS gives a good discount and will order on a weekly basis, so a lot of stuff has gone through them. My LHS has been very competative on BLI engines, and Digitrax DCC items - all high ticket items(at least when buying decoders by the '6 pack'!).

Jim Bernier

[jrbernier]

Dave.

Perry's is still in business - they have a large mail order business, and hit the 'train show; circuit here in the upper midwest. They used to be basically a 'brass' dealer, but now are more into 'N' scale/books/video tapes.
He is still located in Morgan, MN. It is now a 3rd generation operation, Perry/Jim/Paul.
A far cry from the 'brass' in the back of the grocery store! Here is the web URL:
http://www.perryshobbies.com/

Jim Bernier

[fiatfan]

I have found that while Internet Trains has good prices, the shipping delay can be annoying. I placed an order on Aug 30th (all items in stock) and the order wasn't shipped until Spet. 10th. To me, that seems a little excessive.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Internet Trains usually isn't that slow, but you were a victim of bad timing. They had a mailing list-only sale on August 31 that gave a 10% discount on every and all orders that day. I took advantage of it, and checked on an order yesterday (also hadn't been shipped yet). The CS rep who replied told me they got swamped with orders on the 31st, which slowed everything down. And they also ran out of stuff, so even though the website said it was in stock, the number of pending orders made some things not really in stock (like some Digitrax decoders I ordered, which are due in next week).

[Anonymous]

Again, I just executed a buy from Trainworld with their additional 10% discount. Order to be shipped Monday PM
via United Parcel and will track it's shipment(78 hours) from Brooklyn to my Mi. door step.


You can't beat their HO, P2K Steam Berkshire discounted price.