I'm sure a lot of you (like myself) have purchased numerous items from the many China sellers on that famous auction site. I seem to always have a steady flow of LEDs and electronic bits and pieces coming from them. Went to one of my favorite China sellers last night only to find his store empty ! I sent him a message about whether he was going to have widget abc again and got the following response ....
"Hello Mark, sorry but I can't ship goods at present because of the virus in China now, I am afraid this status won’t end until November, thank you for your understanding, sincerely, David"
That's going to be a real game changer going forward ....
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
It's not only products from sellers on eBay, just think how many MR products are manufactured in China and shipped to the USA. Closed factories mean no shipments.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrainjust think how many MR products are manufactured in China and shipped to the USA
Not only MR products, but products for just about every aspect of our lives. We have made China the #1 manufacturing resource. It never pays off to put all of your eggs into one nest!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I ordered a doo-dad from China about a month ago from a seller I have bought from before. It has not arrived. He sent me a note today saying nothing will be shipping for the foreseeable future and refunded my money.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Like everyone, I'm concerned, and listening, but not really worried.
I have NO orders from China pending, and none planned. Even my Ebay stuff I buy from sellers who have the product I want in the USA, or I don't buy.
Mike.
[Off-topic material removed by admin.]
My You Tube
Today's newsletter from Rapido says the factory was closed for three weeks but has now reopened.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Its good news that Rapido says they are reopening. Maybe its starting to run its course in China.
[Off-topic material removed by admin]
- Douglas
I'm wondering why this thread is even here. Is it the "train stuff comes from China" thing? that ties this to a model railroad forum?
There seems to be wall to wall coverage on every social media outlet. I'd say go to one of your choice, and follow what you want, not just from one source.
mbinsewi I'm wondering why this thread is even here. Is it the "train stuff comes from China" thing? that ties this to a model railroad forum? There seems to be wall to wall coverage on every social media outlet. I'd say go to one of your choice, and follow what you want, not just from one source. Mike.
As I reiterated earlier, I started the post as an observation that of the many China sellers a lot of us buy bits and pieces from on "that auction site", it sounds like they are pretty much shut down for the time being. The one I contacted indicated November ! Not having an electronic store anywhere near me, they have been a huge source for electronic parts that I would have trouble finding.
In particular, one seller had some really great LED street lights .... a dozen for $5.00 and free shipping. Now I see them them from US sellers for $6.00 EACH ! - plus more than that for shipping.
OK Mark, at least we can keep leaning towards model railroading. I've always seen the street lights, all different shapes. Never bought any.
For locomotives, I'm lazy, I buy the prewired nano and pico size from Evans Design.
https://evandesigns.com/collections/hobby-leds
Mel, in here, is extra handi with LEDs. I watched YT's where guys have used LED Christmas lights. Too much messin' around for me.
Good luck with your LED seach. I guess you shoulda' bought the street lights ealier.
It doesn't seem like $1 more, plus shipping is a bad deal, for the lights.
mbinsewi OK Mark, at least we can keep leaning towards model railroading. I've always seen the street lights, all different shapes. Never bought any. For locomotives, I'm lazy, I buy the prewired nano and pico size from Evans Design. https://evandesigns.com/collections/hobby-leds Mel, in here, is extra handi with LEDs. I watched YT's where guys have used LED Christmas lights. Too much messin' around for me. Good luck with your LED seach. I guess you shoulda' bought the street lights ealier. It doesn't seem like $1 more, plus shipping is a bad deal, for the lights. Mike.
As another member pointed out, it was $5.00 for 12 lights and free shipping. That's less than 50 cents each, done. At $6.00 EACH plus $11.00 shipping, I can go without for the time being.
I have already purchased a number of them and wanted more. Good thing there is always something else to do for the time being. Hopefully, things will get back to "normal" in due time.
Mark R.Hopefully, things will get back to "normal" in due time. Mark.
What is ''normal'' now-a-days............I'll just leave it at that.
Take Care, All!
Frank
Uh oh, hope I can still get parts for my power pack that I burned out a little while ago (see MRC power pack thread in Electronics and DCC)! Coronavirus might make it harder to source replacements, since most electronic components and doodads are made partially or entirely in China.
Matthew Cheng
Come check out my Youtube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSlaF4fvDX1brq6YOeODLPw
On (original) topic, I have a hobby related order from China pending, could be delayed. It'll probably be here before I'm ready for it. Dan
Just see how quickly the disease is spreading in Italy right now and how the death toll explodes there.
Is Rapido's factory up and running again or is it still closed?
From Rapido:
> Delivery Schedule - China Coronavirus Update On a> more serious note, many of you have no doubt been> following the news about the Coronavirus outbreak> in China. If you've read these newsletters or have> watched our videos for any time you'll know that> we have a very close relationship with our factory> workers and partners in China and are proud of it.> We are happy to report that, to the best of our> knowledge, none of our factory workers has been> infected. However, in an ongoing effort to> control the spread of the virus, both the Chinese> national government and many regional authorities> instituted travel restrictions and factory> closings. As a result, both of our factories> remained closed an extra three weeks after the end> of the Chinese New Year break. This means no> production, no shipments - nothing - until after> they have reopened and had a chance to get back up> to speed.
> Because of this, some projects have now been> delayed at least an extra few weeks, some more.> This is why we have continued to take orders on> products that are technically past the order> deadline, and have extended some other deadlines a> few more weeks. The good news is the factories> have now reopened and workers are returning. Of> course, it will take some time to get back up to> full capacity, but we are assured that things are> improving daily now. To compound the delivery> uncertainties, the Canadian rail system was shut> down for the last three weeks due to blockades.> (Jason was quoted in a Toronto Star article about> this. Click here to read it.) Our container of HO> Alco FA and FB-2 models was stuck in the port of> Prince Rupert for over two weeks. Fortunately,> that too is now on the move and is... stuck behind> all the other trains that were stopped! At least> it's moving now! Obviously, both of these> situations are outside of our control, and we> appreciate your patience.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
The end is coming. We're all gonna die!
Eventually. I'd rather just talk about trains on here.
Edz
Semi newbie HO scale modeler coming from the O scale world
mrrdadThe end is coming. We're all gonna die! Eventually. I'd rather just talk about trains on here.
Some good news!!!! Harbor Freight Tools is still going strong! I was just there Friday.
PS. Should I spray it all down with a disinfectant ?
=====NOTE FROM THE ADMIN=====
I've just deleted about 2/3 of this thread for being off-topic. If you want to talk about how Covid-19 and the response to it will affect model railroad manufacturers' supply chains, feel free to do so here. General discussion of the virus, the response to it, health precautions to take, etc. etc., remain off-topic. The internet is full of general-interest communities where you can discuss those topics. This remains a model railroading forum. Keep it on topic or this thread will be locked. Thank you.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
I made a couple small hobby related ebay purchases from Chinese suppliers near the beginning of the covid-19 shutdowns.
Haven't heard anything about delays to any of my shipments. I guess we'll see. China is a big place and I didn't check the locations of the sellers against the areas that were quarantined.
Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading.
The experts and so-called experts said to stock up on supplies in case of prolonged delays in processing and shipment.
I did. I have about three dozen structure kits, a decent amount of flex track, a few spare turnouts and Tortoises, a ton of ballast, a pack of 50 X-acto blades (minus 2 or 3 currently in use), plenty of paint and solvent, and shoe boxes filled with ground foam, super trees, and flock. I figure I could hold out a year or two.
Be prepared.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
Perfect Robert. You'll just ride another one out and so will I like so many times before through the years.
But at least you'll have something to do after you wash your hands hoping not to catch another common flu
TF
To be perfectly honest, I trust Steven O., the MR staff and my fellow forum members far more than the media and news reporting. This forum is a more reliable source of news in this area than either the American or Chinese sources.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Here here!
And to Steve-O who has monitored the Forum through the years. Hats off to you Steven I would just like to say we appreciate you and the good job you have always done.
You're a good guy Steve-O
Thank you