I have had problems with my last two orders from Model Train Stuff, AKA M. B. Klein.
I made a huge order (huge for me, over $1,000.00) earlier this year and paid over $50.00 for 2 day shipping, and then they took ten days to get it in the mail. That was very disappointing.
My order I made two weeks ago finally showed up. This time I paid for USPS Priority 2-3 day. Again, they took over a week just to get it into the mail, but this time they shipped it UPS Ground even though I paid for Priority Mail service.
This makes nearly $100.00 additional I have paid for preferred shipping services and still had to wait and wait for my orders.
I did get every physical product that I paid for, but I was way overcharged for service, and I come from the service industry. I hate paying for services not received.
Should I do anything? Should I just let it go?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Yes, contact them! I would have contacted them the first time - especally if you paid $50 for 2-day shipping. Why pay extra if you are NOT going to get the service you requested. MB Klein may even offer to refund you the $100.
FWIW, most of the orders I've gotten from MB Klein over the past few years have taken ~5 days to get processed and in the mail. I only paid the minimum so it was no big deal for me. I hardly ever pay extra for shipping.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Why not call them and explain your issues. I have been less than impressed with the way they (and TrainWorld) pack their items.
I've heard of shipping problems from various vendors or ebay sellers, but I have bought quite a bit of stuff in 2020 and have not had any problems at all. But I have not bought anything from MBKlein this year.
The mail I get goes through the ATL hub, so I don't know if "big city" post office problems are universally a problem just because the hub is in a big city.
Stuff from TrainWorld probably has been taking a couple of extra days to get here. I think they only ship on Tuesdays and Fridays.
No problems with Lombard Hobby, and I assume they go through CHI.
Just bought an item at Spring Creek Model Trains on Thursday. They had it packed and shipped from Deshler NE on Friday. Darn thing got to my house in Middle West Georgia yesterday (Monday)...but my local P.O. runs two deliveries daily just for packages. Got here at about 7pm. USPS Priority.
- Douglas
Your first step should be to reach out to them instead of venting to the public about your problems. Let them try and explain the situation and perhaps attempt to make it right.
Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/
Benjamin,
I would hardly call Kevin's post a "vent". He was just stating the facts and asking what he should do.
I did contact them after the first order, and accepted their response.
It was during the beginning of the Covid lockdown, and they said that caused the delay in processing. Then when they shipped it, they did send it UPS second day air, which is what I paid for. I just let that one go.
This one really had me grinding right now. Not only was there a delay in processing again, but they did not ship it with the service I paid for.
I will contact them.
These are strnage times - was everythign in stock when you ordered it, or did they have to wait for something? Their inventory is pretty much spot on accurate, so that should eb obvious. But they also probably have fewer people actually picking orders these days, to maintain a safe workign environment. Faster shipping methods do not equal rush order picking.
As for swapping with USPS - in many places, USPS service has been especially poor. They may just be covering for package losses, though if they switched to a cheaper method, the difference ought to be refunded.
I have placed many orders with them over the years, and never had any issues. But I am in what amounts to 2 day delivery distance even with ground - I could drive there in less than 2 hours, which is why I frequently go to the Timonium trains how. I also have never made one single order that large - my budget does not allow for giant mass orders, instead I spread this out in several orders over time. That is to say, I COULD make a giant single mass order, but it just works out better for me to spread that out. It works for me, my reserves have gone up considerably, so I see no reason to change my spending habits. Plus if I make one giant order and then a month or two later something comes along that I would like, too bad, I already spent the hobby budget. But whatever works. That may be a factor - such a large order may have required excessive time to pick and package, compared to ordering a recently released loco and a couple of car kits or case of track.
I would say something about the order that was supposed to be Priority Mail that came UPS Ground, if only to have the shipping charges adjusted. But the other one - AFAIK, they don;t have a rush order option, so even if you pick a 2 day ship method, that doesn;t mean you get the stuff 2 days from the order date, it means the delivery service gets it to you in 2 days after it ships. If it took 5 days from the ship date to get to you, and you paid for 2 day, and it was sent via 2 day, your beef is with the carrier, although these days they will simply say "covid" and laugh at you, I suspect. Most all shippers have notifications for California because of the fires, but Baltimore down to Florida - there's no excuse, unless there was a hurricane at the time.
Edit: Since there were a whole slew of posts in the time it took me to type my book (there were NO replies when I started!), I will add this - we've become WAY too spoiled by Amazon. And even they are slower than usual these days - there are at least 3 Amazon warehouses within an hour or two of me, and something I ordered Saturday with Prime, in stock and fulfilled by Amazon, so not coming from some third party , is MAYBE arriving today. Partially because they used UPS for this one - it went from an Amazon warehouse less than 2 hours from me, to a UPS distribution center 2 hours away on the OPPOSITE side of me, before coming back in my direction. My order from Sergent arrived today, first class mail, after shipping Friday from wherever they are in TN. Just outside of Knoxville it appears - also noted a small town north of there where a NS rail line runs through a town named Disney, TN. No, it's not where Disney World is, that's in Nashville.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Amazon Prime, supposedly one day delivery, is typically running 5-7 days here.
Sometimes I wonder if a lot of shippers are simply not bothering with good service but blaming everything on Covid.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Doughless Why not call them and explain your issues. I have been less than impressed with the way they (and TrainWorld) pack their items.
Hey Douglas -
I kinda agree with your comments regarding TrainWorld packing: flimsy outer cardboard box easily mangled in transit, and insufficient internal stuffing to help mitigate said mangling.
But I've always admired MBKlein's shipping department's attention to detail: sturdy outer box cross-reinforced with genuine packing tape, and contents completely wrapped in bubble wrap nestled in more than plenty peanuts.
Shipment from MBK has been usually about 10 days (even most recent order) at the standard low-cost (USPS) rate.
I never pay extra for premium ultra-fast delivery, but if I ever did I would expect premium results.
At one time or another I've done business with all the other shops mentioned with similar levels of service. I've never had any particular bad experience from any online dealer.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
Sorry you've been having issues. I ordered two of the new Bowser D&H C-628s from them online late last Friday afternoon. They were picked up on Monday by UPS and they left Richmond this morning at 5 am heading South to where I live in the Atlanta area.
I always just go with the least expensive shipping and have always been satisfied with their service.
MisterBeasley Amazon Prime, supposedly one day delivery, is typically running 5-7 days here. Sometimes I wonder if a lot of shippers are simply not bothering with good service but blaming everything on Covid.
My Amazon-dot-com-slash-Prime free guaranteed two-day delivery (outback Wyoming) is minimum five days, more often seven or eight days. Same as PC (pre-covid). Any sort of packaging standards are non-existent.
Oh well . . .
I have recently ordered twice from Model Train Stuff. They seem to be reasonably quick.
But then I'm not in a hurry. I always take the cheapest shipping. With the pandemic, I let my packages sit a few days in the garage anyway.
What counts for me is that the order is correct and I've never had a problem with that.
Paul
ROBERT PETRICK MisterBeasley Amazon Prime, supposedly one day delivery, is typically running 5-7 days here. Sometimes I wonder if a lot of shippers are simply not bothering with good service but blaming everything on Covid. My Amazon-dot-com-slash-Prime free guaranteed two-day delivery (outback Wyoming) is minimum five days, more often seven or eight days. Same as PC (pre-covid). Any sort of packaging standards are non-existent. Oh well . . . Robert
Yep, my Amazon Prime orders are taking extra time these days. I figure there are a lot of people like me ordering a lot more from Amazon. But they do come.
Packaging is usually pretty good, but sometimes leaves a little bit to be desired. But I have never had anything damaged so far.
Shipping? What is that?
I joined their rewards club and have spent enough to get free shipping for orders $99 or more thru the end of 2021 (at present). Most of my orders exceed $99 so I haven't paid for any shipping for the past year at least. I don't need stuff shipped fast anyway. That is one of the perks of shipping MBK assuming they have what I need.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
MisterBeasley Sometimes I wonder if a lot of shippers are simply not bothering with good service but blaming everything on Covid.
Maryland would still have been under heavier restrictions in the period mentioned in this thread, which has been impacting things more than some other states. Here in Northern Virginia, a lot of packages we get are routed through Hagerstown or Baltimore and you can see them slow down when they hit those points.
SeeYou190This one really had me grinding right now. Not only was there a delay in processing again, but they did not ship it with the service I paid for.
Everyone gets through the warehouse in the same time, first come, first served, or at least that's what it seems to me.
Then you pay for shipping. Whatever class of shipping you order doesn't make it available for shipping any sooner, just gets it to you faster from that point on.
If they substituted a different means of shipping, it's probably because they perceived a problem with the original method and choose another to avoid even further delays. I would think they would refund any substantial difference.
MBK shipped my last couple of orders via UPS Smart Post when I requested Priority Mail. The price on the two services is pretty close IIRC.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I order from MB Klein all the time and like Riogrande5761 mentioned, my orders are over $99 and I get the free shipping. I'm in NJ, so it takes about a week as the mail going thru the NJ sorting centers is slower than a turtle. I too joined the rewards club. Some nice perks. I think in our current situation, nothing can be that important in our hobby that needs to be shipped overnight or 2-3 day. I do know with MB Klein, they have limited staff now that the store has closed ( was told by a gentleman on the phone when I made an inquiry) so things do take longer.
DoughlessWhy not call them and explain your issues.
OK... here is what happened...
When I placed the order, I had a coupon reward for $20.00, but when the order was processed, the $20.00 credit was not applied.
I contacted MB Klein about this over a week ago, they refunded the $20.00 that I was not credited for.
Today they told me that when they did this, their system automatically changed my order to standard shipping. At least that is the explanation I received.
So they refunded me the $20.00 I was owed, then did not provide the speedier shipping I spent $19.00 for.
Not an adequate explanation from where I sit.
Oh well, I am going to drop it.
Doughless I have been less than impressed with the way they pack their items.
This order was packed amazingly well. Absolutely a step up from previous orders from MB Klein. Everything was wrapped in continuous bubble wrap sheets, and nothing could move around in the package. A+ for the packaging this time.
-Kevin.
rrinkerWas everything in stock when you ordered it, or did they have to wait for something? Their inventory is pretty much spot on accurate.
I waited for the Tortoise Switch Machine 12 packs to be in inventory before I placed the order. According to their inventory count, everything in the order was in stock.
I do like the accurate inventory reporting system MB Klein has.
rrinkerA town named Disney, TN. No, it's not where Disney World is, that's in Nashville.
* * Ahem * *
Walt Disney World Resort is in Orlando, Florida.
IRONROOSTERWhat counts for me is that the order is correct and I've never had a problem with that.
The order was 100% complete and accurate. No complaints about that. MB Klein has never made a packing error on any order I have made with them.
riogrande5761I joined their rewards club and have spent enough to get free shipping for orders $99 or more thru the end of 2021 (at present). Most of my orders exceed $99 so I haven't paid for any shipping for the past year at least.
With this order, I am now at the reward level that I will get free shipping on all orders $99.00 through 2021.
Not sure if I will ever use this perk. I have everything I need to build the layout except for the Home Depot stuff. Maybe I will decide to buy 5 more undecorated Kadee PS-1 boxcars.
SeeYou190Not sure if I will ever use this perk. I have everything I need to build the layout except for the Home Depot stuff. Maybe I will decide to buy 5 more undecorated Kadee PS-1 boxcars. -Kevin
Everything you need. What is it they say about the best laid plans? In a couple of years I'd be curious how many more orders you end up placing for model train stuff for the layout. Don't get me wrong, it's good to make well laid plans, but making absolute statments like "I have everything I need" seem to forget other axioms like "to err is human" and "Murphy's Law". As thorough as we try to be, we usually end up finding we need just one more thing, and then another. Or we change our mind or ... Check back in a couple of years and be honest!
riogrande5761 Or we change our mind or ... Check back in a couple of years and be honest!
Oh, I will be honest along the way. I don't think anyone would accuse me of being bashful about sharing layout building experiences.
I have collected for the next layout:
All the steel legs
6 Sheets of Homasote
3 Boxes of Cork (probably will not use)
80 Pieces of Flextrack
70 Walthers/Shinohara Code 83 Old Style Turnouts (need ~40)
10 Shinohara Code 70 Turnouts
48 Tortoise Switch Machines
14 Power Packs (need 3)
200 Toggle Switches
150 Rocker Lever Switches
Tons of other electrical hardware
Literally over a mile of wire in 10 colours
2 27 gallon totes full of scenery supplies
All the buildings plus some spares (including 19 stall roundhouse)
15 Backdrops
2 Brass Bridges and 10 Plastic Bridge Kits
Also, I have completed over 150 freight cars. I have purchased over a dozen brass steam locomotives, and I have about 20 plastic diesels.
And at least 18 brass cabooses.
I honestly think this next layout project is as fully planned as it can be. Remember, I built the layout as a 1:1 scale mock-up out of cardboard just to make sure the whole plan was feasible and to put together an accurate parts list.
The $1,000.00 order to MB Klein earlier this year was supposed to be my last purchase of known needs, but they did not have enough Tortoises or Kadee 7501 Hopper Cars in stock. I waited patiently for all the shortages to be in stock before I placed this last order.
The only items on my "buy list" now are these three brass steam loocomotives:
Never a problem with USPS untill the other day but they brought it to the door when they found it. UPS has lost half our packages and they arrived later at times from honest people when they were delivered to their house but sometimes weeks later.
rrebellUPS has lost half our packages and they arrived later at times from honest people when they were delivered to their house but sometimes weeks later.
UPS does not seem to be able to figure out Cape Coral addresses.
Thank goodness for honest neighbors. I have had the same experience.
Rarely does the USPS botch a delivery.
MK Klein has ALWAYS been one of a handful that is providing oustanding shipping services. They are facing challenges and so too have larger places. I too extend a sorry that you're encountered issues. Of course call them and get the ground truth.
Can we pls avoid this thread becoming a place for people to express frustration with shiping delays? Perhaps we ought to take a step back. Deep breathes. Be happy that you can get your things and enjoy the hobby. Want the alternative? Not me.
SeeYou190 With this order, I am now at the reward level that I will get free shipping on all orders $99.00 through 2021. Not sure if I will ever use this perk. I have everything I need to build the layout except for the Home Depot stuff. Maybe I will decide to buy 5 more undecorated Kadee PS-1 boxcars. -Kevin
That's why I never bothered to sign up for a rewards club with just about anything. I find that I tend to buy stuff I wouldn't ordinarily pull the trigger on just to qualify for the perk, then don't get around to fully using the perk.
As far as packing, I may have been mistaken about MBKlein's packing shortcomings. I've only ordered a few things from them over the years. Trainworld's packing definitely has issues.
Moved to Georgia about 4 years ago. Maybe its a Southern thing, but if I leave the garage door open, its like its an invitation for visitors to come through the garage to knock on the garage house door instead of going to the front door and knock. Granted, the way the house sets on the lot, its a shorter walk to the garage than the front door, but still.....
Which is what both USPS and UPS do. Many of the drivers deliver the package to just outside the garage (where if I don't see it I could hit with a tire when backing out), instead of walking to the front door and setting it on the porch.
I only bring this up because I don't know if setting it by the garage is a cultural thing or if its more relative to the driver's waist line and the heat of the day.....
DoughlessAs far as packing, I may have been mistaken about MBKlein's packing shortcomings. I've only ordered a few things from them over the years.
I have had disappointments in MB Kleins packaging before, but they did it right this time.
Doughless Maybe its a Southern thing, but if I leave the garage door open, its like its an invitation for visitors to come through the garage to knock on the garage house door instead of going to the front door and knock
My wife gre up near Chicago, and this bothers her a lot.
That is just the way things have been my whole life. Strangers knock on the front door, deliveries to the garage, friends to the back door.
I live in Georgia as well. Leaving packages outside a garage door is both common and is a bad practice and drives (pun intended) me crazy
DoughlessThat's why I never bothered to sign up for a rewards club with just about anything. I find that I tend to buy stuff I wouldn't ordinarily pull the trigger on just to qualify for the perk, then don't get around to fully using the perk.
Your loss if you don't take advantage of the mbk rewards thing. In some cases I had to bump my order up for the free shipping but it was stuff I needed like rail joiners that I ran out of. Or I could have just bought that $93 model and paid shipping and not gotten those needed items to avoid qualifying for the perk. . My loss ultimately. As for the reward points for money off coupons of $15, $20, and $25 off, you betcha I use them. I really don't understand the mentality of not taking advantage of money saving opportunities. Isn't there the least bit Ferengi in some of you? My wife needs to hold a class on this for y'all. I'd brag about some of the Amazing deals she has worked but it's a pain to type it all on the touch screen!