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Best Online Pricing - HO Equipment
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Well, let's see. <br /> <br />Trainworld.com typically has about the best prices, but don't expect "Nordstrom" level customer service or a lot of info. I'm not saying they won't stand by their product, take returns on defectives, etc, but they're not exactly 'warm & fuzzy' either. (FWIW, I've been there physically and it's about the same in-store too). It's a place to go when you know what you want, and don't need help or info to make your choice. I use them frequently to buy motive power, on which they tend to be unbeatable in price. <br /> <br />Firsthobby.com: Good prices and good service. I usually find them to be about 10-15% more than Trainworld, but in cases where you want to speak with someone and get info, etc. it might be worth it. <br /> <br />standardhobby.com: Generally good prices. Sort of mid-range on the customer service side. <br /> <br />tonystrains.com: my preferred source for all things DCC. Generally good prices and absolutely exemplary customer service. This is the place that did take a lesson from Nordstrom and learn to make customers loyal just by their service. The fact that their prices are quite good too is a bonus. <br /> <br />And don't overlook the support your LHS can give you (and needs from you). While I don't/can't justify paying 3x the price for the same loco, I do make a point of patronizing them for many other things, particularly items I want to see before buying or need quickly. I often buy turnouts there, scenery details, tunnel portals, rock molds, and so forth. And, frankly, I do sometimes make "impulse" buys there of bigger items that I know I could go online and get cheaper, but I'm there, I like it, and it's calling out to me... I have a particular weakness for Beer Reefers, so pretty much anywhere, anytime I see a new one, it's gettin' bought. <br /> <br />PS - One quick pricing benchmark I often use is Bachmann Spectrum locos. This has nothing to do with my, or your, esteem for that line, but it's because nearly everone carries them, so you get relatively apples-to-apples comparison. I've found that I can judge a place's pricing levels 95% of the time just by checking their price on a Spectrum 3-truck-Shay, for instance. Don't use this as gospel. It works very well for full-line hobby vendors, but not as indicative for specalized stores (i.e. if a store specializes in DCC and their spectrum loco prices are high, it may not mean much.)
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