Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Is (ebay dealer) "The Favorite Spot" a Reliable Dealer?

25002 views
76 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2015
  • 257 posts
Posted by RR Baron on Sunday, November 18, 2018 7:16 PM

 

The Favorite Spot, LLC

 Filed Charter 11 Bank  Bankruptcy 11/06/2017

 Their website www.thefavoritespot.com  as of 11/18/2018 returns "This Site Is Under Construction and Coming Soon."

 

 

RR Baron

Edit: 11/30/2018

 

The Favorite Spot, LLC bankruptcy  Chapter 11 case was  closed Aug 09, 2018 in Texas Eastern Bankruptcy Court where it was filed. 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: Seattle Area
  • 1,794 posts
Posted by Capt. Grimek on Sunday, November 18, 2018 6:40 PM

Huh...I have no idea why this thread has surfaced again (although I haven't read through everything). I did indeed order from them way back when based on the helpful feedback here. Sorry to hear that they "may" be gone now...

I had excellent service from them.

 

Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, November 16, 2018 9:58 PM

Capt. Grimek
They're located in Denton, TX.

.

Denton, Denton, Rah Rah Rah!

Denton, Denton, Rah Rah Rah!

.

Don't dream it... be it.

.

.

Who puts a billboard in the middle of a cemetery?

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    November 2018
  • 4 posts
Posted by Cosmasndamian on Friday, November 16, 2018 8:47 AM

I have ordered a few Bachmann items from Favorite Spot over the years with no problems at all.  Their prices once allowed me to put together a BNSF unit grain train like what I see locally, which I otherwise would not have been able to afford if I went with, say Scaletrains or other, and from other vendors.

as far as buying on eBay, I would say know your Seller.  I know a few sellers who are not shops who buy second hand trains at yard sales and resell on ebay.  The ones I like are fellow modelers because they appreciate the fragility of the items, etc, and if there is a problem, they are more sympathetic.  There are also people who want to thin out their collections or are focusing on another era, etc, and have good quality items for sale.  You can usually tell by the way the listing is presented, whether it is a model railroader or not, just by the specific information given; some people have no knowledge and are just conducting a pure business transaction, nothing else.  Probably stay away from those.  Some sellers are actually brick and mortar also, and most of those are trustworthy, in my experience.

I have had no problems at all ordering online from hobby shops.  Some of them have websites, but don’t actually sell online; just call and order that way, after looking at what they have online.  I’ve scoured the country that way a few times looking for particular items that are sold out most everywhere, but may be collecting dust in some corner somewhere (like blue CNW covered hoppers).

In general, I would say buying from fellow hobbyists, whether this means online, person to person, or a local shop Is the safest. There are some mercenaries out there who really are just in it for the money, and they, in my experience, are the most difficult to deal with if there are problems.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Georgetown, Maine
  • 573 posts
Posted by herrinchoker on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 10:28 PM

Just checked my bookmark, at present there are two N-Scale passenger cars listed, 30 day money back guarantee, you pay the return shipping. Have purchased a great number of engines and cars over the years from them, always satisfied with my transactions.

herrinchoker 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 6:57 PM

Man......this thread is now 8 years old.  If Capt Grimek hasn't ordered by now, it's probably too late.

Their website is "under construction"  There is nothing listed on Ebay.

I'd say they have probably gone belly up for the usual reasons.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 8:27 AM

Capt. Grimek
They get a good ebay rating so I presume they're fine, but has anyone ordered from them? They're located in Denton, TX. Thanks.

If they have good feedback, then you don't need us to tell you.  Thats what the feedback system is for.  Wink

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Niagara Falls, NY 14302
  • 6 posts
Posted by JusTrains on Monday, October 29, 2018 10:43 PM

Back a few years ago I bought about $7,000 on On30 equipment from them over a 3 year period and may have had a couple of issues which were promptly rectified. In recent times I have continued to check their product line and have bought the odd item. Lately, however, their eBay presence is pretty quiet. Probably with the hassles eBay now has they most likely stay on their own website for sales.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • 599 posts
Posted by Milepost 266.2 on Saturday, February 9, 2013 5:04 PM

richhotrain

This is all pretty funny.   Laugh

Has anyone had a problem with this retailer besides the fellow who revived this thread from its dormancy?

Rich

I remember someone from another forum contacted them and complained that their "buy it now" prices were a little higher than what the same item usually nets in a straight auction.  Apparently he wanted the lower price without having to bid.  The Favorite Spot placed this guy on their "blocked buyers" list. 

I thought it was a humorous and appropriate response.

And regarding returns, don't most manufacturers (and especially Bachmann) want items returned directly to them for repair/replacement?  Why should I send it back to a dealer, who will do nothing but send it to Bachmann, who will send me a new one through them?

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Saturday, February 9, 2013 2:16 PM

richhotrain

This is all pretty funny.   Laugh

Has anyone had a problem with this retailer besides the fellow who revived this thread from its dormancy?

Rich

No kidding Rich! Even I have been known to have had a bad day. It rarely happens but I always seem to be forgiven. With all the good comments and my own experience with him, I think that speaks for itself.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, February 9, 2013 1:25 PM

This is all pretty funny.   Laugh

Has anyone had a problem with this retailer besides the fellow who revived this thread from its dormancy?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 13 posts
Posted by Tom D on Friday, February 8, 2013 9:22 PM

I have made 12 purchases from them and have had no problems whatsoever

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Quebec
  • 983 posts
Posted by Marc_Magnus on Friday, February 8, 2013 2:49 PM

Hi, I live in Belg, Belgium and I deal a lot whith the favorite spot.

Good price and excellent service.

I bought them a lot of Nscale locomotives. Delay where short, around 10 days between my order and the receiving of my packet here in Belgium.

Never had any problems or surprise.

Sad they follow nearly exclusively the Bachmann line.

I am looking this evenning for a new deal whith them!

I highly recommand them.

Marc

 

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 3 posts
Posted by TrainCollectorNM on Friday, February 8, 2013 9:48 AM

 

Posted by  on Sat, May 8 2010 9:27 AM

"I guess perhaps just by the virtue of the sheer number of items he sells he's bound to have a few bad apples and selling solely Bachmann items that increases his chances of getting and passing on junk to his consumers.  That being said it's not about the occasional bad piece that may come your way but how he handles your complaint that matters to me."


Well stated.  Sometimes successful companies tend to lose sight of their most valued asset; their customers - especially when something goes wrong. 

Again, thanks for reading, I'll move on to a different topic...

Randy

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Big Blackfoot River
  • 2,788 posts
Posted by Geared Steam on Thursday, February 7, 2013 6:24 PM

mobilman44
Besides, anyone from Texas has to be OUTSTANDING !!!

Thumbs UpThumbs UpThumbs Up  Laugh

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • 599 posts
Posted by Milepost 266.2 on Thursday, February 7, 2013 6:23 PM

richhotrain

jeffrey-wimberly

If he gets corralled every time he revives a thread or asks a common question he probably won't.

Stick out tongue

I still feel that if a thread has remained inactive for at least one year, it should be automatically locked so that it cannot be revived years later.

Depends on the thread, but if it involves ebay or blue box kits, I wholeheartedly agree!

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,449 posts
Posted by mobilman44 on Thursday, February 7, 2013 5:24 PM

Feedback tells it all..........   If they are 100 percent positive with several hundred instances, I would definitely say they are fine.

Besides, anyone from Texas has to be OUTSTANDING !!!

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, February 7, 2013 5:11 PM

jeffrey-wimberly

If he gets corralled every time he revives a thread or asks a common question he probably won't.

Stick out tongue

I still feel that if a thread has remained inactive for at least one year, it should be automatically locked so that it cannot be revived years later.

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Thursday, February 7, 2013 3:57 PM

If he gets corralled every time he revives a thread or asks a common question he probably won't.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, February 7, 2013 2:14 PM

Well, Randy, kudos to you for returning "to the scene of the crime".  LOL

This may be a first for this kind of situation, but it pleases me to hear from you.

This is a recurring situation on the forum.

New guy makes first post, revives old thread, disappears, never to be heard from again.

So your reappearance has to be appreciated by others as well.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the vendor.

I hope that you will stay on the forums and join us on a regular basis.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 3 posts
Posted by TrainCollectorNM on Thursday, February 7, 2013 10:01 AM

Hello Rich,

Not the case -- I am here and truly happy to see the comments regarding my post, that is what this forum is for.  The Favorite Spot is still selling trains; why not revive an old thread to share my buying experience?  Others have left their comments and I feel it is my privilege to do the same.

A little background.... I was introduced to HO scale railroading at a very early age.  Now, my son is 8 years old and I am introducing him to HO trains as well.  Needless to say, he loves his new hobby and spends hours playing with his train set.

Last year I spent a considerable amount of time researching HO train on-line vendors (including finding this site) due to the fact that I had to replace virtually everything I had when I was a kid.  Last year I found The Favorite Spot and invested a hefty amount of $$$ purchasing a new railroad train set. The diesel locomotive arrived damaged and instead of sending it back the FS, I returned it directly to the manufacturer.  They were happy to replace it including reimbursing me for the return postage.  Recently, I went back to the FS to purchase another train car.  It too arrived damaged and I decided to return it to them.

My last post details my return experience, nothing more, nothing less.  Yes, the vendor has nearly a perfect feedback record.  But for some, it was not a pleasurable buying experience.  Thanks for reading!

Randy

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Thursday, February 7, 2013 9:59 AM

richhotrain

I have long felt that if a thread has remained inactive for at least one year, it should be automatically locked so that it cannot be revived years later.

Rich,As a moderator on three forums I have argued that point for years with no realistic reasons given in the replies from Admin  or other moderators..

I seen one 8 year old topic reopen praising a modeler's work..

The catch?

The OP had passed away.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • 52 posts
Posted by Electriccharlie on Thursday, February 7, 2013 9:36 AM

I have also made numerous purchases from the auctions and from their E-Bay store. Everything went as good as it could. No substitute for carrying a new item out of the hobby shop, but there are no more hobby shops!

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, February 7, 2013 7:40 AM

I have long felt that if a thread has remained inactive for at least one year, it should be automatically locked so that it cannot be revived years later.

It is also nearly inevitable that a long dormant thread will be revived by a first time poster, as in this case.

I find it troublesome that a guy would join the forum for the sole purpose of reviving an old thread just to blast an eBay seller with a near perfect positive feedback record.

Since a new forum member is moderated on his first few posts, why is this kind of action even permitted by the moderators?   We will likely never hear from this guy again.

Rich

 

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Thursday, February 7, 2013 5:32 AM

andrechapelon
Most of the entries were positive and then this guy shows up and uses the thread as a virtual outhouse.

------------------------------------------

Which  makes such a post  questionable to my mind  since there's always two sides to every story..

I have dealt with "The Favorite spot" and received my purchase quickly and without any problems.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: California & Maine
  • 3,848 posts
Posted by andrechapelon on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 11:59 PM

rrinker

 That poster joined, made the post, and hasn;t been heard from since, it is their first and only post.

        --Randy

 

And in doing so, resurrected a 3 year old thread. Strange. Most of the entries were positive and then this guy shows up and uses the thread as a virtual outhouse. I guess that's the definition of "disgruntled".

Andre

It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 11:33 PM

 That poster joined, made the post, and hasn;t been heard from since, it is their first and only post.

        --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Georgetown, Maine
  • 573 posts
Posted by herrinchoker on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 10:30 PM
I have purchased many items from them over the past several years, and have found them to have integrity of the highest order. I reciently had an order shorted, ordered six packages of roller bearing trucks, and only recieved five. Made a phone call, recieved an apology, and had the missing package of trucks overnighted to me, which was not necessary. I have been very satisfied with their product, and service. herrinchoker
Tags: FavoriteSpot
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 2,314 posts
Posted by don7 on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 9:52 PM

I assume the person who re-posted this posting is looking to spread the word on how badly they were treated.

I have bought a number of items from them over the last three years and have run into no problems. I did return an item once and there was no hassle, the replacment item arrived before I had packaged the defective item to be returned.

I will continue to shop here for all of my Bachmann and probably Rivarossi items.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!