Trainworld/Trainland

[Anonymous]

Have any of you had dealings with Trainworld/Trainland? I see their ads in Model RRer, and I have accessed their website, but a lot of the items they advertise state "selected roads" or "assorted roads". I have e-mailed them twice to try and find out how to determine what roads and #'s are available, but I get no response. Any ideas?

Tim

[hd8091]

Tim, I've done business with them in the past ,you will have more luck calling them and spending your own nickel for the call. Just be sure to know the item number you want them to check,it speeds up things alot. Their service could use a little help however and an attiude adjustment. You get what you pay for.; they are in New York and not your LHS.

[cacole]

I've ordered from them several times over the years, and always received excellent service. They are a family-owned business. The best way to deal with them is by telephone instead of trying e-mail or using their Web site. If you want a particular item for a particular road, try to determine the exact stock number before you telephone them by checking other Web sites and getting the Walthers stock number. Once you have the exact stock number, they can find out whether or not it is available much faster.

[7j43k]

I've dealt with Trainworld for years--never a problem.

I agree with the others; phone them up. If you're interested in a stock check, it's best to have an item number. In their ad in the July MR, for example, let's look at the Proto 2000 SD-45's. There are two item numbers: one for the sale locos and one for the regularly priced ones. Give them the item number and the road name you're interested in and they'll tell you if it's in stock. If you just want to know what road names are on sale, give the item number and say that you'd like to hear the list of what's in stock.

Trainworld is in New York. New Yorkers don't dawdle. They like to move things along and get it done. This can sometimes come across as a bit rude, but it isn't meant that way. It's just a different way of approaching life, and it is, of course, quite productive. When I call up, I just shift my California mind into a higher gear and enjoy the conversation.

Ed

[nfmisso]

I have been doing business with Trainworld for more than 25 years, and continue to do so.

[Anonymous]

I have had good luck with Trainworld. For mail order in general, I always make sure the item I am ordering is IN stock. I never seem to have difficulties. When I haven't done this there have been delays and lost items etc...

Guy

[Anonymous]

Phone them with as much info as you can find on the item you want. I think they are great and never had a problem....

[Anonymous]

I'm like "7j34k" when they answer the phone I forget my TEXAS draw and get my ears ready for some fast listening. Sometimes they talk faster then I can listen but every time I've asked them to repete they do it without any hesitation. They are super to deal with and have some good prices. When they advertise a price with their selection I ask what they are and then sometimes I can pick what they pick out for me. You will enjoy doing business with them.

[AggroJones]

Trainworlds alright. Got some super deals from them. They send everything in tack at lighting speed. Packages somtimes take only 7 days from NY to CA.

One problem. The girls that answer the phone on the information line always **** an attitude with me. I don't know what the hell their problem is. It's like they're reluctant to give information.

[Fergmiester]

A very good bunch to do business with. Quick, effecient, friendly!

[Anonymous]

I think those "girls" that answer the phone are just plain cool ! Of course, I'm originally from NYC, and can quickly 'pick up the pace' to keep up w/ them. They don't have an attitude, if the caller doesn't. They're just busy doing their job, a non-existent quality in many businesses these days.

And yes, their prices are super, and probably the best anywhere. I've purchased both HO and G scale from them over the years, and never have they quoted in-stock and didn't have it right then and there, or had to offer a backorder, a substitution of a roadname, not ship the next day (surface UPS - 3 days to GA, and 5 days to CA ),or ever ship anything damaged or that got damaged enroute. If they've had a price reduction since an ad came out, they'll most likely bill you at the lower of the two prices. (they just did that recently - I got a Walthers gas electric for $21.95 - msrp of $59.95-ain't Walthers catalog prices just nuts?)

What more do you need. It's mail-order/internet companies like this that are (unfortunately) causing the demise of the LHS. Trainworld is the best mailorder hobby supplier I've ever dealt with.

[Anonymous]

That is exactly what I am trying to do, deal with them. I have e-mailed them questions 3 times and I never get a reply. With internet ordering, you get proof of what you ordered, when, and for how much. I am always reluctant to order things by phone, and I really don't want to give out my CC# over the phone. I will have to assume, by the way they ignore my contact attempts, that they are doing so well that they don't want or need my business. I guess we will both lose on this one.
Tim

[cacole]

Giving out your credit card number over the phone is not near as risky as giving it out over the Internet, and especially not as risky as e-mailing it. E-mail is not the least bit secure.

As others have mentioned, the women who answer the phone are the owners or owners' wives, because this is purely a family-run business. They do a lot of business every day, so naturally they're in a hurry to complete your order and move on to the next customer.

Personally, I have never ran into the least hint of an attitude problem on their part, so it may be that you sound like you have an attitude, or maybe they think you're just fishing around among different stores comparing prices and are not really interested in buying anything from them.

That's why it's important to have the exact Walthers catalog number and road name, if applicable, of the item(s) you want to purchase before you call them. Sometimes they've had to drop the phone and run to the back of the store to check on availability if I did not have a correct item number when I called, or they weren't sure about a particular road name being in stock.

They have always been very courteous when I call, even to the point of calling me "sweetheart," "honey," or "darling." Other people here in Arizona that order from them have had very similar experiences.

[Anonymous]

My experience is that they did respond to my emails but slooooowly. Any chance you ticked them off by inquiring again too soon? They always seemed to take 3-4 days to respond to my questions. As people stated above, they do show a little NY impatience at times and are definately not the most customer service-oriented business but they have come through for me several times with great prices and fast shipping.

[dharmon]

I went to their Brooklyn store a couple of years ago and they were quite freindly and helpful. The hobby shop was definitely second place to the phone/internet sales. The items I purchased were looked up on the computer and brought from the back, and the phone was going non-stop. So in addition to the New York bustle, they were just plain busy. I initially took them as not really rude, but not friendly, but after going to the store, I realized that thier pace sort of generates a "let's get to the point, matter of fact" type service vice rude, and they actually turned out to be pretty friendly after all.

[Don Gibson]

TRAINWORLD: Their 'attitude' is "If we have it we'll sell it.
This necessitates a phone call to see "which roads" are in stock. They are primarily a telephone operation. If you're ready to order use their 800 number

STANDARD HOBBY advertises which roads they are carrying. When ordering they check to see if it's still in stock - a subtle diffence.

[Anonymous]

A less than subtle difference between Trainworld & Standard hobby for me is that, because I live in NY State, I have to pay sales tax if I order from Trainworld but none from Standard Hobby in NJ. The shipping is about a buck cheaper at TW but the tax can hike the cost of an order quickly through no fault of theirs. All prices being equal, I'd have to place an order with the out-of-state merchant.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

Well, what they have to realize is most of us work. I work when they work. I am off when they are off. I can't call, so they lose my business, period. If they are going to go through the motions of having an on-line ordering site, they need to supply information. I haven't talked to them, and that means I couldn't have angered them. My e-mails were short and to the point. I asked what was in stock for the roads I am interested in. No answer. I like their prices, but if I can't get service, I will go elsewhere. I am sure they lose business from others for the same reason.

[chutton01]

Well, I never had to order from Trainland by phone, seeing as how they are only a few miles from me down Sunrise Highway. I've been to their store often enough, and have purchased many "commodity" items from them.
Last year I purchased an Atlas SEPTA AEM7 (which I can use, since I model North Philly and environs) for less than half the usual price (meaning a third of the MSRP) - when I asked, they said it was overstock like most of their inventory, and that's why it was so cheap. So, go in expecting NOT to get the road name you need, and you won't be disappointed.
Caution, last year they did a huge purge on Athearn Blue Box (I brought some) - not sure how much they still carry on that.

[Anonymous]

Just because "Yankees" often may talk in what some others may consider as an abrupt fashion, and depending upon where that "Yankee" is from, may talk with a particular accent, doesn't make them come across as an "a-hole" as it was so eloquently stated a few posts back.

This nation is comprised of many accents, speech patterns, and even work ethics, and they're all okay. They're just regional differences, no better or no worse, and that is probably why most of us choose to live where we are most comfortable. It's wrong to prejudge an individual, or to critique a particular business, solely based on where that business is located, or how they 'sound' on the phone. It is just as prejudicial to assume that the person, with an equally unique regional accent and an out of state address, that makes such an ignorant sweeping statement , is representative of where they call home. Blind prejudice can be so destuctive. And certainly not a fun way to live. . .

What ever happened to the "united" in the United States?

[Anonymous]

I think those complaining don't realize that Trainworld appears to buy their sales items in large lots, and do not have the time to sort through them by road names. That's why most of their really cheap prices are for "assorted roads" - you takes your chances and get whatever is at the top of the pile. They often also offer specific road names, but these are usually priced higher. I've bought stuff with them and I've been really pleased with the prices and fast service.

My most recent purchase was a Proto 1000 RDC-3 that they offer for $19.95. With postage, exchange on US funds (I'm in Canada) and customs charges, it ended up costing me around $35.00. It was lettered for B&O, and I have removed the minimal lettering. I intend to add details and paint to make it like a Canadian prototype. I can buy a ready painted one at the LHS for around $85.00 plus tax = $98.00, which is almost three times what I paid for mine.

Bob Boudreau
Canada

[Anonymous]

I bought 3 AEM-7's off them for $70 each, and bought another one off them at a show for $40 (I had to bargain a bit!!) Their prices are rock bottom, and their service is generally good!

[Anonymous]

They are generally my first choice for mass-produced items. They ship promptly and pack well, for locomotives in particular you can arely beat their prices. I have had one issue with them: over the years I have received several clearly damaged items, and while they have always replaced these items promptly upon return, it is a hassle and an added cost. I'm not accusing them of deliberately shipping damaged goods, but I believe that their prices are sometimes the results of getting the model railroading equiavlent of "seconds".

[on30francisco]

I've dealt with them several times. You get much better results if you phone in your order rather than order on line. Their prices are good and they have good customer servive.

[Anonymous]

Trainworld is great ! fast shipping and low prices ! just call them, and they will tell you what roads are in stock .

[Anonymous]

I've purchased from TW for the last 10 years. Whenever they have backordered anything they did not charge me postage on the second shipment. Their prices are great and if you are willing to take the roadname of their choice you pay less than if you choose a specific road. They have always packed everything tight and I have had no complaints.

So they are in a hurry when you call. No problem for me. After all they are in the business of selling product. If you need to browse around you can always visit your LHS or surf the web.

If you have the item numbers ready when you call the transaction should go smooth.

Jaime

[railman]

Reading these stories I realize I'm in the minority- I've done both e-mail and telephone and never had a problem. Maybe the Minnesota accent neutralizes the New Yorker thing.

[Anonymous]

I just called them a few days ago about a n-scale rs-1 in new haven did'nt have stock # but they were very nice and told me they had them in stock.I have been there a number of times they are busy .But they do have good prices not like walthers retail that would put us all out of the hobby!

[robengland]

phone is an expensive option from the other side of the world. I think I'll stick to vendors who can do business with 21st century technology

[phillipbayly]

I've been buying things from them from Australia since 91, I've always found talking to them direct is the best but they have always delivered what I've asked for . They are reliable but not the fastest
Phil in OZ