What follows is the timeline for the shipment of the Atlas HO 60 foot auto parts boxcars I ordered on Sept. 25, and discussed in this thread:
Sept. 25, 3:36PM--Order placed with Model Train Stuff via their website.
Sept. 26, 12:44PM-UPS shipping label completed.
Sept. 26, 1:43PM--Order processed, ready for pickup by UPS.
Sept. 26, 4:59PM--Origin scan, Sparks, MD.
Sept. 27, 10:34AM-Depart facility, Sparks, MD.
Sept. 27, 10:35AM-Arrive facility, Laurel, MD.
Sept. 28, 10:15AM-Depart facility, Laurel, MD.
Sept. 28, 12:58PM-Arrive facility, Richmond, VA.
Sept. 28, 7:10PM--Depart facility, Richmond, VA
Sept. 29, 3:23PM--Arrive facility, Arlington, TX.
Sept. 30, 4:17AM--Depart facility, Arlington, TX.
Sept. 30, 8:48AM--Arrive facility, San Antonio, TX.
Oct. 1, 1:45AM--Depart facility, San Antonio, TX.
Oct. 1, 4:31AM--Arrive destination facility.
Oct. 1, 7:12AM--Destination scan.
Oct. 1, 10:04AM--Transfer to local post office.
Oct. 1, 6:59PM--Received by local post office.
Oct. 2, 3:01PM--Delivered.
As stated in my earlier post, this order qualified for free shipping under the seller's "Rewards" program which was used for this shipment. Beating their own ETA of October 6 by four calendar days is very impressive, in these times. What is not shown is the fact that, the order I placed with the same seller via the same method, ONE DAY earlier, is scheduled to be delivered on October 3, ONE DAY LATER. This one is smaller, yet still qualifies for free shipping which is, via UPS. This order is coming by way of Carlisle, PA and, Addison IL. Why??? Only the carrier knows. Once the vendor surrenders the order to the carrier, it's out of their hands, period.
NHTX It should not be too much of a stretch to pick, pack, and have it ready for pickup by UPS on Monday
As a public service announcement:
In case someday any reader gets how captive they've been, and now wants to break out of MBK's shackles; Spring Creek, Hiawatha, and Lombard all have live inventory systems. But, I wouldn't ever be able to tell you if they had 7 of the same thing in stock at once.
- Douglas
I don't know if MBK observes Shabbat or not but, my order was placed on Friday afternoon and notification of creation of the shipping label was made on Saturday afternoon. It should not be too much of a stretch to pick, pack, and have it ready for pickup by UPS on Monday, which means it will make the October 6th ETA as provided by the shipper.
NHTXToday (September 26) at 12:44 PM I received notification that the UPS shipping label for my order had been completed.
kudos NHTX! You get it!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I just want to add this to this discussion. Yesterday (September 25), I ordered seven Atlas 60 foot auto parts boxcars from M. B. Klein at 3:36 PM. This order qualified for free shipping under their "Rewards" program, which I accepted. Today (September 26) at 12:44 PM I received notification that the UPS shipping label for my order had been completed. I expect UPS to pick it up on Monday, September 28, and I should get it by October 6. A less than 24 hour turn-around on an order placed late on a Friday afternoon is pretty darned good in my book!
I do a lot of business with MBK because I like their live inventory. If other purveyors would follow this business model I'm sure they would not regret it. Nothing annoys me more than ordering things that are suppoedly in stock, available or whatever term you may care to use and wait a month or more to find out that no, it is backordered with no ETA. Yet, they still expect to sit on my money for months on end before biting the bullet and refunding it. You can bet your glutius maximus they never hear from me again! If I,m not dealing with MBK, I order by phone and pointedly insure the item is physically present in their place of business in the quantity I want or, no deal, I go elsewhere.
mbk
riogrande5761 Doughless Probably comes down to differences in goals, which then influences how we shop. My wife and I, our goal is to save money wherever possible while we get what we need. We figure whatever we save, we can use for something else. She has gotten some amazing deals using gift cards, price matching, and other types of rewards. But I was raised by depression era parents so it's always been part of my "goals" to safe where ever possible. That definitely influences how we shop. Speaking about trains, I don't really get the continuously shopping thing, so I would never really qualify for a perk. And shipping really isn't a big expense unless a person orders small items piecemeal. You make it sound like a bad thing this "continuous shopping" whatever that is. But we buy stuff over time and the points add up. In this hobby, it doesn't take that long to get to the highest teir and then you get 15, 20 and 25 dollar off coupons to apply to an order, and free shipping. What's not to like about that? SMH. Over a year, could be hundreds of dollars potentially. That is the mistake some make, they think this here this there, and it can really add up. You'd be surprised out how easy it is to qualify for MBK rewards perks. It's not hard at all to have orders exceeding $99; a single engine or a few models and some supplies. Building a layout? I am. It was $135 for a 25 pack of Peco flex track by way of example. The points stack faster as you increase in the tiers too. But it's not my job to lead a horse to water. Lombard's still has ATH Genesis GP40P-2s with T2 and LEDs for $169, as well as the Genesis GP50's for $169. Had them all in stock since January and still has some left. And near Genesis quality RTR SD39s w/LEDs and Econami for $109 (I think they finally sold out). Hiawatha has the RTR SD40 for $149, and has had in stock at that price since January. Never have seen any deal like that from MBK, and they never seem to have anything in stock, so I've just kind of forgotten they even exist until somebody mentions them. I think in late 2019 or early 2020 I bought 3 corn syrup tank cars from them because they were each a couple of bucks cheaper than other retailers, and everybody charged shipping. Lombards has had had some good deals. But add on the $13.99 shipping to that good deal and it may end up costing nearly the same a the engine at MBK with free shipping. And with MBK you've built up reward points for a money off coupon for a future order. Apply that along with the free shipping and maybe the engine could be cheaper than Lombards. But if Lombards could institude a rewards program like MBK, they probably would sell their nice inventory down too. I do buy from Lombards occasionally but make the order large enough to justify there standard $13.99 shipping, which applies to a pack of rail joiners as it would several engines. At least with some shops, they won't rip you for $13.99 on a box car like Lombards does, so that shipping can be a disincentive at times. MBK has had some good deals that maybe passed your notice. How about Tangent 4-bay coal cars or Tangent 4427 covered hoppers for $29.99. Those covered hoppers went for $44.98 at Tangent. I got a couple of Athearn DCC/Sound SD40T-2's for $140 each, not bad for well detailed engines with sound, nearly Genesis level. MBK has a major presence and sells out of stuff fast because they have a good reputation for good prices and service. But obviously I buy from other sources as I can't get everything from MBK - have to. But where ever possible I do buy from MBK and the rewards and free shipping have added up to at least enough to pay for a Genesis engine this year. I'd say that's nothing to sneeze at. It could be better if they carried more stock, but it's still a very good deal when you can take advantage of it. Nuff said. Some get-it.
Doughless Probably comes down to differences in goals, which then influences how we shop.
Probably comes down to differences in goals, which then influences how we shop.
My wife and I, our goal is to save money wherever possible while we get what we need. We figure whatever we save, we can use for something else. She has gotten some amazing deals using gift cards, price matching, and other types of rewards. But I was raised by depression era parents so it's always been part of my "goals" to safe where ever possible. That definitely influences how we shop.
Speaking about trains, I don't really get the continuously shopping thing, so I would never really qualify for a perk. And shipping really isn't a big expense unless a person orders small items piecemeal.
You make it sound like a bad thing this "continuous shopping" whatever that is. But we buy stuff over time and the points add up. In this hobby, it doesn't take that long to get to the highest teir and then you get 15, 20 and 25 dollar off coupons to apply to an order, and free shipping. What's not to like about that? SMH.
Over a year, could be hundreds of dollars potentially. That is the mistake some make, they think this here this there, and it can really add up. You'd be surprised out how easy it is to qualify for MBK rewards perks. It's not hard at all to have orders exceeding $99; a single engine or a few models and some supplies. Building a layout? I am. It was $135 for a 25 pack of Peco flex track by way of example. The points stack faster as you increase in the tiers too. But it's not my job to lead a horse to water.
Lombard's still has ATH Genesis GP40P-2s with T2 and LEDs for $169, as well as the Genesis GP50's for $169. Had them all in stock since January and still has some left. And near Genesis quality RTR SD39s w/LEDs and Econami for $109 (I think they finally sold out). Hiawatha has the RTR SD40 for $149, and has had in stock at that price since January. Never have seen any deal like that from MBK, and they never seem to have anything in stock, so I've just kind of forgotten they even exist until somebody mentions them. I think in late 2019 or early 2020 I bought 3 corn syrup tank cars from them because they were each a couple of bucks cheaper than other retailers, and everybody charged shipping.
Hiawatha has the RTR SD40 for $149, and has had in stock at that price since January.
Never have seen any deal like that from MBK, and they never seem to have anything in stock, so I've just kind of forgotten they even exist until somebody mentions them.
I think in late 2019 or early 2020 I bought 3 corn syrup tank cars from them because they were each a couple of bucks cheaper than other retailers, and everybody charged shipping.
Lombards has had had some good deals. But add on the $13.99 shipping to that good deal and it may end up costing nearly the same a the engine at MBK with free shipping. And with MBK you've built up reward points for a money off coupon for a future order. Apply that along with the free shipping and maybe the engine could be cheaper than Lombards. But if Lombards could institude a rewards program like MBK, they probably would sell their nice inventory down too. I do buy from Lombards occasionally but make the order large enough to justify there standard $13.99 shipping, which applies to a pack of rail joiners as it would several engines. At least with some shops, they won't rip you for $13.99 on a box car like Lombards does, so that shipping can be a disincentive at times.
MBK has had some good deals that maybe passed your notice. How about Tangent 4-bay coal cars or Tangent 4427 covered hoppers for $29.99. Those covered hoppers went for $44.98 at Tangent.
I got a couple of Athearn DCC/Sound SD40T-2's for $140 each, not bad for well detailed engines with sound, nearly Genesis level.
MBK has a major presence and sells out of stuff fast because they have a good reputation for good prices and service. But obviously I buy from other sources as I can't get everything from MBK - have to. But where ever possible I do buy from MBK and the rewards and free shipping have added up to at least enough to pay for a Genesis engine this year. I'd say that's nothing to sneeze at. It could be better if they carried more stock, but it's still a very good deal when you can take advantage of it. Nuff said. Some get-it.
You seem to buy more trains than me, which is no surprise. Up until this spring when I made some roster adjustments, I place about one order a year for new trains. I don't pay attention to how I buy a pack of rail joiners.
But, I get it. Trust me, I get it.
In general, rewards programs are designed to keep customers captive.
The program, combined with a lack of stock, tends to create an image that captive customers are waiting with great anticipation for the God of Klein to send an alert that an item is in stock, then race to the website to beat out all other consumers before its sold out and to maintain their perk status or take advantage of what perk is left. Maybe if its the first time a producer ever produced a specific model, modelers have been crouched in their starting blocks that much longer.
It sort of puts model train buying/collecting into some sort of competitive sport on its own, but maybe MBK has identified a certain percentage of model railroaders who see that as part of the hobby. I find that aspect of the business model offputting.
And my discomfort with MBKs business model is in no means directed at any participant. We each have personal situations. In my situation, I'm still employed by a company that sends me alerts all hours of the day and night. An alert from a model train company clutters things up and would be quickly ignored rather than cherished.
Getting into a discussion about a $13 shipping charge is a bit over the top. Obviously the solution is to group the purchases as to disburse the charges over several items.
As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I ordered two of the new Bowser C628s from them late in the day last Friday. They shipped out Monday morning and they were at my house in Georgia on Thursday morning. Paid the cheapest shipping option at like $10 plus change.
Half my recent orders have spent WAY too many DAYS in the Baltimore US Post Office. This is not MBK's fault.
The USPS has been terrible as of late. I ordered an LV RS-11 from Spring Creek Trains in NE, and it was shipped to Newark, rather than the nearest regional hub to us, spent the better part of 3 whole days in the Newark Post Office, and arrived at my house looking sorta ok, but nose of unit horribly broken.
That was the third defective engine in a row, mail-ordered all from different places, in the last few weeks.
John
riogrande5761 Doughless 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. 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!
Doughless 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.
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!
Probably comes down to differences in goals, which then influences how we shop. Speaking about trains, I don't really get the continuously shopping thing, so I would never really qualify for a perk. And shipping really isn't a big expense unless a person orders small items piecemeal.
I free lance a shortline, so I can buy anything that's on sale, like this Athearn Genesis Tsunami 2s with LEDs for $169.99 at TW.
Category: Diesel Locomotive
Number: G65141
Scale: HO
riogrande5761Your loss if you don't take advantage of the mbk rewards thing.
MB Klein used to run weekly specials, 10- 15- 20% off specific brands or products. When they stopped doing that they went to the rewards program. I took advantage of that right away.
Looking at past invoices I'd say I offset about $300 a year using the rewards and I regularly group my orders to take advantage of free shipping. MBK has always taken at least four days to fill the order and once I get an email notification that my order "shipped" which actually means only the label was printed.
Getting from Cockeysville to Baltimore seems to take USPS at least three days. From there to Cleveland is only one more day after it leaves Baltimore.
UPS is usually two days total.
Regards, Ed
riogrande5761Isn't there the least bit Ferengi in some of you?
Honestly, I have been feeling mostly Bejoran lately.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.....
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.
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.
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.
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:
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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