Nevermind. Found out it's a total scam
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
Deleted
It's part of that now infamous scammer group of "storefronts" in PA.
Others have indeed found out the hard way... (I have not.)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
If my memory serves, it was 'internettrains.com' that gave a lot of our members grief back between 2007 and 2010 when we all got a bit wiser. I wouldn't doubt they were one and the same 'proprieter.'
For what it's worth, this is the BBB page on them.
Internet Hobbies | Better Business Bureau® Profile (bbb.org)
Not a lot of info one way or another but what's there doesn't give me much confidence in them.
They have been around a long time.
They are not necessarily a scam, but if I recall correctly, you place an order and then they go out and find your items elsewhere.
Rich
Alton Junction
They are currently being investigated by the PA Attorney General for scamming multiple customers by taking their money but never delivering any product ever, under various company names, including this one.
EDIT: Link to complaint filed.
https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/attorney-general-shapiro-files-complaint-against-online-hobby-shop-warns-of-holiday-shopping-scams/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe're%20suing%20Internet%20Hobbies,from%20operating%20in%20our%20Commonwealth.%E2%80%9D
richhotrain They have been around a long time. They are not necessarily a scam, but if I recall correctly, you place an order and then they go out and find your items elsewhere. Rich
I'm not sure but I think that is how Historic Rail operated before they were acquired by Fairfield Collectibles. I never got scammed by them but often I would wait months to get some of the items I ordered, even when I ordered an item the same day I received their flyer. They wouldn't charge my credit card until the items shipped.
Since they were acquired, I no longer receive regular catalogs from them. The last time I went to the Fairfield website, the railroading selection had been greatly reduced.
Click on the following link to learn all about who Internet Hobbies says they are and how they go about their business, including fulfilling orders and charging your credit card as soon as you order.
https://internethobbies.com/pages/about-us-1
I guess it all depends upon your definition of "scam". Personally, I would never do business with them, but whether or not Internet Hobbies is a scam is debatable. They don't exactly take your money and run, never to be found again, but to put it politely, their business model stinks.
Years ago, when I was new to the hobby, I did make a couple of purchases with them. But, it seems now that the owners are as naive as the customers who do business with them.
I had a similiar experience with an internet hobby shop based in the UK. They indicated that the item was in stock and charged by credit card immediately. After waiting two months I emailed them inquiring about the order status. Didn't hear anything for another month. Finally, they said the item was waiting to be restocked (the product was long since out of production). I asked for, and received, a refund. Meanwhile I found the item in a Quebec, Canada hobby shop and they mailed it the same day as I ordered it. Kudos to Max Trains.
Ray
The old X-Files saying. Trust no one. My advice is to start a relationship with a repretable dealer and stick with them. Either a local brick and mortar store and a few online stores. My LHS gives me a good discount on in stock track, roadbed and ballast. I can also get discounts on structures in stock. My others are Tony's, Lichfield Station, and a couple others. None have steered me wrong. The couple bucks you save is not worth the agrevation trying to get your hard earned money back.
Pete.
ricktrains4824 They are currently being investigated by the PA Attorney General for scamming multiple customers by taking their money but never delivering any product ever, under various company names, including this one. EDIT: Link to complaint filed. https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/attorney-general-shapiro-files-complaint-against-online-hobby-shop-warns-of-holiday-shopping-scams/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe're%20suing%20Internet%20Hobbies,from%20operating%20in%20our%20Commonwealth.%E2%80%9D
It is not entirely accurate to say no products were ever delivered. A few were.
In that press release there is a link to the actual complaint filed by the Commonwealth of PA. It spells out exactly what is going on and it isn't pretty.
The fines and remedies are substantial. I am a bit surprised that they are still operating. Anyone know what happened with the complaint? It was filed back in November, 2021.
Rick
I ordered from them in the past. They immediately charged my credit card, but then said the loco I wanted, which they showed as IN stock, wasn't. I complained to them promptly and they DID actually refund my card.
However, I will never, ever deal with them again.
Additionally, the list of online retailers who I do deal with, excepting some of the common Ebay dealers, is a relatively short list:
Hiawatha Hobbies
Modeltrainstuff.com
The Train Station in Ohio
Western Depot
Spring Creek in Nebraska
Yankee Dabbler
Lombard Hobby
Toy Train Heaven
Nicholas Smith
If they don't have the item, I give up.
John
Good list. I would add Tony's Trains. I have also ordered from Trainworld but they aren't one of my favorites.
Back in 2018 I placed a couple orders from Internet Hobbies. The first was canceled by them within a day because I used a promo code on a BLI locomotive and they said that wasn't allowed. The second order was for two of the Merchants Row kits that were readily available. I battled with them for two months before they finally issued a refund. Every time I threatened to have the CC company reverse the charge they pleaded with me to not do that because the kits were on the way. I finally gave them an ultimatum to issue the credit or I would con my bank. I guess I got lucky that they finally did issue the refund.
I would add Cherry Creek Hobbies to that list. Trustworthy and friendly, and their prices are often lower than ebay (maybe that's not saying much) and the usual retailers. They responded quickly to emails clarifying whether or not something was in stock (it was, and I got it). I think it's a mom and pop outfit.
-Matt
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
hbgatsf ricktrains4824 They are currently being investigated by the PA Attorney General for scamming multiple customers by taking their money but never delivering any product ever, under various company names, including this one. EDIT: Link to complaint filed. https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/attorney-general-shapiro-files-complaint-against-online-hobby-shop-warns-of-holiday-shopping-scams/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe're%20suing%20Internet%20Hobbies,from%20operating%20in%20our%20Commonwealth.%E2%80%9D It is not entirely accurate to say no products were ever delivered. A few were. In that press release there is a link to the actual complaint filed by the Commonwealth of PA. It spells out exactly what is going on and it isn't pretty. The fines and remedies are substantial. I am a bit surprised that they are still operating. Anyone know what happened with the complaint? It was filed back in November, 2021.
I didn't say they never delivered any products ever to anyone, but that multiple customers paid for orders, and never received anything at all.
Some customers did receive some items. Many others got nothing.
I have added Midwest Model RR Supply as a very reliable online source of hobby supplies. They have a very robust online ordering system, including number of in-stock items. Everything I have ever ordered has been shipped within a day; and I receive it two or three days later.
Still use MB Klein/ModelTrainStuff; Yankee Dabbler; Tony's Train Exchange; and Trainworld as well.
I see and buy from Spring Creek Model Trains at shows.
Thanks everyone. Suffice to say I steered clear of them.