Online Shopping Sources?

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for some opinions and sources on where you shop online for MRR products.

I started some comparison shopping yesterday and found that walthers.com is expensive compared to other online merchants. Both internetrains.com and standardhobby.com had slightly higher shipping costs but cheaper retail prices. Even with the higher shipping costs both were better in terms of final price. I've purchased from Walthers, and would do so again, and I love the catalog.

Are there other good etailers our there that I'm missing?

[Anonymous]

I use a few different locals. Yes, your right about Walthers being good but their reeeaaalll expensive. I only use them as a reference. Internetrains.com is good....although they are real slow at shipping things. Discounttrains.com isn't too bad. Standard hobby supply is pretty good....website isn't the greatest. Standard hobby supply can be found in MR magazine. Ebay is a good source too. Unless you get some ediot who pays way more for something you can get brand new anyway.

Chad

[Anonymous]

I agree, Standard Hobby could definately make some changes to thier website...

[Anonymous]

check out Trainworld.com, but in all, i like standard the best.
MATT

[Anonymous]

I've ordered from Caboose Hobbies a couple times. They did very well both times.

[Anonymous]

You didn't mention what scale you're looking for, but if it's n-scale I would recommend Brooklyn Locomotive Works (www.blwnscale.com). I've found their prices to be consistently the lowest. Shipping is quick and reasonable.

N-scale Supply (www.nscalesupply.com) has a great selection, good prices and a dynamite website, but they don't have online ordering (you have to call).

[BruceJob]

Try eBay...I've bought and sold many items on eBay with satisfactory results! Some tips:

1. Take a chance on the auction process to find bargains. Many times you'll see brand-new items, stuff from hobbyshop closeouts or stuff from private collections that was purchased but never used.
Most eBayers that I've dealt with, both sellers and buyers, are legit. Check "feedback" on a seller before you bid.

2. Do your homework. Check the discount internet retailers to get an idea of a competitive price for the item before you bid.

3. Before you bid, decide on what you're willing to pay and stick with that price. I've seen many items sell for more that full retail price when buyers get caught up in the bidding frenzy! (OK, OK...I've done it too!)

Hope this info is useful.

Bruce J.

[on30francisco]

You're right about Walthers. They are very expensive. I also use their site as a reference and order elsewhere. I have used Standard Hobby, Discount Trains, Caboose Hobbies, Internet Trains, Trainworld and have never had problems with any of them. Their prices are much lower than Walthers and the LHSs. It is best to phone in your order when using Trainworld.

[Anonymous]

You should look into these folks; http://www.firsthobby.com
Good prices, prompt shipping, nice website, good service. I've used them several times and will again.
George

[cacole]

For HO scale items, check Cherry Creek Hobbies in Torrington, Wyoming at http://www.cchobbies.com

[Anonymous]

I've placed several orders with internettrains.com and mbklein (modeltrainstuff.com) without any problems. I've also won several auctions on ebay from modeltrainstuff and no problems there either. If you don't mind phoning in an order with accurate service (although some folks find them a little abrupt) trainworld has never let met down also.

I placed one order with cherry creek hobbies and was very impressed.

Dave

[Anonymous]

My favorite is 1st place hobbies <1stplacehobbies.com>. They have good prices, a great website and fast shipping. They have most the items Walthers lists. The website says if they are out of stock and they will notify you of when stock comes in, if you want! I also use Walthers and Caboose Hobbies for hard to find stuff. Oh, I model in HO and I'm 85 miles from the nearest hobby shop and 165 miles away from the nearest good hobby shop!

[tstage]

Ordered a "blowout" P2K diesel from Trainworld and was VERY pleased with both the locomotive and the service. The downside is that it's limited in selection and the web site is hard to navigate around. But…I got exactly what I was looking for! [:)]

Walther's has a much better, all-around selection but, as has already been reiterated, you pay for that abundance of selection. I do most of my shopping at my LHS. In some cases, it's worth the extra few $$$ to me for the expertise and advice - and the fact that I can handle the merchandise before buying it. I'm also a strong advocate of helping out the "little guy".

Tom

[tpatrick]

Try English's Model Railroad Supply in Montoursville, PA. They advertise in the classified section of MR. Last July I ordered several hard-to-get Bowser items. English's had them at a discount (don't remember the percent ) and for only $7.95 shipping charge the items were on my doorstep in less than 24 hours. I was pleasantly shocked. They don't have a web site but they are great to do business with on the phone. I will definitely call them again.

[simon1966]

If you are looking for DCC items and decoders, you can't go wrong with litchfield station. They are really good.

For rolling stock, I use e-bay, but have a really good local hobby shop that usually has as good if not better prices than any of the on line stores.