LHS v. .COM supliers

[Anonymous]

I saw a question similar to this on a different forum. I am curious if you have a LHS near you and do you shop there on a regular basis, or do you shop mainly on the INET? and why.

[Anonymous]

I saw a question similar to this on a different forum. I am curious if you have a LHS near you and do you shop there on a regular basis, or do you shop mainly on the INET? and why.

[MAbruce]

I have a couple of LHS's I visit (that have N-scale), but as I am on a limited MRR budget, I buy were I can get the best price. That is usually ebay or other on-line sources.

I'd like to purchase more from my LHS, and I do for those items that I can't get more cheaply on-line, but I just can't justify the extra cost in most cases.

Sorry folks, I'm not rolling in money. For me it comes down to the fact that I need to stretch by hobby dollar as far as possible (and then some), or I would never be in the hobby.

[MAbruce]

I have a couple of LHS's I visit (that have N-scale), but as I am on a limited MRR budget, I buy were I can get the best price. That is usually ebay or other on-line sources.

I'd like to purchase more from my LHS, and I do for those items that I can't get more cheaply on-line, but I just can't justify the extra cost in most cases.

Sorry folks, I'm not rolling in money. For me it comes down to the fact that I need to stretch by hobby dollar as far as possible (and then some), or I would never be in the hobby.

[Anonymous]

I haven't gotten much into the on line buying yet, and frequent most of the discount shops in Dallas, which are dwindling. I did buy some freight cars from the MDC site, when they had a special sale of 12 Husky Stacks for $60. I got a few deeply discounted buildings at another .com site, etc. When I do buy things from other than my local shop, its from other shops with newletters or ads in MR with fantastic prices.

[Anonymous]

I haven't gotten much into the on line buying yet, and frequent most of the discount shops in Dallas, which are dwindling. I did buy some freight cars from the MDC site, when they had a special sale of 12 Husky Stacks for $60. I got a few deeply discounted buildings at another .com site, etc. When I do buy things from other than my local shop, its from other shops with newletters or ads in MR with fantastic prices.

[Anonymous]

The other day I posted on another thread you could get white LEDs at Radio Shack for about $5. Someone corrected me saying they could get them online for $2.95. I checked it out and they were indeed correct. So I went to place an order for 1 and the shipping was $7. So just to be even I would need to buy 4. I need 1, not 4!

Then there is returns, it costs about $7 to mail anything of value back. Sure, it can be done a little cheaper, but what if the company claims they didn't get the return or it was damaged in shipping? It's $7, I shopped around.

Orders from the west coast ground shipping takes 4 days to Missouri. East coast 3 days. That's if they ship the day you order. Lot's of places wait and order it after you order and have it drop shipped or worse, wait to they get it, repack, and ship. I have waited 3 weeks for items. It take terminal hobby at least 3 days to get me packs and they aren't that far away. TIME.

Ebay, ha, other than shipping overcharges , junk defects, no return, selling used as new, selling brass track as NS, and outright seller fraud it's OK. Just be sure you know your prices. I have seen people pay $6 + $5 shipping for a toy boxcar that was $3.95 at the hobby shop new. I bought a brass loco that was wore out, missing the back cover casting, bent, and all glass missing. It was listed as "good condition missing couplers". The coupler pockets were broke off too! The sellers reply, "I don't know nothing about trains, looked fine to me."

So you pay list price at your local Hobby Shop. They have to make a living and feed their family. I never seen a hobby shop owner get rich. I never heard a someone say "get a hobby shop and get rich". I am sure what ever anyone does someone else would do it cheaper. But that's why our industry is in decline. Someday their may be no jobs in the US because Chineese Communist slaves, I mean citizens, are required to do it cheaper. Then what will we do to make money to buy locomotives and food?

Do you think www.XXXtrainsales.com will help you and give you hints or help? The internet is a great source of information, but companies are currently trying to take it over. They like that it's a store with no bricks and mortar that's open 24/7/365. The seem to sell a little cheaper, but they give little or no service, and lots make up for it in shippin/handling and selling clearance and refurb items as new. I have been on the net since 1994. It has gone from an online enclyopedia to a never ending commercial. It's getting harder every day to just find the info I need . This page alone has SEVEN ADS!

So my advise is do what you think is right.

[Anonymous]

The other day I posted on another thread you could get white LEDs at Radio Shack for about $5. Someone corrected me saying they could get them online for $2.95. I checked it out and they were indeed correct. So I went to place an order for 1 and the shipping was $7. So just to be even I would need to buy 4. I need 1, not 4!

Then there is returns, it costs about $7 to mail anything of value back. Sure, it can be done a little cheaper, but what if the company claims they didn't get the return or it was damaged in shipping? It's $7, I shopped around.

Orders from the west coast ground shipping takes 4 days to Missouri. East coast 3 days. That's if they ship the day you order. Lot's of places wait and order it after you order and have it drop shipped or worse, wait to they get it, repack, and ship. I have waited 3 weeks for items. It take terminal hobby at least 3 days to get me packs and they aren't that far away. TIME.

Ebay, ha, other than shipping overcharges , junk defects, no return, selling used as new, selling brass track as NS, and outright seller fraud it's OK. Just be sure you know your prices. I have seen people pay $6 + $5 shipping for a toy boxcar that was $3.95 at the hobby shop new. I bought a brass loco that was wore out, missing the back cover casting, bent, and all glass missing. It was listed as "good condition missing couplers". The coupler pockets were broke off too! The sellers reply, "I don't know nothing about trains, looked fine to me."

So you pay list price at your local Hobby Shop. They have to make a living and feed their family. I never seen a hobby shop owner get rich. I never heard a someone say "get a hobby shop and get rich". I am sure what ever anyone does someone else would do it cheaper. But that's why our industry is in decline. Someday their may be no jobs in the US because Chineese Communist slaves, I mean citizens, are required to do it cheaper. Then what will we do to make money to buy locomotives and food?

Do you think www.XXXtrainsales.com will help you and give you hints or help? The internet is a great source of information, but companies are currently trying to take it over. They like that it's a store with no bricks and mortar that's open 24/7/365. The seem to sell a little cheaper, but they give little or no service, and lots make up for it in shippin/handling and selling clearance and refurb items as new. I have been on the net since 1994. It has gone from an online enclyopedia to a never ending commercial. It's getting harder every day to just find the info I need . This page alone has SEVEN ADS!

So my advise is do what you think is right.

[emdgp92]

I've purchased a few things over the 'net, but I'd rather deal with my LHS. I get to joke around with the owner, see new products in person (and not in grainy photos), and have my engines looked at while I wait. All 3 of those things are impossible on the 'net!

[emdgp92]

I've purchased a few things over the 'net, but I'd rather deal with my LHS. I get to joke around with the owner, see new products in person (and not in grainy photos), and have my engines looked at while I wait. All 3 of those things are impossible on the 'net!

[Anonymous]

I agree with the supporters of the LHS, and with flee307's comments...due to being in a low population area, we don't have a full-line LHS around here, but there are some within 100 miles.
Train shows are pretty good sources too, [ I may be prejudiced due to my participation in several train shows a year ].
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

I agree with the supporters of the LHS, and with flee307's comments...due to being in a low population area, we don't have a full-line LHS around here, but there are some within 100 miles.
Train shows are pretty good sources too, [ I may be prejudiced due to my participation in several train shows a year ].
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

I've yet to buy anything on line, but I am seriously considering it. I always check the shipping charges before considering a mail order or on-line purchase. As was noted earlier, often the shipping charges even out the price.

I have priced some locomotives on-line and at the LHS, and most of the time the on line price is lower, but the shipping charge usually brings the price to within 5 dollars of the LHS. When this is the case, I always go to the LHS, because when we shop there, they stay in business.

Sometimes I need a piece of track or a detail item for a project, and I don't want to wait for the on line shop to ship. MAybe I don't plan well enough, but if you support your LHS, they will be there when you need them.

[Anonymous]

I've yet to buy anything on line, but I am seriously considering it. I always check the shipping charges before considering a mail order or on-line purchase. As was noted earlier, often the shipping charges even out the price.

I have priced some locomotives on-line and at the LHS, and most of the time the on line price is lower, but the shipping charge usually brings the price to within 5 dollars of the LHS. When this is the case, I always go to the LHS, because when we shop there, they stay in business.

Sometimes I need a piece of track or a detail item for a project, and I don't want to wait for the on line shop to ship. MAybe I don't plan well enough, but if you support your LHS, they will be there when you need them.

[Anonymous]

My only problems with train shows are they tend to charge too much for used stuff. I have seen countless AHM, Lionel, and Tyco stuff go for 2X or 3X times it's true value. An example is and woman and 12 year old boy being sold an AHM rs3 by a man at a train sale. "this is a collectors item because it hasn't been made for 30 years. It's worth $100, but I'll let you have it for $50. It's a good investment mam, it's a classic and an antique. The only reason I'm letting you have it this cheap is we are closing in an hour and I want your son to have it to start his collecton." Child with her say "Please mom? " He even had the gall to charge sales tax! Some of you may say "it's a free market and he should get all he can". I disagree, he told several lies to hustle the sale. This hurts the reputation of train shows and our hobby as a whole.

Another note is my local hobby shop guy will generally match most "sale prices" from Terminal Hobbies or other printed specials. If not he will ususally at least give you a discount. But you need to be polite about it. I don't even ask most of the time because he does a lot for me in free info and used equipment at great prices that I feel ashamed to beat him up over a few bucks on a $70 locomotive.

[Anonymous]

My only problems with train shows are they tend to charge too much for used stuff. I have seen countless AHM, Lionel, and Tyco stuff go for 2X or 3X times it's true value. An example is and woman and 12 year old boy being sold an AHM rs3 by a man at a train sale. "this is a collectors item because it hasn't been made for 30 years. It's worth $100, but I'll let you have it for $50. It's a good investment mam, it's a classic and an antique. The only reason I'm letting you have it this cheap is we are closing in an hour and I want your son to have it to start his collecton." Child with her say "Please mom? " He even had the gall to charge sales tax! Some of you may say "it's a free market and he should get all he can". I disagree, he told several lies to hustle the sale. This hurts the reputation of train shows and our hobby as a whole.

Another note is my local hobby shop guy will generally match most "sale prices" from Terminal Hobbies or other printed specials. If not he will ususally at least give you a discount. But you need to be polite about it. I don't even ask most of the time because he does a lot for me in free info and used equipment at great prices that I feel ashamed to beat him up over a few bucks on a $70 locomotive.

[h42man]

The small town (less than 75000 pop) that I live in has had great LHS in the past, but
never had the sales to support staying open for very long. When we have a train show in town, there is always a huge number of people attending and I assume they are for the most part, Buyers. I do have a great hobby shop within 80 miles and I try to support them although their prices are not as good as online or mail order. I have purchased online when items are not available locally or with gift certificates from family members.
h42man

[h42man]

The small town (less than 75000 pop) that I live in has had great LHS in the past, but
never had the sales to support staying open for very long. When we have a train show in town, there is always a huge number of people attending and I assume they are for the most part, Buyers. I do have a great hobby shop within 80 miles and I try to support them although their prices are not as good as online or mail order. I have purchased online when items are not available locally or with gift certificates from family members.
h42man

[NscaleMike]

I like to spread my few $$ around on both Ebay and my not so local hobby shop (35 miles from my home). I have been shopping on Ebay for about 4 yrs..there are certain sellers that I have returned to over the past years, they are reliable, shipping costs are reasonable, and excellant customer service...much like my LHS. My LHS is well stocked for Nscale..which is the only scale they sell in model trains.

[NscaleMike]

I like to spread my few $$ around on both Ebay and my not so local hobby shop (35 miles from my home). I have been shopping on Ebay for about 4 yrs..there are certain sellers that I have returned to over the past years, they are reliable, shipping costs are reasonable, and excellant customer service...much like my LHS. My LHS is well stocked for Nscale..which is the only scale they sell in model trains.

[Anonymous]

I live within a reasonable driving distance from a couple of local hobby shops. Only one of these would i consider buying from on a regular basis due there slightly lower costs and greater selection. Still, in the last few years have been forced to buy from .com websites due to their low costs. I like most people am very limited on budget (being a recent college graduate). I don't want to see all the local hobby shops disappear but it's tough to justify paying a premium for each and every item I purchase when the differences are so extreme. One must be careful however, when purchasing from .coms. I have had very troubling experiences with several of these online dealers. By this I mean I didn't get all the items shipped to me that I was charged for. Then I would get a run around after calling them asking for a credit for these items. It took me months with several of these websites before I got my credit. I can highly recommend these two websites as I've had no problems with them whatsoever: < www.toytrainheaven.com > and < www.1stplacehobbies.com >. On top of all this they are virtually always the low price leaders!

[Anonymous]

I live within a reasonable driving distance from a couple of local hobby shops. Only one of these would i consider buying from on a regular basis due there slightly lower costs and greater selection. Still, in the last few years have been forced to buy from .com websites due to their low costs. I like most people am very limited on budget (being a recent college graduate). I don't want to see all the local hobby shops disappear but it's tough to justify paying a premium for each and every item I purchase when the differences are so extreme. One must be careful however, when purchasing from .coms. I have had very troubling experiences with several of these online dealers. By this I mean I didn't get all the items shipped to me that I was charged for. Then I would get a run around after calling them asking for a credit for these items. It took me months with several of these websites before I got my credit. I can highly recommend these two websites as I've had no problems with them whatsoever: < www.toytrainheaven.com > and < www.1stplacehobbies.com >. On top of all this they are virtually always the low price leaders!

[Anonymous]

Sometimes shop the net for specials that i need quickly and when my LHS doesn't have. Always hate to key in that cr card #, never know who might be snooping the net. Normally prefer to browse and buy in the LHS; they know me and will give how-to advice, and usually have what i need in stock or will make an effort to get it. And their prices are good too. Can hold the item in my hand and judge it's potential far better than a lo-res photo on the screen.

Big plus - they stock Z Scale too. They are located in Addison, TX. Anyone from the Dallas area will know which LHS i'm talking about.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes shop the net for specials that i need quickly and when my LHS doesn't have. Always hate to key in that cr card #, never know who might be snooping the net. Normally prefer to browse and buy in the LHS; they know me and will give how-to advice, and usually have what i need in stock or will make an effort to get it. And their prices are good too. Can hold the item in my hand and judge it's potential far better than a lo-res photo on the screen.

Big plus - they stock Z Scale too. They are located in Addison, TX. Anyone from the Dallas area will know which LHS i'm talking about.

[Martin4]

I always buy from the shops: you can get information there, they are ownwed by people involved in the hobby, they can get everything and they know what to do if anything is wrong with de delivery. The .com shops are a threat to local economy in almost any matter.

Martin
Québec City

[Martin4]

I always buy from the shops: you can get information there, they are ownwed by people involved in the hobby, they can get everything and they know what to do if anything is wrong with de delivery. The .com shops are a threat to local economy in almost any matter.

Martin
Québec City

[BRAKIE]

Well,i shop on line AND at the LHS..I need both..I need the on line shops to save money on locomotives and I use the LHS for everything else. [;)][8D][:D]

[BRAKIE]

Well,i shop on line AND at the LHS..I need both..I need the on line shops to save money on locomotives and I use the LHS for everything else. [;)][8D][:D]

[IRONROOSTER]

I do most of my buying at train shows, some mail order, and some at the LHS. Tthe LHS has a very small selection of S scale, usually 10 cars and a locomotive or two. I have never bought anything over the net, but that will probably change if more S scale gets offered (what there is now, is what I see at the shows).
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

I do most of my buying at train shows, some mail order, and some at the LHS. Tthe LHS has a very small selection of S scale, usually 10 cars and a locomotive or two. I have never bought anything over the net, but that will probably change if more S scale gets offered (what there is now, is what I see at the shows).
Enjoy
Paul