I just ordered from them today...The site is a little slow even with my 100Mbps connection.
They have always had what I wanted, great service, are very fast in shipping.
Kurt
PS I stand corrected...Their site must be down, I couldn't get thru.
It usually opens for me but when ever I have sent them a question with an email, to see if they have it, they have never answered. I just go there now when I need info & automatically order somewhere else !!
Thanks, John
Think working through their website is tough?
Try getting A-N-Y-B-O-D-Y there on the phone.
Can't count how many times I have tried and just given up.
Guys,
Try this link. I haven't had the problems with this address that we have experienced with the other one.
http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/
Give Granpa's Toy Train Parts in Union, KY a try.
P.O. Box 736 Union, KY, 41091 (859)384-3038
Although he doesn't have a website, his selection of parts is nearly as extensive as Olsens and his prices are comparable or sometimes even a bit cheaper. Plus, he ships very quickly and doesn't require payment up front-he bills you when he sends the parts.
I can vouch for most of the vendors listed in this thread. Yes, I've also experienced problems with Olsen's web site. But I've also experienced first-rate customer service from them as well. I ordered a new smoke element for a 2025. It arrived damaged, but I didn't notice until well after a month had gone by. I called Olsen's expecting and willing to pay for a new one, but the guy insisted on sending me one for free. I didn't even have to pay shipping.
Since I work right down the street from Dr. Tinker's house, I usually go there when I need parts. He's a very nice guy, and truth be told, I enjoy visiting with him. I also save with no shipping charges.
And Granpa down in Kentucky is another very nice guy to deal with. I've spoken with him at length about cleaning motors, etc. And he sends you what you ask for before he receives payment! Talk about a throw back to the good old days!
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
It never ceases to amaze me that so many people, especially newbies to the hobby, seem to feel that eBay is the best place to find repair parts.
Olsen's website does have its problems from time to time, but who else gives you the "Library" with all the exploded views of locos and accessories? In my humble opinion, they are worth supporting for that service alone. They also have a space for comments, etc. If you appreciate the library, and/or are frustrated by the amount of down-time on the server, you might want to tell them. The library can't be cheap to maintain, and if we want it to continue we have to support it. If they ever take it down, it is likely to be gone forever.
Lexington. See his web page for details.
http://www.drtinkertrains.com/
His address is listed at the bottom of the page.
How did a guy named Bubba end up in Massachusetts? I thought all the Bubbas lived down south. Like in Nawth Carolina.
bfskinner wrote: It never ceases to amaze me that so many people, especially newbies to the hobby, seem to feel that eBay is the best place to find repair parts. Olsen's website does have its problems from time to time, but who else gives you the "Library" with all the exploded views of locos and accessories? In my humble opinion, they are worth supporting for that service alone. They also have a space for comments, etc. If you appreciate the library, and/or are frustrated by the amount of down-time on the server, you might want to tell them. The library can't be cheap to maintain, and if we want it to continue we have to support it. If they ever take it down, it is likely to be gone forever.
That's what P-ing my off, I want and need some tech stuff and the site won't open. I must admit, there's is TONS of info on his site and would be a shame if it ever disappeared, but what good is it if nobody can get there? In over a year, only twice have I been able to have Olsen's open for me. Also, how can I leave a comment about anything when Olsen's site gives me fits to open? That's pretty stupid if you ask me!
Well welcome to the forum, Bubba from Somerset! I'm in Lexington. I hope you enjoy this forum as much as I do!
I live about 30 miles from Olsen, But I buy all my Train parts from Jeff Kane at The TrainTender. Order parts today, three days later their in my mail box. Jeff is a great person to deal with.
1688torpedo wrote: Hello All! Olsen's Hours are not very consistent either! The best Parts Guys on the Web are Jeff Kane at The Train Tender & Dr.Tinker's Toy Train Parts & both of them are very helpful & have fast shipping also. They are the ones I get most of my parts from. Take Care.
Good GIZ.
laz57
Living in the UK I can only praise Olsen's for there service. Orders have been dispatched promptly and I have never experienced any problems with them. Many retailers in the states won't ship overseas maybe due to hassle with customs duty, forms to fill in and different shipping rates. Olsen's have always hit the mark for me replying to my many questions by email and delivering a quality service.
If you want to see awful customer service come and live in the UK its a national institution
Never had a problem with Olsens.
Want to hear a nice story of customer service? I ordered another Western Hobbycraft trolley from the new owner Doug PaPay and asked him whether he had any extra trolley poles for sale. He said he's soon going to offer them for separate sale at $10 / pair and threw in a pair for free with my order.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
You know what is better than Olsens....this forum and you guys. If I need a part, I believe you guys could direct me right to the box or bin in a specific store.
My old parts guy near Cleveland, Warren's supposedly was sold or went out of the business.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
That's great customer service, Doug! Lots of good people in this hobby.
And I agree with Buckeye. This forum is an excellent place to meet knowledgable, very nice people who are willing to help a fellow in need. I sometimes wonder if I'd even still be in the hobby if this forum wasn't available to us.
Being a newbie myself I have little to offer in the way of advice but, I can tell you that I've dealt with Jeff Kane, Warren's and Olsen's in my short time in the hobby. I'm just putting in my two cents for what its worth.
Since I'm so new I need more time when I call since I may not know exactly what it is I'm looking for, even after looking it up. Jeff Kane is by far my favorite. The very first time I called him and placed an order he shipped it before I could even get the check to the mail box. That I appreciate, you don't see that very often. He took the time to explain things and go through the choices to be sure I'm getting what I really need.
My dealing with Warren was a good one too. I called, because as odd as it might seem, Jeff was out of a part I needed and didn't know when he'd have it again. Tom was packing his stuff heading out for a show when I called but took the time to speak with me anyway, make sure he had what I needed and told me that if the orded was placed online before he left he would ship it the same day and sure enough he did.
Olsen's has been a little more difficult. I had to call a few times to get the parts guy and then he didn't seem like he had much time.
There that's my two cents
Mike
I use Olsen's quite a bit and yes I have had problems now and then getting into the web-site. I think trying to supply all us with parts, answering questions via email and getting the right parts to the right person is quite a job by itself. I say they are doing a great job and I'll continue to do business with them. I had 2 email questions for them and 2 responses within a couple days. My trains have sat around for nearly 70 years and a couple days ain't going to hurt nothing.
For Olsen's
Thanks, jaabat. I often wonder what all us of would do if the internet wasn't around. Good ole snail mail would drive me nuts. I appreciate in internet and how fast one can order parts, view inventories of various sellers, etc, etc..... But we are still people,.. getting bombarded with instant results that expect to get instant replies. Shoot, if I had to respond instantly at anything, I'd quit.
A thanks to "all" that keep chugging away. Take a day or two, I don't care, I appreciate everyone helping me!!
csxt30 It usually opens for me but when ever I have sent them a question with an email, to see if they have it, they have never answered. I just go there now when I need info & automatically order somewhere else !! Thanks, John . Yep! Same here. I've had a couple glitches in past orders where it looks like somebody is getting careless. Then, I encountered a problem with their getting paid by my PayPal! Then, they sent the order anyway so I sent a check to cover it. I called them to confirm it's getting rec'd; no answere, no return call. Now, I'm getting the "down server" thing. Hmmm. another John
Thanks, John . Yep! Same here. I've had a couple glitches in past orders where it looks like somebody is getting careless. Then, I encountered a problem with their getting paid by my PayPal! Then, they sent the order anyway so I sent a check to cover it. I called them to confirm it's getting rec'd; no answere, no return call. Now, I'm getting the "down server" thing. Hmmm.
another John
Sharon says she has closed the website and is not sure if she will reopen it. It's too bad because I use their resources as well as order parts quite often.
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