Wholesaletrains.com? Any good?

[AggroJones]

I've ordered from Trainworld, FirstHobby, and 1stPlacehobbies.com in the past, and they've all given relatively trouble free service. What about this Wholesaletrains.com? Are they any good? Their policies seem very strict and a little frightening.

Has anyone had problems ordering from them?
Your order not filled? Damaged goods? Package never arrived? Has anyone had any general friction with this internet company?

Please advise. Thanks.

[shawn-118]

IF your talking about the one thats in Edmonton Canada they have great service and will give you all the customer suport that you could ask for. They will even go out of there way to look for that special peice for you. The great thing also that any order over $100 CND they pay the S&H in Canada anyways. Thats been my experience with them.

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by shawn-118

IF your talking about the one thats in Edmonton Canada they have great service and will give you all the customer suport that you could ask for. They will even go out of there way to look for that special peice for you. The great thing also that any order over $100 CND they pay the S&H in Canada anyways. Thats been my experience with them.

Nope it's not the one in Edmonton, it's the one in Horseheads, NY.[;)]
Gary Lantz and crew are OK, the strict rules are so that everyone knows the score. Usually that prevents a lot of problems.

BTW on that "Horseheads" moniker; I wondered if they have a community in NY that's named for the other end of the horse??[;)][}:)][:D][:D][:o)]

[Pennsy58]

I have purchased from then a few times in the past. Totally satisfied with prices and service. Shipping is rether quick too. He redesigned his web sight and I like the old one better, but whatever.

[JPowell]

Unless I can't make it there myself on a Saturday, then I won't order from them online. Horseheads is only a 90 minute drive from Syracuse. On top of that, they will charge me NYS Sales Tax and Shipping (approx. $8.00). I prefer to spend the 8 on gas and take the scenic drive and visit them. I am actually going there this Sat for alot of track for my layout. From the internet, I still can't get over the prices!

[Anonymous]

i just ordered some track from them the other day it was here in 2days no problems other than some items on back order. also i ordered some stuff on hobby circle.com their prices are great compared to the other sites ive seen i would check hobbycircle first they have alot of good stuff! anything beats those hobby shop prices

[Anonymous]

TD,

Be very careful with the pricing issue. I know hobby shops are a little more expensive, it is because of their overhead. I will say in many posts, my hobby shop RULES! I have live people that are familiar with my past purchases. In addition, I have NO shipping or restocking fees with them. If I want a custom item, I get it under Walther's pricing, etc... If I have a problem, or don't like a product, my LHS will take the return, they can afford to because of my volume with them.

Sure, I occasionally purchase elsewhere, on the understanding that they cannot move fast enough, or get the product I want at all. You see, I own a local business, and we all live off of each other. Our customers are from the same local communities, and we send referralls to each other. From realtors, to florists, to hobbies, to automotive. We have higher overheads, because we are connected and invested in the community. We hire local people, we pay local taxes, etc. Once the money starts "moving out," it has a trickle down effect on everyone else. The customers loose their support network, their buying power is individualized and becomes less important to their new "supplier."

Sorry if I am on a soapbox, but this Ebay mentality we have has to stop as a whole. I have 12 employees that are paid above industry standard. At any given time, I have over 80 people through vendors and advertisers whose job would be deeply affected if I went under. We pay a great deal of tax money, and we give to local events and charities (manpower and money.) I have never once seen the owner of Wal Mart at our fundraisers, or picking up trash in town... (in their defense, they will dontate or support local charities that give them good PR, but not because they know the community issues.)

It is absolutely impossible to always get something cheaper. The less you spend, the less someone makes, PERIOD. The margins are RAZOR thin in retail, especially the hobby industry. That means that corners must be cut, and support must be dropped. Consider the extra 5 to 10% you spend as a "tip" for their services. If you don't have a local shop that you feel comfortable with, then by all means go elsewhere including the web. If they don't support you and inspire confidence, then they don't deserve the business, but don't "shop them" over pricing alone please. (And tell them they suck, maybe they will work harder for your business.)

Again, sorry for the tirade, it is very personal. I love my customers, and they love our service, I would hate to think that there are others out there who will struggle without assistance on products that we offer, over a few percentage points of difference. Heck, we have been known to fight to match pricing and change our vendor relationships just because we found out we weren't in line with some legitimate offer!

Good luck...

[AggroJones]

Has anyone had their credit card information stolen as a result of their unstrict policies?