Not wanting to stir the pot here, but Steve indicated if someone actually knows something on matters of concern, they can start a new thread. So I will, because I do.
Was in a discussion with an old friend a couple of weeks back in a position to know. Athearn pre-orders were dealt with some time ago and arrangements made to carry them through. Got no idea whether this was simply a transfer to the new store, but I suspect it is, because, well you haven't heard anything about it...
Mostly because opening a new store and dealing with stuff like this is a major project. Give Caboose a chance.
If it's not a pre-order transferred to them, it went to someone who will fulfill it, because that was the point, and you will hear about it in some fashion as they become available, I'm sure.
That is all.
EDIT: Remembered I had a bit more info. I've dealt with several folks who've had B&M shops, sold Athearn, and closed the shops in the context of moving to the show circuit exclusively. In each case, the preorders they made were honored by Athearn, even though they could no longer otherwise order new Athearn product since they were no longer brick & mortar stores.
It would make sense that Athearn would continue to honor Caboose Hobbies preorders with a subsequent owner of the business (and, no, I don't want to split hairs here about the relationship otherwise between the old and new), as well as accept new business, provided that it was housed in a B&M store. That _seems_ to be the case here, although I don't know any more particulars than already mentioned.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
For those confused, perplexed, baffled, or otherwise having trouble with the idea, Caboose Hobbies is now Caboose. To make matters easier -- and there is no dispute about these facts, so no need to speculate about what it might mean -- Caboose uses the old website URL, stating "Caboose Hobbies is under new ownership," and uses the same old Caboose Hobbies logo on the website.
They advise:
All Pre-Orders, Special Orders & Back Orders have been transferred to Caboose!
***********************
Pre-Order Customers --Please keep current!-- email address, Phone #, Billing/Shipping Address.
So update that info with them if you've moved, etc, but this seems to confirm that the new store will carry over the previous preorders.
There are store hours listed, so they may be open already, although the big grand opening celebration is off in the future still
This info is from the March 2017 MR, an ad on page 16 and from the wbsite:
http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/index_brief.php
I would only speculate that the slight difference in name is due to the fact that otherwise it would be difficult to keep billing from vendors straight between old and new owners. The verbiage on the website make quite clear that the new store continues based on a close relationship between old and new.
And a bit of good news for everyone is that the new Caboose is "now with lower pricing." Can't argue with that.
Thanks Mike
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
There is now a new website and an opening date of 2/25. It's not much of a website, but it's a start. I'm sure they are running around with their hair on fire.
http://www.mycaboose.com/
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I will watch this thread with interest, but I am a bit skeptical of the ultimate outcome. I have seen this too often, not only with hobby shops, but also restaurants, barber shops, medical facilities, sporting goods stores, etc. The sequel often proves difficult. I wish them well though. It would be nice to see them succeed.
Rich
Alton Junction