Nevermind. Found out it's a total scam
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
Deleted
It's part of that now infamous scammer group of "storefronts" in PA.
Others have indeed found out the hard way... (I have not.)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
If my memory serves, it was 'internettrains.com' that gave a lot of our members grief back between 2007 and 2010 when we all got a bit wiser. I wouldn't doubt they were one and the same 'proprieter.'
For what it's worth, this is the BBB page on them.
Internet Hobbies | Better Business Bureau® Profile (bbb.org)
Not a lot of info one way or another but what's there doesn't give me much confidence in them.
They have been around a long time.
They are not necessarily a scam, but if I recall correctly, you place an order and then they go out and find your items elsewhere.
Rich
Alton Junction
They are currently being investigated by the PA Attorney General for scamming multiple customers by taking their money but never delivering any product ever, under various company names, including this one.
EDIT: Link to complaint filed.
https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/attorney-general-shapiro-files-complaint-against-online-hobby-shop-warns-of-holiday-shopping-scams/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe're%20suing%20Internet%20Hobbies,from%20operating%20in%20our%20Commonwealth.%E2%80%9D
richhotrain They have been around a long time. They are not necessarily a scam, but if I recall correctly, you place an order and then they go out and find your items elsewhere. Rich
I'm not sure but I think that is how Historic Rail operated before they were acquired by Fairfield Collectibles. I never got scammed by them but often I would wait months to get some of the items I ordered, even when I ordered an item the same day I received their flyer. They wouldn't charge my credit card until the items shipped.
Since they were acquired, I no longer receive regular catalogs from them. The last time I went to the Fairfield website, the railroading selection had been greatly reduced.
Click on the following link to learn all about who Internet Hobbies says they are and how they go about their business, including fulfilling orders and charging your credit card as soon as you order.
https://internethobbies.com/pages/about-us-1
I guess it all depends upon your definition of "scam". Personally, I would never do business with them, but whether or not Internet Hobbies is a scam is debatable. They don't exactly take your money and run, never to be found again, but to put it politely, their business model stinks.
Years ago, when I was new to the hobby, I did make a couple of purchases with them. But, it seems now that the owners are as naive as the customers who do business with them.
I had a similiar experience with an internet hobby shop based in the UK. They indicated that the item was in stock and charged by credit card immediately. After waiting two months I emailed them inquiring about the order status. Didn't hear anything for another month. Finally, they said the item was waiting to be restocked (the product was long since out of production). I asked for, and received, a refund. Meanwhile I found the item in a Quebec, Canada hobby shop and they mailed it the same day as I ordered it. Kudos to Max Trains.
Ray
The old X-Files saying. Trust no one. My advice is to start a relationship with a repretable dealer and stick with them. Either a local brick and mortar store and a few online stores. My LHS gives me a good discount on in stock track, roadbed and ballast. I can also get discounts on structures in stock. My others are Tony's, Lichfield Station, and a couple others. None have steered me wrong. The couple bucks you save is not worth the agrevation trying to get your hard earned money back.
Pete.