I placed an order two weeks ago for something that Tony's Trains website says is in stock. The order still hasn't been shipped.
No one ever answers the phone. The voice message says that due to Covid restrictions (no longer in place, from what I can tell) people are working remotely.
Anyone else having trouble getting their orders from Tony's?
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Just placed an online order this AM. We'll see. I did get an order I placed about a month ago and all seemed fine.
Charlie - Northern Colorado
I ordered a couple of Loksound V5 decoders a few months ago from their site that said they were in stock. It was taking a long time to fill the order, so I contacted them via email and they said they just got them in and were being programmed.
Either their website was wrong and the itmes were not in stock, or they were just being slow and simply told me they were having problems from the manufacturer.
Telephone contact seems to be still using the COVID excuse.
Email seems more responsive.
Generally, I don't care for their website anyway as I already had some reasons to think that itmes were not in stock when the site said they were....but I can't remember the details.
- Douglas
Hmmm...seems a bit long, Mark. I placed an order for two box cars about three weeks ago, got a request for payment on the 27th, and I received them this morning way out on the left waters on Vancouver Island. I would hope you have yours this week.
Please keep us updated.
Rick
hbgatsfPlease keep us updated.
Indeed, please do. I have purchased from them in the distant past and I would be sorry if they go the same way many small MR businesses have gone.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy hbgatsf Please keep us updated. Indeed, please do. I have purchased from them in the distant past and I would be sorry if they go the same way many small MR businesses have gone.
hbgatsf Please keep us updated.
Alton Junction
Doughless ...I contacted them via email and they said they just got them in... Either their website was wrong and the itmes were not in stock, or they were just being slow and simply told me they were having problems from the manufacturer. Telephone contact seems to be still using the COVID excuse. Email seems more responsive.
...I contacted them via email and they said they just got them in...
richhotrainIn the case of Tony's Trains, call them. I have always reached a live sales rep. They are a very good train shop and have been around for a good while. Call them. Keep calling until someone answers.
Call them. Keep calling until someone answers.
Just so others know, DCC Specialties and Tony's Train Exchange may have the same owner and or affiiiation. They do share the same address. Coincidence? Maybe, but this tells me they are one and the same with two divisions.
While I didn't have a chance to see Tony's Train Exchange at the Amherst Show (too busy with my booth), they were listed as attending the show.
Like other manufacturers who rely on components from overseas, it seems they do put realistic availabilities on their site. I've bought from them both online at shows and have no issues buying from them in the future.
I will say the best way to get hold of them, or anyone in this industry is email, although I am sure some smaller companies rely on the US mail and the telphone!
Neal
Rec'd order from them a few weeks ago
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Very odd. Yes, pls keep us posted. Perhaps we ought to generate a list of suggested online vendors?
OK, I just called Tony's Trains Exchange and here is what happened.
I got an automated message explaining the COVID situation and an explanation that the staff is working from home. I could either leave a message for a callback or send an email. An email was recommended.
The message went on to say that if I knew my party's extension to press 1. Press 2 for the next available agent. I pressed 2. I could either leave a message or send an email. An email was recommended.
Take that for what it is worth.
Rich
nealknows While I didn't have a chance to see Tony's Train Exchange at the Amherst Show (too busy with my booth), they were listed as attending the show. Neal
I don’t think so. Friend of mine said he wanted to get a decoder from them but they were not there. I also just checked the list of exhibitors (which I assume was the final list), and they are not listed there either.
maxman I don’t think so. Friend of mine said he wanted to get a decoder from them but they were not there. I also just checked the list of exhibitors (which I assume was the final list), and they are not listed there either.
I had looked at the December 17th listing. Guess they bowed out?
Interesting, I had no idea the staff was still working from home, even though COVID is over.
I was planning on getting two Athearn Genesis Santa Fe Dash 9-44CW's (#627 & #644). But after reading this thread, I'm not so sure. Still thinking about it.
I guess after I do place an order is follow up with an email saying this is what I purchased and make sure these items are still in stock.
Glad folks found out about Tony's Exchange. They have some great things and are sometimes cheaper than MB Klein.
I just looked and they have an tip called PSXX-AR Wye Tail Wiring that was put up on 3/13/23 so they are updating the website.
Sounds like they have staffing problems.
Yes that could also be a factor as well.
I don't know how small of a company Tony's is, or if its affiliated with another company. The companies I call frequently, and they pick up the phone, who is usually the owner or the spouse:
Lombard Hobby
Hiawatha Hobbies
High Country Hobbies
Spring Creek Model Trains.
And a switchboard that gets a live person:
Trainworld
MBKlein.
I'm sure that being tech savy folks, Tony's could figure a way to get the hobby shop calls forwarded directly to their homes...you know...to wake them up from their naps during the posted business hours, LOL
I guess I hadn't had an issue with Tony's being excessively slow, not really complaining, but it seems that some of their first contact canned responses have an excuse built into them. No big deal, just annoying.
DoughlessThe companies I call frequently, and they pick up the phone, who is usually the owner or the spouse: ... Spring Creek Model Trains
...
Spring Creek Model Trains
DoughlessAnd a switchboard that gets a live person: MBKlein.
There has to be a bunch of newbies scratching their heads over MB Klein, the black building in the pic, advertizing hardware stuff. Now they are known as Model Train Stuff.
Long ago, they got rid of the hardware and kept the trains. Al Gore showed them the Internet and they moved to the 'burbs in a non-descript building. They kept a retail section for a while, but now it is all mail order. I like that there website tells you how many of an item that they have instock.
I think it's a little outdated to still be using the Covid excuse. Why not just be upfront and tell people they have decided to continue allowing their employees to work from home as a permanent arrangement. Many companies are having to decide whether to continue to allow people to work from home or require them to come to the office. Each company's situation is different. Elon Musk created quite a stir when he announced Twitter employees would have to start coming into the office at least three days a week. Horrors!
An update:
As I said above, I got an email saying the items I ordered just came in and they will be shipping shortly. That was 15 March.
Nine days later and not a peep. Order still hasn't been shipped. I wonder what their definition of "shortly" is?
I've purchased from them in the past and always had good service. I'm beginning to think I won't be ordering from them again.
Wow Mark, that's really disappointing to hear. I hope your stuff comes soon. Making me rethink my next purchase that would have gone to them.
Mike
nealknowsJust so others know, DCC Specialties and Tony's Train Exchange may have the same owner and or affiiiation. They do share the same address.
Walthers lists DCC Specialties as a Michigan company. Tony's is in VT Where are you getting your information?
BigDaddyWalthers lists DCC Specialties as a Michigan company. Tony's is in VT Where are you getting your information?
Essex Jct., VT (September 25, 2013) – Tony Parisi, owner of American Hobby Distributors, announced today that its QSI Solutions subdivision has been reformed as an independent standalone company under the ownership of long-time manager and product developer Joshua Shedaker. “QSI Solutions, and the sound technology that it continues to pioneer, has grown to the extent that it requires full-time dedication and expertise to properly bring its products to fruition and make them available to the industry,” Parisi said. “Josh’s long experience with American Hobby, and the relationship he’s developed with QS Industries, the developer of QSI products, will benefit QSI Solutions’ dealer base and continuing product innovation. I expect him, and QSI Solutions, to do very well. American Hobby Distributors will continue to service all its dealers, in the usual manner, for all of AHD’s other popular products, according to Parisi.”“This is an exciting opportunity,” Shedaker said, “and one that aligns perfectly with the sound technology QSI and I have been developing and the retail and marketing experience I’ve gained through my decade-long involvement in the industry, as well as with American Hobby.” Shedaker also said he was looking forward to expanding brand awareness and product availability.QSI Solutions is an exclusive distributor, manufacturer and product development associate of QS Industries of Beaverton, Oregon. Founded in 2006, QSI Solutions first produced updated chips for the Q1a sound systems that were factory installed at that time by many model manufacturers. Today, it manufactures and distributes the Q3, Quantum Titan® line of products, the technological successor to Q1a. For more information please visit www.qsisolutions.com.Tony Parisi American Hobby Distributors DCC Specialties The Lenz AgencySupporting Dealers Developing DCC800-671-0641mailto:info@amhobby.comwww.amhobby.comwww.dccspecialties.com/www.lenzusa.com/
I seem to recall Tony moved to Vermont around 2001.
Regards, Ed
According to the DCC Wiki of October 29, 2021 DCC Specialties and Tony's Trains are the same company. I was saying they may be in my post above.
https://dccwiki.com/DCC_Specialties
You may be right. DCCSpecialties.com returns a blank page. One would think just from a marketing view they would want that site up and running, even if they are the same company.
I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing issues with Tony's Trains. It's frustrating to place an order and not receive it in a timely manner, especially when the website indicates that the item is in stock.
Given the current climate, it's understandable that many businesses have been impacted by Covid-19, and it's possible that Tony's Trains is struggling to keep up with demand or experiencing delays due to staffing issues. However, it's concerning that you're unable to get in touch with anyone at the company to inquire about the status of your order.
If you haven't already, I would suggest sending an email to the company or reaching out to them via social media to see if you can get a response. It may also be worth checking online forums or reviews to see if other customers are experiencing similar issues with Tony's Trains.
Hopefully, you'll receive your order soon or be able to get some clarity on the situation from the company.
I finally gave up. I left a phone message and sent an email canceling the order. I ordered instead through Yankee Dabbler. The price was a few bucks higher, but hopefully I'll actually receive the product.
Too bad about Tony's. I was always pleased with their service in the past.