Wholesale Trains?

[Anonymous]

I ran across this site the other day and was wondering what kind of service they have. Is shipping expensive? I can't believe some of these prices. But most items are on back order which sucks. I suppose they sell out fast.
here's some links to their amazing bargans
SW1000 http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=athsw1d&offset=0&ID=200415325
SD40-2 http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=athsd40&offset=25&ID=200415308
GP38-2 http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=athgp382&ID=200415172
SD70 http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=athsd70m&ID=200417308 so what's the verdict? Good / bad place to shop

[Anonymous]

I ordered an On30 engine from them last year, shipping was OK, but the problem I has was there wasn't any choice or indication on their online check out for shipping method. When the order was processed, my online invoice showed the model had been sent by FedEx Ground. If I had known, I would not have ordered the model, because FedEx collects the tax on imported items into Canada, and charges the buyer with an outrageous collection fee - they chaged me something like $35.00 to collect the $15.00 tax. So my good deal wasn't such a good deal after all.

I later phoned them and asked if they could ship something else by US Mail, but they said they couldn't. So I wrote them off, no more of my business.

It would probably not have been a problem for a US resident.

Bob Boudreau

[rlbeetle]

I have ordered several things from them. Like you said a lot of stuff is always on backorder. I have two orders with them now I am waiting on.

[Amtrk14]

I have ordered many items from them. Like you said, they have THE best prices on the net. Great service and fast shipping!

Sean

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Amtrk14
I have ordered many items from them. Like you said, they have THE best prices on the net. Great service and fast shipping!

Sean,
As I understood the shipping policy, the shipping applies for each item whether or not it is sold in a batch. Is this true? That is, have you ordered multiple items at a time?

[modelalaska]

Just received an order from them (err partial one anyway). Most of these places don't notify you whether your order is processed and on the way... you either get something or you don't. That I really don't like. However most places have responded when I inquired to the status of an order (may take a day or two).
I used their "regular mail" option and it cost $30.00 to get a six pound package here to Alaska (FedEx)! Arrgghh. It really is tough up here in Alaska when it come to shipping.
My point, I have order from many of these sites and they all seem to be the same. Just find the best price and take your chances.
Good luck,
Peter [:)]

[Anonymous]

Sometimes a good thing is too good to be true.

[Anonymous]

I tried ordering from them and had horrible service. Everything back ordered forever. I ordered from Wholesale trains, Woodland Scenics, and 1stplacehobbies at the same time. The Woodland Scenics and 1stplacehobbies stuff came in real fast! I had time to make another order from 1stplacehobbies and recieve it....still didn't get the Wholesale trains order.

I finally ordered the same thing I was trying to order from Wholesale trains from Walthers and cancelled the back order from Wholesale trains.

I only gave them one chance so they may not always be that slow. www.1stplacehobbies.com is the winner in my book. I still shop around but for price and availability I have been very happy with 1stplacehobbies.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tukaram

I tried ordering from them and had horrible service. Everything back ordered forever. I ordered from Wholesale trains, Woodland Scenics, and 1stplacehobbies at the same time. The Woodland Scenics and 1stplacehobbies stuff came in real fast! I had time to make another order from 1stplacehobbies and recieve it....still didn't get the Wholesale trains order.

I finally ordered the same thing I was trying to order from Wholesale trains from Walthers and cancelled the back order from Wholesale trains.

I only gave them one chance so they may not always be that slow. www.1stplacehobbies.com is the winner in my book. I still shop around but for price and availability I have been very happy with 1stplacehobbies.

There are many good stores out there including the one you listed.

firsthobby.com is a great place also that is a real store with good prices and people you can talk to.

So many stores, so little time.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like other than the fact that everything is on backorder it's a good place to shop. I live in the midwest so shipping wouldn't be the $30 as it was for some of you.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

Sounds like other than the fact that everything is on backorder it's a good place to shop. I live in the midwest so shipping wouldn't be the $30 as it was for some of you.

I get the impression that they really do not stock much, but order only items as needed. It will allow them to have lower prices, but it does take longer to get the items.

[Anonymous]

Who knows if they'd even get more of a backordered item? I didn't know Athearn still made b-b SD40-2's. But of course the illinois central one is on back order- if i ordered one would i ever even get one?

[tstage]

dingoix,

I ordered my Bachmann E-Z Command from them and they charged me $8-9 for shipping from NY(?) to OH. Even if they had charged me double that, I'd still been out ahead. I picked up the Bachmann E-Z Command for almost 1/2 off. They're a huge distribution center. So, don't expect them to be very knowledgable about the product.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bangert1
I get the impression that they really do not stock much, but order only items as needed. It will allow them to have lower prices, but it does take longer to get the items.

That's my impresssion too. When I finally got my order - I had to wait until they got it too, their invoice was from a hobby shop, can't recall the name. Looks like they are just an LHS with a big sounding online name and sell stuff they have to order for you. Not a problem if you take this into consideration and don't want your items right away.

Bob Boudreau

[Tracklayer]

Internet Hobbies is another one that orders from the manufacturer when you order from them.

TL

[davekelly]

I've placed one order with them and was somewhat disappointed. They had Atlas hoppers and Accurail autoracks listed at very good prices. Ordered 20 of the hoppers and 2 of the autoracks. After a couple of weeks I received one of each. I emailed them to see when I could expect the rest of my order. The response indicated that they were unable to get any more. This wouldn't be so bad, except that the shipping for only two items cancelled out the good listed price.

[Anonymous]

Ist hobby.com has been good for me they have alot to choose from and most everything in stock fast shipping my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

The prices are very good, but certainly not unbeatable... trainworld.com and standardhobby.com both seem to meet or (usually) beat them on the prices I checked. I've used both many times, both charge reasonable shipping, both have far more in stock and far less on backorder, and both certainly have better service in general than what's described here. I also find 1stplacehobbies.com to be good, though their prices are more "iffy"... Sometimes very good, sometimes not so good. I'd always "shop around" a 1sthobbies price before ordering.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

I've placed one order with them and was somewhat disappointed. They had Atlas hoppers and Accurail autoracks listed at very good prices. Ordered 20 of the hoppers and 2 of the autoracks. After a couple of weeks I received one of each. I emailed them to see when I could expect the rest of my order. The response indicated that they were unable to get any more. This wouldn't be so bad, except that the shipping for only two items cancelled out the good listed price.

They seem to advertise big, but most items are listed as takes a certain amount of days to ship. The translation for that is "we will order it and when it come in, it will be shipped." This is not good when related to our hobby and limited run items.

I want to talk to someone before I order, and if they don't have it ready to ship the next day, I usually do not order it.

If its too good to be true, it probably is not true.

[Anonymous]

Ive had an order in with them that ive been waiting on for 2 months now.

Steve

[Anonymous]

1st has the IC SD40-2 on backorder. i chose for them to "notify me when available"
http://www.1stplacehobbies.com/cgi-bin/prod.asp?pn=140-6413

[gderem]

It seems like many have had problems.

That's too bad because their prices are very good and I really like their site layout -- it's easier to find things at WholesaleTrains than at some of the other sites people are recommending. And they often provide more information. I particularly like that they mention the minimum radius their locomotives will run on. At least I can still use it to research information on.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gderem

It seems like many have had problems.

...At least I can still use it to research information on.

Good thinking, I believe. It'll give you good info, and from their end, at least it keeps their shop in your head, so if they do shape up you can proceed. I hadn't actually heard of them 'til today, but would certainly not buy there for now, given the pretty uniform bad experience of those who have.

I do much the same thing with Walthers.com. I very occasionally buy there, but more often go there to get product info (or find products) and then backtrack to buy them elsewhere at a better price. I doubt they'd even care, since the folks I'm buying it from are almost certainly Walther's dealers...

[Anonymous]

I guess i won't order anything from wholesale.