I am having a terrible experience with InternetTrains. Five weeks today since my order. I've been told twice, Once at week two and once at week three my order would ship at the end of the week. I had no response to the last three e-mail requests until I filed a claim with paypal. They responded to that, but I have yet to see my order ship, or a refund.
This is the first online shop I have ordered from. I think I will just stick with my local shop and the two to three weeks it takes them to get a special order in for me.
Depends.
Some stuff I get from http://www.1stplacehobbies.com/
DCC stuff http://www.litchfieldstation.com/ Or http://www.tonystrains.com/
Sometimes scenery stuff I go to http://www.scenicexpress.com/
Just my 2 cents.
My 3 cents, I just paid $20 more per engine ( 2 Proto 2000 GN GP-20's ) at my LHS because I want them to stay in business and they discounted off list to be competitive with online sellers. Oh yeh, I would have had to add $7.50 shipping so really I only spent $32.50 more for both engines. These are the new run with DCC and SOUND. I get upset that we think " saving " a few bucks not buying from our LHS is good and then here complaints that the LHS's are going out of business and we don't have anywhere to go to talk trains, get help or find that special something we need to do or complete a project. How many people are happy that Wal * Mart has put lots of small stores out of business in local towns that were closer and more convenient than driving extra miles to get to " Super Store " ?
Ray --- Great Northern fan.
Whoa! I'm ok with paying $12 over for a P2k flat bed from time to time...
But I'm not going to suggest to someone who asks what is the cheapest...that support your LHS and pay a bit more. Doesn't really answer his question and honestly he will most likely ignore your post.
Everyone hates change. Why complain about it when in all reality nothing you say can avoid. FYI just found out my nice new community will recieve the largest Walmart in the US. I'm thrilled. :(
rayhippard wrote: My 3 cents, I just paid $20 more per engine ( 2 Proto 2000 GN GP-20's ) at my LHS because I want them to stay in business and they discounted off list to be competitive with online sellers. Oh yeh, I would have had to add $7.50 shipping so really I only spent $32.50 more for both engines. These are the new run with DCC and SOUND. I get upset that we think " saving " a few bucks not buying from our LHS is good and then here complaints that the LHS's are going out of business and we don't have anywhere to go to talk trains, get help or find that special something we need to do or complete a project. How many people are happy that Wal * Mart has put lots of small stores out of business in local towns that were closer and more convenient than driving extra miles to get to " Super Store " ? Ray --- Great Northern fan.
Sometimes, the rock bottom price is not worth the problems. Most of the largest discount shops like Trainworld or a few others are very reliable if they have what you want.
www.modeltrainstuff.com
They are the cheapest
I have found the MR Kleing aka www.modeltrainstuff.com on the whole is the cheapest you may find a price cheaper here or there for 95% I have seen that they have the best prices. In fact my grandfather would drive from Williamsport Pa to them in Baltimore Md 3.5 hours away to visit them. I am glad that I live within a half hour of their location and pass them on the way to work . In fact they are moving, here is a good article on the place.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.trains10jul10,1,3378063.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
I buy some things from my LHS and some things from Internet HS. I agree with the above advice that it pays to shop around when using the Internet HS.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
Try www.toytrainheaven.com - they're the same folks that own Bowser, Stewart Hobbies, Cal Scale, etc. Selection is good, prices are low, but shipping is a little steep unless you're ordering a lot of stuff.
Also, www.discounttrainsonline.com has pretty good prices and a great selection. I haven't actually bought anything from them yet, but am pretty close to making a purchase. I have heard good things about them, though.
Another couple to consider are www.internethobbies.com (haven't bought from them either - really slow shipping from what I hear, but cheap) and www.cchobbies.com
.... then there's always eBay
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
NS2591 wrote:I think MB Klein ( www.modeltrainstuff.com ) Is the cheapest. Only place thats cheaper on a select few is Hobby Recycling in Wyoming Michigan(Grand Rapids Area) They have Kato N bethgons for 60 bucks! and Deluxe Innovations Roadrailers for 110!
Internet Trains is slow. I usually wait 5 weeks sometime more for my stuff, and know it. They have ALWAYS been that way. If you want something right now, go to Walthers, or Valley model Trains. at (http://www.valleymodeltrains.com/website/index.html). Discount trains is pretty good too, at (http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/).
Tony
I do try to support my LHS when possible. I do not know if the are the cheapest but they are competitive Cabbose Hobbies in Denver is good. There service is very good. I ordered some switches from them on Tuesday morn. & got them yesterday (Wed.) regular ground shipping UPS from Denver to Omaha. Thats service.
Larry
I too have had great service with Firsthobby.com. I can order online in the morning and have my order the next day. By the way they are located in Decatur, Illinois not Chicago. I have been to their store a few times but usually order online.
I have also had excellent service with Caboose Hobbies in Denver.
Take Care,
Bob Blaisdell
Champaign, Illinois
www.internethobbies.com
I visited their real store for the first time yesterday and it was absolutely amazing. The owner brought me into his office and we talked layouts for about an hour! They have a low price gurantee online, so just give them a link and they'll match that price. Plus, if they don't have it, they'll order it for you and it will be there in 2-4 days!!! If for anything, order it because the owner is one of the nicest men I have ever met (he's even gonna let me help build the store's new layout )