I would like some opinions about this company please. I have purchased from several mailorder hobby shops in the past but never Wholesale Trains. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Dick
Texas Chief
Dick,
I've only dealt with Wholesaletrains.com once when I bought a Bachmann E-Z Command from them for about 50% off MSRP. They had it in stock and I had it in my hands in about 3 or 4 days from the time of purchase. A happy shopping experience...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
You might want to check here:
http://cs.trains.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=wholesaletrains&f=&u=
Seems not everyone is satisfied.
Rotor
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
Believe me...u do not want o deal with them!!! Recently I made an almost $350 order of items that was "SUPPOSED" to be in stock. Finally about eight weeks later I received a package of only about one forth of the order. The package was about $125 PLUS a whopping $40 shipping and handling charges attached to it. I received no email or other contact stating why until I made numerous calls finally catching someone there. They were rude and unconcerned as to my lack of satisfactions with them. But was more than happy to place another order with another whopping handling charge on it. I just called them and they still claim they do not have these Bachmann and Atlas engines in stock although their website still says they do. What good is it to have low prices if they are going to jack it up with excessive shipping and handling??? Furthermore, why order only what they CLAIMED to have is stock if their website is deliberately misleading??? That is just false and misleading advertisement. I would have come out better buying retail that gives free shipping. There was no stated amount anywhere on their site that alerted me to HOW MUCH handling charges would be charged. They just add what ever they feel like at the time. Companies like that cast a negative shadow on all the internet commerce as well as discourage newbies from entering the hobby.
It seems they have a number of sites ..both retail and Wholesale. They have a good rating at eBay..so apparently they put the retail first and sell the surplus and clearance over their wholesale outlet. As a result ..you may and you may not get what was ordered.
If we want to encourage growth in this hobby, we need to tell the truth about companies like this and get them off the internet. I dont think anyone would give you a good rating unless they are getting some sort of kick back on it. I am reporting my experience to all who listen including the BBB.
Steve_J Believe me...u do not want o deal with them!!!Recently I made an almost $350 order of items that was "SUPPOSED" to be in stock. Finally about eight weeks later I received a package of only about one forth of the order. The package was about $125 PLUS a whopping $40 shipping and handling charges attached to it. I received no email or other contact stating why until I made numerous calls finally catching someone there. They were rude and unconcerned as to my lack of satisfactions with them. But was more than happy to place another order with another whopping handling charge on it. I just called them and they still claim they do not have these Bachmann and Atlas engines in stock although their website still says they do.What good is it to have low prices if they are going to jack it up with excessive shipping and handling??? Furthermore, why order only what they CLAIMED to have is stock if their website is deliberately misleading??? That is just false and misleading advertisement. I would have come out better buying retail that gives free shipping. There was no stated amount anywhere on their site that alerted me to HOW MUCH handling charges would be charged. They just add what ever they feel like at the time. Companies like that cast a negative shadow on all the internet commerce as well as discourage newbies from entering the hobby. It seems they have a number of sites ..both retail and Wholesale. They have a good rating at eBay..so apparently they put the retail first and sell the surplus and clearance over their wholesale outlet. As a result ..you may and you may not get what was ordered. If we want to encourage growth in this hobby, we need to tell the truth about companies like this and get them off the internet.I dont think anyone would give you a good rating unless they are getting some sort of kick back on it. I am reporting my experience to all who listen including the BBB.
Believe me...u do not want o deal with them!!!Recently I made an almost $350 order of items that was "SUPPOSED" to be in stock. Finally about eight weeks later I received a package of only about one forth of the order. The package was about $125 PLUS a whopping $40 shipping and handling charges attached to it. I received no email or other contact stating why until I made numerous calls finally catching someone there. They were rude and unconcerned as to my lack of satisfactions with them. But was more than happy to place another order with another whopping handling charge on it. I just called them and they still claim they do not have these Bachmann and Atlas engines in stock although their website still says they do.What good is it to have low prices if they are going to jack it up with excessive shipping and handling??? Furthermore, why order only what they CLAIMED to have is stock if their website is deliberately misleading??? That is just false and misleading advertisement. I would have come out better buying retail that gives free shipping. There was no stated amount anywhere on their site that alerted me to HOW MUCH handling charges would be charged. They just add what ever they feel like at the time. Companies like that cast a negative shadow on all the internet commerce as well as discourage newbies from entering the hobby.
If we want to encourage growth in this hobby, we need to tell the truth about companies like this and get them off the internet.I dont think anyone would give you a good rating unless they are getting some sort of kick back on it. I am reporting my experience to all who listen including the BBB.
Apparently, you're not the only one having issues with Wholesale Trains. They already have numerous complaints against them with the Better Business Bureau. As such, they have an F rating, which is their worst rating. For future reference, before you deal with ANY company that you're unfamiliar with, check the BBBs website. They are also known as Lantz Train Shop. Better Business Bureau
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
I've only ordered from them one time for a G-scale item, and had no problems. But as others have mentioned, make sure the item(s) you want are in stock or use their toll-free telephone line to confirm availability. 1-888-762-6633.
They deal more with G-scale than HO or N.
I have had two transactions with Wholesale trains, neither of hem good. The first time I let the poor service slide thinking it may have been just a one time mistake. The second time they did the same exact thing to me which was not quoting me a total cost of my charges for taxes, and shipping. I emailed their customer service three times, and on the third time I was given the excuse that my emails possibly got put in their spam account. Now why would a companies customer service put emails in a spam account. After speaking with the store manager I was told my item was shipped, and that my total charges would be sent to me in an email...I NEVER HAPPENED, so I didn't know my total charges or what carrier they were shipping my item with until I received my package.
I has since filed a complaint with the BBB, and I suggest anyone who uses Wholesale trains make sure you get all your credit card charges given to you up front. As for myself there are far too many compaines out there who are willing to give me far better service then I got at WST.
Believe me there is something wrong with a company who does not give you a total estimate of charges the moment you purchase something through them. The two times I dealt with WST they told me that they would send an automatic email response showing my total charges to my credit card, and who they would be shipping my package with, both times it never happened so I was left guessing what my total charges were up to the point of delivery.
I have filed a complaint with BBB, and I also plan to file a complaint with the State Attorney Generals office in the stae of New York. WST come across as being veru shifty, and not upfront, I would suggest that NO one use these folks unless you like being jerked around.
cacole I've only ordered from them one time for a G-scale item, and had no problems. But as others have mentioned, make sure the item(s) you want are in stock or use their toll-free telephone line to confirm availability. 1-888-762-6633.They deal more with G-scale than HO or N.
I have ordered G-scale items from them several times. The only issues I've ever had were when something was out-of-stock and going to be for awhile. But they always sent me an email asking if I wanted to wait or get a refund. One time it ended-up being nearly six months. They sent me a couple of emails asking if I still wanted to wait. I eventually got the package-- had completely forgotten about the order-- and it was exactly what I ordered.
I can't say for smaller scales but they've been fine in G-scale.
I agree, just had a similar incident as described in the forum with other members. Up front, I didn't read the terms and conditions to their policies. That is my fault. But check this out. After 9 days of not seeing my items shipped, I called. Said the train set I ordered was on backorder. Fine. They said maybe first of December. Called last Thursday and they said they wouldn't be able to get it anymore. So I asked for that part of my order to be cancelled (the lady said no problem). The other part shipped Friday. Finally found the set on eBay and got it. I noticed my CC got charged for the set. So I call today to have the "backorder cancelled." Subject to a 7% fee. I asked WHY I was being charged a fee for something they verbally confirmed that they can no longer physically get in stock. She said that's policy then proceeds to tell me that she can see in their system that the set I ordered is actually "in transit" to their shop. Uh huh, good cover on her part. That's bull! A bit of bait-and-switch to keep 7% of my money on something they're never going to get in stock. After a few minutes of arguing with this woman (different lady from the previous 2 calls) I said fine take the 7% and we're done. I will never do business with them again. Seems that their tags on items saying "1-2 days...immediately, etc." are not accurate. Plus I never got an email that it was on backorder. I looked on the BBB website and sure enough, lots of junk with them. Steer clear from WST/Lantz Train Shop.
Hmm... I haven't ordered from them lately, but never had a problem and I ordered several items from them several times.
If an item was "available" it was usually shipped in about 5 days. If "next day" could even be on my doorstep the very next day. Litterally.
Other online train suppliers have listed items as availble, then couldn't actually get teh item from the manufacturer to get it to me. That is a whole separate issue and seems to be a theme with the manufacturers delivery and not any hobby shops, online or brick and mortar's fault.
The shipping issue I have come to find out is based on the package and which is the best to ship it, which they won't know until they have it ready to go.{ I am kinda disappointed in that feature too, not knowing until the final bill. But I have found other train suppliers and other online businesses doing the same thing....not showing shipping charges till your final credit card is in with the order.}
Perhaps they have grown larger than they can handle at this time?.
I suppose anybody dealing with any internet operation can have troubles regardless of merchandise sold. I know I have with other sites and other merchandise.
I DO have an advantage with wholesaletrains.com and Lantz's Hobby shop {the brick and mortar store} in that they are 45 minutes down the road from me so I can always walk in and complain loudly live in person. I can save on shipping by driving there to pick up my order, but I spend in gas what the shipping is.AND I tend to spend more when I am in the shop looking at all the new bright shiney objects thay have there, so THAT can be detrimental to my wallet.
{According to the BBB listing many of the complaints showed as "resolved", so it can't be all that bad.}
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
I have ordered almost on a monthly basis from them and have never run into asingle problem.
Happy shopping.
I have ordered exactly one time from Wholesale trains.
Even though the availability on the site said, "Next Day", it took 8 days to ship. Shipping and handling charges were also huge: $22. While I did get confirmation of my order by e-mail, I received no response to a follow up e-mail inquiring about the status of my order.
That said, my order had an MSRP of about $350; I got it for $219, including the shipping charge. That's a very deep discount, and hard to argue with.
While other places surely have better customer service, the price often speaks for itself. I'm wondering if the bad customer service is really traceable to a Mom-and-Pop business with a bunch of part time help.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
I {and MOH My Other Half} have both ordered from them this past November for Xmas AND gone into the shop to shop {very dangerous as I spend much more than I intend to when I go into the store.}
Ordering was timely and fashionable and delivered within the week. 3 orders were placed between us.
WE shopped there 3 times also before xmas, and twice after xmas.
All were pleasant experiences.
If I drive or pay shipping the cost is the same to me, roughly. If an Item is a 1-3 day availability or 3-5 day, they usually get it on time and it usually ships then {and I have to order}, If an item says "next day" I always call to see if they have the item before I drive up.
If an item is holding up your order they will usually call, email to ask if you want rest of order shipped {happened to me once}then ship the hold up item later.
They recently held a "next day" Mike for me for the hour it took to drive to there to be sure it didn't get sold online before I got there. Nice of them!
They do have a restocking fee for returned items, but I have seen other online e-tailers do the same, and the number and scope of products online etailers sell with a "restocking fee" seems to be growing in all facets of online shopping, so no mystery there.
.If you visit the store, I suggest tobe sure to call ahead as they seem to frequently change store hours. The store is in Horseheads, NY, {think Elmira/Corning area}.
I have never had bad dealings with them, online ordering or in person. And I deal with them alot. They are my first go-to for MRR products, tehn i look elsewhere, or compare elsewhere.
As with ANY online business one should read the e-tailers policies and proceedures sections to see how things of concern are handled BEFORE buying online, regardless of merchandise.
I know MANY e-tailers that will not tell you shipping charges at all in any way until after you click the "submit order" button then you find out that they charge you $55.00 for a $9.99 item. Little difference. And regardless of what they purvey.
As far as BBB site for info on ANY business. I see they only rate based on complaints, and people never report to BBB how/if/when their complaint was resolved. Anybody who has a snit about somehting can report a business to teh BBB, often without exhausting all avenues thoroughly for complaint resolutions.
I see far more compaints about e-bay ont eh forums than the few about wholesaletrains.com.
E-BAY BBB listing:
E-Bay has over 2,600 complaints at the BBB and 709 were "refused to adjust" and 202 as "unassigned" {what does that mean?}. and yet have a A+ rating?
And wholesaletrains.com has only a lousy 27 complaintswith 3 listed as "unresolved" and gets an F?
As with any e-tailer, read the fine print first, expect the worst and be pleased by the best.
I have only ordered from them once and had a decent time of it. My only complaint was that they didn't tell me the shipping charges up-front and they ended up being surprisingly high. However, like a couple other respondents, I live close enough to go to the shop. Everyone there has been nice and helpful.
One thing I'd like to point out about "restocking" fees. I have no problem with this if they actually ship the item and you send it back. Too many people order and return items, taking advantage of the seller. If the retailer actually takes the item off of their shelves (thus potentially causing them a lost sale), it's not quite as clean, but still probably a sufficient deterrent.
However, in the case above, it's not clear that the item was ever shipped, or even available, and it sounds like the retailer charged a "restocking" fee for a canceled order. That ain't right, in my book.
While I'm on the subject, I think we need to be careful on these threads. Let's report factual information, not hearsay and rumors. Let's also try to resist the urge to exaggerate for effect. The reason I bring this up is because statements made by previous posters led me to believe that the BBB had quite a file of complaints on these guys, not the 27, most resolved, that they actually have.
One more thing to keep in mind. Generally, people will treat you as you treat them. I'm not accusing anyone here of anything, but in my experience, when one goes into a dispute situation with guns blazing, as it were, the first reaction of the other guy is to get defensive, and things rapidly go down hill from there. If you get a less than polite (or no) response to a communication, perhaps you should check and make sure you didn't start off on the wrong foot.
I only deal with firms whose website gives me the shipping and handling charges up front. As I've mentioned, I've had nothing but really good service from Trainworldonline.com and M.B. Klein. I've had two bad experiences with eBay purchases. One was with an MRC controller that I bought that the momentum switch would cause a short; they gave me a FULL refund and paid for the return shipping and charges. The other was for an ABB set of Athearn F-units that were described as "in good condition" in their eBay ad. One unit was an OLD unit that had the old pancake motors that didn't run. The others were in real good condition. I kept the set and made a dummy locomotive of the other one.
PS I checked the Better Business Bureau and Wholesale Trains, aka Lantz, STILL have an "F" rating. I think I'd pass. There are much better sites out there.
Last month I ordered Atlas Industrial Steam Locomotive and Lionel Union Pacific Merger sets and both of them arrived 4 - days after I ordered. I was very satisfied because the package were factory sealed when I opened it and I was not expecting they will shipped it right away. Prior to this, I ordered from AMAZON a Lionel Flyer set but I was so disappointed when I opened the package -the package was not factory sealed and it looks it was returned or used. However, after 3- weeks I ordered again from Wholesale a box car, Lionel Fast Tracks and Atlas industrial tracks but it tooks them 2 -weeks before they shipped the package and the Atlas industrial tracks were missing. The package again when I opened were factory sealed. Right now, I have outstanding ordered, Bachmann SD-90. I ordered this last January 28.
Bottom line is, they are not selling JUNK, they have only problem in delivery if the merchandise is not available which do not bother me. Regarding the Atlas Tracks that they did not ship, I droved 20 miles to my hobby train store and it is not readily available.
I have no problem dealing with WHOLESALE TRAINS, their merchandise if not better they are equal with most top rated hobby store and the price is good even you add up the cost of handling and freight.
Ross (ross-O-GG1)
Make sure you check the shipping fees from Lantz aka Wholesale trains. They don't care how much it costs to the consumer. I was charged $40 shipping for a $19 bottle of steam oil. It's outrageous if you consider I got a whole train from Southern Digital for less than a quart of oil from Lantz. And what's galling is they call it the "normal" rate!! What would the express rate be, $1,000?
Other sites also say their shipping fees are "unpredictable", but that hardly describes their total lack of regard for customers. They won't tell you the fees when they order, then you get hit with a huge FedEx bill.
I'm thoroughly disgusted. When I asked for a rebate, they made up a whole bunch of excuses telling me I hadn't read their disclaimers.
Ive made about 5 orders with them over the last 3 years. Never had an issue. They have some really low prices on some items, but I must say, their shipping prices are very high. Its got to be an extremely good deal for me to pull the trigger with them. I did score an Atlas Gold GP40-2 for $145. They charged $18 to ship it though. Their shipping policy should be more upfront as well. One time I did order some things from them that were backordered or not in stock yet. I cancelled, and they didnt care and were very nice about it over the phone.
I have ordered from them about a dozen times. I have ordered track, roadbed, freight cars and buildings from them without issue. I have been happy with them.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Guys, this is an old thread started in 2008.
galaxy Guys, this is an old thread started in 2008.
And the OP is probably long gone. Funny thing, though. While appear to have resurrected this thread a year go, that's kind of strange, because my forum filters are set not to show me anything older than a week. I shouldn't have seen a thread that hadn't been touched in a year. I'm wondering if a couple posts got deleted somewhere.