Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
Yes, they are a good dealer. i have bought from them.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I've dealt with them before. They are on my favorite sellers list. No problems thus far.
I have had a number of dealings with them over the last few years and I would recommend them highly.
My one experience with them was my first and last. I realize you can't please all of the people all of the time, but 27 negatives and 30 neutrals is a but much for me. There has been threads posted before on them and opinions vary from one end of the spectrum to the other. Caveat emptor. I'll stick with my LHS and MB Klein.
San Dimas Southern slideshow
I've bought 5 locos from them, matter of fact one just arrived today. Great seller, quick shipment good people. My local LHS wants $400.00 for the loco I just got from the Favorite Spot for $177.00.He has 90421 transactions with a 99.9% favorable rating. I dare say the number speaks for itself.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I've dealt with them once. It was not a bad transaction. I knew when my item shipped, shipping was fast, packing wasn't bad. My locomotive did arrive with some minor damage (a loosely attached part had fallen off in transit) but that was due to the original manufacturer's packaging. I didn't even bother mentioning it to the seller since it was absolutely not their fault but the typical Bachmann packaging. Plus it was a K-4 I intend to tear apart and parts out anyway so no big deal.
My only experience with them has been flawless.Quick shipping,no exagerated fees,etc.
Capt. GrimekThey get a good ebay rating so I presume they're fine, but has anyone ordered from them? They're located in Denton, TX. Thanks.
I have bought a ton of stuff from him-- nearly everything I have that's Bachmann Spectrum I've bought from him. So that's probably 20-25 locos or so, plus other stuff along the way, over the last several years. Never had a problem with him. I've even talked to him after a sale to ask him if he could switch roadnames and simple stuff like that, and he's always been very accomodating. So I recommend him highly.
John
I have purchased a few things from them as well. No hidden fees, shipping was reasonable, and great prices! I recommend them.
Modeling the Motor City
51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
ME&O
I've had only one transaction with them, but it was a really good price for a new in the box steamer, and the shipping was quick and reasonable. I would certainly buy from them again.
I have dealt with The Favorite Spot several times over the years and I have been thoroughly pleased each and every time.
One purchase arrived with some damage. A quick e-mail got a fast response with a replacement part, no charge. Ray was the man I dealt with and he was eager to make sure I was satisfied. Sure makes for nice transactions when somebody treats you that well.
I would buy from them anytime without reservation.
Hello,
I purchased a Bachman 44 toner with dcc that I really had to have from them for a great price of $55.00.
It was shipped fast(Texas to Maine 5 days) and their communication was very good.
I have 500 plus ebay transactions and they were good.
Good Luck!
Hogwire
Capt. GrimekThank you guys for all of your responses. Puts my mind at ease. I usually trust the ebay rating numbers but the no returns "clause" on their ebay postings made me wonder. John, what's the owner's name? I may give him a call tomorrow. Thanks again.
I sent you a pm.
One of the best, I always only read the negatives on a dealer, a lot of times you can tell they are from unreasonable people. I have even bought a case lot of a Spectrum steam engine from them, no problems, not even tardy in shipping!
This Canadian has dealt with them and no problems whatsoever, even shipping time was very reasonable
I wondered mostly about the name: "The Favorite Spot", which seemd most un-hobby like for a name. Sounded like a bar or something ;=) I think that's what made me question the ebay rating numbers for the first time. I could understand it if this was also a brick and mortar store, but unless i'm missing something it's not.
I'm interested in giving them a try now that I've see a majority of votes of confidence here . Thanks.
Capt. GrimekWow!! I can't believe how many folks on this forum purchase from this business. I wondered mostly about the name: "The Favorite Spot", which seemd most un-hobby like for a name. Sounded like a bar or something ;=) I think that's what made me question the ebay rating numbers for the first time. I could understand it if this was also a brick and mortar store, but unless i'm missing something it's not. I'm interested in giving them a try now that I've see a majority of votes of confidence here . Thanks.
This store has been running auctions on eBay for a very long time, and it seems continually. Just check on the "view other auctions" any time, I'm sure there will be dozens if not hundreds. And I believe they do show their store front - made of brick - in some ads or someplace, because I've seen the image.
I know I've wondered how they do it, keep track of all of their auctions. Must have several people dedicated to doing just that, and they seem to be succeeding.
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
I have a friend who had purchased from them several times but the last time was a total disaster. He not only git a bad locomotive but an obviously used or re-boxed one to boot. Was it intentional who knows? Was it an isolated incident who knows? I guess perhaps just by the virtue of the sheer number of items he sells he's bound to have a few bad apples and selling solely Bachmann items that increases his chances of getting and passing on junk to his consumers. That being said it's not about the occasional bad piece that may come your way but how he handles your complaint that matters to me. Most of us have all fallen into the trap of how easy and convenient it is to buy things over the internet that we have forgotten what separates a store form a really great store weather it be a model train store or a hardware store or what ever. It's the guy standing behind the counter that makes all the difference. I go into my LHS which is a 50 plus mile drive from my house and if I attempt to buy something that may not have the best reputation or my guy knows I will not like as he has gotten to know my tastes and my likes and dislikes etc. He'll simply say you don't want that or I don't think thats for you or even hey just to let you know you may experience this or that. My LHS is made up of all trains guys and they only sell trains so they know not only the product but the hobby as well.
I don't really give a hoot how good someone's ebay feedback is you don't get that when you click the buy it now button. eBay is a consumer mouse trap as far as I'm concerned the cheese is typically lower then brick & mortar store prices, but that usually comes with a price. On the several rare occasions I have gotten to meet a few of these eBay big sellers or top sellers or what ever they call themselves, I wouldn't trust any of them as far as I could throw a Mack truck. The words sleazy and snake oil come to mind. All that being said if you have never purchased form this guy before I would first contact him and ask simply what happens if I am not satisfied with what I buy or if something goes wrong etc. I received a Spectrum J class as a gift that has been nothing short of a nightmare a total piece of junk, the store in which it was purchased said "Sorry we don't accept returns send it back to Bachmann or re-gift it." (highway Hobby, Ramsey New Jersey) My wife knew how disappointed I was an all the problems I had with the Spectrum J that she wanted to get me a new or better one for Christmas. So she went to my LHS and told my train buddy there she wanted to purchase a "new" Spectrum J class for me. He said oh your husband is so and so nope you don't want a Spectrum you'll be much better off with an BLI or an MTH. of which she purchased the BLI and I couldn't be more happy with it. Think that would ever happen with any ebay store? Customer service and product knowledge have been replace with a mouse click. No thanks at least ask fist, Being proactive never hurt anyone.
First off you have to have a local hobby shop and second you have to have one you want to deal with! As far as selling a used item unless they said so, I have my doubts and I looked at the last 5 negatives out of almost 6,000+ transactions and found one negative for a decoder that was wrong item but no response from the buyer when questioned and he the buyer dose not speak anything but french that the favorite spot even translated into their response (way above what they needed to do) and the other 4 or 5 were from one guy who was mad because they required a signature before delivery of a high dollar lot, now is that unreasonable? I have dealt with a few problems over the years on e-bay but only one time did it go all the way through the dispute process and e-bay got my money back. This one was out and out fraud! As I said before I love the favorite spot and if I need anything from Bachmann that is were I go and items stated as new are always shipped promptly.
Allegheny2-6-6-6 I don't really give a hoot how good someone's ebay feedback is you don't get that when you click the buy it now button. eBay is a consumer mouse trap as far as I'm concerned the cheese is typically lower then brick & mortar store prices, but that usually comes with a price. The words sleazy and snake oil come to mind. All that being said if you have never purchased form this guy before I would first contact him and ask simply what happens if I am not satisfied with what I buy or if something goes wrong etc. . Think that would ever happen with any ebay store? Customer service and product knowledge have been replace with a mouse click. No thanks at least ask fist, Being proactive never hurt anyone.
I don't really give a hoot how good someone's ebay feedback is you don't get that when you click the buy it now button. eBay is a consumer mouse trap as far as I'm concerned the cheese is typically lower then brick & mortar store prices, but that usually comes with a price.
The words sleazy and snake oil come to mind. All that being said if you have never purchased form this guy before I would first contact him and ask simply what happens if I am not satisfied with what I buy or if something goes wrong etc.
. Think that would ever happen with any ebay store? Customer service and product knowledge have been replace with a mouse click. No thanks at least ask fist, Being proactive never hurt anyone.
Gee, quite the ramble.
I myself, having dealt with this vendor did have a few problems and once I contacted the owner the problems were resolved. I would buy again without any hesitation. I have had at least two dozen transactions with this vendor and regret none.
I would not be so quick as to trash all e-bay sellers. I have had many transactions with this vendor, saved a ton of money over paying retail at a retail establishment. This is why I use e-bay, and I only shop for certain items with certain vendors.
I have had a number of DOA locomotives purchased at retail shops and never had one retailer offer to replace the item. These included BLI and Proto engines.
The story today, at least in my area appears to be"deal with the manufacturer yourself if you have any problems".
" I have had a number of DOA locomotives purchased at retail shops and never had one retailer offer to replace the item. These included BLI and Proto engines"
I have had unfortunately one or tow right out of the box bad locomotive be there is a very simple solution for this problem. At my LHS as with many others they have a test track and as a matter of store policy, they don't care if you buy a $20 used engine or a top dollar brass locomotive they test all of them right therein front of you so there is no question weather or not they work properly or not. I ordered an AB set of of BLI E7's when they came in I went to pick them up we ran them and they worked fine and then just died.We both scratched out heads and upon a little bit of investigating found the decoder was dead. So who's fault was that not the store's & not mine but as the owner put it that train is my responsibility until you leave the store with it. They offered me the choice of getting another one, a replacement of a different brand or installing a replacement decoder. Being it was a week day they called BLI and they gave them permission to swap out the bad decoder with a new one to "keep the customer happy"
Being fair did the guy at the favorite spot know there was an obviously used engine in that box possibility not it most likely was the fault of someone at Bachmann. Did he replace it yes eventually but I don't want to say it was a hassle but lets just say it's not something that anyone wants to have to do. Don't get me wrong not all online stores are bad I personally love dealing with MB Klein. They are a very knowledgeable and very professional group of people and a real pleasure to deal with. For me and now this is strictly my opinion ebay has more then it's fair share of "questionable" sellers and what one has to do to get is money refunded just isn't worth it.
I bet they had to wait to get Bachmanns permision to replace it!
I've ordered several Bachman Spectrum items from them and have had no problems at all. Their flat rate shipping ($13.00 no matter where it's going) seems a bit on the high side, but maybe that's just me. It wouldn't keep me from ordering again.
Craig North Carolina
My experience over a couple of years is Favorite Spot is very reliable and a great resource. I've had a couple of shays shipped to me so fast I didn't know it was possible.
.....what I do is this: when I want something, I bid low on it (say $245 on a $325 item, which item retail price I check usually with Ridge Road Station) at the last second before the bidding ends, and if I win it, I win it, if I don't I don't...there will be others. If I miss the end bidding, well what can you say? Real life sometimes gets in the way of model railroading. Too bad, but I've gotten some darn good deals this way.
A lot of times the low prices on ebay come on, like the previous writer said, like a mouse trap....but I think if you're disciplined, deal with reputable sellers, and sneak in and out before the trap snaps, you can have some fun with it and save some money.
The comment about Favorite Spot sounding like a bar????? Well, now then, if you're not disciplined you can end up with eight or nine Shays, six or seven Climaxes, etc., etc., etc., and then Favorite Spot does beginning sounding like a bar where drinking can get a little out of hand. (Not me, of course, and nobody we know gets addicted to spending on model railroading!!)
The St. Francis Consolidated Railroad of the Colorado Rockies
Denver, Colorado
I have purchased over 100 On30 items from The Favorite Spot. Never a problem. On the other hand, when I have sold items, I sometimes get a bad deal from the buyer. Case in point-I sold a MDC HO shay on Ebay. It was packed well. After a week after the buyer received the item, he sent an e-mail to me saying there was damage because of faulty packing. I accepted the return of the item, refunded his payment as well as his return sshipping costs. Upon receipt of the shay, I was shocked to see its condition. It had obviously been dropped on a hard floor. It was in such bad shape, I threw it in the garbage. I had little recourse because I did not want an unfavorable rating to blemish my 100% favorable rating on over 600 transactions. Not only should buyer beware, seller should also beware.
Steve B.