I was thinking of getting a couple of engines from them. Are they good, are shipping cost reasonable?
thanks
Todd
Todd,
You might want to read this, for some insight:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,2455095
Frank
I have bought from them before. They handle servive well. Reasonable shipping cost depending how much you buy, my shipping was $8 or so, for about $50 worth of stuff. Good store overall.
My Layout Photos- http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/ajwarshal/library/
I didn't know they excisted. Just checked it out. Just doing a random Athearn search, prices seem in line with everyone else. It looks like they operate out of an actual brick and mortor store in NY State.
Good to have another source, as items in stock fluctuate from store to store, around the country.
Mike.
EDIT: OK, I just read Frank's posting, so something to keep in mind.
My You Tube
Wholesale Trains is one part of Lentx Hobby, IIRC. It appears that the minimum shipping charge is $9.95. That said, here are some pointers when looking at 'on-line' dealers:
Inventory - Is it 'in stock'. You may need to call them to verify. Some 'on-line' dealers like Model Train Stuff acually 'show' you how many of any item is in stock.
Shipping - If they do not have everything you order 'in stock' - Do they cancel the non shipped items, and charge you only for the shipped stuff? Or do they 'back order' keep your money and you just have to wait? Many times these places do not have 'deep' inventories. So if you order 20 items at $3 each, you would expect to pay $70. But if they only have 3 of them in stock, you wind up with a $19 charge for just 3 items . the shipping for each item is a killer. Also, if they do not have a phone number on their web site - Beware!
I buy most of my model railroad items from Toy Train Heaven or Model Train Stuff. Both are good to work with. I also have ordered from Micro-Mark and Walthers - Very fast shipping.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Thank you, I will pay the extra money and stick with Toy Train Heaven
jrbernierInventory - Is it 'in stock'. You may need to call them to verify. Some 'on-line' dealers like Model Train Stuff acually 'show' you how many of any item is in stock.
Jim is spot on. Unless it says "in stock" I wouldn't order from them. The term "available" means that they don't have it in stock but can "presumably" order it from the manufacturer. I much prefer M.B. Klein, as they has a live inventory.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Is this really fair to trash Wholesale Trains based upon hearsay?
So far, only one reply actually ordered something from Wholesale Trains, and he was satisfied.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain Is this really fair to trash Wholesale Trains based upon hearsay? So far, only one reply actually ordered something from Wholesale Trains, and he was satisfied. Rich
Rich,Normally I would agree with you on this however,one can't cast out the other negatives that I read on other forums over the years about wholesale trains.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BRAKIE richhotrain Is this really fair to trash Wholesale Trains based upon hearsay? So far, only one reply actually ordered something from Wholesale Trains, and he was satisfied. Rich Rich,Normally I would agree with you on this however,one can't cast out the other negatives that I read on other forums over the years about wholesale trains.
I just did a little research, including a few threads on this forum, about Wholesale Trains. The impression that I get is that they are a reputable brick and mortar LHS with a somewhat poorly managed web site. But, and again from what I read, they are honorable people trying to capitalize on an Internet presence. Dunno. I just question whether the replies to do this thread are fair minded.
I had the same question last year.
I placed the first order and I had some problems with confirmation and charging my credit card. They have a procedure for new customers to confirm credit card. The reason of my problems was my bank and credit card. I sent the WholesaleTrains a new card and everything went smoothly. I have ordered several models since that time and I am satisfied with their prices and service.
richhotrain But, and again from what I read, they are honorable people trying to capitalize on an Internet presence. Dunno. I just question whether the replies to do this thread are fair minded. Rich
That could be..All the negatives I read was about poor on line service and their web page not being exact about items being in stock.
Seems to me I ordered from this outfit once and it took around two weeks to get my Bachmann GE 70 tonner but,I'm a tad hazy on that.I do know my 70 tonner didn't come from my usual on line shops.
Ok..As a edited update add on.
I found this on their web page:
-------------------------------------
Late in 2011 a new mail order and retail facility was added just down the street from the original building to handle the higher volume of daily shipments.
See: http://www.wholesaletrains.com/storetour.html
So,now I'm going to whoa up here and ask the question has anybody order from this shop after 2011?
While someone can write whatever he or she wants to write on a web site, here is a link to what Wholesale Trains has to say about itself.
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/storetour.html
richhotrain While someone can write whatever he or she wants to write on a web site, here is a link to what Wholesale Trains has to say about itself. http://www.wholesaletrains.com/storetour.html Rich
That's the same link I used..
I see they may have 2 cars in stock that I been looking for..I think I will order those cars and see what happens..
Rich,
Larry posted the same link, in his reply that you did. Which one is the point being made on, or is there a point? It will still be the OP's decision to do what he what's, no matter how many yay's or nay's.
Respectfully.
Frank, you are obviously missing the point.
richhotrain Frank, you are obviously missing the point. Rich
Rich,I did some poking around on WT and I do have a account with them so I was correct my GE 70 Tonner did indeed come from them..
About two weeks turn around..Not bad seeing it was apparently a mom and pop operation back then.
Larry, I have ordered from them too, no problems.
I'm not missing any point. No matter what kind of question is asked. People are going to voice their opinion on experience with dealing with anything, good or bad. The one asking the question, has to make the decision, whether to follow others comments or not. Freedom of choice.
That's one of the reason's, I posted the link I did, for insight. I did not voice my opinion, good or bad.
I ordered from them. Status of item was "Available" so it took a longer (by about a week) than most orders do. However, the money I saved was about 25% of the next lowest price I could find on the item. I can live with that.
Modeling B&O in the early 50's.
zstripe Rich, I'm not missing any point. No matter what kind of question is asked. People are going to voice their opinion on experience with dealing with anything, good or bad. The one asking the question, has to make the decision, whether to follow others comments or not. Freedom of choice. That's one of the reason's, I posted the link I did, for insight. I did not voice my opinion, good or bad. Frank
Frank,The link you posted to is three years old and I wonder if it even applies now since companies can and do improve.
They stated they added a mail order and retail facility to "handle the higher volume of daily shipments".
Larry,
If You want to put it that way. People on this very site reply to threads, that are older than three years.
Google search produces a website that has several customer service phone numbers on it. I assume that if it is called, you can ask if an item is in stock, what charges are, and if they can commit to a delivery date.
- Douglas
zstripe Larry, If You want to put it that way. People on this very site reply to threads, that are older than three years. Frank
Frank, Larry raises a good point. And there is a difference between replying to a 3 year old thread on this forum and linking to a 3 year old thread from another forum as a result of a Google search. My point is that if someone has not actually ordered from Wholesale Trains, it seems unfair to insinuate that the company deserves a negative reaction from potential customers.
I've ordered two things from WST. One I received because they had it "in stock" and it came quickly. The other I never got because it was "available" but WST wouldn't answer my e-mail to tell me about the status. After a bit of badgering on my part, WST finally e-mailed back and stated that they couldn't get it from the manufacturer, didn't know when they would, so I cancelled my order.
So, if WST has the item, it's generally a good transaction. If they don't, you never know when you'll see the order and they are nnot very good at corresponding. My first-hand expereince...
Tom, I didn't consider your earlier reply as hearsay.
I do consider the comments of the guys on the other forum as hearsay, especially since we cannot follow up with them on their comments.
i have ordered from them a few times i have had no problems with them just wish i knew what the shipping charges were going to before hand.
Here area few FACTS from one who has BEEN THERE DONE THAT, in more than one way!:
WST is 45 minutes from me.
Like was said: shouldn't trash what you don't know!
I you want a PRICE DEAL, WST is a great buy!
1} they DO have a Brick and Mortar store.. its Name is LANTZ HOBBY SHOP, NOt "lenxt" or whatever it was Misquoted as! If people are going to name it and trash it, NAME IT PROPERLY!
2} THey are located on South Main street off I86/{NY17} in Horseheads, NY {if you Think Elmira/Corning NY, OR a little south/west of Ithaca, NY, you will know where they are}
3} They DO carry items in stock, they are labled as "Next Day" for shipping time.
4} their "available" items usually reship to YOU {Just like many of your other e-tailers} in about 3 days. SO a weeks turnaround is still NO BIG DEAL, I HAVE waited that long for "in stock" items from others to get OFF THE shelves and into a box to get shipped to come to me! Same Same.
5} Peopel are IMPATIENT. They want it NOW, the minute they hit "enter"on the order, But MUSt remain waiting for any supplier and shipper to GET IT TO YOU. Think: common sense. Only sensible.
6} SHipping costs; at WST they tend to reflect the REAL costs to get it to you, with the BOX, the peanuts, the bubble wrap and all. THINK of it as SAM'S CLUB, COSTO. or Aldis or any other wholesaler/discounter...They GIVE you a lower price for NOT GIVING YOU BAGS/BOXES etc! Geeze! Then WST charges you a charge reflective of shipping costs.
last I knew when I worked {in shipping NOT AT WST}, UPS was about $4.35 for the first pound of package! That was a while ago. BUBBLE wrap costs money! about Boxes -were $1.58 a piece and up, tape was not cheap for the good stuff We figured it cost about $7.23 for a 1 lb package and THAT DID NOT INCLUDE My and 2 other's LABOR Costs!
~~WST: They ARe very good to deal with, and if you have a problem, pony up a few cents and CALL THEM DIRECTLY! They will be GLAD TO HELP! {That 1-800 # you are used to also costs money! They give you a price break for not having one}
WST offers a price that usually cannot be beat..even if they chaged rediculous shipping..I used to use a specific example,posted with exact links, and hunt down prices and show that, say, a GP38-2 was like $35 at WST and even if shipping was $20, at a total of $55 it was better bargain than the SAME loco at $59.95 + $5 shipping from else where.
If you want a fancy "free shipping" then Pay hte higher price for that same loco elsewhere. Just don't complain about the "high cost of the hobby" later.
-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.
galaxyPeopel are IMPATIENT. They want it NOW, the minute they hit "enter"on the order, But MUSt remain waiting for any supplier and shipper to GET IT TO YOU. Think: common sense. Only sensible.
Just to clarify my earlier comments, Galaxy, my wait was in weeks rather than days. I sent several e-mails over time and never receive a reply. (All I wanted to know was the status of the order and when they thought it might get shipped.) Eventually WST responded after the fourth or fifth e-mail. Since they couldn't even guess when the manufacture would ship the item, I just cancelled the order.
I will agree with you on the pricing. I picked up the Bachmann E-Z Command from WST back in 2005 for nearly 50% off MSRP. The shipping was reasonable and it was on my front porch only 3 days after ordering it. That was my good experience with WST.
I logged in to my order history from Wholesale Trains (sometimes I can't remember from whom I ordered what!) and saw that in the past three years I made eight purchases from WST.
I DO remember when the Bachmann B&O EM1 came out WST had the lowest price by far and they were selling the sound module at 50% off retail. I bought about $350 worth of Walthers Shinohara track from them as well and no complaints there either. They shipped FedEx or sometimes UPS and everything was fine.
So, overall, MY experience with Lantz Hobby Shop was very good...
Just my 2¢ Ed