AEP528 It's disappointing that neither company has seen fit to announce the sale. I suspect Hatton's bought it only for the name - hattons.com already belongs to another company in the US.
It's disappointing that neither company has seen fit to announce the sale. I suspect Hatton's bought it only for the name - hattons.com already belongs to another company in the US.
"We wish to inform you of an important update regarding MB Klein Inc.'s operations. Our physical warehouse is closing its doors this month, but we want to assure you that our online platform will continue to serve you seamlessly.
Modeltrainstuff.com will remain fully operational, allowing you to browse an extensive range and place orders with ease. "
You are correct that it is disappointing that neither company has seen fit to announce the sale to its customers. So, I guess that it is a case of another one bites the dust.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain Brick and mortar store, physical warehouse, whatever. The point is, the Internet presence is still alive and well. Rich
Brick and mortar store, physical warehouse, whatever. The point is, the Internet presence is still alive and well.
The point is, MB Klein/ModelTrainStuff is gone. The employees in Maryland are gone. ModelTrainStuff is now just a name.
ModelTrainStuff had a strong East Coast customer base, and there are reports that shipping time from Nebraska is several days longer.
What is strange is that I had placed an order a couple of weeks ago. They shipped a pack of figures almost immediately but the rest of the order didn't ship for about 10 days. I still have that second box; I'll need to look to see where it came from.
Rick
hbgatsf I got their email that the rewards program was shutting down so I needed to place an order to use the points I had accumulated. It was very difficult finding items in stock. I had several box cars that showed out of stock within minutes of adding them to my cart. It looks like the new owners are blowing out any MTS stock on hand. I hope after the 15th it gets better.
I got their email that the rewards program was shutting down so I needed to place an order to use the points I had accumulated. It was very difficult finding items in stock. I had several box cars that showed out of stock within minutes of adding them to my cart.
It looks like the new owners are blowing out any MTS stock on hand. I hope after the 15th it gets better.
Yes they will likely sell off as much as possible rather than move it to the new location.
Sheldon
Hattons have purchased Klein's, increasing their market share in the U.S.A..
Hattons already have a warehouse in Nebraska. Possibly Klein's stuff will be shipped from there.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
In the early 80's I retired for the first time and got bored so got back into model railroading. I lived in downtown Baltimore at the time and ran into this store and bought a couple of matched speed engines, customer service still existed back then, I miss that.
AEP528Nope, they're closing their warehouse and shipping location in Cockeysville Maryland.
If you're fully online and you're not based in the area (like the new ownership), it just makes sense to decamp from a high value area like the Mid-Atlantic.
Plus the US logistics network is sophisticated enough that you don't need to be near a major hub like Baltimore to meet your shipping needs.
Model Trains Stuff isn't closing down its business, it's changing its business model from a brick and mortar store to an e-commerce operation. The ultimate cause of this shift is due to the fact that a British firm, Hattons Model Railway Shop, purchased MTS. Hattons, which has been a major model shop in the UK (located outside Liverpool) since 1946, is a family controlled business that began successful expansion into e-commerce in the early 2000s and bills itself--in Britain-- as "Your Local Online Model Railway Shop." It is thus roughly equivalent to Walthers. And like Walthers, it produces its own lines of model equipment. But in addition, it also offers used products sales that adds another feature to its services. If the reorganized MTS can provide the level of service and goods that Hattons provides in Britain, it will prove a boon to North American modellers. Hattons move reflects the globalizing taking place in the model industry and the rise of intercontinental firms in sales as well as manufacturing. Walthers, take note!
Here's hoping only the physical warehouse is closing and not the entire business. It's a great merchant. We might need to figure out where else to purchase should it actually cease operations.
placed and order with them during their T Giving sale and half my order shipped from NE and half from MD.
The shipment from NE was carefulLu packed. The one from MD not so much with not enough packing material and jewel cases slapping around inside the box. Looked like the person didn't care anymore. This news might explain.
That's good to hear. I've never been to their old brick and mortar shop, but I've always been happy with their online site and service.
I didn't want to see them on the RIP track.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
oldline1 I heard a rumor that Klein's (Model Train Stuff) is closing down the 15th. Anyone able to confirm this? Since they quit the walk-in business and went full internet I understand the business has changed greatly.
I heard a rumor that Klein's (Model Train Stuff) is closing down the 15th. Anyone able to confirm this?
Since they quit the walk-in business and went full internet I understand the business has changed greatly.
Not exactly what was announced. From Facebook:
richhotrainJust the brick and mortar store is closing.
That closed several years ago.
richhotrain MJ4562 Closing down online as well or just their brick and mortar store? Just the brick and mortar store is closing. Rich
MJ4562 Closing down online as well or just their brick and mortar store?
Closing down online as well or just their brick and mortar store?
Just the brick and mortar store is closing.
Nope, they're closing their warehouse and shipping location in Cockeysville Maryland.
They have allegedly been purchased by Hatton's.
Edit to add: People on other forums are stating that recent ModelTrainStuff orders have shipped from Nebraska.
Hello All,
Yes, it's true!
Just saw their post on FB announcing the closing.
So sad!
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"