Does *Anyone* Buy thier Engines from the LHS?

[ckape]

I prefer to do my purchasing in person at stores. Generally I'll only order something online if I can't find it locally.

Unfortunately, when I moved a few months back quality of the LHSes dropped significantly from my old stomping grounds.

[Jetrock]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kenny2005

Hello Jetrock

I'm curious .......what sort of folks *do* pre-order limited run engines?

Ken

Probably folks who run steam, especially big articulateds. Those seem to be the ones people coo the most about--I imagine they do pre-ordered limited-run diesels too, but the diesels I look for are pretty vanilla (Geeps, GE 44 and 70 tonners, S1's, etc.) so I have never had need or reason to go that route.

Of course, if someone released a limited-run, ready-to-run plastic GE or Baldwin-Westinghouse steeplecab electric for under $200, I'd suddenly find myself transformed into one of those pre-order limited run people...

[dinwitty]

my recent purchases have been thru ebay. But I visited a hobbyshop today, bought some HOn3 couples half price off the sale table.

I will continue visiting the LHS's, I just added ebay to the list however.

[claycts]

I will give Jack some business when I am in New Market in 2005.

[Anonymous]

I have gotten most of my motive power off ebay at about 40 bucks cheper than the lhs .but i do spend money at the lhs i get all my buldeings and track and other things there. my buddy is a truck driver. he stops at any hoppy shop that sells train stuff that he passes. he gets stuff and i get that phone call from him and i also buy things. i just got a sandeing and fuelling plat forms from a hobby shop in IND that he stoped at

[twhite]

Out of my 50-odd steamers, I'd say 85% of them were bought at my two local hobby shops, two from mail-order hobby shops (Caboose Hobbies and Peach Creek Shops) and a couple at model railroad shows. My second-hand brass has always been reasonably priced at either Bruce's Train Shop or Railroad Hobbies in Roseville, and I've usually gotten a pre-order discount for anything I've ordered new. The reason? Well, if I end up with a lemon (which I haven't, yet), I can always take it back and see if there's anything that can be done about it. For instance, I got a Spectrum SP Heavy Mountain from Railroad Hobbies, some months ago. Found out it had been wired backwards. Took it back. They re-wired it for me. Runs like a champ. End of story. What if I'd bought it through the mail at Joe's Discount Mega-Mart Hobbies? Send it back and pray? Nah. I'll stick with my local retailers, or out of town dealers like Caboose or Peach Creek, who have really NATIONWIDE reputations.
Tom [:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

I try to buy as much as possible from my LHS. He's given me great, helped me out and given me a job. If he finds out I go to another LHS I would be lookoing for another job. Though no need to because he takes good care of me. The only thing that I will purchase from anyone else is Athearn. Since they got bought out we are unable to get their products anymore. So i guess I get 99% of my stuff from my LHS and then the other 1% is from trarin shows and whenever there is a must have Athearn item.
Andrew

[aloco]

I used to, but that was when I could still buy good locos for under $100.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csmith9474
... I really don't mind paying a little extra to support local small business anyhow.

Many times the money I might otherwise 'save' [with online sellers] is eaten up by a shipping charge.

[cwclark]

I used to purchase my locomotives from a LHS but like you, want to save, so I now purchase from mail order or the internet...I haven't completely blown off the LHS because they do have some things I use frequently and usually make a list and get down to the store at least once a month for speciality items such as detail parts, buildings, styrene plastic, and air brush paints and it seems i'm always walking out of there with a new piece of rolling stock that i didn't intend to buy in the first place...chuck

[LuthierTom]

Yup, sure do. In addition to good advice, my LHS generally gives 20% off on purchases over ~$25, which is very competetive with mail order places. However, I'm not above jumping on a good deal on ebay or online if it is something I want and I have confidence in the product and the source, or can afford to gamble (like a $5 piece of rolling stock).

[Anonymous]

My wife bought my GP-7 (Atlas Master Series - DCC equipped) in old green & yellow Canadian National livery at George's Trains here in Toronto. Not only did they show us a lot of engines, but they had good advice, and time to chat about trains (during which my wife daydreamed about what colour she'd have me paint the hallway). The best part was that the price was "better" than anything I have seen online!

The LHS may be taking a beating from online "Meg-a-lo" mart's, but you can't beat them for quality and added value. IMHO. You may be able to get a bigger selection online, and locate hard-to-find specific items, but you can't get a warm fuzzy by clicking on the "Order Now" button.

Trevor[8D]

[Anonymous]

I have gotten all my engines from trainshows, e-tailers or e-bay

DRew

[Anonymous]

I'll buy from mine when I can - the problem is one of getting there. To do a round trip to the LHS will cost me about £12 in fuel at our outrageous diesel prices, and takes around an hour each way. Compare this to the £4 S&H from an online retailer and the LHS has a minor problem. I'll buy from them when they have something I want, but I've also bought a few locos online, mainly types that my LHS doesn't have.