Best place to buy - Canada

[Anonymous]

I need your help

Excluding Ebay

Who in Canada has the best prices on HO trains and rolling stock? Which hobby shop?

[tatans]

Best prices??? could be, Try CMT Inc. Canadian Model Trains, they are in Oakville ,Ont.

[CP5415]

I've had good success at Horizon Hobbies In Whitby.

That best thing I could suggest is check out a bunch & find one or more that you like.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Any discounter in th U.S.A. Much cheaper that anything you'll find in Canada. :-)

[chateauricher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roger Traviss
Any discounter in th U.S.A. Much cheaper that anything you'll find in Canada.

While that is often true, you have to remember ...

shipping costs...
Some retailers use very expensive shipping methods for foreign orders and don't give you the option of choosing cheaper methods. So be sure you know their shipping policies before ordering. Whenever possible, go for USPS ground service. It may take longer; but it is a lot cheaper.

customs duties and/or taxes...
Be aware that you are responsible for paying these as your order crosses the border. If a customs broker gets involved (particularly if a courier company is used), you will have broker fees to pay. If your order is shipped USPS ground, then you probably won't have to deal with a broker, and just have to pay the taxes at your local postal service outlet when you pick up your package. One note: USPS priority or express mail is delivered in Canada by Purolator who does use a customs broker.

credit card currency exchange rates and service fees...
The Canadian dollar is fairly high right now, so buying American is not as expensive as before. However, be aware of the exchange rates and service fees your credit card charges if you buy in foreign currencies. Even if you return the item and get a refund, you'll probably have to pay the fee on the purchase anyways, and pay the fee on the refund too.

return and refund policies...
Know and accept these before you order. In some cases, shipping (in both directions) is not refundable (although some retailers will credit you for the return shipping costs). Better safe than sorry.

do the math...
Sometimes the prices on US websites are very tempting. But you have to remember the hidden costs -- shipping; exchange rate; taxes; service fees; broker fees; etc. In some cases, after factoring all that in, it is not that much more expensive to order from a Canadian source, or even from your LHS.

[Fergmiester]

I think this is more of a hit and miss. I for the most part I buy my big ticket items in the US as my LHS, Maritime Hobbies, can't buy enough in bulk to pass on the savings. Saying that they have come across several consignments and passed on the savings direct. Prices which are in line with Trainworld, Standard Hobby to name a few. They also carry Digitrax at prices comparable to Lloys.

Chateauricher also has pointed out some pitfalls our LHS's face this side of the border but missed one.

The Distributer These guys buy from US or European distributers and pass on their costs to us the consumer.

Just imagine how many hands a product passes through before we see it?

Fergie

[DavidGSmith]

For newly introduced engines try Railview in Markham Ont. Dave usually brings in larger quantities than most LHS and passes on the savings. Also rolling stock. He does not have a big inventory of day to day items however.

[Blind Bruce]

A good source for me has been Canadian Scale Rail in Airdrie Alberta. He seems honest and interested in providing what I want at the lowest price.
BB

[jkeaton]

And don't forget Lark Spur Line in Merrickville, ON!

Jim
Ottawa

[Anonymous]

Jim...

That's my local shop too!

Also Canadian Express Lines - mail/e-mail order. Good prices, and you can meet him face-to-face at many of the bigger shows.

Andrew

[orsonroy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher

customs duties and/or taxes...

Rent a PO box in Buffalo and smuggle them in.

Heck, when I go from the USA to the UK and back, I'm always bringing back loads of Hornby stuff. I haven't been dinged once for import duties.

[Anonymous]

My advice is to do the math. If after adding exchange, shipping, customs, etc. the item can be ordered for cheaper (and you can wait the 2-3 weeks) from the US by all means order it. If it comes out equal or cheaper from your LHS, that's a no brainer.

I just ordered some turnouts from the US, for $8 each. My LHS was charging $20 each! I figure even if adding all those adjustments it would still be significantly cheaper to order them. So the LHS looses out. I just can't see paying $20 for an Atlas turnout! Sorry LHS, I wish I was made out of money!

Trevor

[chateauricher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

QUOTE: Originally posted by chateauricher
customs duties and/or taxes...

Rent a PO box in Buffalo and smuggle them in.

Yup. Sure. I'll just spend 8+ hours driving down to NY or VT and back every week. Like I have that kind of time or money (with gas at $1.014/L here).

And some couriers won't deliver to PO boxes since they require a signature.

Besides, smuggling is illegal.

[Anonymous]

chateauricher wrote.

"do the math...
Sometimes the prices on US websites are very tempting. But you have to remember the hidden costs -- shipping; exchange rate; taxes; service fees; broker fees; etc. In some cases, after factoring all that in, it is not that much more expensive to order from a Canadian source, or even from your LHS"

If you order via USPS the expenses are much better than what you wrote above.

Shipping and handling may be a little more expensive, a few dollars at most but there are no service fees, brokerage fees, other than the Canada Post/Postes Canada so called $5.00 handling fee (tax). Yes, there is the exchange rate but that still makes a U.S. of A purchase cheaper than buying in Canada.

Take a Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2: -

A quick Google turns up the following prices.

Central Hobbies in Canada: - Can $223.35.
Couldn't find shipping prices on website.

Peach Creek Shops in the U.S.A: - US$132.95
They charge the USPS rate for shipping. Insurance optional.

Now you do the math. :-)

[Turd_Ferguson]

I'll chime in another vote for Canadian Model Trains. Just bought my P2K SW8 in a limited run CP Rail scheme from them. Great communication and a genuinely nice bunch of people. I'm fortunate to have Windsor Hobbies in my neck of the woods. Family owned and still going after 35 years. It's seen two generations of my family through the door.

Cheers,

G.