Online Shopping

[CBQ_Guy]

I ONLY shop online when I can't get something through my LHS, who is a big supporter of the hobby. He will order you anything, and not just what's at Walthers, and he discounts EVERYTHING across the board at 20% and pays shipping, too!

In the past dozen years I have only purchased items online possibly two or three times as a last resort.

[CBQ_Guy]

I ONLY shop online when I can't get something through my LHS, who is a big supporter of the hobby. He will order you anything, and not just what's at Walthers, and he discounts EVERYTHING across the board at 20% and pays shipping, too!

In the past dozen years I have only purchased items online possibly two or three times as a last resort.

[bpickering]

I've done "All of the above" at various times.

FIrst, and favorite, is Bricks & Mortar. Got a good place relatively close, and the ability to ASK QUESTIONS is priceless.

Second is on-line. Yes, it's nice to have lower prices, but it's missing the tactile part that is so much part of the hobby. Thorough research is necessary prior to purchase. Finally, if the option of purchasing on-line and then having it delivered to/paid at the local hobbystore, I take that, since that way some on-line places will "share the wealth" with the local store.

Third is eBay. Everything said about buying on-line goes double, with the added concern about seller reliability. I have, and will continue to, purchased things through eBay, but I've either gotta want it pretty bad, or find a very good price. Example- just got two Pennsy C-Liner (Proto1000) for ~$36 each. Haven't seen any deals like that anywhere else. One has arrived, and is perfect. Still waiting on the other, but tracking shows it on the way. Just remember- Caveat Emptor.

As far as spending on-line, I did have a credit card number stolen last winter- my bank promptly informed me, and we stopped 2-3 other big attempted transactions within the next week. :-) I know of at least one bank offering a "One-Time Only" number, which you can apparently use on-line. I'll consider it, but given that my bank already appears to give good customer service regarding fraud, I'm not as worried.

Well, back to work to pay for all this shopping! :-)

Brian Pickering

[bpickering]

I've done "All of the above" at various times.

FIrst, and favorite, is Bricks & Mortar. Got a good place relatively close, and the ability to ASK QUESTIONS is priceless.

Second is on-line. Yes, it's nice to have lower prices, but it's missing the tactile part that is so much part of the hobby. Thorough research is necessary prior to purchase. Finally, if the option of purchasing on-line and then having it delivered to/paid at the local hobbystore, I take that, since that way some on-line places will "share the wealth" with the local store.

Third is eBay. Everything said about buying on-line goes double, with the added concern about seller reliability. I have, and will continue to, purchased things through eBay, but I've either gotta want it pretty bad, or find a very good price. Example- just got two Pennsy C-Liner (Proto1000) for ~$36 each. Haven't seen any deals like that anywhere else. One has arrived, and is perfect. Still waiting on the other, but tracking shows it on the way. Just remember- Caveat Emptor.

As far as spending on-line, I did have a credit card number stolen last winter- my bank promptly informed me, and we stopped 2-3 other big attempted transactions within the next week. :-) I know of at least one bank offering a "One-Time Only" number, which you can apparently use on-line. I'll consider it, but given that my bank already appears to give good customer service regarding fraud, I'm not as worried.

Well, back to work to pay for all this shopping! :-)

Brian Pickering

[j1love]

I find that the online stores give you a large selection and a cheaper price. [^] You have to do research to find if what you are buying is what you actually want,[?] but that is a fun part of the hobby in my opinion.

[j1love]

I find that the online stores give you a large selection and a cheaper price. [^] You have to do research to find if what you are buying is what you actually want,[?] but that is a fun part of the hobby in my opinion.

[stokesda]

I'm still new and have only started buying MR stuff in the past few months. I have a laundry list of trackage stuff I need for my first layout, which I'll eventually buy in bulk on the net. In the meantime, I pick up a few pieces here and there on eBay if I can get it cheaper than from an online retailer. I've learned (the hard way) to only get stuff on eBay if it's advertised as "NIB."

Still, I like to trek down to my LHS (Caboose Hobbies in Denver) about once a month. They are huge, so their prices are very competitive. I get most of my rolling stock and misc stuff from them. I have to move out of the area in December, so it's going to suck trying to fill that big LHS void [sigh]

Cheers, and happy shopping to all,

[stokesda]

I'm still new and have only started buying MR stuff in the past few months. I have a laundry list of trackage stuff I need for my first layout, which I'll eventually buy in bulk on the net. In the meantime, I pick up a few pieces here and there on eBay if I can get it cheaper than from an online retailer. I've learned (the hard way) to only get stuff on eBay if it's advertised as "NIB."

Still, I like to trek down to my LHS (Caboose Hobbies in Denver) about once a month. They are huge, so their prices are very competitive. I get most of my rolling stock and misc stuff from them. I have to move out of the area in December, so it's going to suck trying to fill that big LHS void [sigh]

Cheers, and happy shopping to all,

[ClinchValleySD40]

I'd say 90% of the stuff I buy is from on line hobby shops and the rest split between ebay and local shops. I don't go to many train shows any more, maybe once or twice a year and might purchase a few items there.

[ClinchValleySD40]

I'd say 90% of the stuff I buy is from on line hobby shops and the rest split between ebay and local shops. I don't go to many train shows any more, maybe once or twice a year and might purchase a few items there.

[Anonymous]

I've never had a problem with Paypal after nearly 200 purchases. I think much of the problem comes from the the seller limiting the type of paypal he will accept and not posting or the buyer not reading. Most problems can be eliminated if the buyer and seller email at the close of the auction to verify payment methods so that there is no confusion. It also might be advisable to stick with sellers that have had experience with paypal. Just check their feedback and look at the listing associated with the feedback. It will tell you what forms the person is accepting. chances are if all his listings have paypal as an option, then he's gotten a few already and knows hot to use it.

[Anonymous]

I've never had a problem with Paypal after nearly 200 purchases. I think much of the problem comes from the the seller limiting the type of paypal he will accept and not posting or the buyer not reading. Most problems can be eliminated if the buyer and seller email at the close of the auction to verify payment methods so that there is no confusion. It also might be advisable to stick with sellers that have had experience with paypal. Just check their feedback and look at the listing associated with the feedback. It will tell you what forms the person is accepting. chances are if all his listings have paypal as an option, then he's gotten a few already and knows hot to use it.

[Anonymous]

I've shopped at hobby stores and through eBay - not had any problems. I won't use paypal to pay for eBay goods however - heard too many horror stories about it! I'll also only order from online stores that have a known address and ideally a real-world store too. Of the two online stores I buy from, one has multiple awards from "Which" (a consumer body over here - they campaign for better products, better instructions, etc) and the other has assorted government-sponsored e-business awards - they're both reliable, efficient companies.

I agree that buying online doesn't compare with actually being in a store, but when S&H is £4, while it would cost me about £10-£15 in diesel and parking to visit my LHS, the economic argument is hard to beat. I try to buy as much as possible locally, only going online for deals, out of production equipment, and models my LHS doesn't have. The same goes for eBay - will only buy things I can't find anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

I've shopped at hobby stores and through eBay - not had any problems. I won't use paypal to pay for eBay goods however - heard too many horror stories about it! I'll also only order from online stores that have a known address and ideally a real-world store too. Of the two online stores I buy from, one has multiple awards from "Which" (a consumer body over here - they campaign for better products, better instructions, etc) and the other has assorted government-sponsored e-business awards - they're both reliable, efficient companies.

I agree that buying online doesn't compare with actually being in a store, but when S&H is £4, while it would cost me about £10-£15 in diesel and parking to visit my LHS, the economic argument is hard to beat. I try to buy as much as possible locally, only going online for deals, out of production equipment, and models my LHS doesn't have. The same goes for eBay - will only buy things I can't find anywhere else.

[Todd McWilliam]

Ebay, all the way, i have gotten some great deals

[Todd McWilliam]

Ebay, all the way, i have gotten some great deals

[Anonymous]

I primarily use Hobby sites (www.discounttrainsonline.com www.hobbylin.com etc.) but eBay is my second source. Its a great source for getting buildings to kitbash with others since things in rough condition are really cheap.

[Anonymous]

I primarily use Hobby sites (www.discounttrainsonline.com www.hobbylin.com etc.) but eBay is my second source. Its a great source for getting buildings to kitbash with others since things in rough condition are really cheap.

[Anonymous]

Bought tons on Ebay. Bought lots of big ticket items mail order at steep discount by phone from big discount MR advertisers. Purchase small stuff and occasional loco from LHS. Buy and barter lots with other trainnuts.

Have not bought a lot from online sites per se as I find them for the most part to be very clunky and time consuming to use. There are very few sites out there where I can find what I am looking for as easily as I can In a catalog. I think we need a revolution in speed and design of sites....Wading thru un-necessary pages and waiting for downloads is a drag even with DSL.

Guy

[Anonymous]

Bought tons on Ebay. Bought lots of big ticket items mail order at steep discount by phone from big discount MR advertisers. Purchase small stuff and occasional loco from LHS. Buy and barter lots with other trainnuts.

Have not bought a lot from online sites per se as I find them for the most part to be very clunky and time consuming to use. There are very few sites out there where I can find what I am looking for as easily as I can In a catalog. I think we need a revolution in speed and design of sites....Wading thru un-necessary pages and waiting for downloads is a drag even with DSL.

Guy

[cjcrescent]

We don't have what I would call a "well equipped" LHS here. I have a fellow clubmember who is a dealer at GATS and the like and he has more stock than the three LHS in town. I get the vast majority of my stuff at showsand from my friend.
I have bought a few things off of E-bay, but have never released my card on the net. I always pay with a money order, plus I buy only if I am familiar with the product. I've picked up a couple of hobbytown chassis's and a bowser mechanism kit and was pleased with the deals. I don't like to buy without having held the product in my hands otherwise
I do not buy over the phone or by mail order. Got burned the one time I did it. I ordered some passenger cars off of an ad in MR many years ago. I ordered 1 baggage, 1 RPO, 1 combine, 6 pullmans , 1 diner and an Obs. I recieved, 3 baggage, 2 Obs, 1 pullman, 3 diners and 2 coaches, and none were in the roadname I had ordered. I had specifically stated that if they didn't have the road name I wanted or the cars I wanted do not substitute. They did anyway. When I complained they said to ship them back, (at my expense), and they would refund my charge minus a "restock fee" which was about 1/2 of what I was originally charged.

[cjcrescent]

We don't have what I would call a "well equipped" LHS here. I have a fellow clubmember who is a dealer at GATS and the like and he has more stock than the three LHS in town. I get the vast majority of my stuff at showsand from my friend.
I have bought a few things off of E-bay, but have never released my card on the net. I always pay with a money order, plus I buy only if I am familiar with the product. I've picked up a couple of hobbytown chassis's and a bowser mechanism kit and was pleased with the deals. I don't like to buy without having held the product in my hands otherwise
I do not buy over the phone or by mail order. Got burned the one time I did it. I ordered some passenger cars off of an ad in MR many years ago. I ordered 1 baggage, 1 RPO, 1 combine, 6 pullmans , 1 diner and an Obs. I recieved, 3 baggage, 2 Obs, 1 pullman, 3 diners and 2 coaches, and none were in the roadname I had ordered. I had specifically stated that if they didn't have the road name I wanted or the cars I wanted do not substitute. They did anyway. When I complained they said to ship them back, (at my expense), and they would refund my charge minus a "restock fee" which was about 1/2 of what I was originally charged.

[jdolan]

I'm 40 miles from the nearest hobby shop and still go there for most things but sometimes order from Walthers.Usually wait till I need alot of things before I do either to save on gas and shipping.

[jdolan]

I'm 40 miles from the nearest hobby shop and still go there for most things but sometimes order from Walthers.Usually wait till I need alot of things before I do either to save on gas and shipping.

[on30francisco]

I puchase the majority of my supplies on-line or through mail order. I have always received prompt and courteous service from the mail order shops I have dealt with. I buy most of my scratchbuilding supplies at Pearls or Michael's which are two large and very well-stocked discount arts and crafts stores. The LHSs in this area are not that well stocked, charge list prices, and are sort of cliquish.

[on30francisco]

I puchase the majority of my supplies on-line or through mail order. I have always received prompt and courteous service from the mail order shops I have dealt with. I buy most of my scratchbuilding supplies at Pearls or Michael's which are two large and very well-stocked discount arts and crafts stores. The LHSs in this area are not that well stocked, charge list prices, and are sort of cliquish.

[Anonymous]

I just love hobby shops and frequent all of them in my area, but most have small N scale inventories. If I buy anything there, it's usually an impulse buy of something I didn't expect to see.

I've made several purchases online, with credit card and never had any problem. For the fraidy cats out there, it would be nearly impossible for someone to grab your CC#. The stories you hear about are from some company whose computer files have been hacked and all the card and owner information has been grabbed. That could happen to any company that keeps their customer information on a computer. Since the data you send over the Internet is encrypted, it would take someone 30 years or more to decode your information, if they were lucky enough to grab at just the right time.

Until the tax man figures out how to pilage the web, the Internet is the best place to shop for big ticket items and close out deals.

[Anonymous]

I just love hobby shops and frequent all of them in my area, but most have small N scale inventories. If I buy anything there, it's usually an impulse buy of something I didn't expect to see.

I've made several purchases online, with credit card and never had any problem. For the fraidy cats out there, it would be nearly impossible for someone to grab your CC#. The stories you hear about are from some company whose computer files have been hacked and all the card and owner information has been grabbed. That could happen to any company that keeps their customer information on a computer. Since the data you send over the Internet is encrypted, it would take someone 30 years or more to decode your information, if they were lucky enough to grab at just the right time.

Until the tax man figures out how to pilage the web, the Internet is the best place to shop for big ticket items and close out deals.

[Anonymous]

This thread peaked my interest so i Dug in my MR recept box and glanced through to see where exactly i have spent my money to date this year. rough estimates are as follows
Local shop(70 miles away)-35%
EBAY.......................................-35%
Hobby show............................-5%
Inernet(4 nscale,BLW other)15%
Other hobby shops................-10%

That comes out to 50/50 between local dealers and the internet
I actually thought the internet would be higher considering the distance but most major purchases(power pack,locomotives etc) were bought locally.
Internet purchases comprise mostly misc cars,books,track,tools etc.
The reason for much of this is the poor stock in N scale carried by my LHS.While they carry some track,some structures,some scenery items,thier choices are minimul at best.Local roads for locomotives are stocked in decent quantity for N scale.
This particular shop carries less than 2% of thier inventory dollars in N
70-75% HO and the rest in S,O and G scale.Incidently,the shop has been for sale for the last 2 years.