Online Shopping

[Anonymous]

I shop on line only when my local shops don't have what I am looking for . And then I will use ATLAS or WALTHERS but mostley WALTHERS because there the ones I've had the best luck with.[^]

[Anonymous]

I shop on line only when my local shops don't have what I am looking for . And then I will use ATLAS or WALTHERS but mostley WALTHERS because there the ones I've had the best luck with.[^]

[ironhorseman]

I don't shop online for safety reasons to my card. I don't have credit cards and don't use my ATM card for online shopping. I don't feel it's secure. A friend told me he bought some books online for his college class and was reassured his card number was secure. Not long after he made that purchase someone had charged his card to buy a computers in New York and shipped them to Florida. My friend lives in Kansas. He had a hard time convincing the credit card company and the computer merchant he'd never been to either state and has no contacts there.

I don't care how secure a website claims to be, it can be hacked. I've learned this from all the criminal justice classes I took in college. Getting shabby products is a concern with some sites. Respectable site you don't have to worry. But card # theft is always a concern.

I'll print out a form to mail in or use the telphone, but put my card # online? No, thanks.

[ironhorseman]

I don't shop online for safety reasons to my card. I don't have credit cards and don't use my ATM card for online shopping. I don't feel it's secure. A friend told me he bought some books online for his college class and was reassured his card number was secure. Not long after he made that purchase someone had charged his card to buy a computers in New York and shipped them to Florida. My friend lives in Kansas. He had a hard time convincing the credit card company and the computer merchant he'd never been to either state and has no contacts there.

I don't care how secure a website claims to be, it can be hacked. I've learned this from all the criminal justice classes I took in college. Getting shabby products is a concern with some sites. Respectable site you don't have to worry. But card # theft is always a concern.

I'll print out a form to mail in or use the telphone, but put my card # online? No, thanks.

[sledgehammer]

I perfer to shop at a store for the simple reason if there is a problem with the purchace I bought i can talk to the same person to fix the problem. In stead of clalling a 1 800 number and talk to a computer.

[sledgehammer]

I perfer to shop at a store for the simple reason if there is a problem with the purchace I bought i can talk to the same person to fix the problem. In stead of clalling a 1 800 number and talk to a computer.

[Anonymous]

would rather go through the manufacture, I,m in a city with little or no hobby shops for model railroading. Why I can't understand it use have three railroads going through it.
Also is a sea port, with large rail yards. I was use to model railroad hobby shops when I
was in Califoria but here aircraft and cars are the big seller, so the only time I can see
the products is when American great train show comes to town. I do have my favor manufures and trust them to have quality products.[?]

[Anonymous]

would rather go through the manufacture, I,m in a city with little or no hobby shops for model railroading. Why I can't understand it use have three railroads going through it.
Also is a sea port, with large rail yards. I was use to model railroad hobby shops when I
was in Califoria but here aircraft and cars are the big seller, so the only time I can see
the products is when American great train show comes to town. I do have my favor manufures and trust them to have quality products.[?]

[holland]

i dont shop online i still like to go to the hobby store or swap meets and browse ,

[holland]

i dont shop online i still like to go to the hobby store or swap meets and browse ,

[Anonymous]

Hobby stores -- either offline or online.

I like to do research online, hit a couple of sites and do some reading before I go to the store. Still can't beat the experience of being in the hobby store, wandering around the aisles looking at all the different products available.

eBay is okay but you have to be smart about it. Don't buy solely on picture or description. Know what it is you're looking at and if the description fits, the picture is what it should be and if the price is fair. Dig around and check the seller's feedback. Buy from someone who has been on eBay for awhile and has a good feedback rating.

In some regards it's not much different than buying at a swap meet. Although at a swap meet you'll have a chance to pick it up and look at it, unless you test it on live track and inspect the inner workings an engine it could be a piece of junk too.

[Anonymous]

Hobby stores -- either offline or online.

I like to do research online, hit a couple of sites and do some reading before I go to the store. Still can't beat the experience of being in the hobby store, wandering around the aisles looking at all the different products available.

eBay is okay but you have to be smart about it. Don't buy solely on picture or description. Know what it is you're looking at and if the description fits, the picture is what it should be and if the price is fair. Dig around and check the seller's feedback. Buy from someone who has been on eBay for awhile and has a good feedback rating.

In some regards it's not much different than buying at a swap meet. Although at a swap meet you'll have a chance to pick it up and look at it, unless you test it on live track and inspect the inner workings an engine it could be a piece of junk too.

[vsmith]

In G guage sometimes you have no choice but to shop on-line or via mail-order. eBay is OK but buyer beware, you never really know wkat your going to get, and by then of course, its too late. The LHS that sell G here are spread pretty far, but better than none at all. I have to drive 30 miles east or west to get to the two good LHS that carry G stuff and then it can be limited. I've bought mail order from St Aubins Station a few times (talked to a live person) and they were really good. Walthers has a derth of G stuff, not really there forte so I dont use them much. Better to drive the extra miles (phoning first) and getting what I want.

[vsmith]

In G guage sometimes you have no choice but to shop on-line or via mail-order. eBay is OK but buyer beware, you never really know wkat your going to get, and by then of course, its too late. The LHS that sell G here are spread pretty far, but better than none at all. I have to drive 30 miles east or west to get to the two good LHS that carry G stuff and then it can be limited. I've bought mail order from St Aubins Station a few times (talked to a live person) and they were really good. Walthers has a derth of G stuff, not really there forte so I dont use them much. Better to drive the extra miles (phoning first) and getting what I want.

[Anonymous]

I CHECK ON E-BAY HAVE NOT [BOUGHTR ANYTHING YET MOSTLY CHECK WITH HOBBY SITES ALSO CLASSIFIED ADS BUT MAINLY JUST GO TO THE HOBBY STORE THEY ALWYS HAVING SOME KIND OF DEALS AND I CAN GET A DEAL JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME I GO IN THERE . ITS GOOD TO KNOW THE OWNER AND AS A GOOD CUSTOMER HELPS ALSO.

[Anonymous]

I CHECK ON E-BAY HAVE NOT [BOUGHTR ANYTHING YET MOSTLY CHECK WITH HOBBY SITES ALSO CLASSIFIED ADS BUT MAINLY JUST GO TO THE HOBBY STORE THEY ALWYS HAVING SOME KIND OF DEALS AND I CAN GET A DEAL JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME I GO IN THERE . ITS GOOD TO KNOW THE OWNER AND AS A GOOD CUSTOMER HELPS ALSO.

[Anonymous]

If being scared of someone stealing your credit card number, why not just buy a certain value card from your bank. It acts just like a credit card only with a limited liabilty.

[Anonymous]

If being scared of someone stealing your credit card number, why not just buy a certain value card from your bank. It acts just like a credit card only with a limited liabilty.

[Anonymous]

So, it seems a lot of you don't trust sites with your credit card details. Then a lot of online shops in the US don't trust credit cards from overseas, even if the ARE Mastercard, Visa, Amex. What is wrong with you guys in the US, you invented on-line shopping AND credit cards!!!

[Anonymous]

So, it seems a lot of you don't trust sites with your credit card details. Then a lot of online shops in the US don't trust credit cards from overseas, even if the ARE Mastercard, Visa, Amex. What is wrong with you guys in the US, you invented on-line shopping AND credit cards!!!

[Wdlgln005]

Sometimes you can find deals not found at the LHS. Some of them also advertise at times in MR or MRC. For hobby tools, why not go online to use MicroMark? Nscalers like me use 4Nscale (Rio Grande hobby) in KY, InternetTrains in CA, and Model Expo in FL. The trick with Model Expo is to get on their Email list for sales & specials. I got 2 LL Gp-20 for $20 each & 4 FA2 for $25 each. They had about 700 of the LL gp-20 in UP 4 months ago. I guess they bought up all of LL closeout & overstock. They had a big ad in July MR. The GP-20's are all gone now. There's a lot of them that went to the crew on the Atlas forum. Good quality locomotives at a great price. Check it out! You may get their sale flyer in the mail! They have a lot of Bachmann kits for $5.00 or less. You can get good service & quick ship dealing with an out of state hobby retailer. Save on no sales tax if shipping cost is reasonable. Order enough and shipping is free!

[Wdlgln005]

Sometimes you can find deals not found at the LHS. Some of them also advertise at times in MR or MRC. For hobby tools, why not go online to use MicroMark? Nscalers like me use 4Nscale (Rio Grande hobby) in KY, InternetTrains in CA, and Model Expo in FL. The trick with Model Expo is to get on their Email list for sales & specials. I got 2 LL Gp-20 for $20 each & 4 FA2 for $25 each. They had about 700 of the LL gp-20 in UP 4 months ago. I guess they bought up all of LL closeout & overstock. They had a big ad in July MR. The GP-20's are all gone now. There's a lot of them that went to the crew on the Atlas forum. Good quality locomotives at a great price. Check it out! You may get their sale flyer in the mail! They have a lot of Bachmann kits for $5.00 or less. You can get good service & quick ship dealing with an out of state hobby retailer. Save on no sales tax if shipping cost is reasonable. Order enough and shipping is free!

[Anonymous]

I do all my shopping at the hobby shop, Model Cities Models in Anniston, Alabama. It is the closest hobby shop to me, and I enjoy doing business there. I am treated with respect, even though I don't have much money. Thank you. MustangManGZ.

[Anonymous]

I do all my shopping at the hobby shop, Model Cities Models in Anniston, Alabama. It is the closest hobby shop to me, and I enjoy doing business there. I am treated with respect, even though I don't have much money. Thank you. MustangManGZ.

[eihndrsn]

I use the internet to buy from well established hobby shops who have secure payment pages. I have not had a problem with fraudulent use of my card but will not do it as a general thing. I previously sent my order and details by fax. I have purchased several thousands of dollars of LGB from Trainworld, Watts and Depot G that way with great satisfaction. My only frustration is with suppliers who only give a 1-800 number which I can not easily access from Australia as it costs me money to be on hold.

[eihndrsn]

I use the internet to buy from well established hobby shops who have secure payment pages. I have not had a problem with fraudulent use of my card but will not do it as a general thing. I previously sent my order and details by fax. I have purchased several thousands of dollars of LGB from Trainworld, Watts and Depot G that way with great satisfaction. My only frustration is with suppliers who only give a 1-800 number which I can not easily access from Australia as it costs me money to be on hold.

[Anonymous]

Fully satisfied with E-bay. But you must be knowledgable enough to know what you are bidding on. eg. age, availabliity, manufacturer, condition and most importantly with a seller who has lots of positive feedback. If you know these things and be an astute bidder you will be very satisfied here with success rates at about 75% of the cost of dealing at bricks and mortor. So then the question becomes do you want to keep that hobby shop in your community or not. Every choice has a positive and negative side to it. Make informed choices and don't be greedy.

[Anonymous]

Fully satisfied with E-bay. But you must be knowledgable enough to know what you are bidding on. eg. age, availabliity, manufacturer, condition and most importantly with a seller who has lots of positive feedback. If you know these things and be an astute bidder you will be very satisfied here with success rates at about 75% of the cost of dealing at bricks and mortor. So then the question becomes do you want to keep that hobby shop in your community or not. Every choice has a positive and negative side to it. Make informed choices and don't be greedy.

[Anonymous]

I comparison shop hobby shops online to see if they have what I want and what their prices are. Some of my favorite hobby shops no longer advertise in Model Railroader for various reasons, not the least of which is that the rates are higher than they can afford. I will call the shops directly if I want to order something. I like to use Trainquest and Longs-Trains in Moreno Valley, California. When I go to InternetTrains in Brea, California I do not find what I am looking for and their prices are higher than the other two.

The first thing I do when my Model Railroader comes is to look at the ads to see what is new and who has it at the best price. I like to look at the various
manufacturers' ads to see what will be coming out in the future. Sometimes a manufacturer will announce that something will come out in say May 2003 but may actually be introduced many months later. This brings up the importance of being able to preorder an item. Some shops let you preorder sooner than others. This is something than can be done very well using the internet, provided that the hobby shops and manufacturers keep their websites current.

[Anonymous]

I comparison shop hobby shops online to see if they have what I want and what their prices are. Some of my favorite hobby shops no longer advertise in Model Railroader for various reasons, not the least of which is that the rates are higher than they can afford. I will call the shops directly if I want to order something. I like to use Trainquest and Longs-Trains in Moreno Valley, California. When I go to InternetTrains in Brea, California I do not find what I am looking for and their prices are higher than the other two.

The first thing I do when my Model Railroader comes is to look at the ads to see what is new and who has it at the best price. I like to look at the various
manufacturers' ads to see what will be coming out in the future. Sometimes a manufacturer will announce that something will come out in say May 2003 but may actually be introduced many months later. This brings up the importance of being able to preorder an item. Some shops let you preorder sooner than others. This is something than can be done very well using the internet, provided that the hobby shops and manufacturers keep their websites current.