LHS v. .COM supliers

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

As you may know I am opposed to buying online.

No, Really??

QUOTE: So save your few bucks now if that's all you care about. That's what WaXXXrt and .coms are beting you will do.

Flee307, some of us do not have the luxury of picking a mom & pop place to shop and paying whatever they charge. Some of us are on tight budgets and thankfully have a places like Walmart to save a little more than just a “few dollars”. If you have the money to throw around, then fine, shop where you please. It’s your choice in this country! I just think you should be a bit more sensitive to us folks with limited resources (or wiser spenders as I would like to think).

And if you have so much trouble with the American free market, then perhaps you should consider the alternatives? Maybe if you spend a little time in countries like North Korea or Liberia, you might gain a little more appreciation for the all blessings we have? The American market may not be perfect, but I suspect that you would not opt for anything else…

[Anonymous]

slossmo writes "nearest LHS is 2 hr drive" but a quick yahoo yellows page search for "Hobby Shop" shows 10 within 60 miles and 27 within 100 miles of Hale Michigan. Two listed below are within 25 miles........ Please support your local hobby shops!!!
< David Bar Toys & Games
[phone] 10008 8th St
Oscoda, MI Map
21.7 miles


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great Northern Books & Hobbies
[phone] 209 State St SW
Oscoda, MI Map
23.3 miles

[Anonymous]

slossmo writes "nearest LHS is 2 hr drive" but a quick yahoo yellows page search for "Hobby Shop" shows 10 within 60 miles and 27 within 100 miles of Hale Michigan. Two listed below are within 25 miles........ Please support your local hobby shops!!!
< David Bar Toys & Games
[phone] 10008 8th St
Oscoda, MI Map
21.7 miles


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great Northern Books & Hobbies
[phone] 209 State St SW
Oscoda, MI Map
23.3 miles

[Anonymous]

nearest LHS is 2 hr drive...so far all y recent purchases have been thru standard hobby..but have only bought track, sw machines and a transformer and ive had good service except the 7$ shipping charge makes me wait til i have a decent order before buying...

[Anonymous]

nearest LHS is 2 hr drive...so far all y recent purchases have been thru standard hobby..but have only bought track, sw machines and a transformer and ive had good service except the 7$ shipping charge makes me wait til i have a decent order before buying...

[Anonymous]

As you may know I am opposed to buying online. Modeling is a small mom and pop type business and never will be big. In facts it's so small that WaXXXrt hasn't even bothered to target them for demise like they have done to craft stores, music stores, fishing stores, tire stores, hardware stores, and now grocery stores. It use to be all these stores thrived in small town USA, but thanks to WaXXXrt and others they are now gone. Now all's you can get a cheap imported fishing gear and watered down hamburger meat when you use to be able to get quality items from your local man who you went to church or drank at the bar with. Same thing is going to happen to trains if we don't change our way. I can see a future when all there will be are toy trains with hornhook couples left because all the quality vendors go broke due to the loss of hobby shops and the pressure of the resulting supershops demanding cheaper items with less margin for the makers as WaXXXrt does now. Example is the Hotwheels v Matchbox compitition. They both kept cutting prices till they were 75 cents. Matchbox gives up and sells to Hotwheels. Price now up again to a dollar. We are at that time now. With the economy slumping this may be the last chance for your local shop. If it happens the way I see it I will be scratch building or into another hobby in 10 years. So save your few bucks now if that's all you care about. That's what WaXXXrt and .coms are beting you will do. MicrXXXft has shown them the way, get a monopoly and charge whatever you want in the future.

[Anonymous]

As you may know I am opposed to buying online. Modeling is a small mom and pop type business and never will be big. In facts it's so small that WaXXXrt hasn't even bothered to target them for demise like they have done to craft stores, music stores, fishing stores, tire stores, hardware stores, and now grocery stores. It use to be all these stores thrived in small town USA, but thanks to WaXXXrt and others they are now gone. Now all's you can get a cheap imported fishing gear and watered down hamburger meat when you use to be able to get quality items from your local man who you went to church or drank at the bar with. Same thing is going to happen to trains if we don't change our way. I can see a future when all there will be are toy trains with hornhook couples left because all the quality vendors go broke due to the loss of hobby shops and the pressure of the resulting supershops demanding cheaper items with less margin for the makers as WaXXXrt does now. Example is the Hotwheels v Matchbox compitition. They both kept cutting prices till they were 75 cents. Matchbox gives up and sells to Hotwheels. Price now up again to a dollar. We are at that time now. With the economy slumping this may be the last chance for your local shop. If it happens the way I see it I will be scratch building or into another hobby in 10 years. So save your few bucks now if that's all you care about. That's what WaXXXrt and .coms are beting you will do. MicrXXXft has shown them the way, get a monopoly and charge whatever you want in the future.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

My only problems with train shows are they tend to charge too much for used stuff. I have seen countless AHM, Lionel, and Tyco stuff go for 2X or 3X times it's true value.... .several lies to hustle the sale. This hurts the reputation of train shows and our hobby as a whole.

Too true of CERTAIN vendors, maybe it's best that only experienced modelers shop the train shows...there are a lot of very good deals, especially on buildings and freight cars, and if one is worried about locomotives, many 'private' non-commercial vendors [ MRR clubs and overstocked hobbyists ], now have test tracks set up.
regards \ Mike

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

My only problems with train shows are they tend to charge too much for used stuff. I have seen countless AHM, Lionel, and Tyco stuff go for 2X or 3X times it's true value.... .several lies to hustle the sale. This hurts the reputation of train shows and our hobby as a whole.

Too true of CERTAIN vendors, maybe it's best that only experienced modelers shop the train shows...there are a lot of very good deals, especially on buildings and freight cars, and if one is worried about locomotives, many 'private' non-commercial vendors [ MRR clubs and overstocked hobbyists ], now have test tracks set up.
regards \ Mike

[Anonymous]

Unlike Brakie, I feel like I should give the LHS a few more dollars (but not list, my god!) on the "slam dunk" sales of locomotive to keep them in business for "all the other stuff" which they may need to keep on the shelves for years before they sell.

And ditto, IMHO, for the online shops. If they sell locos at 35% off, they most likely do it as loss leaders, hoping for orders on other stuff. If you only buy the locos, they may not stay around either!

I am lucky to have enough to spend so the few bucks extra don't kill me, but think the idea of frequenting one or two worthy shops or on line shops for most needs makes sense.

Just my .02.

[Anonymous]

Unlike Brakie, I feel like I should give the LHS a few more dollars (but not list, my god!) on the "slam dunk" sales of locomotive to keep them in business for "all the other stuff" which they may need to keep on the shelves for years before they sell.

And ditto, IMHO, for the online shops. If they sell locos at 35% off, they most likely do it as loss leaders, hoping for orders on other stuff. If you only buy the locos, they may not stay around either!

I am lucky to have enough to spend so the few bucks extra don't kill me, but think the idea of frequenting one or two worthy shops or on line shops for most needs makes sense.

Just my .02.

[IRONROOSTER]

I do most of my buying at train shows, some mail order, and some at the LHS. Tthe LHS has a very small selection of S scale, usually 10 cars and a locomotive or two. I have never bought anything over the net, but that will probably change if more S scale gets offered (what there is now, is what I see at the shows).
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

I do most of my buying at train shows, some mail order, and some at the LHS. Tthe LHS has a very small selection of S scale, usually 10 cars and a locomotive or two. I have never bought anything over the net, but that will probably change if more S scale gets offered (what there is now, is what I see at the shows).
Enjoy
Paul

[BRAKIE]

Well,i shop on line AND at the LHS..I need both..I need the on line shops to save money on locomotives and I use the LHS for everything else. [;)][8D][:D]

[BRAKIE]

Well,i shop on line AND at the LHS..I need both..I need the on line shops to save money on locomotives and I use the LHS for everything else. [;)][8D][:D]

[Martin4]

I always buy from the shops: you can get information there, they are ownwed by people involved in the hobby, they can get everything and they know what to do if anything is wrong with de delivery. The .com shops are a threat to local economy in almost any matter.

Martin
Québec City

[Martin4]

I always buy from the shops: you can get information there, they are ownwed by people involved in the hobby, they can get everything and they know what to do if anything is wrong with de delivery. The .com shops are a threat to local economy in almost any matter.

Martin
Québec City

[Anonymous]

Sometimes shop the net for specials that i need quickly and when my LHS doesn't have. Always hate to key in that cr card #, never know who might be snooping the net. Normally prefer to browse and buy in the LHS; they know me and will give how-to advice, and usually have what i need in stock or will make an effort to get it. And their prices are good too. Can hold the item in my hand and judge it's potential far better than a lo-res photo on the screen.

Big plus - they stock Z Scale too. They are located in Addison, TX. Anyone from the Dallas area will know which LHS i'm talking about.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes shop the net for specials that i need quickly and when my LHS doesn't have. Always hate to key in that cr card #, never know who might be snooping the net. Normally prefer to browse and buy in the LHS; they know me and will give how-to advice, and usually have what i need in stock or will make an effort to get it. And their prices are good too. Can hold the item in my hand and judge it's potential far better than a lo-res photo on the screen.

Big plus - they stock Z Scale too. They are located in Addison, TX. Anyone from the Dallas area will know which LHS i'm talking about.

[Anonymous]

I live within a reasonable driving distance from a couple of local hobby shops. Only one of these would i consider buying from on a regular basis due there slightly lower costs and greater selection. Still, in the last few years have been forced to buy from .com websites due to their low costs. I like most people am very limited on budget (being a recent college graduate). I don't want to see all the local hobby shops disappear but it's tough to justify paying a premium for each and every item I purchase when the differences are so extreme. One must be careful however, when purchasing from .coms. I have had very troubling experiences with several of these online dealers. By this I mean I didn't get all the items shipped to me that I was charged for. Then I would get a run around after calling them asking for a credit for these items. It took me months with several of these websites before I got my credit. I can highly recommend these two websites as I've had no problems with them whatsoever: < www.toytrainheaven.com > and < www.1stplacehobbies.com >. On top of all this they are virtually always the low price leaders!

[Anonymous]

I live within a reasonable driving distance from a couple of local hobby shops. Only one of these would i consider buying from on a regular basis due there slightly lower costs and greater selection. Still, in the last few years have been forced to buy from .com websites due to their low costs. I like most people am very limited on budget (being a recent college graduate). I don't want to see all the local hobby shops disappear but it's tough to justify paying a premium for each and every item I purchase when the differences are so extreme. One must be careful however, when purchasing from .coms. I have had very troubling experiences with several of these online dealers. By this I mean I didn't get all the items shipped to me that I was charged for. Then I would get a run around after calling them asking for a credit for these items. It took me months with several of these websites before I got my credit. I can highly recommend these two websites as I've had no problems with them whatsoever: < www.toytrainheaven.com > and < www.1stplacehobbies.com >. On top of all this they are virtually always the low price leaders!

[NscaleMike]

I like to spread my few $$ around on both Ebay and my not so local hobby shop (35 miles from my home). I have been shopping on Ebay for about 4 yrs..there are certain sellers that I have returned to over the past years, they are reliable, shipping costs are reasonable, and excellant customer service...much like my LHS. My LHS is well stocked for Nscale..which is the only scale they sell in model trains.

[NscaleMike]

I like to spread my few $$ around on both Ebay and my not so local hobby shop (35 miles from my home). I have been shopping on Ebay for about 4 yrs..there are certain sellers that I have returned to over the past years, they are reliable, shipping costs are reasonable, and excellant customer service...much like my LHS. My LHS is well stocked for Nscale..which is the only scale they sell in model trains.

[h42man]

The small town (less than 75000 pop) that I live in has had great LHS in the past, but
never had the sales to support staying open for very long. When we have a train show in town, there is always a huge number of people attending and I assume they are for the most part, Buyers. I do have a great hobby shop within 80 miles and I try to support them although their prices are not as good as online or mail order. I have purchased online when items are not available locally or with gift certificates from family members.
h42man

[h42man]

The small town (less than 75000 pop) that I live in has had great LHS in the past, but
never had the sales to support staying open for very long. When we have a train show in town, there is always a huge number of people attending and I assume they are for the most part, Buyers. I do have a great hobby shop within 80 miles and I try to support them although their prices are not as good as online or mail order. I have purchased online when items are not available locally or with gift certificates from family members.
h42man

[Anonymous]

My only problems with train shows are they tend to charge too much for used stuff. I have seen countless AHM, Lionel, and Tyco stuff go for 2X or 3X times it's true value. An example is and woman and 12 year old boy being sold an AHM rs3 by a man at a train sale. "this is a collectors item because it hasn't been made for 30 years. It's worth $100, but I'll let you have it for $50. It's a good investment mam, it's a classic and an antique. The only reason I'm letting you have it this cheap is we are closing in an hour and I want your son to have it to start his collecton." Child with her say "Please mom? " He even had the gall to charge sales tax! Some of you may say "it's a free market and he should get all he can". I disagree, he told several lies to hustle the sale. This hurts the reputation of train shows and our hobby as a whole.

Another note is my local hobby shop guy will generally match most "sale prices" from Terminal Hobbies or other printed specials. If not he will ususally at least give you a discount. But you need to be polite about it. I don't even ask most of the time because he does a lot for me in free info and used equipment at great prices that I feel ashamed to beat him up over a few bucks on a $70 locomotive.

[Anonymous]

My only problems with train shows are they tend to charge too much for used stuff. I have seen countless AHM, Lionel, and Tyco stuff go for 2X or 3X times it's true value. An example is and woman and 12 year old boy being sold an AHM rs3 by a man at a train sale. "this is a collectors item because it hasn't been made for 30 years. It's worth $100, but I'll let you have it for $50. It's a good investment mam, it's a classic and an antique. The only reason I'm letting you have it this cheap is we are closing in an hour and I want your son to have it to start his collecton." Child with her say "Please mom? " He even had the gall to charge sales tax! Some of you may say "it's a free market and he should get all he can". I disagree, he told several lies to hustle the sale. This hurts the reputation of train shows and our hobby as a whole.

Another note is my local hobby shop guy will generally match most "sale prices" from Terminal Hobbies or other printed specials. If not he will ususally at least give you a discount. But you need to be polite about it. I don't even ask most of the time because he does a lot for me in free info and used equipment at great prices that I feel ashamed to beat him up over a few bucks on a $70 locomotive.

[Anonymous]

I've yet to buy anything on line, but I am seriously considering it. I always check the shipping charges before considering a mail order or on-line purchase. As was noted earlier, often the shipping charges even out the price.

I have priced some locomotives on-line and at the LHS, and most of the time the on line price is lower, but the shipping charge usually brings the price to within 5 dollars of the LHS. When this is the case, I always go to the LHS, because when we shop there, they stay in business.

Sometimes I need a piece of track or a detail item for a project, and I don't want to wait for the on line shop to ship. MAybe I don't plan well enough, but if you support your LHS, they will be there when you need them.

[Anonymous]

I've yet to buy anything on line, but I am seriously considering it. I always check the shipping charges before considering a mail order or on-line purchase. As was noted earlier, often the shipping charges even out the price.

I have priced some locomotives on-line and at the LHS, and most of the time the on line price is lower, but the shipping charge usually brings the price to within 5 dollars of the LHS. When this is the case, I always go to the LHS, because when we shop there, they stay in business.

Sometimes I need a piece of track or a detail item for a project, and I don't want to wait for the on line shop to ship. MAybe I don't plan well enough, but if you support your LHS, they will be there when you need them.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the supporters of the LHS, and with flee307's comments...due to being in a low population area, we don't have a full-line LHS around here, but there are some within 100 miles.
Train shows are pretty good sources too, [ I may be prejudiced due to my participation in several train shows a year ].
regards / Mike