de N2MPU Jack
Proud NRA Life Member and supporter of the 2nd. Amendment
God, guns, and rock and roll!
Modeling the NYC/NYNH&H in HO and CPRail/D&H in N
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
If you're going to order over the internet or over the phone, the first choice of mine is Trainworld, followed by M.B. Klein and Hobbiesusa.com. Trainworld has about the lowest prices and they're exceptionally fast. Just make sure you have all the information on hand before you call.
Dick
Texas Chief
Walthers has an on-line order department called Terminal Hobby Shop from which all direct orders to individuals are shipped, and I believe it is a real shop that you can visit if you're ever in Milwaukee.
I have had to order from them a couple of times because they had items that no other on-line or local dealers could get. You will suffer the same delays from Terminal Hobby Shop that you would through a local dealer if the items are not in stock or are on back-order, but if they do have them shipment is about as quick as any other mail order source.
jackn2mpu wrote:Has anyone here ordered directly from Walthers without going through their local train/hobby shop, or even specifying a local shop?
jackn2mpu wrote:Thanks to all that took time out from their Turkey day to respond. For me, it's not so much about price (although I'm not as rich as Croesus), but about having what I want without having to play games getting the stuff. I doubt many shops have on hand what they advertise as carrying and end up ordering from Walthers or Horizon anyways. Why have another link in the chain that can break?
cacole wrote:Walthers has an on-line order department called Terminal Hobby Shop from which all direct orders to individuals are shipped, and I believe it is a real shop that you can visit if you're ever in Milwaukee.
I understand from a friend who has been there that Terminal Hobby Shop is not like most hobby shops. They have next to nothing out on display. You simply walk up to the counter, ask for what you want, and they go back into the warehouse and get it for you. My friend was quite disappointed.
Morning all,
You might want to try www.discounttrainsonline.com . I have bought from them on several occassions, and they have great discounts. I also buy from Walthers and Trainworld. All have excellent service and fast affordiable shipping.
Neal
I was surprised to see that DK&B is closed. I got some good buys there. I am fortunate to have 3 LHS within a short drive from my home. One you might try is Model Rail Craft, which is located in Little Silver. Jeff Carhart the owner is very helpful and beats Walther’s prices. I call in my order and pick it up at the shop. It will still be a long ride from Trenton but you can deal with him on the web site. Here is the web site:
http://modelrailcraft.com/
Doc
I direct-order from Walthers and am on the mailing list for their monthly sale flier. When ordering by phone, the op can verify whether or not the things I want are in stock, and they are very courteous and very prompt in shipping orders. Count me as a happy Walthers customer.
Incidentally, the Terminal Hobby Shop (Walthers) was one of the first advertisers when Al Kalmbach started publishing Model Railroader, a couple of years before I was born.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I've ordered both directly from Walther's and used their option to order through a specific hobby shop. As someone else mentioned you will pay full price through Walther's unless there is a sale. They don't want to compete with their customers. If you get the Walther's monthly sale catalog there is a code number on the back that will get you free shipping on orders over $100.00.
The Walther's hobby shop option does not necessarily mean ordering through a local HS. It just gives you the option of using a hobby shop that is one of their vendors.
Personally I prefer using Coryville Station: http://www.coryvillestation.com/ They've always been very reliable with fast communication and shipping and usually some of the best prices around. They also have an outstanding vendor area at the better train shows.
Just one man's opinion.
FritzvB