Can any one recommend a good online store that has decent customer service,selection and shipping. I have looked at quite a few sites, but not sure which one to use. So I was hoping that I could find one from your experiences. :)
Thanks
Les
I use Trainworld, most of the time. I have NEVER had a bad experience with them. It does depend on what you are purchasing though, as to the TYPE of store you use. I have only used them to purchase my motive power, and a few accessories.
Lescar - I have used the following on-line retailers with no problems at all:
http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/ (http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/)
http://www.toytrainheaven.com/ (http://www.toytrainheaven.com/)
http://valleymodeltrains.com/catalog/ (http://valleymodeltrains.com/catalog/)
Of course the Walthers website is a good one as well. If you are interested in hobby-appropriate tools then Micro Mark is a good place to start (be sure to get on their free catalog mailing list). Micro Mark's website is http://www.micromark.com/ (http://www.micromark.com/) and their service is outstanding. Keep in mind that all these retailers will charge you shipping and handling...sometimes that can be more than the price of the items itself - so use discretion when ordering. I usually wait until I have a substantial order and then proceed.
Ray
I use ModelTrainStuff.com. They are quick, their prices are amazing and they have great service.
Thanks everyone, I haven't bought anything yet. Still in the designing stages, so far it's going to be a 4' X 8' HO DCC layout with a Union Pacific theme.
Thanks
Les
I use caboose hobbies also.
http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/index.php
Litchfield Station is who I get my DCC stuff from. Very good service and free shipping over $75.00.
I just saw a message in another forum from a person who lives in Belgium, Europe. He ordered a tsunami decoder online the 8th of Jan and it arrived in his mailbox the 15th.
They answer email also.
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/index.htm
lex
i noticed train world is advertising the new bachmann gp7 for 49.99
http://stores.ebay.com/THE-FAVORITE-SPOT (http://stores.ebay.com/THE-FAVORITE-SPOT) is one of the best e-bay stores. Carry all gauges and great for On30 items.
Great prices, good shipping, Auth. Bachmann retailer
I use the Ebay "The Favorite Spot" also. It is the best.
Be sure to do your buying in batches of 5 units that way shipping is only 12 to 15 dollars for the lot.
modeltrainstuff.com is the best for me. Their prices are amazing, and they ship pretty fast. It only took about 4 days to ship 2 Athearn engines from their store to his house, in Michigan. Their prices are the best I've ever seen so far.
Quote from: GCTTowerA on January 16, 2010, 10:47:13 AM
I use ModelTrainStuff.com. They are quick, their prices are amazing and they have great service.
I have tried a number of on line stores and prefer
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/
I always check their site before buying anywhere else.
If considering ebay, I recommend the Favorite Spot.
The majority of the Bachmann engines I have I've gotten from The Favorite Spot on EBay because they've had consistently great prices and great service. I did get my Bachman Berks from Peach Creek Shops which is where I get my steel mill related buildings and hard to find steel industry equipment. For everything else I use Model Train Stuff. I've been buying from Model Train Stuff since the mid seventies when I used to visit their store on a regular basis. They have a live inventory on their website, so if you see it in stock and put it in your cart, you'll get it without ever having to give backorders a thought.
There are several other places that get high praise from friends of mine but the three I mention are the ones I've ordered from frequently enough to know for sure that they have excellent service and prices. I don't think any one place has everything you'll need for a layout when you need it, though, but Model Train Stuff comes close and will order just about anything you can think of.
Regards
Quote from: ABC on January 16, 2010, 04:42:21 PM
If considering ebay, I recommend the Favorite Spot.
Favorite Spot is a great e-Bay place for Bachmann items and a limited number of Rivarossi items. Great service and fast shipping.
Just do not get carried away with the bidding. Have seen a lot of instances where people were actually bidding over the "Buy Me Now" prices.
pricewise modeltrainstuff is tough to beat.
A bit flakey when it comes to notifying me about when my order ships.
I lost count of how many times they emailed me to notify me that the order has just shipped even though the package arrived the day before! ;D
i also like trainsets only, they are usually competitive in prices and have monthly specials plus they are close to me so shipping is quick, if i order on a Monday i normally have the package by Wednesday. this outfit is in the chicago area.
http://www.trainsetsonly.com/
I have used Horizons site a Few times. Great Service :). Never had a problem or hassle with them :) but that comes With a Price >:(.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/
BUT--I only do business with them as a last resort, like when no one else has what i am looking for.
Expect to shell out full M$RP, they RARELY if ever offer any price break or discount on model RR goods >:(.
Except for the full M$RP part,,they ARE a good outfit to do business with :)
Dan's Train Depot is also a good e-bay dealer. He gives as much info on the item thats up for bidding as he can. He gives a surplus amunt of information. His prices are also really good too. Pretty much everything starts bidding at about 10 dolars. He has a good variety too.
Also, sorry if my typing is a little off. I just got back from the 3 Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin concert at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, so I'm tired. ;)
I've used several, usually based on pricing at the time I'm buying -
www.walthers.com (good sales sometimes and free shipping on orders over $150)
www.tonystrains.com (DCC systems and decoders)
www.trainworld.com (good prices)
I haven't bought from the ebay sites listed, but will add them to my list of vendors I check. I also do product searches (usually on the walthers part number because so many hobby stores use the walthers numbers) on google - every once in a while I'll come across a really good deal at a local hobby shop somewhere.
Haven't had bad service from any of these, so far (knock on wood).
I have been well satisfied with Discount Trains on line for a lot of stuff.
I prefer Blue Ridge Hobbies in Greenville SC, great prices and selection,they ship quick contact at www.blueridgehobbies.com....love this store. Frank is knowlegable and customer friendly give them a try.....steamchugger
Quote from: GCTTowerA on January 16, 2010, 10:47:13 AM
I use ModelTrainStuff.com. They are quick, their prices are amazing and they have great service.
Same here
I have used Walthers and trainworld but because I live 20 Minutes from Trainworlds Brooklyn, NY I usually just drive there
I agree with Steamchugger about Blue Ridge Hobbies. I have purchased items from them on many occasions and their selection and prices are hard to beat.
One thing that I really liked about Blue Ridge Hobbies was when I had to return one item (a turnout...they had the pictures switched, so I had ordered the wrong one), I called them and they handled it very nicely.
I also like Hobbylinc a lot...for all kinds of things that are train and model-related...paints, modeling tools, parts like couplers, etc. You should check out their site. I have ordered from them more than any other site. They don't carry Athearn products, but they do carry pretty much everyone else. If Hobbylinc is out of a product, you can have them automatically notify you via e-mail when it is back in stock.
One other place that you might want to check out is Amazon.com. I think that the best of their stores is My Atomic.