I was wondering where you buy your trains. Please tell why you do or don't like your supplier.
i buy from ebay or hi way hobbies. I love hi way hobbies because they test every loco and help with probems.
I buy primarily from Caboose Hobbies in Denver. They have a huge store, and have been in business for 70 years.
http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/index_home.php
Other sources may be cheaper, but you get what you pay for.
Factory Direct Trains....great prices / outstanding service
Micro-mark.... Good selection / great prices
Broadway Limited Imports....Quality products /outstanding Service
Affair with Trains Phx Az.....great selection / knowledge
Litchfield Station Phx Az.....outstanding selection / most knowledge in the
lower 48 on DCC
Ebay....worlds largest selection / must be watchful for less than truthful sellers, but most are honest if not overly knowledgeble folk. ;D
I have purchased from all except the New site. Put these in your Favorites Folder and compare products when ordering. All have worked very well for me. When you order anything, make sure you indicate one box and email you if any products on back order. Some will charge for two boxes with only one order, i.e., more shipping charges.
http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/index.php Have ordered over phone
http://www.cchobbies.com/
http://www.labellemodels.com/
http://www.micromark.com/freecat/mmfreecat.html
http://www.peachcreekshops.com/
http://www.rivercityrailroad.com/
http://www.tonystrains.com/
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/
http://www.yeoldehuffnpuff.com/HobbyShop.HTM
http://www.bittercreekmodels.com/ New site
http://yardbirdtrains.com/index.htm
http://www.kitbashdepot.com/catalog/default.php
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/lobby/index.htm Free shipping over $50.00.
Ebay. The Favorite Spot.
Rich
My primary sources are Trainworld, St Aubins Stn.,Wholesale Hobbies ,Caboose Hobbies, Micro Mark, IHC, .I am in Canada and these hobby stores have good pricing and excellent service which means a lot when the shipment has to cross ther border.
Don
I found some very nice deals on
www.wholesaletrains.com (http://www.wholesaletrains.com)
When researching sources, read the small print. "Usually ships in 2 or 3 business days". When they say "in stock", that means that their distributor supposedly has it in stock. You place the order, then next week you get a notice that it is backordered. Ask them if they can actually walk out and put their hands on the item.
If you have to click through 3 pages to find their toll-free number, but they request you not use it, that means a staff of one or two people, and they don't want to talk to anyone. I like to see that number prominently displayed on the opening page.
Ask them what happens if the item comes in defective, do they take it back for exchange or refund? Most require you to send it to the factory. What if you just change you mind after receiving it or you don't like the item? Will they take it back?
Do they sell trains only, or as a sideline to their airplanes, cars, boats, latch hook rugs and other stuff?
You have to ask what is more important to you, complete satisfaction during and after the sale, or just the cheapest price.
Quote from: Metallus2000 on June 12, 2008, 11:02:46 AM
I found some very nice deals on
www.wholesaletrains.com (http://www.wholesaletrains.com)
With you on that one, it's in my favorites! But I found even better.
http://www.trainworld.com/ For HO bachmann, a 120.00 trainset is only 90.00!
I perferr to give my money to the local stores, even if it does cost a little more. But if I mail order, I always make sure it's in stock. I won't backorder.
Bruce
Since I am a long way from any train stores, I do most by mail/phone. Large Scale--St.Aubin's Las Vegas, Train World.
On3--Coronado, Caboose, or direct from manufacturer if necessary.
HO--I have a dealer that can order for me on special items, otherwiseCaboose, or TrainShop in Santa Clara or Bruce's in Sacramento. gj
Quote...or Bruce's in Sacramento.
that place is BIG!!
Quote from: az2rail on June 12, 2008, 09:18:58 PM
I perferr to give my money to the local stores, even if it does cost a little more. But if I mail order, I always make sure it's in stock. I won't backorder.
Bruce
I would also prefer to support the LHS.
However, I can get the same item from an on line Vendor for less that 1/2 of what it would cost locally. If I shop e-bay which I do on occasion, I usually pay about 1/3 of what it would cost locally.
The LHS used to be about 1/4 model railroading equipment, it is now only about 1/2 of what it used to be. I am not surprised with those prices.
When I first considered trains, I tried to buy from a LHS (150 miles away). Everything was full retail price or more. I know they can't compete with the internet sources, but even with a 10% discount, I would have bought from them.
I buy a lot from discount sources like Caboose Hobbies, my favorite. The personalized service is worth a lot to me.
I guess I am lucky. I have five train shops with-in 15 miles of me that only sell trains. Between them they pretty much cover all the scales. I don't alway get a good deal, compared to mail order houses and e-bay. But my needs are small, and if I pay more for one thing, I save that on the items I do mail order. I have also learned that if I am willing to wait, it will show up at a train show.
Also, I don't preorder or special order. If my local store has what I want, I will buy it, but if they don't have it and another store does, [mail order/e-bay] I will will buy theirs.
But, that is for me. I know that not every one is near a train store, and with gas as it is, mail order and e-bay is looking better and better.
Bruce
Since I have no local hobby shops, I buy mainly from Feather River Train Shop, but also buy from Wig-Wag Trains and Brooklyn Locomotive Works. Get excellent prices and top service from all three.
URL's are: http://www.featherrivertrains.com/
http://www.buynscale.com/
http://www.wig-wag-trains.com/
Has anyone had problems with Ebay?
E-bay depends on the SELLER.
E-bay is only a portal for buying/selling.
I'm on e-bay as a buyer and seller.
Quote from: Dr EMD on June 19, 2008, 09:39:10 PM
E-bay depends on the SELLER.
E-bay is only a portal for buying/selling.
I'm on e-bay as a buyer and seller.
Really? Can I have a link to all your products, just intrested.
Bruce's in Sacramento may be big, but Caboose in Denver is HUGE!! Only train store I have ever seen with shopping carts.
Caboose has very good sales people. For years it was Jerry Reid in the brass dept. He remembered a loco I was looking for--I ran into him at a Narrow Gauge Convention in Durango--he recognized me by my nametag and asked if I was still looking for it--which I was. It was at the store in Denver--he called them and told them to ship it to me--it was on my desk when I got back to work. Jerry has retired and now operates as "Switch Stand Models in Virginia--and I currently have locos ordered with him. gj
Know anybody who sells Tichy Train Group products at a discount? That and/or Creative Model Products?
Gene
Quote from: SteamGene on June 20, 2008, 09:05:01 PM
Know anybody who sells Tichy Train Group products at a discount? That and/or Creative Model Products?
Gene
http://www.kitbashdepot.com/catalog/default.php
I bought the 22 foot ore car 6 pack for $60.00. Tichy charges $75.00
I could not find Creative Model Products in a search.
I did find this while searching. I will give you the search results and you can choose.
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu7gdb1xI7egAs0pXNyoA?p=Creative+Model++associates&y=Search&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8
Rich
Thanks, Rich. Just what I need. Now, do I get the boom car for my Big Hook, or just get a flat car and use it as an idler for Big Hook, or do I get both, and do I get the cemet car rebuild from USRA box car? <g>
Creative Model Associates is apparently a subsidiary of TTG. It mostly sells track side detail parts - milk cans, block ice, pallets, burlap sacks, etc.
Gene
For those who do not have the Kaydee coupler height gauge - look on the Kitbash Depot website. They go there for either $4.95 or $6.95. Good price.
Gene
I just found a great deal on M. B. Klein. www.modeltrainstuff.com ;D
They are temporarally selling Bachmann Spectrum 3 truck shays for only 119.99. I also saw bachmann shays with sound and DCC for only 249.99.
I would say that $130 more for DCC sound is a bit steep.
Gene
Micro Mark still has the Shay with DCC/sound for $208.50.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Department&ID=158&Offset=30
Rich
Quote from: SteamGene on June 23, 2008, 07:29:51 PM
I would say that $130 more for DCC sound is a bit steep.
Gene
The usual retail is $100 more.
Quote from: richG on June 23, 2008, 07:54:05 PM
Micro Mark still has the Shay with DCC/sound for $208.50.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Department&ID=158&Offset=30
Rich
There add claims they sell bachmann three truck shays w/o sound and DCC for $94.95, but they choose the roadname. (Not an option for me)
Gene...
Micro-Mark carries TTG stuff.
They have the crane/boom car combo for 33 bucks.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83483 (http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83483)
Similar pricing on the 22 foot ore cars....60 bucks for a 6 pack.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=84183 (http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=84183)
Sid
Thanks, Bears. I found the flat car I was looking for. No need for ore cars. We transport coal! :D
Gene