I haven’t been very active with my layout lately. Today I was actually doing some work (rewiring - grrr) and needed something from my LTS. Drove there and…IT WAS GONE!
An Affair With Trains on Bethany Home Road in Phoenix is now a vacant storefront. I guess I should have been more active in the hobby. The next nearest LHS has a train area, but no one who really knows (or cares) about the hobby; and the only sales clerk in the area is uaually helping someone with RC cars or something.
You never realize how much you depend on something until it is gone.
Thanks to all of those who helped me at AAWT ovfer the years. Good luck.
I haven’t been to An Affair With Trains since they moved. During my last visit to the old location, there were signs all over the place that read, “Absolutely NO REFUNDS!” and everything was at or above MSRP.
At their new location they combined with another hobby shop according to their e-mail newsletter. I haven’t found it worth the time and expense to drive 4 hours one way and pay full MSRP for something I can find elsewhere.
They have moved and the store is as it was…maybe just a teeny bit smaller but not much. They seem to have good stock on all of the normal items, like flex track, sectional track, couplers, trucks, paints, etc. Lots of good sales on cars… several box cars I bought discounted to 1/2 off…nice! They always have sales for the weekend. My only complaint is they said they are not stocking DCC anymore as they found most people wanted to customize the loco too much… maybe happy with the loco but not the sound…etc. I was happy with what they stocked… so I have no complaints, they are actually closer to me and I seem to be there every weekend. I would give them a try
I’ve been to the new location once, within the last 2 months. It’s just across from the Deer Valley Airport. With the 101 this is a more convenient location for me. You have to look carefully for the sign in the window. The inside is not as appealing, high ceiling, industrial fans I found to be noisy and distracting but I’d say the sq is slightly bigger.
I subscribe to their newsletter. It’s weekly, high lights what just arrived and deals they have. It’s short, 2 pages, nothing fancy.
Before it changed ownership a few years back I did a fair amount of business with the old owner. He marked everything at a 10% discount–the new owner cancelled that and if I am going to pay retail I’ll drive over to Mesa to Roys.
I probably didn’t go into An Affair With Trains a dozen times after it changed owners and I haven’t been up to his new location . . . . . . . . . . and since I would have to purchase two meals and stop for a fill up to get there and back there is a good possiblilty I won’t.
Being a 25+ year customer of Affair With Trains may I add my 2 cents.
Was just over there yesterday hoping for a few small parts,they did not have them one being a cal scale front mount bell the other being a package of tomar track sliders,All the owner said was their kinda scarce ,When Paul Goshe owned the store he would get out his customer order sheet and mark down what you wanted and the order was placed when there were enough items to warrant placing a order. have to say the new owner/owners just seem not overly concerned as to their customers needs. along with their no return no refund policy which posted or not I believe to be illegal Think from now on will be looking online.
Another point being when i was in there awhile back there was a small box of MV lenses and needing several but not knowing the exact stock number went home found the number and called telling him I’d buy all of that number he had if he’d be so kind as to look in the box and see if there were any,after 3 weeks went down there with a friend who had as yet to check out the new location and remembering the number looked thru the box and found about a half doz. guess he counldn’t be bothered to take a look for a customer.
I buy quite a bit from the store both at the old location and now at the new. At the Bethany location, they were a 35 minute one-way trip on I-17 in light traffic. Now they are 10 minutes in heavy traffic. Admittedly, both the boys are not the most engaging sort but with time they do recognize you and warm up. I have asked them about parts, and they do have a lot of late era diesel parts, and they have brought them in.
I also experienced no real help with Tomar lenses just like the other poster. But on the other hand, Bruce has come out from behind the counter to help me search for windshield wipers. They are very open about ordering directly from Walthers if what I want does not fit their mix. I appreciate the candor.
Price wise I agree they are retail but they do pass on all the Walther sales prices. Tgey also buy inventories of stores going out of business and do have really low prices on items - BLI Cal Zephyr cars for $40!
James who works on Sundays I find to be the most helpful. He rocks and is humorous too!
all I know is its the closest store to me… short of Hobby Lobby… the new Hobby Lobby on Tatum and Cactus has the woodland scenics weed material which is cool and some very cool trackside detail like signals … not a huge selection but something worth seeing.
James who works on Sundays I find to be the most helpful. He rocks and is humorous too!
all I know is its the closest store to me… short of Hobby Lobby… the new Hobby Lobby on Tatum and Cactus has the woodland scenics weed material which is cool and some very cool trackside detail like signals … not a huge selection but something worth seeing.
Never been there. I was under the assumption they were mostly large scale (As I am in HO). Maybe I’ve been avoiding them unnecessarily. Anyway, I do most of my local shopping at Roy’s, as that is the closest to me.
