Wanted to get the opinion of the communitity. I have looked at an N&W, J 606 or 602 ? Broadway limited Paragon series , sound and DCC at a LHS that is listed fo r$300. I believe I can get a bit more off. Here is the question I have seen some listed on e-bay, different nuimber that are listed for a bit less. But then there is shipping etc… Question do you think I can get a better deal online vs the LHS ?
Always support your local shop if you can. I can usually talk to the manager of mine and get very reasonable discounts. Talk to whoever is in charge and see what discounts would apply. Look at this way. If you don’t support your local shop who will support your hobby when he closes? Do you want to pay $3.99 for a bottle of paint and $7.00 shipping?
Pete
Yeah, you can probably get a better deal online.
Now, go over to your local shop and buy it there.
That’s my opinion, anyway.
Ed
Also you will be able to test run this unit at your LHS and be sure its running as it should…and $300 is a fair price for a BLI J.
If you can find one offered by a seller who does not charge excessively for shipping then you might save a few bucks. However, eventually you might have to do without the pleasure of having a LHS at all if you don’t give them your business when it is reasonable to do so. If they are willing to negotiate then that is even better. Also there is the question of who do you go to if the loco doesn’t work properly?
I no longer have the pleasure of a LHS. The one in Aurora closed a few years ago. Laura was very nice to deal with and they made me aware of deals when they had them. The closest one now is more than 50k (30 miles) and the trip involves either the use of an expensive toll road or crazy traffic. They rarely discount anything so I don’t feel that much loyalty to them. Their shipping costs are greater than the cost to drive there and back. I only visit them if I am in the area for another reason. If their prices were a little more reasonable I would definately do much more business with them.
It is your choice! Sorry, I am not trying to lecture.[:)]
Dave
I am not bad mouth BLI, but I have had a lot of Lack Quality issues with them. In fact, 2 of them where the older Class J’s, stranded Paragon engines. I bought mine from my LHS K-10 Model Trains. When the first one failed, I took it back to K-10 and got a fresh one. It was that simple.
I bought one BLI on line that was bad when I got it, Seller told me I had to send it to BLI for he repairs, he would not do a exchange. [banghead]
So I waited 6 weeks for a repair on a engine that took me 3 weeks to save for?
Support your LHS unless you can save 20% on the cost.
Cuda Ken
Last week, I needed some Woodland Scenics foam, so I called my LHS. They didn’t have any on hand, so they’d have to order it. They are an hour away, but I have a relationship with them that allows me to call them, and order from them, and they mail it to me. I could have ordered it online and 1) probably gotten it sooner, and 2) at a slightly lower price with S&H factored in. But, when I consider the alternative; losing another really good brick and mortar store, it’s worth it to me.
I think, respectfully, that the OP is looking for a bargain, and not about opinions as to whether one should support on line retail or a local hobby shop. That discussion is apparently irrelevant to him.
You can sometimes find ‘buy it now’ bargains on ebay where, with shipping thrown in, it is cheaper than buying at a local supplier. If the OP’s criterion is to save a few bucks, yes, spend time at your computer.
Crandell
First thanks to all for your comments. Crandell, actually they were answering an unspoken question. I tend to buy from the LHS and once in a blue moon buy on line. Yes I am looking for a deal as most any one is. However on an item that cost this much I was trying to way the potential savings from an online purchase vs the LHS . If it was a great deal of money in savings then I would consider the on line purchase. If not much savings then I would stick with the LHS.It seems to me that there is less hassle buying from the LHS??
yougottawanta,
Based on how you asked your original question, and the replys and comments you received, I have a question - one you need not answer if you don’t want to - but maybe something for all to think about. Well actually maybe a few questions:
What do you do for a living? How would you like it if your boss asked you this morning if you would work for less today?
Businesses offer products for sale at various prices for various reasons, but the primary reason is to make a profit. Few businesses actually try to over charge based on what their cost for the item is and what their operating expenses are, and what a reasonable profit is.
That said, some businesses can buy at better prices than others - B
Based on how you asked your original question, and the replys and comments you received, I have a question - one you need not answer if you don’t want to - but maybe something for all to think about. Well actually maybe a few questions:
Where I come from, the price of houses, cars and items at yard sales are places to negotiate - everywhere else you respect what shop keepers ask - buy or not if you think the price is fair.
Crandel
I will answer your questions. Again thanks for the comments and different perspective. I do not take offense and will not insult you for stating your opinion. With that said. If I did not want others opinions I would not have asked and therefore as long as every one is respectful I would not have a right to get insulted. I find it very interesting that you all do not haggle (as we call it around here) over the price in your area. If you have not guessed, I am from the Roanoke, Va area where part of haggling is part of the purchase. Some people even get insulted if you do not" negotaite" to use your term, for many people it is a matter of pride how well you “negotiate”. To answer your question on wages unfortunately that has happened. I work in Construction. Our wages are based on how much work is out there. When work is slim buisnesses offer lower wages and when thing are good workers expect and get more. Some have walked across the road for 50 cents an hour more. If you havent heard the construction industry has been in the gutter over the last two years. I have gone from making 100k a year to at one point to 30k a year , and glad to have it. I am still working below what some one at my skill level should be making. But I am working which I cannot say for many. I know some guys who have not hit a lick in two years. In fact when this all started there was a builder a week going under. And I am not talking about Mom and Pops operation. I mean major companies with 300 people plus .Anyway I stray from the subject. To answer your questi
[quote user=“yougottawanta”]
Based on how you asked your original question, and the replys and comments you received, I have a question - one you need not answer if you don’t want to - but maybe something for all to think about. Well actually maybe a few questions:
Where I come from, the price of houses, cars and items at yard sales are places to negotiate - everywhere else you respect what shop keepers ask - buy or not if you think the price is fair.
Crandel
I will answer your questions. Again thanks for the comments and different perspective. I do not take offense and will not insult you for stating your opinion. With that said. If I did not want others opinions I would not have asked and therefore as long as every one is respectful I would not have a right to get insulted. I find it very interesting that you all do not haggle (as we call it around here) over the price in your area. If you have not guessed, I am from the Roanoke, Va area where part of haggling is part of the purchase. Some people even get insulted if you do not" negotaite" to use your term, for many people it is a matter of pride how well you “negotiate”. To answer your question on wages unfortunately that has happened. I work in Construction. Our wages are based on how much work is out there. When work is slim buisnesses offer lower wages and when thing are good workers expect and get more. Some have walked across the road for 50 cents an hour more. If you havent heard the construction industry has been in the gutter over the last two years. I have gone from making 100k a year to at one point to 30k a year , and glad to have it. I am still working below what some one at my skill level should be making. But I am working which I cannot say for many. I know some guys who have not hit a lick in two years. In fact when this all started there was a builder a week going under. And I am not talking about Mom and Pops operation. I mean major companies with 300 people plus .Anyway I stray fr
Excuse me I stand corrected Sheldon.
I am glad to hear that you are busy. The good people even in a down turn can obtain work at various wages. There are several comments that are disrespectful I hope that they were not intended that way. The term McMansion is a term used to show contempt and disrespect for those that build and purchase that type of home. It implies low class people purchasing into a neighborhood of class and old money. I will assume that you did not realize the true meaning and overlook the comment. As far as my credentials that you questioned. From the time I was old enough to carry a hammer my father took me with him in the summers to help him on side jobs . We built additions, finished basements, decks , remodeled and built homes. During shool I majored in the building program offered in High School . After High shool I went into the work force and entered the carpenter apprentice program offered thru the builder and the industry community called the “ABC association” (Associated Builder and Contractors ) While in the four year program I won top honors my second year and finished the fourth year and recieved the top honors for the program for those for years. From there I started a family , continued to work full time, work “side jobs” ie remodeling handi man and went to college at night. Eventually I recieved a degree in Construction Management finishing near the top of my class. While obtaining education at night I worked for several of the top commercail contractors building base buildings, tenate build out , schools, hospitals etc… then into remodeling with two of the east cost award winning remodeling outfits and finally with one of the areas bestr developer/Residential builders. For whom I have Managed , supervised and when necassary gotten in the trenches to build very high end , qaulity communities. I have built several projects in Tysons corner, Alexandria , Single family homes in McLean. We buy the land, develop the land, des
Yougottawanta,
Thank you for answering my question, I was not questioning your skills or experiance, but was curious as your original post did not even imply that you were a contractor, developer or project manager. Obviously you are and no doubt, when business is busy, your income is inline with your skills, experiance and business risk.
As for “McMansions”, my use of the term has nothing to do with who buys or builds them, other than the fact that I consider most current trendy upscale housing to be of only marginal architectural beauty. No offense to you personally, I just think most of it lacks any real style. And, in many cases they are just “bigger” houses built with the same “average” materials widely in use today - everywhere, with just more features and a few “upscale materials” like granite counters. And if that is what some people want - good for them. And if you have made a lot of money building them - good for you.
I don’t know you, I’ve never seen one of your houses. I would not judge it or you until I had such information. But you implied the “big upscale subdivision” thing, something I have little interest in. I would not choose the live in such a place. But I’ve seen a lot of them as I spent 10 years doing home inspections and a few doing home warranty arbitrations.
Our homes value is actually right in line with the numbers you quoted before. At the height of the “run up”, it was valued at $1.2M, one acre, 6 car garage, 30x50 pool and pool house, 3800 sq ft fully restored and mechanically updated 1901 Queen Anne with 5 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, original and new custom built ins, 1000 sq ft porch, 400 sq ft awning covered rear deck, gazebo and hot tub. In this current soft market - $675,000 to $750,000. Which is actually a more realistic price in my mind.
As an old house person, I have little use for vinyl siding, hollow MDF prehung doors, vinyl windows, and a long list of other “cost effective” products used to trim out most houses today
I think i will give my LHS more business,he is good to me and sometimes you get 20 % on top of the 15% he gives.The mail order i deal with,he is messing a lot up here lately,overcharged me 25.00 dollars,and charging more to use Pay-Pal.The only thing i dont like about the County that the LHS is in is the sales tax.
Sheldon
I guess we will have to agree to disagree on the haggling thing. It is not about price. Its about two people having fun with the purchase. Both sides try to best the other with words , thought, knowledge etc…Both sides know what the market value of the product is. Its lie two old horse traders trying to best the other at the deal. Thanks for the input on the engine.