I am just starting w/ my 1st layout (benchwork, backdrop, and sub-roadbed done. In the process, I made an order for $60 for turnouts and code 83 ME rail joiners (not including $10 shipping) only to see that I need more turnouts! How do you make your orders cost-efficient? Should I buy more items less frequently? The advantage is still spending about $10 for shipping, but get more items in the process.
Writing stuff down does help avoid purchases of excessive and unused items. I know the number of turnouts and structures to purchase. However, minimizing excessive purchases is very difficult for things that are hard to estimate–ground foam, ballast, water, etc…
Some online shops have good prices and offer free shipping if you buy a certain amount. Usually $100+.
I try to save up enough to qualify for free shipping before I place an order.
What I’ve found works for me is planning. I created a “wish list” spreadsheet that is based on my plan, separated by category (locos, rolling stock, structures, etc) with all the necessary data - kit #, supplier, price. Then I scan Walthers site to see if anything on my list is on sale - sometimes you can get good deals right from Walthers. I’ll also compare prices with other suppliers. When I have a reasonable order, I’ll place it with whomever is giving me the best deal. This way I can minimize the shipping costs. Also, if I need some incidentals such as wheelsets, ballast, adhesives, couplers or other building materials, I’ll tack it onto my order so I can avoid tiny orders for these things.
Everything comes back to planning - I avoid impulse buys for something that’s not on my wish list - unless it’s something I just gotta have. It helps keep everything within the context of my plan.
I have a slightly different tack here. There are certain things (Athearn parts for instance) that can only be had from certain sources.When I need these things I pad out the order with items from a need to buy (someday) list. Another instance,needing detail parts and supplies I get from Walthers I pad the order with Accurail or Walthers cars. Because some things have to be obtained from a certain place, I can minimize shipping by padding orders. Also, Walthers ships backorders at no shipping cost, which can save $8-10 each time.
I order 1/2 (let’s say switches) I need,add odds and ends like structures,freight cars,paint etc…My second order will include the remaining switches,rail joiners and flex track…
Try shipping USPS instead of UPS…That can save some on shipping.
I usually wait until I have several items I want and then I add in future items if I can afford them. But I usually end up with extras. It seems to be the nature of the hobby, at least for me, that I accumulate more than I use. I save it figuring that eventually I’ll use it, but I don’t know. I still have Atlas Mark 2 custon line turnouts in their original packaging. Some days I think my real hobby is collecting.
But sometimes something I saved becomes usable I didn’t buy it originally for model railroading, but I have over 200’ of 12 gauge house wiring that I bought but didn’t use 20+ years ago. Now that I’m doing DCC I can use part of it for my power bus.
The nearest hobby shop to me is 80 miles one way, so I have to rely almost entirely on mail order. The first thing I check is a company’s shipping and handling charges. If they are more or equal to the cost of the item I’m looking for, I move along to another vendor or see if there is anything I need and can add to the order to make it worthwhile. Otherwise, I just wait until I do need additiional items and can justify the shipping charges.
Works the same for visits to the local hobby shop. To keep your costs lower, it is best to have larger yet less frequent purchases. Even a trip to my LHS 3 miles away costs over $3 round trip. Of course, the “entertainment factor” of visiting the shop is often worth the $3.
Mark,I would agree with supporting your local shop if it supports you.I can not shop at a shop where the owner won’t cut some slack on a large order…However,the $35-50.00 I save by buying on line is just as good in my pocket…Of course there isn’t any real savings for 2 or 3 cars or 2 packs of couplers etc by the time you add shipping–it may cost more…
Maybe the “entertainment factor” is good in a well stock hobby shop(be very thankful you have one 3 miles away) but,one that has stale products with little new products then the “entertainment factor” is near zero…I say near zero because some times you can see old friends at the shop…
So,until I find a well stock hobby shop that will work with me on large orders…
The e-tailers will continue to get the bulk of my hobby budget.
Seems there is always something needed when modeling. Like other posters have said, make a planning list & a wish list. No hobby shop around here so I have to try to plan & buy ahead to have items available on hand.The upside to this is NO sales tax, this usually saves Me a lot more than the shipping costs. Products are only going to get higher in the future too, so if You can afford to, try to purchase what You think You’ll need later on. I saved a small fortune when I bought a case of Atlas flextrack, CD 83, for 249.00 several months ago, it’s way over 300.00 now. There’s several ways to look at things. It is nice to have what You need when You start a project. R
In California, its citizens are responsible to report on out-of-state purchases and pay directly to the State of California the applicable “sales tax” on such items. So, there are no sales-tax savings buying something from out-of-state. So, in California there is in reality a purchase tax because the purchaser is responsible for the payment. And I was so naive to once believe that sales tax was on the retailer’s sales.
I keep a list of stuff I need. So when I place an order for a couple large items, I can pad it with smaller stuff to hit the free or discount shipping. Also when shopping for electronics, I try to hit the bulk discount points. Another trick is to combine several peoples orders. I have a couple MRing friends in the area, so when one of us is looking to place an order, we ask the others if they need anything.