I thought I would start this to see what responses are received. There’s been a number of posts over the months on good and bad experiences with major hobby vendors, specifically ones that do a large mail order business. What I have written below is my - one person’s experiences - with the mail order hobby businesses. While they are my opinions, I do have a decent mail order purchasing history with the hobby industry - trains, of course - that started on or about 1990. Since the nearest LHS is about 100 miles from me and in another state, I have had to depend entirely on mail order sources except for the infrequent train show. Most of my recent purchases from these vendors has been via website.
Rather than air dirty laundry, I will keep my opinions restricted to the positive experiences for now. The list is not in any priority order.
My Hobby Hall of Fame:
Trainworld - One of the fastest shippers out there, as long as the item is in stock. Prices are very competitive as retailers go. Yes, they do act like they’re in a hurry on the phone, but still act like they appreciate my business. Being a guy, the female that handles the phone orders allways call me “hon”. All orders have been via phone. Website is not order friendly, but is useful for product availability.
Trainz - Another fast shipper and is willing to talk. When I wanted to join TCA I had no known members to sponser me; Trainz came to the rescue and took care of it. Prices are very competitive. Sells on Ebay and via their own website. Prices slightly cheaper on most items outside of Ebay. Have ordered via web and phone.
Scenic Express - Will take time to answer questions; is curtious; and another super fast shipper. I can’t imagine needing something in layout landscaping they don’t carry. For me, it’s a one stop shopping site re model landscaping. Most o
I too have bought train stuff from TRAINWORLD, and yes I can confirm that the shipping is fast and they are very courtious,and cheched to see if product was in stock.
Another place that I used for buying pructs is JUSTTRAINS. Fast shipping and most stuff over $200 is free shipping.
I’d say 90% of the trains I buy locally but when you want something they don’t have these are real good places to check out.
Iron Horse in Pittsburgh… not mail order yet but they are from what I hear heading that way. Great LHS service though. Most of my Lionel comes from them.
Jim’s Train Shop for my MTH needs. Jimmy is the best. Great service and even better attitude. Can’t beat him for MTH. He’ll order Lionel.
From the internet…
I’ve ordered from these vendors with good results… Nicholas Smith (that was a few years back), Mountain Trains, Train Express. Electric Railroad Company…top notch customer service for TMCC upgrades as well as TAS.
I thought I would start this to see what responses are received. There’s been a number of posts over the months on good and bad experiences with major hobby vendors, specifically ones that do a large mail order business. What I have written below is my - one person’s experiences - with the mail order hobby businesses. While they are my opinions, I do have a decent mail order purchasing history with the hobby industry - trains, of course - that started on or about 1990. Since the nearest LHS is about 100 miles from me and in another state, I have had to depend entirely on mail order sources except for the infrequent train show. Most of my recent purchases from these vendors has been via website.
Rather than air dirty laundry, I will keep my opinions restricted to the positive experiences for now. The list is not in any priority order.
My Hobby Hall of Fame:
Trainworld - One of the fastest shippers out there, as long as the item is in stock. Prices are very competitive as retailers go. Yes, they do act like they’re in a hurry on the phone, but still act like they appreciate my business. Being a guy, the female that handles the phone orders allways call me “hon”. All orders have been via phone. Website is not order friendly, but is useful for product availability.
Trainz - Another fast shipper and is willing to talk. When I wanted to join TCA I had no known members to sponser me; Trainz came to the rescue and took care of it. Prices are very competitive. Sells on Ebay and via their own website. Prices slightly cheaper on most items outside of Ebay. Have ordered via web and phone.
Scenic Express - Will take time to answer questions; is curtious; and another super fast shipper. I can’t imagine needing something in layout landscaping they don’t carry. For me, it’s a one stop shopping site re mode
Been dealing with Jim’s Train Shop for my MTH needs. Great service and a hoot to talk to.
Had a couple of on line ordering with Grzyboski’s that went well.
I’ve had to check back on orders at times but have had pleasant experiences with Justrains.
For Atlas needs. I use Norm’s O Scale in Maine. Great service and pre orders always are shipped.
Bought my wife her first train. A check of the MTH locater was used. Found both engine and cars at the Train Loft. I’m guessing I spoke with the owner. Nice guy to talk with and the items arrived in a few days.
I always supported my local shop for all my needs. Not a big time dealer but he always gave me a fair price. He went out about 3 years ago. It’s hard to believe living between Providence and Boston there isn’t a well stocked store with 3 rail items. Northeast Trains got all my business in my early days of the hobby. A move made the drive that much longer and I seldom can find the time to get there. But a great friendly store to visit. I realize it’s hard to cater to everyones interests. I know mine are fairly narrow as to what I buy. I find mail order the easy alternative. I’ve been around enough to know who has what I want. I buy from them much like I would my once local shop. If they have what I want and I have a good transaction. They’ll get my business. I don’t usually shop for price. I want a friendly voice when I call and service if I have a question or problem.
I agree with Marty about the Iron Horse and Jim in Homer City. Both places make customer service their top priority. It has been awhile since I have been to the Iron Horse. I need to get back there. I might take the 2020 that I bought from Dennison’s Trackside Hobbies last August in Berlin, Maryland to the Iron Horse due to a loose driver. Walt and Nina Dennison were great people to deal with, and it is a shame that they decided to close the store.
LIke Laz, I buy most of my trains locally (We live in an area with great train shops) , but I have bought from Jim’s Train Shop by phone and Just Trains when I wanted something no one local had. No problems with either one and I would not hesitate to buy from them again. I bought a few small items from Charles Ro several years ago and had no problems that I recall. I actually prefer to buy via internet over phone orders, just to many ways things can get misunderstood by phone. Only do phone when web site is not set up for orders, such as Jim’s.
Trainworld has always had a crappy website, but some great blow-out prices. I use to get some very good deals on original K-Line stuff from them. My best blow-out item was a scale K-Line PRR Mikado (conventional) for $219, three or four years ago.
M.B. Klein (Baltimore, MD) has recently stopped ordering O gauge products. Their site is amoung the best in that they have a real-time inventory system. As soon as someone buys an item, the website inventory changes – really cool!
AM Hobbies is the source to go to for AtlasO products. Great price and prompt shipping.
Justrains is always a pleasure to order from (although they no longer stock AtlasO). They do a pretty good job of keeping their website current, great prices, prompt shipping, and free shipping on most orders over $200. (got my latest order from them three days ago) [:D]
Dennison’s was the LHS I referred to that closed it’s doors. He is still taking care of any unfinished business, like orders for folks that have not come in. He is in the process of getting some repairs for me.
Since you know Walt, I thought I would mention a couple of things.
He had a super dooper 30th anniversary sale back in Sep 06. Everything was at least 30% off. I broke my bank on that day. It was then that he told me of his intention to sell and retire. He had hoped someone would buy the store and continue the business. But it was not to be.
Walt’s first train love is “G” scale. His entire backyard is a garden railroad - a really nice layout. He even has benches located strategically for those needing to sit while watching the action. Just got a flyer in the mail from him; he’s having an open house on Sunday, Jun 15 (Father’s Day). If you know of anyone who will be in the vicinity of the Delaware/Maryland beaches that weekend, let me know and I will provide directions. He lives only about 2 blocks off Berlin’s Main Street.
I’m starting to think of how good I’ve got it. Although there’s no hobby store in my neighborhood (wow I can’t spell that-6 tries), I took some time to go around the area. We lost one store in Niagara Falls ( Third Street Depot) who had a lot of O gauge, and is a great guy, so I drove a little further to Buffalo. There’s LBC Trains who stays current on almost everything and is very helpful. I couldn’t stop there till I get my job back. I’ll spend my paycheck sometimes.
Then there’s KVAL Hobbies where I spent about an hour of the owners time while he showed off the new Lionel Legacy and Bigboy (very nice). I thanked him, but I wish I had some money to buy from him. I have in the past and will continue.
A little further out was a new stop for me in East Aurora called Aurora Rails and Hobbies. This owner told me everything about O gauge I could think to ask. He repairs alot so he knows the ins and outs. I had unknowingly talked to him in the past, referred to him for DCS answers. He had the most MTH O gauge packed in and good prices.
I usually go to Ridge Road Station where the G gauge is crazy, more than I’ve ever seen. He has all the other gauges. The people have helped me out more then I could remember. If I’m not there to buy, I’ll look to see everything in person. Then when I get the cash I call. It’s the opposite direction, towards Rochester, so I’ll go another time.
I thought someday I would drive to Nicholas Smith’s Trains cause it appears he’s got a ton of stuff. Way too far for me now. I had to stop my trip because of gas $$$$$$.
To topic, also Trainworld top 10, where I’ll go someday.
Thanks for the info. I might be in the area in July, if my vacation is approved. I noticed that Walt had a lot of RC vehicles in stock. The 2020 I bought from him is very nice. If he was still in business, I’d go back in a heartbeat. If your into PW Lionel, one of the Town Center antique stores in town was loaded with it when I was there last August.
I wish I could remember all the Hobby Shops I talked to on the phone while I was trying to locate a UVA Collegiate Box Car. One was a shop in Denver who recommended Mizell’s Trains. Bought a Lionel # 38 Water Tower from a shop in California over the phone a few years ago. A gruff chap who wondered why I wanted to spend so much money but gave prompt service when I persisted. Can’t find the receipt to tell you who.
I guess I have been very fortunate in dealings with hobby shops. For me, my main source is The Train-Station in Mountain Lakes, NJ. I have also had great dealings with Trainz in North Georgia, Just Trains, Memory Station in North Georgia, Hollash’s trains in Florida, and several others. Pretty much, if they have it, these places offer fair pricing. IF they don’t have something, they will steer you in a good direction.
Jim mentioned M.B. Klein in Baltimore. I have been buying Lionel from them for years and they have great prices and service. Please note that they definetly have not stopped ordering O gauge products. About six months they changed their location and might have slowed their inventory on O gauge, but now they are inceasing their orders. Nice people to deal with.