No one wants the money

Garden Railroading
1

Rcently there have been articles regarding the high cost of garden trains, but how can this be?. Living down under my supply of steel wheels, which I was getting from Brisbane, Australia has closed shop so I thought, no problem, go on line and order same.

I did a search of all the model shops listed in the forum’s list for Hobby Shops, G scale metal wheels, steel wheels and other possible names but got “nothing”. Found a flyer on the Staubins page so sent them an email asking how much including postage down under. Simple enough, but no replies !!!.

So how can a hobby be expensive if no one wants the money ???.

Anyone else have any ideas where I can get a price for G scale metal wheels ( Bachman ones are fine) and a price for postage to New Zealand…

Kiwi.

2

Hi fellow kiwi,

Its frustrating when they don’t reply, I have also had that a couple of times recently. However there are some excellent suppliers who provide a really good service to New Zealand.

If you can advise which specific wheels you want I might be able to help.

Bill

(Dunedin)

3

On the flip side, you take the time, give detailed quotes, estimates, or whatever, and never

ever

hear a word back.

4

I like the ones who do reply, but just to tell you they used your quote to negotiate a better price with somebody else. [sigh]

5

Thanks Bill, at this time I need 3 or 4 packets of wheels ( product No. 92421 ). You can see what I do with them on www.gscaletrains.net.nz

Curmudgeon & Elmick, I have a problem with your “fuzzy” logic. Why spend a fortune on advertising but dont give any quotes when people ask, because they might not purchase.

Like saying you have a shop full of goodies but wont sell any, that way you never have to replace the stock !.

Tony.

6

I think you may have misunderstood. I regularly give quotes, but out of 30 quotes I give, I average maybe 4 sales. It gets a little discouraging after a bit.

Now, sometimes it takes a day or three to get all the info together, especially when I have to wait for a reply from a supplier. And sometimes I don’t get the message for a day or two due to other commitments (like work or family), meanwhile the customers seem to expect me to answer them in less than two hours or they go elsewhere. I sometimes miss the “old” days before the net when things were a little slower and people had more reasonable expectations.

7

Train World in New York, or Ridge Road station in Holley, N.Y.

8

Hi Kiwi,

If you read the UK large scale Forum you will find that there are some well spoken of suppliers (around four who are regularly praised). Give them a try.

Incidentally I have made enquiries to the company you mention, through their own web site and like you never recived replies.

9

I don’t know much about “G” scale but this place is near to where I live. Maybe they have what your looking for.

http://www.artknapptrains.com/new%20items.htm

B

10

I have visited Art Knapp Trains in Surrey B.C. They are probably the largest G scale store in Canada and are very easy to do business with. They also have regular sales which I have taken advantage of. Very nice people to deal with. Dennis.

11

Hi Kiwi

You could try The Gauge One Gallery for your wheels they are in NSW Aus and have a web site, I have found them easy to deal with.

I have a problem you may be able to help me with I have drawings for an NZ 4wh old time coach 4wh goods van and open wagon.

I don’t have a suitable loco drawing for a small loco and or shunting tractor to pull the train and lost the gaurds van drawing I had in a computor malfunction resulting from a lightning surge

Are you able to assist with drawings key thing must be NZ prototype.

Would prefer a 4wh gaurds van if such a thing existed?? some how I have the feeling all NZ vans where bogie jobs

These are on the one day list, so its not a panic issue.

regards John Busby