Can anyone recommend a quality on-line suppler (store) to buy HO supplies? Good local hobby shops are getting harder and harder to find and the one that is close knows he’s the only one around. So his prices are let’s just say a little sporty. [:O]
Thanks
I’ve had good luck with www.hobbylinc.com, and several others. I have found the most in stock items at the first.
You might want to try a site search because this topic comes up periodically.
Karl
MB Klein hasn’t let me down yet. Loads of stock in every category I can think of.
I think Amherst depot carries HO, would order again from them. (the loco in my sig that was from amherst)
MB Klein is great - they have on-line inventory, so you can see if an item is ‘in stock’ and how many are actually in stock. Toy Train Heaven also has a good inventory and ships fast. Both have very good discount prices.
Yankee Dabler has great prices on DCC stuff, as does Tonys Trains and Litchfield Station. With any on-line ordering, be aware of the shipping costs - It is better to build a large order to spread the shipping costs. With no dedicated LHS in my area any more, I have had to use on-line stores and Trains Shows for just about all of my train purchases.
Jim
The two I use is :
I’ve also have used:
MB klein is tops on my list, followed by Caboose Hobbies and then hobbylinc.
Rich
I’m a fan of Trainworld in New York.
They have excellent prices and only sell in-stock inventory. They also ship very quickly, typically the day of your order. They don’t calculate shipping until you’re checking out, though, so watch for that.
Be careful of places that say an item is “available.” That often means they don’t have it in stock, but will order it from a distributer and then ship it to you once they get it.
Another vote for Klein. Always great service. To expand on what Jim said, their inventory displayed on the site is truly real time - say an item says they have 10 in stock, if you put one in your cart and go back, it will now say 9 in stock. So none of that disappointing “someone else swooped in while I was still shopping and grabbed my item” thing you get elsewhere.
I check other places, but almost always come back to Klein for the best price. I also use them as a comparison when looking on eBay - too often an item on eBay will be available cheaper at Klein, especially if it has inflated shipping costs.
–Randy
I use Caboose Hobbies and Walthers.
I use MB Klein as well though sometimes they are a bit slow to ship.
Joe,I’ve notice that as well but,I allow they must be one of the busiest on line hobby shop in the country.
Toy Train Heaven can take up to 10 days but,still a good shop.
Actually what disurbed me the last time was that MB’s real time inventory showed my 2 items as gone but they did not ship until a week later. But then this is MR and there really is no rush espically in this case since it was just spare parts.
Overall I am very happy with them.
My favorite on line merchants have already been listed but when I want Peco supplies I use
Cherry Creek Hobbies. They are also a good supplier for other things as well.
They are located in the far far West for us Easterners s but you would never know it based on how quick you recieve your order.
You won’t be sorry if you give them a try.
Bob
MB Klien is my favorite,but for a surprising number of basic things I find Micro-Mark a good source… It also has the advantage of coupling normal stuff with the wide selection of cool little tools I can’t live without,just watch for a free shipping sale and go crazy.