I was reading this forum and wondered what are the best and best priced ( read cheapest) Toronto and area hobby shops. I will not consider that Mount Pleasant place (you know G’-----ges trains) I found them rediculously expensive. Is there any suggestion on better Pricing in the Golden horseshoe or Oshawa Area, Further what luck have Canadian modelers getting things over the border from the internet train sites in the states? Do you ever get your items from other vendors other than LHS or Internet sites?
Not from the Toronto area, but have ordered items from Trainworld and Micro Mark several times. The big catch is both of their shipping charges are US$24.99 to Canada. If you place a big enough order it can be worthwhile, or combine an order with one or more friends to spread the costs around.
Wherever you order from, check their shipping first. I got a decent deal on an On30 steam engine last year by ordering online. There wasn’t anything in their checkout procedure to indicate a choice in shipping methods. It wasn’t until I got the online invoice did I find out they had sent it by FedEx Ground. About 10 days later I got the model OK. Sometime after that I got an invoice from FedEx for custom brokerage charges for the 15% GST - their charge was about $35.00 for paying the tax on my behalf. My “deal” didn’t turn out so good after these charges.
Do not accept packages sent by UPS or other methods, insist on US Mail - prompt and you’ll only have to pay the 15% tax and $5.00 collection fee.
Trainworld is probably the best place - check their online specials, especially if you aren’t too fussy on the roadnames. For example - Life Like RDC-2 and 3’s are US $19.95. Their C-Liners $39.95, etc.
Bob Boudreau
one should consider going over the border and having a p.o. box there for such things since its really beneficial. The LHS here at best are 50% more than the american prices in constant dollars . Its too much even with exchange . Either its greed or its just that we have a small market that couldnt support a large outfit
Peter
I have been to several hobby shops in the GTA including the one on Mt Pleasant.
By far, the cheapest one I shop at is Horizon Hobbies in Whitby.
He’s usually cheaper than most of the others & has a decent supply of HO & N scale stuff.
He advertises in MR & is not too far north on the 401.
There’s a couple out in Mississauga I’ve shopped at, prices are more expensive but they have/had a decent supply available as well.
Email off line if you like to know more
Gordon
Try " Discount Hobbies " on Bloor Street at Park, The stock is limited but "Sale prices " are good.
Also at Taunton and Ritson ( North east Corner) Try “Hobbies N Things”. ( It also says Sears Catalogue Store) Selection is good prices “Reasonable”.
This is a Hobby do not expect give away prices. You are one of an ellte few.
Regards. TH&B modler.
Thanks Bob for info on shipping from US. I’m a newbie and have wondered on how to go about U.S. orders. Have you had the same experience with ebay orders from U.S. with respect to using US mail only?
About Toronto area shops - being a newbie in the process of starting in the hobby (its for my young son - not me! yah right!) I’ve had the opportunity to see many stores, many club layouts and shows. I love dealing with independent retailers - they always have great advice. And I think this advice is worth their price - particularly in this hobby where there are so many different products and methods. Some of the shops I like includes what has been mentioned - really liked the people at Horizon Hobbies and my son loves Georges Trains because of the 2nd floor Thomas Train layouts! Adding to the list:
- Hornet Hobbies on O’Connor Drive in Toronto
- Pinnacle Hobby and Railview Trains & Crafts in Markham
- Trains on Brant in Burlington
Derek
“Have my 4’x8’ on foam layout ideas, eztrack, dcc command control. Need engines, rolling stock & buildings then its time to build!”
Horizon Hobbies in Whitby is one of the better priced shops I’ve been in. I always found George’s Train’s to be great as well.
While I’ve sold a fair amount of items on eBay, I’ve yet to buy anything for model railroading myself. Many eBayers will not bother to change their listing from “U.S. Only” because they probably don’t think about it. If you see an auction with this in the shipping info, send a message to the seller and ask if he will ship to Canada if you pay any additional mailing costs. And make it clear you will only accept U. S . Mail for shipping. Items under US $20.00 are not taxable, anything over that the 15% tax will be applied. The seller just has to add a small green customs sticker with details and value. Make sure they indicate the value of the item without the mailing costs!
Bob Boudreau
Derek: take your son to The Little Train Shoppe in Brampton (beside the railway station) on Saturday for Thomas events.
I’ll add to the mix Modellers’ Choice in upper Hamilton (epecially for TH&B) and Niagara Central in St Catherines.
No comment about prices – I find everything expensive these days.
ebay sellers almost all use USPS for shipping . some of them overcharge ( really , it doesn’t cost $15 to ship an mdc boxcar kit from california to toronto , i know this because when it arrives it has less than $5 worth of postage on it , and the box and foam peanuts weren’t worth the extra $10) so be aware what you’re paying for shipping .
delivery time from the post office is totally random , i’ve had packages arrive in a few days to over 8 weeks from the date the vendor emailed me that it had been shipped .
so far i’m 100% happy with my ebay MRR purchases and vendors (fingers crossed and knocking on wood)
sorry you don’t like George’s , they’ve always been helpful to me . i haven’t noticed much of a price difference elsewhere , but then i haven’t been to many other hobby shops , using public transit makes it difficult to get to most of those listed here
David: Thanks for the reminder about The Little Train Shoppe in Brampton - I’ve been meaning to go up there - do they have a website yet? As far as Thomas the Train goes…if only I could reinvest all the money we’ve spent on Thomas into HO modeling; wooden Thomas, plastic Tomy Thomas, Thomas videos, trip to Pennsylvania to see Thomas. “Dad - look Bachmann has expanded their Thomas line. Can we get my great uncle in England to send us all the Hornby Thomas as well” GEEZ - what a franchise!
For the record, the people at Georges Trains have been good to this newbie! Yesterday, they showed me why 6 wheel axles don’t like 18r ez track. Guess I should have spoken to a LHS before buying the Spectrum engine on ebay! [banghead]
Derek
[8D] “This newbie has his 8’x4’’ on foam layout ideas, eztrack, dcc command control. Need engines, rolling stock & buildings then its time to build!” [:)]
Good alternates are Niagara Central in St Catharines( shopped there for years good mix of high and low end stuff also a Bachman dealer so the On30 set have more options now) also if you are willing to drive a bit. Great Western Model trains in Brantford ( located in the Via Station ) good prices and good people to deal with. Credit Valley in Mississauga is a good store to but they are a bit pricey.
Rob
I’ve been following this thread with interest. As with anything experiences can differ but my experience with George’s has always been favorable.
I live in the states and on a visit to Toronto stopped in Geoges and was considering buying some passenger cars in Canadian livery which are at best, difficult to find in the US. Folks at George’s said they’d be happy to take my money but suggested looking a bit harder in the US and save the cost of having the stuff imported to Canada from US distributors. That impressed me, they were telling me to spend my money elsewhere! And in the process, spend less.
On another occasion I wanted Bombadier GO Transit livery and bought the special
sets which were numbered separately for sale at Georges and they were shipped to me from Toronto and including shipping I paid a price within cents of what the same cars would have cost me here.
I’ve also purchased rolling stock while in Toronto and been pleased with the price.
My thoughts.