Is this a good place to order from?
John
Yes. I’ve had no complaints other than the shipping costs being a little bit steep. I even went to the Brooklynn storefront in person once just to check it out.
I baught an IHC Consolidation from them two years ago for $45 and had no problem with them.
One of the best places for good prices. Keep in mind they are business and all business, not a hobby shop where you call and chat for a while. If you want something, have their part number(s) and your credit card handy when you call. You can also download their order form online, fill it out and e-mail it back to them. Several of us locally have placed combined orders with Trainworld several times and have had great successes.
Bob Boudreau
Yes. Track and other misc. items. They’re great to deal with.
They have good prices, but the people are just a bit rude if you don’t have all your ducks in a row when you call. So, make sure you know exactly what you want and have an item # when you call. They do seem to act like they don’t have time for the customer some times. Now you have the downside !!
This is so true! Almost like the “soup nazi” on the Seinfeld show.
Yes, I order from them all the time. They have two numbers, one for questions and one for orders. Don’t call them on the wrong number. Even then they don’t want to just chat. I always have my order (with back up options) all figured out before I call. I wouldn’t go so far to say that they are rude, just a bit more curt than us Westerner’s are used to [;)]
I’ve bought several Locos from them in the past and yes they have that New York Cabbie attitude but they are good and cheap. Ordered a Loco from them yesterday and the woman was actually courteous and polite…
Thought I had the wrong place for a second or two but the accent was unmistakenable New York!
I highly recommend them!
Fergie
I use Trainworld often. I e-mail them first to see if the have what I’m looking for. Then I call with “all my ducks is a row”. I’ve never found them rude, but they are all business. Trainworld usually has the lowest price around. Shipping is average, and shipping time is fast. (I live outside Philadelphia.)
Nick
They usually have the cheapest prices for big ticket items. And when they have those ‘10% off everything instock’ sales, you can save even more. Thats when I buy my stuff. During sales.
But when I order, the lady that anwsers the phone acts like I’m bothering them by trying to place an order. Cocking an attitude with me. Probably the same woman each time.(scoff) But thats about the only problem with Trainworld. Otherwise, they’re all peachy.
I ordered from them one Wednesday night about dinner time. The trains were at my door the following Friday, standard shipping, New York to the Boston Burbs.
I called once about GP-9’s where they said “limited paint scheme availability” or something similar. I asked if they had the road I wanted, and they politely told me they didn’t. I thought their attitude was just fine, and they were quite friendly, even if I didn’t end up ordering. Maybe the “train nazi” had the night off.
You might also look at MB Klein (http://www.modeltrainstuff.com) for similar bargains. Like Trainworld, it’s a place you can order from with complete confidence.
In case you’re wondering, both of these dealers offer discontinued models, like older P2K GP-9’s for $40. They are new, in the box, and they are just fine.
I’ve ordered several times from them and everything said here is true. Their prices and service are good. They are New Yawkahs…better be completely ready to order and have a back up plan just in case.
I inquired of a loco, and was told, by that same woman, that a first-timer must download their order form and either fax or mail it to them; no orders taken for a first-time customer over the phone.
I hope it wasn’t just because I am from Canada. [%-)]
Remember there are need to knows when ordering.
That the item(s) is in stock.
Be aware of their back order policy.
Be aware of shipping charges and subsequent charges if item is back ordered.
Be aware of returnable policy if you change your mind.
Be aware of their re-stocking fees.
Be aware of returnable item if defective out of the box and who eats all the extra postage, returning & replacing.
Loco manufacturers usually offer a 60+ day warranty should you elect to return it to the manufacturer.
YES, Trainworld is a good place to order from. Know their rules. Once you get the order confirmation # you can call back the next day and get their UPS routing # and track your shipment to your front door.
I went in person to the storefront. In their defense, everyone who works there is on the phone constantly taking orders. They are even quick with customers who are browsing. They are very New York, something people from other parts of the country who are not used to New Yorkers interpret as rudeness.
I have often looked at there web site, never bought anything from them but I have from Discount trains online (click on link below) and these guys were realy friendly and have exellent postage rates
http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/n-scale-model-trains.html
The other online store I visit is BLW… the cap’n blaster specials are great if your quick enough, link: http://www.blwnscale.com/
Chow
Mike…
Yeah, they are a little, to use a term, “curt.” Knowing this I once called to get a couple Proto RDC’s. I figured at that price i would take whatever roadname was available (need to strip and repaint them anyways) and the woman on the phone asked what roadname I wanted and told me what they had. Same with some Proto tankers I purchased on another occasion.
A little curt? Yes. Perhaps bordering on rude? Maybe. Worth the price? Yup. With the money I save I can handle a little New York “attitude.”
Heh, I have the luxury of Trainland being only a short drive from me (although I am more of a Willis Hobby man myself). It is quite clear that they are a discounter with sometimes limited selection, but if they have what you need (like a Atlas SEPTA AEM-7 - I purchased it for a third or less of the generally advertised price, although later I did find out they were selling like cold-cakes…). Trainland recently had a sale (10% off), so I stocked up on several building kits and detail sets I will eventually need.
About a third or so of the store is dedicated to Lionel and similar 0 scale items (by this I mean collectibles, not modern day Weaver stock - although there is that), the rest HO and N, plus a few vehicle model kits. Never really had a problem with them, usually everthings cool, I guess since they are not the site taking the large number of phone orders…
Just for more affirmation, I have heard great things about them through several folks.