I want to purchase some items online and I wanted to get some opinions on the good, bad and the ugly. Anyone you highly recommend? I’ve been browsing discount trains online and they seem to have a pretty good selection.
I’ve bought from Discount Trains Online. they’re pretty good. However their shipping isn’t the fastest (at least to the East Coast). Trainworld is pretty good (Great prices), although their website is pretty bad. The best bet for them it to actually call them and order.
This topic’s been brought up a lot before. try using the search and you should find some pretty long discussions about this. I think the one place to avoid (if I remember correctly), is HobbyCircle. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but I think there’s been a lot of people upset with that site.
HobbyCircle is one place you DO NOT want to shop at. There is a big chance you order will not be shipped for six weeks, but you credit card will be billed the minute you order. And when you do get your order the numbers won’t add up.
I’ve had very good expereince with Tom’s Trains, Trainworld, Tony’s, Eurolokshop.
Trainworld usually has the best prices, period. They’ve also got very good customer service.
Discount Trains Online is also very good.
I’ve done thousands of dollars worth of hobby buying on Ebay.
My favorites are First Hobby in Decatur, Illinois and Caboose Hobbies in Denver. I recommend both of them highly. I can place an online order with First Hobby and receive it the next day if it is in stock. Of course it helps that I live in Illinois but you can’t beat that kind of service. Knock on wood, but I’ve never had a problem with either of the above mentioned firms.
Take Care,
Bob Blaisdell
I use 1stplacehobbies.com. They have good discounts, I recently got an Athearn GP35 for $59, about 30% off. They use Walthers Catalog stock numbers. They have a fixed $7.50 shipping fee so I usually keep adding to my shopping cart until the savings exceeds that number. I have always recieved my order within a week.
Bob DeWoody
I prefer to support my LHS here in Arkansas. But due to the “Brave New World” of all limited runs and deadline ordering, I have used Ebay to catch fast sold and now out of production items at way less than retail. Patience rewards those who lie in wait.
I occasionally purchase products using the email to communicate to various hobby shops around the USA that might have it at good prices.
Any comments on “N Scale Supply”? ( http://www.nscalesupply.com/ )
Jim
I’ve bought stuff from M.B. Klien and Walthers and been really happy. I also buy from IHC and Lifelike directly. Both good to deal with. I have had problems with Long’s. I’ve had some problems with ModelExpo but over all they are very good.
RMax1
Terminal Hobby Shop rocks! Their customer service is awesome. They might not be the cheapest, but I know that I will be guaranteed a great shopping experience and they almost always have what I am looking for in an easy to browse format.[:D]
Smitty
For me it’s eBay, Trainworld, and Standard Hobby Supply. All have been great.
I’ve ordered from Tony’s, Toy Train Heaven, Trainworld and Standard Hobby, all with great results. For N-scale, I’ve used Brooklyn Locomotive Works and 4nscale.com, and been very happy with both. I’ve bought from Caboose Hobbies, but I was a walk in customer while visiting Denver. I’ve also picked up a ton of stuff on ebay.
Probably my first inclination is Brooklyn Locomotive Works.
I like Hobbie Usa. I don’t think he keeps a bunch of stock on hand, but he sends out emails when he gets a good deal on Atlas or P2k or whatever. Sometimes prices are less than 50% than list.
I have been very pleased with the prices and service from both N Scale Supply and Caboose Hobbies.
Cheers,
Paul
I’ll throw my hat into the ring.
Trainworld–bought a lot of stuff from them, but made the mistake of asking for them to recommend a decoder for the the loco I bought from them. They sent me an MRC piece of junk. Order from them only if you know exactly what you want and use the phone.
Tony’s Train Exchange–I order all my decoders from him because I feel I should pay for his recommendations.
Discount Trains Online–shipping is slow, but their customer service seems good. I’ve found product there that no one else has.
eBay–a treasure chest to the patient. This is the place to find things that no one else has–and at bargain prices.
Internettrains.com, discounttrainsonline.com, manhattantrains.com, trainworld (phone only), terminal hobby shop and ebay has all worked for me. Each has it’s pros and cons, but knowing that walking in I’ve had positive experience. I would suggest that perhaps you run a search on the forum. There’s a bunch of posts out there concerning the online buying experience.
Good experiences with both Walthers and Caboose Hobbies in Denver.
ebay and hobby
land and canadian model traisn are all good for me
I highly recommend Caboose Hobbies, Denver, Co. They are good people to deal with, also good service and prices.
Stan.
To add to that, Hobbyland has been great too.