My dad and I are looking to replace two worn out (older plastic versions) trucks on our Bachmann Two truck shay and are looking at buying some here. My dad’s hesitant about giving them his credit card number to them without any information. I have never bought anything from here and would like any reports I can get on them.
I have heard they are a good outfit, but I have no buying experience with them. Have fun with your shay. - Peter
Thanks for the help, the shay is kept at my grandpas house since his collection is all G scale, and mine here is all o scale lionel. It’s one of my favorite locomotives, I just added “sound” meaning a chuff sound torn out of one of the Bachmann 4-6-0’s which is nice, but a few weeks ago, I noticed a truck was coming loose and so while I had it torn apart to tighten it up, I noticed one of the screws that hold the wheels on was missing and the plastic bushing inside the wheel was worn down to practically nothing, so it’s time to replace it with a diecast one. Plus the thing is heavy to begin with, I can’t imagine the weight with Diecast trucks.
I’ve never purchased anything from them but Trainworld has what you are looking at. I have purchased things from trainworld before and everything was fine. Trainworld also seems to ship fast.
http://www.trainworldonline.com/catalog/category/detail.php?id=1600&find_section=566
How are the shipping costs at trainworld? I’ve heard they’re high at wholesaletrains.com. I know my grandfather has bought stuff at Trainworld before, and it’s also a very well known company, but there’s also a $20 difference in cost.
BTW, a video of the Locomotive running can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Js7FsyqJk It still runs ok, but I’d rather have a good part on it.
At Trainworld the minimum shipping cost is $13.
I went to their store in Horseheads, NY once and bought a few things. They seem like nice people.
They have a medium selection in the store. They have a lot more online.
Tom
I’ve purchased items from wholesaletrains.com aka Lantz’s Train Shop in Horseheads, New York, on a couple of occasions and had no problems with them. Shipping is fast if the item(s) are in stock.
Some users on this forum have reported problems with what they considered to be excessive shipping charges, so I would try to verify what those are going to be before placing an order.
IIRC the main complaint was that they offer no options on shipping method and use only FedEx or UPS because they are reportedly just across the street from the shipper’s offices.
For my Bachmann 2-truck Shay, I ordered parts directly from Bachmann.
I looked into buying the parts from bachmann, the parts department told me it would be $100 and I’m pretty certain that that was for a single truck, I’d rather replace both for $40 more. For the pair from bachmann it would be $275
Credit card purchases: If you are looking for better security with internet purchases, especially the first few times with a particular vendor, here is a hint for total identity protection. Most vendors will hold your shopping basket for a few days. If your purchase (include shipping) is under $100, go to your favorite local store, there at the checkout register you will find “Gift Credit Cards.” I get mine at Wally-World all the time. If someone “steals the identity” of that transaction then they will not know who you are now anything else about you. The card automatically “dies” when it is all spent. Wally-World has a site where you can track purchases on these disposable credit cards, after my purchase has cleared, I write down the remaining money on the card and then go to Wally-World and take cash in that amount out of the card. It may be a cumbersome process but nobody can get to my credit cards.
I see we have our own “Q” - Bond: “You’re cleverer than you look.” Q: “Still, better than looking cleverer than you are.” - Wikipedia, [:D] - Peter
When I bought my die-cast trucks Bachmann only sold them as a pair, and they were around $100. I have never seen them listed singularly.
I have purchased from Wholesale Trains. I would have no problem giving them my CC and that’s how I purchased my products.
I had a problem with a particular purchase, and at the time I was not happy with the outcome.
Years later I mentioned this on an Internet forum and Gary Lantz came on the forum and rectified my problem.
I took this as a very professional and honorable thing to do. The problem I had was with an employee who is no longer with the company, and I am impressed with their willing and speedy correction to a problem so old.
Regards, Greg
Tom,
That’s a good idea. Another approach is to get a credit card with a very low credit limit. You can use that card when dealing with a seller that you’re not comfortable with. The worst that can happen is they get your name and that card’s info.
Walt
I would recommend Wholesale Trains, have purchased many spare parts and rolling stock over the years. Always use a credit card on the internet, have to, I live in the UK. Phone calls can be expensive.
They are not my favorite retailer, but i have used them and still do. They are sometimes great, if they have the item in stock. My main issue with them is they are happy to sell you things they don’t actually have in stock. You pay, and then…nothing. Eventually the item arrives, but they give you no info whatsoever on when. Case in point, I have two USAT motor blocks on order. It’s been more than a month, and I still have no idea at all when they will or won’t arrive.
Also I once bought a USAT loco from them that arrived, brand new in the box, with the infamous “cracked axles.” Wholesaletrains would do nothing for me, I had to send it directly back to USAT.
I am from Canada and have spent some serious coin thru Wholesale Trains. Good service prompt delivery and no credit card problems. Regards, Dennis.
I have purchased items from them at different times and was happy with both price and service. I have used my credit card without a problem but if your not sure you can use pay pal (ebay) for your purchase. You can generate a one time card for the purchase if you want.
I use Wholesale Trains - so far so good.
Only suggestions - figure out a way to give updates, since I have yet to figure out when the package is going to ship.
And of course, some clue on shipping costs up front.
Other than that, I will continue to use them on a regular basis.
John