May I Gripe???

PrairieTrains

New Member
What's wrong with major internet hobby suppliers not replying to simple emails - like what's the status of my $400 plus order??? I am going to choose where I buy ANY MRR product by the firm that REALLY provides this VERY BASIC form of customer service. -----OK I feel better now------ If you are a major internet hobby shop - it may pay to actually respond to simple requests :curse: or do not put that feature on your web site. I have found TWO that do not even answer their 800 number - what gives? wall1
 

FiatFan

Member
Just a guess but I'm thinkin' someone's been dealing with Internet Trains. They have a long reputation of being difficult to deal with.

Tom
 

nkp174

Active Member
I don't understand some business practices today. I sent an email about ordering a $650 software package and apparently, my $650 isn't good enough for them, as they haven't responded to my email :curse:

I find it fascinating how ordering from Trout Creek with their basic website or from Coronado (whom doesn't have a website) is so hassle free, quick, and convenient...while so many places with highly polished websites don't seem to have any polish on their business skills. :rolleyes:
 
L

lester perry

I still use the LHS. The last time I ordered mrr stuff on the internet I ended up with 3 of the Item I ordered. One of which I didn't even order.When I was looking for the item they said it was not in stock. They had a place to request notification when it was in stock. I filled it out in case I couldn't find it some where else. they sent me one. It was probably my mistake. But at L.H.S. this doesn't happen.
Les
 
N

nachoman

If you have ever been to coronado scale models, it's quite understandible they have no website :) Old-school all the way. They barely have a sign on their building - just a green door that says "coronado" :D

Kevin
 

TrainNut

Ditat Deus
If you have ever been to coronado scale models, it's quite understandible they have no website :) Old-school all the way. They barely have a sign on their building - just a green door that says "coronado" :D

Kevin
Yep, it took me a couple tries to find it. Then, you walk in the door and the whole store smells like it's 50 years old. The two guys that run the place are great though. Do you think they're twins Kevin?
 

PrairieTrains

New Member
Update

Just a quick update - I sent an email (back door - rough guess) and said if I did not hear anything by noon - my time that I would have to cancel the order. Got a reply! "Slow Distributor" -- got another one a few hours later and said that my order had been shipped! Internet Trains was one of the firms I was talking about - the second sort of surprised me -- but the prices are too good to ignore. Now - let's see what actually comes in the mail. Thanks for the feedback. I had a feeling I would hit a nerve!

www.KE5IQM.com/PrairieTrains.html
 

railohio

Active Member
If I had a local hobby shop I'd gladly patronize it but, sadly, the offerings in Toledo are pathetic and with four dollar gas driving across the state isn't an option. I'll buy what I can locally but anything that has to be ordered I'd just assume do online and get a discount and next day shipping rather than wait for the local guys to send an order in to Walthers or Horizon "whenever."

~BS
 

nkp174

Active Member
If I had a local hobby shop I'd gladly patronize it but, sadly, the offerings in Toledo are pathetic and with four dollar gas driving across the state isn't an option.
~BS

We just lost our LHS that would get people to drive 2hrs+ to get to...it was sold/downsized last year, and the new shop has closed up since then. We also lost a fine LHS on the north side of town...but fortunately their main location is doing fine.
 

Stu McGee

New Member
I put my two cents in for the local shop: Sattlers has my number and he and Ed really know the business. I can and will pay a bit more to get great service. That served me well when I was working for the state and I don't see any reason to change. Online I have dealt with some good folks CMT, Micro Mark, Small Parts and Walthers.
 

Biased turkey

Active Member
I try to support my LHS ( Udisco and Hobbieville here in Montreal ).
So far I odered from 5 online stores ( 2 in BC, 2 in Ontario and 1 in the States ). So far I'm very pleased wit the online stores I ordered from.

Jacques
 

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
I find it interesting that in the So Cal area where we don't have basements, that there is an abundance of model train stores. It seems that there are a bunch of large cities in the northeast where everyone has a basement that don't have a decent lhs!
 
I find it interesting that in the So Cal area where we don't have basements, that there is an abundance of model train stores. It seems that there are a bunch of large cities in the northeast where everyone has a basement that don't have a decent lhs!

Thats because they have never converted their basements from making hooch!! Now its being made to burn in their cars!!!
 

Fluesheet

Member
I prefer to stay away from the big guys - there seems to be a critical mass at which point service declines. My current favorite is Craftsman's Model Railroad Supply (http://www.cmrrs.com/) if I don't go to the LHS. VERY punctual with replies to emails. They're also small, which indirectly supports my argument above.

Matt
 
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