Anyone deal with Wholesale Trains?

[oplholik]

I ask because about a week ago, I ordered a couple small items and wanted fast shipping, 2 day, or three day, I forget, but anyway, I got the items fast and when I wanted them. However I was charged 6 times what the items cost. I wrote them a respectful e-mail stating that I accepted responsibility for this as I finished, and finalized the order, with out ever seeing anything on shipping charges listed, nor were there any shipping charges listed on the order conformation I recieved by e-mail. Never heard boo from them. Now in looking around for a good price on a set of Williams O scale F3's locos, I see they have super prices on these. I'm inclined to pay quite a bit more for these somewhere else. So just wondering what anyone else's experience was with them.

Paul O.

 

[bigB]

Ive ordered from them numerous times. I would rate them as neutral overall. They have great prices like youve said, but its definitely worth calling them or emailing to see if they actually have the item in stock. Their website is quite extensive and mostly up to date, but not always.

As far as the shipping goes, Ive always been one to go for the cheapest but fastest. They seem a bit high on the shipping charges so therefore I usually only put in a decent size order with them.

I have a couple pre-ordered items with them as well as a couple items that are backordered. I have not been too impressed with them about their customer service as far as keeping me informed either by email or their website regarding when I can expect it.

In essence, the jury's still out on them for me. I like their low prices enough that I am willing to put up with some bs but if they ever cross me, im through.

I started a thread awhile back about good internet hobby shops. My favorite has got to be BlueRidgeHobbies.com. Great website, you always get the owner on the phone, reasonable/fast shipping, they can get what you want usually.

Good luck

 

[ghost02]

Placed an order on Monday and it has still not shipped. Have not e-mailed or anything like that.

 

[oplholik]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll pass on them from now on. I just think that shipping charges just be listed up front and not kept hidden.

Paul O.

 

[irocinblue89]

Crap! I just ordered from them sat. I hope I dont have a bad experience. I thought I read on there site that the shipping was 9.95 unless the order was large or you wanted a faster service. They have six packs of walthers bethgon for $42.00. I will watch this tread and post my experience with them.

 

[oplholik]

Crap! I just ordered from them sat. I hope I dont have a bad experience. I thought I read on there site that the shipping was 9.95 unless the order was large or you wanted a faster service. They have six packs of walthers bethgon for $42.00. I will watch this tread and post my experience with them.

For standard shipping they do state that, however I wanted faster, and there was never any indication of what that would be. So if you went with standard shipping, you will probably be ok.

Paul O.

 

[funnelfan]

I've ordered quite a bit of stuff from them, but just use the standard shipping with no problem.

 

[bigB]

I got an Atlas Gold locomotive coming from them that I ordered last week. They generated a tracking label email within 3 days of order and its supposed to be here on Wed of this week. Pretty reasonable...

I did email them and they answered within 24 hours to make sure that the item was in stock. The price was just too good to pass on it.

Like I said earlier, it seems to me that if their website (which is very good) is current/up to date, they are a good retailer with extremely competitive prices. I think with a couple of things I have backordered, they, as was I, were told by the manufacturer one expect date and they put it on their website and then the manufacturer ended up missing it by months due to XYZ reason. The part that I ding them on is that I had to do some digging on my own to find all of that out then call them and ask them what was going on.

 

[oplholik]

Ive ordered from them numerous times. I would rate them as neutral overall. They have great prices like youve said, but its definitely worth calling them or emailing to see if they actually have the item in stock. Their website is quite extensive and mostly up to date, but not always.

As far as the shipping goes, Ive always been one to go for the cheapest but fastest. They seem a bit high on the shipping charges so therefore I usually only put in a decent size order with them.

I have a couple pre-ordered items with them as well as a couple items that are backordered. I have not been too impressed with them about their customer service as far as keeping me informed either by email or their website regarding when I can expect it.

In essence, the jury's still out on them for me. I like their low prices enough that I am willing to put up with some bs but if they ever cross me, im through.

I started a thread awhile back about good internet hobby shops. My favorite has got to be BlueRidgeHobbies.com. Great website, you always get the owner on the phone, reasonable/fast shipping, they can get what you want usually.

Good luck

Yesterday I ordered my O gage Williams F3's from Blue Ridge. Way cheaper than getting them locally, no one locally has them in stock anyway. Talked to them first on the phone to get an idea on shipping to my area. The person I talked to was friendly and helpful. I get the feeling they have a pretty good customer svc. dept.

Paul O.

 

[TMLW]

I have never had a problem with them.

 

[jtudor]

My favorite has got to be BlueRidgeHobbies.com. Great website, you always get the owner on the phone, reasonable/fast shipping, they can get what you want usually.

I have not doen any business with them yet, but I have wanted to visit their B&M store since it is not far from me. They just have operating hours that do not give a working man much opportunity to visit them. Most of the year they are closed on Saturdays, Always closed on Sunday and many Mondays too. Starting this week they will be closed on Saturdays until November. Maybe I will get there in person one day.

 

[bigB]

Got my Atlas Gold from them yesterday. One week from order to delivery. Im happy.

Dont know how many of you have seen the Atlas CEO's memo posted on their homepage, but i am looking forward to a couple of my backorders by WT being cleared as a result of his message. Basically said that Atlas' major supplier reorganized last year and it created a huge backlog for orders. Now they have their house and order and things are returning to normal. They hope to have all delayed deliveries caught up my mid 2010.

 

[bigB]

I have not doen any business with them yet, but I have wanted to visit their B&M store since it is not far from me. They just have operating hours that do not give a working man much opportunity to visit them. Most of the year they are closed on Saturdays, Always closed on Sunday and many Mondays too. Starting this week they will be closed on Saturdays until November. Maybe I will get there in person one day.

BlueRidge Hobbies has excellent customer service. The website is extensive, up to date, and has excellent search functions. If you call, you almost always talk to Frank, who I believe is the owner.

One thing Frank cautioned me about--esp if you come by their store in person--their shop is small and most of their inventory is held at distributors. If you give them a few days notice, they can bring in something you may be interested in purchasing.

Also, they have very fair rates on shipping. very reasonable.