Best Hobby Shops on the Web


I just went through this thread and pulled together the active .com sites. Here's the list as of today:

http://acculites.com
http://activepowersports.com
http://athearn.com

http://billstrains.com
http://billstrainsandtrack.com
http://blueridgehobbies.com
http://blwnscale.com
http://bobthetrainguy.com
http://brasstrains.com

http://caboosehobbies.com
http://canyonhobbies.com
http://charlesro.com
http://chicagolandtoysandhobbies.com
http://cvrco.com

http://dallasmodelworks.com
http://dccinstalled.com
http://dcctrain.com
http://desplaineshobbies.com

http://empirenorthern.com
http://esthershobby.com
http://eurorailhobbies.com

http://factorydirecttrains.com
http://fiferhobby.com
http://firsthobby.com

http://gandgmodelshop.com
http://graylandstation.com

http://halfpricehobby.com
http://hiawathahobbies.com
http://highcountryhobbies.com
http://hobbylinc.com
http://hobbysmith.com
http://hobbysurplus.com
http://hogtrainz.com

http://internethobbies.com
http://internettrains.com

http://jimsmodeltrains.com
http://jrjunction.com

http://kjbond.com

http://litchfieldstation.com
http://lombardhobby.com

http://microfasteners.com
http://modelrailroadbookstore.com
http://modelrailroadstuff.com
http://modelrailroadtips.com
http://modeltrainsgo.com
http://modeltrainstuff.com
http://moreleds.com

http://nicholassmithtrains.com
http://nscalesupply.com

http://overlandmodels.com
http://ovrtrains.com

http://peachcreekshops.com
http://philshobbyshop.com

http://rail.com

http://tandkhobby.com
http://tgauge.com
http://tonystrainexchange.com
http://tonystrains.com
http://tophobbytrains.com
http://toytrainheaven.com
http://trainbuddy.com
http://trains.com
http://trainsetsonly.com
http://trainworld.com
http://trainz.com

http://ulrichmodels.com

http://walthers.com
http://westerndepot.com
http://wholesaletrains.com

http://yankeedabbler.com

If there were any .net sites (or others for that matter) they didn't make the list.
 
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Toy Train Heaven has good sales that you can find a real gem every once and a while. Sign up for the email and you get invite to their Cloud 9 sales.

Dave
 
I have been in the hobby just awhile. Started again in 2009. First i used the lhs and that was somewhat fine but they didn't have what i was looking for. I bought Wathers and some from Hobbylinc. Then for some special things Republic Locomotive was really good. Since i have found a fellow named Mike and his wife Robin. They are the Fifer hobby and i have used them almost all the time as they have really given me good deals but excellence service. Fast shipping and just all around great service. I pretty much use them for 95 % of my needs unless its something i need like yesterday. But They have got things in stock to me in 2 days! Can't beat that. Sounds like a royal plug for them but i have really had super service from them. They take debit and credit, Not sure about paypal but i never asked on that. i trust them. They keep my card on file. saves time. Yes i trust them!! Dan;)
 
OleSmokey said:
I have been in the hobby just awhile. Started again in 2009. First i used the lhs and that was somewhat fine but they didn't have what i was looking for. I bought Wathers and some from Hobbylinc. Then for some special things Republic Locomotive was really good. Since i have found a fellow named Mike and his wife Robin. They are the Fifer hobby and i have used them almost all the time as they have really given me good deals but excellence service. Fast shipping and just all around great service. I pretty much use them for 95 % of my needs unless its something i need like yesterday. But They have got things in stock to me in 2 days! Can't beat that. Sounds like a royal plug for them but i have really had super service from them. They take debit and credit, Not sure about paypal but i never asked on that. i trust them. They keep my card on file. saves time. Yes i trust them!! Dan;)
Click to expand...

Thanks Dan , Great to serve you as well and thanks for the kind words. We are not nor do we store credit card information unless the customer asks us to keep it on file. We do also take PayPal as well.
Thanks Dan, Mike
 
Thanks Mike, I think i had Robin store mine for the ease of ordering. Glad also that you do take paypal. Thanks for your service. Dan:)
 
Feather River Train Shop.
Chuck will bend over backwards to help you.
He gets 99% of my business.

Dave
 
"Buyer beware" story here...

Trainworld in Brooklyn, NY sent me some Atlas turnouts and one had the tiny little metal flange that connects one of the point rails to the sliding plastic tie broken off from the point rail and floating in the package. I was lucky to notice it. So I called and said I hadn't opened it up yet but didn't think I could fix it. First guy (nice) talks to boss and says to just open it and if I can't fix it they'll replace it. I try but can't fix it (try soldering a metal edge on another metal edge without melting the plastic) so I call them back 30 mins later. Second guy I talk to (attitude) says I have to pay to ship it back with an explanation (as if it wasn't self-evident) and then they'll replace it. I said no and instead of just sending me a new one or a pre-paid envelope to send the broken one back, the guy talked to the boss and said they'll just credit my account without sending me a new one. That's some pretty swell customer service for someone that's already sunk 2-3K into their business...over a $13 turnout. Last time I buy from good ole Trainworld.
 
Follow-up to my "Buyer beware" story...

I sent a semi-lengthy complaint by email to TrainWorld. I got a short but polite response saying they would send me a new turnout, and not to bother sending the broken one back. I have since gotten a email notification of a package sent by TrainWorld, so it looks like common sense won the day. I might remain a customer.
 
I decided to give MB Klein a shot at my business. Placed a small order Monday morning, was just told it wouldn't ship until Friday, even though they charged my card immediately. So so far, they haven't seperated themselves from any other company offering poor service.
 
Forum:

I don't model in N scale, but I did order some scenery items from Fifer Hobby online. Great people to do business with and the owner is a forum member.

He also has a series of great videos that can apply to any scale.

Thanks.

Greg
 
Greg@mnrr said:
Forum:

I don't model in N scale, but I did order some scenery items from Fifer Hobby online. Great people to do business with and the owner is a forum member.

He also has a series of great videos that can apply to any scale.

Thanks.

Greg
Click to expand...
Thank You Greg , Mike & Robin
 
Here are some that I have used recently:

Best:

Hobbylinc--Don't charge card until shipped, excellent web site, reasonable ship time and fee

Dallas Model Works--Big inventory, good customer service experience

Half Price Trains--very quick shipping experience, excellent price on select items

Walthers--fine selection

ModelTrainStuff--no issues I can remember

Questionable:

Prototypical Trains--Charged immediately for items out of stock then credited back a few days later and cancelled shipment. Disappointment.
 
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