Recent N Scale E-commerce Experiences

[robertjohndavis]

I am rebuilding our family’s large portable N scale layout (185”x144”). It’s taken a beating over the years. As a result, I have been doing a bit of shopping to rejuvenate the layout… buying benchwork bits, scenery, structures and trains.

I thought it might be valuable to share some e-commerce experiences that may help fellow N scalers.

I am only sharing positive experiences from the last 6 months or so (really only had one bad one in that span).  So here goes:

Toy Train Heaven
https://toytrainheaven.com
If you don’t know the story with this site, you should. Every Friday afternoon they update their “Cloud 9” sale which usually has about 300 N scale products at ridiculous prices. I just picked up Bluford hoppers for $10 each, a new Atlas GP40 with sound for $135, and Woodland Scenics streetlights at 75% off list. Shipping is flat at $12.95. I had a large order come in 3 boxes. Still just $12.95. Their shipping is very slow. It can take a week or more before an order actually gets sent, but at these prices I do not care.

A Main Hobby
https://www.amainhobbies.com/
A lot of their product is “in their supply chain” which I figure means once you order they hit up Walthers or Horizon. Friendly service and good prices, but the slow “supply chain”  can be an issue. I wouldn’t avoid them, but I would go in knowing it may be a while until your product arrives.

The Model Centre
https://www.themodelcentre.com
I dabble in British N (and OO). I have ordered models with custom DCC installs from TMC and never had an issue. Speed and cost of shipping beats many domestic shops.

DM-Toys
https://www.dm-toys.de
Their e-commerce site is a must visit!

German N scale shop with all sorts of custom electronics and castings perfect for US layouts. Free shipping from Germany to the US for orders of a couple of hundred dollars. Ships fast. I received shipments within 4 days of ordering. Free. Hard to get that from a US shop!

The rest of the pack: Lombard , Hiawatha, Yankee Dabbler, Factory Direct Trains, White Rose, & N Scale Supply

Good shops with great inventory and fast shipping. Some deals pop up, especially with White Rose. Prices are decent at all of them. Sales and promos make them even more so. Shipping is fast. I could see becoming a regular of each. All in this last group are about equal in my eyes.

Rob

[kc9jts]

Curious if anyone has ordered from Hogtrainz recently.  I ordered something and it shows payment cleared, but two weeks later it still does not show as shipped.  Is this normal for them?

[peteski]

Curious if anyone has ordered from Hogtrainz recently.  I ordered something and it shows payment cleared, but two weeks later it still does not show as shipped.  Is this normal for them?

If it was not a reservation, maybe that the item you ordered was out of stock and they are trying to locate some more to fulfill your order.  I don't believe their stock status is real-time. I also don't recall being notified of shipping.  The order just shows up at my door. Last time I ordered was few months ago.

You can always email them and ask for status.  Paul responds in a day or two.

[Point353]

You can always email them and ask for status.  Paul responds in a day or two.

Alternatively:

PHONE # 732-446-p6915

TUESDAY 10.00 A.M. – 4.00 P.M EASTERN STANDARD TIME
THURSDAY 10.00 A.M. – 4.00 P.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME

[ridinshotgun]

Curious if anyone has ordered from Hogtrainz recently.  I ordered something and it shows payment cleared, but two weeks later it still does not show as shipped.  Is this normal for them?

Maybe.  Maybe not. He will answer emails readily but your get snark if you question anything.

I had a preorder that recently came in with him and paid the PayPal invoice within a few hours of receiving it. Left town for a business trip for two weeks.  Came home expecting the preorder to be there and nada.  I emailed him and he responded within a few hours with a song and dance about how all the locomotives of the various road numbers I ordered were damaged in shipment to him from atlas and he was waiting on replacements from atlas.  (Which is BS because I know several vendors personally and how he claims atlas shipped the locos is not how atlas ships them out to retailers)

Went around and around for several days with me requesting a refund several times since he refused to guarantee that he would fill the preorder with replacements for the ones he claimed were damaged.  After almost a week of requests he finally sent me a refund after I made the insinuation I would open a PayPal dispute.

I think that he forgot to send out my locos and by time I got to him about the missing locos he didn't have any left in stock and was scrambling to get some to fill the pre-order that he had for almost two years.  That will be the last time I deal with him because this wasn't the first time I have had him fail on a preorder.