A Phoenix Has Risen From The Ashes - Model Train Stuff Is Back

[pmpexpress]

As of today, with customer past order history and All Aboard: The Model Railroad Reward Society points restored, Model Train Stuff is back in operation.

[Missaberoad]

Aparently the email system is still working too, I got a bunch of item is in stock notifications today!

[basementcalling]

With much higher pricing.

[lock4244]

With much higher pricing.

Ya, noticed that, too.

[basementcalling]

Ya, noticed that, too.

And inaccurate photos. The pictures of the Peco N scale curved turnouts are the HO versions. I'll stay away.

[C855B]

...yawn...

You can't magically recreate reputation in the name alone. Respect and trust may not have a tangible value, but it certainly plays an important role in client relationships. Only the folks living under a rock for the past year or so will fall for this.

[Lackawannae8]

My first and last time I ordered from them was a bad experience and CS was of no help. Not sure how I want to proceed in the future

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I just saw that they're taking 10% down on reservations.

[thomasjmdavis]

I just saw that they're taking 10% down on reservations.

Yep. Non-refundable down payments, if I read the small print correctly.
And....balance due 45 days BEFORE shipment.

Note: You will reserve this item today for a 10% down payment of $3.99. Approximately 30-45 days before your item is expected at the warehouse, we will invoice you $35.86 plus shipping and any applicable taxes.

They sent that to me along with a .... kinda rude note about how I need to get my order in on the Rapido refrigerator cars (which I had on 'notify me when they are in stock' in case I decided I wanted more when the ones I pre-ordered a year and a half ago, from another company) come in.

I know, I am not internet savvy.  Heck, I am so old, I still use the word 'savvy'.  When I am the customer, I am not always right, but I do expect the salesperson to say 'please' and 'thank you,' as opposed to 'send in your down payment now or you will miss out on the product.'  And....for those of us who had English classes in middle school "You will reserve..." is imperative mood. In other words...a command....not a request to purchase.

The item you requested is in stock! But hurry, it won't last long.
You signed up to be notified when PREORDER Rapido N 561009A Class RR-56 Mechanical Reefer, Santa Fe #3 | 39.85 was in stock. You can now buy it here.
 
PREORDER Rapido N 561009A Class RR-56 Mechanical Reefer, Santa Fe #3 | 39.85
 
Please Note: We have a limited quantity available for purchase and products are sold on a first come first serve basis!

How can you have a limited quantity of pre-orders when the point of the exercise is to determine how many to make? Not to mention 'pre-orders' are by definition NOT 'in stock'.
Beyond that, I did not ask to be notified when pre-orders became available - RAPIDO already did that, weeks ago.  SO...I assume what's really happening here is that neo-MBK has ordered a bunch, and they are trying to presell the ones they have on order.

It's all academic for me- I have had them on order with another retailer since they were first announced 18 months ago (and I checked with them, my pre-orders are still good). I just thought I might want to pick up one or two more when they actually became available.  But I very much doubt I'll be picking them up from MBK.

[MK]

What happens to the 10% if they go under for the second time?     Will it be returned promptly?

I just don't like lending money to LHS'es and then waiting and waiting and waiting...until I forgot I lent them money.   

[mu26aeh]

The down payment should be a case by case basis.  Of course, this being a "new" company that would be hard to do.  I say this because the shop I work at has gotten burned, more often recently, by customers who pre-order items then when they arrive we call them and they refuse to follow thru with the purchase.  Or take item home and 3 days later return it. 

[Rivet Miscounter]

"You will [need to] reserve..."

Two words make the world of difference here...

I'm all for being supportive, and I don't even hate deposits, but...this REALLY sours me for placing future orders with whatever type of organization this ends up being.   (Do we even know for sure this isn't some rogue company in Eurasiantartaustralia?) 

OUT!

[Mark5]

   (Do we even know for sure this isn't some rogue company in Eurasiantartaustralia?) 

FWIW, MTS is now part of Factory Direct Hobbies:

https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/news/model-train-stuff-to-reopen-under-factory-direct-hobbies-family/

Mark

[Rossford Yard]

 "I do expect the salesperson to say 'please' and 'thank you,' "

I took a job in my retirement, and while running my own business for 40 years, I thought I understood the importance of that.  But, these guys take it to a different level.  Almost every email and phone call starts with Thank You.  Of course, I tried to use that example of etiquette to teach my grandkids about old school manners.  My examples might have reduced the impact....."Thank you very much for not farting as often as you usually do.".........

I have been using another old guy word lately that everyone seems to enjoy....." scoundrels".  I used it once and it seems to have taken on a life of it's own around here.

MTS was one of my go to's because of their current stock data and because I never wanted to pre-order, just pick up from stock and they always had most things in stock after the initial rush and filling those pre-orders.  No reason to use the new site if neither of those things are in place....or maybe just the ability to NOT pre-order.