Best, Safest, Most Reliable N-Scale Online Shops?

[basementcalling]

Wow . . . I had no idea M.B. Klein was in Baltimore.  I'm going there next week; definitely will add this to my itinerary!  I've ordered a ton of stuff from them always with great service.  Love the real-time tracking inventory on their web site.

And the others are the same as everyone else:
BLW
N Scale Supply
Fifer

For DCC stuff, including decoders, wiring supplies and so forth, my favorite is Litchfield Station.

John C.

MB Klein and BLW are both excellent. Never had an issue when I ordered from Caboose in Denver either.

Klein's new store is technically not in Baltimore anymore. They used to be downtown, but a small space and bad neighborhood prompted a move to the suburbs one exit up the interstate from the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Makes Timonium show trips much easier, but I miss the easy side trips to Lenny's Diner for lunch.

[Virginia Atlantic]

V&A glad to see you back!  Still have all that custom-lettered equipment?

Aye.

Not sure what shape it's in, was all tossed quickly in boxes after my House fire many moons ago, and the stuff was right up where the fire was. 

Most of it looked salvageable.

[sirenwerks]

One thing probably unique to me with dealing with MBK is that, even though it is my LHS approximately one hour away, it is actually cheaper for me to have the items shipped...

I had it shipped last time too, even though I live in Odenton.  Between gas and time, it's just more convenient and about the same cost.  Plus, the benefit of carousing is kinda lost at MBK since so much of the stuff, especially the little stuff, isn't out in the showroom.  IMO, that's the only drawback it has.  Well, that and it's so darn popular you have to order right away.  As often as I have to order sometimes when things are posted piecemeal and over a period of time, shipping could pile up, and they won't combine separate orders no matter how many boat payments I make for the eye in the sky.

[John]

One thing probably unique to me with dealing with MBK is that, even though it is my LHS approximately one hour away, it is actually cheaper for me to have the items shipped, because (1) gas and tolls far exceed the shipping (thanks, Maryland, for raising the toll to $8.00 at the I-95 Susquehanna River bridge ), and (2) I get charged no sales tax, if it ships to my home in Delaware.  MBK's shipping is usually very quick, so this is generally a no-brainer.

DFF

Hmmm .. I should send all my stuff to your house .. to keep O'Malley from getting his cut .. then just have you bring it Eric's during ops sessions

[brokemoto]

Hmmm .. I should send all my stuff to your house .. to keep O'Malley from getting his cut .. 

It is funny.  If I have them mail it, it gets here, Washington,  in two days and I pay five bananas and change in shipping--that is it.  If I drive to OWE'Maladyland, I have to give Marty his, pay for gasolene, wear and tear on the car, report the non-business miles, and, there is the time.  The shipping is less than what OWE'Malady woulda' gotten, too, never mind the gasolene, time and reported non-business miles.

[nkalanaga]

The only one I regularly do business with is Feather River Trains.  Other than BLW, I've never tried the others.  I shopped at BLW for years, back when they had their paper newsletter, but when they went all-electronic, I quit.  At the time I didn't have a decent internet connection, and doing anything online other than reading text-based newspapers was a pain.  Even with a good connection I've never gone back, being satisfied with FRT.  Back when I was shopping with them they had good service.

[mmyers]

I'm only 20 minutes from M B Klein and use their shipping. The shipping charge even in my case is about even with the gas. A personal visit would cost me a lot more too.

[christoph]

I live in Germany and the only "local" hobby dealer I use is All-American Trains in Kaarst near Düsseldorf (at least for U.S. equipment).

For overseas mail order I use Wig-Wag and MB.Klein. The latter is getting more and more of the cake because of their great website and real fast shipping, while the former gives very little visibility about stock and status of your order.  But George offers great personal service, they even got some special cars I wanted by buying them on a show from the producer.  I think you might give him a phone call, that always worked well.  You have to be patient, that's for sure, because they keep preordered stuff for rather long times until there is enough to justify the high overseas postage.  This is also a great service for the customer.

One thing for overseas shipping:  Wig-Wag always includes proper customs papers including an invoice, while MBK just sends a packing list, which means I have to pick it up at the local customs office (which is almost around the corner for me, so no problem) and bring the proper paperwork.

Just my 2ct 

[Dave V]

The three I use regularly are:

Feather River Train Shop
M B Klein
Caboose Hobbies (although now I can just drive there, LOL)

[milw12]

N Scale Supply has my vote, they have good stock and great service. There's usually a week or so delay between when you place your order and it is shipped. The worst I've had is a three week wait before shipping, but other than that there haven't been any issues. Even then I wasn't too upset because what difference does a few weeks make for an order of rolling stock?

[kelleywpns]

MB Klien, BLW, Fifer Hobby and N Scale Supply ... in that order.  Had great experiences with all of them.

Mike

[nkalanaga]

It sounds like all of the major online dealers have their devoted fans, and none of them have any systemic problems.  Not bad, considering the problems in many areas of online retailing.

[mrhedley]

I'll concur with Model Train stuff (MB Klein), BLW, and NScale supply, and I'll also add Blue Ridge Hobbies (Greenville, South Carolina).  A pretty fair selection of products, with good everyday prices and excellent sale prices.  Bought a ton of Walthers Modulars from them during a clearance with many of them as low as $2.98 per kit.  They also had a very good inventory of detail parts and accessories.  They're worth a look.

[havingfuntoo]

For those living outside of the US, what is often more important is how they ship.  I have found shipping with UPS almost always ends up with a customs charge and other fees, while USPS seems safer on that front.  If they use UPS, I shop elsewhere.

I'm with you here Scotti, I do my best to avoid any one who does not ship USPS, especially if the combined value of the shipment is close to the import limits.

[pnolan48]

I've used virtually all of the vendors here. Any problems were quickly resolved. I still try to use my LHS's for most of my purchases, which are mostly paint and scratchbuilding supplies, which are usually not discounted on-line!