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Post by talltim on Nov 21, 2023 11:22:59 GMT -8
I see on another forum that Hattons (https://www.hattons.co.uk/), one the big two or three online retailers in the UK, bought M B Klein in September. Not sure it will change what ranges either will stock, but maybe they can sort out their website.
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Post by riogrande on Nov 21, 2023 12:04:06 GMT -8
I've been reading that too. One thing I've noticed last few months is MBK has not offered the $10 off codes anymore. The stuff they have on sale so far is nothing I need. I also have not liked the change to how it displays the newest items. I used to easily see what new items have been put in stock and scroll down. Now it displays differently and I'm not liking it.
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Post by hudsonyard on Nov 21, 2023 20:40:44 GMT -8
In a bout of flu-induced insomnia i bought a bunch of trainman and accurail kits from them one night, imagine my surprise when they showed up 3 weeks later after I had long forgotten about the purchase. Hopefully we get some better shipping times as they occasionally still have a deal.
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Post by gasmith on Nov 28, 2023 5:32:03 GMT -8
First that I've heard of it. Haven't bought much from them since they went online-only. It's ridiculous to have to wait 4 days for shipping from somewhere that's only 30 min. away. I've gotten orders from Midwest in 3 days (1100 miles) and Trainz in 2 days (700 miles). Any more I just drive to Mainline or White Rose.
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Post by crblue on Nov 28, 2023 6:27:44 GMT -8
My most recent experience had them shipping my order out on the day I ordered it - which was also Thanksgiving!
Of course it arrived all busted, so now I've gotta deal with that... But it was ordered Thursday and arrived (in pieces) at my doorstep on Monday.
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Post by riogrande on Nov 28, 2023 7:11:30 GMT -8
So far nothing has arrived busted from MBK for many years for me. They still had some Atlas D&RGW GP40's left $144 for the gold/sound version which was a good deal so I ordered it along with a few other items and got free shipping.
My overall experience with MBK past 12 years have been very good - no complaints. Since I'm in their rewards club I get free shipping for orders over $99 and earn points for money off coupons. Works for me.
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Post by lvrr325 on Nov 28, 2023 11:06:43 GMT -8
In a bout of flu-induced insomnia i bought a bunch of trainman and accurail kits from them one night, imagine my surprise when they showed up 3 weeks later after I had long forgotten about the purchase. Hopefully we get some better shipping times as they occasionally still have a deal. They must have been on sale cheap, I have quite a few of them and can't give them away, the Trainman kits. Accurail aren't worth putting on eBay, you make zero after the fees, so I only sell them in person. |
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Post by hudsonyard on Nov 28, 2023 16:09:43 GMT -8
In a bout of flu-induced insomnia i bought a bunch of trainman and accurail kits from them one night, imagine my surprise when they showed up 3 weeks later after I had long forgotten about the purchase. Hopefully we get some better shipping times as they occasionally still have a deal. They must have been on sale cheap, I have quite a few of them and can't give them away, the Trainman kits. Accurail aren't worth putting on eBay, you make zero after the fees, so I only sell them in person.
those trainman boxcars are great little kits and improve on the branchline coupler boxes and short of a set of kadees you have everything you need right out of the box, but yes there is a reason you see them for 13.99 in places. i buy the undecorated kits whenever i see them.
i love accurail cars, i build probably at least one per week. every hobby shop i go into that has a stash of them usually gets repeat business.
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ed
Full Member
Posts: 132
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Post by ed on Nov 30, 2023 6:21:10 GMT -8
I've spent a lot of money at Klein's over the years. Lately, a lot of smaller shops have become more price competitive with them. In addition, every change to their website seems to further ruin the shopping experience. The site was more user friendly 10 years ago.
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Post by Judge Doom on Dec 6, 2023 9:37:35 GMT -8
There's been a rumor going around on some of the model RR Facebook groups that M.B.Klein will be closing down operations effective mid-December. No public statement or announcement from them yet on it.
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Post by Mr. Trainiac on Dec 6, 2023 11:05:06 GMT -8
There's been a rumor going around on some of the model RR Facebook groups that M.B.Klein will be closing down operations effective mid-December. No public statement or announcement from them yet on it. I saw mention of it on the NMRA Community facebook group. I have not been able to locate any other sources to back it up, but judging by the rather extreme sales they are doing, it's plausible they are dumping inventory in preparation for going out of business. Based on my experiences with other hobby shops going out of business, it makes sense. I've been to a few 'retirement' sales where prices were 'too good to be true'. A hobby shop planning on staying in business wouldn't be selling Proto passenger cars for 25 bucks. |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 6, 2023 12:09:39 GMT -8
I've been a MBK customer for 15 years so it would be unfortunate to see them close but with the big sale, it did make me wonder. But why would Hattons buy them only to shut them down so soon? To hard to manage from across the pond?
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Dec 6, 2023 12:51:37 GMT -8
I understand that Hattons wants to move the company to a different state, hence laying off all the local staff.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 6, 2023 14:33:12 GMT -8
I understand that Hattons wants to move the company to a different state, hence laying off all the local staff. That might also explain why selling down a lot of the inventory - less product to move. I do hope MBK continues to do business, hopefully not real far from Virginia. |
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Post by hudsonyard on Dec 6, 2023 15:40:54 GMT -8
I understand that Hattons wants to move the company to a different state, hence laying off all the local staff. That might also explain why selling down a lot of the inventory - less product to move. I do hope MBK continues to do business, hopefully not real far from Virginia.
Nebraska is what a Baltimore area friend of mine said. It's unfortunate but lets not act like they haven't been lapped by a lot of other online retailers. Much like Trainland/World they have been living in their own diminishing shadow the last however long.
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Post by NS4122 on Dec 7, 2023 8:13:37 GMT -8
They just sent an email today announcing that the rewards program is ending on 12/14.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 7, 2023 8:41:08 GMT -8
They just sent an email today announcing that the rewards program is ending on 12/14. That's too bad to hear. I was saving up rewards for some items that I was waiting on coming into stock and enjoyed the free shipping for $99+ orders. Browsing the site, most stuff I'd be interested in is sold out. Even though it isn't being advertised as such, it sure looks like a going out of business sale. Slim pickens. If MBK is going out of business, it seems odd they would list models not due for months, such as Moloco or Athearn models. |
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Post by el3625 on Dec 7, 2023 10:05:38 GMT -8
I am sure glad I just used my last $50.00 reward a couple of days ago. That left me with 157 points in my account. Too bad this went to shit, over the last few years I never paid for any shipping and redeemed about $1,000.00 in rewards also. They have always treated me very well. I had just put in some notifications for product not in stock yet to be notified when it comes in. I wonder if they are still going to be in business, I guess we will see.
Bruce
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Post by Mr. Trainiac on Dec 7, 2023 11:06:23 GMT -8
There is a post on the MB Klein facebook page confirming the warehouse shutdown: www.facebook.com/MBKModelTrainStuffIt sounds like the website will still be operational, but the orders will be fulfilled by Hattons and shipped from a different facility. In reality it's more of a moving sale than a 'closing up shop' sale. As to the location of the new warehouse or source of the shipments; it's still unclear. |
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Post by richardthomasatal on Dec 7, 2023 11:08:19 GMT -8
That might also explain why selling down a lot of the inventory - less product to move. I do hope MBK continues to do business, hopefully not real far from Virginia.
Nebraska is what a Baltimore area friend of mine said. It's unfortunate but lets not act like they haven't been lapped by a lot of other online retailers. Much like Trainland/World they have been living in their own diminishing shadow the last however long.
I don't know what planet you're living on but Trainworld has been posting rows and rows of shipments going to people, they've also had posts about more stock than ever and new brands they are carrying. From what I can tell they are stronger than ever before. MB Klein taking themselves out with poor decisions will probably further boost Trainworld's sales. I have been a customer since back in the mail order days over 20 years ago. |
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Post by riogrande on Dec 7, 2023 11:16:02 GMT -8
Bruce, I haven't kept track of how many rewards I've redeemed but I've been regularly taking advantage of it since the rewards program was begun. They've treated me well too.
I've got a bunch of stuff in my Wish List that I was waiting to come into stock but it appears MBK may be going bust what with so much out of stock it looks like a going out of business sale where they are getting down to the dregs.
I'm moving to scenery stage on my layout so I'm going to blow my last 5,000 points on that and a few other things since I know for sure they will expire soon.
If this is a moving sale, and Hattons being in England, seems less practical from shipping cost and longer shipping times if so.
Edit:
They aren't even giving me the free shipping that top tier rewards club members were entitled too. I reached out a few weeks ago during the black Friday sale asking about it, and was told after the sale was over, they would re-instate it. Apparently that was a lie because now the rewards benefits are ending. I've put some stuff I can use in the cart to burn my last 5k points and this may be my last order ever from MB Klein.
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Post by crblue on Dec 7, 2023 11:51:09 GMT -8
I have a $25 reward I need to use. I have no idsa what to use it on. I was planning on using it for the bachmann via train when it comes out. This is just annoying.
I will probably end up buying from trainworld more, too, due to their superior pre-order process.
Edit: I didn't want to blow big bucks a few weeks before Christmas. I spent my $25 credit on a Tortoise.
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Post by el3625 on Dec 7, 2023 12:16:00 GMT -8
riogrande, I have not been spending as much that I did for the last 4 years so I will not really miss the rewards that much anymore. I will miss the free shipping though. During Covid, last three years, I spent a lot of time and money pretty much finishing my layout. I have all of the locomotives that I would need and I usually would order my Tangent cars direct from Tangent and others. I spent most of my money on scenery and details these last couple of years with a couple locomotives and a few freight cars here and there. So my layout is pretty much done. I just tinker and run trains now. It sure was worth it having the rewards program from MBK though, I saved a lot. It was good for as long as I needed it to be. So, I am grateful for them as long as it lasted. As the saying goes, all good things come to an end.
Bruce
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Post by 12bridge on Dec 7, 2023 12:57:16 GMT -8
Nebraska is what a Baltimore area friend of mine said. It's unfortunate but lets not act like they haven't been lapped by a lot of other online retailers. Much like Trainland/World they have been living in their own diminishing shadow the last however long.
I don't know what planet you're living on but Trainworld has been posting rows and rows of shipments going to people, they've also had posts about more stock than ever and new brands they are carrying. From what I can tell they are stronger than ever before. MB Klein taking themselves out with poor decisions will probably further boost Trainworld's sales. I have been a customer since back in the mail order days over 20 years ago. Trainworld was one of our Local shops for myself and hudsonyard and I agree 100%. While they may do fine with the online sales, the stores are an absolute shadow of what they used to be just a few years ago, not to mention they have some of the most rudest staff I have ever seen in retail, and that's coming from a NY'er who is used to that crap everywhere. |
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Post by bnsf971 on Dec 7, 2023 13:19:25 GMT -8
MB Klein employees’ friends:
“What did you get for Christmas?”
Employees:
“A pink slip”.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 7, 2023 13:29:29 GMT -8
riogrande, I have not been spending as much that I did for the last 4 years so I will not really miss the rewards that much anymore. I will miss the free shipping though. During Covid, last three years, I spent a lot of time and money pretty much finishing my layout. I have all of the locomotives that I would need and I usually would order my Tangent cars direct from Tangent and others. I spent most of my money on scenery and details these last couple of years with a couple locomotives and a few freight cars here and there. So my layout is pretty much done. I just tinker and run trains now. It sure was worth it having the rewards program from MBK though, I saved a lot. It was good for as long as I needed it to be. So, I am grateful for them as long as it lasted. As the saying goes, all good things come to an end. Bruce Hi Bruce. I did order stuff for the layout during Covid such as 25 packs of code 83 Peco, turnouts, and cases of cork roadbed, and of course rail joiners. As for Tangent, MBK parted ways with Tangent some months ago, maybe a year? Only Tangent they have had is left over from before then. I too order mostly direct from Tangnet for those models. I will miss the rewards program - it was especially nice when I got free shipping and money off before MBK started charging tax! It was a good ride, as I today I have thought of that same saying about all good things... |
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Post by hudsonyard on Dec 7, 2023 20:05:31 GMT -8
Nebraska is what a Baltimore area friend of mine said. It's unfortunate but lets not act like they haven't been lapped by a lot of other online retailers. Much like Trainland/World they have been living in their own diminishing shadow the last however long.
I don't know what planet you're living on but Trainworld has been posting rows and rows of shipments going to people, they've also had posts about more stock than ever and new brands they are carrying. From what I can tell they are stronger than ever before. MB Klein taking themselves out with poor decisions will probably further boost Trainworld's sales. I have been a customer since back in the mail order days over 20 years ago.
I've "been a customer" since my childhood, I've seen the retail store decline in real time. I work 15 minutes away from them and they are my absolute last resort for anything. Imagine going into a check cashing place that sells Lionel and you've pretty much summed up the experience of going into the Lynbrook store. A friend recently had a an interesting exchange with their customer service where he got a very rude response for having the gall for asking if they carried more than one roadnumber of something.
It's a toy store.
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Post by richardthomasatal on Dec 8, 2023 5:31:18 GMT -8
I don't know what planet you're living on but Trainworld has been posting rows and rows of shipments going to people, they've also had posts about more stock than ever and new brands they are carrying. From what I can tell they are stronger than ever before. MB Klein taking themselves out with poor decisions will probably further boost Trainworld's sales. I have been a customer since back in the mail order days over 20 years ago.
I've "been a customer" since my childhood, I've seen the retail store decline in real time. I work 15 minutes away from them and they are my absolute last resort for anything. Imagine going into a check cashing place that sells Lionel and you've pretty much summed up the experience of going into the Lynbrook store. A friend recently had a an interesting exchange with their customer service where he got a very rude response for having the gall for asking if they carried more than one roadnumber of something.
It's a toy store.
Well I live out west so most of my business is online with them but I visit my brother once or twice a year in Trenton, NJ. I have been to the store every time I have visited him with the exception of 2020 during the COVID summer. I've never experienced this treatment at Lynbrook. I have been to the Brooklyn store once and the area is rough. I had one mildly rude back and forth with the guy at the counter on one occurance there. I think unfortunately people get behind team A or B and then die hard support that company. There are those people like that here about MB Klein. I buy from many places but never had a problem with Trainworld in person or in store other than what I mentioned. Continue to support whoever you want but if I have a bad experience somewhere I don't shut them out forever. They get a period of time before I try again. Lastly, the Lynbrook store is not a Toy store. It has some very high end models. I don't remember what three models I picked up last year while there in person but the total was over $1,000 for three items. Not what I would call a toy store. Seems there's just some chips on people's shoulders they should let go. |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Jan 8, 2024 9:21:15 GMT -8
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Post by Mr. Trainiac on Jan 8, 2024 10:23:22 GMT -8
I came here to post the same thing. Something strange is going on. Why would they buy another brand, sell off all the inventory at heavy losses, and then do the same to their original store? Maybe it's some kind of reorganization or merger between the two. They mentioned UK economic conditions as being an issue for their company. Could they be trying to relocate the brand into the US? I will be interested to see how this affects Model Train Stuff. If Hattons truly is shutting down, will MTS go back to being an independent store, or will both close? |
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