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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Aug 30, 2016 19:02:21 GMT -8
TRAINWORLD today, posted this in an email I received from them. It is a word of caution... "Train Buyer Beware! We've Heard That Some Dealers Might Be Closing Their Doors Before The End Of The Year. Be Careful Of Businesses Who Require Deposits On Pre Orders! You May Not Get Your Money Back If They Close Their Doors, You May Loose (Lose), Your Chance Of Purchasing That Item You Really Wanted If It Sells Out. Why Pre Order From TrainWorld? You don't have to pay until the item ships. That's right, NO Deposit! Not Even A Penny Down! Take advantage of the Early Buy pricing! In business for almost 50 years! We're now a 3rd generation family operated business. We have a Triple AAA rating with our suppliers" Cheers! AL  |
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Post by antoniofp45 on Aug 31, 2016 1:26:29 GMT -8
Thanks for the heads up.
It would have been helpful if Trainworld's rep would have been willing to post which dealers "might" be shutting down. Of course it would have stirred up a hornet's nest as nothing has been officially declared (other than Caboose Hobbies) about liquidations by the better known dealers.
But it does seem that, nowadays, customers no longer have the luxury of becoming too comfortable with online dealers.
If the rumors are true, I just hope that MB Klein, DCC Trains, and Bill's Trains are still financially healthy and going strong.
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Post by llxlocomotives on Aug 31, 2016 2:47:22 GMT -8
I found the ad to be a bit over the top. Is it really rumors or just aggressive marketing.
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Post by riogrande on Aug 31, 2016 3:24:55 GMT -8
The text from the add seems to have the effect of, hey guys, beware of other vendors and come to us! So yes, a bit of fear element and redirecting some customers to them. I have never ordered from TW that I can ever think of but it is good that they seem to be passing the business down and keeping it open, unlike so many others which close shop when the owner retires. There needs to be more of that.
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Post by nightmare0331 on Aug 31, 2016 4:27:28 GMT -8
My take on it when I read it yesterday was fear mongering in the wake of Caboose Hobbies to drum up business. I have nothing against Trainworld, although the email did strike me as a bit tacky. Enjoy! Kelley. www.dufordmodelworks.com |
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Post by markfj on Aug 31, 2016 4:45:13 GMT -8
Toy Train Heaven didn’t charge my account when I preordered a Genesis GP39-2 way back when. I actually wish they had as now I need to budget carefully to make sure I have the money when the order is filled.
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Post by stevewagner on Aug 31, 2016 5:06:54 GMT -8
Mark, as of yesterday (August 30), Athearn's website shows the forthcoming run of Genesis GP39-2's including four Delaware & Hudson units in the blue, gray and yellow lightning stripe livery as expected to arrive in early October.
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Post by scl1234 on Aug 31, 2016 5:49:54 GMT -8
... Is it really rumors or just aggressive marketing. I'd say ~90% marketing, perhaps ~10% speculation that evolves into truth (i.e. people speculate first...then when the event occurs, you get those " I toldya so's coming out of the wood work). I'd also say that anyone who " reneges" or backs out of a no-money-down pre-order (without a 'once every ten years' reason like getting laid off or covering funeral expenses) does so at the risk of said dealer not being very eager to honor any future pre-orders from that person. |
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Post by talltim on Aug 31, 2016 6:41:58 GMT -8
I don't trust people who capitalise every word and don't know the difference between loose and lose.
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Post by jonklein611 on Aug 31, 2016 6:48:11 GMT -8
... Is it really rumors or just aggressive marketing. I'd say ~90% marketing, perhaps ~10% speculation that evolves into truth (i.e. people speculate first...then when the event occurs, you get those " I toldya so's coming out of the wood work). I'd also say that anyone who " reneges" or backs out of a no-money-down pre-order (without a 'once every ten years' reason like getting laid off or covering funeral expenses) does so at the risk of said dealer not being very eager to honor any future pre-orders from that person. I love Rapido's disclaimer on preordering with them: "REMEMBER: if you order these items elsewhere, run out of cash, or decide you hate model trains, please notify us to cancel your order. Failure to do so will result in you being blacklisted from ever ordering from us again! How's that for a disclaimer?" Trainworld is also really good about this. They call when it finally comes in and ask if you want it shipped out (gives you a chance to update payment information as well), then your stuff shows up. It's a win win, and I've never "missed" something because of lack of stock. |
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Post by middledivision on Aug 31, 2016 6:49:39 GMT -8
I found the ad to be a bit over the top. Is it really rumors or just aggressive marketing. I found it rather classless. |
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Post by jlwii2000 on Aug 31, 2016 7:02:50 GMT -8
You guys are being rediculous about sensitivity and spelling. Typos happen. First of all, these are businesses not to be confused with anything other than turning profit and taking care of people in the process. The fact is, there are companies out there that take money down and end up closing. That happened to me with Canadian model Trains a company that closed a few years ago. And even if it is an attempt to get Caboose hobbies business which I don't know, they are a business and are welcome to compete for it.
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Post by riogrande on Aug 31, 2016 7:39:31 GMT -8
I didn't pay that close attention to the formatting of the quoted statement myself but, I'm old school and presentation has always mattered if you want to make a good impression on customers at large so I'm going to have to disagree that it's ridiculous to be sensitive; there is an old saying and it's still true - the customer is always right. It's good business to be professional in presentation and always has been.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2016 7:41:22 GMT -8
You guys are being rediculous about sensitivity and spelling. Typos happen. First of all, these are businesses not to be confused with anything other than turning profit and taking care of people in the process. The fact is, there are companies out there that take money down and end up closing. That happened to me with Canadian model Trains a company that closed a few years ago. And even if it is an attempt to get Caboose hobbies business which I don't know, they are a business and are welcome to compete for it. R-I-  |
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Post by llxlocomotives on Aug 31, 2016 7:55:16 GMT -8
Actually I find TW to be reliable and competitive. In the product sense, I find them to be aggressive and the often have what I'm looking for. I was disappointed in this approach. The tone was a bit negative. The same message of reassurance that their intention to be in business for the long term could have been done with a little more finesse.
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Post by jlwii2000 on Aug 31, 2016 8:39:55 GMT -8
You guys are being rediculous about sensitivity and spelling. Typos happen. First of all, these are businesses not to be confused with anything other than turning profit and taking care of people in the process. The fact is, there are companies out there that take money down and end up closing. That happened to me with Canadian model Trains a company that closed a few years ago. And even if it is an attempt to get Caboose hobbies business which I don't know, they are a business and are welcome to compete for it. R-I- See, and I have three degrees. It can happen to anyone lol. |
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Aug 31, 2016 8:41:33 GMT -8
talltim: You wrote: "I don't trust people who capitalise every word and don't know the difference between loose and lose." (which, by-the-way) - they didn't do that with every word... Does that indicate, that we shouldn't trust you, because you misspelled the word "Capitalize???!!!" I think not!  I saw their use of "loose" rather than "lose"...but it was my option to correct the text (which I did, as they had other mistakes), but I "chose" not to "choose" any further "avenue's" in this venue... "Um-Gwadda-Kick-Booty!"  Seriously...I found their email proclamation, as a 50/50 Heads-Up....i.e. a word of caution, and their testimonial on their criteria for placing orders with them. I have dealt with TRAINWORLD, since 1986, and have found them very reliable, as well as having good deals. I also like M.B. Klein's, & Factory Direct Trains, in North Carolina (the owner Joe Grubba, is the brother of Bob Grubba), the president of BLI /Broadway Limited Imports, in Ormond Bch, Florida. F.D.T.'s - is a small hobby shop, that offers 24/7 ordering, and great prices too. B.L.I. - are also great to deal with, and have a tech line too! Many Model Railroading businesses- have closed their doors...and as Bruce Springsteen sang: "(the foreman says), these jobs are goin' boys...and they-ain't comin'-back..." These train stores/outlet's/wholesaler's- are on the decline, and the ones that closed - ain't-comin'-back either...  |
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Post by jlwii2000 on Aug 31, 2016 8:42:06 GMT -8
Did caboose hobbies even ask for money down on pre orders? If not, anyones argument that it's a shot at caboose hobbies is invalid.
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Post by talltim on Aug 31, 2016 9:17:53 GMT -8
talltim: You wrote: "I don't trust people who capitalise every word and don't know the difference between loose and lose." (which, by-the-way) - they didn't do that with every word... Does that indicate, that we shouldn't trust you, because you misspelled the word "Capitalize???!!!" I didn't spell it wrong, I spelled it the English way because I'm English! I wouldn't criticise an American company or person for using US spelling, I'm bilingual enough to cope, however my criticisms stand in either version of English. I probably wouldn't have posted anything if the message hadn't also been negative, it was the combination of the two that caught my eye. Surely it's not a good idea for any company to put off any potential customers? |
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Aug 31, 2016 9:23:52 GMT -8
talltim: Blimey! (sigh)...I didn't mean to abuse the King's English either. I guess I exercised my personal-preference licence? (LICENSE) -in the U.S.A. Either-way...it's both our prerogatives, isn't-it? No worries! |
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Post by talltim on Aug 31, 2016 9:42:10 GMT -8
Learning railroading speak (as opposed to railway speak) is a bigger culture shock than spelling differences. Not only is the vocabulary different, the differences in operating practices means that there are some concepts that just don't exist on the rails in the UK. It's all fun tho!
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Post by riogrande on Aug 31, 2016 9:54:26 GMT -8
Hah hah. I have a fellow IT worker who is originally from Pakistan. He learned British English. He told me back when we were on a helpdesk some years ago that he was getting criticized by a supervisor for misspelling words. His defense was, he did spell them correctly using English spelling. The supervisor told him he was in America now and needed to use correct American spellings!
My wife was born and raised in the UK and immigrated here in 2011 and of course was pretty set in her ways. Of course there is the ol' - we are two peoples separated by a common language. Never a dull moment!
James, my mother was always of the opinion we should be able to spell properly by the time we finish high school; we never went on a long vacation cross-country where I wasn't hammered with spelling and vocabulary words. Despite that I went on to earn Bachelors of Science and a Master of Science degree's - looks like got me beat academically but we still get complacent. What is more, with smart phones and working on touch screens etc. it's getting even worse!
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Post by jlwii2000 on Aug 31, 2016 11:01:18 GMT -8
I just verified caboose hobbies didn't take money down on pre orders. That means this wasn't a shot at caboose hobbies.
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Post by riogrande on Aug 31, 2016 11:06:10 GMT -8
The timing isn't lost on some however and it's possible TW didn't get all the facts so it still could be a shot at CH.
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Post by SOMECALLMETIM on Aug 31, 2016 12:42:16 GMT -8
I think another issue that I haven't seen raised is the closing of Portman Hobby which is one of the major hobby distributors I believe. Anyone have additional information on it?
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Post by jlwii2000 on Aug 31, 2016 16:10:32 GMT -8
The timing isn't lost on some however and it's possible TW didn't get all the facts so it still could be a shot at CH. No, it's not. Trainworld posted this on their Facebook on why the email was prompted. I'm sure it is also a reminder that Trainworld doesn't have a down payment on pre orders but again what is wrong with that? They are a business. It's way more palatable than the Verizon and Sprint spat that has played out on commercials as they try to steal eachother's customers and blast eachother. This hobby never ceases to amaze me on how easily the butthurt flows over minuscule things. Trainworld: Unfortunately we've been told by a distributor that they heard over 80 train stores closed this year alone. You can look at the train forums which show some big names showing up. It's been a tough year for model train stores. This wasn't aimed towards any store in specific. It's just been a bad situation in general. |
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Post by santafe49 on Aug 31, 2016 16:58:03 GMT -8
And yet, how many times in the past have we seen posts on this and other forums from members who ask "did anyone else order or pre-order an "item" from so and so railroad supplier and it never appeared or the company closed up with no repayment of pre-order funds???
Seems Trainworld is just saying , "we are doing well financially and you can depend on us to fulfill your pre-order", so trust us.
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Post by captainmudflap (AL) on Aug 31, 2016 17:49:42 GMT -8
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Post by canrailfan on Aug 31, 2016 20:57:51 GMT -8
No, it's not. Trainworld posted this on their Facebook on why the email was prompted. I'm sure it is also a reminder that Trainworld doesn't have a down payment on pre orders but again what is wrong with that? They are a business. It's way more palatable than the Verizon and Sprint spat that has played out on commercials as they try to steal eachother's customers and blast eachother. This hobby never ceases to amaze me on how easily the butthurt flows over minuscule things. Trainworld: Unfortunately we've been told by a distributor that they heard over 80 train stores closed this year alone. You can look at the train forums which show some big names showing up. It's been a tough year for model train stores. This wasn't aimed towards any store in specific. It's just been a bad situation in general. It's interesting that TW attributes a distributor with saying over 80 LHSs closed this year. (Would this be since January 1st or in the last twelve months?) The major distributors have significantly contributed to the financial problems of many LHSs by cutting the wholesale margins to 30% or less, raising minimum order amounts, in some cases withholding products in favour of their larger LHS customers AND going into competition with the LHSs by selling direct to customers on the web. This also makes a LHS an unattractive business to buy. Anyone trying to sell their business isn't getting many calls. |
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Post by riogrande on Sept 1, 2016 4:07:15 GMT -8
David, if you are right, it sounds like the distributors are choking off their outlet for products which is ultimately slow suicide?
As far as an LHS being unattractive to buy, that's an observation I made 20-25 years ago by watching and observing; of course it's even worse now but many years ago I was under no allusions about the LHS's I visited in the late 1980's and early 1990's with the sour/glum shop owner looking like he hated his life and I didn't waste much time getting out the door.
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