A Plea To Online Train Dealers

I agree. 

For years, invoking the MTH Product Locator was a real crap shoot.  It might pull up a product description or it might tell you that item didn't exist or it might give you the Jupiter 8 lost in hyperspace tour.  It seems to be much more reliable these days. 

I, too have found something on a store's website, called the owner, and been told they don't have it and the website is out of date.  Putting up a website takes a commitment.

But my all-time nomination for worst website EVER goes to Backdrop Warehouse.  On a useability scale from 1-10 (1 being low), this site rates a -15.  Here's a prime example of a website being your way to acquire business and SUCKING so bad that it creates a perfect vacuum. 

George

And while we’re at it, a link to what I think is one of the best dealer web sites out there.  M.B. Klein. Legitimate real-time inventory, pics, and good item descriptions.  Excellent prices, too.

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/

I do most of my "shopping" between midnight and 6am, and I have hearing problems that make using the phone for business tedious.   I will take my money to the suppliers who cater to me.  It's called capitalism.  Look it up.

Also, I DO feel safer ordering online because it generates a "paper" trail of my order.   One time of calling to check why my order hasn't arrived only to be told "what order?  We have no record" is one time too many.

But my all-time nomination for worst website EVER goes to Backdrop Warehouse.  On a useability scale from 1-10 (1 being low), this site rates a -15.  Here's a prime example of a website being your way to acquire business and SUCKING so bad that it creates a perfect vacuum. 

 

George

It is a pretty bad website...probably reflecting the owners state of mind. In actuality it is fairly simple in content but presented in the most disorganized manner conceivable. I actually mastered the site when I was considering purchasing from them, but by that time I reconsidered and decided to paint my own. Glad I did.

Originally Posted by G3750:

But my all-time nomination for worst website EVER goes to Backdrop Warehouse.  On a useability scale from 1-10 (1 being low), this site rates a -15.  Here's a prime example of a website being your way to acquire business and SUCKING so bad that it creates a perfect vacuum. 

 

George

 

 

It is a pretty bad website...probably reflecting the owners state of mind. In actuality it is fairly simple in content but presented in the most disorganized manner conceivable. I actually mastered the site when I was considering purchasing from them, but by that time I reconsidered and decided to paint my own. Glad I did.

'Hook,

I tried using the site about 8 years ago to order a speciality backdrop.  I had a lot of trouble and finally called them.  They really didn't like answering my questions and kept pushing me to the website.  (I am computer literate; I have an MS in Computer Science).  I decided that they really didn't want my $400.

I haven't put up a backdrop, but my only option at this point is to paint it myself on masonite.  Don't know if I will try.

George

John it's not one of the best..........IT IS THE BEST HANDS DOWN. 

Originally Posted by SkyHookDepot:

Originally Posted by G3750:

But my all-time nomination for worst website EVER goes to Backdrop Warehouse.  On a useability scale from 1-10 (1 being low), this site rates a -15.  Here's a prime example of a website being your way to acquire business and SUCKING so bad that it creates a perfect vacuum. 

 

George

 

 

It is a pretty bad website...probably reflecting the owners state of mind. In actuality it is fairly simple in content but presented in the most disorganized manner conceivable. I actually mastered the site when I was considering purchasing from them, but by that time I reconsidered and decided to paint my own. Glad I did.

'Hook,

I tried using the site about 8 years ago to order a speciality backdrop.  I had a lot of trouble and finally called them.  They really didn't like answering my questions and kept pushing me to the website.  (I am computer literate; I have an MS in Computer Science).  I decided that they really didn't want my $400.

 

I haven't put up a backdrop, but my only option at this point is to paint it myself on masonite.  Don't know if I will try.

 

George

I agree that Backdrop Warehouse's website was an utter abomination.  I ordered a backdrop from them using their website about 5 years agao, and it nearly gave me an aneurism.  Actually, it's no different today than it was when you were last on it George.  To their credit, the shipping was quick, reasonable pricing, and it was a good product.  But I will never, ever duck and weave through that nightmarish navigational labyrinth ever again.

There's been posts on the forum about it every once in a while.  The owner (who is a forum member) used to respond to those criticisms.  He was always polite but defended how the website was designed and was done based on feedback from other customers.  I don't know who those customers were that suggested the site was optimal but obviously they've been smoking something wacky.

As it is, BBW's website is plagued with what website guru Vincent Flanders calls "mystery meat navigation" which I fully agree.  You never know what you're going to get with every mouse-click on that website. 

Speaking of Vincent Flanders and crappy websites, here's a link to his website. This is a brilliant, comical study of how to build good websites by looking at bad website design.

Just for fun, here's a direct link to his comical "mystery meat navigation" example.

From the Webmaster:

PLEASE LEARN HOW TO USE THE LINK TOOL! Do NOT just paste URL's here.

Got my vote!

+1, M.B. Klein has my vote as well.

Don't know why some folks think it is rocket science to get a good website up and running.   M.K. Klein has had a real time inventory system up and running for several years now.  See something you like, place the order on-line, go back to the website and what you have ordered has been subtracted from the system.

I actually prefer to order over the internet rather than by phone as there is no misunderstanding about what I am trying to order.

They also discount off the sticker price.

And Jon, some of us older than 50 (I'm 53), have no problems ordering from a secure site.

Jim