AM Hobbies more info

That's great, however....

I hope you can offer the same prices and shipping as AM offered operating out of an East coast warehouse.

Dealers west of the Mississippi have higher operating costs and haven’t been able to compete with the East coast dealers pricing or shipping.

hi beth,

will you also be buying all of the GGD passenger cars, still looking to complete my lackawanna set in 2 rail. help me if you can, thank you.

We will be buying everything in the inventory, including the GGD cars.  BTW, all of the cars for the DLW set have been made, and probably won;t be re-run.  We have a lot of GGD in stock and we are a large dealer for them.  Which cars are you missing.

Please email us at pdtrains@earthlink.net

thx

beth

hi beth,

sent you a email.

SIRT:

I live in upstate New York and have been buying from Beth by mail and at York for the last 6 years. She and her staff and easy to deal with, answer the phone when you call and often had the best price on the Atlas and Weaver I was looking for.

Give her a try and you will not be disappointed.

Tony

Up on "The D & H Bridge Line"

I have purchased mail order from you in the past at Ca. prices and wasn’t too overly concerned at the time. When it’s a rare car, I don’t mind paying extra.

Unfortunately, the market is hurting due to the astronomical prices passed on to all of us by the suppliers.

Modelers are very selective more cost conscious these days.

So you actually answered my point. West coast mail order items will still average $15.00 a car higher than E.C. finds. Pricing is governed by location.

For my business, I generally monitor everyone’s prices and stock on a daily basis.

Some of us have our go to dealers per MFG. and will buy / support them accordingly.

As for offering fair deals like AM Bob had, we shall see if his tradition will be carried on by others.

Jason has done so taking over Jims on MTH; hopefully we will see the same with the Atlas & Weaver lines.

Unfortunately, Beth, that attitude on the part of far too many consumers is what is slowly but surely strangling small business of all types in this society.  It's really sad to see, especially in a hobby largely supported by discretionary spending.  And then those same folks who want something for next to nothing will complain about service matters, shipping costs, etc., further demonstrating their lack of understanding of just what it takes for a small business to survive.

As a further example, you currently have an Atlas O S&S 36' Wood Reefer on e-Bay selling for $61.95 plus $15.47 Shipping. You are not even close to being competitive, not even with other dealers on e-BAY. Additionally, there is never an Atlas Part No. published with any of your offerings. So, if someone like myself wants to see the original Atlas specs I guess we need to call you first. I find it totally disingenuous for you to complain about people shopping for optimum pricing. We still live in America don't we.  I buy many Atlas cars, I get good pricing, good product information, fair shipping and I only pay competitive prices. And my vendors are happy to have my business.

Bob Di Stefano

I guess I opened the Pandora's box here, not that I should be surprised.  Prices and shipping I'm referring to here are from our website, not ebay.  Ebay charges us up to 12% every time we sell anything, and we have raised prices on ebay accordingly.  Our ebay prices are always higher than our website prices.   As far as shipping is concerned, don;t believe everything you read in the papers.  Those ebay shipping prices are automatically generated by ebay, and not always correct.  We always refund shipping overages.

I wasn't referring to Bob Thatcher here, just some other dealers in general. Our prices are sometimes the same as Bob's were, and sometimes a few dollars higher.  As for AM hobbies, it is now owned by Jeff Dobslaw, not us. We are just purchasing the inventory, and 4 of the upcoming custom runs.

beth

You are free to buy from whomever you want to.  I'm just putting forward the perspective from the other side of the fence.  If you were a small business owner, you would understand what I am saying.  As I said, we are not for everybody, and there is room in this business for plenty of other dealers other than ourselves.

beth

Why all this angst against Beth at the pd track she is a fine dealer who has good stock and great to deal with. I have delt with her online and in person at some of the shows. If you don't like her prices then go somewhere else and don't torture her. She is trying her best to make a bad situation at AM hobbies by taking his stock so his former customers are taken care of. No good deeds go unpunished it seems. Time to grow up fellows.

Thanks for your kind comments.  It is appreciated.  We do our best.

beth

Before selling my business to Ashland Oil, I was a small business owner for 35 years,

and I still don't understand what you are talking about. I interpret your comments as complaining-and I find them unprofessional and boring at best. You made statements on this forum above that were inaccurate  I called you on them and you choose not to respond.

Bob Di Stefano

The loss of AM Hobbies leaves a big hole in the distribution of Atlas products. However, we train consumers have had to adapt to the loss of K-Line, the shutting down of Train America Studios, Kirke's passing at Justrains and the resulting chaos, and so on. I'm sure we will all find other places to purchase Atlas products.

I do have two questions/observations:

• If Beth purchased Bob's inventory and Jeff bought the business - exactly what did Jeff buy? The name of the business, mailing and email lists, the website?
• The best thing about Bob's (beside his pricing structure) business was he seemed to stock just about everything Atlas made and usually in depth. Just from looking at Beth's and Jeff's websites, I just don't see that. So the question is - are Beth and Jeff going to stock just about all Atlas products or are they going to continue doing business as they do now?

Ken

Hello guys an gals........

oh boy !!!!!! , i hope Beth has the boxcar i am looking for as i am on FIXED income so i have to find it in price range reasonable to fit my budget.

the woman who loves toy trains

Tiffany

Jeff will be fulfilling all outstanding pre-orders, and will have the AM hobbies website, so you will be able to purchase all the things that have been available from AM hobbies, AFAIK.   As for us, we have 1000+ different items on our website currently. Hopefully we will get atlas track up on the web site shortly.  Our website only has about 40% of the items we actually have in stock.

I thought I answered your questions.  I guess we just disagree.

Maybe Bob had some inside connections nobody knew about.

man, some of you guys (and gals) are a tough audience. I agree that bob at am hobbies was a great resource with very good prices. but, maybe Beth and jeff should be given a chance before pummeling them on inventory and prices. besides, at least someone is trying to step in and maintain this valuable Atlas resource. and, as much as I empathasize with those to whom the absolute lowest price is the end all and be all, I'm sure beth and jeff will do what they can to remain competitive. because, if not, the ultimate judge of that will be their current and potentially future customers. the marketplace is a self-selecting arbiter of success. 

jerrman

This is a tough room. 

Thx

beth

Very true.  It seems to me the fact that Beth and Jeff are able to step in and pick up the AM Hobbies business confirms their past, present and future successes.  I've always been happy with the products, prices and services from both Beth and Jeff.

I have purchased items from both Bob and Beth. All dealings were extremely positive. Beth was very responsive trying to locate an out of stock item for me recently and will get more of my business in the future.

Every dealer has a line they specialize in. For MTH it used to be Jimmy S., for Atlas maybe Bob. If you are looking for 3rd Rail Beth is the go to person. Keep up the good work Beth.

Pete

Thanks again for the positive comments.

beth

After reading some of the posts here, I feel compelled to chime in. I've been a customer of Beth's for a good number of years. Unfortunately, due to some family medical problems, I haven't been in the market for O gauge equipment and consequently haven't patronized her business recently. That said, I've always found Beth's prices reasonable for both buyer and seller and her selection of models, particularly those of eastern prototypes, second to none. Plus, she's a genuine train person and is always happy to talk railroading, a real plus for like minded enthusiasts such as myself. Her displays at shows are unequalled.

As my personal situation stabilizes and I start to get my feet back under me, I look forward to buying from Beth once again. If anyone can get that Atlas PRR or PC RSD15 for me, she can.

Beth gets two thumbs up from me.

Bob Callahan   

Beth and Jeff stepped up to the plate, and helped out both AM Hobby's customers and the train hobby in general, and all some people do is pee on their porches. If you don't like them before giving them a try, you are free to buy from anyone you wish to buy from. But don't shoot someone in the foot before they take some steps. Enough butchering cliches. Good luck Beth and Jeff.

It does not have to be, I choose to keep an open mind to see what develops. The loss of the AM Hobbies has been a little bit of a blow and not unlike several stores and their Owners who have either passed on or handed down the business.

I choose to wait and see what items come up for sale and go from there. I will say that I am optimistic because AM Hobby has been one of the stalwarts who has done well for me.

As for some of the heavy shoving from some, I simply say there is room under the tent for all. I sense winds of change as I have seen before in my life time and think that even today, Trains are fun and as long there are goodies for sale, let's enjoy them... shall we?

As far as I am concerned, I am fortunate to be able to find a deal here and there on the deck as far as life has done in the past and will continue to hunt for same.

Good luck!

Thanks again to all those making kind comments...

Bob Callahan...Nice to hear from you.  Best wishes for you and your family.  I have a PC RSD-15 here, whenever you might want it....

Luke.....Thx.  I didn't know you were up on this thing. I'll get a 3Volt plug and play board for the PRR transfer engine one of these days.  I'll email you.

Don't let the few "nattering nabobs of negativity" get to you, Beth!  There are a few of them around online, as you likely well know.

My only significant purchase at the last York Meet came from Beth's very large and nicely stocked booth.  Two thumbs up from me, and here's wishing you the very best with your latest acquisition.

I have purchased from Bob, Beth, and Jeff - all have been positive.  Bob was some kind of Atlas distributor and that may be why his prices were very good.  Many dealers complained about his pricing.  Atlas seems to be very involved in unwinding Bob's business, which is all good for us.  Bob had a very extensive business and it will be a lot of work to transfer it to Jeff and keep the per-orders straight.  I am willing to give them some time to sort it all out.

Dan

RockyMountaineer:

Since Alan Miller is quoting Spiro T. Agnew may I take a moment to quote Lee Marvin

in the "Dirty Dozen".

 "I owe you an apology, Colonel. I always thought that you were a cold, unimaginative, tight lipped officer. But you're really ... quite emotional. Aren't you?"

Bob Di Stefano

"Sir, I'd thank you keep a War-Between-the-States tongue in your mouth"

---Old Civil War Colonel on Rocky and Bullwinkle

That's a pretty good line, Marshall, I'll have to use it on my wife.

Bought a few things from Beth at York. Her booth was stocked well and prices were reasonable. Found a few items that no other dealer had, Weaver PRR MOW cars. Searching that booth with its extensive Atlas and Weaver inventory was a highlight of my York trip. 

I don't understand some people. We lost a good dealer like AM Hobbies, two others have stepped in to manage the transition and before the process can get started they are being attacked. Ridiculous.

I received an email earlier this evening from Jeff.  So far I am very happy with the responses I have received to my own inquiries. 

Seems that Jeff, Beth and Bob are doing their best to make this as smooth a transition as possible for us hobbyists.  I don't think we can ask for more.

Wow thanks everybody.  I thought the patients in my behavioral health units had some pathology , but it is good to come on line at see in my hobby those patients are not alone.

Might I suggest if you don't like a dealer, don't deal with them.  If you think they are overpriced don't buy it.  Opinions are like orifices on the human body, we all them but we don't need to know every ones.  I can decide for myself if its overpriced.  I have seen prices on various cars go 4x times the original list price (EAST COAST DEALER WHO I LIKE)   and I have paid it because my pathology demanded it.  Was it unreasonable I would think so, if it wasn't a line or car I was interested in, but since I was very interested in it, heck NO!

Don't make regional statements (North versus South, East Versus West) unless you have a sample size more than 30 randomly selected to support your argument.  Like  racial or ethnic statements they tend to reflect bias not fact.  I grew up on the east coast and choose not to live there anymore but there are great things about all of The USA.  Why make divisive statements?  You want to make a claim about prices being higher in one region well, factually if you are in an armpit in the west it is far cheaper to operate than a big east coast city.

Don't quote corrupt political officials or make some statement about government  which is your OPINION.  Heck don't quote political officials prior to 1930.  I promise I won't quote FDR, JFK, Clinton or Obama so if others can restrain from introducing their politics I would be forever grateful, makes it easier for me to resubscribe.  I trust your ability to get my MTH PS2 to stop dieing, I will buy you endless beers or sodas for telling me how to make those lights in my caboose look realistic, but I might think you're an idiot when it comes to your views on how the country should be run.  At the same time I recognize you might love my rendition of Pittsburgh trains and think I have a more realistic rendering of McKeesport's downtown B&O line that has ever been created but you think that I would flush your hard earned tax dollars down the toilet on stupid social programs.  I am fine with that.  We are comrades in O scale trains not our opinions on gay marriage. (Sorry S gauge fans)

And to the many who tried to drive this discussion to a more humane, decent and sophisticated level, if you see me at a train store, train meet or convention, let me know, I'll buy you a beer for trying to make the forum and in a small part the world a better place.