Anyone know if 'Olsen's Toy Train Parts' is still in biz?

I order some items in April and they, not complete the order as they were waiting for one of the items to come in. Received the package about two weeks ago and everything was good. In between, when I was checking on my order (5-13-2016) I received a email from Sal: Sharon/Taking care of her in-laws. hope all is good with Sharon/Olsen's as they are one of the best sources for parts.

they seem to drop off from time to time. I've bought from them at shows, but thru the mail I stick with Jeff Kane.

Olsen's has a great parts catalog, and online resources. Unfortunately, they have kind of given up on their business. I get the impression the owner wound down, ditched, and they are now run by the owner's daughter. She works on her own schedule and doesn't know or care much about trains. I have had many delayed packages, wrong parts sent, ignored emails, etc. Are they closed up for good? I have no idea, but you would never know the difference either way.

I second Steamer's recommendation to use Jeff Kane at the Train Tender. He is very professional, knowledgeable and responsive.

I wonder if it would be possible for another hobbyist to buy it from them. 

Give them a break. Small family business. Taking care of family SHOULD ALWAYS come first.

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Give them a break. Small family business. Taking care of family SHOULD ALWAYS come first.

Steve

If that's the answer to my question about not being able to reach them, it's a good and valid one. I don't think anyone is faulting them for taking care of family. I for one, wish them well.

RonH posted:

I order some items in April and they, not complete the order as they were waiting for one of the items to come in. Received the package about two weeks ago and everything was good. In between, when I was checking on my order (5-13-2016) I received a email from Sal: Sharon/Taking care of her in-laws. hope all is good with Sharon/Olsen's as they are one of the best sources for parts.

 

I have no problems with Olsen's as they are one of the best and will keep them as one of the vendors that I use.
I love their library for getting my prewar pat numbers  and sure that everyone uses their library for getting their numbers as well.

Sal Olsen passed away a few years ago IIRC, and Sharon the daughter runs it now. 

El Classico posted:

I wonder if it would be possible for another hobbyist to buy it from them. 

the thing with that would be it would still be a side line. subject to the real life interference's that hit some cottage business. 

Steamer posted:

Sal Olsen passed away a few years ago IIRC, and Sharon the daughter runs it now. 

The recent email that I received from Olen was:

"Sharon is out of the office until Tuesday.
Taking care of her in-laws
Thanks Sal:

Hope there is another Sal or I was in the Twilight Zone?

maybe I was....

Hennings trains, George Tebolt, David Trickel, and Jeff Kane are all excellent parts suppliers that provide parts AND excellent customer service!

The digital parts database CD's Olsens sales are great!  I have also spoken to Sharon on the phone, and she was very friendly.  As far as ordering parts, I try to go to Jeff Kane.  I ordered a bottle of ink a while back from Olsens and it took two weeks for the item to show up at my doorstep!  If I place an order at The Train Tender, Jeff normally ships the items the next business day.  I also ordered a cast under-frame for a 752E from Olsens, I discovered the pre-drilled holes in the frame did't even match up with the body, so I had to return the item.

Unfortunately, I had to open a case on eBay. Paid for parts on the 7th and never got them. No responses. If they are having problems, I feel for them, but then again maybe they shouldn't list on eBay and take the payments until they can deliver paid for parts.

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Give them a break. Small family business. Taking care of family SHOULD ALWAYS come first.

Steve

Yes, exactly. And we owe them Many Thanks for the excellent online database of parts and service information.

Ace posted:

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Give them a break. Small family business. Taking care of family SHOULD ALWAYS come first.

Steve

Yes, exactly. And we owe them Many Thanks for the excellent online database of parts and service information.

Agreed, that's why I've been patient, sent kind emails and waited... and waited. When you're out money, you have to least ask for a reasonable response.

I have never been able to order from there website as much as I tried or for that much other than the library i can't navigate there site I keep getting back to where I started. very frustrating trying to see if they have a part and can't get away from that dang CD they want you to buy. I've tried calling for a part request about a year ago left message as asked to never heard back even emailed asking about it about week later still never heard from them. 

Dreyfuss Hudson posted:

Ace posted:

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Give them a break. Small family business. Taking care of family SHOULD ALWAYS come first.

Steve

Yes, exactly. And we owe them Many Thanks for the excellent online database of parts and service information.

Agreed, that's why I've been patient, sent kind emails and waited... and waited. When you're out money, you have to least ask for a reasonable response.

I had a situation where a one of the parts were out of stock and they were waiting for it to come in.
Sent several emails and they did return my emails, until after a while,stating that they were out and it will ship soon as it was in.
Always had luck with my Olsen's orders, just takes time.
Great data base (and only one) for prewar parts

I am hoping for the best, and do wish them well. I will gladly announce it when it happens.

I have never ordered from them so I have no opinion. But as far as Jeff Kane at the train Tender is concerned, first class 100%!!! All orders are correct and he is a wealth of knowledge..

A lot of people can't wait for the parts, they need them right away like myself. I can't see waiting a month or two to get a part. I use Jeff kane, he mails them the same day or next day with an invoice. He is the most professional parts person I know. George Tebolt is second.

I have a fairly large order that I am putting together for Jeff Kane. Spoke with him on the phone. He seems most attentive and I have no doubt things will go well with his service.

For  what it's worth, I placed an order Sunday.  Paid via PayPal, much as I hate it, and the receipt had this on it:

Merchant
TOY TRAIN PARTS
sharon.ottparts@gmail.com

I'll see what happens as have had dependable service in the past.  Also a good source for Lionel catalogs to fill holes in the collection.

Richard Snipes

Are they still in business ?
I placed online order at Feb1, 2018, paid by Paypal.
I sent email in the mid of Feb about order status and got Sharon's reply that orders takes 2-3 weeks to complete.
Today is March 1- I tried to call them but nobody answers the phone. Email sent get's bounced with information they are on vacation until 02-07-18...

Hennings..just as prompt... 

Chirss, Of you are asking if they are still in business, what you posted is your answer.  Sharon runs the business, and the website states that they don’t answer the phone.  Contact is strictly thru email.  If your post, was showing that she & Olsen’s are still operating.  Give her a break, as she does her best for a small family business.

I'm getting "strictly to email", that they are on vacation until Feb 07. Today is March 1.
Do you really think it's the best answer that could be provided ?

Henning's is reliable and they still had some original MEW tinplate parts in stock last time I ordered.

Dick Wheeler (MEW) had quality wheels and parts for prewar tinplate back in the day!

FYI for you youngsters - MEW: Model Engineering Works.

My last Olsen order was placed on 1/29/2018.

Shipped to me on 2/13/2018.

They had parts no one else had in stock, so I was willing to wait.

A email or two would have been nice to get, for status.

Paypal does protect you from lost orders.

Tinplate Art posted:

FYI for you youngsters - MEW: Model Engineering Works.

MEW is now Henning's Trains  Scroll down a little  They purchased all of MEW.

Just used Olsen’s a couple of weeks ago. Great service.

And they ship to the U.K. 

Sharon has a full time “proper” job so you may have wait for a reply at the weekend. 

Nick

I have bought from Sharon at shows...great lady, great parts, fair prices. Don't know if I'd buy thru the mail...I understand having a real job...but an e mail sent in a reasonable time is not too much to expect.

Jeff Kane on the other hand...I swear he has my parts in the mail before I send the order in.....

Jeff's a great guy. i buy all my parts from him.

I want to thank you who recommended us.  We are a small pop & sons shop, who attempts to cater to all of the train guys regarding parts. As regards Sharon, she does her best w/ a limited work frame at their shop.( she has a full time normal job ).   We answer about 25 e-mails a day, asking questions or trying to find parts for their wants.  It is not easy, as we still have to pick & ship about 35 parts orders every day, 24 / 7.  This takes up a lot of time, and we do our best. However, when you save a parts mfg. co. from the junk yard ( MEW ). and try to figure out what you bought and if it is worth re-mfg. for the 'FEW' pieces you might sell, a whole lot more time is used up.  If I do not answer a request the same week, it is not because I do not care, but maybe  trying to find when, where, and if a part will work.  We have turned out over 8000 cast , finished wheels for the pre war locos, and working on more choices.  I am 75 and do not move as quickly as I used to.  Most of the MEW tooling is still sitting stacked up in the barn until spring. At that time, we plan to insulate, & heat the area so as to sort & mfg. parts as we have inquiries for.  We now have some Dorfan truck sets cast, wheels in stock and waiting for axles to be made for completion.  All items from the MEW line are pictured and priced at our website. New items are posted as we figure out what we have. 

  Just be patient and we will do our best to take care of, or answer your questions ASAP.  

   Thank you.  Harry 

Just sharing my recent experience if anybody interested.

After my 5th email requesting update my order has been finally completed. It took 56 days in total to clear it out. 
I gave myself deadline to wait until end of March, then cancel this order (Paypal) if no reaction from OTTP.

All the parts come as specified. In fact, they were also available from Jeff and/or Ebay suppliers.
Ordering from OTTP saved me shipping costs ( which I would have to spend buying from multiple stores) unfortunately this come at cost of long waiting time with very poor communication.
So buying cheaper is always some trade of. 

Chris

I've never ordered parts from Hennings, but all of my dealings with them at York has always been top notch.  So i wouldn't hesitate to buy thru the mail from them.  Harry is especially entertaining to meet and deal with at York.   If you get a chance at York,  drop by and meet them.   They are pretty close to the center of the orange hall.

I purchased something from Olsen's via Ebay on March 24 and received it on the 30th.