Buying 2021 Catalog Items - Fastest from Lionel or Trainworld or ?

Direct from Lionel is fastest

@JackO posted:

I was considering purchasing some items from the Lionel 2021 catalog. I pre-ordered a few items from the LionelStore.com. Then I got the email today about purchasing from TrainWorld.com. Their prices are a bit less than Lionel direct -- but do you get the items just as fast as buying direct from Lionel?

Thank you.

They'll come from Lionel faster but is it worth maybe 1 or 2 weeks earlier?

I have preordered from Trainworld, MrMuffins, Charles RO and Nassau Hobby. All three have shipped quickly within a week of Lionel. Nassau and Charles RO have the best prices, Nassau requires a deposit. All four have friendly staff and are great to work with.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

What's the hurry?

@Randy_B posted:

What's the hurry?

No real hurry. Didn't know if it was a matter of days, weeks, or months in shipping differences.

Charles Ro No deposit and Lowest shipping cost.

Gunny

Lionel is usually first to get out the new stuff.

I will say that purchasing from a dealer is also nice because if there is an issue, the dealers are much quicker to resolve it. For example, Charles RO has quickly done repairs for me when a new engine arrives with a pinched or disconnected wire.

I also like supporting local dealers that hire people in areas where I or my family lives (Boston, southeastern PA, and Indiana). I buy from trainworld because they do great outreach for our hobby, I support Mr. Muffins because he’s using his resources to help lift up his hometown, and Charles RO is luckily my local shop. When I pre-order I tend to spread the wealth since I like the folks. I also buy from Nicholas Smith, Henning’s Trains... the list goes on and on.

Point is, I buy way too many trains and accessories, and I like to support as many dealers as I can