Dealing with Hobbytown USA in Dallas

I had a similar experience at the Folsom,Ca store but much more money was involved.

Mikey

Hobbytown USA is just a franchise operation.  One store can be the best in the biz while the next is a dump. Each is privately owned.  When we had a hobby shop we looked at the franchise but it felt it was not worth the cost at the time. 

BTW.....the vast majority of brick and mortar stores no longer take checks. Of the 3 hobby shops I visit all 3 have big 'no checks' signs. As a retired bank analyst I 100% understand and agree. Check kiting and other check games are one of the last 'beginner fraud' tactics.     

I am a dentist "still in practice" and I get about three checks a year that bounce - usually a new patient - but at my age my client base is pretty established. Wally World and other big stores generally process checks electronically and there is no problem.

Correct....the big box stores take checks.....but not really. They are converting the checks into debt card transactions. If you note most stores that take checks read it and return the check to the customer.....thus they are not processing checks in truth.  Most merchants want instant verification on funds availability.  

Griff Murphey posted:

My 7 year old grandson is an enthusiastic O gauger proudly operating his Pennsy E-6 and 70 foot standards around his Christmas tree. I thought an auto transporter might encourage him to run some freights and I felt lucky to find one today on the shelf at the Dallas Hobbytown USA on Mockingbird. I didn't look at it since it was in the box with the other new stuff although the box was slightly shopworn. When I got it home  found that one of the autos had a smashed wheel where it attached to the axle. The car was dirty and had obviously sat on a layout or shelf for an extended period and the wear on the wheels demonstrated its used condition as well. They have unboxed used stuff, mostly vintage Lionel, in a cabinet. I feel that putting this out with new stuff, much of it in the shrink wrap, is somewhat unethical, even though it was boxed. Maybe penny ante fraud but nonetheless irritating! And they DON'T take CHECKS,

I was able to carefully build up quick setting epoxy and repair the auto's wheel, and a spray air can took care of most of the dust and dirt. Just imagine my grahdson's disappointment had the car been missing that wheel on Christmas morning.

By the way, big thanks to the guys on the forum who sold me grahdson's Pride of place passenger consist!

Griff, It's good that you could fix it.  I think sometimes folks get to engrossed with every little problem and are too quick to return things.  If everyone would just take a step back, ad re-evaluate the situation, things could be corrected and made right with just a little effort and perhaps some degree of skill.  You did what needed to be done with little epoxy and some minor cleaning, and things were set to right.  Kudos.

By the way, I named my eldest son Griffith, called Griff for short.  Small world.

Yeah Griffin was an old family name on my mom's side. Here are a couple of shots of Grandson's O gauge activity:

(Bottom photo shows his regular setup in his playroom the upper two are his Christmas layout. His mom helped him realocate the track. The Texaco station was a "find" at the SW O scale meet this  year from Mr. Schwartz!)

COOL!!!!! LEGO trains!!! We have those too!!! 

He built that himself! Runs rc!

Griff

if you haven't been, Discount Model Trains on Ratliff by the Addison Airport is a good store.

The guys there know trains.  Granted the place mostly caters to HO and N, and you will be overwhelmed by the selection of stuff in those scales.

However they do carry Lionel, and usually have a decent selection of freight rolling stock .   They also have a ton of track, and all kinds of scenery supplies.

I stop in there about once a month to see what's new.   They also have a lot of cool  used Lionel cars, that aren't damaged.

Ever since the old Lonestar Toys and Trains moved then closed that huge location off Skillman/635, Discount Model Trains is where I do local train shopping

I bet your grandson would go nuts if you took him there.

DMT Map

Thank you for the tip!

Griff:

Nice photos and like Bob said above, it’s good that you were able to fix the damaged purchase.  Next time, consider paying with a credit card because you can dispute the charge if there’s a problem within 60 days of the purchase date. 

Bill

Hi Griff. It’s nice seeing my old shelf queen being enjoyed by your grandson. I hope his enjoyment lasts a lifetime.

Yup so far so good he is getting artistic with the whistle!

This is my favorite part of this hobby!