Do you typically pay full retail for trains?

There is no reason to pay full retail price for anything,shop the forum sponsors,or other dealers & you will find plenty of good prices,i never pay full price for anything in the lionel catalog.

Most dealers offer a discount to the suggested retail price. Having said that, it is always nice to take advantage of a good price, but establishing a long term relationship with a good dealer will serve you well in the future. Getting a discount to boot, all the better.

Welcome to the Forum. Typically most dealers are instructed to sell the products for a lower price. Train world sells with a dealers price with an occasional sale on-line. I try to get everything cheaper than the full retail price.

lots of good deals right here on the buy-sell forum......theres stuff 50% off retail.-jim

No, catalogue price is seldom charged. That's primarily a way to let dealers "give you a good deal" (maybe yes, maybe no). Price matters, but dependability matters more, to me.

Some dealers I've used over the years were "cheap" but unreliable per pre-orders. The old "great price - if it had ever shown up" problem.

 

But, most of that is in the past now, so far as I know. The sponsors here are a good place to start. Since no one else has mentioned names, I won't either, but, for new production items my main Lionel dealer is in the Atlanta area and my main MTH source (I buy fewer of their locomotives than the Lionel/Lionel compatible) is in Miami.

 

Just take it easy and enjoy; this stuff is all over the place. 

Last winter I bought several set break-up pieces from a couple of sources, including forum sponsor Grzyboski's Train Store.  Sets tend to be aimed at the starter market / gift market but sometimes's these nice basic models at a reasonable price are tempting.

 

Several dealers let us know when they are having a special sale.  Mario's Trains just had a Bachmann Clearance during Memorial Day and I got a very good deal.

I am always looking for a bargain whether from my LHS, on OGR or even the bay. As someone said above there's really no reason to pay MSRP.

I, like many, like a bargain. However, my go-to LHS has closed and the owners retired. There are others in the immediate area, however the one I go to I want to do my part to keep going. He is an MTH NASC, dealer, etc. I know his profit margin is slim so I've asked him, multiple times, to NOT give me discounts on smaller things. He has also threatened to not give discounts as well.... LOL!

No. Even my local hobby shop "discounts". But, I really don't care how much his "discount" is, because I want them to continue doing business.

Dealers our here in Southern California seem to do quite well charging full MSRP for trains. I am not sure why but suspect that it is that there is a lot of money floating around here plus the fact that folks are used to paying more for things here.

 

Basically, you pay a premium for the great weather plus all the recreational opportunities in SoCal.

No.

I agree with PTC here. He offers good suggestions, especially about the long term relationship. If you have a local train or hobby shop I would start there. The good relationship with a local business could save you more in the long term than any internet discounts you might get elsewhere by just shopping for price.

 

I am lucky to have a local train store that has O gauge trains. I try there first for almost everything. I visit just about weekly. If they don't have or can't get something, then I try to use one of the OGR forum sponsors. I have a couple of favorites there as well, but I get probably 90%-95% of my train items from my local train store. I know the owner pretty well now and they give me great service, help with problems and offer other advice when I need it. And it gives me a place to go and look at trains in person.

 

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the forum and the hobby.

Generally speaking I have found Ebay to be a pretty good source of equipment. The price is set by the market, and it is a great way to find out want something is worth. That said, there are a number of great brick and mortar dealers that help support this website, and I would say most of them are competitive with fairly good discounting.

My problem is I like post war Lionel, and smaller locomotives due to the space I have to operate in. So I have to go to Ebay, for the most part, to do my shopping.

Welcome to what I think (my thoughts are free and worth every penny) is"... the greatest hobby in the world." David Kalmbach said it in the 1930s and it is still true today. 

Retail price?  No -- except for Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot, as well as Custom Signals, which I have always purchased directly from the manufacturer.

Generally no unless it is something I want right now.    

Its been a long long time since I have paid full retail for an engine or rolling stock.  There are some retailers which only sell at MSRP but they are a distinct minority.  You should have no problem finding a vendor offering product at a discount.  As has been recommended try almost any of our forum sponsors.

No.  Most of my favorite retailers give do not charge full MSRP.

 

I also buy used stuff and blowouts.

Welcome back to the Wonderful Hobby of Model Railroading.... For Brand New Trains, there are many large retailers advertised in OGR MAGAZINE. Also, OGR FORUM. The Buy and Sell Forum,and The Wanted To Buy Forum are Super Great Resources for aquiriing trains at a fair price. You must also remember, Your Local Hobby Shop Should be Your First Attempt as they might be able to Repair, Guide You in Operation, Wiring, Scenery,

and a Great a Help in setting up Your Very Own Layout. I would also look at Lionel Legacy Equipped Locomotives to.....Happy Railroading...

Wow!  Thank you for so many great replies in such a short time.

I'm always a fan of supporting local business as long as the price difference is not too much. 

I'm newer to the area so I will do a little research and hopefully visit a shop or two early this week.

When I was buying my new MTH from a local train store, Trains LLC in Charlotte NC....I was paying retail.....about retail as regulars got 5% off most times. 

Now I am buying used only....no...not even close to original retail.

Just don't procrastinate like I always do.  The great stuff sells out and then you'll end up paying full retail or more when you finally track your item down.

...which is why I don't have a Lionel Ice Cold Express set.

Buy it when you first see it and compare pricing while there is lots of stock.

Hardware,

    Welcome to the O Gauge Hobby & the OGR forum, the best forum on the Net.

About the sales prices, I never pay the catalogue prices, order from one of our OGR forum sponsors and you will see what I mean.  Pre order on their specials and look for their sales.  

PCRR/Dave

Depends on what I'm buying.

 

I pre-order and purchase Sunset/3rd Rail engines/passengers cars from Sunset/3rd Rail at MSRP.  Same thing, if I need a couple of Ross switches, I usually just order from Ross at MSRP.

 

Lionel, MTH, Atlas, or Weaver, I look for an on-line dealer at a discount.  Be informed that it is pretty common to pre-order new items at 10-20% discounts.

 

Jim

Starting a long term relationship with a local dealer gets my vote for all the reasons listed by others above. I'd also suggest selecting an online dealer of choice, just in case your local dealer doesn't carry something you want or sells out. Be sure to ask them both if they have a pre-order program for new items and what the terms are. Manufacturers may say they are going to make a certain item, but if there aren't enough of that item ordered by the dealers/ distributors, the manufacturer may choose not to produce it. 

Never paid full retail and I buy out of State to avoid sales tax...

I don't have an LHS inside of 60 miles, but if you do, and they do train repairs

competently, that is definitely something to consider. Service, like with your car,

is valuable when you need it.  Otherwise, I would have said, "No."

Brian. welcome to our Forum.  I see you are in eastern Pennsylvania.  You should be able to fine ample local hobby shops (LHS) near to you.  As others have said, use the forum sponsors for good deals.  Don't shy away from seeking out your best deal.  You shouldn't have to pay full retail unless it is some very special, very sought-after piece.  

 

Have fun, and enjoy yourself.  this is the place to be for answers and information.  

I don't like to pay "Full Boat" for anything if I don't have to.  However, I have when it was necessary.  And believe me, I'm not a happy camper when that happens.  They say that money can't buy happiness, but it buys trains, and that makes me happy.

 

Chief Bob (Retired)

 

Shop here on the forum. You will always be buying quality trains at very good prices. Since I first joined the forum I have purchased a few good used Lionel, Atlas and K Line engines, along with really nice rolling stock. No problems, and a good place to buy if you are just starting out in the hobby.

Good luck and have fun. 

Re.... what? Guess that means, no.

 

A lot of my collection is second hand. I typically will pay $0.50 to the dollar. 

I certainly try not to but sometimes I do.

I'm only interested in MTH Railking and Premier disels at the moment as I already know a few that I would like to buy first.

 

Premier diesels..you won't be disappointed.Most of mine are 2 rail but started as 3 rail converted to 2 rail using the MTH wheel set conversions. Also the 3 rail premier have the remote couplers which can be commanded with your DCS. The scale premier 2rail(prototypical) uses scale non remote couplers that are purchased separately.Some of my engines are fixed/floating combinations so one scale coupler and one remote coupler at each end. I run lots of MU's.

 

@   beginning  east bound CSX BNSF 4 engine multi unit
    @  .55  west bound Guilford Pan Am  5 engine multi unit
    @ 1.54  east bound Guilford 2 unit switching track

 

 

 

 

Welcome Brian.

Not if I can help it.

 I try, but I'm not very good wanting to haggle.

So high price tags just send me walking when I can help myself.

Hardware – All of my new motive power is MTH.  I’ve gotten about half of the new locos for roughly 10% discount on line and the other half I got at my LHS for about 3% off.  It’s tough to resist that 10% discount, but like many others, I want to support my LHS so that he’s there when I need parts, etc. right now.  Also, if you have any problems, I’ve found that it’s a lot easier dealing with your LHS that an on line dealer.  A nice feature of MTH is that you can go on their website and see everything your LHS has in stock (assuming they keep their inventory up to date).

I am a new member to OGR but have been collecting trains since early 2004, I started with an old steamer set purchased at a local garage sale, and added mainly modern ever since. We moved last June and I am finally building my layout, now the boxed stuff can be brought out of the closets.

Brian, as stated often here, find what you want, at the best price, but definitely find a LHS with repair capability, The best in this area, Roy's train World, closed and 2 generations of knowledge and repair know how went with it.

 

 

90% of the time, NO, especially on big ticket items. Sometimes if I missed out on something, and I really, REALLY want it, I will.

I don't buy a lot new but last year I paid full retail due to the engine was hard to find. But at least when I found 3 retailers with the engine, I bought from the one with free shipping.

MY GOODNESS! Pay full retail......I Wish! Everything that I collect predates 1936. Just think about it....MSRP prewar prices.

 

Even the collectors fail to ask for price breaks, then the eastern Bayou pieces slip away.......whata shame                                                                                                

My LHS gives me a small discount on retail. Anything I can not buy through them, I look to forum sponsors next, who are usually very generous with the discounts. Anything past that is off to the 'bay. Never underestimate the value of having a good relationship with your LHS, if they deserve it. They may not be the cheapest price available, but they can be your best friend when you need something quick or obscure, or need something repaired.