North Lima Train Works

There was a big post all about this place on August 21. Do a search. 

@DMASSO , why not share the search for @John Knapp ?

https://ogrforum.com/...agination.sort=SCORE

Frankly, I don’t understand why you all put up with this kind of behavior. Don’t order from them. I’ve ordered parts from time to time from the Lionel website but if it shows NLTW, I pass. Same with some eBay sellers. One is an OGR forum member. After a few purchases and a few issues, I no longer buy from them. This is a hobby, it is to be enjoyed. 
Steve

If you get a chance to read the other posts about NLTW, then you’ll know it’s under a different ownership....the fella John that now owns it, also runs a string of hardware stores, and unfortunately, the train parts take a back seat to his main gig....he’s a one man band with a couple of low lying employees filling in orders for NLTW....I don’t think the low on the totem pole employees have even the faintest clue about train parts....I’m not excusing this, but that’s the reality.....I buy quite a bit from ol’ John, and yes, it’s a real PITA to get up with him, but when I finally do, he gets my orders done....all I can recommend at this point is to either be patient, or dis him all together......that’s the reality of it....like it, or leave it....John’s actually a really great guy to deal with, he’s just got too many irons in the fire....

Pat

    Thanks everyone for the replies. Pat, thanks for your words of encouragement. I did read all of the posts from 8/1 and I can see that John's other businesses have kept him from paying full attention to the parts business.

    I can understand it taking longer than usual to receive parts under his circumstances, but what I don't understand is after I placed the order, I received a confirmation and an order number. But when I went on the web site and entered my information, it said that I had no orders 13 days later!!!

    Unfortunately, the parts I need are only available from NL Train Works. I went onto Lionel's web site and it said that the two parts I wanted are available from them. I need to repair a 15" K-Line Milwaukee passenger car for my son's train, and Lionel used the same parts when K-line was "K-Line by Lionel." Brasseur does not have these parts.

   My order number is 100002989 if anybody can help.

Thank you,

    John

Do any forum members live near the physical site?  Maybe we could do a batch order. 

If the hardware store isn't closed to the public because of the pandemic, maybe someone would be willing to go there, meet with John (the parts guy), get all the parts, and mail them out to the individual forum members.  We could chip in for his hotel room at York or a small donation?

I live in Texas so I'm not volunteering to drive there.  Just thinking aloud and trying to solve the problem...

Ted S: That's a great idea. I'd be willing to chip for someone's York hotel room or whatever. Just let me know.

Thanks,

     John

This is sort of an update on NLTW; more accurately my recent experience with them:

Placed an order for a bunch of parts on August 30th, a Wednesday afternoon.

Received an email Sept. 10th via PayPal shipping initiated by NLTW that my order had shipped.  (No communication from order placement until notice of order shipping.  CC charged on the 30th.)

Also, when I checked my account after I placed the order and my CC was charged, its status was shown as "processing" or some similar term.  

Priority Mail package arrived this afternoon, Sept. 14.  Each separate part number of the order was neatly labeled and packaged using fresh Tru-Valu small paper bags, and the contents were protected with mucho bubble wrap.  Packing list included.

Very pleased to have the brand new parts I ordered without any mistakes.

FWIW, these parts will be the subject of a very simple "how to" in the next week or so.

 NOTE:  Just checked my account and the Order Status shows "Processing."

Pingman:

    Thanks for the reply. It sounds like you had a good experience with North Lima.

    I have been waiting over a month now for an order I placed on August 13. I had ordered two different parts. I really needed one of those parts to complete a project I had been working on most of the summer.

   So, I put in a new order for two pieces of that one part. I had a similar experience to the one you just described: quick turnaround, packaged similar to yours, etc.  I thought that they might find my 8/13 order and ship them together, but they just shipped the new order.

  I had emailed them several times with no reply, so I decided to work through Paypal. They will advise North Lima of the fact that they were paid through Paypal but did not ship the order. According to Paypal, if I get no response from North Lima by Oct. 2, I can then take the matter up to a Paypal Claim, in which Paypal gets totally involved and decides what the next step should be and takes it!

     John

I started the post in August regarding North Lima train works.   Guess what?  I still have not received the two small items I ordered on July 2 and the web site still shows "processing".  I have given up on expecting the items.  Lesson learned, stay away from them.

 Marty

Is it that Caboose abd Hardware store in North Lima,Ohio?Not too far from where I live just take Market Street all the way out.

@martind posted:

I started the post in August regarding North Lima train works.   Guess what?  I still have not received the two small items I ordered on July 2 and the web site still shows "processing".  I have given up on expecting the items.  Lesson learned, stay away from them.

Marty in your case the items may not be in stock, and the web inventory is out of date.  This is why being able to reach these folks by phone is important.  Was your credit card charged?  If so you have the option of going through Visa, etc., to get your money back (although that still doesn't get you the parts.)

I hope to be able to stop at North Lima Train Works sometime towards the end of the month.

If you need parts that can be found on their online inventory, shoot me an e-mail and I can try to obtain them when I visit.

Note that if you've already placed an order, I don't want to get in the middle of that. But if you need a few things, and can get me a list including part numbers, I'll give it a try.

TRW

What is their website? I've done a few web searches but the only links I get are 404 when I try to go there. They appear to have a part that I need. Based on Lionel support.

Frank

The website crashed a couple of weeks ago; the owner has a tech guy working to repair/restore it.  That's what the owner told me early last week.

Thanks

Tried their website today (11-6-20).  Site remains down....

Marty:

    I had placed an order with North Lima in August. I received and order number but no order. After a month or so, I placed a small order. I got that within two weeks!

   But after a month and a half I inquired about my original order. Someone here even gave me the owner's email address and STILL no response. After trying everything, I turned it over to Paypal. They tried to get me an answer and THEY failed, too! Finally, after not hearing from North Lima, they got me a refund!!!

   I don't know why Lionel continues to be associated with them. There's no reason for a parts dealer to have such important Lionel parts and not have decent customer service.

  Unfortunately, North Lima has many Lionel parts that are not available elsewhere or we all would be going to "elsewhere" for our parts.

  These important Lionel parts should be turned over to another more reputable dealer.

  I order from Brasseur and other dealers and I get a confirmation immediately and my parts with in a week or so. THAT'S customer service.

    John

I ordered from them 2 or 3 years ago and after several phone calls and e mails  after about 8 weeks filed a dispute thru Pay Pal and finally got a refund check with a note saying the shell i ordered was sold out.

Gene H:

     I understand that the principle person there has another business he spends most of his time on. And so his parts business is partially or full neglected. Also, he has one person working on his Lionel associated parts business.

   It's difficult to understand a business that issues an order number but then never ships the order after numerous requests. It's even more difficult to understand a business where you have to get Paypal to intervene and THEY never receive a reply and are forced to initiate refund.

  Imagine the amount of business lost by this outfit!

  It seems that there must be other parts dealers out there who would LOVE to have a Lionel parts business and who already have a proven track record with their customer service.

John

@John Knapp, it's always disappointing when a seller fails to communicate; doesn't deliver the goods; and, leaves you with PP to get a refund.

Gene H's experience was with a previous owner of NLTW.  The current owner is doing well notwithstanding the Covid 19 strain it placed on his primary business.  The computer problem is unfortunate.

This doesn't help John's problem, but NLTW sells on eBay as lioneltrainparts2009 and has 274 positive feedbacks and one negative feedback in the past 12 months.

John, you had a bad experience on a single transaction while others, including many here and on eBay, have been able to get their parts without drama.

John, when was your failed order placed and what was the part(s) ordered?  How much was your refund? Those facts may help us understand the circumstances involved; but, not excuse NLTW's failure to respond.

     The many disappointments with North Lima have been well documented here on the forum. Look at August 21- 28 comments on this forum and you will have a better understanding. Look at what RideTheRails and harmonyards say as just two examples of forum members who will no longer deal with North Lima.

    I placed an order in August and immediately received an order number. So far so good.  But that was it! Weeks later I inquired through their web site several times and received no reply. Someone on this forum gave me the owner's personal email, which I used and still no reply.

    Finally, as a last resort, I got Paypal involved and they still got no reply from North Lima, but they were able to get me a refund.

   If this were an ordinary parts dealer, I could understand, but because of the Lionel connection, I hold North Lima to a higher standard.

   I've written the whole thing off as a bad experience and so I don't want to dig up dates and items. You should also know that I did NOT give North Lima any negative feedback. There were probably others who did the same just to make the whole thing go away.

@martind posted:

I started the post in August regarding North Lima train works.   Guess what?  I still have not received the two small items I ordered on July 2 and the web site still shows "processing".  I have given up on expecting the items.  Lesson learned, stay away from them.

You think that's bad, I still haven't received my Federal Tax Refund, it was filed months ago!

Contact them on eBay they usually answer questions there.  Their website was always IFFY.  How Lionel ever got associated with them is anyone's guess.          j

@JohnActon posted:

Contact them on eBay they usually answer questions there.  Their website was always IFFY.  How Lionel ever got associated with them is anyone's guess.          j

When Lionel was in Michigan John, N.Lima was the warranty center headquarters.....hence all the parts...it was a contract warranty center, separate entity from Lionel....when the big L vacated Michigan, and reformed in NC, N.Lima got left high & dry.....the owners tried selling parts for some time, then they vacated ....enter John ( the current owner) ...I’ve talked to John several times, he can’t keep good help in the train parts business....it is what it is....I believe he’s doing the best he can...he’s actually a really nice fella, he just has way too many irons in the fire....it stinks, but that’s the reality of it....I’ve said this time & time again to these fellas....but that’s the reality of it, ...If you guys really want the parts, you’ll have to keep pushing and pushing.....otherwise, find an alternative source....I’m not sticking up for anybody, but that’s reality....good luck with y’all s parts hunt!...I hope you guys stuck in the rut get them....

Pat

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

You think that's bad, I still haven't received my Federal Tax Refund, it was filed months ago!

Yeah and 20 days to deliver a three lb. Priority Mail package.      And, they think I'm gonna take some crazy vaccine developed in six months at the North Lima Vaccine Worx.                                     j

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

You think that's bad, I still haven't received my Federal Tax Refund, it was filed months ago!

Came to me John.  The new Corvette is awesome! 😉

Curt

I ordered a Lionel passenger car off ebay on April 5th.

Paid and waited. I figured Lima OH to Oakmont Pa 3-4 days

I messaged and asked for a tracking number and never got a reply.

I see all of the feedback left is over a month old and only two negatives.

Ready to cancel the order and get a refund.

He should sell the parts business and stick to Hardware.

I agree harleyhouse. Sell the business to someone that can at least be responsible to their customer.

harleyhouse:

    I had a similar experience. I went to the Lionel Parts site and it showed that the parts I wanted were available ONLY at North Lima. So I ordered the parts from North Lima. I even received an order number. I registered with them so I could track my orders. But when I went to their tracking it told my that I had no orders in house, even though they issued me an order number.

   I emailed several times with no response. Someone on here gave me another email address that he said might work, but it didn't Eventually I gave up and filed a complaint with Paypal, which got me a refund.

  How the Great Lionel can keep these people as a business partner when they have screwed so many customers is beyond me, especially when some Lionel parts are available only from them! The principal there apparently cares little about this business and devotes all his time to his hardware stores.

  There have been enough complaints that you would have expected Lionel to do something by now.

  John

@John Knapp posted:

harleyhouse:

    I had a similar experience. I went to the Lionel Parts site and it showed that the parts I wanted were available ONLY at North Lima. So I ordered the parts from North Lima. I even received an order number. I registered with them so I could track my orders. But when I went to their tracking it told my that I had no orders in house, even though they issued me an order number.

   I emailed several times with no response. Someone on here gave me another email address that he said might work, but it didn't Eventually I gave up and filed a complaint with Paypal, which got me a refund.

  How the Great Lionel can keep these people as a business partner when they have screwed so many customers is beyond me, especially when some Lionel parts are available only from them! The principal there apparently cares little about this business and devotes all his time to his hardware stores.

  There have been enough complaints that you would have expected Lionel to do something by now.

  John

They’re ( N Lima ) not involved with Lionel as a partner,......when Lionel moved parts and service to NC, they left N Lima to wither on the vine, the fella that bought out what was left of N Lima ( current owners ) is simply selling off older inventory ,......N Lima Train Works was Lionel’s one and only warranty repair center until they moved operations to Concord NC,..

Pat

harmonyards:

    And so we are REALLY stuck now because MANY parts listed on the Lionel Parts site STILL ( I checked two minutes ago) say "Available from North Lima Trainworks." So, if Lionel doesn't have them in stock yet and directs customers to North Lima and THEY won't ship them, we are all stuck.

   It's not as if I needed smoke unit parts. I can get them from any number of legitimate parts dealers. I am talking about the Lionel parts that are only available from North Lima per Lionel.   So, the parts are not available from either Lionel Or North Lima, leaving the customer high and dry, a poor business situation.

     John

@John Knapp posted:

harmonyards:

    And so we are REALLY stuck now because MANY parts listed on the Lionel Parts site STILL ( I checked two minutes ago) say "Available from North Lima Trainworks." So, if Lionel doesn't have them in stock yet and directs customers to North Lima and THEY won't ship them, we are all stuck.

   It's not as if I needed smoke unit parts. I can get them from any number of legitimate parts dealers. I am talking about the Lionel parts that are only available from North Lima per Lionel.   So, the parts are not available from either Lionel Or North Lima, leaving the customer high and dry, a poor business situation.

     John

I hear ya, and I’m not excusing the business model, I’m just giving you the facts of what is,..the “ available from N.Lima “ is left over from the old regime when N Lima sold off “ out of warranty “ parts for profit WHEN Lionel was still “ in bed with them” the point is, and what you mentioned in your previous reply, is you can scream at Lionel all you want, ...it’ll fall on deaf ears,....they have nothing to do with N Lima anymore,......N Lima is simply a parts vendor like any other parts dealer not factory affiliated,.....if that makes sense,.....only difference is N.Lima sells OE parts where as other vendors sell reproduction parts,.....so unfortunately, you’re shouting at the rain for both parties,.....

Pat

I just received a tracking number for my Item purchased the 5th of April.

He must be watching this site and saw I was going to cancel.

Sad part is I lost interest in the N&W car body I ordered. I had the parts to rebuild it and now the project is shelved for summer stuff.

We will see how long it takes to get here. The ebay game is post it as shipped then sit on it.

Harleyhouse,

Just be glad you purchased from them on EBay, which holds sellers accountable with a variety of protections for buyers.  You would have surely been fleeced if you purchased directly.

Similarly, another parts vendor, Olsens trains, was horribly unreliable at shipping items ordered directly from their website but would promptly ship eBay orders because they knew they were on the clock and had to perform lest they receive a torrent of negative feedback. A dodgy operation, their website flickered on and off for years before finally extinguishing itself permanently to my great relief.

Like others have stated, operations like these are a disservice to our hobby and should sell their inventory to someone responsible and capable of meeting their obligations.

My favored parts vendor is S&W Parts Supply  (www.sandwparts.com) in New York state. Bill, the owner, has always come through promptly with my orders.  He has the reputation and a stellar customer service record. All he needs a bottomless wallet to buy out all Lionel parts from North Lima and get Lionel to recommend him instead!

Mike Mottler      LCCA 12394

harmonyards:

    So that means that there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of Lionel parts that are sitting in Limbo! They are not available from Lionel and North Lima has a reputation of not shipping when they feel like it. Those parts are untouchable by anyone! They just sit there!

    It seems to me that Lionel should address the problem and buy back their parts from Lima so that they can actually serve a purpose and be available to people who need them.  Then Lionel can remove the annoying "Available from North Lima Trainworks."

    John

@John Knapp posted:

harmonyards:

    So that means that there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of Lionel parts that are sitting in Limbo! They are not available from Lionel and North Lima has a reputation of not shipping when they feel like it. Those parts are untouchable by anyone! They just sit there!

    It seems to me that Lionel should address the problem and buy back their parts from Lima so that they can actually serve a purpose and be available to people who need them.  Then Lionel can remove the annoying "Available from North Lima Trainworks."

    John

There’s not dozens, nor hundreds,....NLima is sitting on 10’s of thousands of parts,..but yeah, ....I guess you could petition Lionel to buy them all back,......after they already sold them,.......I won’t hold my breath though,....clearly I’d turn blue,..😉.......y’all’s best hope is either they ( NLima)  get on the stick, or he sells out to somebody that’s interested in the parts end of the hobby,.....other than that, it is what it is,...like it, lump it, and move on,......

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

When Lionel was in Michigan John, N.Lima was the warranty center headquarters.....hence all the parts...it was a contract warranty center, separate entity from Lionel....when the big L vacated Michigan, and reformed in NC, N.Lima got left high & dry

Pat

I'm already seeing a major problem here if this snippet is in fact true.  If NLTW was in fact a contract warranty center with Lionel, and Lionel essentially cut ties with them as a contract warranty center upon their move to North Carolina, that means they now are endorsing a (now) completely unaffiliated, 3rd party parts house on their website out of all other parts services out there (OEM or otherwise).  That is not a very ethical business model in my opinion; let alone the reports of questionable/poor customer service from NLTW being reported on this thread and Lionel plugging them with these issues going on.