OLSENS TOY TRAIN PARTS

had trouble ordering from them years ago, haven't ordered since.

I have no complaints doing business with Sal and then Sharon. They are not "fast food" fast, but the "meal" is worth the wait!

How long have you been waiting? I recently ordered from them and while I did have an unanswered email it turned out fine in the parts came in about a week.  

I got parts from Ms. Sharon this summer (late June) Sal hasn't been in the shop too much she said, and she is literally running a one  man band. She said there would be a delay, and it took about a week and a half to get parts....Im sure she will respond...the train parts are not her only job.....Sharon is good people

Call Jeff Kane when he gets back from York. 

I have never had a question answered by them but they have always delivered the product. She states on the website she can no longer answer the phone due to the orders she has to fill. I'm guessing Email is basically the same. 

Now you got me all worried, ordered a couple weeks ago myself. 

El Classico posted:

Now you got me all worried, ordered a couple weeks ago myself. 

I don't think you need to worry, I know it takes a bit to get parts from Ms. Sharon and Sal, but they have always got it done....We've been dealing with them for god knows how long...when my folks ran a hobby shop, they were our no.1 parts source from the get go!..(they retired 20 years ago) so that should tell ya how long Sal and Sharon have been doing this...as I mentioned before, I talked to Ms. Sharon over the summer....she is doing the whole operation herself!...and raising a family, and holds another job...I don't think this is intentional.....They have been good to us for a long, long time so yeah, Im a little bias!

Thanks everyone.  I will just have to be patient. I appreciate all your replies.

I was rebuilding a bunch of postwar rolling stock and needed some truck parts. I ordered the parts from Olsens and received the wrong ones. I never was able to get them to respond back to me so wasted my money. I had ordered several times before that and never had a problem. Being able to respond to customer inquiries is part of operating a business. 

They are slow, unresponsive and have sent me incorrect parts also. 

If dealing with them is a necessity, try buying whatever part is needed from one of their EBay listings. I have had better luck that way. Once you buy on EBay, the clock starts ticking. You will get your part quickly. They know very well that if they horse around on EBay, their feedback score will take a big hit. 

For a minimalist, basically mail order business, in my experience, contact was best made in writing with attached blank stationary and s.a.s.e enclosed.

"Include 5¢ for catalog & pricelist"  I.e. if it cost a penney that wasn't planned for, don't count on a reply. The SASE allow's a nearly on the spot answer in a less distracted setting at times.

Considering Olsen's is an old school business, I'd think about it at least. 

Online orders without online reply or definite alternative method listed is kinda "wrong" in a way.

  The closest I've heard of to that is a race shop that requires you to have all your records on hand, beginning with the customer number before they will begin a conversation. You can apply in writing for a customer number; applications take up to 12weeks. Then you can call with GENERAL questions. The in depth answers will be in print and there is a cost attached.A well established business themselves, esablished and responsible customers are appreciated. The "burden of proof" shifted keeps costs lower for us, and B.S. lower for them.

When you are well established, and offer a better selection at a better price than your competitors, you can be that way.  Olsen's kinda fits the bill