Side Track Hobbies sale

Now that's what I love about people and technology these days... 'cause together they're a downright dangerous combination.  You do realize that by posting that little tidbit of info here, you've just instantly undermined their whole premise of giving preferred customers a two-week head-start over the general population. 

 

Honestly, I realize forums are meant to share information... but sometimes our complete inability to "keep a little secret" does indeed get in the way of even the best of intentions.  Nonetheless, I'm sure the nice folks at Sidetrack Hobbies did a tidy volume of business today for their loyal clientele, and the store wouldn't be having a sale like that if it wasn't worth its while.  But in this era of "instant communication" where any tidbit of information is fair game and just a tweet away, the old adage has never been truer:  You snooze... you lose!!!

 

Oh well... here's to hoping their post-card clients were early-bird shoppers today!!!

 

David

 

 

 

 

I broke my fast and bought 2 engines from them yesterday.. Planning to pick up a tinplate set before the deal ends... Their prices are very competitive to begin with , subtract an extra 10% and you have a great deal.. Add to that ,they're nice people to deal with ..

David, you may be incorrect IF you must show the post card to get the prices before the advertised dates. (Or be on a list in the store)

This would be a reasonable method of sorting preferred customers and yet allowing word to get out.  I'm sure the store doesn't mind the free advertising.

The word "preferred customer" is an oxymoron.

 

Do you really think Sidetrack Hobbies cares who buys their products?  I'm sure that anyone that buys from them is considered a "preferred customer", especially those with money.

And you know this, how????????????

I got the card...not a Preferred Customer...Heck, I have never bought from them...suppose they bought my name from someone...just unfortunate I'd have to fork over the 6% Sales Tax, being in Maryland.  The good thing is the availability of some of the earlier LCT by MTH!!!

My, my, how fortunate you are to be able to just walk into a hobby shop like their's. Here in NW Indiana, O scale catalog's are even seldom seen, and worse yet, magazines are few and far between. The local Barnes & Noble book store might, just might get more than a half dozen of the popular railroad magazines.

 

If you're not there when they put them out, they're gone. Maybe a closet eBay'er is getting them all. The last store that carried anything remotely O scale was in Orland Park, Ill. But one summer day my son and I went there and stared thru the front glass, at an empty store.

 

You guy's and your 4 hour drives to the (local?) hobby store are very fortunate. ****, it's easier to buy illegal drugs where we live, not trains. Very frustrating to have to buy off eBay whenever we need something. These seller's are pure hustler's. Guess I don't live in the right state. Seem's like everything stop's coming West at the Ohio river.

 There are plenty of reputable mail order dealers to avoid using ebay.You subscribe to theOGR magazine,and the "other"o guage magazine, and you can mail order from any hobby store you want. I've ordered several items from Sidetrack Hobbies in the past. Phone orders get the discounts as well,and don't have to pay the rediculous 10% tax. I've recieved the "preferred customer card" probably because they have me in their computer from a few years ago. Regardless of the "sale" Sidetrack Hobbies has some of the best everyday discounts on O-guage.Charles RO,Trainworld,and Grzyboskis Trains are a few other large dealers, between their magazine ads and website you can find nearly anything.

So does the card say when the sale starts for everyone else? I see something I want and 10% more would be a big help.

Dear fellow boiler. Just call them and ask.

Call wild Bill's trains in Michigan.  You won't be sorry!

Jasons trains in Pennsylvania is a great dealer and very reasonable.

 

I feel very fortunate to live midway between Gryzboski's and English's train stores. There is also one in Bloomsburg, Danville, and Canton. They are ALL just over an hour drive. When I do go I usually spend at least 1 1/2 hours just "looking". Truly blessed. My LHS is one of the largest and well stocked (all scales) in the country. And then, as if that is good enough, Southeastern PA (3 hours away) must be the train Mecca of the world!

No question that it's great to have a local hobby shop (my two favorites are each about a 45-minute drive away), but if you don't have a well-stocked dealer within a reasonable commute, virtually ANYTHING you might want or need is just a couple of mouse clicks away.

 

There's no substitute for the personal touch you get from frequenting a local hobby shop, but the lack of such an establishment most certainly does not preclude getting everything the hobby provides, and shopping around a bit will even yield some great deals.

 

I have never bough a train via eBay, and I've never had the least bit of trouble finding everything my overspending heart desires.

I just place my first order with them for some older Lionel Items. How are they to deal with?

 

Mark

Al and Libby are the best, IMHO.  If what you purchased is in stock (which sounds like it might be since you mentioned "older Lionel items"), you'll likely see it tomorrow or the next day -- depending, of course, upon where you live.  In any event, they usually ship in-stock items out of MD the same day you order them.  Great folks to deal with.

 

David

Excellent folks to deal with.

 

There's a cool train store in Berwyn - 

Berwyn's Toy Trains and Models

 

& Chicagoland hobby as well off of Northwest Hwy, just outside the city

Amen to that!

 

Wild Bill's is about on the edge of how far I am willing to drive to a "LOCAL" shop.  It is so handy to be able to still have somewhere to go when I need something "right now".  I do try to make the rounds of the local shops before I resort to the more long distance dealers.  I do value the local ones and I hate to see them close.

Bob,

 

Good one!

 

Bruce

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