Sidetrack or any dealer???

It has been my experience/observation that most all dealers with standing orders get the stuff in approximately the same time frame.  There may be some variables involved, of course, but they would be relatively brief ones related to shipping destinations and the like.

I stopped in SideTrack a month ago and they told me they were not moving or downsizing their store.  They did say they were moving their display at York to another hall.

Sidetrack is a huge client of MTH -- especially tinplate, and they're in relatively close proximity to MTH's shipping warehouse (i.e., Leonardtown, MD vs. Columbia, MD). So I suspect they're usually one of the first to receive MTH product, with the Sidetrack folks often driving up to Columbia to pick up their order rather than incur the costs to have MTH ship it to them.

Sidetrack Hobbies has done a superb job of "taking care of business" while simultaneously relocating elements of their business this month.  So I'd just call them to see if they can provide more definitive meaning to the note you received.

Alan's observation is a good one -- we're seeing pretty much that very thing unfolding as we speak re: Lionel's Legacy 990 shipments now.  Within a week or so, all the Lionel direct dealers will likely have their 990 kits in stock.  A few already have them... some have indicated they expect them this week.  Perhaps a couple will float into next week.  So direct dealers are in the general ballpark.  Mom-and-Pop shops ordering through distributors may be another week or two behind.

Better to build a great relationship with your supplier than hop around ordering from multiple places.  Sidetrack will do right by you -- no doubt about that. 

David

Huh???    Who did you talk to???  That's completely counter to everything we've heard.  I just placed an order, and was told they're already in the process of moving some items to the new location as well as tending to existing business like pre-orders and such that are ready for pick-up at MTH.

Their latest "relocation sale" postcard indicated they were on the "home stretch" of relocating -- selling extra store fixtures, office furniture and their display O-Gauge layout.  And they've been having a relocation sale throughout much of the summer months, as I heard the existing store was relocating back to smaller digs as part of their former Tru Value location.  Perhaps somebody who lives in that part of MD could provide more specifics to help clarify.

Regarding their booth at York... I've heard nothing about that, but I'd bet they might move to the Purple Hall which would give them access to a MUCH larger booth.  But that's pure speculation.

David

Sorry I got my stores mixed up.  The store I first read about on here was Star.  They are not closing.

I just called Sidetrack Hobbies and yes they are in the process of moving.  The new location will be on the second floor of the Leonardtown Ace Hardware Stoor about 1 mile from the old store.  The address may be 40845 Merchants Lane Leonardtown, MD 20650-3767 as the person on the phone didn't know for sure.  He did say they would open up on 9/2/2014 

"My question: do you think other dealers would be in the same situation relative to this same car, or did Sidetrack get behind because of their move?  In other words, do you think other dealers will have it by then?"

This is like going to Vega and placing a bet. It could come up as any shipping number. I order a MTH Engine back in Oct. of 2013 and still not in.

Good Luck

Agree on all counts.

1) Sidetrack is definitely moving. Was there last month (and in May) and watched sale items exit the store!

2) I think most of the "usual suspects" get their tinplate about the same time. Sidetrack certainly will be one of the first.

Thanks to all for the comments.

I like the idea of calling and trying to get more info on what they meant by their "Bring this form to York with you" comment.

Having only a Christmas layout maybe I'm just over-anxious to get my hands on a car that only sees the light of day for a couple of months, like 2.

- walt

Hi Walt,

Do you recall Brian's (PTC) article on "Loyalty"? The same applies here. The folks at SideTrack Hobbies have gone out of their way to be fair & kind to me over the years. I couldn't take my business elsewhere without guilt.

If you are having uncomfortable feelings about the deal them look elsewhere. "Loyalty" only goes so far when the person is appearing to be non-responsive.  Would hate to hear that you got lost in the shuffle and not get your car.

That said they do have a pretty good reputation,  so you weigh the two and see what you feel good about

Oh believe me, good service means a ton to me and Sidetrack has given me over the top good service since I first bought from the at October's York (2013).

They replaced my Baby Blue Comet 3 times before I got one that worked!!!  And they picked up the postage charges each time to boot.

They have also given me over the phone advice to help with another situation.

Loyalty isn't the issue here.

I merely wanted to know if they "got behind" because of the move and was that the reason that they wrote what they did on the pseudo order form.  Not any deeper than that.

- walt

Walt,

They are going the extra mile to let everyone know, "We're Still Here!". I'm sure that this relocation has been hard on everyone.

I just placed an over-the-phone order with Dottie from Sidetrack and she said that they are finishing up their move to the new place.  All of the merchandise is at the new place but they are still trying to set up the pick up details so that orders could start shipping as soon as possible.  She did assure me that whatever I ordered today will ship out as soon as possible.  

She's just asking for a little patience among all of the customers they serve.

Thanks for that update Brian.

- walt

Glad to hear they are doing well.

I used to order from them, and will be using their website to do that again soon.

I just got my order from Sidetrack yesterday.  I must say that I got it a lot sooner than I expected and everything looks great.  The team at Sidetrack Hobbies is really adapting to their new store quickly.

Brian,

Be careful now. Their customer service is truly addicting .

I'm finding that to be very true.  I must take trip to their new store someday and see what they have.  Only then I think I may be in a little bit of trouble.