Hello, I am considering my first preorder in ten years! In that time, I lost the shop which I used to preorder from (due to a divorce, so don't blame it on me not preordering items). I am just wondering where are some good places to preorder items out of the Lionel RTR Catalog? Thanks!
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Kross Hardware on Long Island
Nicholas Smith Trains, Broomall, PA just outside Philadelphia.
I like Charles Ro, you pay nothing until it ships, notification of shipment and tracking info is great. I even had inadvertantly cancelled a credit card while I was waiting for an item to be made. I was contacted by phone when they were shipping and was nicely asked if I still wanted the item, that they needed a new card. They tend to ship out product faster then most other places as well.
When I pre-order, I pre-order through my LHS. I pay full list price, and it usually takes a week longer to get new products delivered as compared to when I would get them with Charles Ro or Klein. But I want to support my LHS. Stuff I buy not on pre-order or need soon I buy on-line from Ro or Klein or Western Depot for K-Line and old Williams stuff.
Just Trains out of Delaware. They are fantastic!
I really don't do much pre-ordering, especially on Lionel. Too much of their stuff winds up on blow-out.
The only items I pre-order are LIRR engines from MTH...they dissappear quickly from shelves.
When I do, it is usually Nassau Hobby or 3 Guys Hobbies.
Charles Ro.
I'm not a fan of the preordering concept, so I use it very sparingly...increasingly more sparingly in recent years since my O gauge wants/needs have been pretty much satisfied. When I do use it, the orders go to my "local" hobby shop over in Pennsylvania for a variety of reasons (not the least of which is I want to see him be around for a good long time). 
I use JD's or Justrains for most pre-orders. For a Lionel set I would go to Justrains, since JD's isn't a Lionel dealer.
Jason's Train Shop
I "preordered" an item in July of 2012. It still hasn't arrived. The concept has lost its edge for me. I have checked back with the vendor several time. He said his is sorry but he being out of as much as I am. I DO NOT blame the LHS.
Charles Ro!
Based on all the horror stories I've read on here, I've only pre-ordered twice, once from AM Hobbies (Bob Thatcher days) and the last one from 3rd Rail.
Both these items were items I felt were in small enough quantities that the chances of them being there after 6 months were nil, plus my order helped get one piece made (the 3rd Rail E7 in Seaboard paint).
If it's just a run-of-the-mill, mass-produced piece, I'd hold off and get it once the ship comes in (and maybe read a few reports on how it preforms and what it looks like).
Normally I use my LHS, but I did use Charles Ro for last years Lionel Christmas cars because of that I got the Made in the USA cars before Christmas. I liked Charles Ro because of the shipping updates, but I will still use my local shop for most of my preorders.
James
I do not Pre-Order I do not see the need to.
Charles Ro
I don't normally preorder but when I do it is Charlie ro.
I use my LHS-- Ready to Roll in Miami. Best store in fl.
I've pre-ordered from Weaver, JD's trains and Petersen Supply. Matt
another vote for charles ro.
I use Charles Ro for my pre-orders, and also for the majority of my normal orders. They are honest, reliable and I have only good things to say about the quality of their service.
My last recent pre-order was from Nassau Hobby, but I have pre-ordered from others in the past. Since I have reached close to my limit on new items I don't think there will be too many pre-orders in the future. (subject to change without notice)
I deal with trains and things in Ewing Nj.
Great guy and a lot of equipment. Ask for Tony.
I USTO PRE ORDER FROM JIMS TRAINS.NOW I ONLY PRE ORDER FROM TRAINZ.COM
Where I live, Charles Ro is my LHS (2 1/2 hours away) so he gets my pre-orders with great prices and next day delivery service.
Charles Ro and Ready to Roll.
Charles Ro
Hollybeach Trains in Wildwood, N.J.
Joe
Lionel - Charles Ro
MTH - Jason's Train Shop
Atlas, GGD - JD's Trains
Just Trains out of Delaware. They are fantastic!
Same here. And as for those who don't pre-order, I sympathize, but if I suspect and item will be produced in smaller numbers, or will be in demand (i.e. perhaps I won't get one out of a dealers "extra stock"), I'll take the pre-order plunge.
Charles Ro. Also my LHS at 1.5 hours away. Their shipping is fast and cheaper than what it cost me for gas, tolls and Boston traffic hasle.
Thanks guys. I just want to make sure I get one (it's the new Pennsylvania Limited 4-4-0 starter set 6-30224). This seems to be a popular item, and I know sometimes popular items are hard to get sometimes.
I've never pre-ordered. I like to actually see something before I plunk my money down.
L.I. Train just checked out Kross Hardware.
What a "hidden gem " here on the island.
Thanks again
George
I don't make a habit of preordering but have 3 through my LHS right now.
Henry at The Model Train Store of NJ.
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