Forum-1211528 Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 HORNBY SELLING DIRECT is vital as unlike in the 70s and 80s in the days of TRIANG and then HORNBY there were verious model shops and stockists of model railways! Tragicly in 2015 we are in a world of no model shops as they met demise by owners retiring, dying or simply went out of business so there are no model shops anymore so you ORDER WHAT YOU WANT FROM HORNBY DIRECT! In the USA the situation is worse as you either order direct from the manufactures or you dont get the models as ATHEARN, MODEL POWER, BOWSER, WALTHERS, CONCOR and many more have a monopoly over the model railway trade as all orders go through them! So is this SELL DIRECT thing new oh no as MECHANO LIMITED the original HORNBY were selling direct out of their BINNS ROAD FACTORY IN LIVERPOOL in the fifties either send a cheque there were no bankcards in those days or walk into the factory with cash and come walking out with the A4 you wanted! Even in Europe big manufactures like MARKLIN, FLEISHMANN, ROCO, TRIX, PIKO and more sell direct like HORNBY its here to stay and ill do it as there are no model shops locally anymore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynax Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 I disagree, my local model shop for some time was run by modelzone, but at their demise, the original owner of the shop took it back and since the reopening has done very well, he has even expanded the business, and all this in around 2 years, he has a very knowledgable team of staff, and as a regular customer, i have been in there just to have a look around and a chat while having a coffee with them, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 This is a bit of horses for courses. In the uk, i agree with DYNEX. Here, in france, hornby model shops, like hens teeth, so i buy direct from hornby, or via liverpool retailer. Given the choice, i would much rather chat to a local guy, pick his brains etc, and if it was a couple of percent dearer, that would be worth it. However, if i want to expand, and a lot of europe, is the same, i would like the opportunity to buy direct. I did fearfully well in their sale, and they are excellent with repairs direct, and returns, Room for both. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LCDR Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 At the present time there is still room for a variety of outlets for Hornby and other manufacturers products for our hobby.The traditional model railway shop still thrives in some cities and larger towns, they give personal service and add value by answering questions, and by demonstrating and testing before you buy. Some will do repairs to out of warranty items too. Some also do mail order and have websites so have a foot in two or more camps. Long may they continue top do so. There are the mail order 'box shifters' who pile 'em high, and sell 'em cheap. Not always the best value though because you can occasionally receive an untested and defective model which then needs to be returned for replacement. They do however make it better to buy where you don't have a local dealer, and hold a larger stock, hence greater choice. You are also at the mercy of the postal or courier services, to be 'in' when they call. On-line sellers ('buy it now' for example), and auction sites in general, very popular, and generally good value, although it can be shark infested waters so you need to keep your wits about you. One of the piutfalls is the exhorbitant postal charges that some (but fortunately not all) of them perpetuate . Buyer beware! The same problem with having to be 'in' when the delivery arrives. Direct supply from the manufacturers. The advantages have already been described in other's posts. However they will always be limited to only that manufacturer's products, so choices will be limited. Same problem with delivery, especially if you live a busy life. I have had good service from the local shop, from 'box shifters', and direct from the manufacturer, less good from on-line suppliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ModelerXYZ Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 My most local model shop happens to be Hornby's own direct outlet in Swindon. I think it is their only direct outlet in the country, but I can pick the brains of the people in there as well as getting great deals. I go there so often I managed to get a loyalty card. I need to go into the shop anyway, as the couriers don't know where to find my house.XYZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howbi Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 @Colin......you are very out of touch...Hornby list 480 stockists in the UK. So you have a good choice, retailer or online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slornie Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Additionally the box containing the loco could have carried 4 locos easily it was so big - everything was rattling around. You mean your oversized box didn't come 80% filled with those little polystyrene packing chips? The order I just received (two wagons and two small scenic items from the multi-buy bundle/last chance selections) came in a box 24in x 16in x 3.5in and had this many chips in:https://instagram.com/p/7tLMvdlnYx/ EDIT: Admittedly I'm in the UK so maybe fulfilment is handled differently for international orders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poliss Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Have you tried the British Railway Modellers of North America website LongDistance? They have links to Canadian shops.http://brmna.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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