MB Klein/Modeltrainstuff.com

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Gotta love these guys. They have become my go-to internet dealer. My local hobby shop does not carry anything from Horizon, so trying to find Athearn stuff is difficult. Since Athearn happens to be producing tons of stuff I want, I have had to find other channels.

Modeltrainstuff.com has filled the role very well. The shipping is always fast, even when its UPS ground. Even if its a giant box full of Walthers modulars as very good prices (I now have 65 sets and counting).

[Hyperion]

You gotta love their pricing and availability of stuff, that's for sure.  If it can be gotten, they've got a ton of it.

I split my orders between them and Chuck @ Feather River, with most going to Chuck.  Chuck's pricing isn't as good, but I get stuff a lot faster from him (just a matter of location more than anything), he holds my orders to consolidate shipping as I request (and sometimes the request is pretty complicated -- hold this, not that, hold for this item but not for this item that's way out, etc), and he posts here to keep us informed, so I'll pay the 10% or so premium.

[rochsub]

I've ordered quite a lot from MBKlein and I like them a lot.  I especially like the fact that they list how many they have in stock.  Very different from Wig Wag who have a three paragraphs dedicated to why they can't gaurentee an item being in stock.  When they get busy, it has taken 2 or 3 days before an order gets shipped, but that's understandable.  They are very good about letting you know when it has been shipped.  Highly recommended.

Daryl

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm really proud of what MBK has become these days. They're finally realizing Shane and my dream from 5 years ago.

If you guys haven't seen their facility, you've GOT to check it out if you're here in town, the place is amazing.

[Hyperion]

I'm really proud of what MBK has become these days. They're finally realizing Shane and my dream from 5 years ago.

If you guys haven't seen their facility, you've GOT to check it out if you're here in town, the place is amazing.

They let you actually see their warehouse?  Or is their warehouse and storefront the same thing?  As someone with a degree in logistics and a bit of warehousing geek (if such a thing were to exist, I love checking out distribution facilities) I can imagine it's pretty damned impressive when you bring up a page on Locomotives and it says "84 in stock", "158 in stock", etc, etc, etc for hundreds of roadname/numbers.  If they let you in there to see it I'll definitely make a point to stop in whenever I make it up that way.

[Frank Amato]

I always give my local shop 1st crack at what I need, but I'll check out what's on sale here.  Thanks for the update!

  Frank

[CBQ Fan]

I use MBK for all of my in stock orders.  I use Wig-Wag for all of my pre order stuff.  When I am looking for in stock items I want to know for a fact that they have it and I got it.  I don't want to place an order and see what I get later.  I always place a large enough order to eat up the S&H.  So when you order 4 items and 3 are out of stock the fourth is rarely worth it when I can always have my LHS guy order it.  Don't ask why I don't use the local guy, lets just say he only appreciates HO.

[Chris333]

Thought I read somewhere that if you go into their new shop you still go up to a computer to order.

[John]

Thought I read somewhere that if you go into their new shop you still go up to a computer to order.

Not me .. if they don't have it out front, I ask the guy at the counter, and they fetch it for me from the warehouse .. you can pre-order off the site and pick up at the store though

[Bob Bufkin]

They got a couple computers where you can check to see if stuff is in stock, which is helpful is the staff is busy.  Most of the people there are friendly but there is one guy (don't know his name) who seems like he is doing you a favor if you ask for something.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm really proud of what MBK has become these days. They're finally realizing Shane and my dream from 5 years ago.

If you guys haven't seen their facility, you've GOT to check it out if you're here in town, the place is amazing.

They let you actually see their warehouse?  Or is their warehouse and storefront the same thing?  As someone with a degree in logistics and a bit of warehousing geek (if such a thing were to exist, I love checking out distribution facilities) I can imagine it's pretty damned impressive when you bring up a page on Locomotives and it says "84 in stock", "158 in stock", etc, etc, etc for hundreds of roadname/numbers.  If they let you in there to see it I'll definitely make a point to stop in whenever I make it up that way.

Nope, they don't let you in, although they should probably offer tours. Luckily I still have some friends there and got a peek.

As far as tracking inventory, its pretty easy when you have a closed loop system like they now have (ie, the site isn't including inventory in the store). Qty on hand = qty. Checked in - qty shipped out.

[CBQ Fan]

I have noticed on the MT pullmans that they keep saying they expect a resupply in 10 days.  This seems odd to me.  Why the short gap?  Anyone know?

[bbussey]

The got a huge restock on the 12-1 Pullmans, but they are going fast.

[lock4244]

Slick operation. I like the real time inventory, and in general, their pricing is good. I also like avoiding the 13% sales tax here in the People's Republic of Ontario and I can't wait for the eco tax to get to the jewel cases so I can avoid that, too... go fornicate with yourself McGuinty 

[FloridaBoy]

I have had wonderful experience with MB Kleins over the years with zero incidents.  I tend to select my mail order sources very carefully and also have had good experience with MicroMark (yes with trains), Walthers, and incredibly, TexNRails.  My experiences with TexNRails are almost unbelievable. 

The last transaction I called them to confirm if what they had in stock, they packed it right there on the spot, and mailed it out that evening. I received my package at noon the following day, less than 24 hours after I placed the order.  I thought it was a fluke, but that was the norm for several transactions. 

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman