BLW - Pete Retiring

[jmlaboda - RIP]

I remember getting to know Pete because of his kitbashed ALCO Cehtury that he was selling way too many moons ago... I believe he has earned a rest from all of us and all I can do is wish him well and thank him for all he added to the N-scale experience (newsletters and all)!!!  I think he deserves it!!!

[OldEastRR]

Since Pete doesn't read TRW, I suggest those offering him well wishes send a snail-mail thank you card to BLW's address. Maybe all you asshats clustered together around Ed K can all sign one card.
The worst part of losing Pete for me is losing a close business relationship. There were times he found me a car that was "sold out" or not listed any more in anybody's store. When asked how I got one, I joked that "I knew a guy in Jersey." There was a personal connection (across 2000+ miles) of more than just good customer. And last but not least, he was "only N scale". HO dominates our hobby so much and also the stores that stock multiple scales, so losing retailer that believes "N scale is all" is hard.

[up1950s]

I used to bid on BLW .... NJ , Tex N Rails .... Fla auctions . Still use BLW at times , but my heart belongs to Chuck from Queens who sells in Calif . Pete and BLW is known by EVERYBODY who is in N scale , and will be missed all those people . Live long and best wishes Pete .

[CBQ Fan]

Odd, if I am reading it correctly hogtrainz has a different shipping policy for Nscale than they do go HO & G.  Doesn't seem like a good business practice to me for a couple of different reasons.

[Point353]

This is the oldest issue I have. I've got 20+ years of these archived, up until Pete retired them. They are good for historical reference.

(Attachment Link)

You have me beat by a year.

I first became aware of Pete's fledgling enterprise during a circa 1982 visit to an open house at the Metropolitan N gauge RR club in Englewood, NJ.
One of the cars running in a train on their layout was the club's special run car made by Kadee.



When I inquired about acquiring one of the cars, it was explained that it was made in conjunction with and was being sold by BLW.
Not being familiar with BLW, when I asked how to get in touch with them, one of the club members showed me a binder filled with BLW newsletters and gave me Pete's contact info - and so it began.

By the way, that helpful club member with the binder full of BLW newsletters was none other than Bryan Busséy.

[flight2000]

Odd, if I am reading it correctly hogtrainz has a different shipping policy for Nscale than they do go HO & G.  Doesn't seem like a good business practice to me for a couple of different reasons.

Brian,

Not following you there.  Their policy for N Scale shipping is on reservations, which is all that HOGTrainz is taking right now (and only those that are being delivered after Jun/Jul '18).  Same flat rate of $7.95 applies except the reservation requires a $.50 deposit and then the remaining $7.45 is paid upon shipment of the reservation when delivered.  Their HO flat rate is the same at $7.95 - G scale is higher at $10.95 for obvious reasons...

Time stands still for no one and Pete has been at it a long time.  Happy to see him retiring on his terms and hopefully enjoying the rest of his time.  Best wishes to him and his family in the future. 

Cheers,
Brian

[CBQ Fan]

Brian,

Not following you there.  Their policy for N Scale shipping is on reservations, which is all that HOGTrainz is taking right now (and only those that are being delivered after Jun/Jul '18).  Same flat rate of $7.95 applies except the reservation requires a $.50 deposit and then the remaining $7.45 is paid upon shipment of the reservation when delivered.  Their HO flat rate is the same at $7.95 - G scale is higher at $10.95 for obvious reasons...

Time stands still for no one and Pete has been at it a long time.  Happy to see him retiring on his terms and hopefully enjoying the rest of his time.  Best wishes to him and his family in the future. 

Cheers,
Brian

Do they charge the 50 cent deposit on HO and G reservations?

[flight2000]

Do they charge the 50 cent deposit on HO and G reservations?

Yes....this is from their reservation page: http://www.hogtrainz.com/RESERVATIONS.htm

AS ALWAYS - HOGTRAINZ DOES NOT CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TILL THE ITEM SHIPS. WHEN RESERVING AN ITEM - IT WILL COME UP AS "FREE" IN THE SHOPPING CART. WHEN THE ITEMS ARRIVE - THEY WILL BE CHARGED AND IMMEDIATELY SHIPPED TO YOU! IF YOU ARE USING PAYPAL - YOU MUST DEPOSIT .01 (ONE CENT) IN ORDER FOR SYSTEM TO ACCEPT THE RESERVATION. CHARGE CARDS WILL BE CHARGED .50 - WHICH WILL BE APPLIED TO ORDER WHEN SHIPPED

Cheers,
Brian

[peteski]

Yes....this is from their reservation page: http://www.hogtrainz.com/RESERVATIONS.htm

AS ALWAYS - HOGTRAINZ DOES NOT CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TILL THE ITEM SHIPS. WHEN RESERVING AN ITEM - IT WILL COME UP AS "FREE" IN THE SHOPPING CART. WHEN THE ITEMS ARRIVE - THEY WILL BE CHARGED AND IMMEDIATELY SHIPPED TO YOU! IF YOU ARE USING PAYPAL - YOU MUST DEPOSIT .01 (ONE CENT) IN ORDER FOR SYSTEM TO ACCEPT THE RESERVATION. CHARGE CARDS WILL BE CHARGED .50 - WHICH WILL BE APPLIED TO ORDER WHEN SHIPPED

Cheers,
Brian

So they seem to actually initiate a 50 cent credit card transaction. What if the reservation is not fulfilled for several years (as it is often the case) and the credit card expires?

[CBQ Fan]

Yes....this is from their reservation page: http://www.hogtrainz.com/RESERVATIONS.htm

AS ALWAYS - HOGTRAINZ DOES NOT CHARGE YOUR CREDIT CARD TILL THE ITEM SHIPS. WHEN RESERVING AN ITEM - IT WILL COME UP AS "FREE" IN THE SHOPPING CART. WHEN THE ITEMS ARRIVE - THEY WILL BE CHARGED AND IMMEDIATELY SHIPPED TO YOU! IF YOU ARE USING PAYPAL - YOU MUST DEPOSIT .01 (ONE CENT) IN ORDER FOR SYSTEM TO ACCEPT THE RESERVATION. CHARGE CARDS WILL BE CHARGED .50 - WHICH WILL BE APPLIED TO ORDER WHEN SHIPPED

Cheers,
Brian

Lol, it was late when I read the reservations page from the home page and must have fallen asleep before I got to that paragraph.  The HO G page is very thorough!

[flight2000]

So they seem to actually initiate a 50 cent credit card transaction. What if the reservation is not fulfilled for several years (as it is often the case) and the credit card expires?

Pete, don't make it harder than it has to be....    It should get transferred and credited to whatever card you want for the balance.  BLW had to email me for a new card a few times due to long lead time items I had forgotten about.  I know Pete never charged for a reservation, so there is something screwy with their cart system.   Not going to argue over 50 cents if the worst happened, just not worth the effort...   

Cheers,
Brian

P.S. No affiliation from either other than sending my money to them both over the years.  Never an issue....   

[Bob Bufkin]

Once had a card expire and Chuck called me about it.  Gave him the new info and got my order.  That is what I call personal service.

[learmoia]

You have me beat by a year.

I first became aware of Pete's fledgling enterprise during a circa 1982 visit to an open house at the Metropolitan N gauge RR club in Englewood, NJ.
One of the cars running in a train on their layout was the club's special run car made by Kadee.



When I inquired about acquiring one of the cars, it was explained that it was made in conjunction with and was being sold by BLW.
Not being familiar with BLW, when I asked how to get in touch with them, one of the club members showed me a binder filled with BLW newsletters and gave me Pete's contact info - and so it began.

By the way, that helpful club member with the binder full of BLW newsletters was none other than Bryan Busséy.

I forgot how I found him.. Maybe, Somerset Railroad Coal Gons from LBF.. (Wish I could find the other 24 numbers.. ).... Ohh well..

Plus I have BLW-28.. The Conrail brown 40' Boxcar to go with my original run of MT 24130 Conrail Blue Boxcar..

~Ian