Large Scale Central

Internet Trains.com

General Discussion
#1

I am a little curious as to the credentials of this site. Three months ago, I ordered and paid for five sets of Microscale G scale decal sheets. Item was showing instore. Little did I know that the number instock was only one set. I was required to pay the full amount by PayPal, plus $23.00 estimated shipping cost (total cost $89.00). Three weeks ago I received an email stating that a further $9.50 was required to cover the shipping difference ($32.50 to ship an envelope with five sets of decals is a little steep). I emailed a reply with the PayPal transaction number to inform the cost difference had been paid.

Two emails to their service department and no response forthcoming from them. Had I known only one decal set instore then I would not have made the purchase. We are now looking at several months and for this transaction (13 January the store is indicating that all five decal sheets have been allocated, assuming this will complete my order). Service department states 24 hours turnaround on email response. Two weeks later no reply from them. Should I be anxious?

#2

I have no knowledge of the firm in question , but the “service” is getting to be all too commonly lax with many dealers .
Prior to the Christmas period (in September in some cases) I ordered things that were “in stock” and some were delivered after Christmas . I shall no longer deal with the guilty ones , especially having found other people losing out the same way . It appears that a few dealers/manufacturers wait for “enough orders” before making stuff . That’s OK if they tell you up front----though even that isn’t always true . I have cancelled orders that have been outstanding for 12 months , then had problems getting money back . It seems that “it will be ready in 6 weeks” is the standard phrase to cover-------------what exactly? Ready in 6 weeks every six weeks does not deliver .
This problem seems largely confined to model rail stuff . I have had no problem with other model types . But I am getting peed off with “service” .

Mike

#3

I used Internet Trains for awhile, but they like to charge the credit card first and ship later. I ordered in January and I was still sending emails about the order in March. They claimed 2-5 days to PROCESS the order, but it was more like 2-5 months.

I stopped using them in 2007.

Did you even get an automated reply?

#4

It took me 2 years to get refund from them, they will send you some nice emails but you need to CALL THEM. I will never deal with them again. I hope you have better luck than I did. !!! good luck.

#5

If you used PayPal, file a complaint, and get your money back unless you want to wait, sounds like they are gouging you on shipping too!! Regal

#6

And most of you know to be very careful about a low price PLUS “S&H”. That S&H = shipping and handling, and thus for little more than an envelope, you may pay as much or more for the S&H than for the item itself. I was stung by this practice just once, and now do not succumb to any of these “How can you ignore this great deal? Call right away and we’ll double the item (plus S&H)”. The upshot? I rarely conduct any business these days with internet dealers, but instead with reputable dealers that advertise in such places as “Garden Railroading Magazine”. Just a cheap price is not always the good deal it’s cracked up to be.

#7

Art , I regret to say that advertising in a magazine is still cheaper than delivering the goods , as I found to my cost .The magazine you mention led me to one unfulfilled order and a substantial “loan” to a dealer .
Another well respected European magazine “lost” me 400 dollars . When I told them about the bloke doing a runner , they said they had a contract to continue showing his adverts , notwithstanding receiving copies from me of police action against the guilty party . Needless to say , the magazine did nothing to help , and only printed a warning after the contract had run .
So I only deal on recommendation from others .

Mike

#8

Jerry,
I believe there is a six week time limit on making claims on PayPal. I got stung several times on this when using surface mail shipping to Australia. Shipping time was 8-10 weeks, outside of the time limit for making a claim. Several eBay items mysteriously disappeared and I was unable to make a claim when they had not arrived. Strangely, several of these missing items were relisted by an eBay Powerseller, eight months later and eBay ‘refused’ to believe my story and allowed the listing to continue, as this sort of conduct was not supposed to occur with Powersellers.

#9

Tim , that’s bloody disgraceful . It’s the first “downside” thing I’ve come across with regard to living in Oz . We tend to take rapid postal service for granted here , it must be frustrating having that extra doubt creep in as 6 weeks approaches . Is there no way of insuring against loss like that ? You shouldn’t have to , of course .
If you think I might be able to help getting stuff from the UK for you , please ask .

Mike

#10

Mike,
surface mail is no longer an option since USPS stopped the service as of May, two or three years ago. It was very economical, but as you point out, very fraught with danger. I ‘lost’ many an item this way and no comeback other than posting a negative feedback. Sellers were not happy with it as buyers would get cold feet as the six week PayPal limit approached and would submit an item not received claim against the seller, just in case.

#11
Tim Brien said:
I am a little curious as to the credentials of this site. Three months ago, I ordered and paid for five sets of Microscale G scale decal sheets. Item was showing instore. Little did I know that the number instock was only one set. I was required to pay the full amount by PayPal, plus $23.00 estimated shipping cost (total cost $89.00). Three weeks ago I received an email stating that a further $9.50 was required to cover the shipping difference ($32.50 to ship an envelope with five sets of decals is a little steep). I emailed a reply with the PayPal transaction number to inform the cost difference had been paid.

Two emails to their service department and no response forthcoming from them. Had I known only one decal set instore then I would not have made the purchase. We are now looking at several months and for this transaction (13 January the store is indicating that all five decal sheets have been allocated, assuming this will complete my order). Service department states 24 hours turnaround on email response. Two weeks later no reply from them. Should I be anxious?


This is why I go to one place and one place only for my large scale decals.

Stan Cedarleaf.

You tell him what you want.

He tells you how much.

You pay him.

He sends the decals.

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#12

"This is why I go to one place and one place only for my large scale decals.

Stan Cedarleaf.

You tell him what you want.

He tells you how much.

You pay him.

He sends the decals.

tac"

Terry,
Kind of an interesting concept isn’t it?

#13

And if it a custom,
he will send you proofs back and forth until you say, "OK, print “em”.

Another great source is Del Tapparo for vinyl “decals”.

#14
John Bouck said:
And if it a custom, he (Stan) will send you proofs back and forth until you say, "OK, print "em".

Another great source is Del Tapparo for vinyl “decals”.


Both do it via email, not snail-mail. Del offers vinyl paint masks, too. Either provide superb service.

#15

I used Internet Trains once years ago and will never use them again. Bought some O scale structures and detail parts since they had advertised a “coupon” for them, all showed in stock. Months later my order arrived - but only half of it, and they charged me full price - no coupon. Called to complain and they said the coupon was only valid if I had a minimum $$$ of “shipped” merchandise. Since some of what I ordered was apparently not available, they couldn’t ship it, and the coupon didn’t apply. So I paid a fortune to end up with 2 items when it was all said and done.

Avoid!

Also, shopping online, always pay with a credit card. Your card company is much easier to deal with than Paypal.

Scott

#16

I have the utmost respect for Stan Cedarleaf as a person first and how he runs his business.

I have had much experience in retail/wholesale businesses and the by word is and always has been “the customer is always right (even if he is wrong)”.

What the comment in parens means that if we are not talking a large amount, just settle with the customer, keep him happy (he may do more business with you).

I don’t process credit cards until the order is ready to ship, that means packed and ready to go. Seldom do I process a card earlier, more than the night before I can ship.

Barry - BBT

#17

Del Tapparo and Stan Cedarleaf have repeatedly received positive comments for buying decals.
Great! Now, would someone please list their site location and ordering phone numbers?

I have absolutely no ethical prohibition on giving free advertising to those who are honest, reliable, and offer a good product. Otherwise, why limit the potential of this site? We certainly are willing to indentify and caution the use of those who do not meet this critieria.

Wendell

#18
Barry Olsen said:
I have the utmost respect for Stan Cedarleaf as a person first and how he runs his business.

I have had much experience in retail/wholesale businesses and the by word is and always has been “the customer is always right (even if he is wrong)”.

What the comment in parens means that if we are not talking a large amount, just settle with the customer, keep him happy (he may do more business with you).

I don’t process credit cards until the order is ready to ship, that means packed and ready to go. Seldom do I process a card earlier, more than the night before I can ship.

Barry - BBT


Stan is no doubt the best for decals. He does a great job and is very fair.

#19

http://gold.mylargescale.com/StanCedarleaf/WebPageDecals/CustomDecalsx.html for Stan

http://gold.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/ for Del

#20

Steve-
Many thanks!
Wendell