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 Posted - August 24 2012 : 08:50:34 AM
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Anyone have any experience ordering parts online for Athearn trains? I'm looking to buy some replacement parts for some of my blue-box era trains, and parts to repair and upgrade some rubberband drive locomotives.
I've considered ordering from Athearn at list price, Hobby Warehouse for below list price, and Wholesale Trains for about half of list price. The thing is though, that there are a ton of review indicating that customer satisfaction is far below admirable! Missing orders, phantom charges to cards, horrible return policies; even ball busting when they send the incorrect product! Does anyone have prior experiences with these internet companies, or should I just go straight to Athearn.
I'm in Nassau County NY, and nobody around here seems to carry parts that I need. It's a shame; we used to make stuff just a few towns over for Revell, Model Power, and maybe a few others...
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Posted - August 24 2012 : 10:55:58 AM
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Harrison,
This is because Athearn has discontinued the ENTIRE line of the Blue Box kits..... SO, once the parts supply ran out, they are no longer restocked on their parts replacement inventory.
Thus, no hobby shop carries parts for these any longer, only a few that did might still have parts available, but, once they are gone, they're gone forever, UNLESS Athearn would decide to carry them or bring the blue box line back to the shelves!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - August 24 2012 : 8:50:59 PM
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I ran into that issue- looking for Athearn BB parts( although not with any specific Internet hobby store) when I upgraded an Athearn BB Rotary Snow Plow this past winter/spring. I bought it online and it was in very good condition, but missing the undercarriage flanged, a small plastic piece that was necessary to make it look as it was supposed to. I went back to EBay, where I had bid and won the snow plow, and came across a private source that was selling these parts. Perhaps I was foolish in buying it for the few dollars it cost, plus shipping, but I don't think I could have made it as well myself. I found a number of other private sources for other Athearn BB parts, for diesels as well as freight cars, so I think that might be the better alternative.
Not to make a commendation for those who do their business on EBay, but many of these sources are small players and bad service will quickly result in their losing business, as many read the comments about them before buying, and their reliability rating is their best advertising for more business. The wholesalers and hobby stores online have many more hits daily, so if they screw a few customers, so what? Those little guys need that good rating to survive. I would rather pay them than some entity that doesn't really worry about how YOU are treated.
I just bought some LEDs online from a Chinese supplier. The transaction was for only $8.00 with free shipping, but- because of their prompt service and product quality, I will return to them for other hobby electronics purchases before looking elsewhere. And I gave them a superior review because of my experience!
Ron
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Posted - August 27 2012 : 10:22:20 PM
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| Is it wise then to take a stab at ordering from a big guy, and then post my results. I know this isn't the largest fanbase in the world, but we could all boycott them if they suck. Our crew did that in Gibraltar to a guy that wasn't happy about Americans, lost 800 people's business in fish and chips!
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Posted - August 27 2012 : 10:49:13 PM
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Check out K4 Supply if you haven't already.
http://tinyurl.com/9vo7slh
He may have other items listed on his eBay account as well.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - October 06 2012 : 12:47:29 AM
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| I need 3-4 sets of the air tanks (#10536) that are on the bottom of the Athearn GP9 BB engienframe. Athearn is sold out of these. Anyone know of a source?
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Posted - October 07 2012 : 02:28:39 AM
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quote:I need 3-4 sets of the air tanks (#10536) that are on the bottom of the Athearn GP9 BB engine frame. Athearn is sold out of these. Anyone know of a source?
Originally posted by AF Kid - October 06 2012 : 12:47:29 AM
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Posted - October 07 2012 : 10:01:55 AM
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i seen a bunch of these on ebay the other day
type in "parts" in the search box and keep lookin...
caboose 1
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Posted - October 07 2012 : 10:45:55 AM
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quote: quote:I need 3-4 sets of the air tanks (#10536) that are on the bottom of the Athearn GP9 BB engine frame. Athearn is sold out of these. Anyone know of a source?
Originally posted by AF Kid - October 06 2012 : 12:47:29 AM
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Originally posted by AF Kid - October 07 2012 : 02:28:39 AM
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I think I have a few. I'll check my stash.
Unspoken expectations are premeditated failures.
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