Cheaper than Hattons?

Hi All.  This is not a " Critique" or indeed no "Derogatory Assessment".
I don't even know the words, but, just an interesting question, I found an advert for a shop "Derails"(interesting name) where the prices seem very good, and if the service is as good as the prices why have I not heard of it before?? Have any members ha dealings with this business?
please advise. all the best. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Looks like a real hobby shop focused on trains. Prices look good as well. That Oxford Rail Steam Dean Goods looks interesting. If you're worried, ask them how long they've been in business. I came across another one of these LHS with reasonable prices in Frome, Zumerset, real shop, glass front, closes for holidays, prices to match Hattons.

Coleford?

Nigel

Sometimes these smaller shops are useful in other ways: for example, being able to find models on the shelves that have long sold out from the 'big boys'. 

Gas Cupboard Models (now of Trowbridge, but elsewhere when I used them last) had a coach pack from Hornby that I was after and unavailable just about everywhere else. What's more, the price was still very reasonable and not inflated compared to what I could have paid in the more usual retailers.

Looks good Kevin.

I've just priced up a few items I recently ordered from that large Liverpool based retailer and I could have saved just under £10!

Their details read similarly to a DCC supplier I tend to use, modellers selling to modellers.

http://www.derails.co.uk/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=4

Thanks for the tip, I've bookmarked them :thumbs


Ed

hi Nigel. Thank you, Ed as supplied a link, to get "The Low Down" on Derails.   all the best. Kevin

Hi Ed.     Thank you  for the background information on Derails, it really looks like pukka little business, well worth ordering from then.
all the best. Kevin

Hi Jeff.  Thank you again.   Personal service wins the day every time..
    all the best. Kevin

Hello everyone, I was pointed here by a customer who said that we'd been mentioned, so I thought I would drop by and say thanks for the kind comments! I'm planning on staying on this forum though, looks like a friendly place to talk trains.

The business has been running for 5 years now, and we've had our proper outlet in Coleford for 1 year. We are indeed modellers serving modellers, although if you ring and get my Dad he's not the best on the technical side of things unlike myself, I dragged him into this hobby so he's only just getting used to different types of trains - he knows steam trains have a funnel and diesels don't so no idea how stumped he would be with Bullieds Leader… ;-) BUT if you want an in-depth talk about our VAT arrangments or what credit card system we use, he's your man!

Anyway thankyou again and we hope to serve some of you guys in the future, and as someone has already noted, we aim to be cheaper than that well known Scouse retailer..!

Hi Dan.   That was me! I was looking for a Bachmann 00 gauge Shunter? I think. Maybe an "early BR logo" 03 Shunter.
But I required a "Brand New" or a forgotten model "Still New" that had been left on the shelf, but WHY one with no bits broken.
And I saw your ad that seemed to good to be true? nothing like the "Scouser Shop", and there you have it. Kevin

[user=1956]Derails Models[/user] wrote:

Hello everyone, I was pointed here by a customer who said that we'd been mentioned, so I thought I would drop by and say thanks for the kind comments! I'm planning on staying on this forum though, looks like a friendly place to talk trains.

The business has been running for 5 years now, and we've had our proper outlet in Coleford for 1 year. We are indeed modellers serving modellers, although if you ring and get my Dad he's not the best on the technical side of things unlike myself, I dragged him into this hobby so he's only just getting used to different types of trains - he knows steam trains have a funnel and diesels don't so no idea how stumped he would be with Bullieds Leader… ;-) BUT if you want an in-depth talk about our VAT arrangments or what credit card system we use, he's your man!

Anyway thankyou again and we hope to serve some of you guys in the future, and as someone has already noted, we aim to be cheaper than that well known Scouse retailer..!

Welcome to the club Dan. It might be an idea to introduce yourself in the new members section as well as not all members may read this thread.

What I like about Hattons, apart from their very prompt  and professional service, is that they don't just sell anything in a 'red box' but stock all the popular brands of scratchbuilding materials as well - and they never seem to be out of stock of anything. Where else could you order 40 packets of Wills Course Stone sheets and get them a few days later to build a castle with !

Allan

Hi Dan,

Welcome from a balmy VA (29°C). How are you set up for export orders?

Nigel

I have recently become very disenchanted with Hattons.  They are still providing their excellent, fast service.  However, take a look at their second-hand sales.  They are selling the same for ridiculously high prices which appear to be based on today's high prices as being charged by Bachmann.  This appears to extend to damaged items too.

Terry

Hi Terry.  That is exactly my point, and why I started this thread, it isn't as though they are selling "Fine Antiques". Especially as we all know with bits either missing or falling off.  all the best. Kevin

Hi Kevin! Early Logo 03 - nothing available I'm afraid, there's a Late Crest variant, an NCB variant and a BR Blue variant due sometime this year but no early logo. There is an Early Logo 08 however that is in stock? Is that what you were looking at?


[user=1632]BCDR[/user] wrote:

Hi Dan,

Welcome from a balmy VA (29°C). How are you set up for export orders?

Nigel

Hi Nigel from a balmy Gloucestershire (its sunny, and NOT raining, hence why its balmy!) Sounds like you've got nice weather over there too! 

I've just dropped you a PM regarding exporting, we can do it however the payment side of things is a little complicated.

Thanks all for the welcomes too, btw.

Hi Dan.  Thank you, but, I was after a small Diesel Mechanical, just to be different. Another subject I have been pestering everyone about, is fitting Kadee couplers to Bachmann Loco's and Stock. I don't know if you have had any experience with these? all the best. Kevin

[user=1801]Passed Driver[/user] wrote:

Hi Dan.  Thank you, but, I was after a small Diesel Mechanical, just to be different. Another subject I have been pestering everyone about, is fitting Kadee couplers to Bachmann Loco's and Stock. I don't know if you have had any experience with these? all the best. Kevin

I'm no expert on Kadees but as far as I am aware it can be done with the stock fitted with NEM pockets. Also, I have heard heights is an issue, with different coupler heights causing coupling problems, however I believe Kadee have combatted this with cranked couplings (like Bachmann themselves have done with the tension lock type). I know they also do a height gauge which you can place on your track and couple your stock up to to check its the right height and the right coupler for that piece of stock - again, might be worth looking into. :)  Perhaps someone else with more experience can elaborate?

Hope that helps.