Hi I live up north and I'm just wondering if anyone knows some good places where I could get some cheap prices on tracks. Supplies also from retailers online north of the border. Since you know it's always a pain to deal with customs agents and things like that. I have just two shops that I know of in my city so the selection of products and prices is kind of sad.
Good sites for Canadians?
- Thread starter lgh2000
- Start date
Railphotog
Railroad Photographer
It's been a while since I've bought track in quantity so I can't help you there. You probably won't find any real deals on track and much other stuff here in Canada. We're just too small a market for discounting hobby supplies.
If you want a box of track - 25 pieces - its probably the best to order from a discount shop in the US. We don't have to deal with customs, just have to pay the standard GST/HST that you would in your home province. The usual big cost is shipping to Canada. Some places with great prices such as Trainworld in Brooklyn charge a flat US$25.00 shipping fee; others are lower or higher. Usually only worthwhile if you're making a big order, I've combined with friends to share the shipping costs.
And if you should go this way, make sure they don't ship to you using UPS or one of the delivery services such as FedEx; they charge outrageous fees to collect the GST/HST (US$25-35!). Have stuff shipped by US Mail, our Canadian Post Office will charge you $5.00 to collect the GST/HST. Often there is no tax on smaller parcels.
Good luck!
If you want a box of track - 25 pieces - its probably the best to order from a discount shop in the US. We don't have to deal with customs, just have to pay the standard GST/HST that you would in your home province. The usual big cost is shipping to Canada. Some places with great prices such as Trainworld in Brooklyn charge a flat US$25.00 shipping fee; others are lower or higher. Usually only worthwhile if you're making a big order, I've combined with friends to share the shipping costs.
And if you should go this way, make sure they don't ship to you using UPS or one of the delivery services such as FedEx; they charge outrageous fees to collect the GST/HST (US$25-35!). Have stuff shipped by US Mail, our Canadian Post Office will charge you $5.00 to collect the GST/HST. Often there is no tax on smaller parcels.
Good luck!
Will_annand
Member
Give a look at Muskoka Computes and Hobbies.
www.muskokacomputes.com
As far as cross border:
Well depends on your province, you will get hit for GST and PST and a $5.00 handling charge.
www.muskokacomputes.com
As far as cross border:
Well depends on your province, you will get hit for GST and PST and a $5.00 handling charge.
Last edited by a moderator:
Rico
BN Modeller
I've dealt with Dave Cool at http://www.canadianexpressline.com/ with good results.
He has specials now and then that are hard to beat even with shipping.
He also does various train shows in the East.
He has specials now and then that are hard to beat even with shipping.
He also does various train shows in the East.
Hey nice thanks I'm actually from Manitoba also.
http://hobbyalley.com/store/category/15/49/HO-Track-Code-100/
This is a site worth while considering at least they are on DCC
Willis
This is a site worth while considering at least they are on DCC
Willis
Rico
BN Modeller
Ahhhh, well then try Pete at Sparetime Hobbies, he has some great prices on 5 packs of flex.
If you're too far from the "big smoke" I could check for you next time I'm in that way.
Well I'm dt so it's not terribly far nooches is closer along with the one on henderson. or Tod hall but prices are never good. Is that all we have then for train shops just 4 ? I know their used to be at least one more or two.
I like Hobby Wholesale which is in edmonton, but I have ordered from their website with good success.
There is another shop in Red Deer here that offers very good prices on roadbed and track, 3.50 a length of n scale track and 25ish for a case of roadbed. Most other places are 4.50 to 5.50 a length and 36ish for the roadbed. Not sure if they would mail order though, they are called hobby extreme.
There is another shop in Red Deer here that offers very good prices on roadbed and track, 3.50 a length of n scale track and 25ish for a case of roadbed. Most other places are 4.50 to 5.50 a length and 36ish for the roadbed. Not sure if they would mail order though, they are called hobby extreme.
Rico
BN Modeller
Here are the main players anyway:
Elmwood Hobby Works: http://www.elmwoodhobbyworks.ca/
Sparetime Hobbies: http://www.sparetimehobbies.com/
Gooches Bike and Hobby
Warehouse Hobbies
Toad Hall Toys: http://www.toadhalltoys.ca/
If you find yourself out Steinbach way, there's Janzen paints: http://www.janzenhobbyland.com/
Janzen is also in Winkler, fairly good selection.
Rico
BN Modeller
Ooh, almost forgot these guys: http://www.modeltrains.com/
Get on the mailing list for discounts!
Get on the mailing list for discounts!
I've visited the one in Winkler a few years ago. I sure was surprised to find such an excellent section of model trains in a hardware store!
