MTH Parts

I suggest seeing if any techs have the parts you need.  Try posting a list in the "want to buy" forum and hope that techs like gunerrunnerjohn, GGG, & others see it and respond.  Usually they'll ship First Class and without a handling charge.

Generally there minimum shipping charge for shipping is$18.00 and up.that's why RJR suggested buying the parts from Asc tech's that might already have the parts you need or can tell you where to get the best price for the parts!

Alan

We have some common parts.  What are you looking for?

Several weeks ago,  I sent an e-mail to MTH(specifically to Midge who has helped me before) inquiring about the availability of a few parts for a premier J1E Hudson.  I was looking for a front pilot,  the 2 compressors that mount behind the shields on the pilot and four 6/32 screws(2 each of different lengths).  When Midge replied,  she e-mailed that there were no pilot or compressors available(even though this engine has been produced multiple times),  but the 4 screws were available at 25 cents each for a total of $1 and the shipping and handling would be $9.75.  I can buy the screws locally-just thought I would purchase them along with the other parts at the same time-HA!  I politely e-mailed Midge that I would have to pass on that deal for obvious reasons!  PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT FAULTING MIDGE IN ANY WAY AS SHE HAS HELPED ME NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE. Just thought I'd let you know.

Nick 

I was looking for detail parts for the Lionel 613/2613 series cars.  Specifically, 6 of theTP-OP00028 vestibules and 3 of the TP-OP00032 roof latch with spring and rivits.  They were in stock, the shipping just surprised me as it was as much as the parts.

If you check around you will see that this is happening regularly with almost every manufacture. They receive bids from all carriers based upon the average weight of all outgoing packages. The companies agree to a base rate for everything. This a written contract. For an example: I buy quite a few parts from a company based in Kentucky. Their minimum shipping for a padded 10"X 14" envelop is $25.00                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

I do not know what MTH's contract with FEDEX is but they do use a variable price scheme for shipping.  RK $17, Premier Steam $20, shipping 2 of the same in a single box only goes up about 25%.

But the minimum is around that $9.75 to $10.50 range because they do ship FEDEX.

I would call or e-mail  Midge and ask what is up with the Website shipping fee.  I think that may be a mistake.  I would expect you to pay around $10-$13 depending on the type of parts and size of box required to ship it in.   G

There must be some kind of problem with the MTH online ordering system if it is putting out an $18 minimum charge for small parts orders. I just received an e-mail from Midge at MTH and the minimum shipping and handling charge is $9.75. I've seen this before in online systems; they just don't do the shipping correctly. 

The big disappointment was that, as I feared and expected, the large majority of what I wanted wasn't available. MTH just does not stock any kind of trim parts at all. No hand grabs, stirrups, brake stands, etc. which is of course the stuff that is most likely to get broken. All I will be able to order is a few smoke unit and coupler parts. And, to add insult to injury, Midge only saw my e-mail from last month today. It got kicked into her spam folder, which is why I didn't hear back. Not her fault - the computer decides. 

MIdge is a treasure and does her very best, but thanks to a higher-level lack of interest in customer support, getting MTH parts is still a very frustrating experience. 

The best way I've found to get MTH parts is to go to their booth @ York.  Still not a pleasant experience, but you can usually get what you need.