Just came back from emptying my bank account at SideTrack. The store really looks different, with many of the shelves gone and a lot of product on the floor.
This is all from a poor memory, but I think it is mostly correct.
First off, for those of you that have been trying to order through their web site expect a call from them within the next few days to confirm your order. Apparently the web site owner has had problems and no orders have been forwarded to SideTrack in over three weeks. They have been working with the web site to get it fixed, and they got all of the orders that have been delayed in today; lots of them. However, some of the orders still were incomplete. When I was there, Jim was running around trying to confirm they had the products ordered and will phone those who placed orders to make sure they are correct.
Al needs to be out of the current store by the end of the month. COMCAST told them it will take 3+ days to move their system to the other store, so expect to have web site and phone problems again in a few days. The people at SideTrack were not happy.
Al will be sending out a flyer very soon that will list steep discounts for most items in the store to lower inventory before the move. He has already marked down everything in an effort to sell it before the move, now for MTH and Lionel an additional 10% for engines and 20% for rolling stock will be added on top of that. K-Line, Atlas, Scenic Express, G-gauge items, and other non MTH/Lionel items will have up to 50% off. All his toys and radio control ships/planes/boats will also be deeply discounted, but I don't know by how much. This also includes American Flyer and HO products. I talked them into giving me the discounts now (I have been buying from them since 1994), so I bought some Atlas 40' re-built reefers for $27, an MTH Sherman tank on flatcar 6-pack for $260, and a bunch of Scenic Express people packs for $10-11. I also picked up a SensorTrack and power/control cable but he is not discounting those items, or any other power or control item. He was out of the CAB-1L handheld which I wanted to get as a second controller, as well as TPC400s. He does has several CAB-1L bases and DCS sets for those who want to run their TMCC/Legacy engines through the DCS handheld.
At the new store Al will carry only MTH, Lionel Corporation, and Lionel products (engines, rolling stock, power/control, and accessories), but no American Flyer. He will carry Thomas train sets but not the toys that go with it.
I'm really sad that he has to move into a smaller space. However, he will continue to carry the items I want so I can't complain.
Ron
