05/14/09

Nice shop, friendly owner

by updriver

Overall a positive experience. Nice, friendly owner. I did have on a U.S. Marines shirt on the day I went in so I don't know if that helped win brownie points but none the less friendly conversation during my browsing of the store.

All too often these days it seems like these mom and pop hobby shops are operated by ornery, grouchy people but in this case I found the owner, a former Marine, very friendly.

All owners should be friendly ALL THE TIME, PERIOD! If not for common decency, for good business practice. You never know when that perpetual browsing customer is going to come into cash and decide to drop a couple grand on some trains. It would be nice for the owner if that customer dropped the few grand in his store and customers remember BAD EXPERIENCES.

Anyway nice store and I'm sure the selection of merchandise is usually good.

• Pros: Friendly customer service
• Cons: a little light on selection of merchandise

02/10/08

Still the best stocked Model RR shop in town

by Ventoux1

As the hobby has changed with more, better ready-to-run (RTR) models, this store has apparently been adapting. That means the focus is on the RTR, Thomas and things like that, and less on the art of modelling. Like the first reviewer, I found the shop does not cater to the serious hobbyist (which it may have in the past). However, it still has the best selection of H O supplies in town. Good selection of books as well. Symptomatic of the change in the store - when I got there they had a tremendous sale on decals and I picked up quite a few for a song. As I checked out the comment was "Still painting your own? You know you're a dinosaur don't you?"

Well, this dino has enjoyed painting and decalling undecorated containers for the last few weeks - thank you very much!

Nonetheless, this remains a well-stocked store - probably the best in town - and well worth a visit.

Parking is bit limited but most days I doubt it will be an issue.

Sure am sorry the first reviewer had a bad experience with customer service. It was a little crowded the day I was there but I found the service pretty good. The staff were pleasant and conversational.

• Pros: Good selection, lots of variety
• Cons: Parking (holidays only), don't look for modelling advice

02/08/08

Rude and Insulting Owner / Staff

by 1Zeus

I used to shop Affair with trains allot in the past and loved it. Cramped, dusty and well overstocked and you could chat with the "old timers" and get lots of great advice.

Now my experience was nothing short of the worst shopping experience I've ever had. The owner Bob Kocher was the rudest person I've ever meet. I have a disability and have had a service animal for the last three years. My son, a friend, Zeus, and I went on a shopping trip to this store and he refused to allow me to shop in this store, Telling me several times to leave. Which I might add is against the law.

I personally will not shop this store ever again. I have found that Internet shopping or a great little shop "The Freight Yard" in North Phoenix is now my choice.

• Cons: Rude and Insulting Staff / Owners