Blue Ridge Hobbies

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OPEN NOW - Closes at 9:00pm

FROM THE OWNER OF BLUE RIDGE HOBBIES:



First of all, we pride ourselves in our customer service and we are never rude and nasty. Mr. Arthur DeVoe just does not understand the situation and feels he has been somehow treated poorly. In fact, the problem he has encountered is related to the manufacturer, not BRH.



Currently the model railroad hobby is experiencing product shortages. Especially Atlas Track. In some instances we have been waiting over one year for track, which is what Mr. DeVoe had ordered. Mr. DeVoe understood this when he placed his on line order. The statement that the track from Atlas never came in is due to the misinformation on product availability dates given by Atlas. This is not the fault of Blue Ridge Hobbies. It is the problems related to ongoing production issues with most of the model railroad manufacturers and their China facilities.



We have a high volume of sales and turn our stock over very quickly. We keep a low threshold of product in our retail store location so that we can keep prices very very low.



I understand Mr. DeVoe's wish for the product to have been immediately available, but the fact is the online orders are filled in a first come first served basis. Unfortunately, Mr. DeVoe's order could not be completed because of the lack of fill rate from Atlas, not a problem with Blue Ridge Hobbies.



Over the last two years we have been advising our customers of the situation with the model railroad hobby in general. Mr. DeVoe has received these emails.



OUR LOCATION has not changed twice in the last year. We have moved just across the street of our 2400 location to 2327 in September 2012. This was done because of lease had run out at the 2400 location. This location was 2000 square feet and we needed more space for our shipping department and to help facilitate the Miniature World of Trains (MWOT) project which needed additional space. I am the Chairman of MWOT a 501c3 Non Profit. Both businesses moved into 2400 square feet on a month to month bases while the MWOT project attempted to locate into its new home. BRH will be moving into this location as well in the near future.



BRH is in the process in reducing its remaining in store stock of older merchandise in anticipation of this move.



The bottom line here is that our business is growing and we are adjusting how we operate both or retail store and our on line business due to the product shortages and delays on releases.



While others are closing, we are in the process of growing our business. While the current retail location is not BRH at its best due to the impending location change and the reality of how the current state of the model railroad is effecting not only BRH but hobby stores world wide.



Regarding Mr. Devoe's comment about sending BRH money. We only charge you for merchandise that is shipped to you. Pre payment is not required, thus you are sending BRH any money!



As far as calling. Because of the lack of product availability and my duties of as Chairman of MWOT, the retail store is currently open three days a week. The other days I am working on MWOT fundraising. However, we do monitor emails and phone messages 7 days a week / 18 hours a day!



We are here to give you the best service that you can rely on. Our continued growth by word of mouth is a testament to our excellent customer service.



As long as there is product to sell, we will be here to serve the model railroad hobbyist!



Frank Ruby

Owner - Blue Ridge Hobbies

They used to be a great place but man, have they gone downhill. The reps are rude and nasty on the phone and just try to string you along, saying things like your items will be in stock next week etc. I have been waiting for an order for almost a year and they keep saying the stuff is coming but it never does. I cancelled my order and reordered from a different seller, and funny they had everything in stock. Lastly let me state that these people have moved twice in the last year, makes me nervous about sending them money, as they may not be there when you call.

lyupthatsme is absolutely right, it's a store front with noting in there. He have to order almost everything and there is no service at all. BTW... Jack H. that wrote the first review appears to be a friend of the owner (fcruby) or volunteer of the store, so this review is worth nothing, also Mr. Ruby's own review here. How desperate must somebody be to right his own positive Reviews, think about that. The last time Ruby told me that he has a large warehouse...lol...he forgot to mention the name of the warehouse, some of you would call it Walthers. The prices from Blue Ridge Hobbies are low but you will find similar prices on Ebay. The difference is that most of the dealers on Ebay can deliver right away because they have it on hand. I can't recommend Blue Ridge Hobbies, so my advice - think twice.

Best selection of train supplies at the best prices I have delt with. If BRH does not have what I need, Frank will have it for me in a couple days. Great staff!

The reviewer that did not like this railroad hobby store must have visited prior to or during their move to larger quarters.

There is nothing not to like about this place! Yes they give great deals on internet orders, however

the instore inventory is incredable.

My group is from Texas and we recently made a visit to this store along with other like stores in South Carolina. We responded to this stores web site address expecting to find much more than we did. Found that while this is a storefront which does have train items in it, it is nothing like the bragging on their internet wed site. For the most part this is only an office for an internet dealer with a Walthers catalog and a site linked with Walthers on line mall for dealers.Heard a person in the parking lot of this store complaining that he had ordered his stuff three months ago with a down payment before hand and had not gatten it yet.A call to Walthers found that the item was out of stock and was expected to be back in stock in about six months.Knowing this the next day we went back to place an order for the same item which the store person was happy to take. We changed our minds and left with the idea that, if there is alot of bragging, which there is on Blue Ridge Hobbies web site, then be carefull. You gat a cheat.

Blue Ridge Hobbies is the best model railroad store in the southeast.

Excellent Customer Service and Staff. Low prices compared to the competition in the area and online



Great people to work with!