Discount's

[Tdm]

Have only been N gauge modelling since September, but have already sent in and received 8 different orders to Hattons. I may pay a bit extra in postage on deliveries to Tenerife, but everything is VAT free as the Canary Isles are outside the EEC as regard VAT regulations, even though Spain itself is not.
As long as I specify Royal Mail and not a Private Courier company I am alright, as using the latter I would get lumbered with all sorts of extra charges and Customs duty.

Must say very happy with Hattons as they automatically deduct the VAT, all deliveries to-date have been well packaged and correct, although it does normally take 10 days from despatching the goods to arriving at my home.

I too have re-designed my layout a couple of times since starting out, each time requiring me to order extra track, rolling stock, and scenery, hence so many orders. Paying by Credit Card also gives me a better exchange rate, as I get full "commercial" rate rather than the lower "tourist" rate.

Getting the 20% Vat deducted, plus also getting (currently) â,¬1.20 to the pound (instead of the â,¬1.17 tourist rate) does make a significant difference on orders of £100 and upwards. I try and time my orders to when the exchange rate is good, certain days of the month always being better than others.

If I could get a further discount on top, then I might order a few more items next time! 

[Jerry Howlett]

Always get great service from Hattons even if the occasional item arrives in box thats ten times the size of the product!
Only one time was the order severely delayed and that wa a box of code55 track but then its an odd shape and was sent / ordered over the xmas period a few years ago.
As for credit card rate be warned that UK credit card companies add a handling charge for all foreign transactions but I assume yours is a Euro account so tbey do not.

Enjoy the sun , its cats & dogs in Northern Italy this month.
Jerry

[jonclox]

Ordering in largish amounts will always help bring postage down but at times small -- even single item-- orders have to be made.
I tend to keep mini lists of items to obtain from various outlets depending on price and availability  for each outlet.
At the beginning of a month I try and place the full months order (bank manager willing). In between I may well add an item or 2 to each list then if something becomes wanted in short time I  order and clear the whole list and start a new one

[Tdm]

Always get great service from Hattons even if the occasional item arrives in box thats ten times the size of the product!
Only one time was the order severely delayed and that wa a box of code55 track but then its an odd shape and was sent / ordered over the xmas period a few years ago.
As for credit card rate be warned that UK credit card companies add a handling charge for all foreign transactions but I assume yours is a Euro account so tbey do not.

Enjoy the sun , its cats & dogs in Northern Italy this month.
Jerry

Nationwide don't charge any extra for "abroad" purchases which is why I chose them. I think "Frizzells (Liverpool Victoria) don't either but not sure, but most other Credit Card companies do.
When going out for a meal with friends nearly always pay with my Nationwide card as it's cheaper than paying by cash as I am getting a better exchange rate, and if you pay back the full amount outstanding at the end of the month there are no interest charges either.

Yes the Sun is shining in Tenerife, although we had more cloudy days than is normal in December and January.

[Oldun]

Well ... if they don't, why not pop into your local shop & tell them you want to spend a lot of money with them if you get a good price ?
Give the guy a chance; if the price is good, support him, and you might find you get preferential treatment for other things too ... 

Only wish I could. The trouble is our 'local' shop - The Signal Box in Rochester High St closed down
when 'ModelZone' went t%$s up :'(

Roger

Didn't they reopen under local management???

Good question, I'll give the old number a ring and see what happens. If no joy I'll
have to have a drive down, have a look see and find out.

No joy, all gone :'(

On the bright side though is the 'new' shop mentioned at the bottom

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/model-shop-closes-as-firm-5905/

[Jim Martin]

I've often wondered about this.  I think I'd go along with the idea of making a list of everything I wanted,  then go to whatever shops I was considering and ask them to give me a price.

I'd certainly consider my "local shop", which is Hattons.

Jim

[Tdm]

I've often wondered about this.  I think I'd go along with the idea of making a list of everything I wanted,  then go to whatever shops I was considering and ask them to give me a price.
I'd certainly consider my "local shop", which is Hattons.
Jim

Lucky being close to Hattons - whereabouts in Liverpool are they as when I visit my son in Chester it might be worthwhile catching a train from there into Lime street if they are anywhere near there.
On second thoughts they probably wouldn't deduct the VAT if I buy direct. You could ask them though if they do anything like a "frequent flyer" arrangement whereby you pay less the more times you use them?

[Jim Martin]

Lucky being close to Hattons - whereabouts in Liverpool are they as when I visit my son in Chester it might be worthwhile catching a train from there into Lime street if they are anywhere near there.
On second thoughts they probably wouldn't deduct the VAT if I buy direct. You could ask them though if they do anything like a "frequent flyer" arrangement whereby you pay less the more times you use them?

It's not actually all that handy for the train.  The nearest station would be Mossley Hill, but it must be about a mile from there to the shop. It's at the very bottom of Smithdown Road,  just by the junction with Penny Lane.

The shop has all the virtues of the mail order operation,  in that the prices are keen and the service is very good, but it doesn't have the magic of a shop where you're going to unearth something unexpected that you've been looking for for years.

Jim