Phoebe Snow's boyfriend Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do not like to buy books without seeing them
> first as I have been disappointed a number of
> times, including Morning Sun books. However, I
> may just to have to make an exception for Ken
> Meeker's book.
>
> I think the best Morning Sun book is the DM & IR
> in color.


I buy most of my books sight unseen. I haven't really found any Morning Sun books that disappointed me yet. Fortunately, a few book sellers have good product knowledge and have been willing to honestly answer my frequent questions. Bill from Karen's books has been very honest. He's not just trying to make a sale (although I have bought countless books from him). Some he'll tell that I definitely should buy. But he's honestly told me not to bother with several books like the Signature Press Great Northern books or Sacramento Shops books, for example.

The converse of this, is when you buy a book from a hobby shop you risk it having shelfwear. I'm finding this now with the Hundman book on Lima that I got from the very nice fellows at Eastside Trains in Kirkland.

Speaking of hobby shops, am I the only one who thinks that the Train Shop in Santa Clara, CA has suddenly gotten really rude and unfriendly? I went in there twice a year for like 20 years when visiting down there. Last time the new owner (apparently the long time old owner's son) was so rude. He even lied several times when I inquired about how to purchase those Brodart book covers that they use. Told me Brodart makes them customer for him and I couldn't get them. I called Brodart and they told me the off-the-shelf item number to buy.

Needless to say, the Train Shop lost a long time loyal customer.