Esther's Hobby Shop — Local services in Millvale

I guess I'm the outlier with the bad review but here it is. I came in asking for 2 Kato turnout motors and compatible stationary digitrax decoders. I took them home and wired one up only for the decoder to emit a puff of smoke and then my booster showing a short. Looked up the decoder they gave me online and it isn't compatible with the turnout motor provided. Digitrax won't let me rma it due to trying to use the wrong decoder on the motor. Kato won't warranty the motor for the same reason. Called Esther's since they told me they were compatible and was told "I'm stuck with them". Horrible customer service and don't trust them when they say something is compatible. Guess I'm stuck with $80 worth of parts they said would work but don't. Will be traveling to the hobby shop in cranberry...

I remember "ESTHER'S HOBBY SHOP" on NORTH AVE. in MILLVALE when I was a lil-tyke. They still have a MASSIVE Collection of HO Scale Train sets, including Model Villages, extra train tracks, additional train cars & landscapes to set around the village set-ups. "ESTHER'S HOBBY SHOP" has a varied SELECTION of Model Cars & Trucks to choose from for that Model Car or Truck builder in the Family. The EMPLOYEES are a NICE Group of People & Very HELPFUL too. The ONLY COMPLAINT I had was that the PARKING was RIDICULOUS. The PLUS SIDE is when You Walk-In, You feel that You Entered into a UNIQUE UNIVERSE where MEMORIES of Your Childhood Come Flowing...

I like to shop locally. Ester's is a nice small hobby shop that's been around a long time. I'm giving them 3 stars for no real service this trip. I needed couplers for my Lionel engine. I got a quick look and a "No we don't carry them. You will need to order them direct." No offer for them to order the couplers or a recommendation of a repair place locally. I was spoiled by growing up near AB Charles in Dormont. Mr. Charles would never send a customer away without trying to help or a recommendation. Even a 14 year like I was. He was a class guy that knew what customer...