Effective 12/26/17:

Blue Ridge Hobbies strives to offer excellent customer service. But, unfortunately potential customers have been taking advantage of helpful and friendly service. Some questions asked of our staff are very easy and quick to answer, but as we continue to strive to offer helpful information to our phone, email and in store customers, We have found that customers basically are wanting us to do research for them so that they can purchase somewhere else. Unfortunately we have had many customers in store, via phone and via email take advantage of our good nature in trying to help the model railroading community. We can no longer afford to take this time to offer 'free' research and advice.

Since Blue Ridge Hobbies is an internet business with 98% of its sales coming from online orders, taking time to answer questions has been taking its toll on processing orders for our 'paying' customers. We can no longer offer 'free' advice or spend long periods of time with non  revenue generating customers.

Need help with your model railroading? We will answer quick and easy questions as time allows. More involved questions will require a fee to answer and may require calls to the manufacturers of technical support if we do not know the answer.

We have found that most questions posed to us have the answer readily available if the customer would just take the time to do some research on their own. We can no longer do this for free. Either the customer should buy a product (minimum order fee may apply see store policy page for more information).

As of 12/26/17 help with diagnosing model railroad problems with product including but not limited to locomotive, rolling stock, power supply or other model railroading equipment questions will have a minimum $5.00 cash or $6.00 credit card fee charged in advance of the advice.

All other help will be charged at $25.00 per 15 minute block of time, paid up front.

If you purchase product from us then we will credit any question/help fees to your order for same day questions and purchases.