They get one star only because they have a large inventory of product, both in store and online. Everything else about this store is worthless. Their customer service is non-existent. Try getting someone to answer the phone or return an email. Forget it. Try to figure out their website search. Doesn't work. Try to get them to take a pre-order for you. Forget it again. And if you stop in the store in person and they don't know you personally, they treat you like a potential shoplifter or an idiot that knows nothing. Or they just ignore you and refuse to help you or answer questions. It seems you have to be a part of their club. But they WILL take your money. I'm done with Lombard, there are a lot of other places to shop that have the same prices and are a lot more friendly. read more

My favorite hobby shop. Easy to order and to preorder items from them. They also have the lowest prices and carry a large selection of locomotives. read more

Kudos to Lombard Hobbies! Last December I made a purchase from this business. It was promptly shipped but the delivery service, UPS, delivered my purchase to a different address. I filed a claim with UPS who did an investigation but failed to retrieve my item. After also contacting Lombard Hobbies, they replaced my purchased item at no cost. Their handling of this matter is greatly appreciated and I definitely will purchase from them again based not only on their quick and fair handling of my situation, but also for their prices which are lower than some of the other online hobby stores. read more

Good in all ways. Been ordering from Lombard Hobbies for years and am always pleased!

The hubs loves Lombard Hobbies. He is a huge train enthusiast and gets supplies here often. They have lots of other hobby supplies, and have online ordering and shipping available. read more

The service was fantastic, the selection is the best in the area, and the prices are unbeatable!

I've been to a lot of hobby shops, and I don't think I've ever seen a store with the inventory of Lombard Hobbies. Coming in you see shelves of HO Scale trains. The prices were fantastic, but I was looking for N Scale. Hitting the last corner my eyes popped out of my head as I realized how much N Scale Lombard has. It was incredible, the shelves kept going and going. And this wasn't the old junk you'd find at flee markets, this is the stuff you want to buy at prices you feel comfortable paying. The staff is super helpful and there is so much to see. If you are in the neighborhood, plan some time in so you can scour the shelves for what you don't know you need yet. You'll be glad you did. I ended up coming back a second time this week just to fit it all in! read more

Lombard Hobbies - Massive N Scale Selection - Toy Stores Near Me - Lombard, Illinois

I want to give a big thank you to Andrew for helping me choose a set of model trains for my dad in Mexico as well as setting me up with a new account, excellent customer service! family friendly. I will be doing my future business here. Thank you so much guys appreciate it. read more

Andrew and Lombard Hobbies sets The Standard for Excellence in terms of a customer-centric business philosophy. Andrew goes out of his way working often until midnight to ensure customer satisfaction. I experienced this unprecedented leadership first hand. Attention model railroaders, this is the place to shop for all your model Railroad needs. Lombard Hobbies is the Best of the Best. read more

I ordered--impulse buy--a Kato N scale trainset after 9 on Monday night, and I had it in my house on Thursday. It was securely packaged and in new-in-box condition (tested it tonight). I was a little apprehensive because of the good price (better than I had seen elsewhere), but I could not be more satisfied. read more

Lombard Hobbies - Toy Stores Near Me - Lombard, Illinois

Great collection of trains and reasonable price compared to other stores. One catch is they don't accept returns or exchange of electrical/electronics items. Just be aware. Now that will stop me going to this store since 90% of their items are electronics! I will miss the store! read more

I have been doing business with Lombard Hobbies for many years, and all I can say is I have never delt with a better hobby shop and group of employees then at Lombard Hobbies. They treat you like a friend more then just a customer.... read more

Lombard Hobbies is great. I placed my orders and they were shipped the same day. Good selection of products. Have to take them down a notch or 2. They have a non existence return policy. Had a defective train sent to me and was told by Andrew I have to send it the manufacture for repair. (they didn't have spare parts) read more

A great model train store. From the past 4 visits, the staff are friendly and can help you out with any selection of locomotives or freight cars. The N scale selection is HUGE, so if you are a 1/160 scale person, or have an n scale layout, or want to start out with N or HO scale, this hobby store is perfect. They have excellent prices for amazing models. read more

I liked Lombard Hobbies till recently when my order was messed up which I understand can happen but it's how the business handles it. While the error was corrected I didn't really care for their attitude over it even though it was 100% their fault. Doubt I will order anything more from them. read more

What an exceptional experience I had today. In October I bought a BLI N scale PRR engine for a great price of 219.00. After less than two months of slight operations the engine failed. It would not go forward. I say slight operations because I have limited trackage assembled on my new layout. So limited i. Fact that I do not even have a loop in place, hence cannot even run the train around in full circle In any case I returned it today and was immediately given a new one as replacement. No questions no bs. Just terrific customer service They have a huge selection of all things in model railroading in general and a very very large selection in N scape which is harder to find in local establishments. And the prices are very very reasonable. The lowest around. So now with great choices/ great prices. You can add great customer service too that mix They have earned a repeat customer for sure As a mater of fact I spent 150.00 immediately prior to departure Thanks Lombard hobbies for being an upstanding business read more

Where to start? Great prices and very fast shipping. Packaging is terrific and they even threw in some fruit chews and a couple of small gifts. These guys have got it together and pay attention to the details. I'll be back. Thanks! read more

Stopped in a few days after Christmas; still busy and well stocked. Friendly, relaxed staff and an extensive selection of N and HO scale.

Lombard hobbies carries a lot of niche miniature product that we've used for multiple miniature sets featured @loveboxdoc on Instagram. Their staff is super helpful and they obviously know a lot about what they're selling. They're the biggest reason we head out all the way to Lombard, and they're one of only TWO hobby shops in all of Chicago that have what we need. Super helpful. read more

Lombard Hobbies - Miniature set by Love Box - Toy Stores Near Me - Lombard, Illinois

Selection, Selection, Selection! I almost cried when I walked in and saw all the model train inventory they had! It was my first time in Illinois and we don't have any model train shops like this in Texas. Staff was courteous and very helpful. Prices were great and I plan on coming back someday!!! read more

I just had a very good conversation with Andrew, one of the owners of Lombard Hobbies. We discussed the situation, which had been handled with a full refund, previously. Customer service is very important to him and he wanted to let me know he takes every customer issue seriously and works hard with each customer to make sure all issues are resolved and that the customer walks away happy. I will definitely allow my son to shop at Lombard Hobbies again and I will make sure to tell his friends to do the same. I am glad Andrew took the time to respond to my previous review and this was able to be resolved in a very friendly and professional manner. read more

I discovered Lombard Hobbies recently. I am a big Kato N scale guy and they did not disappoint! From inventory to pricing to service they were on point with it all. I have purchased several passenger trains and locomotives from them and will be buying more from them in the future. Their pricing allows me to be able to purchase and own more trains than I would be able to afford elsewhere. All around great place if you are into Model Railroading. read more

Purchased 9 engines within a month over the internet and one engine arrived used. When I called for a return authorization to exchange for a new item I received a rude argument from the owner with offensive language. I was shocked!!.....more so because I've spent over $2000 on train stuff within the month and was going to purchase additional items that day. I was so offended that I searched for reviews online and sure enough I am not the only person who has experienced this as evident on CitySearch! Good luck running your business in this fashion! read more

I'm surprised by the negative reviews of Lombard Hobbies, as I've never had any issues there. In fact, I got really good service on a purchase - I bought an engine, took it home, found a small defect from the manufacturer, and they were happy to exchange it. They are very up-to-date with releases, so whatever is new seems to always be there. They also have very competitive pricing. There is a really dangerous aisle of specials - discounts like 50% off - that I almost feel I should avoid if I have a very deliberate purchase in mind. read more

The team here is amazing. Very friendly and helpful. Amazing model train inventory. We brought in a broken HO engine and Bill offered to have a look. He called me within three hours, noting that it was fixed. Wow. We will be back soon! read more

Just stumbled on this place and I gotta say what a Gem!!! Very knowledgeable and helpful staff! Great prices and tons of stock, I asked for a specialty item that I couldn't find anywhere and they ordered it for me. I think the bad reviews are from the old staff, I've been in here many times now and never a bad time. love it thanks guys read more

This is one of THE MOST unprofessional businesses I have ever visited. I came in to inquire about a replacement transformer for my 40 year old train set. I never even got to ask my question. The guy behind the desk basically said as he saw my transformer "looks like Lionel we don't deal in that" which is a bold lie as I have seen cars for my set a year before. And those prices were completely unreasonable, $200 for a tanker car. And by the looks of it that car had been sitting there for decades. Anyways he proceeded to tell me he wouldn't even know how to help me. 2 others were with other customers, I said I'll just wait for them and he said, like a 6 year old bully at recess "nope! They won't help either" that's 2 strikes... I'll never step foot in there again. It's well worth the trip to Des Plaines for a real hobby shop that wants to do business. read more

Great place if you like HO or N scale trains. Lowest prices even putting big giants like amazon, model train stuff and train world to shame. Though I recommend only going if you know what you are doing in terms of model railroading as it seems from other reviews that the return policy is bad, And I've heard the owners aren't really helpful. read more

Purchase two FVM Gp60m N scale locomotives from here. One came damaged and one with dry motor bearings. They have not responded to three emails and have yet to answer the phone. $200 worth of damaged product with no way to get this cleared up in person seeing i live in Michigan. I would not tell anyone to purchase from Lombard. read more

This Christmas I too was visiting family in the Chicago area. Lombard Hobbies was a horrible shopping experience!!! If you are into buying trains and adding to your hobby, this is definitely NOT the store where you want to drop major bucks. There are plenty of other stores in the area like Berwyn hobbies who are much nicer, more helpful AND will act like they want your return business. But NOT the guys at Lombard Hobbies. These guys are old and rude to everyone who dares to darken their door. How on earth this store stays in business is beyond me. I suspect they've made their money and don't need the business. Otherwise, why would these rude dudes be so ticked off at people who merely ask a simple question? And God forbid if anyone asks to use their restroom!!! That question brings out a mean face from the sour, dour old guys faster than a "get off my lawn" rant. Whether you're five or fifty-five don't go in there expecting to get a warm and fuzzy feeling from anyone. It won't happen. Definitely NOT a store for kids either!!! But if rude, old guys do it for you, who act like they don't need the business, or repeat customers, or the money, then this is the place for you!! As for me, I won't go back. Luckily there are too many other hobby stores in the area who will go the extra mile for a customer. Lombard Hobbies isn't it. read more

Ditto on the rude dude as stated below, nice store, but when did not feel warm and fuzzy in this store! Had to walk the whole store to find out no O scale. The rude dude was talking with his buddies( non customers) and did not have time to ask if I needed help, or even an acknowledgement we were there. This was about a year ago, so we headed to Berwyn hobbies, and spent $1500 and went back to Berwyn hobbies yesterday and dropped another $330 read more

Great place to shop to save money! Horrible customer service!! I'm sure it was that ONE guy every business has that ruins the healthy reputation a business can have. I live out of state and order frequently, but this was the first time I phone called the location and I actually had to hang up on whoever was working the phone at 11:30am EST on 12/24/15. I basically had to have a Ph.D. in HO Scale before he felt the need to help me with a question on ordering a part...very wired experience. I will continue to order online as this store is a money saver, but I will be looking for other online hobby stores with competitive prices and won't refer this store to any hobby goer within arms reach. I just happen to be BIG on customer service after having been unemployed before and recognizing the benefit of employment and serving others. read more

A few months ago I went here, was kinda cold feeling, wasn't asked if I needed help, or shown anything, I had my questions answered but wasn't the best experience customer service wise. I purchased a locomotive and had issues with it, after explaining it, I was told to contact the manufacturer and it wasn't their issue. Now I am fine with that, provided there weren't multiple new ones on the shelf that could have been easily exchanged and kept a happy customer. There was no mention of return policy anywhere nor was it ever disclosed. A few days ago I read they recently made some management changes, so I figured I would give it another shot, I was very impressed. Almost instantly I was greeted with a nice "hello, how's it going? Need anything let us know!" They are in the process of making improvements to both customer service and the store overall. The staff is great, very helpful and knowledgeable, I left after a very pleasant experience. I will be going back from now on. The large inventory of HO trains are still sold at the same low prices as before, and a large selection of DCC equipment is new as well. I'm glad I went back and have them another chance, the management changes and improvements were immediately noticed! read more

I found this place by accident while visiting family in Chicago and was pleasantly surprised. The "expert advice" is hit or miss depending on how many people are working. If it's just the one dude behind the cash register you won't get too much help with questions. The prices, however, are excellent for a "brick and mortar" store...As good or better than any Internet stores and you don't have shipping to contend with. Nothing in the store is retail and they have occasional specials that can't be beat by anybody. Every visit to Chicago now includes a stop to Lombard Hobbies. Note, although it's called Lombard Hobbies, it is primarily a model train store with an emphasis on HO. if you're into that, I'd highly recommend stopping by. read more

Just got back recently from a trip and wow what amazing prices!! I have to say they have improved in their customer service and were great in helping me find some items. They were also offered excellent advice as to buying appropriate intermountain metal wheel sets for my 50 coal gondolas. Now with Al's closed down, this is THE place I will go to for all my trains! read more

I've read some negative reviews about Lombard Hobbies; however, without fail, all my visits with them have been pleasant and the the staff were both cordial and helpful. The prices are outstanding and the merchandise quality is top shelf. I recommend a visit to this shop if model trains are your thing. read more

The best HO and N scale shop in the Chicago area.. Lowest prices in the Midwest and a huge inventory! If you're are looking for toy trains and O gauge junk this place is not for you! read more

great product and service thx purchase from website,

They have good prices, but...I ordered an N scale Atlas locomotive online, and when I received it the locomotive did not work very well. I called the "dude" Joe mentions and he just told me that it was Atlas's problem and I should have them fix it. Most businesses I know would have offered to replace it. I know I won't be buying anything else from them, even if the price is good. read more

I also found Lombard Hobbies by accident, the "dude" behind the counter sounds like the "dude" who answered the phone absolutely 0 help but they do have good prices. read more