I'm trying to find out if it would be worth my while to travel from Canada (about 1 1/2 hr from the border) to the US to buy some Thomas and Friends wooden trains, tracks etc.

Right now the dollar is almost at par so it's really now or never.

Any recommendations as to what stores offer the best prices on these items?

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Toys R Us is having a sale this week, buy 2 get one free. The stores usually all run around the same price and are rarely on sale.

my nephew who is 4 is a huge Thomas fan, we buy his stuff at AC Moore if you have one close to you they put them on sale frequently and also have 40% off coupons sometimes, I am stocking up stince Xmas is not too far away

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I have also been told that some of the Michael's stores carry them too (although my Michael's doesn't). They almost always have a 40% off coupon in the Sunday paper.

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Yes, AC Moores and Michaels are the best places to buy Thomas - trust me, my kids are Thomas-crazy!!!!!! You can use the 40 & 50% off coupons as long as Thomas isn't already listed as on sale at that store. You absolutely cannot beat these stores for the acessories, like the sheds, bridges, etc. The one big shed sells for $75-80 in other stores, but you can get it at AC Moore or Michaels using their coupons for half that amount. The stores in my area only carry the wooden Thomas line, though, so if you are looking for the metal ones (I think they are called "take alongs"), you might want to call ahead to see if your store carries them.

Also, I actually live in Strasburg, PA, home of an official Thomas the Tank Engine store....and their prices actually are not bad, and many times they will run a 30% off coupon in the local paper. Here is their website, for all things Thomas!

Thomas Trackside Station -- Strasburg, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

A lot of times they have good buys under "Sale!Sale!"

Good luck! I love the look on my kids faces whenever they get a new Thomas item! Have fun!

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I have seen them at Michaels by me!! I used to get them for my dd all the time!! the 40% coupons were the best!!

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Oh, I forgot to mention this...... last Christmas at Wal Mart I found a wooden train set (I think it was like 50-60 pieces) in the generic Wal Mart toys aisle for $15 - it looked like the same wooden track for Thomas, so I thought for $15 I'll get it and see. Well, the track totally is the same as the expensive wooden "Thomas track"....I don't remember how many pieces of track were in this train set, but there were quite a few, along with a couple of bridges and other accessories. The wooden trains that came with it were totally cheap and chinsy, and the bridges are not Thomas quality, but they (the bridges) are not too bad - I felt I got more than a great deal for the track and bridges, etc. for $15 - check it out! Also, I just have to mention, that not too long ago I was looking on ebay for Thomas stuff and someone was selling the same Wal Mart wooden train set, they were marketing it as "Thomas compatible" and it looked like they were going to get a lot more than $15 for it on ebay!

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Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I checked out a U.S. site and the shipping appeared to be free so that's a good thing (as Martha would say). Some of the pieces were dramatically cheaper. So, the only question would be if I would have to pay duty coming over the border when they ship them.

I'll double check but I've never seen them at my Michael's before.

I can't wait till Christmas!!!

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Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!

Well I think I know what we are doing now. Unfortunately the on-line company that I thought had free shipping didn't and I would probably get hit with duty at the border.
So, DH and I went to 3 stores yesterday and compared all the prices. It looks like 20% is the best sale they usually have so we will wait until that comes on again.
As well, Imaginarium makes a Thomas compatible track that looks pretty good so we will most likely go with those and then buy the Thomas engines. I'm going to start a new thread to see if anyone has used this track before.
Thanks for everyones help!

__________________
Children Learn What They Live, And Live What They Learn.
What have you taught your child today?
When life throws you a curve ball...it's up to you how you catch it!

The Imaginarium track works great with Thomas engines. I bought the huge USA landmark set last year as a TRU holiday doorbuster. It works just as well and locks in place with all other Thomas brand tracks that I have tried. Plus, you get a lot more track for your money.