Shipping & Returns

Shipping & Handling:

How long does it take?

After we receive your payment, you should receive your order within approximately 2 to 7 business days.  If we need to get the products from one of our suppliers, it may take a few days longer. International orders may take up to 4 weeks for delivery, and can incur customs delays.

First Class Mail shipping:

On some smaller orders, you can opt to have your order shipped with First Class Mail. The total package weight has to be less than 1 Pound. 

First Class packages are mailed at your own risk! This means that if the package gets lost, or arrives damaged, it is your loss. We therefore advise to use Priority Mail Shipping, which allows for tracking, better packaging, and insurance.

Priority Mail shipping:

If the shipping address is in the continental United States, we will ship your order insured. Most standard deliveries are send with UPS or United States Postal Service.

Overnight and Second-day options:

Express and second-day shipping options are available for an additional charge for orders being sent to addresses within the United States. Note that if we do not have the item in stock, minimum delivery time will be about 5 days. Please inquire for details.

International shipping:

Please read our International Shipping section, on the bottom of this page.

Oversized or Heavy items:

Oversized or heavy items, like large train sets, will be shipped with UPS. In most cases, the website will quote you the correct fees. It could be possible that you will incur an additional shipping surcharge, but we will advise of the additional charge by e-mail for your approval.

Shipping Charges:

Shipping and Handling charges (see note above) are based on the total price of your order and shipping method.

Insurance:

Your shipments will be shipped with insurance. If damages or losses occur, you will have to contact us and the company that shipped the goods. Carriers and shipping agents are held responsible for any/all shipping damages and lost items. We will assist any customer that has received damaged goods or any customer with lost items, though we will not send replacement items or issue a refund, until a resolution with any insurance claim has occurred.

Return Policy:

Can I return stuff I bought online?

We can only accept returns on unused, new merchandise. If you want to return an item, contact us within 14 days after you received it. We will issue a return authorization. After we receive the item, and it is in new and unused condition, we will issue a credit to your account, minus a 15% restocking fee, to cover our costs. The Shipping and Handling charges will not be refunded.

Christmas Gifts

For items bought as Christmas gifts in December a return authorization can be requested until January 2. This extended period is not valid for Christmas Starter Sets.

If the item that you returned is not in new and unused condition, or if it was shipped back without a return authorization, we can not issue you a refund.

Of course we want you to be happy with your purchases, and can assist you with any questions you may have, before you finalize your order.

International Orders: 

International shipping:

We use UPS Worldwide Expedited (normally 4-10 days) and the US Postal Service (normally 10-30 days) to ship products outside of the United States; international orders shipped with the Post may take much longer, sometimes months, to arrive. Our website will give you a quote, but in most cases actual shipping will differ, and can be higher.

You can also get an idea of international shipping rates by looking at the US Postal service website. You will pay actual shipping and insurance, plus a nominal handling fee (up to $5.00).

You will receive e-mail verification of the method of the shipment of your order and the cost of shipment. You may then confirm or cancel your order. International orders are normally shipped with limited insurance ($100).

If you want to buy additional insurance, you can do so at a cost of $1.25 per $100.

Do I pay Taxes?

International shipments may incur VAT or other taxes when they arrive in the destination country. Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up; do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.

These taxes and fees are the responsibility of the customer. You will get notified by your Post Office or UPS, and you will have to pay these taxes and fees.

Unlike mass etailers like Amazon and Ebay, we do not charge any sales tax on shipments that leave the great state of Texas!  

How long does it take?

International shipments vary a lot in delivery speeds. Once we send out the shipment, it is no longer in our control. We can not be responsible for shipments that are delayed in the postal system.