Trainz auctions

Yes.

The descriptions tend to be +1 grade by my experience (i.e., C-8 Like New items are really C-7 Excellent), but everything else about Trainz Auctions is pretty straight up once you are cognizant of the 18% buyer's premium, $0.50 surcharge tacked on to the winning bid for non-subscribers and some inconsistency of shipping charges between items.  Taking all of the above into account, the auctions usually have low participation, so you sometimes can get better deals if you dare wait until the item goes unsold through multiple auction cycles. 

What, me worry?

As stated the 18% buyer's premium you need to consider when bidding. Sometimes it's not that great of a deal once you add that. 

Yes, they're reputable.

I have been a vocal critic of Trainz in the past but am compelled to share a recent experience in all fairness.  

After several assurances on this and other forums that improvements were made I decided to give them a second chance.  I recently won an ebay auction for an item and when it arrived it was missing a piece.  It was a small piece but was paramount to the item being "whole".   Upon informing Trainz of the missing piece I received an email within 24 hrs thst they were looking into it.  Within 48 hrs of this I was informed they located the missing piece and it would be mailed to me as soon as possible.  I had the item in 3 days, and needless to say I am a happy customer.

So yes, they are a reputable dealer imho.

-Greg

I have dealt with Scott and Trainz since Scott was traveling around train shows, a long time before he started Trainz.  I have made several / many purchases from Trainz.  I only had one incorrect instance with them when I was shipped a Hiawatha baggage car, instead of a GN baggage.  I contacted them and it was corrected.  I believe it was a "common" individual mistake as the Lionel item numbers were very close and easily transposed.  I, too, recommend Trainz for some very good values on PW merchandise, in particular, as well as other O Gauge items.  Another, while we are on the topic, I do not mind recommending is Graham's Trains for good selection and pricing.

Jesse    TCA   12-68275

I've bought several items from Trainz via eBay and found them to be a professional, trustworthy operation. I did have one bad experience with them a couple of months ago but their customer service people responded quickly ... even if their written communication seemed to be from a script.

I would buy from them again but only if the price was right. I know you specifically asked about their auctions, but I find their fixed price items right at the top of the price range. Their international shipping charges are also considerably above the majority of other sellers. I've read the business has a significant number of staff (15+?), so it's seems logical those salaries have to be paid for out of the selling margins.

I have bought about 50 items off TrainZ over the last 2 years or so. I have always bought from their website (formerly the Dash site) because eBay you just get too much of the bidding wars (i.e. Idiots).

I am not going to deny I have had a few issues in the past - condition was exaggerated, such as a "like new" locomotive showing up with broken rods, -  and also the buyers premium and shipping cost can be costly too so I am wiser and now factor that accordingly into my bid (note the premium only applies on the TrainZ auction site and not the bay).

There was also a problem for a while where a phantom bidder was outbidding me to ridiculous amounts, like $1000 for 3 N&W Weaver baggage cars, and TrainZ was not doing a good job initially of addressing the concern when I called them as it happened for several months. I also had a friend who paid for the items but never received them and his sale was cancelled for no reason. 

But all that aside, here and now I feel they are much better and have improved. They resolved the issue with phantom bidders finally and there have been no problems in the last year. Also I think recently they have done a better job of stating the condition accurately and they take plenty of photos of the item so now you know exactly what you are bidding on. 

I continue to buy from them, even this past week, and while there were problems in the past they have improved and I have no issue with them now.

There is a large amount of product they offer and harder to find items will surface more often than usual on their site before it does on the bay. And best of all, they help sponsor the forum so cheers to that! 

I've purchased items directly from them and bid on items via e-bay auction and have always been satisfied with the product and the service. Once I purchased an ebay Buy-it now auction for two small lionel parts, listed as like new, upon receipt one had been repaired, therefore wasn't Like New, the cost of that part was refunded upon notifying Trainz without question. I would definitely call them reputable.

I have dealt with them. I would do so again.

Mark

I've had nothing but great deals from TRAINZ, I will probably not buy anyplace else. I post before about all the new stuff I've had to return for repair 37 new items that were DOA! Why get new when I can get a "like new" 1 for much less?

AL

I purchased an MTH Premier steam engine from them, listed as like-new. When I received it, it was anything but like-new. I took a few pictures, discribed my problem in a respectful manner and requested a full refund. TRAINZS, without any  hesitation, provided me a full refund. 

I would definitely purchase from them again

Absolutely super service. You may have to call and email a few times to get something resolved,  but they will make sure you are happy. I have been a repeat customer for quite some time.

Be careful on the 18% charge though, what you think is a good  deal is sometimes not a good deal when you add this charge and the shipping...especially for items over the 400 dollar mark.

Just completed another purchase a few minutes ago. Great service, fair prices and they usually post detailed photos (including the under carriage).

The fees and shipping are steep and have caused me to pass on an item more than once.

texastrain posted:

Another, while we are on the topic, I do not mind recommending is Graham's Trains for good selection and pricing.

Thanks for that mention.  I found Graham's to have the best prices on somewhat hard-to-find rolling stock in the past but thought he had closed up shop, figuratively speaking.  Google searches landing on his site the past couple of years came up as sold out.  Your comment prompted me to check Graham's home page, and sure enough, he is still in business but low on inventory.

What, me worry?

I have made several purchases with Trainz. Great experience every-time.

They are good on what they sell to you.Had a problem once they fixed it right away.Nick

I've seemed to notice more problems in the past 9 months or so than previously. Maybe they've gotten too busy lately to pay adequate attention, or hired some people who are asleep at the job. In any case, I've had an item I purchased not show up with other items purchased at the same time, and then a refund showed up in the purchase amount without any explanation whatsoever. The item then showed up a month later on their ebay sales listings. I've also received quite a few items labeled Like New that arrived in maybe VG to E- condition, and items where pieces that were in the photos were missing from the item when it was received. I had a supposedly "new" engine where one of the motors literally fell out of the bottom of the chassis when it was taken out of the box (obviously noone had bothered to check the engine), several items that were received which had the right boxes but the wrong item inside, etc. It certainly appears that quality control in checking and packing items has slipped sharply. I currently have a laundry list of items to discuss with them. Nonetheless, they're not what I'd call flaky. Just check your items when you received them, and make sure you get what you paid for.

I have bought from them a number of times with no problems and I live in West Australia at the end of the earth! Roo.

I will attempt to confine myself to extreme brevity. They had two chances on eBay auction items. Neither ended well. One preorder, not fulfilled. In all three cases I was completely disappointed. All companies from time to time will make mistakes. How they are dealt with, for me is a deciding factor regarding any future transactions.

I had previously made numerous purchases directly from their website without any complaints.

Given my total satisfaction with other OGR sponsors, I find no compelling reason to do further business with them.