Has anyone purchased anything from the TrainZ Auction site and if so what were the results? Was the item as advertised, what was the service and shipping like? Were you satisfied with the item and final cost? Appreciate any and all input thinking about trying them I see a lot of nice Postwar come up and the Buy it Now price seems to be fair based on their description .
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Been buying from Trainz for a while and I've always gotten quality pieces from them. Their shipping is high (FedEx), and add in the buyers premium (doesn't apply on Buy it now), and the final bill can be a bit more than you expect. Only one issue with a K-line diesel that didn't run but it was a quick fix. They pack everything very well also.
Many will say that they are too expensive but I'm usually too busy to watch the auctions on ebay.
I’ve bought a few things on the Trainz site. Never had a bad experience. I feel they give an accurate assessment of the quality and condition of their items. The one time I did receive an item that was DOA, they were very accommodating as to what would be an acceptable solution. Instead of a refund, I opted to bring the engine to York and return it to them there. They fixed it when they returned home, then shipped it up here to me. No questions asked. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy from them.
I have won numerous auctions with Trainz, locos & rolling stock. Always as stated, never a problem.
They are a great source for second hand trains. I took a tour of their buildings a couple of years ago. You cannot image the volume of trains that go through their buildings every week. I will be there later this week.
Scott Smith
I purchased an engine from them. It did not work just right. They took it back, fixed it and returned to to me, no charge.
Ron
I have used them but prefer choochooauctions.com now choochoo don't have a lot of items perday but they usually have at least a full page, and the prices are better.
I think their add on fees drive the price to high. Unless you real want a item I avoid buy from the website.
Trainz is generally my first stop at York. Good prices on Postwar and terrific prices on MPC. I've never bought used trains from anyone on line.
I too have purchased a number of items from them and find them to be fair and honest. I've had a couple of items that weren't quite as advertised and in both cases (as I recall) they offered to take the item back or rebate me part of the purchase price with no hassle or haggling on their part (I opted for the $5 or $10 rebate in both cases - obviously not a deal breaker for either of us).
Their item listings and photos are usually pretty good - the photos are often done from several angles and their website lets you expand the photon with enough resolution to be able to look at details. This isn't always the case - occasionally they may have only one or two photos that seem to be supplied by the "seller" - I assume these must be some sort of consignment sale - so the photos may not reveal details that could be important. Their written descriptions are mostly accurate - they use the TCA grading standard - but sometimes its pretty perfunctory. On one occasion as I was studying the photos for an engine I really wanted, I saw that part of a step was missing, which was not mentioned in the description... (I passed). Some of their locomotives are listed as not being tested (their product description is pretty clear about whether its tested or not), which I've always found a bit puzzling, since obviously that's an important consideration for a potential buyer. I realize that its a can of worms if, when tested, it doesn't run - does one then have to invest the time/effort to track down the problem or simply say something to the effect that it doesn't run (which could be for a variety of simply reasons...).
Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them. Some folks grouse about the buyer's premium, but one way to think about it is that at least you know that you are dealing with a reliable seller who seems to be willing to stand by what they sell and you 'know where to find them' if there is an issue. So the premium is sort of a 'peace of mind' insurance...
Macaroni posted:I think their add on fees drive the price to high. Unless you real want a item I avoid buy from the website.
They don't blindside you. The shipping is clearly stated. There is no other fee on Buy It Nows. On auctions just add the 18% to your bid plus the stated shipping.
Some items start out at 99 cents. Others start out above market price. Its up to the buyer to determine if the total cost is fair.
I have had pretty good luck the past few years. No complaints.
Pete
I've purchased several things from them over the years. As others have said - no problems.
I have been purchasing from Trainz since 2006, they stand behind their service, have a no hassle return policy that works, they pay for return shipping if not as advertised, twice an AA or ABA had been cannibalized and not obvious, and they reimbursed 100% no questions asked.
If you add in the 18% buyers premium as part of your bid, you know what the final price will be. I always calculate the 18% and use that as a decision maker to bid or not.
If you watch, weekly there are bargains on the items not popular though what I was looking for, ie grain hoppers, caboose, reefers that built my rolling stock for a good price.
If you don't fall in love with something, bid what you feel is a decent price for it, and shrug when outbid, Trainz is a great resource to use along with Ebay, other auction sites and swap meets.
Good people, honest, treat customers fairly! Like all bidding sites - control yourself on what you are willing to pay and factor in the Trainz expense. I like them!
Excellent - I’ve bought several items. Only had a problem with one unit and they refunded me my cost.
just like any other site, it’s easy to figure the cost. 100% professional.
Yep. Add me to the chorus of pleased Trainz customers. I've bought from their auctions (all fees are up front) and from their eBay store. The true measure of a retailer is how they handle problems. I've only had one problem and Trainz did a fantastic job. They took the engine back and tried to fix it. When it was still a problem, they took it back for a full refund. I wish most of the stores I deal with operated like Trainz, frankly.
Keep a calculator handy and be well aware of the 18% premium. It can turn deals into not-so-good deals. I've bought quite a few items from them over the years. They're a good outfit, although I'd have to say I've had some mixed results with the items I've received. Mostly OK, but I do hold my breath, so to speak, when I open a package from them. I've received some well-used items advertised as like new a number of times, an engine where the motor fell out as soon as it was taken out of the box, cars in wrong boxes, a sound diner with the sound unit missing, and other issues from time to time. There have been times when I wondered if the person who determined the condition of the item had been smoking something while he was working. But I wouldn't hesitate to do business with them.
Never tried their auction but did purchase several items online from them a few years ago. Overall good experiences as stated above.
In addition to what BREEZINUP said, one needs to read and look closely at what's being auctioned by TRAINZ because as we all know "To Err is Human."
Recently I was just scrolling through their auction site for Modern 'O' and noticed a listing for a steam engine that didn't seem quite right. Upon closer examination I realized that the Lionel 'number' referred to (6-28617) corresponded with a low end (MSRP $230) 2-8-4 Jr. Berkshire, whereas the listing 'picture' actually showed a high end 4-8-2 'Mountain' type steamer (MSRP $1,100). Ironically both engines were numbered #1491 and perhaps this led to some confusion on the part of TRAINZ staff, but I'm not sure which of these engines was actually being auctioned that day because the text of the listing was very brief as I recall.
So the moral of the story is "Buyer Beware" (look and read carefully).
I've purchased numerous items from Trainz and have had the exact opposite experience of Breezinup. All the items I purchased were listed as used, but when I received them they were clearly "New" and had never been used. An MTH 20-3128-1 NYC A-2 Berkshire, opened it put it on the track and confirmed 0 miles and 0 time. And to my surprise, two items from 3rd Rail, a 5200 NYC J1a Hudson, still in the original wrapping, which I couldn't believe and a 6024 NYC S-1b Niagara, still in it's original wrapping that I haven't even touched yet. All at reasonable prices for me, so I have no problem buying from them at all. I'm not contradicting Breezinup, it just goes to show that anything is possible with anything.
Yes, I have. Liked what I got. Experience was fine. Not pleased with the 18% up charge buyers premium and shipping was to high. So I look around now, ChooChoo Auctions, Ebay, the OGR Forum, TCA, LOTS and other places. If it is something I really, really want then I consider seriously consider it.
Because I don't know is an 18% buyers premium standard for auction sites? Seems a bit steep to me.
I've done business with Trainz over the years, both retail and their auction site. I never had a problem with a retail purchase or sale. As for the auction site, years ago I bought some trains from the auction site. The best deal was an almost new MTH PS2 R-32 subway set (less than 5 minutes running) for $320. I was the only bidder. Then they changed the auction site, and I stopped going there. Apparently they've gone back to the original site, so I''l start looking again.
Stuart
A few years ago I bought four different 3rd Rail steamers from them, but I only got to keep one. Three of them were seriously damaged in shipping, there didn't seem to be any thought to packing precautions. They didn't give me any grief about sending them back, but it was a pain to do all the gymnastics and end up with nothing. All the damage was the result of poor packing, to the point that one was just in a box in a sea of bubble wrap. No protective wrap of any kind, and when I got it, the tender corner was hanging out a hole in the side of the box.
I've won auctions on their store site as well as on their Ebay auctions as well as the buy it now option.
I had one bad experience,well it started out that way with an Ebaytransaction. Some items I won weren't the correct items sent. At first no response,then again no response and I thought this was odd from them being I've had nothing but positive transactions on both Train Z store and Ebay. So I had to wait then file a complaint .
I quicky got a response thru Ebay that a "former" employee in charge of their internet listings had been fired due to some felonious actions. I was told to keep the items that were sent and the items I had won were then sent to me. I nice letter of apology was with the corrected items and I have conducted business with them ever since.
Yes I agree some heftier than most train auction sites buyer premiums ,which I fill should be adjusted with the times,or some sort of customer loyalty program on reducing the buyer premium.
As most of you know I live at the end of the earth (West Australia) and have dealt with them and never had a problem just a couple of weeks ago I bought two interlocking towers from them they arrived no problem. They ship almost anywhere and you know the shipping costs straight away no hidden extras no hassles the way I like it that is really important for me living in another country so far away. Roo.
Nothing but the BEST! Many items purchased ALL excellent & a good price, the few failures were either fixed or was given a full refund & even paid the return shipping!
I must be the only one with a bad experience with them. A dozen or so years ago while living in Atlanta I went out to their place of business and tried to buy something. I was told that they only sold mail order and not over the counter, even though the merchandise was in plain sight. I said, "OK then ship it to me". I was living in an extended stay residential motel (from 2004 - 2006), and they claimed they couldn't ship to a non-permanent residence!
I often am looking for parts, and find while they often list stuff they make no claim as to what it is or fits. As to pricing, I find it very high: for example last night I saw a USED ERR DC Commander listed $94.99 + $5.99 shipping ($100.98 & USED) -- a NEW one lists for $89.95 + $15.00 shipping ($104.95). Used should be worth IMO only half of new or less. In fact I will be listing one of several I have here on the "For Sale or Trade" section later today for $50 (shipped lower 48).
I have had several good buys a few years ago but the 18% premium and shipping is a killer when added in to the total.
It also seems his prices are creeping up making it tough to find a item to bid on.
Their billing services and shipping were excellent.
I just looked, the modern O-gauge stuff I looked at was not "bargain priced" by any stretch of the imagination. 
gunrunnerjohn posted:I just looked, the modern O-gauge stuff I looked at was not "bargain priced" by any stretch of the imagination.
I've only bought one thing from them. I got a killer deal on a NIB Santa Fe F3A dummy from 1997 I'd been looking for. Even with the 18% auction fee it was far cheaper than anywhere else. It came in a timely manner and was as described.
On much of the modern equipment they have listed the prices look great until you factor in the 18% buyer's premium. After that they are identical to or sometimes more expensive than Ebay prices. Most of my "best deals" have come from this forum, train shows, and Ebay best offer listings.
I tend to be cautious when dealing with sellers I haven't dealt with before. I usually only buy big ticket items from sellers after testing the waters with lower priced items.
Here's part of an e-mail detailing some problems I experienced last year with an ebay order from them:
Ms. Iris/Ms. Virginia,
I hope both of you are having a wonderful day.....blah...blah....blah....
.....Granted, it's not a big problem at all. However the situation is a bit insulting to me in the sense that I feel as if I was thrown scraps and expected to just accept it. I'm dumbfounded! I would have cancelled my order, if I'd known you didn't have the "MTH 1998 Product VHS Video" from the start. As I mentioned previously, I only ordered the catalogs so the cost of shipping would be spread over more items. And guess what? The three catalogs I ordered were described as "Brand New". Well they arrived today in a nice big box. I was surprised it was about 6" thick with plenty of packing material, although the catalogs are only about 1" thick total. The box was in great shape, but the catalogs weren't. They certainly didn't look aged, but they looked like a gorilla had handled all three with a death grip. In fact, the 2018 Lionel catalog---one of the thickest they've ever produced---has two deep creases ON THE SPINE. All three look like whoever handled them grabbed them so hard it created a V-shaped fold on all three. The 2018 catalog also had a "wavy" appearance, as if it had been in an area where the humidity was very high. Yes, they may have been "Brand New" in your opinion, but ebay defines "Brand New" as "A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages." To do business on ebay, one must describe items in accordance with their definitions for terms used to describe items for sale on their site. Now I wasn't expecting gem/pristine/mint copies, but I was expecting all three to be free of deep folds. I examined the box again, and it appears the catalogs were damaged BEFORE being put in the box. How do I know that? The box has no visible damage at all. There are no signs of the box being crushed, dented, nor torn. Is it your usual practice to send visibly damaged products out? There is absolutely NO WAY the damage could not have been noticed by the person who packed the box. Your employee showed he/she didn't care at all about me as a customer. I sent money to your company in good faith. I sent your company the full amount for all four items---including a fee your company charged for shipping. It appears you took advantage of me by first not notifying me one of the items was missing only after you'd sent the rest of the items. Secondly, I'm appalled to find out knowingly damaged items were then put in a box and sent to me. I'm surprised your company has been in business as long as it has been despite these kinds of tactics. I'd been considering buying Lionel and MTH trains from your company, but now I've stopped. I'll continue to do business only with companies that value their customers highly.
Have a wonderful day.
Tony On 4/29/2018 9:12 AM
(Iris and Virginia had previously sent me correspondence as Trainz representatives.)
There must be something wrong in their shipping department. As others have stated, their packaging is excessive, but ineffective. In my case, they sent my shipment to a different customer. I also received items that were stated as new, but they weren't. The one good thing that I can say is; in the end, they do make it right.
Unlike others, I've only ever received junk from Trainz. My wife just ordered me an Atlas two track truss bridge and it was completely misrepresented. Pieces were broken throughout the structure. It was absolute junk. I will never buy from Trainz again.
Well this is old news as TrainZ auction site is no longer and TrainZ set up an Ebay store. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
@Basil posted:Unlike others, I've only ever received junk from Trainz. My wife just ordered me an Atlas two track truss bridge and it was completely misrepresented. Pieces were broken throughout the structure. It was absolute junk. I will never buy from Trainz again.
Gee this site has been down for 3 months.
And I have always had positive dealing with them, even when they have sent bad items, they have paid for return postage ( if you contact them you will find this out ) replaced or refunded me my money. )
I have bought from Trainz at York as they are my first stop there. They price product right to sell it and not to display it like many at York do. Very nice reputable folks to deal with.
I think they moved their auction site to an Ebay store. Someone here can confirm that?
Trainz Auctions was shutdown a few months back. They moved everything onto their ebay site.
I've bought many items from them over the years. Always received as described. Had an issue with a loco recently, they sent me a return shipping label, repaired the loco and shipped it back. The service tech even called me to explain what they fixed.
Bob
I have had good experience with Trainz. Batting around .900 good to questionable. Overall I am way ahead. A few items advertised as broken arrived fine, no issues.
The last few years their prices went up considerably and I have bought little from them. Many of their Buy it Nows sit on eBay for months which is a good indication others feel the same as I do. No deals.
Pete
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