Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Q1: I have trains for sale. Does Dave's Trains, Inc. buy other people's trains?
A: We buy trains all year long! If you have a list prepared and know how much you want for your trains, we would be happy to talk to you. Please click here for more information on our home page.

Q2: Some of the pictures of the items look distorted, especially when I view them from home. At work, they look much better. Why?
A: Some browsers -- in particular, America Online (AOL) -- have an option for "compressed graphics" which is normally turned on. By having it checked, pictures and other graphics will load quickly. The downside is that the image is altered and quality is affected. You can change this setting, then press the control key while clicking the refresh (reload) button on the toolbar. That should improve the quality of the photo.
Note: unless you are very familiar with your settings, defaults, and various options and have made similar changes in the past, you SHOULD call your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and have them explain this in more detail and guide you through the process.

Q3: Are the photos in this website generic photos, or are they the pictures of the actual items for sale?
A: Every single photo in an inventory listing (the items for sale) shows the actual item for sale (unless noted otherwise). However, the photos in the Archives Section of this website are generic photos from our files.

Q4: When I try to send an e-mail to "dave@davestrains.com," I get an error message or I get the e-mail back. Why?
A: Because of the junk e-mails (spam) generated by spammers, we had to "retire" that e-mail address. Please go to our contact page to obtain our current e-mail address.

Q5: What is the best way to place an order?
A: Since our principal product is postwar trains, quantities are limited! (In fact, in most cases, the item that you are viewing is the only one like it that we have.) If you see something that you want to buy, contact us quickly! The best way to do that is to call us at 732-271-5124. If we are available, we will accept your order immediately. If you get our voicemail, leave a message. If the item is still available, we will set it aside for you and return your call at our earliest opportunity. If the item was sold, we will call you back and tell you that.

Q6: What is the best time to call Dave's Trains, Inc.?
A: We accept calls from 9 AM until 10 PM (Eastern), 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Calls placed before 9 AM or after 10 PM will be routed to our voicemail system. If you call during non-business hours or get our voicemail because we are busy with other customers, leave a message -- we will return your call.

Q7: I tried to call Dave's Trains, Inc. but got a message saying that "Blocked calls are not accepted." Why?
A: Our caller ID system does not accept calls from numbers that are blocked from appearing on our system. You may either temporarily unblock the number, or call us from another phone, or contact us by e-mail, fax, or letter. To unblock your number, please read the appropriate section of your phone book. For example, the procedure for Bell Atlantic customers is to first touch "#82" on the phone keypad and then dial the number you wish to call. The number will automatically be re-blocked after the call is made. We have found that many people were unaware that their number was blocked. To unblock all calls, the procedure for Verizon customers is to touch "#87" on the keypad.

Q8 What payment methods does Dave's Trains, Inc. accept?
A: In addition to personal checks, business checks, certified checks, and money orders, we accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, and all NOVUS Cards (including DISCOVER)!

Q9: Does Dave's Trains, Inc. ship outside of the United States?
A: Absolutely; we have been shipping internationally for years!

Q11: Are all packages shipped by Dave's Trains, Inc. insured?
A: Every package shipped by us is insured for 100% of the value of the contents. We will not ship anything uninsured.

Q12: What are the procedures if something is damaged in transit?
A: Because of our packaging methods, our track record of getting trains to our customers intact is phenomenal. However, if something happens in transit, the first step is to contact us immediately and obtain a RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER from us. Please save all packing materials and do NOT return the item before discussing it with us. We will contact the carrier, investigate the incident and resolve the issue quickly. If the problem was caused by either us or the carrier, we will provide you with a 100% refund promptly and then process the claim. We do not keep our customers waiting if something like that occurs.

Q13: What assurances do I have that the descriptions are accurate?
A: You may want to click Grading & Guarantee Policy here and read that page but here is a brief summary of our grading philosophy: We want your business for the long term and therefore we try to provide you with a very detailed and accurate description of the items we have for sale. We grade every item according to train club standards and we also note significant flaws to help you decide if you are getting good value for your money. We also advise you if there are any non-original parts on the item. In addition, we try to provide a picture of every piece we have for sale. Basically we try to protect and maintain our reputation on every single transaction.

Q14: What do the different grades on the inventory pages mean?
A: You may want to click Grading & Guarantee Policy here and read that page but here is a brief summary of what the grades represent. The trains are graded from "Mint" (a perfect piece that was never used and is complete in a crisp, clean box) down to "Poor" (an item that is good for parts at best). Most of the items that we offer for sale will be in the "Excellent" range (collector quality: very clean, with little evidence of use). The grading of boxes and other paper items is done on a more subjective "1 to 10 scale" with "10" representing a gorgeous, near-perfect item and "1" signifying something that is downright ugly.

Q15:What do the different abbreviations used in this website represent?
A: You may want to click Grading & Guarantee Policy here and read that page but here is a brief summary of some of the more common abbreviations that we use: "E" or "Ex." (Excellent), "VG" (Very Good), "o/w" (otherwise), "repro" (reproduction), "OB" (Original Box), "RB" (Reproduction Box), and "OPS" (Office of Price Stabilization).

Q16: Does Dave's Trains, Inc. have a layaway policy?
A: Since the products that we are selling are getting harder to find with each passing day, our merchandise is in constant short supply. We can't call a supplier and have trains delivered to us like dealers who are selling trains currently being produced. As such, we have found that selling quality merchandise from a bygone era is much easier than finding it. Therefore we do not have a layaway policy and expect all items to be paid within 10 calendar days.

Q17: Do you have any suggestions for starting a collection?
A: We always have suggestions! You may want to click Suggestions & Helpful Hints here and read that page but here are a few things to consider as you decide what to buy: first determine if you will be building a layout and will actually be running your trains or collecting with a view towards displaying them on shelves; next consider if issues like original boxes and other paper items are important to you; also think about buying with a theme in mind like catalogued sets, specific roadnames, or specific years. In other words, buy what YOU like, but develop a game plan!

Q18: I don't have access to the web at all times, plus I like to study a printed inventory list. Does Dave's Trains, Inc. have a list that could be mailed?
A: Yes, our existing customers can contact us and request one at any time. If you have not ordered from us yet, please send $3.00 and request it. That nominal charge is refunded with your first order.

Q19: What is the origin of the "icruzina55@aol.com" e-mail address?
A: Besides enjoying postwar Lionel trains, Dave likes to cruise in his '55 Chevy Convertible. If you click on those words, you can see a few pictures of the car that Dave has owned for over 50 years!

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