Purchasing Information and Other Policies:

You can purchase items shown on these web pages, you can call us for information about these and many other items not listed here, or you can visit our store in Warren, Massachusetts in person. Purchasing details and other policy information is provided below.

Purchasing Methods:

At this time, we do not support online purchasing via the Web. To purchase any items listed on our web pages, you can give us your order by phone, fax, or traditional mail. We do not recommend sending orders (and in particular, credit card information) by email, but you may use email to ask questions. To check current prices and stock availability, we recommend a phone call.

Note regarding email enquiries:
We may not be able to respond immediately to all email messages, so if you require a quick answer, please give us a phone call during business hours.

Visiting Our Store:

If you are in the Massachusetts or New England area, we encourage you to visit our store in Warren, Massachusetts. Click here for driving directions and maps. We are open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm, and from 10am-9pm on Friday.

We are closed on all major holidays, and usually close for summer vacation during the last two weeks of August. When the annual Amherst Railway Society Hobby Show rolls around in Jan/Feb, we are closed the Friday before the show, and usually need a few days after the show to put the store back together again. If in doubt, or if you are travelling from afar, send a note by email or call us by phone to make sure we'll be open for your visit.

Payment Options:

We accept payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover), or by check or money order. There may be a processing delay when using a personal check. We do not recommend sending credit card information by email for security reasons, but you can phone or fax us your payment information.

Sales Tax:

We are required to collect 5% Massachusetts state sales tax on all orders purchased in Massachusetts or shipped to Massachusetts addresses.

Shipping Information:

Our standard shipping method is US Postal Service (USPS) Priority Mail. Priority Mail usually arrives within 2-3 days for most US addresses. Shipment by United Parcel Service (UPS) may be available on request. If you have special requirements, please let us know. We charge you the actual amount charged by the shipper. Shipments are insured for their full value.

Approximate rates can be determined using these rate calculators:
   US Postal Service Rate Calculator
   UPS Rate Calculator
(Disclaimer: The rate calculators are maintained by the respective shippers; we are not responsible for erroneous results.)

Return Policy:

Returns will be accepted and refunds issued for defective merchandise. Please contact us for approval before sending any returns.

Satisfaction Guarantee:

We want our customers to be satisfied with the products we sell. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us and let us know so we can resolve the situation. Please do not send back any merchandise without contacting us first.

Stock Availability:

Although we try to keep this site up to date, we cannot guarantee that all items shown on this site will always be available. All items were in-stock at the time they were added to the web pages, but since many are issued by the manufacturer as limited runs, they may not always remain available for long. Occasionally items will be sold out, but can easily be reordered from the distributor, so we can usually meet your needs in a reasonably short time. Brass import models are usually only available in very short supply, so reservations in advance are strongly recommended for all new brass models. Consignment sale items can always disappear at a moment's notice. If you are interested in an item that you know has limited availability, you should contact us as soon as possible - preferably by phone - to arrange to reserve or purchase it.

Errors and Omissions:

We try to ensure the accuracy of the information published on this web site. If the documents or graphics on this site contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors, we will try to correct them as soon as possible. If you notice an error, please let us know so we can correct it. Product prices may change from time to time. If a product is listed by mistake at an incorrect price, we maintain the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed involving the affected product. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you order a product but find it is not as described, it may be returned for a refund; in this case, please contact us first for approval.

Consignment Sales:

We often accept collections of HO and N scale locomotives and rolling stock (brass or plastic), books, and other quality second-hand merchandise for sale on consignment. Selling on consignment allows us to get you the best price, although it may take longer. If you have items you would like us to sell for you, please contact us so we can evaluate what you have and discuss the terms of sale. Usually it is best to call us by phone so we can discuss details. Afterwards, you can bring the material to our store, or in some cases we can arrange to pick it up, so we can see it in person, evaluate and catalog it, and review any issues.

New Product Reservations, including Brass Scale Model Imports:

We are always interested in accepting reservations for upcoming releases of models and books. In most cases, no deposit is required; we will just add your name to a reservation list, and notify you when the new products are available. Often, payment in advance will guarantee availability and secure a more advantageous price.

Reservations are strongly recommended for brass import models, due to the high cost and limited availability of most models. Usually only a small run of any given model is produced by the manufacturer, and often all models have been spoken for by the time the product is available on store shelves. Normally, due to the high unit cost, we do not stock most brass locomotives and rolling stock for general sale unless there is a specific regional interest in the particular model. Thus, a reservation will ensure that you do not miss out on a product that is of interest.

Brass importers often announce models far in advance, without supplying a firm price; and sometimes the models are never produced if demand doesn't meet the required level. Therefore, we usually accept initial reservations without requiring any deposit. After the importer notifies us that a model will definitely be produced, provides a firm price, and supplies an availability date, we will notify customers on our reservation list, and then we will require a deposit to confirm your order. Normally, the remainder of the cost will be due at time of shipment of the model from the importer. By paying in advance, you can be assured that the model will be available, and of getting the best price. In return, we guarantee that the model will meet with your approval, and that any problems or defects will be resolved to your satisfaction. Brass import quality has improved dramatically in recent years, so problems are rare.

If you have any questions about the reservation process or the specific procedures involved, please don't hesitate to contact us.

A Note on Pricing:

The Internet and mail order hobby markets are very competitive, and some vendors offer merchandise at deep discounts that are difficult for traditional retail stores to meet.

While we may not always have the lowest price on every item, we do offer competetive pricing on most newly-released and high-end products, and we offer many specials and volume discounts. We also have a retail store that you can visit in person, with a knowledgeable staff who work hard to keep our customers happy. And, we maintain a very complete stock of all items that you may need to pursue the model and real-world railroading hobbies.

Privacy Policy:

We are committed to protecting your right to privacy. When you contact us or place an order for merchandise, we will need information such as your name, phone number, billing address, shipping address, and email address. This information is stored in a secure location and we will not sell, rent, or share this information with others in any way without your explicit permission. We will not add your name to any electronic mailing lists unless you specifically request it.

Copyrights:

The content of this web site - images, graphics, and text - are copyrighted under United States and International copyright laws. No part of this web site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from Tucker's Hobbies.