PHILOSOPHY, ORDERING, TERMS AND DISCLAIMERS

I am an individual hobbyist just like you. My own particular special interest is building Proto:87 streetcars and other electric railways with their overhead and trackwork looking as realistic as possible, while operating smoothly and reliably at scale speeds. In attempting to do that I am ending up either funding, sub-contracting, bulk buying or even designing and manufacturing all those otherwise impossible to find parts for myself.

As a keen supporter of the PROTO:87 SIG and other HO Fine scale modelers around the World, I reasoned that I could easily make or order extra quantities of these parts and thereby help make Proto:87 available to everyone, rather than have it restricted to a handful of craftsman/specialists with a garage full of machine tools. So I set up the "Proto:87 Stores" and Companion "Accurate Track Emporium", on-line, as the best way to make these same parts that I use myself, available to anyone else who is interested.

To make sure this service is worthwhile to you but will still be around in a few years time, I follow the usual economic guidelines of making it cover its costs. Therefore my prices are as inexpensive as I can make them, while still allowing the Stores to operate as a legitimate business..

Naturally, this doesn't leave me any room for mistakes in accidentally breaking any consumer laws, losing shipments in the mail, unintentionally misleading innocent customers who just wanted a RTR toy train set for under the Christmas Tree, etc.,. So what follows after the ordering details below are some very important disclaimers to keep our potential relationship from being spoiled by any misunderstandings. Please read them carefully as they are the terms under which we do business with you.

Sincerely,

Andy Reichert

DISCLAIMERS

Note these are delicate, fine scale, components or raw materials, for skilled/craftsman modelers - They are not suitable for children. As parts and materials they may require the use of sharp, hot or rotating power tools, paints, glues, solder or solvents that may be dangerous, toxic or highly flammable. All industrial standard, workshop safety procedures, including suitable eye protection, must be used when operating such tools, and/or using such substances. Some of the parts contain chemicals which are known by the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

We have no "return" policy for unwanted, misordered, misused or customer damaged items, except for items not as specified upon delivery.

While technically to HO scale, PROTO:87 wheels are constructed to close to prototype tire width, flange depth and back to back dimensions. As such they will only operate successfully on trackwork built to PROTO:87 (near true flangeway) standards. We also expect customers to be able to measure and if necessary, adjust the Back to Back settings for wheelsets. A dial caliper tool or one of our gauges are suitable for this purpose. If in any doubt, please call/email first for more information.

If asked, we will always consider supplying a single item at low shipping cost for evaluation. For these reasons, please note, we only sell parts on the condition that our customers accept that they fully understand these requirements and can and will make all necessary adjustments.

TERMS

Payment, by Check or Credit Card, is required with order. We accept orders through the order form on this website. Orders by mail, email, or by telephone should preferably be preceded by completing the on-line order first and submitting it, so that the relevant order details can be captured by the computer system ahead of time. Do not send cash. Checks/money orders should be drawn on a US Bank, made payable to "Andrew Reichert", and sent to:

The Proto:87 Stores
PO BOX 505
Pismo Beach
CA 93448
U S A

Note, we have a proper SSL secured website, but we cannot absolutely guarantee the security of your information over the Internet. Credit card charges will be shown on your bill as from "Andrew R. and Patricia A. Reichert". Please do not be confused when this name shows up (sometimes shortened) on your CC bill. :) To save passing on any extra unnecessary costs, the Proto:87 Stores name is a trademark, not a fictitious business name. For your security, we do not include a credit card receipt packed with your order, unless specifically requested.

All specifications, parts and/or prices are subject to availability and change without notice.

DOMESTIC SHIPPING:

We charge a flat $6.00 per order for shipping/handling within the contiguous USA, except for packages that involve heavier (over 12 oz) boxes and/or tubes over 24" in length. For those, (e.g. Yard Length Rail tubes, 50 ft packs of track bases, etc.) we charge a flat $12.00. California residents must add 7.75% sales tax in all instances.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

Due to recent US greatly increased overseas postal charges, we now charge flat shipping to international customers of $10.00 for small uninsured air packets and $30.00 for insured air parcels and all parcels/packets over a 12 oz. Rail tubes incur an extra $6.00 as they often have to be shipped as an entirely separate package. The customer is responsible for any duties, taxes and fees imposed by the country of destination. If concerned, please ask us for a shipping cost estimate before ordering.