|
|
Frequently Asked QuestionsTable of Contents
1. Where is your store located?Trains Are Good is located in the Point Loma/Sports Arena Neighborhood/Midway District of San Diego, CA. Mapquest Directions Photos Back to Top2. When is your store open?Effective 7/1/2008 Trains Are Good is open FIVE days per week (closed Sundays & Mondays). Effective 1/1/2009 we're open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. We close also for a few major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Easter. As holidays (e.g., Christmas) approach we'll consider extending our hours as we have done in the past. For updates please check this week site or phone the store (619-294-8372). We may also announce changes via email and/or snail-mail. Back to Top3. Do you buy used (model) trains?No, we don't buy used model trains. Usually, stores sell only new trains. People who buy used trains generally work out of their homes and travel hundreds of miles to buy used trains at estate sales, then they sell them at special model railroad swap meets. We suggest you contact a model railroad hobbyist or model railroad store to request a referral to someone who buys used trains. When you contact the hobbyist or store, be prepared to answer many technical questions about the model train, otherwise visit the hobbyist or store in person, so you can show them a sample train engine. A personal visit with a sample engine "in hand" avoids the probability that you will annoy the hobbyist or store rep, because (as a member of the general public) you cannot possibly answer all technical questions. Technical questions include: scale, manufacturer, prototype model, color scheme, period, motor type, sound card, coupler type, wheel enhancement, and quality grade. Some people who buy used trains specialize in certain "scales", manufacturers, or per other criteria, and the person who refers you will want to match your trains to the correct buyer. Naturally you want a referral to a reputable dealer, and as in all trades, each dealer has a different reputation. Back to Top4. How much is my used train worth?We are not experts at appraising the value of used model trains. A single car could be worth between 50 cents and $5,000. We suggest you contact an expert. (See next Q&A.) Back to Top5. How can I contact someone (dealer) who buys model trains?To contact someone (dealer) who buys model trains, try the following:
Back to Top6. What is the best way to fasten wooden track to a playboard?We will always try to talk you out of fastening your wooden track to a playboard. Nevertheless, we realize that every family situation is different, so we suggest some compromise methods:
Back to Top7. Do you carry Thomas trains?Yes, we carry Thomas trains. If you are new to Thomas, you will learn soon that there are different kinds of Thomas train -- wood, plastic, and metal -- and they are not compatible with each other. Back to Top8. Why are there different kinds of Thomas trains?Owners of our beloved Thomas stories license manufacturers to produce Thomas items. There are over 50 companies licensed to produce for consumption in the U.S. Britt Allcroft, Gullane, and HIT Entertainment) Back to Top9. Who owns Thomas stories?HIT Entertainment has owned Thomas stories since they acquired Gullane-BrittAllcroft Company. Back to Top10. Didn't Thomas come from England?Yes, author Awdrey published his first set of Thomas stories in England in 1945. Thomas remained a small English phenomenon until early 1990s, when Britt Allcroft gained story rights. Older U.S. generations grew up with The Little Engine That Could, a different blue engine story. A different British train with a face, Ivor The Engine, was not discovered by Britt Allcroft and remains in relative obscurity. Perhaps Thomas lives in the lime light because Thomas stories are plentiful and rich in content. Back to Top11. When are new Thomas trains going to arrive?Check our email archive on our home page for a schedule of arrivals. Back to Top12. Which Thomas trains are retiring?Check our email archive on our home page for a list of Thomas trains scheduled for retirement. Back to Top13. Does your store have handicap access?There is easy wheelchair and stroller access from the parking lot BEHIND our building. We are on the upper level of our building; however, at the rear of the building, our level is ground level. If you try to park in front, you face a flight of stairs. Back to Top14. Does your store do layaways?No, we don't have enough storage space to accommodate layaways. Back to Top15. Is your store part of a Thomas franchise?No, we are independent. Back to Top16. What can you tell me about Thomas events?Tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com/thomas.html For detailed information about a particular Thomas event, contact the host museum. Back to Top17. Do you sell tickets for "Day Out With Thomas" events?No, we do not sell tickets for "Day Out With Thomas" events. Try http://www.ticketweb.com/thomas.html Back to Top18. Does Thomas come to San Diego?No, the closest Thomas comes to San Diego is about 1.5 hours away, in Riverside County. The host museum is "Orange Empire Railway Museum", in Perris, CA. www.oerm.org Back to Top19. Do you have ideas for train-theme birthday parties?Customers tell us they enjoy these train-theme ideas and party locations:
Back to Top20. Where can I buy a Thomas birthday cake?Some bakers stock Thomas cake-making supplies. If you can recommend a baker who makes Thomas cakes, please email the baker's name, and we'll compile a list.
Back to Top21. Does your store do mail orders?Yes, Trains Are Good does mail orders. Shop our web pages, or phone us. Back to Top22. What's the best way to get started with Thomas?Here are suggestions for easing yourself into the world of Thomas:
Back to Top23. Didn't your store used to be in Old Town San Diego?Yes, Trains Are Good was located in Old Town San Diego for 9 years (1996-2005). In the summer of 2005, we moved to Midway Drive. Old timers might remember our first Old Town location, in a little red house on Congress Street. Our second Old Town location was on Juan Street, facing Bazaar del Mundo. Back to Top24. Could you mail me a catalog?We stopped producing paper catalogs years ago. For product availability, please check our on-line catalog, or phone us. We will gladly hand you a manufacturer's paper catalog the next time you visit our store. Back to Top25. Could you let me know when a new item arrives?Yes, we would be happy to let you know when a new item arrives. Contact us by phone or email to tell us which item you need. You might also subscribe to our email announcements list, because we announce via email the arrival of new items. To subscribe (it's free), enter your email address in the sign-up box on our home page. Back to Top26. Do you have a mailing list?Yes, we have a "snail-mail" mailing list. If you would like to be on our snail-mail mailing list, send us an email note. EMAIL Back to Top27. When is your next sale?Trains Are Good does not run store-wide percentage-off sales. Nevertheless, we offer other opportunities to save. We discount our wooden train sets, and we mail coupons to our mailing list. If you would like to be on our snail-mail mailing list, send us an email note. EMAIL 28. Does your store have a restroom?We understand emergencies. Customers may use our employee restroom, which is located about 100 feet away. For convenience, we keep the restroom key just inside the store's front door. The ladies' restroom has a baby changing table. Back to Top29. Do you giftwrap?No, we do not giftwrap. We're guys, and our giftwrapping results are not a pretty sight. Back to TopCopyright © 2005 [Trains Are Good]. All rights reserved.
|