Policies

GENERAL POLICIES: ONLINE STORE

Website discounts are not applicable for in store purchases. The website is separate from the store. 

Purchases made online for instore pickup require at least 1 business day hours for the item to be delivered to the store from the warehouse. You will receive notification when your item is ready for pickup. 

PREORDER POLICIES

Preorders are non-refundable unless defective.  Many preorder items are built to order, meaning that the manufacturer only produces as many items as are ordered.

Please note that preorder items are not yet available when listed online.  

Items with “Preorder” listed in the title and product description have been ordered by Brady’s Train Outlet but are not in the store yet as the manufacturer is in the process of making them.

Preorder items will be shipped when they arrive--however, there may be delays. An estimated arrival time is provided by the manufacturer but this is not a guarantee. 

Preordering an item ensures that you will receive one--often, these items are in demand and go quickly once released on our store website.

All preorders require a 10% deposit or $50 minimum, whichever amount is greater. Larger items such as sets or engines will require the 10% deposit. The $50 minimum applies to cars and other lower priced items. 
This deposit is required to secure your item’s availability. Deposits are non refundable.

Early preorders on Built to Order items help ensure the items will be produced.

Customers who do not preorder often wish they had! We order “extras” of items in very limited quantities and extra items typically will not be available from our distributor after they are shipped out to stores. Waiting to see the product after it arrives is a risky proposition.

LAYAWAY POLICY

YOU MUST CONTACT BRADY'S TRAIN OUTLET TO SET UP A  LAYAWAY ACCOUNT. PLEASE CALL 724-838-8448 AND BE READY WITH A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD TO MAKE A DEPOSIT. 

BRADY’S TRAIN OUTLET LAY-AWAY POLICIES 

LAST UPDATED 9/2024

1. LAY-AWAY IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR ORDERS OVER $150.
2. CUSTOMER MUST PROVIDE A VALID PHONE NUMBER, ADDRESS, AND E-MAIL AT THE TIME OF LAY-AWAY PURCHASE. EMAIL REMINDERS FOR LAY-AWAY ORDERS WILL BE SENT PERIODICALLY.
3.  VALID PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED FOR ALL LAYAWAY CONTRACTS AND PICK-UPS. PARTIAL PICK-UPS ARE NOT PERMITTED. IF YOU WANT TO ADD TO YOUR LAYAWAY, WE WILL CREATE A NEW LAYAWAY ACCOUNT FOR YOU.
4. AT LEAST $50 OR 10% DOWN, WHICHEVER GREATER, MUST BE PAID AT THE TIME OF LAY-AWAY PURCHASE.
5. PAYMENTS MAY BE MADE IN THE STORE, OVER THE PHONE, OR VIA OUR NEW LAYAWAY PORTAL https://www.bradysinventory.com/layaway/find
6. LAY-AWAY IS HELD FOR NO LONGER THAN 90 DAYS FROM ORIGINAL PURCHASE DATE. LONG-TERM/FREQUENT CUSTOMERS OR HIGH VALUE ORDERS MAY NEGOTIATE A LONGER RATE BUT ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS MAY APPLY.
7. EXCHANGES FOR LAY-AWAY ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
8. IF YOUR LAY-AWAY ORDER IS NOT PAID IN FULL WITHIN THE LAY-AWAY TERMS (TYPICALLY 90 DAYS), WE WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT YOU TO ARRANGE PAYMENT. IF THE PAYMENT IS NOT COMPLETED FOR ANY REASON, INCLUDING CANCELLATION BY CUSTOMER, THE DEPOSIT WILL BE FORFEITED AND THE ITEMS WILL BE RETURNED TO STOCK. 

PLEASE COMMUNICATE WITH US—WE WILL WORK WITH YOU, WITHIN REASON, IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING PAYMENTS!

THANK YOU.

BRADY’S MANAGEMENT

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY LAYAWAY REQUESTS.

RETURN/ REFUND POLICIES

Order Cancellation Policy

Please note that most order cancellations are subject to a 15% restocking fee. This fee helps offset the operational costs associated with processing cancellations, which may include covering non-refundable credit card processing fees, retrieving the item from inventory, voiding shipping labels, or handling preorder cancellations requiring the item to be relisted for sale. This fee is charged even if the item has not been sent out. However, if you contact us immediately after placing your order, this fee may be waived, as the item likely has not yet been processed or pulled from inventory.

Please remember, we are a small business, and these fees help us maintain the quality of our services while managing the operational challenges of cancellations.

 We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to reach out with any questions regarding this policy. 

• You will need to send items back via UPS at your own expense unless otherwise stated.
• DO NOT SEND US AN ITEM FOR RETURN WITHOUT CONTACTING US FIRST. Unauthorized returns with no return authorization information and no paperwork will not be processed, and no credit is due to customer. 
• There is a 15% restocking fee for all returns. The only exception to this policy is if we sent you something in error or it is defective. Ordering the incorrect item, an item that is the wrong scale, or other errors on behalf of the customer do not constitute an exception. The restocking fee covers our employees' time and efforts for processing your return, inspecting the item for damage, and relisting it on our site. Restocking fees are charged even if the item is unopened or never ran. Customers pay return postage for a return unless otherwise noted (i.e., if product is defective).
• What is considered defective?  Defective products are items that do not work or are damaged out of the box, with defect or damage in material or workmanship NOT wear or misuse by customer.
• • If a product is defective, manufacturers often offer warranties Please see their website for information. .Do not send items covered under Lionel manufacturer warranty back to us -- warranty repairs or must be handled directly with the Lionel! Warranty repairs for Lionel must be arranged directly with the manufacturer, if within the warranty period per their website https://www.lionelsupport.com/warranty  (Please contact Lionel via email: talktous@lionel.com).  For MTH products, please contact the manufacturer directly (https://mthtrains.com/news/002); certain conditions must apply for warranty to be valid. You will need proof of purchase for these warranties, as Brady's Train Outlet is an authorized dealer for Lionel, MTH, and several other manufacturers. For all other manufacturers, please refer to their websites. More information about warranties is also provided on our FAQ page. 

  
  

• OUTSIDE OF MANUFACTUER WARRANTY >>>  BRADY'S TRAIN OUTLET WARRANTY POLICY: If a product is defective and a valid claim is made within thirty (30) days from the date it is received by the customer, Brady's Train Outlet will offer a choice of a refund via original payment method or store credit sent as an e-gift card for our online store. If a customer would like to use store credit for another product, they will need to pay the difference and shipping costs. PLEASE NOTE THIS POLICY APPLIES ONLY TO PRODUCTS NOT COVERED BY MANUFACTURER WARRANTY!
• We will not issue a refund for damages that result from misuse or improper handling-- for example, if you run your train off the track, break track while putting it together, or snap off a caboose railing by picking it up! With over 40 years in the business, we can tell when damage is caused due to improper handling or misuse. Brady's Train Outlet reserves the right to refuse a refund based on the condition of the merchandise as determined upon inspection. 
• If an item has been opened, removed from its packaging, ran on the track, or damaged, we will not accept the item as a return, nor will you receive a full refund!
• You can always contact us at bradystrains@gmail.com. or 724-838-8448 for any questions about items before you buy them, or questions about our return policies. 

Damages and issues with shipping 
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective or damaged, or if you received the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right. Brady's Train Outlet is not liable for any products damaged or lost during shipping.  If you received your order damaged, please contact the shipment carrier (UPS or USPS) to file a claim. We insure packages for the price you paid for the item(s). Please save all packaging materials and damaged goods before filing a claim. Shipment carriers require documentation so you will need to be able to provide photos or other evidence. Please refer to UPS or USPS websites for more information. 

Refunds 

We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If your refund is approved, you’ll be refunded on your original payment method; if we are unable to do so, we will contact you and you will need to call us with your credit card number. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund. We do not store credit card information; payment is handled via Shopify and we can only see the last 4 or 6 digits.

Shopify provides us with a window through which we can offer a refund, and if this window has passed, we will need to process a refund manually. This will be done via your original payment method (credit card, PayPal, etc) or via store credit. Refunds are only offered through your original payment method or store credit-- we will not provide cash or check refunds. 

SHIPPING POLICIES

Thank you for visiting and shopping at www.bradystrains.com. Following are the terms and conditions that constitute our Shipping Policy.

See also here:   https://bradystrains.com/policies/shipping-policy

DOMESTIC SHIPPING POLICY

Shipment processing time:
All orders are processed within 2-3 business days when possible (with the exception of preorders). Orders are not shipped or delivered on weekends or holidays.

If we are experiencing a high volume of orders, shipments may be delayed by a few days. Please allow additional days in transit for delivery. If there will be a significant delay in shipment of your order, we will attempt to contact you via email or telephone.

Shipping rates & delivery estimates
Shipping charges for your order will be calculated and displayed at checkout

Shipping charges include the cost of carrier transportation, packaging materials, and the time required to carefully prepare and pack your order. Please note that shipping costs have risen in recent years, and this is out of our control. 

All items are shipped via UPS. Larger items, including engines, may incur additional fees due to weight and insurance.  Orders over $1,000 require a signature.

During the holiday season (Nov-Dec), shipping delays are likely due to the high volume of orders received by the store, as well as the high volume of shipments that must be processed by UPS, USPS, and other carriers. We recommend that you try to order your gifts well in advance to ensure that they will be received in time for the holidays. 

Shipment confirmation & Order tracking
You will receive a Shipment Confirmation email once your order has shipped containing your tracking number(s). The tracking number will typically be active within 24 hours. Until it is active (scanned by UPS upon pickup), you will just see a message stating that the label has been created. If your order is packed Friday afternoon or Saturday, the tracking number will just show that a label has been created. It will become active when UPS picks up your order on Monday. 

Multiple Orders

If you place more than one order, we will combine them whenever possible. You may also contact us and request that your orders be combined.

Please note that combining orders is not guaranteed. Orders are packed in the order they are received, and items are not sorted before packing. Because of this, we may not notice that the same customer placed multiple orders before they are shipped.

If we are able to combine your orders, we will refund any eligible difference in shipping costs after your order is processed.

 Delays on high risk orders

Shopify's system includes protection for businesses, such as flagging orders that appear to be fraudulent. This sometimes happens when customers use a new credit card, new PC, new address, etc., or if the purchase amount is high. In this case, your shipment will be delayed as a representative for the store will reach out to you to verify your purchase. If your order is flagged as fraud, your items will not be shipped until we are able to verify your order. 

International Shipping Policy

As of August 2026, we are in the process of introducing international shipping to our online store.  If it does not let you complete checkout, please call us at +1 724 838 8448 or contact customerservice@bradystrains.com and we can process your order manually. 

First time international orders must be verified before we send the package out. Please provide current contact information. 

We ship all orders via UPS. 

Shipping Costs

International shipping rates are calculated based on the destination, package weight, package size, and current carrier rates. Because model trains require careful packaging to prevent damage during transit, shipping costs may be higher than standard lightweight items. Insurance costs are also higher for international shipping. 

Shipping charges include the cost of carrier transportation, packaging materials, and the time required to carefully prepare and pack your order.

Customs, Duties, and Import Taxes

International customers are responsible for any customs fees, import duties, taxes, VAT, GST, brokerage fees, or other charges assessed by their country’s customs authorities.

When available, we offer the option to pay duties and import taxes at checkout. If duties and taxes are not collected at checkout, they may be collected by the carrier or customs agency before delivery.

Brady’s Train Outlet is not responsible for delays, fees, or charges imposed by customs agencies or government authorities. If additional shipping fees or duties appear when we process your order, we will send you an updated invoice before completing it. 

Packaging and Damage Prevention

We take great care when packaging model trains and accessories for international shipment. Items are securely packed using appropriate materials to help protect them during transit. We use additional packaging for international orders to ensure that your item reaches its destination safely. 

In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged, please contact us as soon as possible with photos of the packaging and damaged items so we can assist with filing a claim with the carrier.

Delivery Times

International delivery times vary depending on the destination country, carrier service, customs processing, and other factors outside of our control. Delivery estimates provided at checkout are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

Customs delays may occur and are the responsibility of the destination country’s customs authority.

Address Accuracy

Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address. Brady’s Train Outlet is not responsible for packages delayed, returned, or lost due to incorrect or incomplete address information. Please double check your address when entering it.

International Returns

If you encounter any issues with your order, we will work with you to help resolve them, but we would prefer not to process a full return shipment due to the cost of international shipping. We are a small business so it is difficult to absorb these costs. For example, if your locomotive isn't working, we can work with you to troubleshoot it and source replacement parts, as applicable, rather than initiate a full return. 

Please note that items described as "as is" are final sale items. Also, we have graded all items according to their conditions or functionality, so be sure to read it carefully. 

Product Compatibility and Customer Responsibility

Model trains and accessories are designed for use with specific track systems, power supplies, controllers, and operating environments. Customers are responsible for verifying that products are compatible with their existing equipment before purchase.

Brady’s Train Outlet is not responsible for damage, malfunction, or performance issues caused by improper use, incorrect voltage, incompatible equipment, modifications, improper installation, lack of maintenance, or failure to follow manufacturer instructions.

International customers are responsible for ensuring that products purchased from Brady’s Train Outlet meet the electrical requirements, safety standards, and operating requirements of their country or region. O Gauge locomotives in particular are designed for use with 3-rail O Gauge systems and North American electrical standards

Customers should consult manufacturer documentation and verify compatibility before operating any product. If you have questions about compatibility, please contact us before purchasing and we will be happy to assist.

As of August 2026, we currently offer shipping to 18 countries. These countries are:  Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (UK).

Other international orders may be fulfilled upon request. Contact us at +1 724 838 8448 or customerservice@bradystrains.com 

Updated 8/2026