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Trains & Toys Auction Information

On this page you will find information about grading, payments, and shipping.  Please read all information carefully before placing bids.

TCA Toy Trains Grading Standards

Gregory Hake Auctions, LLC (dba Gregory Hake Auctions) conducts grading in accordance with Train Collectors Association (TCA) standards. Please read the grading criteria carefully before bidding.

Grading Scale

C1 – Junk
Parts value only.

C2 – Restoration Required
Requires restoration.

C3 – Poor
Requires major body repair; heavily scratched; significant rust; missing parts; major restoration candidate.

C4 – Fair
Scratched with moderate paint loss, dents, missing parts, and surface rust. Shows evidence of heavy use.

C5 – Good
Shows play wear, scratches, minor paint loss, small dents, and minor surface rust. Evidence of regular use.

C6 – Very Good
Minor scratches and paint nicks; minor surface rust; free of dents. May have minor replacement parts.

C7 – Excellent
All original with only minute scratches or paint nicks. No rust, missing parts, or distortion of components.

C8 – Like New
Complete and all original. No rust or missing parts. May show signs of display or age and may have been run.

C9 – Factory New / Brand New
All original and unused. May show minor factory rubs or slight evidence of handling, shipping, or factory testing.

C10 – Mint / Brand New
All original, unused, and unblemished.

Important Grading Information

  • Grading is subjective and performed by Gregory Hake Auctions and experienced TCA members.
  • Grades are based solely on the appearance of the item.
  • Boxes, packaging, and running ability are not considered in the assigned grade.
  • We do not guarantee the running ability of any item unless specifically stated in the lot description.
  • Additional details regarding condition, originality, and operation may be included in individual lot descriptions.
  • Gregory Hake Auctions is not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or listing inaccuracies.

General Information & Payment Policies

We handle hundreds of trains sales a month. Be courteous to our staff and use the following guidelines to help us process your order quickly and correctly.

  1. Include auction item numbers with payment and with any correspondence. This will help us process your request quickly.
  2. We have a payment form which may help you organize your purchase(s).
  3. Payment Address for Gregory Hake Auctions
    Gregory Hake Auctions
    5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.
    Suite 125
    St. Charles, Missouri 63304-8302
    (314) 285-4416

Accepted Payment Methods

  • Personal Check
  • Money Order
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express

Buyer’s Premium

  • 18% buyer’s premium applies to purchases paid by credit card through Gregory Hake Auctions.
  • 18% buyer’s premium applies to purchases paid by credit card through LiveAuctioneers.
  • A 3% discount on the buyer’s premium is available for payments made by cash or check on either platform.

Returns and Guarantees

Gregory Hake Auctions makes every reasonable effort to accurately represent the authenticity, originality, and condition of auction items.

Please note:

  • No returns are accepted on items graded C5 or lower.
  • No returns are accepted on ungraded items.
  • Returns will not be accepted more than thirty (30) days after receipt of the item.
  • Payment received more than thirty (30) days after the auction date voids all return privileges.
  • After thirty (30) days, any disputes must be resolved directly with the consignor and not Gregory Hake Auctions.
  • Running ability is not guaranteed unless specifically stated in the lot description.

Grading was done subjectively and by appearance of the item, not boxes and not running ability. We do NOT guarantee running ability of any item, unless stated in the description that the engine has been oiled, lubed and runs.

Payments

  1. Within three (3) business days of the auction, you will receive an invoice with the hammer price and the appropriate buyer’s premium based on the website you registered and bid through.  
  2. Payment in full (including the buyer’s premium when applicable) must be paid in the form of cash, wire transfer, checks, money order, or a major credit card.
    1. If you have a question about whether a credit card is accepted please call Auctioneer before bidding and/or before the removal/delivery of any property purchased.
    2. Auctioneer reserves the right to refuse credit card payments on any lot.
  4. Bidder shall pay the purchase price, the buyer’s premium, shipping, insurance, and handling charges (if any), plus all applicable sales taxes, unless such sales taxes are exempted by law (proof of exemption must be provided).
    1. Bidder must make payment within seven (7) business days  after notification of the sale.
    2. The auctioneer reserves the right to offer unpaid items to the next highest bidder at his discretion should the invoice go unpaid for longer than a month.
  5. Auctioneer also reserves the right to open an active dispute against any LiveAuctioneers Bidder that does not pay or refuses to fully complete the transaction, including paying the associated buyer’s premium and shipping/insurance cost.

Shipping And Handling Procedures

We ship extensively each month and have very high standards. To facilitate rapid and accurate shipment of your purchase(s), please follow the following guidelines:

Customers in Hawaii, Alaska and foreign countries must email Gregory Hake Auctions at gregoryhakeauctions.com with your item number(s) for specific shipping charges prior to sending payment.

  1. Prior to Shipping
    1. Items to be shipped together must be paid for together. Separate payments require separate full shipping charges.
    2. Payment must be sent within seven (7) days of the invoice date. I
    3. f you wish to combine lots for shipping, please do not wait more than three (3) days past the end of the first auction. Items not paid for within seven(7) days of the invoice date will be charged to the credit card on file.
  2. Preparing Your Shipment
    1. When payment in full has been received for the item(s)won, we will begin packing your purchase. We pack items based on the date lot invoices are paid in full, and we pack as quickly and efficiently as possible but some items require more care than others.
    2. Packing is done in-house by our professional staff. We have been shipping products since 1998 and are very knowledgeable on the correct packaging of item(s) to keep them safe during transit.
    3. We use brand new boxes, foam wrap, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and/or other materials that are necessary for getting your items to you in the same condition that they were presented in the photos.  However, should an item arrive damaged, the bidder agrees to file the appropriate claim with the shipping company.  We do not file claims on the bidder/recipient’s behalf nor do we accept returns of merchandise damaged in shipping.
    4. We do charge a small fee associated with the packing materials and labor, which supply costs and fees related to labor are disclosed in the shipping invoice.
    5. We utilize a web-based shipping solution called Shipping Saint that allows us to offer commercial shipping rates.
  3. Shipping Payment
    1. You will receive a separate shipping invoice from Shipping Saint that contains the shipping cost.
    2. The invoice from Shipping Saint must be paid before your purchase will be shipped.
      1. After the separate shipping invoice from Shipping Saint has been paid, we create a shipping label.
      2. You will be notified via email and/or text regarding your tracking number and when you might expect to receive your new items.
  4. Additional Shipping Information
    1. During periods of high volume, we may use a third-party to assist in shipping. They use the same care and attention to detail as we do when packing, and they will send shipping invoices/information directly to bidders.
    2. If we use our third-party shipper to expedite the shipment of your lot(s), inquiries regarding cost, carrier, tracking, etc. should be directed to our third-party shipper.
    3. Payment for shipping services through our third-party shipping company are due upon receipt of invoice.
  5. Unpaid Shipping Fees
    1. Any bidder refusing to pay the shipping and handling costs after the items have been paid for shall therefore surrender title to the items after 60 days have passed from the first shipping invoice.
    2. Chargebacks on credit cards due to refusal to pay shipping will be disputed in a court of law in St. Charles County, Missouri at the cost of the bidder.
    3. Further, we reserve the right to open an active dispute against any successful bidder on the LiveAuctioneers platform for refusal to complete the transaction.
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