Trainz.com sells model trains, locomotives, tenders, and plastic model kits, serving hobby enthusiasts and collectors across the US. This page features shopper reviews and ratings to help you understand what customers experience when ordering from this retailer.
Trainz.com Reviews
What Shoppers Say About Trainz.com
Trainz.com is rated 2.3 out of 5 by 18 shoppers, and reviews reveal a deeply divided customer base. The store does attract some loyal customers who praise competitive pricing, responsive customer service, and accurate condition grading on items that arrive as described. However, the majority of reviews highlight serious problems with product condition accuracy. Shoppers consistently report that items marked as MINT or in excellent condition arrive with visible damage, broken components, glue residue, paint marks, and nonfunctional electronics that contradict the advertised grading. Several customers note that while the store accepts returns, the underlying issue is that items appear to receive insufficient inspection before shipping.
Beyond condition concerns, additional problems include order fulfillment failures, unresponsiveness to customer inquiries, and cancellations that prevent customers from finding limited-release items elsewhere. The stark split in ratings (50 percent one-star, 22 percent two-star, and 22 percent five-star with no middle ratings) suggests that shopping here carries significant risk. When items do arrive in the condition described, customers are satisfied and appreciate the pricing and service. However, the frequency of condition misrepresentation appears high enough that most shoppers report disappointment.
Customer Reviews (18)
Sorted by: Most recentOver the past six months their condition ratings have become increasingly unreliable. Items marked as MINT arrive broken with paint and glue residue all over them. They claim things are functional but then they don't work when you test them. They're okay about allowing returns but it seems like 90 percent of the time nobody actually inspects these items before they ship. Their ratings are way off from what you actually get. If something says Like New, expect it to be Fair at best. Open and test everything the day it arrives just to be safe. They used to do better, but they've really gone downhill recently.
I've been ordering plastic model kits from here regularly throughout the year and I'm happy overall. There was one mix up where they forgot to include an item with my shipment, but their team got back to me super fast even on the weekend and sent it right out. Prices are usually better than other places I've found in the US market. I'd definitely recommend them.
The locomotive I ordered was graded as excellent condition, lightly used, and it appears to have never been taken out of its original packaging. Everything checks out perfectly.
My order never came through even though I kept sending emails asking about it. Eventually they cancelled everything, and now I can't find the item I wanted anywhere else because it was a limited release. I should have checked the reviews first before ordering, but now I know better. Go somewhere else instead.
I bought a vintage Lionel locomotive and tender set that was described as being in exceptional condition. When it arrived, the tender had damaged exterior parts, the internal circuit board was completely nonfunctional with previous owner notes trying to fix it, the horn wasn't working, and the wiring connection inside the tender housing was clearly problematic. The locomotive wiring setup looked like unauthorized post-factory work that would prevent it from operating. I documented all the issues with photos and sent them to the company. Their response was basically take it or leave it, with no real solution and no shipping assistance. I decided not to pursue it further. But I wanted other buyers to know what happened to me, because I'm usually satisfied with online shopping experiences. This was different. I won't be ordering from them again.
The team here really goes above and beyond. If you get a chance to work with Cid, you're in great hands. He's helpful, knows his stuff, and actually seems to care about doing a good job. My emails got responses right away. It's nice to deal with a company that actually treats customers well for once. Definitely 5 stars.
I got the wrong item when my shipment came. When I reached out about it, they told me they didn't have the correct one in stock anymore. What's weird is I found basically the same item on their website, just with a different road number, and they refused to send that as a substitute. Really poor response from their team. Plenty of other businesses would actually want to keep my business and make it right.
Got the wrong items and nobody would help. I bought 4 left switches and 3 right switches that were all supposed to be in great shape and working. When they arrived, several were in the wrong boxes. I ended up with just 1 right switch when I needed 3. Two of the switches had their remote wires completely cut off, and one was stuck and wouldn't function at all. After the slow delivery, having to pay for return shipping felt like adding insult to injury, especially since they weren't guaranteeing a refund. If they rejected my claim, I'd be out shipping fees both ways. I sent emails and filed complaints but never heard back. I've spent a good amount on train items this year, so I'll be taking my business elsewhere going forward.
I sold them a collection of European model trains and I was impressed with how they handled everything. Their spreadsheet breakdown was clear, their estimates were thorough, and they covered shipping. The final amount they offered was less than I'd hoped for, but when I thought about what it would cost me in time and effort to sell through other channels, it made sense.
Started out buying through their store on another marketplace with no issues, and they included a discount code to buy directly from their site. I placed an order and got told one item wasn't available anymore so they adjusted the price. When it showed up, that item they said was out of stock was actually there, but two other items I paid for were missing. I let them know about the mistake. They responded saying they refunded the wrong thing by accident and asked me to confirm what I actually got, which was just one specific model truck kit and not the other two items I'd purchased. I confirmed the situation and since then they've been dodging me.