Terms & Conditions
- Stout Auctions has made every effort to accurately describe all items being sold, but all property offered for sale is offered “as is” and it is the bidder’s responsibility to determine the exact condition of each item. No statement in this catalog, bill of sale or invoice shall be deemed to be a warranty, representation, or assumption of liability with respect to age, condition, size, quality, variety, importance, provenance, or historical relevance of any of these items. Any such statements are strictly matters of opinion.
- The Auctioneer reserves the right to make any changes to the terms of the sale and to the catalog.
- Title to all merchandise shall pass to the highest bidder at the fall of the Auctioneer’s “hammer”. The purchaser shall assume full risk and responsibility of the lot purchased once title has passed.
- Internet bidding is provided as a service and convenience to allow people to bid at the live gallery style auction from your computer.
- The Auctioneer will be the final judge as to which bidder is the highest bidder. In the event of any dispute in this matter, the auctioneer shall at his discretion decide to reopen the bidding or not.
- Stout Auctions makes every effort to execute the bids, however Stout Auctions is NOT responsible for any missed bids.
- Stout Auctions are not responsible for any typographical errors or omissions in this catalog or in the subsequent price key.
- In bidding on any lot here offered the bidder indicates acceptance of these Terms of Sale. For additional information regarding the Terms of Sale or any other matter relevant to our auctions please contact: info@stoutauctions.com (Indiana) or katy@stoutauctions.com (Pennsylvania).
Grading
We use TCA grading standards.
Rule No. 1 for grading: WE DO NOT TEST ANY ITEM TO OPERATE OR RUN. Although most items will operate nicely that we sell, we grade and sell only on the exterior appearance of the item, not on it’s ability to operate or run. No exceptions to this rule. These are used toys and trains and in many cases decades old.
Grading is as follows:
- C1 Junk-parts value only
- C2 Restoration required
- C3 Poor- requires major body repair: heavily scratched, major rust, missing parts, major restoration candidate
- C4 Fair-scratched: moderate, paint loss, dented, missing parts, surface rust, evidence of heavy use
- C5 Good- sign of play wear: with scratches and minor paint loss, small dents, minor surface rust, evidence of heavy use
- C6 Very good: minor scratches and paint nicks, minor spots of surface rust, free of dents, may have minor parts replaced
- C7 Excellent-all original: minute scratches and paint nicks, no rust, no missing parts, no distortion of component parts
- C8 Like New-complete all original: No rust, no missing parts, may show affects of being on display and/or age, may have been run
- C9 Factory New-brand new: all original, unused, may evidence factory rubs and the slightest evidence of handling, shipping and having been test run at the factory
- C10 Mint-brand new: all original, unused and unblemished
O/W = otherwise
WG = wide gauge
SG = standard gauge
pc or pcs = pieces
RP = reproduction or repaint
C = condition
GA = gauge
litho = lithographed
loco = locomotive
CI = cast iron
OB = Original Box
Additional details are included with each auction lot description.
Grading is done strictly and by appearance of the item, not boxes and not running ability. We do NOT guarantee running ability of any item. Absolutely no returns are accepted on items graded C5 or lower or marked with sold as is or general condition or on items marked as restored. After 30 days we will not accept returns under any circumstances, including items that may be described differently due to new technologies or information.
Stout Auctions makes a reasonable effort to represent authenticity, originality, and grade of items with maximum accuracy at the time of the sale. Payment for an auction item that is received by Stout Auctions more than 14 days after the invoice date voids all rights to returns, for any reason. After 30 days, any issue with an auction item must be resolved through the consignor of the items and NOT Stout Auctions.
Bidder Guidelines
Absentee bids for most auctions submitted by fax, email, telephone or postal mail must be received by Stout Auctions no later than 4:00pm EST time the day before the sale. Online absentee bidding closes one hour prior to the auction the day of the sale. AFTER THESE DEADLINES NO ABSENTEE BIDS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Due to the amount of time required in handling and shipping absentee bids we ask that you observe the following guidelines;
- Successful absentee bidders will be charged a small shipping fee sufficient to cover packing costs, delivery service, and shipping insurance.
- Internet buyers premium is 19%. Buyers premium is 16% if paying by check or cash.
Stout Auctions website absentee bidders buyers premium is 19%. Buyers premium is 16% if paying by check or cash.
Phone bidders buyers premium is 19%. Buyers premium is 16% if paying by check or cash.
In house, attending bidders buyers premium is 10%. Buyers premium is 13% if paying by credit card. - Indiana sales tax is 7%. Pennsylvania state sales tax is 6%.
- No absentee bids under $50.00.
- Please make bids in the following increments:
- Absentee bids will not require a down payment for this auction.
- We will not have phone lines available for call-in bidding unless the item is valued over $5,000. You must tell Stout Auctions your high bid amount in advance so we can determine if your bid will be competitive; we will let you know if this is the case. Limited telephone access at the auction site requires that we restrict phone bidding to the most serious bidders.
- Charges are due upon receipt of absentee bid win notification.
- Absentee bids can be entered online through our web catalogs;
- For Indiana Auctions: mailed to Stout Auctions, 529 State Road 28 East, Williamsport, IN 47993-1119; faxed to 765-764-1516; or emailed to info@stoutauctions.com.
- For Pennsylvania Auctions: mailed to Stout Auctions, 2884 Mercer-West Middlesex Rd, West Middlesex, PA 16159; called in to: 724-528-1500 or emailed to katy@stoutauctions.com.
- IMPORTANT: Please include item, lot number and bid amount for absentee bids. Bids also need a signature, phone number and an address (not a PO box).
- All absentee bids are executed competitively as if you were there. When multiple identical absentee bids have been placed, the one received first has priority. It is possible for an item to sell to a live bidder for the same amount an absentee bidder posted.
- We work very hard not to overlook any absentee bids. However, we are not responsible for missed absentee bids.
- Absentee bids may be deleted if the auctioneer feels there is valid reason such as condition conflict, late or non-payment from previous auction, etc.
- We usually ship the same day we receive payment. Nonetheless, please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery by United Parcel Service(UPS) or United States Postal Service(USPS).
In addition, online absentee bidders using our Internet catalog should be aware of the following:
- Absentee bids cannot be reduced or deleted once entered, though you may increase your bid.
- You will not be notified if you are outbid online. Periodically check your bid status.
- The high absentee bidder online will not necessarily be the high bidder at the live auction.
- If your absentee bid wins at the live auction, buyer’s premium and shipping charges will be added according to the terms listed above.
- Online absentee bidding ends one hour prior to the auction for that day. It is likely our catalog server will be very busy as this deadline approaches and we encourage you to get your bids in early.
- To register for an ID number and password for online bidding, follow the directions on the bidding page. If you have questions email info@stoutauctions.com (Indiana) or katy@stoutauctions.com (Pennsylvania). Please contact us early! If you email us on the final day of absentee bidding we may not be able to respond in time.
Invoicing, Payments and Shipping
We handle hundreds of trains sales a week. Be courteous to our small staff and use the following guidelines to help us process your order quickly and correctly. Please note that Indiana and Pennsylvania invoicing, payment and shipping systems are different and you should contact each location accordingly with any questions.
Include auction item numbers with payment and with any correspondence. This will help us process your request quickly. We have an payment form which may help your organize your purchases.
Accepted payment methods include personal check, cashiers check, money order, Paypal and credit cards.
Invoicing and Payments for the Indiana Location:
Payment Address for Indiana auctions:
Stout Auctions
529 State Road 28 East
Williamsport IN 47993
Invoices are sent out after the auction, once the payments are received we use Shipping Saints to bill for shipping. After each invoice is paid your item will ship out.
Indiana residents must pay 7% sales tax unless exemption is allowed under the laws regulating such tax. Out of state buyers are not required to pay Indiana sales tax for absentee purchases unless they take delivery of the items in the state of Indiana, this includes picking up an item in Indiana that was bid via the internet. Attending bidders are required to pay sales tax unless exemption is allowed under the laws regulating such tax.
By bidding in an auction, you acknowledge and agree that all parties consent to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Warren County, Indiana. All parties acknowledge and agree that this agreement has been entered into in the State of Indiana and that it shall be construed in accord with the laws of the State of Indiana.
If you have any questions please call or email info@stoutauctions.com
Invoicing and Payments for the Pennsylvania Location
Payment Address for Pennsylvania auctions:
Stout Auctions
2884 Mercer-West Middlesex Rd
West Middlesex, PA 16159
The following day after the auction is complete we begin to pack and weigh your items and send out one invoice with your total and shipping cost for payment to be made. Once we receive your payment items will ship.
Pennsylvania residents must pay 6% sales tax unless exemption is allowed under the laws regulating such tax. Out of state buyers are not required to pay Pennsylvania sales tax for absentee purchases unless they take delivery of the items in the state of Pennsylvania, this includes picking up an item in Pennsylvania that was bid via the internet. Attending bidders are required to pay sales tax unless exemption is allowed under the laws regulating such tax.
By bidding in an auction, you acknowledge and agree that all parties consent to the jurisdiction of the Courts of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. All parties acknowledge and agree that this agreement has been entered into in the State of Pennsylvania and that it shall be construed in accord with the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
If you have any questions please call 724-528-1500 or email katy@stoutauctions.com.
Shipping
We ship hundreds of items a week and have very high standards. To facilitate rapid and accurate shipment of your purchases, please follow these guidelines.
- Customers in Hawaii, Alaska, and foreign countries must e-mail us at info@stoutauctions.com (Indiana) or katy@stoutauctions.com (Pennsylvania) with your item numbers for specific shipping charges before sending payment.
- Items to be shipped together must be paid for together. Separate payments require separate full shipping charges.
- Payment must be sent within one week of the end of auction. If you wish to combine lots for shipping, please do not wait more than one week past the end of the first auction. Items not paid for promptly will be relisted.
- Stout Auctions ships with United Parcel Service (UPS) whenever possible, so buyers must provide proper delivery address (no PO Boxes). Stout Auctions uses UPS in order to track packages during shipment. Our local post office cannot track a package during shipment, and with our volume of shipping we often have to confirm the location of a package during shipment.
- Stout Auctions uses heavy duty shipping tape and new boxes/shipping material for shipment. Our standards are very high, and we have had minimal shipping damage. Even when our shipping boxes have been damaged in transit the contents are almost never damaged. Our shipping charges include these material costs, as well as the UPS shipping and insurance costs.