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February 2024 by John H.
I recently bid (2-17-24) on an item in one of this store's auctions and won it. It turns out that I was the only bidder. 2 days later, I paid for the item. Yesterday, I noticed that the money was returned to my bank account by Mr. Muffin's Trains, so I sent an email to the owner, asking about the purchase and why the money was refunded. I received this reply: "We canceled it - we aren't doing business with you after the debacle on the last order..... you need to find another dealer." In late 2022, I purchased a brand-new MTH Premier steam locomotive from this business (the "last order" he refers to in his note to me). Within a few months, the locomotive developed problems, so I sent it back not once, but twice--at my expense--for warranty repair. The second attempt to have it repaired, I sent it back to MTH, after getting clearance from Mr. Muffin's Trains to do so. MTH's warranty states that items are to go back to the selling dealer, but the owner of MTH advised me to send it to MTH. Both attempts to have this item repaired were unsuccessful, so I decided to cut my losses on the return shipping and return it one final time for a refund. Within a few days, I had my refund, and I thought all was ok. All correspondence regarding this item and its related repairs was done by email, and it was cordial and to the point. There was never any animosity on the part of either party; or so I thought. Fast-forward to 2024, and I find out that the owner of this business has held a grudge against me for returning the defective merchandise last year. As a result, he refused to complete the auction transaction from 2-17-24. If he didn't want me as a customer, why didn't he just cancel me last year after I returned the defective item? Instead, he waits until the next time I try to buy something else from him (over a year later), and then only after I win the auction and pay for the item, he kicks me to the curb. Yes, it's just a toy train, and I will find one like it some other time, but in this case, the item I bid on, won, and paid for was previously owned by a friend who passed away, and more than anything, I was looking forward to owning a part of his collection. This was a real surprise, especially after I read the essay entitled "The Train to Heaven" listed on this store's website.
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September 2023 by Keith Patterson
I've never been to the physical location as I do not live in Indiana. I've pre-ordered online for the first time back in January, I've received great customer service. I will be ordering more items from them in the futer.
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August 2023 by Pedro Raymond
I bought there mth sw8 us army custom run I love that engine
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March 2023 by Clayton “CDubMoney” Witt
Wow, this place is impressive. It is well marked from the outside, but the signage threw me off. Besides the large sign marking the building, there was one in the door window with a large arrow pointing left, indicating that their retail store is at a different address. This wrongly gave me the impression they had moved. Another sign on the other door indicated that this location was closed, except on Saturdays from 10a to 3p or by appointment. I nearly walked away when I did a double take realizing that I was in the right spot at the right time (Saturday around 11). Briefly peeking in the window before trying the door, I was still left thinking I was in the wrong place because it appeared to be full of nondescript cardboard boxes, as if the place was either storage, or perhaps abandoned. Once I opened the door, I then fully realized my error.The walls were nearly floor to ceiling of model trains on display like in a museum. The floors were covered in boxes of model trains that appeared to be storage for their retail store. Noise came from the back room where, through a doorway, you could see and hear the model trains running. Stepping through that door, you see the room where my picture and video were taken. This is a very large room, with many long trains running on several different tracks through yards, mountains, over and under bridges. Very impressive.There is a lot to see, but not much of anything to do per se. Definitely a place to stop by if they're open running trains, but don't plan to spend a lot of time.Note: The retail store is only open Monday through Friday 10a-5p, so the store, and the running displays are not open on the same day at the same time. After checking the display, I wanted to check out the retail store for prices and such to find it closed with mismatched hours.
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March 2023 by Robert W.
sorry you're troubled with this. this individual bought an item on our online auction and despite four invoices and an additional email to please pay for it or contact us, we heard nothing. on the fifth day, we canceled his bid and sold the item to the next highest bidder. then he responded. he has contacted us several dozen times, posted negative reviews on facebook, and now is troubling you. the item was sold and shipped to the second bidder. we don't have another one. we hold these auctions monthly and out of the 300 we completed in february, he was the only one that didn't pay for his item. he acknowledged that he waited to contact us because he is a truck driver and monday was a holiday for him. so i guess he doesn't pay his bills on time. first those were mr muffins words. let me point out in his statement he stated 5 days. ok first can any one count ? how many days is it after saturday auction mr muffin steve. can't even tell the truth there. last i check 5 days after auction is thursday.. steve it's unless you forgot how to count. two he shows his invoice he made up himself. three my winning bid was $125 dollars. so he said he gave it to the 2nd winning bid now how could it be the same price. mr muffin steve nelson why can't you just show proof of the emails sending me to pay for auction ....!!! you know why he can't because he never sent them. to me i can prove like i sent to bbb the proof i sent him emails and phone calls even on saturday the day of auction.. he just refuse to let me pay for my auction because steve wanted the auction to go higher then $125. it's an item that cost over $400. he don't even think monday was a holiday president day. calls me out for not paying my bills when i am the one calling him out on day one. i talk to bbb today and there is nothing for i could do but this will be on his record for 3 years. mr muffins i know you lie your own words prove that by the 5 day statement alone. i read others who had problems with you i'm not alone. thanks all for reading mark.
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February 2023 by Frank H.
I bought two Lionel Legacy Engines online from this man and had a very bad experience over all. The first was the Lionel 2231430 - Legacy Atlantic and the second was the Lionel 2233971 - Legacy SW1 Diesel. The Atlantic had an issue with the front truck derailing at higher speeds which turned out to be a leaf spring in need of a slight adjustment. I had to figure that out on my own as he simply told me that he had no idea and to contact Lionel. The Switcher was an issue of me not knowing that the locomotive runs about 1/2 the speed of a normal engine. Nowhere does it state this in any of the marketing copy. I found out the hard way and also after finding a Youtube video with Dave Olsen mentioning it in passing about half way through. I called the shop to look for a solution and got Mr. Muffin himself on the phone. He angrily told me to send it back and hung up. I called back to ask where to send it and if there were any special instructions and he just hung up again. There's no way I'm going to trust anyone who acts like that with a return! Very rude and unprofessional in my opinion. I feel that I got treated terribly just for trying to get some basic customer service. I strongly advise anyone with regard for customer service to avoid this business.
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December 2022 by No One Knows Five Nights At Fredbears Fun Park
Was turned around because he said he doesn't have any browsing space to a customer not a very nice person. Store is open on Google but has closed sign up. Wasted my time coming here.
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December 2022 by ٧٧
Clerk with long hair seemed bored out of his mind. Relative got food poisoned by their overpriced "food." MEH...
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April 2022 by Brenda Ahlers
AWESOME! Excellent food too! Everyone should experience this! BEST restaurant in any area ! Meet me @ ChooChoo - ALL ABOARD ?
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April 2022 by Troy Brannin
It is more of an online store but they are great enough to let you wander their stock
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March 2022 by Chris Jones
Ordered a locomotive online and received it very quickly in 4 days! Great pricing and customer service!
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December 2021 by Steve McCulloch
This store is great to deal with. Their web site is great. I found an engine that I wanted but the price was a bit more than I wanted to pay. As I left the site, there was a pop up that indicated I could make an offer it I thought the price was too high so I made an offer. He did not accept my initial offer but came back to me with a reasonable compromise and threw in the shipping charges. The train arrived today perfectly packaged and requiring a signature. I appreciated the signature requirement due to the dollar value of the purchase. Well, fast forward five years and I had another transaction with Mr. Muffin. I made an online purchase to pick up at the store. When I got back home to Minnesota, I realized that I didn't have everything. I contacted the store and was told that the staff would call me. Later in the evening, I hadn't heard from them. I sent a follow up email asking when they might respond. Mr. Muffin responded immediately and asked me more about the purchase. A bit later, I got a message that Mr. Muffin had driven back to the store after hours, found my missing box on the will call shelf and prepared it for shipping at no charge. That is superior service.
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April 2021 by Alan Kaiser
Made quite a drive to see this shop. They had the engine I wanted even though it took awhile to find. Asked to see it, he was reluctant, telling me it was "brand new" more than once but eventually opened it so I could see it thru 1 layer of wrapping. Asked if we could set on power to verify sounds and couplers worked and was told No. My gut said walk away, but I wanted it and ignored my instinct. Bought it, took it home and the coupler didn't work straight from the box and it has a sound problem. Called, explained issue, and was told: can't help you, no exchange, no refund, no compromise for a different engine. I was stonewalled with a complete disinterest in helping beyond a cold voice that said it had to be sent out for repaired. No sympathy, compassion or the slightest care for a customer who paid a lot of money for a defective product. It's been a month now, no train, hoping I will see it returned and fixed. I don't blame muffin for the defects,, but I blame him for refusing to let me see it with power and the poor customer service I got....simply can not do business ever again with such disregard for a paying customer. This is a hobby store, all spending Is discretionary. Buyer beware folks, if you're unlucky in you purchase you are SOL.
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March 2021 by Wissler's Mother
What a great place! Mr. and Mrs. Muffin are extremely welcoming. The layout is detailed and fun to watch. We would visit much more often if not for the 6 hour drive!
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March 2021 by Sally Schmitt
Wasn't nothing like I thought it would be
