After 10 years, I figured it was about time to create an 'About Me' page, just to give you a little insight to myself and my auctions.

I collect old toys and trains, mostly pre-1920, preferably pre-1900. I sell my other great finds here to support my habit. I don't sell reproductions, unless specified as such. If I say I didn't test it, I didn't test it(usually because I can't find a flashlight with working batteries). All my sales are as-is, because in a vintage toy, some things might loosen up in transit. I am always available to answer questions. I look for unique items that I know people want, and I go to many places to find them. I try to ship as fast as I can, but sometimes I get bogged down at work or finding a box to fit your unique purchase. This is not my job, it's my hobby, as it is for a lot of you. I don't complain if it takes you a week or so to pay, or to ship my item. I expect the same courtesy.

My 'flat rate' shipping is 95% Priority Mail. Why? It gets there pretty fast, and I've only had one or two items broken in the ten years I've been buying and selling. I try to cost out my shipping so you know what it is. Somtimes I lose. Sometimes I win(but I lose anyway with the cost of packing materials, gas to the post office, etc.). If I really screwed up, I refund the shipping difference. I specify a flat rate so you know how much you are going to pay, but please wait for my invoice. If you live closer, chances are you will receive an invoice with a lower shipping charge. Large, bulky items usually go Parcel Post to the other coast - because Priority Mail is too expensive - I know I don't want to pay 3 times as much - I'm sure you don't either. If, however, you really need it faster and are willing to pay the extra charge, just let me know and I'll do it. Delivery confirmation is always included. I only require insurance on very fragile items. I don't force it on you otherwise. I don't like it to be forced on me, especially on something that won't get broken even if it fell out of an airplane. I also combine shipping - even if you are bidding on another item that ends in a week. Just let me know. And please wait for my invoice - especially if you want more than one item, as I always combine shipping. I've heard reports now that ebay is now sending out automatic invoices. This will not reflect any discount that may be offered if you live close to me on a larger package. Please ignore this invoice and wait for mine, even though it might be the same. Also, ebay sends out dunning notices after 48 hours. Just ignore them. You are MY buyer, and I am YOUR seller. Ebay does not own the item. I do, then you do. They are only doing this to force you into thinking that you may only pay via PayPal.

As a buyer, I leave feedback as soon as I receive the item. That way you know it's fine and you can leave feedback for me. As a seller, I leave feedback as soon as you leave it, so I know it arrived safely. If you are a seller, I don't mind at all if you wait until I leave feedback. That completes the transaction loop. I am lucky - just about all of my buyers are wonderful, and most sellers I deal with are great. I'd like to keep it that way. Please remember, however, that when leaving the 'stars' for any seller, eBay says a 4 is good - however, a 4 is not good for a seller. Small sellers can get suspended by eBay for 'good' - so they probably use a different dictionary than I do. Please leave '5's for your sellers if you wish them to continue offering the items you like to buy, unless they really screwed up and you can't work it out. I do.

I don't buy from sellers who think they need paid within a day or 2 of the auction ending. I might not be around, and I don't need the item or the hassle that much. My bidding is much lower if you try to gouge me on shipping charges(like 12.00 for a 1 pound package). As a buyer, I factor in the shipping, much like I would a buyers premium. As a seller, I try to be fair to all of you and to myself. There is a cost involved in packaging and time, so I don't begrudge anyone a small fee. Just be up front with everyone. If it fits in a flat rate box, and it's 40 pounds, please don't charge for 40 pounds of Priority mail. That doesn't make anyone happy. I also don't usually look at auctions with the word 'Minty'. I want to buy something, not freshen my breath.

I do not take returns, unless I ship you the wrong item. There is ample time to ask your questions, and I post a lot of pictures and try to describe everything to the best of my ability. None of my items are new. They are all old. Old stuff is just that: old, and age deteriorates some parts. You will almost never see me use the word mint. If your looking for some perfect toy, go buy a repro from someone else. Toys were meant to be played with, and they were. Sometimes I luck out and get something unopened. If it's 60 years old, even unopened, something could be wrong. Expect this. I do.

Be responsible when buying antique toys. No one takes an old cast iron toy and replaces it with a phillips head screw. It's new. It's going to be new when you get it, no matter how long someone buries it in the dirt. If you want to start a collection of antique toys, do your research, or you will be disappointed and waste your money. Most original cast iron cars and trucks were never put together with any kind of screw. They were pinned together. If you see one with a screw holding the 2 halves together, it is probably a reproduction, although there are some exceptions. I see them all the time - especially under 'My Grandfather gave this to me ....'. I specialize in toys. I've bought repros just for purposes of comparison. If it's too good to be true, it usually is, or you are incredibly lucky(I have been a few times). Ask questions to your seller if you are not sure. If you don't get a response in a reasonable amount of time, walk away. There are 100 reproduction toys on ebay for every 1 authentic toy. Please make sure you are spending your money on the real one, unless you just want a decorative piece. The most obnoxious ones I see are the Arcade yellow cabs - with 'CAD' on the door. Think about it. These are not real, never were, never will be, and never will be worth more than 8 bucks. I do not sell reproductions, so your toy or anything else will be authentic.

My pictures that I post in my auctions stay around for a while. You are free to copy them for your own personal use should you want to create your own catalog or wish list. Please do not use them in any other way without my permission.

Please also seee Karen's ID - donsclutter. It is as the name implies, unfortunately. Stuff I don't get to, stuff that's laying around for no good reason, stuff that I leave in the way, stuff that I forgot I had. It's more of a general miscellaneous auction of - you guessed it - clutter. Everyone is sure to find something they want or need there.

I take all forms of payment. I will always take all forms of payment. No one can tell me I can't. Some of you don't like electronic payments. Not a problem here. A lot of the stuff I sell have been around longer than electronics, so they don't need to be paid for that way if you don't want to. I deal in vintage and antique items, and I do not mind being paid via a vintage payment method. My name and address are included under shipping instructions. Most of you out there who buy the items I sell are honest, hardworking people like me, who can grab a deal, or get something for their collection. Keep me in mind. I might have it, or will run across it, or can find it.

Some of my starting prices are going to be higher than I want to now - mainly due to the recent changes. The buyers and sellers are leaving, so to protect my investment, I am forced to do this. I am at a lot of auctions, and into a lot of different places, so I will keep offering a lot of antique and vintage items - mainly toys. Please add me to your favorite sellers, as the search pages are not very good anymore, especially for antique and vintage toys. The new reproduction China junk gets the high priority. You'll be better off switching from 'Best match', as under that, if you search for Cast Iron Car, you'll most likely get Baby Diapers.

Thanks to you all and enjoy my offerings.

Don