WHO ARE WE?
We are two bothers who have decided to combine our experiences and knowledge to
establish an internet store devoted to serving model train collectors, model train operators
and collectors of other toys and memorabilia.
Frank, the oldest, practiced as a CPA for over twenty-five years and has been an active
collector and operator of O gauge trains almost as long. In addition, he was an avid
collector of many other items such as antiques and Dept. 56 items.
Dean, the youngest, has long had an interest in establishing an internet store and some of you may have
done business with him under the name of Starving Artists and Craftsmen on the Internet (SAACOTI).
We are both from a rural area of Western Michigan that, while a great place to live, offers little in the
way of business or employment opportunities. We have always wanted to return to this area and bring
something back to the area in the way of economic development and jobs that are supportive of the area.
During the spring of 2002, we decided to pool our knowledge and resources to create
Cutlers Trains & Collectibles. Our goal is to serve the needs of model train collectors, model train operators
and collectors of other toys and memorabilia. To that end, we seek
to acquire antique and modern model trains, railroad memorabilia, other collectible toys and
antiques from various sources and offer them to you, the collecting/operating customer, for your enjoyment.
Because we too enjoy the items, for whatever time we own them, that we offer, we work
to preserve them in the same condition we find them and work hard to insure that they are
delivered to you in the same condition that we find them. We do no restoration of the items
and we always try to identify any previous restorations or repairs that may have been made
to items before they came into our possession.
WHERE ARE WE?
We are located in a rural area of Western Michigan at the gateway to a small village called Pentwater.
We now have a retail store front with a (train) playground being built for children to play on.
is through our internet store and occasional offerings on eBay (our eBay screen name is CTC363).
WHERE DO OUR PRODUCTS COME FROM?
Our products come from a number of sources. Many of our initial items come from our
personal collections that we have decided to sell to support the creation of this business.
We attend various auctions, train meets, flea markets and even yard sales to acquire items
that we believe will be of interest to you.
We know many older proprietors of model train and collectibles stores throughout the country
who can’t find people to take over their businesses when they decide they want to retire.
We acquire whatever inventory they want to sell when they decide to close their businesses.
We acquire the collections of former collectors who either decide to dispose of their
collections or from their families or estates when a collector passes on and there is no one
who wants to continue the collection.
We have a number of supporters who provide us with items they wish to sell or have
learned of items that someone wishes to dispose of and doesn’t want to handle the sale themselves.
WHAT DO WE PLAN ON DOING IN THE FUTURE?
The heart of our business will always be to acquire items for sale from the sources
discussed above. In the future, however, we plan on becoming "authorized dealers" for as
many of the current day manufacturers as we can and offer the full range of products and
services that you find at your local train store. We also plan to acquire the ability
to produce reproduction parts for those of you wishing to restore your beloved old trains.
In the more distant future, we want to become your one stop shopping place for all of your
train collecting and operating needs.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU, THE CUSTOMER!
No matter how large we become, you can always count on the close personal attention and
genuine interest in your collecting needs that we offer today.