Privacy Policy

Last Updated: [Insert Date]

Welcome to Athearn Store (“us”, “we”, or “our”), your trusted destination for model railroad products including HO scale locomotives, N scale detail parts, Lionel trains, and model railroading accessories. We operate the website www.usmodeltoysworld.com (the “Service”).

As fellow model railroad enthusiasts serving hobbyists worldwide, we understand the importance of protecting your personal information with the same care we take in crafting our precision model train components. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or make purchases from our store located at 5740 North 59th Avenue, Glendale, US 85301.

1. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our Service, including:

Personal Data

While using our Service, we may ask you to provide certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you (“Personal Data”), including:

• Contact information (name, email address, phone number)
• Shipping and billing addresses
• Payment information (credit card details processed through secure payment gateways)
• Order history and preferences
• Customer service communications

Usage Data

We may automatically collect information about how the Service is accessed and used (“Usage Data”), including:

• IP address and device information
• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Search terms used to find our products
• Other diagnostic data

Cookies and Tracking Data

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our Service and hold certain information to enhance your shopping experience for model trains and accessories.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected data for various purposes:

• To process and fulfill your orders for model trains, parts, and accessories
• To communicate about your orders, account, or inquiries
• To improve and personalize your shopping experience
• To develop new products and services tailored to model railroad enthusiasts
• To prevent fraud and enhance security
• To comply with legal obligations
• To provide customer support from our team of fellow hobbyists

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following situations:

Service Providers

We employ third-party companies to facilitate our Service (payment processors, shipping carriers), perform Service-related services, or assist us in analyzing how our Service is used. These third parties have access to your Personal Data only to perform these tasks on our behalf.

Business Transfers

If Athearn Store is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your Personal Data may be transferred as part of that transaction.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.

4. International Data Transfers

As we serve model railroad enthusiasts worldwide (excluding certain remote regions in Asia and other select areas), your information may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

• PCI-DSS compliance for payment processing
• End-to-end encryption for transactions
• Secure servers with limited access
• Regular security assessments

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Data Protection Rights

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request copies of your personal data
• Rectification: Request correction of inaccurate data
• Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing your data
• Objection: Object to our processing of your data
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another organization

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected].

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

• Remember your preferences for scale types (HO, N, O gauge, etc.)
• Analyze popular model train categories and products
• Improve website functionality for finding parts and accessories
• Provide relevant product recommendations

You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, some features of our Service may not function properly without cookies.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with Personal Data, please contact us.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date.

10. Contact Us