You will need a valid email address with eBay (obviously) to receive the Payment instructions email. Also your email must be able to accept HTML emails. If your email cannot receive HTML emails, please contact me for other arrangements.

from California to WorldWide for most items
Some items are (continental) USA only due to oversize box. If applicable, please verify international shipping cost before sending payment (the automatic Paypal payment form may show the USA shipping cost)

Except for items specifying free shipping, buyer pays shipping. A small nominal handling fee is included for some items, especially for oversized and international packages.

Combined shipping is available provided one payment is sent for all items. If you are using Paypal, just login to your paypal account and choose [Send Money] [Pay for eBay items] to the paypal id given in the payment instruction email. You can enter multiple ebay item numbers separated by commas. If you are paying via the "automatically" combined invoice from eBay, you will need to add a "discount" to reflect the final combined SH cost.

Shipping cost for multiple items = the HIGHEST Shipping cost item + each additional item "combined SH cost". Combined SH cost is usually found as the "cost per additional item" in multiple items store listings; $1 or $0.50 for each additional item. If some of the items are ending at a later time, the maximum time span for multiple items is one week (from the earliest to latest purchases). Eligible to get discount combine shipping is 1 payment all together, not for separate payments.

For example, if you've purchased 3 items:
item1 full SH:$3.95, combined $1.00
item2 full SH:$2.95, combined $0.50
item3 full SH:$11.95, combined $0.0
The TOTAL combined SH in this case is $11.95 + $1.00 + $0.50 = $13.45. You'll need to pay for all 3 items + $13.45 shipping cost in ONE payment.

Shipments are sent the following business day after payment is received. Often (but not always) shipment will go out the same day if payment is received by 11am Pacific Time (same as eBay Time).

Lighter items are usually shipped USPS (1st class or Priority Mail), usually 2~5 business days transit for cont USA address.

Heavier Items are shipped via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground, 3~5 business days transit for cont USA address. Some items are shipped Parcel Post, 2 ~ 9 business days.

International packages are usually shipped via Global Express (EMS, about 3~5 business days), or UPS Standard (Canada). For those countries that don't support EMS, we will ship via Global Priority with insurance (1~2weeks). The usual transit is about 1 week to most world-wide locations; however, it may take up to 1 month for some locations.

A shipping notification email will be sent to the PAYMENT email address (such as your Paypal ID). For USPS shipments, Delivery Confirmation information will be included in the shipping notification email. Larger packages tracking info will be sent from the shipper (such as UPS or FedEx) to the same PAYMENT email. If you are using multiple email addresses, please check the email address of your PAYMENT for the shipping notification.

Return for exchange of same item for manufacturing defect. Full refund is available for most items, check with me first. On rare occasions, a restocking fee may be imposed (up to 30%).

Q1. Do you combine shipping?

Q2. Where's your Paypal payment button in the Listing?

Q3. I didn't want to bid since that would raise the auction price, would you sell the same item to me directly at the same final price?

Q4. I'm waiting for the Payment Instructions email, where is it?

Q5. I'm in the Bay Area, can I come by and pick up the item at your store to save shipping?

Q6. Is this item brand new?

Q7. Do you have a web-site?

Q8. Do you have a Buy-It-Now of this item?

Q9. Can you list more $0.01 No Reserve items? I always get outbid.

Q10. I bought this Heli and Simulator from another seller, can you give me support on how to use the Simulator?

Q11. Why am I being blocked from bidding/buying?

A1. Yes. See Shipping & Handling above. Combined SH is usually $1 or $0.50 for each additional item, provided ONE payment is sent for all items being combined. If you are using Paypal, just login to your paypal account via www.paypal.com and choose [Send Money] [Pay for eBay items] to the paypal id provided in the Payment Instructions email. You can enter multiple item numbers separated by commas. Combined items purchases can span a maximum of one week. If you are using eBay Checkout, you can enter a seller's Discount to reflect the combined SH.

A2. Although I've enabled the "eBay Checkout" for all items, some of the Paypal payment method during checkout are still not available; please use the Paypal payment button in the Payment Instructions email..

A3. No. (I'm asked this at least once a week).

A4. Please check your spam filter. Is your email address valid? Can you send me an email directly from your email client instead of going through the eBay email inquiry? (that will usually allow me to go through your spam filter).

A5. You can pick up the item at  our our warehouse. Please CALL to arrange for pickup. 9a to 5p M-F except holidays
Tom's RC (TTi, Inc.)
42978 Osgood Road
Fremont, CA 94539 510-440-8301

A6. YES. All items in my store are new

A7. YES. Please go to the page and follow the link to my website.

A8. YES. Just click on the big BLINKING Buy-It-Now graphic toward the top of the description. (I always thought this graphic is fairly obvious, but sometimes buyers will miss it).

A9. I have at times up to 150 No Reserve auctions starting at $0.01. Good deals are numerous among these auctions, but another bidder may not let you get the item for $0.01 (yes, many buyers do get the item for $0.01 !)

A10. Uhh...No. Please try to get support from the seller who you bought the item from.

A11. There are several ways. (1) You may be blocked automatically if you have a non-paying-bidder strike against you; this is done by eBay. (2) You have left me a neutral or negative feedback. (3) You've sent nasty emails, such as false accusations, profanity, threats, etc...

If you've purchased an item and need post sales support, please fill out a Support Ticket at Tom'sRC Support Desk, see here.

If not already, you will need to register to start a support ticket. Please use the same email address as your ebay email address when register. When filling out the ticket, please include the ebay item number(s).

Besides the Support Ticket, the only other reliable way to contact me is via the eBay email system; available via the [Ask seller a question] link in any of my listing. This is due to the very high level of spam received so my spam filter is very very strict.

After you've filled out the Support Ticket, you can also leave a voicemail at 408-894-9893. Leave your name, ebayid, item number, and reason for your call. My support staff will get back to you via email (faster) or telephone.

The store is highly automated to speed up processing. During business hours (west coast), you may receive the shipping notification email within minutes of your payment - including tracking info! Typical purchase cycle:

• Auction item won, or store item buy-it-now.

• Payment instructions email sent to buyer.

• Payments received from buyer (some fast buyers may choose to pay right away before the payment instructions email arrives).

• Shipment Notification email sent to buyer. Tracking/del conf info will be included in the email.

If the item requires a selection on your part (crystal channel, receiver shift, transmitter connection, etc...). Please include the selection with the payment, this would speed up the processing greatly.

For the store policies, no hidden traps or gotchas "small print" here, just common sense. The vast majority of transactions are handled quickly without incident. Some basic common sense include:

• No shipment until payment is received ("... I can't send the money until next week, can you send the item now....", sorry).

• Payment must be in a form that arrives at my payment address ("...you can pick up the payment here..." will NOT work).

• Please understand *business* days don't include the weekends ("... you said 2~3 days, I paid for it Friday night, it's now Monday, where is the package...")

I usually do not give out neutral or negative feedbacks unless received one. I usually batch my feedbacks once a week so feedbacks may come a bit late, just drop me a quick note to remind me if you need one right away.

Due to the unusually high incidents of feedback extortions lately, I will not give feedback unless I've received one first. My main focus is to provide great deals in RC products and fast delivery. If you're shopping for RC, I will do my best; if you're shopping for feedbacks, you're not welcomed at Tom's RC.

Needless to say, a neutral or negative feedback will automatically block the buyer from any future transaction. Interestingly most of my negatives are from Non-Paying-Bidder... I never shoot first, but I will definitely shoot back.

• All sales are NOT final, we will do our best to help you with installation and configuration.
• No hidden charges (such as inflated "handling" charges), shipping cost is clearly quoted in each listing.
• Support emails are responded within 24 hours (except weekends). Phone support is available if you're really stuck.
• Bid and Buy with confidence, defective cable exchange or refund of the purchase price is available within two weeks of delivery if the interface cable fails to work with your system.
• Full credit "upgrade" is available to move up to another interface cable (such as USB) within two weeks of delivery.
• No negative comments about other eBay sellers in our listings.
• No deceptive listing, any deficiencies or potential flaws of the item will be clearly mentioned in the listing (i.e. parallel port is Win 95/98/ME only!)

Q1. What is a transmitter and receiver "shift"?

Q2. My receiver is "dual conversion", do I need a "dual conversion" transmitter to use it?

Q3. Can I use my Futaba crystal in my Hitec Receivers?

Q4. Can I use a transmitter crystal in my receiver?

Q5. What's a "computer" radio vs. a "non-computer" radio?

Q6. Do I need a computer radio?

Q7. Can I use a "digital" servo with my receiver?

Q8. Why don't you have the usual standard receiver and servos with your transmitters?

Q9. What's a good radio to get? I'm a beginner but don't want to buy another radio for a while.

Q10. Can I fly a helicopter with this radio?

Q11. I live in Europe/UK/Australia, and I need 40/35/36 MHz frequencies, do you have them?

A1. Although the same PPM/FM (pulse position modulation) signal is transmitted, some manufacturer will send the singal "upside-down"; which means the receiver must be set to understand this type of signal. Futaba and Hitec brands use the "negative-shift" type; while JR, Airtronics, and Multiplex use "positive-shift". Some advanced transmitters will allow the user to choose the shift type, thus it can control either type of receivers. Some receivers will allow "shift selection", which can be set for either + or - shift. Some manufacturers (such as Hitec and GWS) will make both shift versions for the same receiver model, make sure you read the label.

A2. Dual Conversion is a receiving process only (use to extend range). A FM transmitter can control either a Single Conversion or a Dual Conversion FM receiver.

A3. Crystals are very brand specific, and definitely type specific (dual or single conversion). Unless it is specifically stated by the manufacturer (such as the "clone" crystals maker), you usually cannot mix brand. As noted, a single conversion crystal will not work in a dual conversion receiver (and vise versa).

A4. No. You may see the same frequency number printed on the crystals, but the TX and RX crystals are very different.

A5. It boils down to custom "mixing", where you move one stick and you can control multiple servos; or allowing coupling of controls electronically, such a a V-tail or elevon. A computer radio allows more levels of customization of the popular mixes, as well as your own mixing. A non-computer radio may offer some of the popular mixing features, but usually with less flexibility. A computer radio also feature "flight modes" where you can switch from one type of flying to another; usually by means of limiting the travel of some servos. A non-computer radio may offer the basic "dual rate" of some control, for example: the travel of the control can be limited for high speed flying. A computer radio can also remember the settings of more than one model, if you have more than one plane.

A6. That will depend on what you intend to fly, and if you have or plan to get multiple planes. For a basic park flyers, a computer radio is almost always wasted money. On the other hand, if you need the CROW mix (air brake: both flaps down, both ailerons up) for a 4 servo wing, only an advanced computer radio will do (many computer radios cannot do CROW).

A7. YES. Digital servos uses the same control pulse from the receiver. Digital servos will measure this pulse more often (faster update rate), and often with more precision (smaller deadband: the minimum change in the pulse width before the servo moves).

A8. The vast majority of my customers are newcomer, thus will most likely choose an electric plane once proficient with the simulator. The standard receiver and servos are too heavy for electric use (they are available separately in the store)

A9. Radio for a beginner; this is probably the toughest question to answer. If you're not sure about the hobby and just starting out, get an entry level radio (Hitec Laser-4 and Laser-6 are excellent choices). If you believe you will get more "serious" soon, or a helicopter is in your horizon, get a heli-capable radio (Hitec Optic6, Futaba 7C, JR XP6102). If money is no issue, get the Hitec Eclipse 7 or the Multiplex Evo 9. Radios are like cars, some use it for transportation, some use it for showing off. An Evo 9 will most likely not attract women, but will definitely get attention from other flyers.

A10. For a basic electric heli, any two stick 4 channel radio will do. For advanced helicopter mixing (such as CCPM), a computer radio with helicopter programming is required. Not all computer radios have heli programming!

A11. I've recently added 35MHz (receivers) to the store for European users. I will continue to add more 72MHz (air) and 75MHz (surface)  equipments. It's difficult to get the other frequencies, The main reason being exclusivity arrangements from the manufacturer to other region distributors.