Modern Motorsports first opened in December of 2001. We are owned and operated by original proprietor TJ Corcoran. TJ has 20+ years experience building and made quite a name for himself participating in many model shows and contests in the 1990's & early 2000's in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. His cars were featured in several publications and constantly drew questions from attending show goers, particularly questions about how to make many of the scratchbuilt pieces used on his models.
The events of September 11th, 2001 put a large strain on a struggling NAPA chain, who's flagship store & office resided less than 10 miles from the Pentagon, that TJ had worked as a Director of Store Operations. Within 2 months several of the largest accounts had closed and people were becoming increasingly tight with their money afraid of what would happen with the economy. The stores were officially put on the auction block in November leaving TJ at a crossroads. Having moved to Virginia only 6 months prior, after being lured away from a 10 year career as Store Managers and ADM of a 20-store regional auto parts chain, with the challenge of turning around the NAPA chain, at the right price, the loss left TJ's family broke and moving back home to NJ.
TJ was back where he began years ago working on cars and boats to make money but in the back of his mind he wasn't happy. While building one night he back considering the possibility of producing the parts that so many had complimented him on. After several long conversations with his wife and stern supporter (much more than she probably should have) he decided to make it a go. In December MM opened as a side job with 15 part numbers (primarily some exhaust, small engine & body mods). After 6 months the line expanded to 32 part numbers and business had increased dramatically. Additionally the first large scale dealer had came aboard, Slixx Decals. Come the one year anniversary the decision was made to become a Full-Time operation. It wasn't an easy decision as cutting out the dependable daily income and the increase in investment could place TJ's family into a worse position than they were only a year prior. However, the main benefit allowed TJ to spend more time with his son, whom he missed alot of time with the first 5 years of his life from the extensive work hours  he had (60-70 hours a week plus!). Putting a 6 month "make-it or close-it" goal on himself he continued his expansion.
Now, as this is typed in 2006, MM is still growing strong with over 100 part numbers and many more eventually on the way. We have also managed to grow a nation-wide network of dealerships and are always looking for more. Despite some growing pains and the strange "on again-off again" buying cycles of the hobby, we look to be here for a long time and are very thankful for the loyal customers we have! Seeing our parts as part of the fantastic builds our customers produce makes it all worth while!

While we often work strange and long hours our normal business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Eastern US time. We often take lunch between 2:30 & 3:30 and may not be available during that time.

Yes. For more info refer to question number 2.(not currently available)

Orders may take up to 3-4 weeks to ship. If all items are in stock your order will ship in 1-2 business days. If any item is out of stock the order is placed in a que to have the unavailable part(s) physically produced for your order. Orders that are placed in que may take up to 2-3 weeks to ship. Our que is always handled on a "first-ordered, first-shipped" basis. Because of this, although you may only need 1 or 2 parts to fill your order, prior orders that may need multiple parts could slow down the que. This is why some orders may take the extended time to ship. Please bare with us. More often than not it is only 1 or 2 people working at anytime and that includes answering phones, answering emails, doing post office runs and doing website updates along with physical production, packaging and shipping.

The most common reason is that you forgot the "-" between modern & motorsports. Another common mistake is typing .com instead of .net or a combination of both.

We respond to email usually within 1-2 business days (not 24 hours). On some days we can get upwards of 100 emails +. We generally answer all emails on a first received first replied basis as we do with most things in our business. Very rarely do we respond on weekends as we are not in the shop most weekends. Again, as explained in question # 6, more often than not it is only 1 or 2 people working at anytime and that includes answering phones, answering emails, doing post office runs and doing website updates along with physical production, packaging and shipping.

We do run sales or promotions approximately 2 or 3 times a year. We try to be very creative with our promos since they are not often. Please keep an eye on our "updates" section of our homepage for specials, or if you have purchased from us before you may receive a mail only promo.

To get on our our email list you must go to the "join our mailing list" link on our homepage. Please follow the instructions closely as there is a double opt-in procedure to keep someone from using your email.
If you have ever purchased anything from us you are on our snail mail list. If you haven't and you'd like to be on it please email us your name & addy and we will be glad to add you.
Also if your physical address has changed since your last order please let us know so we can update your records.
Important note: with email or snail mail, we will NEVER sell or lease any information provided by our customers. Your information is held strictly confidential. Your information is ONLY used for us to contact you. Modern Motorsports does not condone SPAM!

Email us your sites information. Include owner, type of content and a logo to use (if you have one). Our link post policy is as follows: We welcome any customers personal sites that are modeling related or have a modeling section. We welcome LIKE commercial sites (ie hobbies & crafts) that DO NOT compete with our core business. We personally review all sites for content prior to posting. Any sites with objectionable material(s) will not be approved. Any existing links that are found to add objectionable content after addition will be removed. Modeling is a family based hobby and we aim to keep it that way! We don't require a reciprocal link but do ask that you consider one as a courtesy.

Absolutely! Send a self-addressed, stamped (with at least 83c postage), preferably legal size (8x10), envelope to: Modern Motorsports; PO Box 117; Gibbstown, NJ 08027 USA attn: Catalog Request. If you have regular web access we recommend checking our page instead of a physical catalog as we only print catalogs 1-2x a year whereas our website is updated constantly.

All of our preorders go in a "que" based on the date they are received.  We keep a computerized database of all preorders (backed up by a hard copy in case of an unforeseen catastrophe.  You know the way computers are!)  Once a piece is mastered,  molded and test shots & packaging are complete we pull our database of preorders and begin shipping them in the order they were placed111-.  Depending on the demand and length of time the preorders were available (especially bodies and other high demand parts), this may be considerable.  Rest assured that everyone who placed a preorder will receive it before it goes into general release for anyone to buy. 
In an effort to decrease wait times, with this new revision of the site, we will now only take preorders on a part when it's in molding & existing preorder shipping stages (about 4-6 weeks out from general release). 

This will vary by the part.  As we continue to grow a larger customer base it has become increasingly difficult to finish new parts.  We are trying our best to get at least 3-4 new part numbers out every quarter.  To help aid in times and confusion, beginning with the site revision, we will not be taking anymore preorders on a part until it's in molding & existing preorder shipping stages (about 4-6 weeks out from general release).   Additionally, we will not be announcing any new parts until we are in the quarter it is expected to release.  Hopefully all of these changes will allow us to finally release some long awaited parts!

Absolutely!  We love new ideas.  Sometimes an idea just slips by us.  Other times we may not think there's enough interest, but by getting requests for it we could change our mind.  Just email or call us!
If you have a part YOU  mastered* that you think should be added to our line contact us as well.  If we are interested we may be able to work out a deal to produce it.
*NOTE: You personally must have mastered it.  Repops of other aftermarket manufacturers are not acceptable, even if you have permission from that manufacturer to replicate it.   We are interested in ripping anyone off.  If we have any concerns as to the validity of the master once we receive it, regardless of whether there's a deal in place or not, we will NOT produce it. 

If a part is on the current production catalog page as a preorder, you can expect it within a couple of months.  If it's still listed on the upcoming releases page then see question #18 above. 
Some parts may just go directly to release without ever being placed as a preorder.

Absolutely!  If we don't have it in stock (and it's not out of print from the manufacturer) we can get it for you in about 7-10 days.  It will turn around and go back out to you the same day we get them in.

Unfortunately, no.  We list sheets when they are announced to be released but they could be cancelled at anytime.  Since most sheets have no definite release time based on variations in artwork & printing time we do NOT accept preorders on decals. Sorry for any inconvenience!
You can ask us to notify you when they come in however by sending us an email request.

We guarantee all of our parts.  If you are unhappy with a product we will make it right (within reason).  We want our customers to be happy!  Keep in mind though that resin parts are handmade and may contain small blemishes, pinholes and/or pockmarks and be rough on some backsides (ie bottoms of ignition plates, exhaust) .  We try our hardest to ship the highest quality items!  Be aware these are normal resin conditions and that resin parts may require sanding, filling and/or trimming. 
Defective Items can be returned within 60 days of receipt for exchange or credit, postage prepaid.  You must contact us first to get approval and we do not refund for shipping of returned parts.  We will do our best to help you.  However, if the part requires normal resin work (sanding, filling, trimming, etc), we reserve the right to decline it.  We do not accept returns just because you didn't want them, changed your mind or decided not to do the project.  We do not accept returns on items damaged in shipping (very rare considering most of our packing is virtually bulletproof!) if the package was not insured.  We do not accept returns on items damaged by the consumer.

For Domestic US & Canadian orders, we will usually send the available parts now and the preorders when they are available at no additional cost (preorders may go 1st class or parcel at our discretion).  If the majority of the parts are preorders we may not automatically send the available parts without contacting you to see what you would like us to do.
For most international orders, it would depend on the order.  If the order is large enough we may split them.  In most cases we hold the order until all parts are available unless we are told otherwise by you.  Should you choose to split the shipments  we may require you to pay some or all of the shipping on both shipments.

For Domestic US orders we ship USPS Priority Mail.  Priority Mail usually takes 3-4 business days to the West Coast and slightly shorter in between.  However, some orders may take a week (especially during peak times, holiday weeks, etc.).  
All internationals order go Postal Service Airmail (including Canada).   Shipping could take 1-3 weeks depending on your country and customs.  Just as US shipments some order could take longer during peak times, etc.
We have no control over ship times.  Once an item leaves our hands it is up to the carrier. 

As long as it's not a preorder....If it's within a month, it probably is still in que.  Since it takes up to 4 weeks currently to ship an item and about a week for it to arrive after shipping, we suggest you wait 5-6 weeks after the order date to inquire about it's status (unless you have heard otherwise from us that your order has shipped or when it will ship, in which case please allow 1-2 weeks from that time).  If you mailed in the order, you may need to add a week for us to even receive it.
Preorders...see questions 17-18 above.

Please contact us.

Yes!  PayPal even gives you the option of eCheck if you want to pay by check online. 
For mail in checks, orders are subject to a 7-day holding period (if all parts are available for immediate shipment).
International orders... we do not accept personal checks, only international money orders in US funds.  There is also an additional $5.00 currency exchange surcharge imposed by our bank so please be sure to add it to your total.
Please make all checks and money orders out to: TJ Corcoran

We used to keep larger picts for our thumbnails, however, we no longer do as we feel the picts are clear enough in their present configuration.  This helps speed load time and cuts down on bandwidth.

Yes. We ONLY use PayPal online. Alternately you may call or mail in your order.

In most cases, yes! PayPal no longer requires you to have an account to make a payment. However, if PayPal declines your payment for any reason (ie: name or address do not match), you will not be able to. PP is our only online credit card authorizer. You can also mail in your order with CC info, check or money order or phone it in using a credit card. Note: We use PP merchant services for manual authorization so if you were declined for information mismatch, etc. online, you will most likely be declined when we process it as well. We suggest resolving the problem with your bank prior to continuing a declined purchase.

All of our orders are shipped via the USPS. Domestic (In-US) orders are shipped via Priority Mail. International mail is shipped via airmail.  For more shipping info see question 26 above.

Yes! All (domestic) orders are shipped via priority mail so they can be shipped anywhere! Your po may require you to access a lock box or bring a yellow pickup card to the counter to receive it however.

For Domestic US customers only, you have the option of purchasing delivery confirmation for an additional $.50 at the bottom of every catalog page.  While this is not as comprehensive as UPS or FedEx tracking numbers, it will tell you when it shipped and from where and when it was received and where.  Should an item get lost or delayed in transit, this could be invaluable to finding it since most mail goes through anonymously otherwise.
A note about online shipments: Occasionally we may ship a package using online postage (ie PayPal shipping services, USPS Click-n-Ship or Stamps.com).  When we do, it may send you an email letting you know it is being shipped.  It also may give you a tracking number/ eDelivery Confirmation (eDelcon).  Unfortunately as ourselves and many other merchants have found out that while we think we are doing a service for OUR customers by giving them the free way to track, we really are creating more of a disservice.  So it turns out,  the alleged "free" eDelcon service they give you on the labels is not really a delcon at all.  It is essentially a tracking number for their computer system to show the label has been used so no one rips them off and uses a label twice or cancels a label and uses it anyway.  Unlike regular delcon, the receiving post office or carrier never scan it at all.  It is supposed to get scanned at the Priority Hub...twice!  The bad part about this, one, the hub could be a day or 2 away giving a false time shipped.  Two, the first scan system tells the computer the labels been used.  However, there's a separate system that updates the tracking online.  That is what the 2nd scan is.  Unfortunately, most of the Postal hub employees simply skip this step, so punching in the number during online shipping may show nothing other than when the label was printed.  The receiving po is supposed to scan this number as well so the delivery shows.  Rarely does this happen either!  In many cases you can have the received package in hand and punch in the number and all it will show is the lbel printing.  Thus it is not reliable!  Should you want true Delcon, we recommend purchasing it. 

This is up to the purchaser.   Not only is the post office human, they use a large number of machines to process the mail increasing the chances of ate, lost or damaged/ machine caught mail.  As we all know, anything can happen (although rare).   It is for this reason that we highly recommend it.  Once an item leaves our hands it is up to the carrier.  We can not be responsible for any order not shipped insured. Should an item become lost or damaged and not insured, we will provide proof of shipping (upon request) but will not be responsible for items once they are shipped.

If you purchased online you should get an email response from PayPal stating we received it (the subject usually is "Receipt for Your Payment to Modern Motorsports").  If you don't get that within 1 day (usually it's pretty instantaneous), or it doesn't say to "Modern Motorsports" (ie some email or other name) then be sure to check with us.  You should also get redirected back to a "Thank You" page from us once the purchase is complete.  We are currently working on an email system directly from us as well with expected ship dates.  This is still a few months out though.
If you snail mailed it, feel free to email or call us to check.

We have a constantly growing network of online vendors and Local Hobby Shops (LHS).  Check with your LHS to see if they carry our products.  If they don't, request them to!

Email us your snail mail addy and contact info.  We will be glad to get you out a dealer cat and terms and sample contract within 2 weeks. 

Physical Gift Certificates (ie received as door prize, etc.)you must redeem them  by mail. 
Virtual Gift Certificates (purchased on our website) can be redeemed during the checkout process..

Absolutely!  We ship worldwide. PayPal now has the ability to charge by country and we have our shopping cart set for that. If you are mailing a payment, please contact us first with your order so we can get you a shipping quote.

Absolutely not!  While we sympathize with some of the outrageous tariffs/duty charges that some countries charge, it is against the law to lie on a customs tag.  We cannot jeopardize our business (and possibly freedom from incarceration) to help you save a few pennies!  We declare all of our items as
"Merchandise"
description: "Model Car Parts" or "Model Car Decals" depending on the order
declared value as: the actual cost, in US Dollars, minus shipping costs.

When you place an order via our website it is processed by PayPal.  PayPal immediately processes your payment.  We have no control over it.  We don't even receive your credit card info.  This, unfortunately, even includes preorders.  It is not our choice to process this way, this is PayPals policy, not ours! 
When you mail or phone in an order, we have complete control over your order.  We don't process a card until the order is ready to ship.  If being charged before your order leaves is a problem for you then please, don't use the online shopping cart!  Mail or phone in the order.  You can email it as well to get it in que, but for your safety, we don't recommend emailing credit card info.
We have been looking for a new method of securely processing online payments, but at this time, nothing else quite suites our needs while being able to keep the cost down for you, the consumer.  We could do the online form method that many other hobby vendors are using, but this is not a secure, encrypted method.  While the chances of someone intercepting your information submitted in a form in cyberspace and using your credit card number is 1 in millions, that's still too risky for us.  We want our customers to feel safe when they make a payment with us!  We will continue to search, but at this time, PayPal is our only processing method.

The new shop location we recently moved into is not wired for a physical line.  For this reason, we do not have a physical phone number any longer.  Approximately 95% of our communication was done via email when we did have a line so the several hundred $$$ the phone company wanted to run the line was not justifiable at this time. If you have a question that you don't feel can be answered via email, please leave your phone number an email and when the best time is to get a hold of you and we will try to make arrangements to contact you.