Order FAQ

Other helpful FAQs: RBP software FAQ, board game FAQ, gift FAQ | detailed RBP install instructions


Orders / Shipments
Q. How do I place an order? A. You can order online and via mail. To pay with a credit/debit card, use Paypal (you do not need to join Paypal).
Q. What are the prices? A. You can find those on the software order form, as well as if you use the RailGameFans Shopping Cart.
Q. Can I pay with Paypal? A. Yes, Paypal represents a shift to automation gamers have requested: use the RailGameFans Shopping Cart at our site. Do not use Paypal for gift orders, the Ambassador CD, or board game components.
Q. Can I order via email or phone? A. Not any longer: by gamer request, ordering methods have been consolidated as described above. Orders via phone can no longer be processed, so voice mail messages for such will not be returned.
Q. The shopping cart isn't working for me. A. The RailGameFans shopping cart is operated by Paypal who requires you to be able to use a secure Web connection (https). Most shopping cart problems can be resolved by retrying with a different or newer browser. If you are unable to get the cart working Paypal recommends you contact them directly either via https://www.paypal.com/contactus or telephone at 888-221-1161. Alternatively, you can order from us via mail.
Q. How much is the shipping/handling fee? A. You qualify for free shipping of software sent to you via email/download. Such shipping is assumed unless you include the S/H fee that applies to CDs and board games: $8 to USA addresses, $10 elsewhere. The Ambassador CD is a physical item so cannot be sent via email or download.
Q. How can I avoid common errors on my order form? A. The most common mistake on orders is omitting RBP's pre-registration number; if you are not ordering a copy on CD, you should download and install your original RBP (or upgrade), get its pre-reg number from the game's Help menu of the device on which you want to use RBP, then include that number with your order.
Q. What happens if I omit my pre-registration number? A. Without the pre-registration number the game displays on your device (Help, Registration Numbers menu) we cannot look up and provide your proper activation passcode, and that causes delay. Pre-registration numbers begin with the letter P or Q. Unclaimed registrations expire after 30 days. The only common reason you would not be able to provide the pre-registration number when you order is because you have not downloaded and installed the game, and are instead ordering a copy of it on CD. If you order both RBP and RBPEdit note they have different pre-registration numbers so please tell us both.
Q. How do I tell you my pre-registration number(s)? A. At the Paypal Shopping Cart enter it in the box that is near the "Add to Cart" button, or if using conventional mail write it on the form. If you remember too late, email it to us.
Q. After registering, how do I get my activation passcode? A. Upon paying to register, run the trial copy of RBP on the device on which you want to play, use the program's Help, Registration Numbers pull-down menu, and send us the pre-registration number it displays. For fastest service, include this pre-registration number with your order. You have 30 days after paying to claim your passcode. We are unable to supply your passcode before you send us your pre-registration number.
Q. I have a question before ordering. A. All common questions are answered in our helpful FAQs like this one or the RBP software FAQ, board game FAQ, gift FAQ. For other questions you can email us. If you prefer live, interactive support via telephone, you can pre-pay for a Game Consultation.
Q. Which maps come with the SuperChief package? A. The alternate maps page has the details as well as a list of which maps come in which discounted packages.
Q. How much is the Ambassador CD? A. The Ambassador CD is our "all-in-one" package. This is sent on CD so be sure to add the shipping/handling fee. It can be ordered by mail only, not via Paypal.
Q. I want to register RBP and get it on CD. What is the lowest cost? A. If you want the items on CD, send your order by mail and include the shipping/handling fee as shown on our order form (usually $8). Within 30 days of receipt of an RBP CD, install the game onto the device on which you want to use it and send us the pre-registration number the game shows; we will reply with your activation passcode. If you register more than one device, we'll send you one CD per full-price registration.
Q. I want to register RBP on my second computer/laptop/tablet/phone. A. If you are currently a registered user, or are initially registering a copy at full price, you can order a secondary registration for the discounted fee of $20. Note that such non-full-price registrations do not qualify for a free recovery passcode.
Q. I paid for an Ambassador CD many years ago, still have the disc, and want to use it on my new device. A. You need not buy another Ambassador CD, you only need to pay for a secondary registration as described in the prior Question/Answer. Such a secondary registration will permit you to play the maps that came on your old Ambassador CD. Install the CD on your new device, or if it lacks a CD drive, perform these steps: 1) first use a device that does have such a drive, 2) copy the files of the Ambassador CD to something like a thumb drive, 3) copy those files from the thumb drive onto your new device in a new directory, such as C:\RBP. If you wish to also upgrade to the current RBP version (upgrades are free!), 4) download it from our site, 5) uncompress the download into the directory you employed in step 3. Finally run RBP.EXE on the new device and with your order for a secondary registration send the pre-registration number RBP shows.
Q. I got a new computer after discarding the old one with all my game stuff. A. As a registered user, you can register a new device at a discount: order a secondary registration for just $20. Note that non-full-price registrations do not qualify for a free recovery passcode. If you also need fresh copies of the maps for which you had paid in the past, for one $20 fee you can get the latest versions of all those maps: order a Map Refresh.
Q. Can I get RBP emailed to me? A. We do not send executable game software via email because many systems reject such attachments. To get executable software, download from these pages: RBP, and RBPEdit.
Q. Can I order print-your-own games online? A. All print-your-own games are available only when you order by mail.
Q. Do you sell copies of Avalon Hill's old board game? A. Sorry, no, that board game is long out of print. Your best source is probably eBay. We sell the new series of Rail Baron® brand board games.
Q. How do I get my activation passcode? A. Upon paying to register, run the trial copy of RBP (whichever version you want to register) on the device on which you want to play, use the program's Help, Registration Numbers pull-down menu, and send us the pre-registration number it displays. For fastest service, include this pre-registration number with your order. You have 30 days after paying to claim your passcode. We are unable to supply your passcode before you send us your pre-registration number.
Q. What about versions / upgrading? A. Upgrade to the current version and verify it operates as you wish before sending us the pre-registration number it displays on the device on which you want to use this registration. Do not change RBP versions between when you obtain the pre-registration number and when you enter the passcode we supply you. If you do by mistake, run the version of RBP from which you had obtained the pre-registration number you sent us and enter the passcode into it. If you used the automated upgrade, you will find the older version(s) of RBP.EXE renamed with a version number (such as RBP358.EXE) in the same directory as the current RBP. If you do not have the older version, you can order a secondary registration (discounted price, see an order form) for the current version.
Q. How long until I get my items? A. The quickest way is to send your order via Paypal; most such items are received within 24 hours. The slowest way is to send your order via conventional mail with payment via check or money order, and request your items be shipped via conventional mail; allow roughly 3 weeks to get your items.
Q. What is your return / refund policy? A. Returns for a refund (less shipping/handling and outside USA fee, if any) are permitted upon your request before your activation passcode is supplied; we must receive such refund request along with any associated physical items (such as CDs) within 30 days of processing your order. No refunds are permitted after your activation passcode has been sent. Prior to placing your order, we encourage you to take advantage of the software's free trial period to determine if it works acceptably for you.
Q. I ordered via Paypal but did not receive my items. A. If you did not receive the order receipt from Paypal, Paypal recommends you contact them directly either via https://www.paypal.com/contactus or telephone at 888-221-1161. Otherwise, if you are still missing an ordered item, that is because you have not downloaded/installed it. If you have trouble downloading, it is essential you email us directly and describe the issue. Avoid via Paypal instead challenging your order because Paypal does not forward your message to us, meaning we will be left unable to assist you. Kindly note free telephone support is not available, so voice messages will not be returned unless you have already paid for a live consultation. Many install problems can be solved via the RBP software FAQ.
Q. Oops, my check bounced or I did a chargeback/challenge. A. That invalidates your registration, but we can get you back on track if you pay via a postal money order any missing amount plus a $50 service fee to defray expenses. This also applies if you used Paypal and Paypal withholds or takes back all or any portion of your funds beyond their standard processing fee. If such happens, orders we receive from you before payment of the service fee as described above will not be processed. To help avoid this trouble if you have payment concerns, always contact us directly via email or mail rather than Paypal.
Q. Oops, I sent a payment other than as advised. A. Each such payment is likely to cause delays and is subject to a $20 service fee.
Q. Do you accept orders from outside the USA? A. Many companies won't sell to foreign customers because it is more expensive to do so (added complications, bank fees, etc.). We will accept orders from, or intended for use, outside the USA if you are willing to pay a 10% surcharge. For Paypal orders this fee is incorporated as a Shipping cost. This fee is non-refundable. Payments should be made in US dollars. You remain liable for any import duties of your country.
Q. What about my personal information? A. We ask your permission to save Your Personal Data, including name, addresses, telephone numbers, dates, payment information, and software data for the purpose of providing Items offered for sale at RailGameFans.com, and related services, to you. Do not order from us unless you agree that by ordering you are providing said permission. We may keep Your Personal Data for as long as Items are in regular use anywhere by anyone. Upon receipt of your request to do so we will delete Your Personal Data; such a request terminates your registration of the Items, and means 1) you will no longer be entitled to use software Items, 2) you must delete all your copies of any software Items, and 3) you will no longer be entitled to receive related services from us.

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Rail Baron is a registered trademark of Intersystem Concepts, Inc. RBP and the alternate maps are not products of The Avalon Hill Game Company or Hasbro.