TCA Sets Minimum Age Requirement

Way to try and get kids involved TCA

Does this mean every time a minor makes a purchase in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, they're entering into a contract which can be abrogated because the minor has not reached their majority?

Since this action was taken by the Executive Committee it was probably the need for an immediate fix. There are more logical ways for TCA to handle this situation and I hope that  they will do so at the upcoming National Convention.

Thanks Allan,

Was not aware of the Kids Club

Just sent for a  Membership for My Grandson Sammy

My grandson is a charter member of the kids club.

So where does this leave anyone under the age of 18 who is a member? I would think their might be a couple.

Whew!!  I was afraid they were imposing a forced retirement age and this old coot

would be booted out into the snow!  (seriously, in various publications, and over time,

I have read about how hard it was to get kids interested in trains since so few seem

to run...at least in this area where kids are too prone to forget about them at

crossings....and people are worried about their collections and disposition and the

loss of part of our history and heritage and who will carry it on...and that all of that

should be encouraged) This action is probably due to a legal hassle that will have to be worked around)

People under the age of 18 can join the TCA kids club.

Both of my sons were charter members of the Kids club.

They received free charter member boxcars.

Of more concern to me is the apparent board emphasis:

quote:

One of the primary aims of the Association is to foster and facilitate the buying and selling of toy, scale and model trains and related items.

It is just a cover your behind thing in this new world we live in.

Kinda like the disclaimer on the toaster " Do not use it while bathing"

Remember the McDonald s Coffee lawsuit.

I guess I never realized there wasn't an 18yo requirement already

So the "C" in TCA stands for "Commerce" not "Collectors"?  

That's what this sounded like to me too.  Obviously there is a common sense line somewhere.  Kids aren't going to be forbidden by PA law from buying their junk food and comic books.  So what is really going on here?

Thanks, Allan for posting the notice!

I'm no lawyer, but I think that a lot of it has to do with the fact that when you join the TCA, you are signing a contract agreeing to abide by the terms and rules of the TCA in exchange for benefits of membership.  Kids cannot legally sign such a contract in PA (at least not without some other kind of legal documentation, such as a legal emancipation of a minor), which is the reason for the change.  I think that PA doesn't afford straight-up commerce (purchasing of goods and services) the same level of consideration as a contract that requires a signature.

The TCA is just complying with the laws of PA here, nothing more, and nothing less.  The TCA Kids Club certainly provides for the involvement of kids, so it is not like anything is being lost here.

Andy

"One of the primary aims of the Association is to foster and facilitate the buying and selling of toy, scale and model trains and related items.   A stated age limit was deemed necessary because of the potential liability posed by transactions (which are contracts) that go awry."

Nary a word about belonging to the TCA being a contract; but explicitly states rule was promulgated becasue of sales transactions, which brings me back to my original question - is every transaction by a minor in PA a contract?

why does a PA law affect kids in, say, Kansas?

Is the museum the official headquarters of the association and as such subjects it to PA law?

- walt

Walt - it would affect a Kansas minor if he bought trains @ York, no?

When I was 15-16, I had a paper route.  I paid my manager each week by a check that I wrote out and signed.  No check required a co-signer.  I did have a parent's name on the account and on the check but I was the only one who ever wrote or signed them.  Checks are a classic example of a contract.  I was clearly making a contract.  Would it have held up if there had been a problem and had gone to court?  Who knows?  The checks all cleared and the manager got his money.  My point is simply that there are practical exceptions with contracts.

No in this particular instance TCA stands for "Try to Cover your @ss

Thats why it says 14 and up... same thing

David