Frequently, there are scenery actions as well, like carnival rides. Looking diagonally across the table will then make one building appear to be four, increasing the apparent size and complexity of the scene. Ives gets to know his customers pretty well by telephone and correspondence. In explaining what kind of layout they want, some are very specific and some are vague. He makes an effort to elicit information, though, because he wants the results to be satisfying.
Customers are almost invariably adults buying for themselves.
Ives's constructions are utilitarian coffee tables as well as conversation pieces and not very suitable as toys for young children. A young child is probably better off with a standard model train. Then at a later stage, the older child might enjoy working with the intricate controls of an Ives piece. Customers also come from a surprisingly wide range of backgrounds, and about half of them are women. Most of these buy tables for themselves.