Thats because this is one of those RARE MTL misprints that got out the door. I heard a story about 5 GN 40ft boxcars that got out with either no number or a wrong number printed on the car. These are estimated somewhere around $1,500 last I heard. There is also a MTL UP gondola that made it out that had no lettering on the back side, just like the car in the link above. When MTL visited a hobby shop here in Seattle during PSX 2004 they were questioning how the car got into circulation. Apparently this car was 1 of 2 that made it past MTL quality control. So yes these cars are out there and they bring a pretty $$$$ to ones that can afford to have them. I for one, like others on here, can not afford to have something so rare in my collection. Ryan
eBay is simply not the right venue for a listing like the MTL production error. (Or, IMHO, any other especially rare errors either.) The N Scale Collector/Enthusiast is just about the only place it could sell. And then only to a small fraction of the members of that organization. And still probably not at a price of $3000. On the other hand, there are "errors" listed that aren't so-- for example, some years back MTL decided that if there was a misprint on an insert label, they did not recall and correct it, they just let it go. That means "they're all like that" and you don't have a rare error.
I think it would take a down harted collector to pay that for a car, I could easly pay the $3K for a car, however I just do not think that it will be worth that at least not to me. I have seen the Shell tank cars go for $500.00 for the 4-packs and I would not pay that either as have picked up several of the same at less that $100.00. Just a couple of weeks back a vendor had $30.00 and $32.00 as a start for bidding on indevidual Shell tankes which have and only on rare ocasions would pay $60.00 for one. Seems to me some of the vendors are dreaming when they post the starting / opening bid prices and then there are the vendors that list shipping at what I call elevated prices when they list a car with a low startin / opening bid price. These are just my thoughts and I know we all look at things differently.
When I post stuff on Ebay, I put the starting bid at the absolute lowest price I would take for the car. As far as the shipping, I always ship small flat rate box, in which I also say that in my listing. It errks me when people put a $0.99 starting bid and then the shipping is jacked up to $15-20 for one single car. I mean COME ON MAN! But I know what the seller is trying to do, they are hoping that someone sees the cheap opening bid price and fails to see the jacked up shipping, bids on the item only to then realize later that they have got hosed on the shipping price. But by that time it is too late. I avoid these seller schemes like the plague.
Look in ebay under seller, SundayNiagara for a bargain on 3 long out of print mint "N" Scale MTL cars. US shipping is cheap!
The price and shipping are low on this item, but what is it? The road name and reporting marks are covered in the photo. The Description states "WOW NEVER RUN" Listed as a "BUY NOW" with an estimated delivery between Wed. May. 1 and Thu. May. 2 Might be worth buying only because of the trucks or the grab bag effect.
When I see a very high shipping cost on an item I figure the seller is trying to rip off buyers and I won't bid on it, no matter how low the combined price is. If he's trying to deceive people with the low bid price but the high shipping cost I have no confidence he is not trying to deceive with the item description. Have fun, Mark
At least you look before you leap. It is amazing how many will just dive in and bid, then discover their oops.
Here's an example of high price and shipping. OK, it's a brass Daylight engine and passenger car set (but Kato just did the Daylight for a lot less than the $3000), but $56 shipping? And this is the last price reduction. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Last-price-...538807?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item20d1d7de77
How did this end up in the N scale/decals category? Looks like a 1to1 scale boat to me... http://www.ebay.com/itm/BAYLINER-175-/151034021659?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item232a54471b
3 Atlas Southern 'hoppers' (actually a gondola, a covered hopper and a hopper)...$1100.00 (but shipping is only $3.71)!!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/N-scale-mod...846384?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item257d0dccf0
\Ha ha. Also, lousy picture, poor description and they'll be puzzled why it does not sell. Maybe they need the money for those three Atlas "hoppers"?
Bachmann C&O 2-6-6-2 $686.32 (how did he come up with that price?). He only has 3 left but he does include free shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-Tr...132935?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item27c97cf047
Well, at least he offers 'discounted rates for bulk purchases' Maybe you could get all three of them for only $1800? Quite a deal... lmao. For that matter, can't remember ever seeing someone write C&O as 'C and O'. Very odd.
Once when I was listing on eBay, it would not allow me to use any characters except alphabet type and numerals in the item slug. It would not let me describe an item as 6". It had to be 6in. I wonder if eBay protocol would not accept an ampersand C&O...
I think this one takes the cake! If you are going to post an add selling a lot of N scale train cars, at least post a picture! http://www.ebay.com/itm/N-SCALE-TRA...l_RR_Trains&hash=item232a212de6#ht_307wt_1091