First off let me say I'm not soliciting sales, I'm just looking for information. For now. As my train inventory grows, there are the inevitable items that I just don't run, or really don't fit into the equation like I thought they might. And then there are the items that were bought as "display pieces" that I just don't display. Also, as I buy the things that I really do want and fit into my scheme of things, it would lessen the burden and guilt of an expensive "collection". So for some time now, I have been thinking of selling off some items that I know I won't use as much. I have an account on ebay that I have used strictly for buying. Some people talk about thinning their collections through their clubs (of which I don't have one), and then there is the "yellow board" here. That seems fairly appealing if it works, because then you are dealing with folks you know. Well, almost. Where do you all go to sell your items? What do you prefer? Just so you know, I wouldn't be selling junk. In N scale it would be things that I just don't run, some brand new that were only track tested. Perhaps some Pre-war Lionel things as well. The thing is, I am pretty busy with my "real life" and am looking for a way that is pretty painless. Thanks for any feedback.
I've been thinking along those same lines. After many years in Nscale, a person does accumulate a lot of items which are no longer necessary, or "fit in". I've used eBay in the past and have had excellent results. I think the reason being just the volume of people who see the items. You could try a one-two approach. First list the items here, and for those which don't sell, put them on eBay. Good luck.
First I usually go to the yellow forum here so I can give fellow members the opportunity to buy and also it is free which is a bonus, then i sell on ebay
I used to sell on Ebay, but it took a lot of attention. On ebay, You had a certain time that the auction closed, some buyers demanded PayPal, or other services, feedback hassles, etc. At least it seemed like a hassle to me. I like to post on the Yellow Forum. Very relaxed and open. Guys will email you with questions. You arrive at an amicable agreement and off you go. No deadlines. I am not demanding top dollar for my items and I do not make a living from selling trains. It is much more suitable to me. I also purchase from Yellow Board.
Flash, I agree with this wholeheartedly. I'm not looking to make top dollar, just a few dollars and for someone I know will enjoy them. And I'd really rather not go through the hassle of listings and the whole "bay" thing. I guess the one drawback will be with the Pre-war stuff. I could be wrong, but that crowd doesn't seem too big around these parts. Maybe the hobby shop is a good idea for that. Well, that sounds good. I'll give the yellow forum a shot. I guess it's time to do a little house cleaning.
I'll definitely be looking- especially if there is any HO stuff. BTW, HO is kinda hard to find on the Yellow Board. Wonder if my fellow HOmeboys are stingy ....
Mike, that sounds good. I do have a question about the protcol though. What do you guys do? Take bids, or set a price and first come, first served?
I set a price but always mention that I'll take offers (like my current "ad") - but I like to haggle, thats just me. Most, I'm guessing would take some type of counter-offer as long as it's legit. Asking for trades is also OK - in case you're looking for other roadnames
I've found ebay good for some things and not for others. Kato items almost always sell very well. OTOH: the Micro-trains market is bloated. The only way I've been able to sell MT's is to combine them into logical groupings of six to eight items (similar road, era, etc.) and list them at least 50% off sticker price. The collector community may not understand this yet, but these things just aren't what they used to be. That said, I probably have about 50 - 100 MT's I should thin out, but I just don't think the market is there. I may have to sell them at a significant loss just to get rid of them. You only need so many trains (blasphemous statement??).
e-Bay is just too much work for me. I'll buy occasionally, but I've never even thought of selling. I just don't want the hassles of dealing with buyers who don't know what "as is" means. I have traded in some unused brand new stuff for store credit. I gave away a ton of good stuff last year to a charitable organization, and took a tax write-off. This appealed to me because I just loaded up a box (after taking inventory) and got rid of it all at once. But now I'm down to the junk. I know one man's junk is another's treasure, so I'm still deciding what to do.
Over the past year and more, I've sold off some N engines and freight cars through our Yellow Forum. Am happy to say that using this venue, all has gone quite nicely. Boxcab E50
Look at that... Ms. Dee Rayle sounds serious... "Hmm... whatcha got...? And do you accept bananas...?"
I'd use the yellow forum because there is no ending time, you have a set asking price, no fees, etc. I've sold items in both types of venues and I only use the auctions as a last resort.
I would also suggest the forum, over here the average price for a mtl car is $35! Makes it kinda expensive... whoppit
The yellow forum is the way to go. Can't beat it with anything out there--no hassles and you've usually at least heard of the person interested and we're all intrested in trains. I think there's too much hassle with auctions.
