The next time I attend a train show, be sure that I have a rough idea of what the price range is for that "Gee Whiz, Gotta Have" thingee. :tb-ooh: That way I won't get suckered in by "I'll Knock 20% Off The Sticker", and end up giving the swift-talking booth owner 15% MORE than MSRP, or about 30% more than some of our TB advertisers are charging for the SAME item! :tb-embarrassed: I was always told that a day when you don't learn something is a day wasted. I just wish that some of those lessons weren't so expensive....:tb-hissyfit:
Oops. The famous 'ouch factor.' Finding anyone who has not been there, should be difficult. We have all goofed at some time. Boxcab E50
Goof! My middle name. I'm one of those types and it makes me madder then a cat on a hot tin roof when I allow myself to be taken. One of the train shows I went to... within the last year. I bumped into a vendor I know well and enjoy visiting with. I've purchased a number of units from him... at sometimes questionable prices. I mentioned to him that his prices are higher for much of the older items then they were originally priced at. His response was, "Did the unit I sold you, run?". Well, yes it did. He went on to explain that he goes through each and everyone of the locomotives, testing, fixing, repairing and even dropping in a new motor if it needs it. Asking, "Is that not worth the price". Knowing him I'd have to say yes. Still we all need to approach the vendors Red over Yellow. Stop and think about what you are buying and who from. Next is it worth the price...to you? At that point proceed under yellow...cautiously, asking to track test the unit. I'm guessing, by now you know if it's a keeper. Red over Yellow.
At shows, I usually just buy stuff not usually available at my LHS or else old junkers for kitbash projects but only when being sold at kitbash prices. For example, I am not willing to pay ten bucks for a boxcar that I know will need new trucks and a coupler conversion unless it's something truly special and does not also need a re-paint.
There were a couple regulars at the swap meets in Portland that were known for the bad prices they set. The only thing I would look for was estate sale stuff or that one table with a guy unloading stuff he doesn't want anymore. That's the only way to get a deal. And don't go looking for "toy quality" stuff at all. They will be over priced beyond any reason.
I've heard that a man will pay $2 for a $1 item he wants, while a woman will pay $1 for a $2 item she doesn't want. Don't worry about it. It's a chromosome thing. Most of us here are genetically pre-destined to do this. But, we don't have a closet full of shoes.
It was a small item, money-wise, but that I allowed myself to be suckered in is what upset me. :tb-sad: Thanks for all your posts, they are reassuring....:tb-cool: Mr. B, we don't have a closet full of shoes, just Moguls, Consolidations, and a helluva lot of 40' cars.
I don't think you were suckered. You saw it, you wanted it, and now you own it! You got to spend some free time(IE not work time) at a train show AND you bought an item which was so 'gotta have it' that you paid a premium. Surely there is SOME satisfaction in owning the thing. Are you at least pleased with the item? If i want an item, the price i pay was worth getting it. Spilt milk if the guy makes a small margin. He can now buy a steak instead of a burger. Good for both parties.. :thumbs_up:
Been there and done that more time than I care to admit. Being a tech geek I live on my smartphone these days (dont really care about the phone part of it....but is sure is a handy mobile computer ). I keep a copy of my excel spreadsheet of my roster along with projected prices of wanted items. Or I will browse out to a few dealers webpages or check Ebay (not the best pricing) when at a flea market or train show. But even then sometimes I will pay MSRP or more a few times like if there is no signal in the building
I go to train shows armed with the Cardinal Rule of Shopping: Thou Shalt Not Pay Full Retail Price. I've walked away from quite a few items at train shows because of that rule, but I've scored some pretty good stuff as well- and none if it junk (toy-train level merchandise).
I don't get too bothered about the "full retail price" thing at shows. I don't go so much for the big-ticket items, but rather the detail parts. One dealer at our local Massachusetts shows, My Dad's Trains, has a huge wall of detail parts. If I find a propane tank casting from J.L. Innovative, or some chimneys or doors for a scratchbuilding project, I'll buy it. My own LHS doesn't stock much of this sort of thing, so I get to see and touch something and then go home with it, and it's still cheaper than buying on-line when you figure in shipping on small items. If I'm looking for some larger item, I'll "pre-shop" online and get prices, so I know when I've found a bargain.
I try to make a list of all large items I am looking for along with price on them, I also carry a walthers catalog in my napsack in case something catches my eye, Also carry a list of all books and magazines I have to keep from buying dups, these are all on excel spread sheets (can you say too much free time on my hands?) along with an inventory of all engines and rolling stock. The list helps when trying to barter with the booth people on the price.
