I am wondering what the group's expereince has been with the purchase of equipment, particularly new locos and rolling stock from the internet auction sites like e-bay. The prices look pretty good, but I am wondering whether local hobby shops are competitive.
I use eBay to find those hard-to-find items (Kato Dash 9, Kato SD40, older Atlas). Sometimes what looks like a good deal on currently availably stuff actually ends up costing more than the list price after all the bids (cause everyone knows it's a deal) and you add in shipping. If it's something you've been looking for but can't find, by all means get it. Otherwise, I'd support your local shop - they might not be around if you don't. Just my opinion. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
I would agree. I just recently have bought a couple of engines and am bidding for a set of passenger cars. I am planning to use the auction sites for the hard to find items. Or I will bid other items but strictly stick to a price that I believe is a good deal. Otherwise I plan on supporting my local shop. I just wish they would start to carry more Canadian National rolling stock. Bry ------------------ Smile! It makes people wonder what you are up to.
It's been my experience that the auction sites are best for out of production and really hard to find items - esp things like books and railroadiana. I've ordered a couple of car (or won the auctions, or however you want to say it) but it's been my experience that the price on locos ends up going too high by the time it's over, at least for me. ------------------ Jenks - the REAL Big Blue
Tigerman, Here is a post from rec models in reagrds to your request. Something for everybody to be careful of. "Well, I've been using EBay for some time now and have heard several stories about people getting ripped off, lied to, cheated, etc.. But up until now I was seemingly immune. I went against my better judgement and paid $80 for a 60's era steam loco and it arrived today with so many things damaged that I can't even repair it. I'm going to make a USPS claim in the morning, but what a shame. The seller decided to display only the UNDAMAGED side of the loco on EBay. And tried to cover himself by declaring the item is being sold As-Is. The problem is that the item is not "as it was sold", because the moron used a single papertowel to pad the thing. That's just negligent. He seems to be one of those Hermit-Types that has an unlisted phone number, and almost total web anonymity. It's his loss - because I (for one) am NOT afraid to leave negative feedback." ------------------ Regards Paul Cassar-# Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
For the most part, I have been quite satisfied with my transactions on E-Bay. Once or twice the item I received did not fully live up to expectations, but never in a major way that would prompt a complaint or negative feedback. I do proceed cautiously. If an item does not have a picture, or the picture is lacking in detail, I am likely to skip it. If the picture is of poor quality, I take it as an indication of the seller's quality standards. If it is a seller I don't know, I check feedback. If I have a question about an item that interests me, I don't hesitate to email the seller. A reputable seller has no problem with giving out additional information. In all cases a cautious and educated buyer has a the best chance of closing a satisfactory deal. ------------------ Peirce Behrendt Southbury, CT peirce@ibm.net
I've had nothing but good luck on e-bay and knock on wood I havn't been burned yet. I have bought several new items and in some cases about $30 less than what my local hobby shop was asking for the same item. So for me the auctions have been great. Brian Tidaback Rock Island N-Scaler
Welcome Brian to trainboard you wouldn't be related to that other tidabeck that frequents the joint? ------------------ Regards Paul Cassar-# Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
tigerman; Most train folks at ebay seem to be straight "shooters". This based on selling off about 25 years (8 boxes) of stuff and buying about 100 items. About 1500+ transactions so far. The current retail stuff is to be avoided in many cases, BUT if you know prices deals are there. Was very pleased with an F&C LIRR kit retail $25, able to get at under $10 for example. Yes, there are the $8 Athearns, $20 Bev Bels, etc. But, sure is fun to get $10 Accurail undec at about $4.00 each, etc. Good hunting. SL
Tigerman I try to buy from my local hobby shop whenever possible. Maybe I pay a buck or two more, but I can check out the item before I buy it, and know that my local dealer will stand behind what they sell. About buying off the 'net. I have bought and sold on several different auction sites. N-Scale Auction (yes I am in N-Scale), eBay, and Yahoo! auctions to name a few. A couple of things to note. If you are buying, watch your prices on what you are bidding on. Some times the bids go over the RETAIL price for a common item that you get in a hobby shop. Don't forget that you will have to pay for shipping. A lot of buyers/sellers only ship by Express Mail. This is okay for a small and/or inexpensive item, but if the item is fragile or over $50.00 in value I want it shipped by UPS. Yes you can get ripped off on auction buys, but it is the exception not the rule. I would say 99% of the buyers/sellers on auction sites are completely honest. People might make a mistake on an item listed, but most will go out of their way to make sure everything is right. It all goes back to the old saying "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probly is!" ------------------ Let's Go Run Trains MARK
Thanks for the welcome Colonel. Yes Brent is a cousin of mine. The TrainBoard has been very helpful to me, And am always getting new ideas on my modeling from the other members. Brian Tidaback Rock Island N-Scaler
Tips to buying stuff off eBay: If it is available at your hobby shop, it is usually faster, easier, and cheaper to get it there. I have seen many reasonably cheap auctions double and triple in the last ten minutes of that auction. Gets me every time. Be prepared for the worst and bid wisely. When I bought my Mantuas, I knew before I bidded that they would both require some additional help from Mantua Support. After the restoration, the costs probably reflect the prices when they were first bought new. However, mine both cost significantly less than what they cost brand new today. And I am happy with them. Really big lots can sometimes hold great treasures, and other times be nothing but junk. Understand that these usually have varing degrees of quality, and usually need something such as motors, couplers, or trucks. I got both of my Mantuas from large lots, most of which I am now consider for partial liquidation. But I bought those lots for the engines, everthing else was additional goddies. Remember that 25.00 times 4 is 100.00!!! Know your numbers. Mantua numbered just about everything 4073. 866 and 703 are Bachmann. Also know the prices that the item sells for on a daily basis on the auction site. Then, if you don't like it, you haven't spent overly too much. Rare items are usually here. Also look in places like Toys:diecast: (matchbox or Hotwheels) for rare and out of print vehicles. Usually they are still in the card, and look very nice on layouts. I hate to say this, but don't bid early. Instead, sit down and think about that auction. If you can still justify getting it when it is near closing, then set a cap limit and sniper it at the last minute. Otherwise, bid early plan on losing it in the last day. And if you still want it then, you have lost money because someone else has raised your bid. Perhaps you could have had this situation reversed by waiting. If you lose an auction, it is not the end of the world!!! Consider it as a blessing from God and be thankful that you have saved your money. Something better just might come your way. And the hobbyshop will love your business. Don't hold me to this, I'm only relating the rules that I have set for myself. I haven't been burned, but then again, I have always known beforehand what I am buying, and how much damage it has or should have. [ 04 February 2001: Message edited by: Benny ]
I check eBay's N scale auctions several times a day and have bought about one item a month over the past year. Almost any of the internet hobby shops are cheaper that the final price bid on new items - unless you want only the one item, where the eBay seller is charging $2 to $4 for shipping and the hobby shop is charging $7. If I see something I might like at a ridiculously low price like .01 and I would buy at 15.00 I'll immediately bid 12.95. If someone outbids me by .50 I won't rebid until less than an hour before the expiration. If the bidding goes over 15.00 I just forget about it. If I think I'd like it if it's cheap enough, I put it on "watch" and don't bid until the last minute. I've gotten some real bargains, though. I "won" a Double truck Birney trolley with a Father Nature body (14.95) on a Bachmann Brill mechanism (32.00) for 6.50. Picked up a 35.00 pair of pantographs for 7.00 and a trolley pole at list price of 10.00. But, new Katos and old Micro-Trains, "forgeddaboudit"
I believe that I have gotten everything I paid for on Ebay (although I know I've overpaid several times just to win the bid) I find that the majority of the railroading community are honest folk and haven't had a problem as yet. Russ - The Hoffman Valley RR
