HOT DOG!!! I joined eBay yesterday and won my first bid this evening. I got a Life-Like SD 7 DCC equiped for $31.00, I have bids on two other diesels but they don't expire until May 30th and June 2nd. This makes up for the Life-like SD 7 that I sent in for repair.
Funny thing about Ebay: When you win it costs you money and if you lose it costs you nothing. I hope you got a good deal. I've burned myself on one or two occassions after paying shipping, taxes, exchange, handling charges ... It's so easy to get caught up in trying to 'win'. Just what I need another competitor on Ebay. Happy bidding.
Good bid, but dont get too caught up in the good deals. We thought everything was a good deal and ended up with way to many Dash 9s and tons of smoothside passenger sets. Pace yourself.
After I won the bid, the guy contacted me and said he had a twin to the SD 7 and would let me have it for the same price. I grabbed it.
That is one of the great things about E-bay. Nothing like getting 2 for 1, when you compare what you would have payed to the local pusher!
I don't even look at eBay very often anymore (much to my wife's relief). It seems that there isn't anything that I don't already have at least three of! If anything...I probably need to get busy and sell some more of my stuff, but it is so hard to part with my treasures!
I joined ebay a week ago, and have already made two purchases (non-railroad stuff, but much more expensive!). It is an amazing site, and bargains are to be had, but I suspect it can be addictive I am watching a few N scale items, and may try for them later in the sale. But I will pick a price which would please me, and NOT go over it The last few minutes and seconds of a sale in which you have the high bid can be tense! (But a lot of fun)
Sounds like you did well. I hope that when the product arrives at your home, it's what you expected. I have been successfully buying and selling on eBay for five years now. It's been a great asset to my hobby enjoyment. A hint or two for new Ebayers: Always check out the Feedback from previous buyers. This is a great tool for learning about how the seller is when working with their customers, shipping, etc. Always carefully read the description AND payment terms, then ask any questions BEFORE placing a bid. Know what you are willing to pay, and stick to it. Don't get "buck fever" and bid far beyond the reasonable value. Wait for another one. With millions of active eBay users, you stand a good chance of soon seeing another similar item to go after. I've noticed in the last six months or so, that some newer eBay users don't quite follow the protocols outlined when they sign on. Be sure to establish contact with, then get your payment started to the sellers ASAP. Good luck! BoxcabE50
Yes Sireee eBay is a great asset, I am finding all kinds of cool stuff. And I get rid of a lot of cool stuff too. It's a win-win with great sellers and buyers. Being very rural (closest Train Store is 125 miles away) ebay and the net(BLW) keep me going. I agree, the feedback scores are very important. Emailing questions is good too. Yes it can be addictive, I have to watch myself and not win too much. Too many good deals and I will go bankrupt!! I used to stress on winning, but now I've calmed down a little. I figure I'm bidding perfect when I win 2 out of 10 auctions I bid.
Ebay is especially good for picking up limited/out of production items. Just yesterday I won my 12th BN SD40-2. I'm not selling any of those babies for the world!
I used to win most of my auctions. It got expensive. I became a eBayaholic, I probably make 10 to 30 bids a week, I'm glad I don't win them all. I am learning to be patient and keep my bids low. Most items keep coming around again and again. I bid low and stick to it. If I get it, I get it at a low price or I don't get it at all. I've gotten things like... KATO undecorated NIB RS3 $31.00 Atlas undecorated NIB U25B $32.00 Atlas GN WDT NIB $5.00 1 used Atlas GN RS11 $24.00 3 used Atlas RS3s about 22.00 each 1 used Atlas RS3 for $12.00 1 used Atlas U25B for 20.00. The list goes on... Even at these prices I can still go bankrupt eBay is great
I agree, eBay is good for hard to find items... I just got a ATLAS GN GP30 NIB for $40.00... Sooner or later I am going to get a KATO SD45 in GN colors for under $55.00. Just a matter of time. Yeah Buddy! [ 28 May 2002, 03:37: Message edited by: ByronV ]
SO true! I just won a BN SD45on ebay for 56$ and a pair of SD40-2's in BN for 65$ apiece! I have bought somany thingson there, and sold so much, Ilove it and think I'm addicted at times.... I have done the bid wars, and my layout proves it... C-C autoracks are hot tickets, anytime. I spent $33 bucks on Chessie system 'rack.... OOps. I have gotten cool deals, tho. It's generally pretty safe. *knock on wood* Just watch the seller's shipping prices.. Some gouge badly.
No, upguy, I'm not going to buy any of your N scale, even if I am moving in down the canyon! I've got enough to keep me busy the way it is! Pat
I am generally neutral on ebay - I figured that 20% of my purchases have been disappointing. I have also gotten some great deals too and some hard to find items. I have been caught up in bidding wars - I think someone above called it "dollar fever", and paid more than I should have. My strategy is never bid more than what the bid price plus the sellers shipping costs added together would still be less thanwhat BLW would sell it for, otherwise I would just buy from a web dealer. I had one loser ship me a product diferent than what was pictured and he even admitted it - then tried to weasel out of the deal - I had to turn him in to ebay dispute resolution. But I have also dealt with some great people too that I will buy from again. One thing that is disturbing is that it seems like more people aren't listing the shipping charges - usually won't bid on these items- and I also avoid shipping charge gougers. I stay away from ones that go on and on in the descriptions about deadbeats and so forth. they obviously have little regard for their customers. I also avoid unexplained negative feedback as well. good luck and happy hunting [ 28 May 2002, 13:26: Message edited by: ajb ]
Ajb, you have made many right on observations. However, I have never been ripped off by a model railroader. I had one guy send me some dead computer memory once after they had withdrawn as an Ebay seller. Like Ebay advises, Caveat Emptor!!
Ebay can be a great place to buy model RR stuff, as long as you are conservative and are willing to lose a few. By keeping out of bidding wars and clever bidding, you can find some good deals. Here are a few of my Ebay victories: Kato SP SD45=$55.00 Medical Pulmonary Air Compressor (for airbrush)=$44.99 Bachmann DASH8-40CW=$14.99 MTL WSOR 50' Boxcar=$11.00 Life Like GP20=$26.00 Atlas BNSF DASH8-40B=$46.00 3 discontinued MTL Centerbeam Flatcars=$50.53 If you are married, you can mix in some bids on auctions for things your wife likes. While they may be fancy and frilly things that don't suit you, the harmony they can create allows you to make future bids on things you like. It also keeps you from having to sleep in the garage under your layout.
