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Semi restored Lionel purchase

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  • Member since
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Semi restored Lionel purchase
Posted by John Richardson on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:50 AM

Hi,

I just received a 726 and 2671W tender that I purchased from a collector thru Craigslist.  The pictures in the add were beautiful, so I immediately paid the $350.  Although, for the most part, I am pleased with the purchase, the tender shell is a reproduction and the frame must have been repainted, as I can see rust pits under the paint.  As I was admiring the loco I noticed that the 726 was white, and I thought it should be silver.  Further inspection looks like the entire shell has had a makeover.  It looks very nice and runs well, but I wish the seller would have told me this prior to purchase.  I was just wondering what others thought of this.  Once again, I am pleased, but I wish I had known this before the transaction.

John

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 2:33 PM

John,

They always looks better in the pictures.  Surprise   Bet we have all done something like this at least once. FleaBay and Craigslist can burn you. Bang Head  At least e-bay has buyer protection. I don't think that is the case on Craigslist.

 Glad you like it. That helps.

Kev.

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Penny Trains on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:09 PM

I've got buyer protection too.  I call it "NC"....No Cash!  Laugh

Broke Becky

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 9:11 PM

Craig's list has become what it took ebay about 5 years to clean up but in the end were paying for it with there high fees. Craig's list is a gamble now with that said don't think you really did that bad.

Not the proper tender to my knowledge but if its actually the 12 wheel tender of postwar period even with a repo shell brings a premium on the bay

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by cwburfle on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 4:30 AM

What Does "semi-restored" mean? Sorry, but in my opinion you are describing a repaint / restoration,  If you were expecting an original piece, you might try asking the seller if he will take if back.
Such is the danger of making a purchase without first examining the piece in person.
IMHO, Ebay really isn't much better.
This unfortunate incident illustrates one of the big advantages of belonging to the TCA. Provided both parties of a transaction are members, the TCA will provide mediation for an unsatisfactory transaction.

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 6:48 AM

cwburfle

What Does "semi-restored" mean? Sorry, but in my opinion you are describing a repaint / restoration,  If you were expecting an original piece, you might try asking the seller if he will take if back.
Such is the danger of making a purchase without first examining the piece in person.
IMHO, Ebay really isn't much better.
This unfortunate incident illustrates one of the big advantages of belonging to the TCA. Provided both parties of a transaction are members, the TCA will provide mediation for an unsatisfactory transaction.

So will ebay now and has for the past few years. Now don't take me wrong not a lover of ebay but just stating the facts. ebay is a lot better and safer than it was 5 years ago and ebay now guarantees you get what is advertise in condition advertise or your money back and original shipping fees so you may be out return shipping but thats it. Ebay has become one of the safest routes other than being there in person to do the transaction.  

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 8:11 AM

Craig's List and Ebay can be great or horrible.  They are just providing a place to list an item.  It all depends on the seller.  Some are honest and upfront about thier items, others just seem to care less as long as they get paid.

BTW,  I am on the same buyer protection as Becky after buying a winter vehicle through a similar venue.Sad

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Posted by John Richardson on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 12:21 PM

rtraincollector

"Not the proper tender to my knowledge but if its actually the 12 wheel tender of postwar period even with a repo shell brings a premium on the bay."

I already have a 2426W tender, and I was given the option of that or the 2671.  I figured that it would go well with a future 681.  I don't believe that the seller was trying to pull a fast one, as he was very prompt and polite with the sale, and we talked for quite some time on the phone.  This is just a gentle reminder for people to ask questions before they buy.  To be perfectly honest, it looks so nice I do believe I will do the same thing to my other 726.

John

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Posted by phillyreading on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 3:20 PM
I like to buy stuff on Choo Choo auctions; www.choochooauctions.com have bought some nice stuff and don't have to worry if works or not.
Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
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Posted by TRAINCAT on Thursday, April 19, 2012 4:05 PM

I had a bad experience with trying to buy off Craigslist as well as one good one. One guy told me what great steam engines he had and convinced me to drive 125 miles one way to see them. I asked for specific models and he said he had them.  I get there and he had only 4, 0-4-0 starter engines and a couple pieces of track. He said he sold them off the night before I got there but didn't bother to tell me when I called and told him I was coming. He was somewhat short of playing with a full deck and I doubt there ever were other engines. 250 miles for NOTHING!

There is a guy on the OGR forum who sells post war engines and claims " excellent condition". The truth is, he buys 2-3 of a model and puts the best parts on one for himself. Then, he assembles another out of the left over parts and sells them as excellent to mint. The man is a crook plain and simple. He got me good and refused to refund anything. He he got a few others I talked with too. If you cannot see an engine in person its buyer beware and that goes for anywhere.

Roger

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