What Do Dealers Do With Returned Locomotives?

[Anonymous]

Over the years, I've seen locos in hobby shops advertised as new when it appeared that they may have been used. One dealer I know calls his returns "display models" but sells them as new. I know some of them have been run but he insists that they are new. What's your opinion? Have you ever wondered what dealers do with returned merchandise?

[3railguy]

It depends on the dealer. Some have been proven to be straight shooters while others have proven to be a tad shady. Sometimes they get trade ins with very little run time. So little they try to pass off the engine as "test run".

[Anonymous]

It seems that many dealers will call a previously run loco a shelf model and charge full price for it , but if bring back a loco that has any wear marks on the wheels call it used and will not accept it.
If you want to get the wheels nice and clean, use acetone and then birchwood casey's super blue for steel . They will be new, just put a dab of oil on them so they don;t show any rust. Also for the black marks on the rollers from running on black center rail, use birchwood casey;s blueing remover.
Presto the loco is now new again. I did this in some stores awhile back. Especially pre and post war stuff the dealers wanted to sell as mint.
Yes I know shame on me, but I was able to make some money and buy for wholesale back then. NO I do not do it any more.
Dave.

[mersenne6]

Rumor has it they dump them on the continental shelf to aid in the formation of artifical reefs. [:)]

[Anonymous]

I witnessed a dealer who was appraising a loco from an older couple who were cleaning out their basement. He offered them about $25 to take it off their hands. I came back a month later and he had it on the shelf for $300!!(the engine was still dirty). He may have lubed it and ran it, but that's a big markup!