Trains.com

Can I see your layout, the caller asked

3000 views
10 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 9:29 AM

jonadel

 

Total strangers but now friends.  Mr. & Mrs. Buckeye Yes Beer

 

PS -- I KNEW they were OK, they are from Ohio Bow

Lucky you got by with your life.  Surprise Wink

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 186 posts
Posted by railroaded on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 9:17 PM

I use local mall store parking lots for Craig's list, with a spot right in front of the public driveway entrance where there's people everywhere. My customers like the safe, public location, it's easy to find, and it's located closer to town. I don't use my home phone for contact, only the cell. I never meet after dark, & if the buyer seems off, gets pushy, or cancels, or gives me any stress what so ever, they're done. I'd rather donate something than put up with some whack job. I don't like to talk about my trains to many people, especially ones I don't know, & I don't like to mention when someone isn't going to be home, or on vacation, or whatever. 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:53 PM

Unless you have been vetted by one of the organizations I am a member of, or I know you... you are NOT getting in my house... Smith & Wesson gaurantee that.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:24 PM

Tommy thru a organization like that I probably would consider it,  but sorry have heard to many sad tales thru craiglist and other means as its just a case to case your place as they call it. Normally if i sell something on craigslist I meet them at a common known place like one of the local truck stops/ gas filling places where there is a lot of people.

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 143 posts
Posted by LittleTommy on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 7:41 PM

I wonder if you guys belong to any organizations like TTOS or TTCS or NASG.  Most of the organizations ask if you are willing to have home layout visits and allow you to opt in or out.  If there is a convention in town, why not let some of the attendees visit your layout? 

 I have met many wonderful folks through layout visits.  When I visit, I always get the contact information from the sponsoring organization and I always call ahead.  If anyone seems uncomfortable with the idea of a visit, I don't push it..   

Just my 2 cents,

Little Tommy

 

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Adel, Iowa
  • 2,292 posts
Posted by jonadel on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:35 PM

Sure, let 'em in!  We got a call a few years ago from a couple that wanted to see our layout and I said, why not?  Never met  'em before but they seemed OK, they did need a stop on their way west for a vacation.

They showed up right on time and loved seeing the layout, we even gave them some adult beverages and let them stay in our spare back bedroom.   We really had a good time, in fact I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I didn't even check the layout the next day to see if anything had been "lifted", it was all good.

Total strangers but now friends.  Mr. & Mrs. Buckeye Yes Beer

 

PS -- I KNEW they were OK, they are from Ohio Bow

Jon

So many roads, so little time. 

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 4:46 PM

I agree I wouldn't let a pure starnger in my house. The only time I had someone come here to get something I offered on craigslist I met them out in the drive way with the tailgate to my truck being down and the items in the back of my truck.

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

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Southington, CT
  • 1,326 posts
Posted by DMUinCT on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:41 AM

The last thing you should want to do, is to show strangers the thousands of dollars you invested in trains, as well as everything else you own in your home.

Even when I run my outdoor "G" gauge trains, I play down the value.

Don U. TCA 73-5735

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1,340 posts
Posted by Seayakbill on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:31 AM

Now, others may disagree with me and that is fine.  But, that is just the way it is.

Rich

 

Nope, I would never let someone into my house that was unknown, especially if he was directed to your house through an internet selling site like Craigs List. Currently in Ohio we have a case going to trial where 2 guys were advertising on Criags List for yard help. When the 3 poor soles arrived they were robbed and murdered.

Bill T.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:17 AM

You are absolutely correct. 

Unless I know a person well, there is no way that I would take someone down to see my layout. 

This would be especially true with someone coming by to pick up an item purchased on Craigslist or eBay or whatever.

Even if you have no reason to doubt that person's honesty or integrity, bringing a stranger into your home, spending time observing or running the layout, I don't think so.

Now, others may disagree with me and that is fine.  But, that is just the way it is.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: St. Paul, Minnesota
  • 2,116 posts
Can I see your layout, the caller asked
Posted by Boyd on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 1:39 AM

About 2-4 years ago I drove about 15 miles to buy some used Fastrac listed on Craigslist. The house was out in the country, the seller met me at  the door and stated he was changing his layout over to a different type of track. He seemed like a nice guy. I asked if I could see the layout. He replied kindly with a no as its taken apart right now.

1 year ago I myself had some non train stuff for sale on Craigslist and got into a conversation with a person coming to buy something. Out of the conversation came out that I had a Lionel train layout. The caller said, oh I can bring my son and we can have a look at the layout. I said no, half of it is covered with papers and my mom would be upset if someone came in to see her mess. The caller pushed and said your mess doesn't matter. I replied with, it would matter to my mom. And I didn't let him in to see the layout. There at that point I knew how the person in the first paragraph felt when I asked him if I could see his layout. He didn't know me from Adam,,,, and being a train nut doesn't necessarily make a person honest or trustworthy.

Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month