eBay alternatives....

[phrankenstign]

The search directions don't appear to eliminate anything other than price, location, and condition.  It's a drag sifting through totally unrelated things as shown in my example.  K-Line isn't the same as Klein, but I couldn't eliminate it.  That's why I kept getting Calvin Klein products.  I tried eliminating Calvin by using "-Calvin", but instead Facebook added it to the search.  I doubt I'll be searching the Facebook Marketplace anymore.

Joining a bunch of picky sellers in a group is not my idea of fun.  As a picky buyer, I choose NOT to pick picky sellers to buy from.

I'm going to stick to buying direct from on-line stores and ebay listings.

[BigAl 956]

phrankenstign

I couldn't narrow down my searches.  I looked for "K-Line"

There are search directions in the facebook help pages. A better option is join a Facebook Lionel Buy/Sell group and search in there for calvin. You can also post a 'lookig for' in the group and a member will contact you if they have. I typed Lionel Calvin into a general marketplace search and came up with Kalvin Klein. So probably no matches there. Make sure you join the right group. I know the Lionel postwar group is very picky and will bounce modern era posts.

[phrankenstign]

I never tried using Facebook Marketplace until just moments ago due to your post.

I feel very stupid, because I couldn't narrow down my searches.  I looked for "K-Line" -Calvin and I got K-Line AND Calvin (and Klein).  Are there directions on how to narrow down searches?

[BigAl 956]

Trainzauctions.com used to allow you to sell. I tried a few times with no success and that site is now defunct.

There is ChooChooAuctions, never used them but they are still advertising in CTT.

I am selling more and more through Facebook buy/sell groups. Facebook charges no fees. I only accept Paypal 'goods and services' payments for protection. If a buyer has a registered mail address then you can ship directly from the PayPal payment reccord. I also signed up with Shippo for discounted UPS and USPS shipping rates. 

[emdmike]

Ebays new fees and requirements like direct access to a bank checking account has driven many of the smaller folks away, especially the guys just downsizing their collection.   I have seen a huge uptick in trains for sale in other venues like fb marketplace, and so forth.  We just had our first inperson local train show since Covid shut everything down.  It sold out fast table wise, had to be enlarged to 2.5 buildings and they even had tables in the parking lot due to the nice weather.  Everything was priced reasonable and seen lots of full bags and arm loads being carried out by attendees.  I splurged on G scale at this show.  My Lionel desires really dont kick in till the late summer/fall.    Mike the Aspie

[Bob Keller]

Now I've bought quite a few locos from choochoo auctions, was a tad disappointed they moved to eBay (per their newsletter due to internet sales taxes which I guess, eBay administers And distributes.

 

 

[Bob Keller]

I've bought quite a few trains from TrainZ but on eBay.

 

[smokey1]

That's about all any dealer is going to give you.

Trainz use to have their own auction site but closed it down right about the time the virus set in. At that time you could list on their site items you wanted to sell. 

Train city/Choochooauctions use to let you list on their auction site but some would see them selling an item for x amount and would list their about a dollar or two less, so they stop letting you list on their site, at present their site is empty as there doing a new site, they have link thou to there items on eBay. 

 

[phrankenstign]

Wow!  What a deal!

[smokey1]

Michael6268

Trainz.com

Trainz.com does not allow you to sell on their site, they will buy from you for about $0.25 to the $1 

 

[phrankenstign]

Hoffman

.....I am reading about more and more people who "don't use eBay anymore" because of fees, etc. ......

Paul

I have been using ebay to buy trains and accessories for years, and I've never had any bad experiences.  (I've bought over 1800 items through ebay.)  Many of the people who complain about ebay, do so because they neglect doing their due diligence:

• Read the description and examine all of the pictures, if any, closely.

• Never assume anything not pictured is included unless specifically stated.

• Adapters
• Cords/Cables
• Accessories
• Batteries

• If you don't see something you think should be included, ask about it.

• If its condition is important to you, ask.

• Sometimes the item being sold is shown in pics with other items.

• Don't assume those other items are included unless the description states they are.

• An item described as being in "Mint" condition only means the item itself is in "Mint" condition.

• It doesn't mean the box is included.

• If the box is important to you, ask if it's included.
• If the condition of the box is important to you, ask its condition.

• It doesn't mean all of the paperwork is included.

• If the paperwork is important to you, ask if it's included.
• If the condition of the paperwork is important to you, ask its condition.

• It doesn't mean it's this year's model.

• Some items have been reissued many times.

• Some features may be included in only certain years.
• If the model year is important to you, ask what year it was produced.

• It doesn't mean it has all of the options available.

• If you are looking for an option that isn't listed, ask if it's included.
• Never assume an item has all the options available.

• Make sure you know what the cost of shipping is going to be.

• Some sellers have a flat fee.
• Some sellers offer different types of shipping each with appropriate costs.
• Some sellers charge exhorbitant amounts
• If the cost isn't stated, ask what it will cost to your specific zip code.
• Most sellers include handling as part of their shipping cost.
• Some sellers add a separate handling charge.

• Know of any extra fees to be assessed when buying from a seller from a foreign country.

• Export/Import duties may apply.
• Special taxes may apply.

• Only bid once you're sure you know exactly what is included in the auction, the cost of shipping AND handling to your zip code, and any extra fees/taxes imposed.

• If the item you receive is different than what was described, you can request a refund.

• If the seller made a mistake, most sellers will try to fix the problem or refund your money.

• ebay will reimburse you, if the seller is unscrupulous and ignores you.

• If you win, make sure you are a good customer.

• You expect good service from the seller.  You have the responsibility of being a good customer by paying promptly.
• Give honest feedback once you receive the item.

ebay doesn't really have any buyer's fees.  However there are some auction sites that do.  Some charge "Buyer's Premium" fees which can be an additional, considerably high, extra charge.  Not only that, but some don't offer shipping.  One must either pick up the item or pay a third party an undisclosed amount to pick it up and ship it to you.  Some of those same sites charge a storage fee per day, if the item is not picked up within a certain time constraint.

I believe most people who buy through ebay are very happy with their purchases.  There are few unscrupulous sellers, but they are out there.  ebay protects buyers from those few through their policies.

I've sold less than 30 items, so I'm not very experienced as a seller.  I didn't have any bad experiences with any buyers, so I can't really say anything bad about selling on ebay.  I did make sure I knew what the listing and selling fees would be before offering my items.  There are many different options for bringing attention to your item each with its own additional cost, and they are all listed clearly.  However none are mandatory.  Just as one wouldn't advertise an old, used car on billboards all over town, one shouldn't waste money on bells and whistles for low cost item auction ads.  If anyone is surprised by any unexpected charges, then I would tend to believe they just didn't read the fee structure completely.  For new sellers, I'd advise selling something inexpensive to start off with.  Once the item is sold, assess the profit made after paying ebay's fees.  If they are acceptable, then continue.  Otherwise, don't.  From time to time ebay offers deals like free listings.  I advise people to take advantage of those times to maximize their profits.


BOTTOM LINE: Buyers should do their due diligence also.  They should carefully go over ebay's price structures and also take advantage of ebay's special deals.

[Michael6268]

Trainz.com

[smokey1]

There are two other train forums I know of that allow buy/sell/trade. There are a few different groups on FB that are sale sites just for trains.

"Lionel Prewar Postwar buy-sell-rant and rave"

"EVERYTHING IN TRAINS FOR SALE RANT AND RAVE 2"

is just a couple on FB

[Hoffman]

Hello All!

As I've read through postings in all sort of forums I am reading about more and more people who "don't use eBay anymore" because of fees, etc.

My question is - what are they using instead?  If there's another online train market of significance I'd like to check it out.  Right now I watch eBay, FB Marketplace and Etsy for train stuff - what am I missing?

Thank you!

Paul