Greenberg Show-Wilmington,Ma. Are some dealers too pricey?

[trainbrain]

The show is this weekend at the Shriner's Aud. I've been lots of times before and although I've got some goodies, it seems like the same dealers keep their high prices and really don't move much. Seems like a lot of work to lug it all in and then home again. I would think they would want to move the stuff by making it more appealing price-wise. I'm not sayin 'give it away but what kind of margin are they workin? Whadaya think?

[phillyreading]

Depends on the show but some guys may come from far away and have to stay in a motel overnight so that may explain some of the prices.  Also depends upon the show but the table rents are not cheap at major shows, around $30.00 a table and up!  

You might get better deals online on new equipment.

Lee F.

[jimhaleyscomet]

Some dealers stick to list at the show (and I just keep walking).  Others discount (especially "new" old stock) items that did not sell and for which they have a large inventory.  I make a list of items I want before I go to the show.  Then I check CTT adds to see how cheap they can be found on the internet.  Then when I find something at the show I know if it is a good deal or not.   Remember at the show you do not pay shipping and some dealers will "pay the sales tax" for you. 

Jim H

[riverrailfan]

The people with the best prices at these shows are the ones selling out to get out of the hobby. I've got some real good deals from these people. Some dealers use the price bible and they don't budge( this is why I don't have a lot of post war). Some dealers with stores sell NOS at cost or less just to move the stock. There is one dealer that sells brand new Lionel at rock bottom prices(PE set for $180 and $40 a piece for add on cars). Then there are guys that sell junk. I've seen some dealers have the same items month after month and not move anything. I listen to one dealer say he wasn't selling at shows any more but he would show up 2 hours late. As Jim said, You don't pay shipping. This is why I don't buy from Ebay that much. I can sometimes find the same item for the same price or less than Ebay and save $10 to $15 dollars in shipping.

[Jumijo]

I've been to the Wilmington show many times and will be there both days this weekend. Yeah, some of the dealers need a healthy dose of reality. Their prices are very high considering the condition of the items they are selling. I will be able to stroll down each isle and predict with uncanny accuracy who is selling what and for how much. I see the same guys peddling the same stuff show after show after show. If it were me, I'd want some cash flow for my troubles and lower prices.

Still, I do find deals and always enjoy myself at the Wilmington show.


Jim

[jimhaleyscomet]

One other thing..... Most reasonably priced used items will sell in the first hour of the show.  After that most items are either over priced or the dealer had a large stock of them. 

Jim H

[phillyreading]

I have been to many train shows and usually Lionel or MTH sells most of the time, Williams sells a bit, Atlas may sell, Weaver is a very slow seller at train shows, K-Line is a very slow seller if at all at shows.  Track usually sells good after the (Christmas & New Years) holidays, also I have seen it when no track sells at all.

Like Jim H. mentioned after two to three hours most people are lookers.

Lee F.

[Jumijo]

I've always been a looker.

[phillyreading]

Nothing wrong with looking but try unloading some green paper once in a while!  I usually try to get to a show early so I can get a few good bargains.

Lee F.

[Jumijo]

Nothing wrong with looking but try unloading some green paper once in a while!  I usually try to get to a show early so I can get a few good bargains.

Lee F.

You misunderstood. I mean I'm a great looking guy. A perfect 10!

[phillyreading]

Hey old bean you mis-understood too!  I meant for you to try buying some stuff instead of just looking around at train shows!    Or is this your Tomfoolery again?

Lee F.

[Jumijo]

Hey old bean you mis-understood too!  I meant for you to try buying some stuff instead of just looking around at train shows!    Or is this your Tomfoolery again?

Lee F.

I know what you meant. More Tomfoolery. Actually, I'm so ugly, I'd scare a buzzard off of a meat wagon. When I was a kid, my mom had to tie a pork chop around my neck so that the dog would play with me. My doctor once told me I was pretty sick. I asked him for a second opinion, and he said "allright, you're ugly too".

[phillyreading]

Hey old bean you mis-understood too!  I meant for you to try buying some stuff instead of just looking around at train shows!    Or is this your Tomfoolery again?

Lee F.

I know what you meant. More Tomfoolery. Actually, I'm so ugly, I'd scare a buzzard off of a meat wagon. When I was a kid, my mom had to tie a pork chop around my neck so that the dog would play with me. My doctor once told me I was pretty sick. I asked him for a second opinion, and he said "allright, you're ugly too".

Sounds like you are trying to quote Rodney Dangerfield the comedian!

Lee F.

[goodness]

I went to Wilmington on Saturday. Bought:

4 backgrounds @ $9.00 each (going price anywhere)

4 terminal blocks @ $10.00 (ok price)

Mini-Vacuume Cleaner tools to convert std vac for train use @ $10.00 ($10.65 @ MicroMark)

CAT boom loader @ $23.00 (ok price)

20 toy character figures @ $ .50 each (ok price but haven't seen these before)

1 Hot dog @ $ 2.00 (cheap and I was hungry) $ 7.00 admission

Tons of fun @ priceless ...there were some good deals I passed on as I didn't "need them"...there were some "over priced" vendors ....some "going rate" vendors...some "very reasonably priced" vendors ....an average show but I didn't knock myself out trying to find "deals" though. What I really like about shows is that you can find "different" stuff there that aren't in the shops or on-line. It is good to get out of the house and immerse yourself in a massive arena of toy trains. Fun to talk with people. For me it isn't just to "buy trains". What about for you?

Paul Goodness

 

 

[Jumijo]

I attended the show both days and had a blast. I told myself going in that I had just about everything I wanted, so I really wasn't looking to buy much at all. I did notice that there were a lot of higher quality post war locos for sale at this show. I was impressed (and quite tempted) by this fact. I hope it's a trend that continues. One guy had a sign "priced to sell", and he meant it. He sold a 2055 for $40 and a 2035 for $35! Then there was the same guy who always has average stuff with very high prices. If you've been to this show a few times, you know who I am talking about.

I had a great time. I just wish we didn't have to wait until March for the next one.

Jim

[mitchelr]

I attended the show both days and had a blast. I told myself going in that I had just about everything I wanted, so I really wasn't looking to buy much at all. I did notice that there were a lot of higher quality post war locos for sale at this show. I was impressed (and quite tempted) by this fact. I hope it's a trend that continues. One guy had a sign "priced to sell", and he meant it. He sold a 2055 for $40 and a 2035 for $35! Then there was the same guy who always has average stuff with very high prices. If you've been to this show a few times, you know who I am talking about.

I had a great time. I just wish we didn't have to wait until March for the next one.

Jim

Did you resist temptation????

[Jumijo]

I bought a $5 tender for my 2037 and a few issues of OGR for a buck each.