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Why I like ebay

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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 11:44 AM

Well, I hope you don't leave.  Just try to ignore that other stuff.  That's what I try to do.

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 11:51 AM

PRR8259
I've actually asked to be removed in the past and they refused or couldn't do that within the limitations of the site, and actually urged me to stay.

Well, I am not a moderator, but I am going to ask that you stay.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by AEP528 on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 11:54 AM

I have suggested multiple times that people on this forum just stick to modelling. Instead, because so many people here "don't do social media" this forum continues to exhibit the worst of Facebook behaviors, and those people cannot recognize it as such.

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Posted by John-NYBW on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 12:56 PM

I see nothing wrong when posters express differing opinions about anything related to model railroading but I don't see any reason why people need to resort to ad hominem attack. It has no place on a forum like this. I think the outburst against Sheldon was way out of line. 

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 1:01 PM

John-NYBW

I see nothing wrong when posters express differing opinions about anything related to model railroading but I don't see any reason why people need to resort to ad hominem attack. It has no place on a forum like this. I think the outburst against Sheldon was way out of line. 

 

I agree. I see nothing uncivil about Sheldon's posts.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 6:16 PM

Sorry for the late response, I was working.

In 15 plus years on here I have taken a lot of criticism because I will not sell all my "foobie" (a term I hate by the way) equipment and buy ALL rivet perfect $50 freight cars. Fact is the $50 freight car manufacturers don't make models of 2/3rds of the models necessary to model my era and theme.

Or because I still use DC, or because I don't like sound.

Or because I like my "selectively compressed" passenger cars.

Or because I won't use foam, or because I still use plaster on wire screen.

Or whatever.....

And after all this time there are still a half dozen people who will remind me how "bad" these choices are whenever they can.

What they fail to realize is two things:

I respect their right to their opinion, but it will not change my mind.

And, my self esteem is not invested in their opinion of me or my modeling choices.

I have preferences and opinions after 55 years at this. I understand others will disagree.

When you put your personal views, ideas and behaviors on the public forum, others will have opinions. I expect that.

Apparently others do not.

PRR8259 (John) has a long history of telling WAY too much of his personal business on here and then being offended when someone (not just me, but often me) suggests that he might be the cause of his own problems, which he seems to have with every model he buys?

I'm not being critical of him as much as I am saying I simply don't understand him.

I know most of you just keep quiet, but does it stike anyone else as strange that he is already selling models that he just talked about buying a few months ago?

I do hope he has fun at whatever he is doing, but I don't get it.

While I'm at it, some things are opinion, and some things are fact. And yes, I have a hard time letting incorrect facts stand unchallenged - Like DC engines cannot be run MU'd together, or DC layouts always have "block toggles that need flipping", or DC layouts trap you at a control panel, or my favorite, DC engines need to be rewired to run "back to back".

About most of the choices in this hobby I have said for years that your goals drive the best choices for you - let me be clear, I'm VERY stuck in my ways as it relates to me and my layout - BUT I am not trying to convert anyone.

Sure, if you ask "how can I control a turnout from more than one location", I will tell you how I do it and why. It's just one option.

There was a guy on here years ago who actually told me I should not be allowed to talk about DC control at all because I was undermining the conversion of the whole hobby to DCC. It must have worked (sarcasm), since all anecdotal evidence suggests only about 60% of modelers are using DCC...... our hosts banned him.....  

I stayed away from here a number of times for various reasons, might be time for me to take a break too.

My layout is progressing, a little faster now, when I'm ready, I will post the progress.

Sheldon 

 

 

    

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 6:31 PM

AEP528

I have suggested multiple times that people on this forum just stick to modelling. Instead, because so many people here "don't do social media" this forum continues to exhibit the worst of Facebook behaviors, and those people cannot recognize it as such.

 

I really don't like the "veiled" hint thing, say what you mean?

While I spend time on a few facebook groups, I purposely don't do the general "social media" thing, so I don't know what you are talking about - assuming you are referring to me.

So what part of "modeling" is relevant - I thought that was what we were talking about, in this case our modeling choices and how we obtain the items we want?

Maybe we all need to just sing "kumbaya" rather than have opinions or ideas.

Sheldon 

    

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Posted by Doughless on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 9:46 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
I know most of you just keep quiet, but does it stike anyone else as strange that he is already selling models that he just talked about buying a few months ago?

Yes.  There was a comment that spoke of selling things to downsize and focus on a new smaller layout in a new house in the future, then mentioning buying a brand new GP9  and a Gevo, two locos that seem to not fit with any focus I can think of.

I'm not judging because I assume there is more to the story, and I'm not interested in the knowing more either, but yes, I kind of lost track of the point after that.  

- Douglas

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Posted by Doughless on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 9:55 PM

The thread itself is not really about modeling, its about convenience of buying or changing out a roster when/if you change focus.  So these kinds of conversations tend to wander.

I have a job that can get confrontational at times, so comments on a forum don't ever bother me much or don't last long if they do.

One thing I notice is that sometimes members can not seem to easily divorce how they approach the hobby from how they approach life itself.  Ideologies that drive other decisions in life drive their approach to the hobby.  So a comment about a different approach to the hobby might seem like a personal comment about life.  Its then taken more personally than maybe the writer intended.  

 

 

- Douglas

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  • From: Miles City, Montana
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Posted by FRRYKid on Thursday, January 5, 2023 2:52 AM

I have found many good things on eBay. Many weren't trains. As I don't have a close hobby shop, eBay is how I find most of my train stuff. (I do get items from other places as well.)

One of the more recent finds was dynamic brake hatches for Mantua/Tyco GP20s. They were listed as being for a different company, but I knew what they looked like. (Having bashed many Tyco/Mantus shells for my layout helps.) They are a rare duck and I needed one for an upcoming project. They were a good price and I bought one.

I have also surprises along the way as well. I bought an NP combo door boxcar that was listed as an Accurail car. Ended up completely redoing the lettering as it was too old for my era. (No big thing. When one protolances, equipment needs to be painted and lettered frequently.) I took the car to a show when models were displayed as was informed that it was a McKean car.

I am not above redoing a car if the sills should be solid but they're notched. If it's not an industrial headache I'll change car doors or trucks to match a prototype. (e.g. an Atlas CBQ caboose where the prototype had solid bearing trucks but the model cam with roller bearing.) It is just a matter of how detailed we want to be with our hobby.

I am one of those people that still use DC. I have too many engines to try to convert all of them to DCC. (30+ at last count and I have two that I was given renumbered after a merger, two more that are in the paint shop, two that need number boards changed and anotherk that is a kitbash that is in a few pieces at the moment.)

"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by Metro Red Line on Thursday, January 5, 2023 5:53 AM

eBay is a great resource to find rare/discontinued items, new old stock, lots/collections/curated groupings of trains and assembled structures.

However, it is not a hobby shop.

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Posted by John-NYBW on Thursday, January 5, 2023 9:13 AM

Metro Red Line

eBay is a great resource to find rare/discontinued items, new old stock, lots/collections/curated groupings of trains and assembled structures.

However, it is not a hobby shop.

 

ebay is a collection of hobby shops as well as sellers of individual items. I found out last year my LHS has an e-store on ebay. I'm guessing many/most hobby shops do as well. Those that don't are losing out. 

I don't buy from my LHS on ebay because I don't want to pay shipping costs. It's cheaper if I just stop there when I'm in town on other business.  

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Posted by AEP528 on Thursday, January 5, 2023 9:55 AM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

 

 
AEP528

I have suggested multiple times that people on this forum just stick to modelling. Instead, because so many people here "don't do social media" this forum continues to exhibit the worst of Facebook behaviors, and those people cannot recognize it as such.

 

 

 

I really don't like the "veiled" hint thing, say what you mean?

While I spend time on a few facebook groups, I purposely don't do the general "social media" thing, so I don't know what you are talking about - assuming you are referring to me.

So what part of "modeling" is relevant - I thought that was what we were talking about, in this case our modeling choices and how we obtain the items we want?

Maybe we all need to just sing "kumbaya" rather than have opinions or ideas.

Sheldon 

 

Repeated posting with intolerant and judgemental comments. Here's an example:

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

Whatever John,

That whole post is a perfect example of the behavior I mean. Starts with a dismissive greeting, then delves into a whole litany of intolerance and judgement.

AS an aside. frequent posting about one's self on soical media often makes it appear that that person is trying to justify their decisions to themself, not others. 

ATLANTIC CENTRAL

I know most of you just keep quiet, but does it stike anyone else as strange that he is already selling models that he just talked about buying a few months ago?

Why do you, and you alone, care enough to mention it? Why is it any of your business? Why do you think you are owed an explanation?

 

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, January 5, 2023 10:14 AM

AEP528

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL

 

 
AEP528

I have suggested multiple times that people on this forum just stick to modelling. Instead, because so many people here "don't do social media" this forum continues to exhibit the worst of Facebook behaviors, and those people cannot recognize it as such.

 

 

 

I really don't like the "veiled" hint thing, say what you mean?

While I spend time on a few facebook groups, I purposely don't do the general "social media" thing, so I don't know what you are talking about - assuming you are referring to me.

So what part of "modeling" is relevant - I thought that was what we were talking about, in this case our modeling choices and how we obtain the items we want?

Maybe we all need to just sing "kumbaya" rather than have opinions or ideas.

Sheldon 

 

 

 

Repeated posting with intolerant and judgemental comments. Here's an example:

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL

Whatever John,

 

 

That whole post is a perfect example of the behavior I mean. Starts with a dismissive greeting, then delves into a whole litany of intolerance and judgement.

AS an aside. frequent posting about one's self on soical media often makes it appear that that person is trying to justify their decisions to themself, not others. 

 

 
ATLANTIC CENTRAL

I know most of you just keep quiet, but does it stike anyone else as strange that he is already selling models that he just talked about buying a few months ago?

 

 

Why do you, and you alone, care enough to mention it? Why is it any of your business? Why do you think you are owed an explanation?

 

 

The problem here is that you do not know the very long history. And I'm not taking much time to fill you in.

He has always accused me of bullying my viewpoint, but he spent years demeaning most of the models that everyone on here buys as not being "good enough". But nobody is supposed to respond to that.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by csxns on Thursday, January 5, 2023 3:26 PM

I bought two Spring Mills Depot DODX flats one in B&O Chessie and a yellow Trailer Train hope I don't take any heat for buying them.

Russell

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, January 5, 2023 6:35 PM

csxns
I don't take any heat for buying them.

You won't receive any from me!

Those are nice models.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, January 6, 2023 11:50 AM

SeeYou190

 

 
csxns
I don't take any heat for buying them.

 

You won't receive any from me!

Those are nice models.

-Kevin

 

Yes they are.

Sheldon

    

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Posted by csxns on Friday, January 6, 2023 3:08 PM

I have five green DODX and two of the silver ones They are great wanted more but sold out so I got the TTX and the B&O.

Russell

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Posted by MidlandMike on Monday, January 9, 2023 9:49 PM

After a couple of sucessful buys of freight cars, I thought I would try my luck for a loco.  For years I have been waiting for Bachmann to come out with a C&S NG 2-8-0 in On30.  Despite their early C&S 2-6-0, they never came out with a 2-8-0, so I started looking for something close.  I found a D&RGW C-16 in On30 by Broadway Ltd on Ebay.  Rio Grande paralleled the C&S Highline between Leadville and Dillon, so I figured maybe some leased locos.

The website photo showed a more modern rebuild with rounded steam and sand domes, so I ordered it.  The site said there were 2 for sale.  I wondered if the 2nd one might have been one of the other variations of this model, but I thought I was worrying too much.  When it arrived yesterday, my fears were realized, as it was the older styled variation with flanged domes.

I emailed Ebay saying it was not the one displayed on their photo.  I requested that it would be exchanged for the one in their photo.  The seller replied that he now realized the variation difference, however, the one in the photo had since been sold.  Ebay approved a refund.  Nevertheless, my options for an On30 Colorado NG 2-8-0 were about nonexistant at this point.  Also the loco I received started to grow on me, so I decided to keep it.

The prototype loco still exists.  It sits on a bridge over the Gunnison River at Cimarron, CO, and is maintained by the National Park Service.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:D%26RGW_loco_278.jpg

 

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, January 13, 2023 7:32 PM

Doughless
If it was a Buy It Now listing with a list price of $599, the "make offer" button is used when the seller will accept an offer lower than list price.

This just happened today...

I ran across an etched brass 5 landing HO scale fire escape kit. The seller was asking $19.99 Buy It Now, OR Best Offer.

So... just for fun... I offered the seller $19.50 for the item.

He declined the offer!

If you will not even accept 2.5% below the asking price, why have a Best Offer option?

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, January 13, 2023 8:23 PM

SeeYou190

 

 
Doughless
If it was a Buy It Now listing with a list price of $599, the "make offer" button is used when the seller will accept an offer lower than list price.

 

This just happened today...

I ran across an etched brass 5 landing HO scale fire escape kit. The seller was asking $19.99 Buy It Now, OR Best Offer.

So... just for fun... I offered the seller $19.50 for the item.

He declined the offer!

If you will not even accept 2.5% below the asking price, why have a Best Offer option?

-Kevin

 

When I was selling tractor parts on Ebay, sometimes their software would try to steer you into using the "make offer" feature. They would "preclick" the box for you and if you did not notice it - quess what, you listing included that option.

From the seller end, Ebay has become more and more sleezy as time has marched on. That's why I am done with them as a seller.

Sheldon  

    

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, January 13, 2023 8:41 PM

ATLANTIC CENTRAL
Their software would try to steer you into using the "make offer" feature.

That sounds like a likely explanation.

I ended up paying $19.99 for the item. I wanted it.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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