Why don't brass dealers post photo's??

[Anonymous]

It's been my experience that most brass dealers don't post photos of the models they have available, and I'm curious as to why. I can understand not posting photos of everything that a store stocks, but where brass is such a variable market and the smallest things can reduce values by hundreds of dollars, why aren't photos being posted?

I've visited Gunnings site and have requested info on models before and never recieved a response. Caboose Hobbies has most of thier stuff photographed, but a lot of it still isn't. Same at Mitchells...

I love Howard Zane's www.brasstrains.com site, but most of the stuff on there is out of my price range.

I'm just curious if there is a reason....thanks guys.

[tatans]

Wes, must agree about theses brass guys not posting photos, but remember, the guys buying these things will buy them sight-unseen, and generally don't seem to regard thre price, I must disagree with you about Howard Zanes site, he has a untited PFM 0-6-0 for $195, and a WSM 4-4-2 for $185 for example, I would doubt if the 3 names you mentioned will have anything in that price range, I found his site was the only place IN my price range(I'm not talking $1200.00)

[Anonymous]

Thanks tatans...I do know what you mean! Zane's site does have some really good deals. I model the Rio Grande, and he has a couple Key 4-8-4's for under $500 right now that I just can't bring myself to buy...for whatever reason the Grande steamers seem to hold every penny of thier value. He had an OLD PFM 4-8-4 that SOLD for $2700!!!!!

Yeah Howards site is definatly one of my favorite places to drool! [;)]

[twhite]

Wes--if I were looking for a Rio Grande 4-8-4, I'd stick with the Key models, which are MUCH less than PFM's, and actually better runners. I've got both the 1700 and 1800 series Northerns from Key, and they're smooth and sweet--great passenger locos. And I noticed on most of the brass boards that they're running in the $400 dollar range--which is about what I paid for mine at my LHS about seven years ago. AND--they'll take a 26" curve with no problem. Most of the PFM Rio Grande steamers were high-end limited production models, which is why you see most of them going for over $1,000 these days, especially the M-78 4-8-2 and the F-81 2-10-2. The only exception I can think of is the PFM L-131 2-8-8-2, which seems to be going for about $700 and usually needs some pretty fine tuning to run smoothly, because of a very weird reduction gear. I've got one, and believe me, it took some major tinkering to get the beast running to where I like it.
Tom
[:D]

[Anonymous]

I don't know there is a specific reason for the failure of these dealers to post photos, or otherwise to engage in behind-the-times business practices (e.g., maintaining brass lists on their web sites which obviously are a year or more out of date).

I suspect the brass business is merely a sideline for most outlets, and the limited markup on brass doesn't justify a greater investment of funds or effort.

[ragnar]

I will have to second the remark about the Piermont Div. Its the place to do some major drooling,and the prices are very competitive.
Have also noticed the lack of pictures in adds but on seeing what the prices are for advertising just the text in most magazines I'm not overly surprised.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tom! Yeah those Key units are what I have been looking at. The PFM one's I have seen are just SO pretty though! [;)] Even the OMI models are nice, but still about twice what I want to spend...

Fiverings, I agree I would think that with todays digital cameras and computers it really wouldn't be that much work to post photos. Oh well what do i know! Obviously not much!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wes454

Thanks tatans...I do know what you mean! Zane's site does have some really good deals. I model the Rio Grande, and he has a couple Key 4-8-4's for under $500 right now that I just can't bring myself to buy...for whatever reason the Grande steamers seem to hold every penny of thier value. He had an OLD PFM 4-8-4 that SOLD for $2700!!!!!

Yeah Howards site is definatly one of my favorite places to drool! [;)]

Howard's old site is now owned by Dan's Trains, but the web address is still the same.

I purchased an engine from them recently, and they still honor layaway payments that I can afford for 90 days.

[Anonymous]

I surmise that it has to do w/the server in use by the dealers. photos take up a lot of space even for the size of the drives on servers.
Ch

[Adelie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bangert1


Howard's old site is now owned by Dan's Trains, but the web address is still the same.

I've done quite a bit of business with Dan's Trains on ebay and always been quite satisfied.

[Anonymous]

I recently ordered from Dan's Train Depot. Excellent Service! I ordered an Engine from then on Tuesday and got it on Wednesday! [:0]