Selling brass on EBAY vs. at a GATS show

[prompter]

I have a collection of new, unpainted brass locomotives and rolling stock that I've collected over the last 10 years. I now realize I'll never have that dream basement with a house over it (Or as my wife thinks of it, a dream house with a basement...). So I've decided it's time to reduce the collection to only those very special and unusual items.

Does anyone have any opinions on the best marketplace - EBAY or a large GATS show. I'm in California, so that eliminates the large east coast shows.

I'm not in any hurry, but would like to get a fair (best) price.

Any thoughts?

Prompter

[Anonymous]

I would imagine ebay.

GATS may not have the customer base you seek. The last several GATS I attended here in the south was a majority of familys with children. Not the sort of folks who buy brass.

[brothaslide]

QUOTE: Originally posted by prompter

I now realize I'll never have that dream basement with a house over it (Or as my wife thinks of it, a dream house with a basement...). So I've decided it's time to reduce the collection to only those very special and unusual items.

Prompter - Don't give up hope! There is always a way. You could join a club. There are two that I know of in your area. You could always move where the cost of living is cheaper but that is not always practical.

Bottom line - Don't give up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nfmisso]

ebay; Less time investment and dollar investment on your part, and in some states you need a tax id to sell at shows.

But; as an ebay newbie, you will have a hard time getting serious customers.

If your models are of local interest, GATS might be okay.

You might also want to check consignment at local stores, and Caboose Hobbies in Denver, and ??? Caboose will give you a fair estimate of what you can expect, of course they get thier % for doing all the work.

[Virginian]

Start with the less expensive stuff on ebay. State you are thinning your own personal collection and hence have little ratings so far. Someone will be willing to take a chance. I had never sold anything, but had a good although small rating from buying and I did fine selling my brass.

[Big_Boy_4005]

If it's a question of Ebay vs GATS, Ebay all the way. Think about it, you can reach a lot more people with Ebay. You can set the minimum price with a reserve, and if it goes higher great. If it doesn't sell, I think the listing is free, but I've never been a seller. As the others have mentioned, people may shy away from someone with no Ebay experience, but if you elect to accept Paypal it might help.

[davekelly]

I think there is something to be said about going consignment with someone like Caboose Hobbies. While I have no data to back this up, it seems to me that if we are talking about high end brass, consignment at a large hobby shop, known as a brass broker might actually bring in a higher price as I think there will be many folks more willing to part with several c-notes only after seeing the item up close and perhaps watching it actually run.

I would suggest that before selling anything you do some market surveying. Put a watch on several items on ebay. Note the selling price (and the feedback score and percent of the sellers). At the same time look for identical items on Caboose Hobbies or other such sellers (including train shows). Track them to see when it sells and at what price. Should give a pretty good comparison. It will take some time, but it doesn't appear that you are in a hurry.

[lonewoof]

I recently sold 5 or 6 Ambroid car kits by advertising in the NMRA Bulletin. They'll print your ad FREE for 3 months. I got the price I wanted, and the satisfaction that the kits went to a good home!