I've been to several estate auctions of a hobbyist over the years and seen the end bid range from dirt cheap to ridiculous.
I find more hidden treasures at yard sales and regular estate auctions that goes dirt cheap..
Why's that?
Simply put there's no modelers/follow club members etc about to drive up the price on the lot-model trains are usually in a flat box (boxes with low sides) and sold during the "box auction"-that's the odds and ends that's boxed up again usually in flats.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Hi Don!
I got your response via email. Thanks very much for the information. For some reason I cannot reply directly to your email so I have to do it here.
Unfortunately Edmonton, Alberta is a little too far away from Bradford, Ontario for me to attend. The 15% buyer's fee would not be the killer. The air fare to get there would.
There is an annual auction here I believe in Wasaga Beach or there abouts. I haven't attended yet but my interest is peaked so I will keep an eye open for the next one.
Thanks again.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi Don:
Can you tell us where and when this auction is to take place and who is organizing it? Perhaps a link to their website?
I will not be able to go to the auction, was considering sending in some absentee bids.
The majority of the railroad items I am interested in are brass, mainly PFM, which is no surprise as most of it is Canadian brass which very often sells at a premium, far lower production numbers than most American production numbers.
Their is a large amount of British Toy Soldiers included in this auction. There are some very serious collectors who pay big money for these toy soldiers. The pictures show all of these soldiers are boxed and in pristine condition, so for those at least professional buyers will be in attendance.
My limited experience with live auctions has been that most of the stuff sells well below its 'real' resale value. For instance, my best auction pick-up was an undecorated Stewart-Kato F3 for $7.50, though your actual mileage will vary. There should definitely be good deals to be had at any rate. I personally enjoy the atmosphere at auctions - seeing what's selling at what prices, chatting with other hobbyists like me who are obviously there just to supplement their own collections rather than stuffing their Ebay store inventory, growling at the one or two spoilsports who always bid on everything and drive up the prices, etc.
That sounds like a pretty salty buyer's premium - I'm used to seeing 10%, plus sales taxes. Just be mindful of that when bidding so you don't end up spending 15% more than you intended. But by all means you should go.
Enjoy
Jim
"I am lapidary but not eristic when I use big words." - William F. Buckley
I haven't been sleeping. I'm afraid I'll dream I'm in a coma and then wake up unconscious. -Stephen Wright
I was made aware of a rather large auction of mainly toy soldiers and model railroad items.
There is a 15% buyers fee pluse $5 GST charge to the bidders.
It has been such a long time since I was at an auction, I remember being amazed that some items went so low and other items end up selling for over retail.
Has anyone been to an auction where there was a fair amount of model railroad items, do you remember, sis they end up going cheap or expensive, way over retail?
The train items end are an assortment of 1970's stuff and quite a bid of PFM Brass from the 1980's..