what is easiest way to sell a large number of trains?

[Anonymous]

My grandfather has tons of model trains, many antiques from Germany including Liliput, and Marklin sets. I know very little about trains and will need to sell them when he is no longer with us. I am in desperate need of some advise, I don't have time to go through ebay, and know of no collectors. PLEASE help.

Ketchup

[Anonymous]

Call Scott at Helmuts Hobbies in W. Virginia also, Look in yhe back of MR and get the number for OTTs hobbies. Both of these shops may consign and sometimes buy outright collections of european models.

Guy

[pike-62]

I can understand you dilema as I have helped a couple of widows in my area do the same. Their husbands passed away and they had no idea what the stuff was worth. The first one, the widow was refered to me by a mutual friend who assured her that I would not take advantage of the situation. She was a bit leary at first, understandabley, but after she met with me she felt comfortable dealing with me. I agreed to list all of the equipment he had on Ebay at what I felt was a good starting price. She agreed, actually insisted, that I would get 15% of all proceeds from the sale. While I was doing this for her another widow contacted me and had me do the same. My suggestion to you is if you can't do the work yourself, contact someone who specializes in this sort of venture. I would not go blindly with the first person to come along but to get some estimates as to the worth from several sources. Also, if posible, have your grandfather help you out if he is willing. He should be able to tell you what stuff is so it would be easier to identify it once the time comes. One last tip. Be careful of who you let in to see the collection. I have heard stores of people who clamed to want to see the collection only to use the opertunity to case the place and return later and clean it out for you. Of course they do this without your knowledge.

Dan Pikulski
www.DansResinCasting.com

[raynbecky]

Dan has given you great advice. I would also encourage you and your grandfather to inventory his collection as well. You might also want to consider insuring it. I have an addendum policy on my homeowners insurance to cover my collection. Your grandfather may know someone he trusts and I would use that reference if available. There are some reputible dealers out there too. If you go the dealer route get multiple quotes. Don't sell it to the first guy that shows up with cash. Some people really get taken. Be patient and make sure you get the best price you can for the stuff.

[Anonymous]

I agree the key is finding someone you trust to assist you. It is also of extreme importance to establish what exactly you have. You can start now by assembling an inventory. You might be able to get at least a ball park figure for what items are worth by searching ebay and doing a google search for folks selling model trains.

One thing to think about is whether you want to sell the whole collection as a single lot, as a couple of smaller lots (HO Marklin, HO US etc) or individual items.

Of course is time is of greatest value, then just sell the whole thing to the first buyer - but, don't be disappointed if you find you sold it for only a fraction of what it is really worth.

[Anonymous]

Selling them as one lot to a dealer is your fastest way of disposing of them, other than putting them in a box by the curb with a "free trains" sign on it. It is also probably your least profitable way.

My business is used books, not trains, but if the markup routine is similar, I can tell you that the used locomotive that's priced at a hundred dollars in a shop will net you maybe 15 to 20 dollars from that same dealer on a real good day.

You probably would have better luck on eBay. Researching and listing every item individually probably would take more time than you wish. You say you don't have time for eBay, but breaking them into smaller lots with very clear photos and manufacturer names(if known) may net you more than selling them outright to a dealer who shows up at your door..

If you hook up witha a knowledgable individual to help you, that's great.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

I personally am working carefully to be a "trader" in trains on Ebay for 15% of all proceeds for people in my area who may be unable to "dispose" of estates and things like that. I enjoy working with the process very much.

With that in mind, perhaps you can locate a trader assistant on eBay for your area that can photograph, list and execute the sales on the internet.

Failing that, you can place notices in the LHS's in your area and possibly others who trade or buy collections such as yours. This is a very big undertaking and with due diligence and care you can experience a trouble free transfer.

I wish you best of luck and there are alot of "good" folks that will not take advantage as long as you both "Agree" to terms in writing and clearly understood by all involved.

[Anonymous]

Why the need to sell?
Is it to provide money to keep the family from poverty?
I catologued my grandpa's colection he had maintained a well documented file and was somewhere in the area of 20,000.00 grandma said bull and sold it to a train huslter for two grand. He couldnt wait he had boxes and everything he was quick and was even heard saying she was a fool.
Now she is whining she has no money
oh well you make your choices.
Out of a collection of thousands of pieces maybe 40 is retained by family members.
Don't be too quick to sell once its gone its gone

[Anonymous]

wow, thanks a lot for the responses! One quick question, what is LHS? Like I said, I am new to all of this.

[Anonymous]

There is a danger here that you should be aware of: Many old Marklin items are very rare and valuable (many are not, it just depends). You need to consult experts in European trains (See my post above) and take some time to educate yourself in the value of some of the items or you may let items that are very rare go for next to nothing. Most train dealers in the US deal with either Brass or US protoype gear and are not very knowledgeable about European stuff. I agree with other posters: What's the rush??? Your grandfather probably built the collection over many years, why sell it off in a rush??

Guy

[7j43k]

LHS = local hobby shop

I imagine a big decision is whether you want to talk about the subject with the gentleman before he's gone. If he's willing or interested, he could be a big help, but it's scary to view our ending for many of us--he may not like hearing the question. It's a very tough decision about which way to go. My best wishes go with you and he on the matter.

Ed

[Anonymous]

I hope you consider the true value of the trains may not be in the cash no matter what there worth.I f you ask him what he wants done in case something happens to him ,he might not be to happy with your idea of selling them as fast as you can. My father was forced to sell his collection due to health no option,If I could and had the money I would spend what ever it took to get them back.There may be another member in your family who might feel this way about your grandpas train later in life,and regret the sale for some fast ca***rains are more than just toy objects and alot of times they represent memories and events in a persons life, one of the reasons we become so attached to them.They are however or will be yours to do with what you please and if you do sell the people here have given you great advise to keep you from being ripped off.

[dano99a]

EBAY. BE SURE to have someone you trust help you sell them.

nuf said that hasn't already been said.

[grayfox1119]

Do NOT rush into this sale!!! You would be quite fooli***o just get an offer and sell them. Inventory what you have, listing as much information as possible, like year purchased, model numbers, etc. Take pictures if necessary for distant interested buyers. If selling by enet, or via snail mail, do NOT ship to purchaser before you have a VALID check in your hands.
grayfox1119

[lupo]

Hello Ketchup, if you want to do some research for yourself try;

http://www.marklin-users.net/

Eurtopean Marklin collecters have a catalogue they use for valueing any Marklin equipment http://www.koll-verlag.de/struktur1.html



these books are in german, but widely used all over europe by Marklin collectors
as reference book

[Anonymous]

I would advise selling them through eBay rather than to a dealer - bear in mind that a dealer has to be able to make a profit on items so will not be able to pay you full market value of the items - this would leave them no profit margin! eBay would "cut out the middle man", though you do have to be careful about starting bids and reserves - I have seen some things go for far less than their true value as the auction started at 99p with no reserve and few bidders were interested. Lupo's suggestion about price guides is an excellent idea - these would give you some idea of what reserve to set on items. Not much else I can add to the advice you've already been given!