My experience with pricing is that the price you put on something is not the same as what you will be willing -- however reluctantly -- to sell it for when someone offers you less. And the guys who go to train shows are not afraid to speak up with a counter-offer.
Dave Nelson
Batman
For some reason I lost all of our PMs. I hate computers.
I have box's for the steam and all but two are Spectrum DCC and Sound.
2-6-6-2
4-8-2
2-8-0
4-4-0 DCC no sound
For some reason my 2-6-0 DCC, is dead. When I put it in the display case it worked fine. ???
Thanks
Lee
Selling on ebay is a good method. Selling used dcc/spound happens all the time, and I've bought quite a few that way, and sold a few. No regrets.
However, you'll need to use an account that has a good feedback record. I started with my wife's account to sell stuff because she had a good record, and have now pretty much hijacked it for trains.
An account with a 0 feedback score or somehting small will make buyers leerie about the seller and you will not fetch top price. Use a wife or friend's existing account if you can.
- Douglas
I have seen both estates being sold on tables as well individuals selling their private collections (one was changing scales). I saw ExactRail and Atlas in boxes, sometimes nicely weathered, in the $12 - 15 range, which was lower than what you'd see on Ebay, but to tables sold most of the items.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I have not been to train shows so I cannot knowledgeably comment on pricing or condition of the merchandise for sale. But, based upon my experience with eBay, you can command some fairly attractive, yet reasonable, prices. Lee, if you want some help pricing items for sale, send me a PM. I will be glad to help you. The use of the eBay feature, Completed Items, can give you a pretty good idea what sells and for how much.
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich & Mobleman
Thanks.
My Grandsons are going to give me a hand at the train show. Maybe they can help me with EBay.
I have no idea how to price things. Maybe an engine is worth $35 now but the DCC and sound chip cost $100 what could one expect it to sell for?
I suppose the train show will give me a better idea what to ask.
Thanks again.
I agree with mobilman44 that eBay is a good source for selling those locos.
I have sold a lot of used locos on eBay, and they have been in very good condition. I always use the Buy It Now feature, and I ask (and get) 50% to 70% of my original purchase price. I have the original boxes and instructions, whatever originally came with the loco. Ebay and PayPal combined take a 13% fee, netting 87% to the seller on the sale. That is a good deal because eBay attracts buyers from all over the country. By the way, the buyer pays shipping charges.
Hi!
Sorry to hear about your situation, and sadly it isn't all that uncommon.
Since 2003 I have sold and bought MR equipment on Ebay and have usually been very satisified with the results. IMO, it looks like you have some very saleable items, and I would not hesitate to list them. While some folks prefer the "buy it now" option, I have always started with the minimum acceptable price I would take, and offer it in the auction format.
Yes, selling properly on Ebay is time and effort, and it isn't exactly cheap. But you will typically get "market value" and the items will usually be going to a "good home" - that of another model railroader.
Good luck!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
As Douglas said,
But have an operable test track to show it all works properly. Buyers won't buy dcc/sound locos on speculation the private seller is being honest.
This is extremely important to get the best price.
Good Luck,
Joe
Thanks Bear And all
We have the problem contained at present. It's just hard to get amped up to do much. Being 80 years old doesn't help eather.
Anyway, I'll try the train show and see how that works out.
Cheers
yankee flyer but health issues have dulled my desire to use my layout.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
yankee flyer Stix, Thanks for the reply There is probably not one that has an hours run time. It seems such a waste to just give them away, unless a charity would want them. Lee
Stix, Thanks for the reply
There is probably not one that has an hours run time.
It seems such a waste to just give them away, unless a charity would want them.
Used equipment is EXTREMELY desirable in this hobby. Especially DCC & Sound at train shows. Diesels about $80-$100 each, depending on brand. Good quality steam about $150. At those prices, you'll have a lot of interest, IMO.
Ebay or HOSwap on io groups. With a little patience you should be able to sell them. Check Ebay to get a sense of prices of items of matching type, keeping in mind some prices are inflated.
Having original boxes and packing will help sell. I go to a lot of train shows, but I am either interested in used NIB or something for which no equivalent is currently available again with box. Unboxed pieces or not original boxes have no interest for me although others buy them.
For pricing, go to a train show and see what folks are asking for the same or very similar items. Decide in advance how much haggling you're willing to do.
Good luck
Paul
The problem is that used equipment isn't really that desireable in model railroading, unless it's a rare item you could sell to a collector. The other problem with selling at a RR flea market is - assuming your engines are factory lettered for prototype railroads, not weathered (or at least not too heavily weathered), and generally in good condition - you might get lucky and have the right people come along who will buy one or two engines. You might end up having to go to several flea markets over a period of time to sell all the engines off.
You might be better off either selling them on ebay (which isn't all that hard) or finding someone who buys entire 'collections' and sell them all at once.
Hey Guys
I enjoy this forum every morning with my coffee, but health issues have dulled my desire to use my layout.
The question is now how to get rid of all my stuff.
I am going to try to get a table at the January model train show at the Natiional Museum of transportation near me. Which brings me to the real question, What's it worth? How do you price things?
For example, I have about 13 locos. Only two that I remember what I paid for them. They are DCC and Sound,and almost no use on them. I enjoyed building things more than running.
The SW8 was $109.oo. the 2-6-6-2 was $265.00.
How do I go about this?
Thanks in advance.