https://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-SP-GS-4-4-8-4-Locomotive-w-DCC-Sound-Smoke-Daylight-4449-BLI-295/224166221835?hash=item343159180b:g:MssAAOSwBLxfagZY
This is a Bachmann engine right? Not BLI? Are people aware of this mislisting? Are they that common? I would think that a model train buyer would know the engine theyre buying and would be aware of this, but maybe this one is extra valuable.
Bachmann GS-4s usually go for between $70-120, whereas a BLI GS-4s recently sold for $660. $330 is unbelievable for a Bachmann GS-4! But maybe the fact that the steps on one side of the cab are broken makes it more valuable...
I contacted the seller advising them to change the listing. They replied that they will, but its been 24 hrs with no action yet.
Without turning this post into the ol' wow-that-ebay-price-is-unbelievable post, lets change it up a bit.
Are these mislistings common?
Do you think it was intentional?
Be aware yall!
Charles
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PS I apologize in advance if this topic is against forum policies. I went through the rules again, and can't tell if this is against them.
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
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Well, it does say Bachmann on the underside of the loco... There used to be a way to alert Ebay when there was apparent fraud.
EDIT: I found a "report item" button, but it does not seem to work.
Simon
Since the seller appropriately ended that listing early, I withdraw the comments I made about it.
Mislistings all the time are common:
I don't even contact sellers anymore about them, because usually they get mad.
1. Non-model RR folks don't know what they have and are trying to do the best they can
2. Unscrupulous dealers, and some are STILL on Ebay, will do ANYTHING to make a buck.
3. Lately I'm seeing a lot of older merchandise at ridiculous minimum bid and/or ridiculous buy it now prices, for example, 3 times MSRP for an Atlas Classic Series engine from not that long ago. Another example: many sellers are listing earlier Exactrail Evolution series cars (which include foobies) at or above the highest prices that new Exactrail Platinum series or Tangent freight cars are selling for. Again, this is easily 3 times the old Exactrail full bore MSRP on some freight cars, and there frankly is no comparison between those cars and a newly tooled item.
Just because an item may be sold out at the importer does not make that item more valuable than a brand new, newly tooled freight car imported at a higher cost from China.
Also--Athearn bluebox freight cars that sold for $5, can now be $60, $80 or more or at least some hope to GET that, lol.
Update, he ended the listing appropriately. For those who missed it, the most recent bid was $330 iirc.
I have a ton of saved searches on eBay for very specific items. One of these is the Proto-Power West F unit chassis.
I recently received an alert that an item matching my saved search was available with a $25.00 Buy It Now!
When I looked at the aution, it was the reamins of a disassembled cheap "Teakettle" 0-4-0 in a Proto-Power West box.
I contacted the seller about the misleading auction. Nothing happened.
Two days later, it sold for $25.00, and later the seller received positive feedback.
I guess someone was seeking a broken Teakettle Steamer in the wrong box.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
PRR8259 Just because an item may be sold out at the importer does not make that item more valuable than a brand new, newly tooled freight car imported at a higher cost from China.
Quality does not determine demand.
I found two examples of incorrect listings. One was an Athearn plastic caboose in a brass box and listed as a brass caboose. The other was a Concor Superliner passenger car listed as a Walthers. I contacted both and pointed out the error and that a buyer could come back later and rightly file a "not as advertised" complaint and get a refund; plus it would be a negative strick on their rating. Both thanked me and changed their listing to reflect the actual item.
Maybe that isn't what most did, but I tried to appeal to their desire to not have trouble and to keep their very good rating. So don't assume you'll always get a rude response.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
You'd think even non-train people would put in some SLIGHT effort to describe the item correctly. But iut happens across everything, item is Brand X but it's in a Brand Y box, well, it gets listed as Brand Y.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have seen listings by people that have been devious judging from my questions posed to them but the majority have fairly good reasons for strange listings. I've seen Tyco 0-4-0's painted brass and listed as such for many hundreds of dollars.
These people generally tend to not have a clue what they have, the condition or value:
toy stores
antique shops
family members selling a deceased relatives stuff
Those can be excusable. Remember that if you are wanting something you should always ask questions to verify what they describe is correct. ALWAYS, ALWAYS ask questions if in doubt about something and ALWAYS make sure you read the full description and scan the photos.
Emotion holds a big part in listing stuff. Because it was your very first brass engine doesn't make an FED Cotton Belt 4-4-2 worth more than about $10! Junk is junk.
Feebay will intervene if your case is valid.
Buyer beware! You owe it to yourself to use caution buying on an auction site or from someone privately.
oldline1
rrinkerYou'd think even non-train people would put in some SLIGHT effort to describe the item correctly.
I would think so, but they do not seem to.