I have been seeing ads in MR for Hattons, a UK based company now doing business in the US that buys and sells used model railroad equipment. Has anybody sold anything to them and how were you treated?
If you are looking to sell an entire collection, that is not brass, you have three basic options.
1) Sell it yourself at train shows or on eBay.
2) Sell it to Trainz
3) Sell it to Hattons
I know of (I think) four widows that sold collections to Trainz. They received about 10 cents on the dollar for retail cost new, probably about 25% of what Trainz sold it for. In all cases, they did not think they got a fair price (but they got more than I would give them), but were treated OK.
Hattons is new in the US, and I do not know anyone that sold them a collection.
Ebay is the best way to get the most money, but it is the most work. Trainz and Hattons require almost no work.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
1019x I have been seeing ads in MR for Hattons, a UK based company now doing business in the US that buys and sells used model railroad equipment. Has anybody sold anything to them and how were you treated?
You will have to ask my wife after I'm gone, because I'm not selling anything.
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL You will have to ask my wife after I'm gone, because I'm not selling anything. Sheldon
Perfect Sheldon!
I'll go along with you on that one
I ain't selling nothing I kept up to this point either.
Not my Mustang, my train stuff, my soul to the devil, God forbid or anything else I have kept up till now!
What I have at this time I must have kept for a reason. I earned it and I'm keeping it till the cows come home or that one rainy day when it all starts over again!
Like my Grandfather always said, ...It's just like going through another door
TF
Track fiddlerI ain't selling nothing I kept up to this point either.
About a year ago I sold all the props I had for my 30 by 30 layout on eBay. All of these were bought used just to use as props, and I recovered all of the money I spent on them.
I will not be selling any of my HO scale trains. That will be either my wife's or daughter's problem. I am 99% certain they will all be in a landfill shortly after I am gone.
These were mostly collectibles like this Department 56 engine house.
I have heard that Hattons is a pretty reputable, well known in the UK. Been around a long time. My thought would be they should be decent to work with. So maybe try a few items that you don't care if you take a little bit of a loss and try it to see how they are. Our. British friends here would hopefully be able to fill in the blanks better.
shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Track fiddlermy soul to the devil
Sorry, but if you're a model railroader you sold your soul long ago.
maxmanSorry, but if you're a model railroader you sold your soul long ago.
Yeah, I feel that way sometimes. I am also a wargamer, I guess I had two souls to sell?
Thank you all for the replies. I am not getting rid of everything, but just some stuff that does not interest me more.
Charlie
Hi 1019x,
Thanks for starting this thread, if you've got any specific questions on the process of trading your collection into us then I'm more than happy to help answer them.Since starting to advertise in Model Railroader towards the start of this year we've dealt with a large number of US-based collections so I'm sure someone who has experienced our systems first hand will be along soon.
Thanks,
Jack
Track fiddler ATLANTIC CENTRAL You will have to ask my wife after I'm gone, because I'm not selling anything. Sheldon Perfect Sheldon! I'll go along with you on that one I ain't selling nothing I kept up to this point either. Not my Mustang, my train stuff, my soul to the devil, God forbid or anything else I have kept up till now! What I have at this time I must have kept for a reason. I earned it and I'm keeping it till the cows come home or that one rainy day when it all starts over again! Like my Grandfather always said, ...It's just like going through another door TF
I'm not selling any of my train stuff OR my Mustang, either!
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR