wrench567 P.S. I'm in the market for a NJCB CC2 0-8-8-0 for a decent price.
P.S. I'm in the market for a NJCB CC2 0-8-8-0 for a decent price.
Charles
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Modeling the Santa Fe & Pennsylvania in HO
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLb3FRqukolAtnD1khrb6lQ
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Seller could contact Howard Zane for fair appraisal. He is easily found in any internet search. Howard will NOT bid on anything he appraises, as that would be a conflict of interest. Howard sold his multi-million dollar collection to Dan Glasure the founder of Brasstrains.com
Alternatively, one can consign brass directly at BrassTrains.com. Ship it to them, and they can handle everything else, including an assessment of what the starting price should be. They will most likely be able to sell the items faster and more efficiently than you will ever be able to do on Ebay. I've tried both ways, and they get the items sold whereas on Ebay the exact same items can linger without serious interest. So I gave up selling anything train-related on Ebay. Also, BrassTrains seems to get higher selling prices than one can get on Ebay (unless the item is in extremely clean condition and very rare). They have a huge international following and anything $1000 and up will sell quickly to international collectors of HO brass.
John
P.S.: I do not work for BrassTrains.com and they did not pay me in any way to make this recommendation. I was a very frustrated ebay seller.
trainnut1250 drgwcs Having dealt with a brass collection before here are some hints that will help you a lot. 1. Take lots of pictures with the engine outside at least one of each side top bottom and both ends. Take a pic inside the box. Take at least one of the box including the label. 2. If you can test do so but it may take some lube in the gearbox. Running models fetch more. 3. Make a thorough list of each including any information on the box problems etc. 4. Check for rotting foam. Do not ship or put any engine back in rotting foam. 5. Shop your list and pics around. There are three major buyers and some smaller ones. For the Brass- Brass trains.com and Don black Brass trains both are good. Don Black actually offered more. There is also Trainz which will deal with all. I think the other two might have some contacts dealing with the rest of the collection. 6. Top dollar will be found on ebay but be prepared to take a while to sell. The dealers will typically give you 25 to 50 percent of what they can sell it for. Generally on the lower end of that. 7. Local estate sale companies will have no idea on what to do with this stuff and will sell it for a lot less then take 40 to 50 percent of that. Jim great post - lots of good info there I have helped liquidate two large brass collections - doing it yourself approaches a full time job. Not recommended. Guy
drgwcs Having dealt with a brass collection before here are some hints that will help you a lot. 1. Take lots of pictures with the engine outside at least one of each side top bottom and both ends. Take a pic inside the box. Take at least one of the box including the label. 2. If you can test do so but it may take some lube in the gearbox. Running models fetch more. 3. Make a thorough list of each including any information on the box problems etc. 4. Check for rotting foam. Do not ship or put any engine back in rotting foam. 5. Shop your list and pics around. There are three major buyers and some smaller ones. For the Brass- Brass trains.com and Don black Brass trains both are good. Don Black actually offered more. There is also Trainz which will deal with all. I think the other two might have some contacts dealing with the rest of the collection. 6. Top dollar will be found on ebay but be prepared to take a while to sell. The dealers will typically give you 25 to 50 percent of what they can sell it for. Generally on the lower end of that. 7. Local estate sale companies will have no idea on what to do with this stuff and will sell it for a lot less then take 40 to 50 percent of that. Jim
Having dealt with a brass collection before here are some hints that will help you a lot.
1. Take lots of pictures with the engine outside at least one of each side top bottom and both ends. Take a pic inside the box. Take at least one of the box including the label.
2. If you can test do so but it may take some lube in the gearbox. Running models fetch more.
3. Make a thorough list of each including any information on the box problems etc.
4. Check for rotting foam. Do not ship or put any engine back in rotting foam.
5. Shop your list and pics around. There are three major buyers and some smaller ones. For the Brass- Brass trains.com and Don black Brass trains both are good. Don Black actually offered more. There is also Trainz which will deal with all. I think the other two might have some contacts dealing with the rest of the collection.
6. Top dollar will be found on ebay but be prepared to take a while to sell. The dealers will typically give you 25 to 50 percent of what they can sell it for. Generally on the lower end of that.
7. Local estate sale companies will have no idea on what to do with this stuff and will sell it for a lot less then take 40 to 50 percent of that.
Jim
great post - lots of good info there
I have helped liquidate two large brass collections - doing it yourself approaches a full time job. Not recommended.
Guy
It took a while. I was trying to help a friend. The stuff had been in less than ideal conditions. Did a lot of tinkering and got a lot running. Total of about 35 items in brass.
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I just placed a pre-order for new brass with this national brass retailer listed below, they sell both new & old brass trains. Found them to be very good with customer service. Ask for Matt, he may be able to assist. Bayway Terminnal NJ
https://resourcedrails.com/
I sold some of my brass trains to Dan at brasstrains.com. He gave me a fair price and if the collection is large enough may travel to see it.
Disclaimer - I have NO AFFILIATION with this company.
Neal
Most resellers take a big chunk. Second the value of brass is way down and shipping is way up. Trainz is one that sells both ways. Brasstrains for brass maybe, they know that market. When I was looking to get rid of stuff, most wanted a 40% commision but I found a guy at 25%.
As with all collectibles (i.e. stamps, coins, model trains, etc.), selling to a reseller will net you with less income. But, you will "get rid" of everything fairly quickly with minimal effort.
If you want to maximize your income, then selling directly to an end user is the best way to go. For those of us with few MR acquintances (possible customers), sites like Ebay are a good avenue to sell. Of course the downside is more work to be done, and it will take time.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Get appraisals and offers from as many buyers as possible. There are also auction houses that have done HO liquidations too. Sometimes a local club could help. Some train shops will take on consignments.
And then there's eBay.
Pete.
What do you mean by "A large amount of brass"?
It is not unusual at all for brass to remain unoperated. I own more than a dozen brass locomotives, all bought in the last five years, up to 40 years old, and I don't think any of them had ever been on a track. I did not pay a premium for any of them.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I have been asked to assist someone in selling a large collection of HO trains, mostly locomotives with a large amount of brass. The collection must be considered fairly unusual in that most of the pieces have never operated on a layout; the layout was never built due an untimely death (and yes, many are in their original packaging). Sale of the items in the collection has been slow and laborious and delayed by Covid. The family is downsizing so space to accommodate the collection will become an issue. Sale of individual items will not be considered. The goal is to liquidate, but receive a fair price.
I am not a modeler so when I looked on the Internet, I was surprised with the relatively large number of businesses in buying model trains from individuals. Does anyone have any recommendations based on their actual experience? Are there any to avoid? Obviously, we'll make inquiries at several businesses, but if any one has preferences - good or bad - your input should be appreciated.
--Mark Meyer