$125 dollars for a caboose on Ebay?

[Anonymous]

I see this caboose did sell for the starting price of $125.00.

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

I have purchased some of Mike's scratchbuilt models and upgraded kits off eBay. I have also had him build a number of advanced kits I had purchased (and would probably never get around to attempting), I've also had him paint some of my brass, and I've had him do some custom work. The guy's work is great, and worth every penny, in my opinion. Value, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

Steve

[Budliner]

I like ebay
and as a user I can tell you nothing drops a bomb on an aution like setting a reserve .
I dont know but it may be that we think the price set will be too high
its nice to see someone honest enuf to just flatout say I want X amount
I too feel over $100 is geting to rich for my blood
but I still drool over $800 brass loco's and still cry over the turbine I missed last year for $200 it just takes the right person to see the aution and that has some xmas cash set aside and the bid will be made
so I say no to reserve and yes to starting it high as most of ebay will be all to happy to snip it off you for $nadda

B -[B)]

[Train 284]

Well whatever, I still dont want to pay that much for a single car! I am completly happy with my rolling stock.

[Anonymous]

This is my first post on this forum. I would like to address the quality of work that Mike puts into his models since I have purchased several scratch-built styrene freight car models from him, mainly New England steam era in general and B&M work cars in particular. Having reached that point in life where the eyes are no longer keen and the hands are no longer steady, I have come to rely upon several professional model builders to construct cars that are not commercially available. Mike's work is without question as good as or better than the other builders I utilize. His construction and fabrication skills in styrene are exceptional. His paint and decal work is without peer. Granted I have not purchased a wood constructed model from Mike, but I would assume that his construction and painting skills are readily transferable to that material. With respect to setting the starting price on Ebay at $125.00, I can only assume that Mike was trying to avoid the reserve price listing fee.

Regards,

Ed Doocey

[potlatcher]

I agree with Bob Boudreau that, "It seems that a few sellers have an unrealistic sense of the quality and value of their assembled models."

I think we have established in the forum that scratchbuiltmike does not belong in this category. Out of curiosity I checked his e-Bay feedback to find nothing but compliments and pleased buyers. After a second look at the photos, they're not as fuzzy as they seemed at first, and looking at them carefully it's clear that there is a high level of detail on the model. It appears that Mike does some very nice work that adds value to the models he assembles.

However, I was at a show this weekend where a modeler was selling a matched set of custom painted Kato GP-35's decorated for a local shortline. It was a simple single-color scheme, but it was clearly the wrong color (should've been a Santa Fe blue but was more like Conrail Blue) and the paint was poorly applied. Worse, the decals were not located properly on the hood, and had plenty of bubbles underneath. There were no prototype-specific details added. I'm sure he had fun doing the work, but in my opinion he had detracted from the value of perfectly good undecorated Katos, not added to their value.

I was amazed when I saw that he was offering them for $200 each (almost twice the retail price), marked down for the show from $250 each. I'm sure he is a nice enough guy and not trying to rip anyone off, but I believe he has vastly overrated his skills and/or vastly underrated the market for custom work. I'm know he's not alone.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cjcrescent

Mike;

Welcome to the forums. That is a great model, fuzzy pix or not!. Was this from the QC series of "brass" cabooses? I built the QC C&O's for a friend, that came with the etched brass sides, cupola sides and ends while the rest of the car was wood, (frame, support structure) and the steps were castings. Turned out well but even from those "fuzzy pix", you did a fantastic job.

Meant to add that I miss QC kits, there's just not the selection on oldstyle kits, like this one, there once was.

Keep up the great work!

Hello cjcrescent, This was the QC all wood with cast white metal parts (steps, brake parts, etc) kit. I did win one of the QC brass sided C&O/WM kits which was from a ebay listing that contained 5 different kits and I resold it because it was the same caboose Proto2K offered at one time and can still be found. Thanks for the commit. You are one of the understanding kit builders I mentioned in my first reply.

Mike [^]

[cjcrescent]

Mike;

Welcome to the forums. That is a great model, fuzzy pix or not!. Was this from the QC series of "brass" cabooses? I built the QC C&O's for a friend, that came with the etched brass sides, cupola sides and ends while the rest of the car was wood, (frame, support structure) and the steps were castings. Turned out well but even from those "fuzzy pix", you did a fantastic job.

Meant to add that I miss QC kits, there's just not the selection on oldstyle kits, like this one, there once was.

Keep up the great work!

[davekelly]

Mike,

Although $125 is way beyond my budget, I can and do appreciate the work that you must have put into that kit. Excellent job. Perhaps you can post some hints on here so that we can improve our own modeling efforts.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer

QUOTE: Originally posted by aclmike

Hello fellow modelers, scratchbuiltmike here. I never thought that my starting price of $125 would be such an issue. All I can say is the ones that have replied stating the fact of how much time and effort went into such a model because they have built one are the only ones that understand the reasoning behind the price. For the ones who never attempted one of these kits, well just stay with your mass production models and keep hoping one of the manufacturers come out with something you've been wanting. Oh and by the way, I would like to know also, why is one a fool if he/she pays a higher price for something they have always wanted. Does this mean all brass buyers out there are fools too?

hi mike , and welcome to the forums
nice model , i can only begin to imagine the work that went into it . i'm sure it's worth $125 , i just think it's a mistake to start the bidding that high . someone suggested starting at $25 but having a reserve of $125 , sounds like a good idea to me . part of the fun of ebay auctions to me is the thought that the price is determined by the bidders , that's why i don't like 'buy-it-now' auctions . but that's just me , other people like things different ways

about the whole fool thing ... in general if someone pays $100 for something worth $20 then i'd have to think they're foolish . of course they have every right to do that , and i have every right to have , and express my opinion of them . paying $$$ for a brass loco that lists for $$$ isn't foolish , that's just the price . paying $125 for your caboose isn't foolish , any more than paying the prices that mellowmike or aggrojones are getting for their weathered freight cars is foolish . but you'll notice that neither of them start their auctions at a high price

Hello and welcome to the forums. I am the one that started this thread after seeing your auction.

I have kept quiet and did alot of thinking. I visited the website that had similar kits for sale at 45.00 us. The precision and detail that goes into these kits are a little bit beyond me. I have a hard time with grab irons on those P2k gondola kits LOL.

I must think now that 125 might not be too bad considering the high prices of brass models. The time, skill and work that must go into one of these kits must be something that cannot really be fully recovered at the bench. However I suspect that the majority of modelers would enjoy such a good kit that is well built.

I certainly have enjoyed mass produced kits or RTR models but only because I dont have the precision or the time to fully invest in building of one kit to that high level. If you were to look at my workbench you will see a large number of kits still uncompleted as they are awaiting parts from the LHS etc...

Bottom line, would I pay 125 for this caboose? I dont really know. But somewhere down the road there might be a Covered Wagon bay window caboose for 75.00 or so built.

I think this thread is a wonderful one and thanks for all the good answers. (And opinions)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer

QUOTE: Originally posted by aclmike

Hello fellow modelers, scratchbuiltmike here. I never thought that my starting price of $125 would be such an issue. All I can say is the ones that have replied stating the fact of how much time and effort went into such a model because they have built one are the only ones that understand the reasoning behind the price. For the ones who never attempted one of these kits, well just stay with your mass production models and keep hoping one of the manufacturers come out with something you've been wanting. Oh and by the way, I would like to know also, why is one a fool if he/she pays a higher price for something they have always wanted. Does this mean all brass buyers out there are fools too?

hi mike , and welcome to the forums
nice model , i can only begin to imagine the work that went into it . i'm sure it's worth $125 , i just think it's a mistake to start the bidding that high . someone suggested starting at $25 but having a reserve of $125 , sounds like a good idea to me . part of the fun of ebay auctions to me is the thought that the price is determined by the bidders , that's why i don't like 'buy-it-now' auctions . but that's just me , other people like things different ways

about the whole fool thing ... in general if someone pays $100 for something worth $20 then i'd have to think they're foolish . of course they have every right to do that , and i have every right to have , and express my opinion of them . paying $$$ for a brass loco that lists for $$$ isn't foolish , that's just the price . paying $125 for your caboose isn't foolish , any more than paying the prices that mellowmike or aggrojones are getting for their weathered freight cars is foolish . but you'll notice that neither of them start their auctions at a high price

Hello ereimer, You maybe right on the reserve and low starting bid. I most likely will do that if it does not sell this time around. I do have 6 watchers, but from my experence with past listings that doesn't mean a whole lot. I've had success on past kits and scratch built models listing them that way.

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by aclmike

Hello fellow modelers, scratchbuiltmike here. I never thought that my starting price of $125 would be such an issue. All I can say is the ones that have replied stating the fact of how much time and effort went into such a model because they have built one are the only ones that understand the reasoning behind the price. For the ones who never attempted one of these kits, well just stay with your mass production models and keep hoping one of the manufacturers come out with something you've been wanting. Oh and by the way, I would like to know also, why is one a fool if he/she pays a higher price for something they have always wanted. Does this mean all brass buyers out there are fools too?

hi mike , and welcome to the forums
nice model , i can only begin to imagine the work that went into it . i'm sure it's worth $125 , i just think it's a mistake to start the bidding that high . someone suggested starting at $25 but having a reserve of $125 , sounds like a good idea to me . part of the fun of ebay auctions to me is the thought that the price is determined by the bidders , that's why i don't like 'buy-it-now' auctions . but that's just me , other people like things different ways

about the whole fool thing ... in general if someone pays $100 for something worth $20 then i'd have to think they're foolish . of course they have every right to do that , and i have every right to have , and express my opinion of them . paying $$$ for a brass loco that lists for $$$ isn't foolish , that's just the price . paying $125 for your caboose isn't foolish , any more than paying the prices that mellowmike or aggrojones are getting for their weathered freight cars is foolish . but you'll notice that neither of them start their auctions at a high price

[John Busby]

Hi all
On the basis of the pictures
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING!!!
Mind you I paid about $600 to get a rake of hornby
4wh coaches painted in the correct livery they should have been
But then I know what was involved in the re paint and, know it was imposable to do more than one hour at a time after the base colours where on.
Painting panelled coaches properly is not for the faint hearted who's hand is not as steady as a rock.
I have seen many just plain dumb prices on Ebay I have the suspicion this is another one don't bid on anything without knowing its brand new cost or collectors value before you start and as far as posable be sure of its condition.
or like me just look but don't buy on Ebay
regards John

[LionLMan]

I have purchased some of his upgraded work and they are truly great models. The details he adds I could not do. I had him scratch build a Southern Railway Tennessean square end observation with interior. It is a work of art. I also had him scratch build a Central of Georgia vista-dome. It is a fine piece also.

[ndbprr]

Yes you might be able to buy it in brass but if you have ever seen a brass caboose with scribed lines to look like wood next to one made from wood there is no comparison. The wood one will run circles around the brasss for authenticity.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

His pictures are too small and out of focus, if his model is worth his asking price, there's no way to really confirm or deny his workmanship.

On eBay, presentation is everything.

There is one way, read the feedbacks [:D]

[Anonymous]

Hello fellow modelers, scratchbuiltmike here. I never thought that my starting price of $125 would be such an issue. All I can say is the ones that have replied stating the fact of how much time and effort went into such a model because they have built one are the only ones that understand the reasoning behind the price. For the ones who never attempted one of these kits, well just stay with your mass production models and keep hoping one of the manufacturers come out with something you've been wanting. Oh and by the way, I would like to know also, why is one a fool if he/she pays a higher price for something they have always wanted. Does this mean all brass buyers out there are fools too?

[Anonymous]

My question for the seller is why didn't he build a brass caboose?

[davekelly]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CNJ831

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

I built a Quality Craft PRR N6b caboose. It took me 17 years to finally finish it. I'd bet the guy has 20-30 hours into that caboose. $125.00 minus the kit cost of say $20 leaves $105 minus paint for easily $5 leaves $100. $100/20 hours is $5 an hour and below minimum wage. This caboose is vastly underpriced for the quality I see in the pictures fuzzy or not.

I agree that "builder's value", when one considers the time and skill put into such a model, might well be $125, $150, or more. However, such a figure can be far off from actual market value. I would not be the least bit surprised to find this same caboose is availalable in brass, with a factory paint job, and offered for the same or even a lesser price. The brass item would quite possibly be more accurate, certainly far more durable and longlasting, plus a better overall model for use on a layout.

Just as our layouts may have cost/be worth many tens of thousands of dollars to the builder, their potential real selling value is, at most, a few thousand dollars. Granted there are always a few fools willing to pay any sum for something they want but that does not set true market value.

CNJ831

Why is it that someone who is willing to pay more for something than most people for something he or she wants a fool?

[Train 284]

Well to start, the pictures are small and fuzzy. Second, waaaaay to high price to start out at. I can gaurentee there will be no bids. Although it does look like a great model, although I am not spending $125 for a caboose!

[Anonymous]

Probably would have been smarter to start the bidding low, say $25. and have a reserve o $125. That way he could see how much modelers would be willing to pay, even if it did not sell.

Bob Boudreau

[trainfreek92]

his pictures are way to out of focus. would never pay that much for a cabbose and thats just the starting bid!!! Tim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

QUOTE: Originally posted by jimrice4449

Ebay's picture duplication sucks big time. I peddle RTR Westerfield and the images I send to ebay are much better than what appears on the post

IF you use their html option you can have post your own pictures and they can be any resolution and size.

I just use Photobucket. I'm nearly filled up, so I created one only for my weathering[:P].

[railroadyoshi]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!
Thats way too expensive for me!
My thought is that this seller would hacve better luck of getting a sale at a place like a show

[Anonymous]

Building (not even scratch-building) a high-quality car kit is indeed time-consuming. ESPECIALLY urethane (which is what the Pacific Mountain kits are) although wood kits like this one are no joke either. Having constructed several for myself, if I were doing it to make money, even $125 probably wouldn't represent much above minimum wage. However, as several have pointed out, actual market value is a different matter. A somewhat nicer brass model of the same prototype can be had for $150-$170 with a known re-sale value, and this is the stumbling block that this seller is up against.

[BRAKIE]

QUOTE: Originally posted by modlerbob

[
Bob,Here is a B&O I-5 kit for $45.00 plus $12.95 shipping..

http://www.pacificmountain.ca/kits.shtml


Looks like a easy build to me but,I would be willing to pay more if RTR or built by a advanced modeler.[:D]

Hey, Brakie are you saying you want me to build you one?[:)]

Bob DeWoody

[Anonymous]

There are no bids.

[Anonymous]

[
Bob,Here is a B&O I-5 kit for $45.00 plus $12.95 shipping..

http://www.pacificmountain.ca/kits.shtml


Looks like a easy build to me but,I would be willing to pay more if RTR or built by a advanced modeler.[:D]