ebay

[Anonymous]

I just bought a HO KCS SD40-2 dummy loco on ebay for $9.99.[:D][:D][:D]
Ebay is the best way to get trains at ridicusly low pirces.

What are your thoughts on ebay or other auctions[?]

[Anonymous]

I just bought a HO KCS SD40-2 dummy loco on ebay for $9.99.[:D][:D][:D]
Ebay is the best way to get trains at ridicusly low pirces.

What are your thoughts on ebay or other auctions[?]

[Javern]

Ebay is a great place to buy all sorts of things. I buy only from high rated sellers and don't hesitate to ask questions.

[Javern]

Ebay is a great place to buy all sorts of things. I buy only from high rated sellers and don't hesitate to ask questions.

[Anonymous]

eBay is a great place to buy all kindns of items. I sell and buy through eBay all of the time. Just know what you are buying and from who. Also patience and even luck (i.e. being at the righr aucton at the right time) will help. One example is that I've been looking for an Athearn SP Dash 9 dummy for over two weeks. You'll find them, but at retail price! Last night when I looked for it...there was one already built with extra detailing for less than $25.00 !!!
Jose
Orlando,FL

[Anonymous]

eBay is a great place to buy all kindns of items. I sell and buy through eBay all of the time. Just know what you are buying and from who. Also patience and even luck (i.e. being at the righr aucton at the right time) will help. One example is that I've been looking for an Athearn SP Dash 9 dummy for over two weeks. You'll find them, but at retail price! Last night when I looked for it...there was one already built with extra detailing for less than $25.00 !!!
Jose
Orlando,FL

[vsmith]

I hear ya Bro, Ebay can be great. I got 3 LGB porters for between $50-$70 each. That is way less than any other source I've found. Just remember that its Caiet Emptor and every now and then you get lemons with your lemonaid. I got an Arist Craft 0-4-0 switcher, when I got it , it looked like it had been used as a doorstop. Thats the breaks though, most sellers will tell you the condition and never buy unless there are photos posted.

[vsmith]

I hear ya Bro, Ebay can be great. I got 3 LGB porters for between $50-$70 each. That is way less than any other source I've found. Just remember that its Caiet Emptor and every now and then you get lemons with your lemonaid. I got an Arist Craft 0-4-0 switcher, when I got it , it looked like it had been used as a doorstop. Thats the breaks though, most sellers will tell you the condition and never buy unless there are photos posted.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith
Just remember that its Caiet Emptor and every now and then you get lemons with your lemonaid. I

I too am new to e-bay. Just finsihed up 12 buys of non-powered scenery items such as Preiser People and Automoblies. I try and spot the model # in the post and make a comparison reference from the Walthers catalog. Sometimes they jack up the shipping charges to make a little extra off you.

I won't buy any electrical-powered items. Trainworld is my reliable vendor for those items,
99.9% riskless.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith
Just remember that its Caiet Emptor and every now and then you get lemons with your lemonaid. I

I too am new to e-bay. Just finsihed up 12 buys of non-powered scenery items such as Preiser People and Automoblies. I try and spot the model # in the post and make a comparison reference from the Walthers catalog. Sometimes they jack up the shipping charges to make a little extra off you.

I won't buy any electrical-powered items. Trainworld is my reliable vendor for those items,
99.9% riskless.

[Anonymous]

Ebay is great, but, as with any transaction, you must be careful. I have purchased a great deal of new and used locomotives (both HO and N) from Ebay, and the results have been great, I think it is THE place to get motive power, at prices often well below the cheapest internet/mail order sellers. Buy only from high -rated sellers as others have said.

The drawback is that on other items (rollings stock, track, buildings, etc), I have found the prices often to NOT be competitive, and on anything, there is the risk of a bidding frenzy, thus driving the price up. Too many people pay too much for many model railroad items on Ebay. The trick is to go after the bargains and stick by a max price that you have set for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Ebay is great, but, as with any transaction, you must be careful. I have purchased a great deal of new and used locomotives (both HO and N) from Ebay, and the results have been great, I think it is THE place to get motive power, at prices often well below the cheapest internet/mail order sellers. Buy only from high -rated sellers as others have said.

The drawback is that on other items (rollings stock, track, buildings, etc), I have found the prices often to NOT be competitive, and on anything, there is the risk of a bidding frenzy, thus driving the price up. Too many people pay too much for many model railroad items on Ebay. The trick is to go after the bargains and stick by a max price that you have set for yourself.

[Anonymous]

You need to know what you are doing to be safe buying ebay items, whether that be trains or used underware. You'll get a few bargins, gain confidence, and then some shister will stick it to you eating up any and all savings. Tell the thousands of buyers who have been ripped off by buying junk and/or undelivered items how great ebay and their "customer protection plan" is when you get stiffed. If I were a seller I could send you an empty box with delivery confirmation and it would satisfy ebay's and Paypal's buyer protection plan. Just go to yahoo or any search engine and search ebay fraud. You get thousands of hits, yes thousands. Example; http://www.msnbc.com/news/809148.asp and hundreds of other reports from NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, user groups. People buying 1200 dollar notebooks and getting nothing but a box. The frauds are kept quiet because it's bad for business, just like Enron and Merril Linch. When I was taken for $90 on computer parts no one did anything, the local police refused to even take a police report! So make believe that ebay is the greatest thing ever, put on your blinders and buy away. It will never happens to you, only the other guy.

[Anonymous]

You need to know what you are doing to be safe buying ebay items, whether that be trains or used underware. You'll get a few bargins, gain confidence, and then some shister will stick it to you eating up any and all savings. Tell the thousands of buyers who have been ripped off by buying junk and/or undelivered items how great ebay and their "customer protection plan" is when you get stiffed. If I were a seller I could send you an empty box with delivery confirmation and it would satisfy ebay's and Paypal's buyer protection plan. Just go to yahoo or any search engine and search ebay fraud. You get thousands of hits, yes thousands. Example; http://www.msnbc.com/news/809148.asp and hundreds of other reports from NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, user groups. People buying 1200 dollar notebooks and getting nothing but a box. The frauds are kept quiet because it's bad for business, just like Enron and Merril Linch. When I was taken for $90 on computer parts no one did anything, the local police refused to even take a police report! So make believe that ebay is the greatest thing ever, put on your blinders and buy away. It will never happens to you, only the other guy.

[Anonymous]

I'm an ebay addict. I'm constantly looking for trains there all the time. I'm currently the high bidder on 3 items right now and have another 4 coming in the mail this week. I've gotten many amazing deals by checking out obscure titles like "electric train set" or "old toy train part" on items that are listed by people who have absolutely no clue about trains. I have dealt with some people who are out to cheat you though. I recently bought a lot of Marx O gauge trains from a seller with 100% positive feedback for only $5.50. When I got them they were all thrown in a box with no protection and were all rusted beyond help (which wasn't evident in the picture shown). However, there was a rare flootlight car included in the lot that was in mint condition that's worth $100, so that made it all worth it. It's very rarely that something like this will happen, that's one case out of dozens of items I've won on ebay. Just remember to be smart with your bidding.

[Anonymous]

I'm an ebay addict. I'm constantly looking for trains there all the time. I'm currently the high bidder on 3 items right now and have another 4 coming in the mail this week. I've gotten many amazing deals by checking out obscure titles like "electric train set" or "old toy train part" on items that are listed by people who have absolutely no clue about trains. I have dealt with some people who are out to cheat you though. I recently bought a lot of Marx O gauge trains from a seller with 100% positive feedback for only $5.50. When I got them they were all thrown in a box with no protection and were all rusted beyond help (which wasn't evident in the picture shown). However, there was a rare flootlight car included in the lot that was in mint condition that's worth $100, so that made it all worth it. It's very rarely that something like this will happen, that's one case out of dozens of items I've won on ebay. Just remember to be smart with your bidding.

[Anonymous]

Mostly good experiences... I also look for high feedbacks... also use the terms "LOT" or "ESTATE" in the keywords for good bargains. I just picked up TWO decoder-equipped N scale SD60's for $65 each :-) ((I'll update this thread when I get them))

[Anonymous]

Mostly good experiences... I also look for high feedbacks... also use the terms "LOT" or "ESTATE" in the keywords for good bargains. I just picked up TWO decoder-equipped N scale SD60's for $65 each :-) ((I'll update this thread when I get them))

[therailnut]

I won an auction for an N scale BNSF 9297 SD60M in the for 50 bucks off e-bay. I know retail for these were $100 at one time. So I think I got a bargain. I just don't buy to much model railroad stuff from there. Now for sports jerseys and other items I go crazy on.

[therailnut]

I won an auction for an N scale BNSF 9297 SD60M in the for 50 bucks off e-bay. I know retail for these were $100 at one time. So I think I got a bargain. I just don't buy to much model railroad stuff from there. Now for sports jerseys and other items I go crazy on.

[Kent]

Ebay is a good place to sell, not to buy. I've only had one thing be exactly what I expected. (Santa Fe Doodebug)

I bought 5 flat cars for a guy with a good rating (Canadain Scale Rail i think was the name), and had trouble with the trucks and couplers. After checking found that they were not Atlas trucks, did matching anything on any other Atlas product I've seen old or new. I bought a 2-8-0 spectrum from somebody else and it was missing the front couplers and a detail part off the boiler, both items were visiable in the listing photo. And a couple LifeLike PA-1 and PB-1 were ok them selves, but the boxes with not all there.

[Kent]

Ebay is a good place to sell, not to buy. I've only had one thing be exactly what I expected. (Santa Fe Doodebug)

I bought 5 flat cars for a guy with a good rating (Canadain Scale Rail i think was the name), and had trouble with the trucks and couplers. After checking found that they were not Atlas trucks, did matching anything on any other Atlas product I've seen old or new. I bought a 2-8-0 spectrum from somebody else and it was missing the front couplers and a detail part off the boiler, both items were visiable in the listing photo. And a couple LifeLike PA-1 and PB-1 were ok them selves, but the boxes with not all there.

[Anonymous]

Excellent place to buy and sell. I have sold and bought mostly train stuff on EBAY for the past few years. The biggest problem I have had is controlling my bidding frenzy and not bidding too high for an item. Know what the item is worth retail and what the mail order guys are selling it for. Set your maximum and then be able to let go of it if the price goes crazy. I have scooped up lots of good stuff for cheap.

As for selling an item. What are your options if you have some niche item that maybe five guys might want in the whole U.S.? Ebay is great for making those types of connections. Where else could I have sold a used Marklin catenary set for $200.00???

In my opinion most of the train guys are honest guys. Once when I had a problem, the guy took an engine back and replaced it with a new one. There are certain items I would be much more cautious about (computers, musical instruments etc....) buying on EBAY.

Many of the train guys I know have done very well selling and buying on Ebay. I think it is great for the hobby.

Guy

[Anonymous]

Excellent place to buy and sell. I have sold and bought mostly train stuff on EBAY for the past few years. The biggest problem I have had is controlling my bidding frenzy and not bidding too high for an item. Know what the item is worth retail and what the mail order guys are selling it for. Set your maximum and then be able to let go of it if the price goes crazy. I have scooped up lots of good stuff for cheap.

As for selling an item. What are your options if you have some niche item that maybe five guys might want in the whole U.S.? Ebay is great for making those types of connections. Where else could I have sold a used Marklin catenary set for $200.00???

In my opinion most of the train guys are honest guys. Once when I had a problem, the guy took an engine back and replaced it with a new one. There are certain items I would be much more cautious about (computers, musical instruments etc....) buying on EBAY.

Many of the train guys I know have done very well selling and buying on Ebay. I think it is great for the hobby.

Guy

[n2mopac]

I find numerous items on ebay. Again, be careful about who you buy from. I bought an item that was misrepresented one time. Foutunately the guy was willing to refund my money, but only when I threatened to report him to ebay. However, that is one of dozens of items I have purchased there. All others have been exactly what I expected. The beauty of it is if you don't find exactly what you're looking for immediately, shop for a few weeks and you probably will ( unless it is a very rare item). I wouldn't say it is the ONLY place to buy power and rolling stock, but is definately near the top of my list.
Ron

[n2mopac]

I find numerous items on ebay. Again, be careful about who you buy from. I bought an item that was misrepresented one time. Foutunately the guy was willing to refund my money, but only when I threatened to report him to ebay. However, that is one of dozens of items I have purchased there. All others have been exactly what I expected. The beauty of it is if you don't find exactly what you're looking for immediately, shop for a few weeks and you probably will ( unless it is a very rare item). I wouldn't say it is the ONLY place to buy power and rolling stock, but is definately near the top of my list.
Ron

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

You need to know what you are doing to be safe buying ebay items, whether that be trains or used underware. You'll get a few bargins, gain confidence, and then some shister will stick it to you eating up any and all savings. Tell the thousands of buyers who have been ripped off by buying junk and/or undelivered items how great ebay and their "customer protection plan" is when you get stiffed. If I were a seller I could send you an empty box with delivery confirmation and it would satisfy ebay's and Paypal's buyer protection plan. Just go to yahoo or any search engine and search ebay fraud. You get thousands of hits, yes thousands. Example; http://www.msnbc.com/news/809148.asp and hundreds of other reports from NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, user groups. People buying 1200 dollar notebooks and getting nothing but a box. The frauds are kept quiet because it's bad for business, just like Enron and Merril Linch. When I was taken for $90 on computer parts no one did anything, the local police refused to even take a police report! So make believe that ebay is the greatest thing ever, put on your blinders and buy away. It will never happens to you, only the other guy.

Flee-man
No one said ebay was foolproof, of course you have to watch your cookies on ebay. $1200 for a assumed computer notebook? well, they were just stupid to me, I would NEVER buy a computer on ebay for example, I would want a store and a warrenty and a return policy before I bought anything like that. CompUSA or equal.

But yes, you can get burned, thats why you have to make sure the seller is reputable, if your not sure, read the comments in the feedback section, those comments tell me more about the seller than those 99% positive blurbs ebay puts out. The comments will tell what is really thought of that seller. I have only had one real problem so far on ebay, the seller mixed up two shipping for bike forks, my fork went to Seattle, and I got the Seattle buyers fork, well the Seattle buyer didnt return the fork, luckily I sent Seattles fork back to the seller and got a refund but it was a hassle.

Look carefully at the photos, if they are fuzzy ask the seller to send you others, most will. If they get uppity then forget them. Its been my experience that very very few one of a kind things come up on ebay, so if you blow off one seller you will find another fairly fast.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

You need to know what you are doing to be safe buying ebay items, whether that be trains or used underware. You'll get a few bargins, gain confidence, and then some shister will stick it to you eating up any and all savings. Tell the thousands of buyers who have been ripped off by buying junk and/or undelivered items how great ebay and their "customer protection plan" is when you get stiffed. If I were a seller I could send you an empty box with delivery confirmation and it would satisfy ebay's and Paypal's buyer protection plan. Just go to yahoo or any search engine and search ebay fraud. You get thousands of hits, yes thousands. Example; http://www.msnbc.com/news/809148.asp and hundreds of other reports from NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, user groups. People buying 1200 dollar notebooks and getting nothing but a box. The frauds are kept quiet because it's bad for business, just like Enron and Merril Linch. When I was taken for $90 on computer parts no one did anything, the local police refused to even take a police report! So make believe that ebay is the greatest thing ever, put on your blinders and buy away. It will never happens to you, only the other guy.

Flee-man
No one said ebay was foolproof, of course you have to watch your cookies on ebay. $1200 for a assumed computer notebook? well, they were just stupid to me, I would NEVER buy a computer on ebay for example, I would want a store and a warrenty and a return policy before I bought anything like that. CompUSA or equal.

But yes, you can get burned, thats why you have to make sure the seller is reputable, if your not sure, read the comments in the feedback section, those comments tell me more about the seller than those 99% positive blurbs ebay puts out. The comments will tell what is really thought of that seller. I have only had one real problem so far on ebay, the seller mixed up two shipping for bike forks, my fork went to Seattle, and I got the Seattle buyers fork, well the Seattle buyer didnt return the fork, luckily I sent Seattles fork back to the seller and got a refund but it was a hassle.

Look carefully at the photos, if they are fuzzy ask the seller to send you others, most will. If they get uppity then forget them. Its been my experience that very very few one of a kind things come up on ebay, so if you blow off one seller you will find another fairly fast.

[Anonymous]

As a buyer and seller of model trains on E Bay I agree with most of the posts. As far as fraud is concerned, it is much less in the model trains area than in electronics.
Negative feedback is death in model trains. I would not buy from someone that had unreasonable negative feedback. [}:)]
If someone does show negative feedback look at the item involved, who left negative feedback and why. [8]
How long ago did they get negative feedback?
Then look at the feedback from the person that left the negative feedback.
Is this person a whiner or OK? Does he have much feedback? How much trading has he done lately?
Check the items bought and sold by the seller. Is he mostly a buyer and occasionally a seller, or does he sell more than buy.?
There are definately buyers that will leave negative feedback for no good reason.

Ultimately it is up to the buyer to see if it "feels right" to deal with the seller. If it doesn't feel right, move on.[V]

Set a price that you are willing to pay and don't go over that price. [:p]
Remember there will always be another one of these eventually.[:D]

Pete

[Anonymous]

As a buyer and seller of model trains on E Bay I agree with most of the posts. As far as fraud is concerned, it is much less in the model trains area than in electronics.
Negative feedback is death in model trains. I would not buy from someone that had unreasonable negative feedback. [}:)]
If someone does show negative feedback look at the item involved, who left negative feedback and why. [8]
How long ago did they get negative feedback?
Then look at the feedback from the person that left the negative feedback.
Is this person a whiner or OK? Does he have much feedback? How much trading has he done lately?
Check the items bought and sold by the seller. Is he mostly a buyer and occasionally a seller, or does he sell more than buy.?
There are definately buyers that will leave negative feedback for no good reason.

Ultimately it is up to the buyer to see if it "feels right" to deal with the seller. If it doesn't feel right, move on.[V]

Set a price that you are willing to pay and don't go over that price. [:p]
Remember there will always be another one of these eventually.[:D]

Pete