I think the worst part of all is when manufacturers produce "collectibles". How do they know they are "collectible"?
Takes time to develop collectability.
That is fed by Road Show, Pawn Stars, American Picker, Chasing Classic cars.
We sold off, this year, my neighbor's restored 1941 Lincoln Continental convertible, V-12, appaised at 70K, got 63K. You see on CCC a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, coupe, restored, auction out (allegedly) at 130K.
Everyone quotes auction figures....but, as long as you know 95% of the stuff you read on the algore is made up, right?
American Restoration. Cannot be right. Who would pay 10 grand torestore a pedal car to sit on a shelf?
Read up, a lot is faked as to who and where anyway.
So we are "told" stuff is collectible....to us, maybe, but nobody else it seems.
The only thing that increases in value, it sems, is your house...until the next housing market crash anyway.
And it was done so she could sell the stuff at the TCA meets. They knew full well.
Being the oldest of 5 of a widow, I know how this works..and smells. From a distance.
And, yes, the items started showing up later on from those same "advisors" at higher prices.I am not following you. She sold the trains at TCA shows and was able to get the prices you stated were over inflated? Then why did people buy them? Or did the "advisors" buy the trains at inflated prices, and were then able to sell them for even more? - The market for trains must have been rather strange in your area. Or did they take them to a national show? - still strange that TCA members would overpay.You've never, ever heard any (specific) TCA member mention "one of those just sold at the TCA auction for a HUGE amount!" or something close...which now in their mind set the new, higher price.This has nothing to do with Collecting Trains or the TCA. Ever hear of antiques road show, Pawn Stars, or Storage Wars? Why do you think these treasure hunting shows are popular. Some people like to think their treasures are worth lots of dollars. And what a few TCA members might do does not reflect the organization as a whole. It's too bad you beleive your mother was ripped off by some individuals who belonged to the TCA.
cwburfle And it was done so she could sell the stuff at the TCA meets. They knew full well. Being the oldest of 5 of a widow, I know how this works..and smells. From a distance. And, yes, the items started showing up later on from those same "advisors" at higher prices.I am not following you. She sold the trains at TCA shows and was able to get the prices you stated were over inflated? Then why did people buy them? Or did the "advisors" buy the trains at inflated prices, and were then able to sell them for even more? - The market for trains must have been rather strange in your area. Or did they take them to a national show? - still strange that TCA members would overpay.You've never, ever heard any (specific) TCA member mention "one of those just sold at the TCA auction for a HUGE amount!" or something close...which now in their mind set the new, higher price.This has nothing to do with Collecting Trains or the TCA. Ever hear of antiques road show, Pawn Stars, or Storage Wars? Why do you think these treasure hunting shows are popular. Some people like to think their treasures are worth lots of dollars. And what a few TCA members might do does not reflect the organization as a whole. It's too bad you beleive your mother was ripped off by some individuals who belonged to the TCA.
If you want to continuously misunderstand and divert conversation, just come out and say it.
And stop adding to what I said.
And also, watch the selective reading. I had already mentioned Roadshow and all those others.
It IS about TCA...and collecting....just so you know and fully understand, what is the middle of three words abbreviated by TCA?
I already explained my view of why those tv shows are popular....but again, selective reading enters in.
How long do you want to keep this going?
No, I don't want to misunderstand what you wrote. Why don't you clarify what you meant?
As long as you keep spouting hateful nonesense.
cwburfleIt's too bad you beleive your mother was ripped off by some individuals who belonged to the TCA
In my time in the hobby, TCA member or not, most sellers or buyers I have encountered would do anything to get the better end of the deal. Had a long time TCA member pretty much rob me on a doctored up 50th Anniversary set, swearing the set was bought by his Dad in the 50's and he was the only owner.
Train buying and selling often brings out the very worst in people.
Sad, but true. And the TCA membership really isn't any different than the general population. I don't think I'd limit the buying and selling to trains.
cwburfle Train buying and selling often brings out the very worst in people. Sad, but true. And the TCA membership really isn't any different than the general population. I don't think I'd limit the buying and selling to trains.
True. So glad I don't buy, sell or TCA. Maybe you're starting to understand...maybe comprehend the original poster's comments, and those that immediatley followed...and the TITLE of the thread.
"Hobby, Investment or ?."
So we try to steer folks from the investment attitude, and how may posts obfuscating that are there?
How many model or toy train organizations are there with "collector's" in their name again?
I should post the letter I have from NASA in my files....This Is NOT Rocket Science.
It is not now a viable investment strategy.
And with the lack of younger generations to take it up, it will all go into the dumpster when we are gone.
As one who's been collecting antiques since I was a teenager let me pass on some advice:
If it's manufactured and sold as a "collectable," it isn't.
"Limted edition" means limited to how many they can sell.
And the Golden Rule...
Buy it because you LIKE it! NOT because of any possible appreciation, that's just gravy if it happens.
This talk of what goes on at trains shows is exactly the same thing I've seen at gun shows, antique shows, and camera shows. It doesn't stop me from going to any of them. If I think the price is right, I'll buy it. If the seller has what we used to call a "telephone number" price on the article or thinks he's got a piece of "The True Cross" I'll just pass it by. I'm not gonna die if I don't go home with it.
Also, and this is just me, if I DON'T see a price on something I (usually) won't bother to ask. If the seller's not proud enough of his price to put it out there for all to see he's not worth the asking, in my opinion anyway. If you're going to be a retailer, BE a retailer!
While I'm on a roll, let me give you an example of how I operate...
I was at a train show last year, and an exhibitor had an MTH Camelback with Jersey Central markings. Hey, I'm from New Jersey, I'm a Jersey Central fan, and the $300 price didn't seem too bad. THEN I saw the PS-1 marking on the box label.
Sorry pal, three bills for a locomotive that's ten-plus years old with an obsolete sound system? Not from me. However, at the same show I saw an MTH "General" of the same vintage priced at $150. THAT one I bought! Works just fine too, and it's a nice addition to my 4-4-0 collection.
PS-1 you're talking more like 20 plus years old, so I agree, unless it's MIB that price was high.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
You betcha Becky! I see great minds think alike!
Wayne
PS: Did you check out my last comment on Bob's latest Menards blog. If you haven't have a look at this: www.vintagesodacompany.com
Type O-SO in the search block, click the magnifying glass, and be prepared to be amazed.
Unfortunately they can't help me with Brookdale's.
They can't help me with Milk-Shake bars either, blast it!
I bought all trains to run them yet when you rerally stop and think on it we all are collectors look at your shelves with freight cars and engines sitting on them!
I doubt anyone of us really wants to sell our trains rather they outlive us and continue to give joy to the next recipient!
honestly I never could wrap my head around someone buying vintage trains and then set them on a shelf and stare at them, but then each of us has our own way of enjoying trains and all other items we accrue during our lifetime!
Hey, when I worked in a gunshop there were plenty of collectors who'd buy the item, then take it home and put it in a glass case and NEVER shoot it!
Why? Who knows why? As one of them said to me "SHOOT A GUN? Are you mad?"
Me? I've shot every one I've got, from my 1779 Brown Bess to my 1985 M1A. That's what they were made for, right?
And CB&Q, you're right on the money. Out in my Chugger Barn I've got shelves displaying freight cars, passenger cars (juiced the tracks they're on so they light up) and locomotives.
Maybe subconciously I'm trying to re-create a hardware store I went to with my father around 1959 or so that had a big "Wall O'Trains" around Christmas time. It does look cool, though!
Firelock76They can't help me with Milk-Shake bars either, blast it!
If anybody would have them: http://www.sweetiescandy.com/
Absolutely fascinating link Becky, unfortunately they can't help much. Milk-Shake bars are out of production and have been for years.
Formerly produced by the Hollywood Candy Company, along with Pay-Day and Zero bars, the Milk-Shakes (kind of like a Milky-Way, but HEAVY on the malt) disappeared when Hollywood was bought by Hershey. Why? Who knows? Hershey had nothing comperable. Pay-Days (which I dearly love) and Zero's are still around.
Hollywood must have had a special deal for retailers around Halloween when I was a kid, because on "The Day" they were all over the place, and we loved 'em!
Oh well, maybe someday they'll be back. Boo-hoo.
Milk-Shake bars are out of production and have been for years.
You never know what will be brought back. Bonomo Turkish Taffy was off the market for a very long time. It was brought back a couple of years ago. (Don't know if they are still making them). From comments I've read, Regal Crown sours (hard candy) was unavailable for a long time, but they are back too. Unfortunately, the comments say they don't taste the same.
CB&Qhonestly I never could wrap my head around someone buying vintage trains and then set them on a shelf and stare at them, but then each of us has our own way of enjoying trains and all other items we accrue during our lifetime!
I can understand someone wanting to leave a train on the shelf, some are just really nice to look at. I still have most of my Mantua steamers, even though I doubt I'll ever run HO again. I just love the way they look, so I keep them displayed. I also have loads of diecast cars that I display. Love the models, the colors and the variety. I just like using these things to decorate my home.
What I don't really get is the lure of trains that are still sealed in a box, especially a brown cardboard box with nothing but a Lionel logo on it. I've seen a few of these on auction sites, going for big money. What do you do with it? Who would you show it to, and would they really get excited? Would it be like a pregnant woman showing off her sonogram? You run around showing off an X-ray and yelling "Look! There's a train in there!" I just don't see it, I'd have to rip it open.
scrambler81..... I recently cleaned under tables and discovered a mth ps-2 amtrack ready to run set that has been there for??????
guess im guilty of the unopened boxes !!
CB&Q scrambler81..... I recently cleaned under tables and discovered a mth ps-2 amtrack ready to run set that has been there for?????? guess im guilty of the unopened boxes !!
Hey, I cleaned out a closet once and found 300 rounds of 30-06 I'd forgotten I had.
Just like in your case, Christmas came early that year!
cwburfle Milk-Shake bars are out of production and have been for years. You never know what will be brought back. Bonomo Turkish Taffy was off the market for a very long time. It was brought back a couple of years ago. (Don't know if they are still making them). From comments I've read, Regal Crown sours (hard candy) was unavailable for a long time, but they are back too. Unfortunately, the comments say they don't taste the same.
That's my problem with O-So, I want my lime soda! (I remember liking milk-shake bars too btw! ) B.A. Sweeties is just around the corner from me and coincidentally my dentist is half way between us!
Thank God I'm more of a salt junkie than a chocolate one. If I lived around the corner from Sweeties I'd be dead by now.
Firelock76Regal Crown sours are very much back, I've tried them and they taste the same, to me at least. But the one they DIDN'T bring back is the one they should have, the "Sour Apple" candy. Man, were they SOUR! When we were kids we loved 'em, pop one in your mouth and you could feel your eardrums imploding! They'd put you on your hands and knees and when it was gone you'd hear yourself gasping "Wow, Give me another one!" Oh baby, they were that good!
When I was a kid, my grandfather carried them in his store. I remember lemon, cherry, and maybe orange. I loved them. I was just in a Candy store yesterday. They had the Bonomo turkish taffy, but no Regal Crown. Maybe I'll try for some in my next Amazon order.
I also liked Reeds cinamon hard candies. I don't remember them being hot.
Mr. Burfle, try this outfit...
www.vermontcountrystore.com
They've got the Regal Crowns AND Reed's hard candies. I remember Reed's myself and had forgotten all about them until I saw them in The Vermont Country Store catalog.
Thanks for the tip!
My view is that, if you want to invest in something, buy mutual funds. Trains are to be run on a layout.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month