IMHO I believe that the recent YORK meet had a lot of dealers that were way out of line with there prices. I made many legitimate offers that were turned down and I do not understand why?
My questions is, as a dealer trying sell your stuff, why would you spend all that money to go to YORK (hotel, food,transportation and your valuable time) only to pack up your stuff and bring it home? I know a lot of people go there for the social aspect but sooner or later buyers will stop going if they can not get what they want at a fair price. I just don't get it?????
What is there to understand?
Those who turned down your offer just didn't believe they were high enough. Folks are entitled to place any value they wish on their own property.
As long as I have been attending train shows / meets, there have been table holders with overpriced merchandise. IMHO, there is nothing wrong with making a polite offer, which hopefully (but not always) generates a polite response (yes, no, or a counter)If an agreement is reached, I make a purchase, if not I move on.
One thing I never do: Try to educate a seller on why their price is high.
Those sellers know their prices are too high. I just don't see the point of dragging the same stuff place to place year after year. yes I said years. Most of us never sell everything but if I set up a table it's because I want to move some items to get money for new things.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
BobDJ IMHO I believe that the recent YORK meet had a lot of dealers that were way out of line with there prices. I made many legitimate offers that were turned down and I do not understand why? My questions is, as a dealer trying sell your stuff, why would you spend all that money to go to YORK (hotel, food,transportation and your valuable time) only to pack up your stuff and bring it home? I know a lot of people go there for the social aspect but sooner or later buyers will stop going if they can not get what they want at a fair price. I just don't get it?????
It's always been that way. The modus operandi has been for at least the last 30 years to try to increase the value of one's collection by selling lesser quality items at a higher cost, then showing how "junk" went for so much, therefore your stuff must be worth more.
It got so bad about 22 years ago for me, I dropped out of tca and never went back.
I watched the shenanigans of local members and officers "advising" recent widows of tca members on value.
You have to remember this was 22-23 years ago....she had this trashed 726 or 736. Bent, broken, husband had put full "0" scale GN boxcar Goat on the tender....it was so big, it lapped around the top and bottom of the shell...they told her it was worth $125.....when at the time really nice examples were locally going for that or less.
And, an Atlas 0-6-0 diesel switcher...they told her thirty bucks.
It was in pieces, the mounts for the screws to hold the body on were broken...I walked up to her and showed he the latest MR ads....AHC? Hobbycenter? Brand New, same engine, $6.98.
She said, "Oh, the boys told me it was worth this much, and that's what I'm going to get for it!"
Why? If it sold, these same hooligans could quote those sales prices at an auction (and, yes, I did hear that..."One in far worse shape just sold at auction for $125..this PRISTINE unit is up for auction starting at $300...."
Bottom started falling out of the market oh, 10-12 years ago....but these guys think there are still clueless suckers that will pay fifty bucks for a chipped up 027 boxcar.
Hoping against hope that the junk they have carefully saved all these years will be the retirement windfall the fellow tca members always said it would.
I really pity the last guy who ended up with the pre war scale Hudson. 5344K?
Back then, it was going around the auctions....new, factory sealed, with an x-ray to prove content...and all the Zamac parts are most likely crumbled....all those years ago, it was looking to get $5,000.
Some poor sucker probably has it now, and if he opened it, found he has little crumbled bits of metal.
I see these guys...saw one at a show couple of months ago....high prices, take off five bucks for "show price", and it's just new folks in the hobby who end up buying....without understanding what they are really worth.
Sounds like your local members were a real piece of work. I guess I've probably met a few like that, but not many.
I have only been to one train show and it was not York and I saw the same thing. High prices for low quality pieces.
I have been to hundreds of car shows and swap meets as a buyer and seller and it is the same. Just the nature of the beast.. It is easier hauling trains around back and forth to meets than it is car quarter panels, doors, and hoods though.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
First this seems to be one hot topic seeing this was started again after one had over a dozen post but anyway I haven't been to train meets but if you goto flea markets or garage sales you find the same for seller to seller some think the stuff they have for sale is worth its weight in gold and you can find the same logic on ebay I have seen basically a $45 train set wanting over $200 plus ridiculous shipping on top of that and then I have seen where someone had a decent piece with a semi rare item but start like .99 and its value may be $50 - $60 and it will be over $100 never can tell. I check ebay regularly and I use pocket guide as a guide only as I see a lot sell for less than it states in fact rarely does it sell right at the area and then as stated you have the scratch your head on items that sell for 2 - 4 times the book quote so who know like others have said its what someone is willing to pay as to what its worth.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
cwburfleSounds like your local members were a real piece of work. I guess I've probably met a few like that, but not many.
They were. And I left. And, just so locals don't think I wasn't there, I've kept my last membership card from 1991.
Boys, what you're seeing is the same thing I've seen for the past 35-plus years at gun shows, antique shows, camera shows, and flea markets. Some stuff is priced to move, some is priced like the sellers think they've got a piece of the True Cross.
In my experience, the professionals are the ones you'll get the best deals from. they make a living at it so the stuff HAS to move. It doesn't move, they don't make money and can't pay the bills. It's the part-timers you'll have the trouble with. They're only in it for fun, maybe for profit. The stuff moves, great. It doesn't, well they're just back to the "Nine-to-Five" on Monday morning anyway.
That's the way it's always been.
I am really glad this post did not get deleted by the moderator like it did on that other train forum. I will not be posting on that forum anymore because they do not believe in freedom of speech. Right or wrong...politically correct or incorrect, everybody's opinion should be heard....this is America!!!!!!
A seller has the right to turn down your offer as much as you have the right to make it.I was very interested in an item during the York meet, I made my offer, and the seller said he had to get what he was asking. I had made a commitment to not spend any more than I took with me so I walked. I went back a few times and the item eventually did sell, so just because your 'reasonable' offer was turned down doesn't mean the next guy won't pay more or what the seller was asking.I don't understand why people get so bent out of shape when sellers don't accept what they offer? As you say "This is America".It took me 5+ years to find a 671 in the condition I wanted at a price I was willing to pay... so be patient, and polite and the deals will eventually come your way.
https://brentsandsusanspicutures.shutterfly.com/
As a seller, I am not afraid to turn down an offer.
Due to a reduction in income, I had no choice but to sell some of my collection on ebay to pay bills. Before I listed an item, I studied the market for that particular item. That way, I could price the item fairly, move it quickly, and maximize my profit.
I understand that making an offer is common in this hobby. What I don't understand is how some potential buyers expect their lowball offer to be taken seriously.
Let's say an item is averaging $150 plus shipping on the market. I'd price mine at $125 with free shipping just to move it. I'd have people offer $75 or less for that item, then get angry when I refused.
I found that those are the same people that would try anything to get a free ride as well. I don't cater to those that feel they are entitled to special treatment.
With my financial situation making a massive turnaround in the next few weeks, I am glad to be done with selling.
Jim
In America, there is no right to free speech in a private place, such as these chat boards. That written, it is entirely possible that your thread was deleted not because of what you posted, but because of what was written in response. Just curious:
Have you attended many public train shows or meets?Did you attend the York show as a TCA member or as a guest?
"I am really glad this post did not get deleted by the moderator like it did on that other train forum. I will not be posting on that forum anymore because they do not believe in freedom of speech. Right or wrong...politically correct or incorrect, everybody's opinion should be heard....this is America!!!!!!"
On that "other" forum you have to be one of the guys in the "good ole boys club" to get a fair shake there. In my opinion, everyone of the guys who moderate and run that site are first class jerks with smart mouths, as are many of the posters. That is why I don't go there anymore and cancelled their one sided magazine. CTT gets my money and loyalty now. I agree about the prices at York. Some will deal, others not. Post war trains are not the golden retirement ticket many think they have. Not any more.
Roger
If it was on the main forum, it may have had more to do with the topic belonging in their TCA York forum area. Any discussion of York on the main forum seems to tick some people off.
Also, if you want to complain about another forum, do it over there, not here.
Bob Keller
Well, here is a GOOD story. 2 days ago, at a flea market, I found 2 old stereoview cards (3-D photos from 1906) that I wanted to buy. I said to the dealer, "These come to $9.50 total. Would you take $8. for them?" The dealer said, "No, but I'll take $4.75 since I have a half-price sale going on".
Joe need to get your eyes checked?? LOL
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