phillyreading wrote: re: Boy THAT'S no lie!!! Missing the tender for $200.00 & missing money from your wallet if you buy from the description! That is one of the reasons I stay off ebay! Also people DON'T know the differance between H.O. and O gauge on ebay. I find ebay way overpriced!!!Lee F.
re: Boy THAT'S no lie!!! Missing the tender for $200.00 & missing money from your wallet if you buy from the description!
That is one of the reasons I stay off ebay! Also people DON'T know the differance between H.O. and O gauge on ebay. I find ebay way overpriced!!!
Lee F.
For sure you have to be careful what you buy. I bought two S2 postwar turbines (671 and 681) off E-Bay and just picked them up from the post office. Both were actually BETTER than what was described on their E-Bay ad. My search continues for a 682 turbine at a fair price in at least very good condition. I can take paint wear and stuff like missing oiler linkage. That is a fairly easy fix. But a hunk of rust with NO tender at a premium price....no way hoesay!!!
Dep
Virginian Railroad
phillyreading wrote: I am not 100% happy with ebay, sellers do not list things correctly all the time!Lee F.
I am not 100% happy with ebay, sellers do not list things correctly all the time!
Boy THAT'S no lie!!! I just checked a Lionel 682 on E-Bay. God it looks AWEFUL! And it comes with NO tender. Buy it now price...$200!!!! And it's missing the oiler linkage on one side. Looks like rust on the wheels too. These folks must think the 682 = a bar of solid gold no matter what the condition!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-682-turbine-engine_W0QQitemZ160062079129QQihZ006QQcategoryZ4146QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
P.S. Check this description "This engine is a prime unit and will make a great addition to any show case or running display". ROFL!!!!!
richopp,
I have been to Warricks (Plantation & Peters Rd) a few times and they tend to be more of all purpose hobby shop rather than just trains, no problems with Warricks. Prefer Ready To Roll because of being mainly trains, just off I-95 & N.W. 135 St. in north Miami.
I have just bought a Lionel frieght car from Train City auctions website and got what I paid for, this was the first time, so far so good.
It's not that I distrust the sellers. It's the SHIPPERS that I worry about. Especially at this time of year. Things have a funny way of "disappearing" in transit. With a charge card purchase you are covered if someone decides a 682 would look nicer under HIS Christmas tree instead of YOURS. Most of these guys have good ratings as far as customer satisfaction is concerned. Using a charge card is just a little extra protection for the buyer. Insuring an item is okay, but it takes a LONG time for the Post Office or a commercial shipper to come through with that refund. A credit to your credit card is only a phone call away.
Caveat Emptor...I live by it
Deputy wrote: Here's a 682 that's in minty shape. But the seller doesn't take PayPal or charge cards...so I have to pass on it. I'm reluctant to send a check or money order for E-Bay purchases. No protection above $200.http://cgi.ebay.com/LIONEL-682-STEAM-TURBINE-ENGINE-w-2046-50W-TENDER-OB-LN_W0QQitemZ230059533244QQihZ013QQcategoryZ4146QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemDep
Here's a 682 that's in minty shape. But the seller doesn't take PayPal or charge cards...so I have to pass on it. I'm reluctant to send a check or money order for E-Bay purchases. No protection above $200.
http://cgi.ebay.com/LIONEL-682-STEAM-TURBINE-ENGINE-w-2046-50W-TENDER-OB-LN_W0QQitemZ230059533244QQihZ013QQcategoryZ4146QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I wouldn't hesitate to buy from this seller & use a Postal money order. This guys father used to run Spoonley the Trainmans Hobby shop in Buffalo N.Y. years ago. Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr. were a few that purchased trains from him back then. I have been to his shop years ago & he had a room for every gauge train he sold. That was a very famous hobby shop years ago.
FEClionel wrote: Dep, Glad to help ! I'm looking for a 682 as well - I'd settle for a 681 with the 12 wheel tender. I have a large collection of late 50's stuff but I think the turbines mix well. Let me know if there are any cheap tenderless 681's or 671's out there- I have a lonely 250T tender that I think wold look nice with a S2.-Geoff
Dep,
Glad to help ! I'm looking for a 682 as well - I'd settle for a 681 with the 12 wheel tender. I have a large collection of late 50's stuff but I think the turbines mix well. Let me know if there are any cheap tenderless 681's or 671's out there- I have a lonely 250T tender that I think wold look nice with a S2.
-Geoff
Geoff: DOH! I just bought a 671 AND 681 and both came with the 12 wheel 2671 tenders. Paid $208 for each one of them and they're both in excellent condition. Got them off E-Bay. I been following the 682 situation on E-Bay for a couple of months and it's amazing what people will pay for crap. Here's an example that I ALMOST bought...until the price climbed to the ridiculous level:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220056280587&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:12
Note that the above loco came with NO tender at all. Yet the buyer paid $178.50 for it and it's only rated Very Good condition from the seller.
Here's a 681 that is in excellent shape and the price isn't bad:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lionel-Train-681-6-8-6-Diecast-Engine-w-Magnetraction_W0QQitemZ270063880174QQihZ017QQcategoryZ4146QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
tomtaras wrote: dear deputy-if you are interested, i have a lionel turbine with the die cast caboose and a display case that they sit in for sale-they have never been used-tom
dear deputy-if you are interested, i have a lionel turbine with the die cast caboose and a display case that they sit in for sale-they have never been used-tom
Hi Tom, Thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it. But I bought the one that FEClionel mentioned above from Trainz. As difficult as it was to find one at a reasonable price, I jumped at it. Now if you have a 682 postwar turbine and tender in excellent condition, I sure would be interested.
FEClionel wrote: Dep, Trainz has one now for $775 and the matching caboose is availible too! Merry Christmas
Trainz has one now for $775 and the matching caboose is availible too! Merry Christmas
THANK YOU SIR!!!! It's MINE now
I owe you big time for that heads up!
The store the post is about is:
ALL ABOUT TOY TRAINS6843 N Citrus AveCrystal River, FL 34429
rich: Thanks for that excellent advice. I also purchase from Wholesale trains and they have been very good at keeping me informed on my purchase. I have a Lionel Tony Stewart NASCAR add-on set on order with them and they have been great at keeping me posted on it's status. And no...it's not for me My wife is a big Tony Stewart fan and I am hoping the set will be released before Christmas. Me....I'm strictly Jeff Gordon
As far as E-Bay...I've been searching for a 682 Turbine and HOLY SMOKES ! You can sure tell the pre-Christmas madness is in effect. People are having bidding wars that send the price WAY BEYOND any actual value. I wonder if after-Christmas there will be a flood of train stuff available for dirt cheap after these folks get their outrgeous charge card bills?
Is this the store you saw on the way to Savannah? I'll be going to a show near there on the 16th. If you wish, I'll scope it out.
East Coast Trains 244 State Road 16, Saint Augustine, FL 32084 (904) 824-3475
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Interesting stories about buying on e-bay and on the 'net in general. I will add what I can. I have purchased from Ready to Roll (very nice people and competent) as well as the Lantana store. Since I live between the two (Boca Raton) and there is not a shop in town, I also visit Warrick Custom Hobbies, in Plantation (west of Ft. Lauderdale airport), which is a huge general hobby store with a very large train department. Ready to Roll is a train store only, so you may not be tempted to wander the aisles and spend too much like I do at Warrick!
Regarding online and e-bay, I have purchased over 300 items on e-bay and been burned twice for small amounts of $$. Most sellers take back what you don't want. I buy lots of car parts for my '72 Buick Stage 1 Convertible, which I bought new in '72, and have not had issues yet. However, you must know EXACTLY what you are looking for (part number) and know EXACTLY what condition it is in before you buy. I always contact the seller with questions. If they don't answer, I don't bid, period.
As for stores, I have had no issues with Wholesale Trains (link below). If they have the item in stock, they ship at once. After you spend a reasonable amount with them (I think $200.00) you get deeper discounts on what you buy. The website is massive and not organized in the best possible fashion, but they sell a lot of stuff. I always call after I order to make sure the order has been placed properly and that the item is in stock. So far, so good with them.
I have purchased over 100 train items on ebay and always follow the same process--contact the seller, make sure the item is what you are looking for, and develop a rapport with the person or store. In that way I have built a relationship that I can go back to if necessary.
Just some ideas I thought I would share with everyone who is on this thread. Good hunting! I have gotten some real 'steals' shopping online, but, once again, be an informed shopper.
The S2 experience that started this thread is probably not avoidable until someone tells us about it, so thanks very much for the heads-up on this shop.
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/default.htm
rlplionel, Thanks for the info on Crystal River! Not planning to go there.
Have been to St. Augustine FL, headquarters for FEC(Florida East Coast) railway, seen a small hobby shop on the north side of town but didn't have time to stop as I was on my way to Savanah GA.
phillyreading wrote:Just went to mapquest and found Crystal River FL, it is across from Wildwood FL or across from where the FL turnpike meets I-75. That is if I got the right info from mapquest, never heard of this place other than on this post. I do a lot of vacation driving in Florida and have not seen any signs for Crystal River, so I am assuming that it is a small city.
Just went to mapquest and found Crystal River FL, it is across from Wildwood FL or across from where the FL turnpike meets I-75. That is if I got the right info from mapquest, never heard of this place other than on this post. I do a lot of vacation driving in Florida and have not seen any signs for Crystal River, so I am assuming that it is a small city.
Your assumption is correct, Lee, Crystal River is a small town. It's located on U.S. Highway 19. You would never go through it unless you were going there or driving between Tallahassee and the Tampa Bay area. Homosassa Springs is just south of Crystal River on 19 and is famous for its underwater fish tank where you can view fresh and saltwater fish together, as well as manatees. The manatees hang out in the Homosassa and Crystal Rivers in the winter time because of the warm springs that are the source of the rivers. Of course, 20 miles further south is Weeki Wachee, which is famous for their underwater mermaids. So while there are no good beaches and only one mediocre train hobby shop nearby, there are some things to see and do in the area.
Two of the shops that I deal with are; The Depot in Lantana (a few miles south of West Palm Beach) and Ready To Roll in Miami FL. Currently trying Train City auction as some of the guys here had mentioned it on other posts.
Lee: Like you I was avoiding buying on E-Bay. Bought something in the past and got burned bad. Not a lot of money lost...but the part (an intake manifold for my Vette) was a complete piece of junk. Part of the "trick" to buying on E-Bay is to use a charge card whenever possible. Besides being able to dispute the charge with PayPal (another outfit I'm not crazy about...but a necessary evil on E-Bay), I can dispute the charge with VISA. So far on all my train purchases, I have been pretty lucky. I've received everything I ordered and it has all been as advertised. I just bought two S2 turbines that are used, the first time for used train stuff, so we shall see. I have been avoiding buying anything that requires a check or money order, because once that is sent, there is really no way to recoup the money when it is cashed. I am watching a 682 turbine that is a check-money order deal, and if it doesn't get too pricey, I may bid on it. The guy has a 100% rating...not that that means a whole lot.
rlplionel,
Usually I deal with internet stores that I have been to in person before buying over the internet. Maybe I am too cautious but I feel that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Had an unusual experiance with an ebay seller so I am cautious about buying from ebay too, got the wrong size caboose, thought that I was bidding on an H.O. caboose and turned out to be an 027 caboose. Kept the caboose because it was something that I wanted in a certain roadname. Currently I am using Train City auction site to buy from, will let you know how it turns out.
Robert: My guess is that a lot of stuff he sells he hasn't even got in stock. He sells it and then searches around trying to find a "deal" on it so that he can make a profit. That may work for current production Lionel, but the item I wanted went out of production in 1991, and they are far from common or cheap. I have learned my lesson from this guy and won't ever do business with him again.
There were two dealers blowing out the Polar Express set on eBay this past summer - this dealer and another one getting about $10 more for the set. I elected to pay the extra $10 to get a set from the other dealer based on eBay feedback and past comments posted on the toy train forums.
I visited this gentleman's train shop in Crystal River a year or so ago. It's actually a few miles out in the country from Crystal River - an unlikely location for a retail outlet. There was a nice layout in the store and a few pieces of beat up, pricey postwar for sale on the shelves. I noticed the rear storage area was well-stocked with train boxes and there was a stack of packages ready to be shipped out near the door. I presumed from these clues that this dealer did most of his business mail order.
Talked to Chase VISA today. They are crediting my card the full amount that All About Toy Trains charged me. YAY!!!!!
phillyreading wrote: Deputy,Must it be a Lionel? If not Williams has some nice locomotives for sale, even the S-2 Pennsy. One other note about Williams is that their trains do not have TMCC or other electronics for speed control.Also you can check out other internet places like Train City Auctions or a place I do business with is Ready To Roll(I never had a problem) in Miami FL www.readytorolltrains.com Lee F.
Deputy,
Must it be a Lionel? If not Williams has some nice locomotives for sale, even the S-2 Pennsy. One other note about Williams is that their trains do not have TMCC or other electronics for speed control.
Also you can check out other internet places like Train City Auctions or a place I do business with is Ready To Roll(I never had a problem) in Miami FL www.readytorolltrains.com
Hi Lee, Actually, I already have the MTH S2 turbine. I wanted the 18010 because it was pretty "loaded" with extras. I have a couple of Williams locos, but I tend to like mine with all the "goodies" on it. I would have to send out the Williams to have it upgraded with Proto2. I already have two Williams GP9s that are gonna need that upgrade. I will be using both TMCC and DCS on my layout, so I am actually looking for locos that have that option rather than the ones that are stripped. The 671 and 681 I got off E-Bay I will use with boxcars that have the Railsounds in them and hook them up to non-scale rolling stock. But thanks for the suggestions!!!!
I have a "request for refund" letter sent to Chase VISA. Still waiting to hear back from them. No refund from this ripoff All About Toy Trains outfit yet. I suspect Chase will have to put the squeeze on them for the refund.
On a brighter note...I nailed a 671 AND 681 post war loco and tender pair. Both are in excellent condition and the tenders are the 12 wheel versions!! I am tracking some S2 18010 locos, but they are climbing in price steadily. The hunt goes on
Santa Fe Kent wrote:This is one several reasons why I buy from my local dealer, even if I hafta pay more!
Which is exactly what I would do IF I had a local dealer. There are NO hobby shops in my town. There are quite a few of us in this predicament. We are stuck with either phone orders or internet orders. That's why I suggest we keep a list of reputable dealers. Perhaps a "sticky thread" might be a good idea? Not sure if the mods would go along with it though.
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