how to sell model RR stuff??

[pugh]

1980’s Model railroad liquidation/auction questions: I built a sizable (15’ x 45’ ) model pike some 25 years ago in my basement. Upon the arrival of my 4th child, it was decided the space was better utilized containing the brats, so the layout went into boxes to await a better day. I now realize, at age 63, that my dream of re-contruction will not happen and I seek to redistribute some fun/old model RR stuff. I am talking about 80/90 weathered (mostly plastic) structures and buildings put together by an amateur (me). About 100 pieces of rolling stock, mostly plastic Athern type stuff, but including about 30 well made wooden (craftsman) pieces I bought at shows. 8 brass locos (6 with PFM sound), 30/40 #8 Shinohara turnouts, another 30 #4 and #6 with some 3-ways and some curved #8’s, maybe 150 feet of nickel silver flex-track, some sceniking stuff like bags of Westland powders, 8/10 tunnel portals.....maybe 100 HO people....boxes of little detail stuff. Anybody need a PFM Sound II system? How ‘bout 50+ PFM/Lambert switch machines? In a perfect world,I would give this stuff away to a local model RR club or a fellow building a monster pike in exchange for life membership/use rights!!! But that ain’t going to happen.....so, some questions from someone who has been out of the hobby for a long time: I’ve been reviewing E-Bay to try and establish a vague value of things. Modern Athern freight cars are ready to run, have metal wheels, and decent couplers @$19. My plastic freight cars have plastic wheels and Kadee couplers, so I figure they are worth about $7-9....right? What about “craftmans” hand built cars I bought at shows 25 years ago? I’ve got about 70 Shinohara turnouts. They retail for about $20, so my used ones are worth...what $8??? What about assembled weathered plastic buildings? 50% of retail? I don’t want to get into the shipping thing. Best case, you want my stuff, you come to my place. I live near a major Met area (DC), so I don’t think that’s unreasonable. So to make a long story even longer... is a 50% of current retail a good starting point? Are there people out there who would buy the whole thing and how do I get in touch with them? On what web-sites should I tell the world that this stuff is available? I’ve posted some pictures at http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff241/unclepugh/ (go to trains album) Thank you for your consideration Confused in Darnstown, Md Rick

[grizlump9]

 ebay is a good place to get an idea of price ranges.  if you decide to auction it off, i would suggest selling the cheaper items in small lots to cut down on the hassle of so much shipping.  check for train shows and swap meets in your area and pop for a table.

grizlump

[BStorace]

As was mentioned put the small stuff in lots but include one or two "hot items" to get the bidding going. It is all in the pacjkaging and how you describe it. Instead of saying Older Used Athearn you would say Classic Athearn. I sold off a batch of old Athearn, IHC and even Tyco by doing a quick and dirty weathering job on them and received a minimum of $15.00 a car for the cheap stuff. You may be surprised what auction prices can run up to, especially if ego's start entering into it. If you do the garage sale/ train show method you will be left with the picked over remnents that will be around forever. Remember you can always come down but you can't go up. Good Luck

[ratled]

 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOYARDSALE/

No charge to sell.

ratled

[Bdewoody]

Another possibility is to check and see if there is going to be a train show in your area.  At a lot of these shows you can rent a table for a reasonable fee and sell your stuff to the attendees.  Start high and as the show winds down lower your prices and theres a good chance you will walk away with empty boxes and a pocket full of cash.

 E-bay is fine but unless you auction off a bunch of stuff together going to the post office every other day gets old.

 

You ought to think hard about whether this is what you want to do.  I just turned 60 and have just gotten started on my layout.  It may not get finished but I'll have fun till I die.

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 One Word   Timonium

 http://www.gsmts.com/index.htm

[ShawneeHawk]

Bdewoody

Another possibility is to check and see if there is going to be a train show in your area.  At a lot of these shows you can rent a table for a reasonable fee and sell your stuff to the attendees.  Start high and as the show winds down lower your prices and theres a good chance you will walk away with empty boxes and a pocket full of cash.

 E-bay is fine but unless you auction off a bunch of stuff together going to the post office every other day gets old.

 

You ought to think hard about whether this is what you want to do.  I just turned 60 and have just gotten started on my layout.  It may not get finished but I'll have fun till I die.

 

Bob is right.  63 is not old.  I'll be 55 this summer and hope to get started on my permanent basement layout.

[kenkal]

pugh

I now realize, at age 63, that my dream of re-contruction will not happen and I seek to redistribute some fun/old model RR stuff.

Rick, echoing the thoughts of others here, why not rethink this?  I'm 68, about 1/2 way thru my 20x28 basement layout and having one heck of a lot of fun doing it. People who don't have hobbies will generally waste away and die young.  What could be a more enjoyable hobby than model railroading (I'm trying to keep this clean ;)  )?  You may regret selling all your stuff later, especially if you let it go for bargain prices such as at train shows.

You're 63.  You likely will have a lot of life left in you.  Enjoy it!

Ken 

 

 

[Anonymous]

 Rick,

you´d be surprised, how little you will finally get for your trains and accessories, although it sounds, as if you have some real goodies there. Plastic structures have virtually no value, unless your are able to sell them for small $$$ locally, Packaging and shipping is forbidding in that case. Your brass locos are certainly items of value, but the PFM sound system has been long replaced by DCC&Sound and therefore maybe more an obstacle for selling it instead of a boost.

In all, figure on not getting much more than 25 - 30 % of the current retail value. Don´t ask me how I know - I had to sell most of my MRR stuff when I lost my job.

I would also like to chime in with the other posters to your thread. At the age of 63, you are anything but old. Even if you don´t feel up to building a huge layout anymore, a small one would be certainly within reach and could give you tons of fun.

I am building a small (small? small! ) layout myself, benchwork, track and "electrics" not more than $ 150, keeps me from going insane. I am 54 now and have no chance to find a job here in Germany.

[slammin]

 Ebay is always a good sales tool. My experience has been that Athearn cars usually sell for very little. Shipping can be a hassle. Check the classified section of MR. There are several advertisers looking to buy whole collections. You'll get a lot less, but it will be a no hassle sale. Setting up at a local swap meet will get the fastest results. HOyardsale might be a good resource. I've subscribed for months and seen very few "good buys". Maybe I'm just cheap. If the posters are getting close to their asking prices, it may be the best place to get the most for your collection. But as other posters have said, early 60's isn't old. If you still have interest, start a new layout, have some fun with it, and when you move on your heirs can fight over the stuff!

[Grampy1]

I just started my layout at sixty after a 25 year lapse with no MR. Got the rest of my life to finish it.

[floridaflyer]

Started my layout at 68, been going for 4 years and look forward to many more. As some posters have stated, you may not get a whole lot for your stuff. You are just a kid, plan another layout, think of all the fun you will have, and you already have most of what yoy need. , .

[IRONROOSTER]

 I turned 63 this month and have bought my retirement house.  I plan to finish the basement this year and start a layout of about 1000 sq ft. It's the "big" one.  As others said I may not finish it, but it's the journey that's important. So unless you need the money or the space, I'd wait to sell.  If a large layout seems daunting, do a smaller one with expansion possibilities.

Enjoy

Paul

[Driline]

Sir Madog

I am 54 now and have no chance to find a job here in Germany.

 

Is it because of your age?   Germany is a welfare state. You should be protected both financially and healthwise cradle to grave, or did I miss something in European Studies?

[tatans]

Hope you are not bailing out of MR because you reached a certain age, this is when you are supposed to enjoy the hobby, just go to a dingy bar and look at "retirees" drooling in their rum all day, If possible stay with the hobby, it will help retain your sanity, good luck.

[Hamltnblue]

 Another "you're not that old" response here too.  If you ever feel old go to a local model rail club. I'm sure there will be a couple there old enough to be your big brother or father.  Why not start with a good ole 4x8 and see if the bug returns. Cant hurt.

[Phoebe Vet]

I, too put my trains away when I entered the Navy and never looked back until my grandchildren developed a fascination with Thomas the Tank Engine.  I built a small layout for Thomas to run on and it all came rushing back.  The layout now fills my two car garage and is my hobby, not theirs.  The grandchildren now like the "real" trains as much as Thomas.  I, too turned 63 this month and I have no plans to abandon my miniature world.

Unpack that stuff and get to work.  You will be glad you did.

[UP 4-12-2]

Be advised--I have sold several HO locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars on Ebay recently.  Till they get done with you, you will lose on average 14% of the actual selling price plus the VISA percentage they (Paypal, owned by Ebay) also rob out of your shipping charges.

If you have more patience, and don't need the money fast, I'd get a table or two at the next Timonium Show, or list small lots on HO Yardsale.  If it's good stuff, and people can see/touch it, it might do well.

John