Wondering if I did the right thing??!

[JohnT14808]

I was at a local train swap meet this last weekend ( Olympia, WA) and one of the sellers had what appeared to be an old MDC Roundhouse 2-6-0 Mogul metal kit for sale. The kit was not in a Roundhouse box, but was in a maroon colored box; looked like a complete outfit, with part tray, etc. He wanted $60.00 for it.
I looked it over; it appeared to have all the major parts, motor, running gear, etc. I inquired if he had the kit instructions as well, and he said sure and lifted out the parts tray to show me, and oops...no kit instructions. I looked at him and he started scrambling; his partner came over and both of them started tearing their packing boxes apart.
I said no thanks and walked off. They kept looking.
I came back later to the same table and asked if they found the instructions. Nope, but they offered me the kit for $35.00. I said no thanks.
I found a couple of friends and told them of the loco. They went over and checked it out and agreed that it appeared to be a complete kit, but cautioned that trying to do this without manufacturer's instruction could be frustrating. The seller lower the price to $30, but I decided to pass. I don't think the kit ever sold.

Now, three days later I'm regretting it. I am a fair modeler, but have never done a steam loco kit before, so I'm thinking I saved myself some grief, but the modeler in me is telling me ...."It's only $30.00.....what a challenge!!". Ah well...some other time.... Would YOU have bought the kit?

[Javern]

yah I would have bought it, would have been a project

[Anonymous]

If you were interested in having such a model, it would have been a good deal. You could have posted requests for copies of the instructions on this forum or other Internet sites. I've seen people making similar requests with success.

He who hesitates is lost!

Bob Boudreau

[randybc2003]

I've a couple of Tycos under my belt, and some historical knowledge. Yup - I'd have risked it! Better luck next time. They might even be there with the same kit at the next swap meet you attend.

[jsoderq]

For whatever it is worth, the maroon boxes were factory Roundhouse boxes. It probably would not be too hard to get a copy of the directions as most modelers keep such items.

[Anonymous]

I'd kept it. I wouldn't have assembled but used it as a scrap load for a gondola

[SpaceMouse]

I just finished a MDC kit. I would have done it now that I have one under the belt.

[Anonymous]

It would have been a gamble. You could probably have found a set of instructions but assembling that kit wihtout the instructions would be challenging. For myself, the lack of instructions also begs the question whether the kit was truly ocmplete. I'd have walked away too.

[mcouvillion]

John T.,

Yep, I'd have gotten it if I hadn't already spent all my money on other stuff at the train show. I like basket cases and the challenge of getting stuff to work. I've fixed up several real doozies, including a Lionel GS-4 that had two of the drive axles fall off the main drivers! A recent repair was a brass engine a friend bought at a yard sale. Someone had assembled the four main drive axles with the second one switched relative to the other three - a direct short! Took me a while to figure out that one. I'm mechanically inclined, so I can figure out the order of assembly. If you are not, it might get frustrating, but then again, for $30, it would be excellent experience.

Mark C.

[selector]

I guess if you knew you only had $75 to play with that day, the $30 was a bit of a risk. if you had been prepared to spend as much a $300 that day, I would not have hesitated.

Don't look back any more, John. Next show....

[IRONROOSTER]

Tough call. I'd probably taken a chance figuring I could get a copy of the instructions elsewhere. Since all the major parts were there, you could fill in small ones from other sources if it turned out they were missing.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

I'd have bought it for the final price. $30 is around £15 at the moment - that's what I paid for a broken Bachmann steamer that I rebuilt, though my limit for such things would be around £25 or so, depending on condition. As others have said, you'd be able to get hold of an instruction sheet somewhere, so it wouldn't be too much of a gamble.

[JohnT14808]

Ok.....next time I'll let the modler in me have it's way. Besides, gives me an excuse to get some new tools to work on it!! ...but honey...I had to buy it!!!......

[krump]

I think you did the right thing.
If you were as uncertain about that purchase as you indicated, it was best to walk away and save the $30 - $65 for something else. It might have been a good deal, or it might have been a headache. Besides, getting parts might have been more difficult than the instructions to assemble.
Perhaps, the challenge would be intriguing, but if you're like me, my skill hasn't been mastered yet. A full kit with complete instructions is about all that I have time for at the moment...
another good deal will show up in time, and you will probably jump at it without hesitation.
for now, don't be too hard on you.
enjoy the model railroad hobby

[underworld]

I probably would have....but I would have to see it to say for sure. However, I'm not known for doing normal things. [:p]

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

I recently finished my first one. Would have bought it now, but good luck doing your first one with no instructions!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JohnT14808
Would YOU have bought the kit?

Depends on your FTL (Frustration Tolerance Level). Higher FTL, maybe it's worth the risk; lower FTL, forget it! This is supposed to be a fun hobby, right?

[TurboOne]

Pick a direction and that is the right one. Never regret, just move on.

I would have passed, as my talent needs directions or help.

Tim