HI,
I am think of buying a few lots of track on eBay when i get an account and IDK if it is a good idea to buy a lot of track off this site. Can someone help me? I know it is moslty usedtrack so...
I watch track on eBay all the time, but have yet to buy any. The stuff that is posted as new, I can get as good or better price from MB Klein and KNOW I am dealign with a reputable dealer. The used stuff, look VERY carefully at the pictures, it's too easy to damage track tearing it up if you aren't careful and the hassle of gettign it to sit flat and stay put is really not worth it.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ya takes yer chances. However, if the seller has many selling lots of record, and has a good solid rating, the chances are the description is going to be pretty darned close. The photograph is merely frosting.
As Randy suggests, I just caved and ordered two large bundles of Code 83 Atlas flex from M.B. Klein's. The price was pretty good, better than any other place I had looked, and I know it will be new or at worse restocked.
Crandell
I prefer Amazon over Ebay when it comes to buying safe products.
I'm not a big fan of E-bay. As Randy and Crandall said, there are reputable dealers who can usually match the price.Unless I'm dealing with a company I've come to trust, I want to see the product with my own personal eyeballs before I part with my cash or credit.
Speaking only for myself, if someone was trying to dump obviously damaged product at, "Get this off my hands," prices, I might buy it - as a source of raw material for hand-laid specialwork. In that case, I wouldn't expect to lay it as-is.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Don't take this the wrong way, because I really think you seem like a nice young man with your head on in the right direction, but, really, thirteen-year-olds have no business having accounts on ebay and buying used track.
I suggest you start with a nice, quality HO scale set that your parents can buy for you for under $100 shipping included on ebay from a top-rated seller, then expand from there once you have some of the basics down.
Good luck to you and I'm sure I'm not the only one to welcome you to this forum nor the only one to hope we'll hear from you often.
The St. Francis Consolidated Railroad of the Colorado Rockies
Denver, Colorado
Hey, I have bought brand new fast track jigs off e-bay for under $50!!!!!!!!!!!
Shipping is the big question too me. Might very well eat up any savings.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
LION buys his track from Paul in Brooklyn. LION likes the Model Power brand: CHEAP and works good. Him bought 300' this year, and over 600' feet from him altogether.
Atlas is pricy, and the others are outrageously pricy.
Besides, LIONS are cheap.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I don't think i will ever get an account on eBay because I mainly wanted to use it to sell stuff that wasn't bought at a yard sale I'm thinkin' of having to raise money to build a layout
Maybe if people who despise brass track would dispose of it for sale and not dumping it in the garbage, there would be a market for used track, I know ! I know! all the experts who claim brass track is equivalent to trash will have a heyday with this comment, albeit, there are still plenty of us out there that have not bought into the myth of superior nickel track.
I have purchased LOTS of track from various sellers on ebay. And I have always received exactly what was promised in the listing. The only trouble I've ever had was from one fellow who didn't pack it well enough-- in that instance, it was actually some "used rails", and they arrived partially opened and some of the rails hanging out & bent. However, aside from the error in packaging, they were in good shape, as indicated in the listing. The seller handled the shipping issue with good grace. I was satisfied and would even purchase from him again.
In all my years of buying / selling on ebay-- well over a decade and thousands of transactions, I have only once been outright "ripped-off" twice, once for about $16 bucks and the other for about $50. I can count the number of "questionable" / "objectionable" transactions on one hand-- well, maybe two hands. And then a few that I just didn't read the listing well enough-- but those were my own fault. But in any case, frankly I'd wager that my buying experiences through ebay are *at least* on par with my regular purchase experiences in other venues-- flea markets, auctions, etc., and probably exceed them. In the case of the $50 issue, the seller grumbled hard but ultimately sent me a replacement upon threat of bad feedback. However, that said, it is in your interest to buy with caution-- caveat emptor, et al.
Plus Paypal and my credit card (debit card actually) both shield me from out-and-out fraud, and Paypal has cheerfully refunded a purchase (a high-dollar one too) in which the seller didn't deliver. Turns out in the end that he was in the hospital for an extended stay-- and did, in the end deliver the goods and I paid him again. So even that transaction turned out well.
John
I just don't like the idea of used track, and liek I said, the sellers with new track, well, I can get the same or better price at Klein's and not gamble. However, most of my locos and rolling stock DID come from eBay. Great deals there, like the $20 P2K ALco switcher, $40 Proto 2000 Geeps, etc. The trick is to pay attention and don't bid more than you are prepared to spend. Especially pay attention to shipping, some people put in outrageous amonts to ship. They key though is the total proce - item plus shipping. Even if the shipping is crazy, if the total is still less than I cna get it for elsewhere, I'll still bid. For newer or current production items check some of the reputable suppliers liek Klien's BEFORE bidding to see if you really are getting a deal.
I have bought and sold lots of track new and used on Ebay. All the usual cautions apply here when dealing with Ebay. If you know what you are doing, you can get some great deals. I have bought lots of new switches for a very good price. Lately I see less deals, but I am done looking for track work, so I don't follow it as closely as I once did. You might also try HO yardsale.
Guy.
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Hi,
I have sold a lot of used track, turnouts, and other track components on Ebay in the last couple years. The buyers were obviously happy with what they got, and I was happy to get some return on my excess.
As a buyer, you need to first check the sellers feedback and location. I would look for at least a couple hundred feedbacks, preferrably 100 percent positive. I would also want a seller in my country, especially if you are in the US or Canada.
The next thing I would look for is the description - the more complete, the better. Pictures are obviously needed too. And, if you have questions, ask the seller.
Oh, one last thing....... READ all of the auction verbiage. Assume NOTHING.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I too have bought (and sold) a great many things on eBay, with generally very good results.
In my experience the real deals come when the seller *isn't* a company in the business of selling their products, but is rather just a person with some stuff to sell to the highest bidder. Things the seller inherited but doesn't want or doesn't know what to do with, or things they no longer use, or (ahem) stuff they bought in a flurry of excitement and then later realized didn't fit with their railroading theme or era or was just one car or locomotive or bundle of track too many or whatever. (There are some happy buyers out there because I made that last mistake more than once).
If buying from a professional seller, I look for very clear descriptions, good photos, very high feedback ratings, clearly-stated return policy, etc. If buying from some guy like myself, I'm much more willing to take a chance on the merchandise in hopes of a great bargain.
I was looking at track on ebay, as I'm building a display case and need a lot of cheap track.
There sure is a lot of old Tyco steel track out there. I'd have figured it corroded into uselessness a long time ago.
rrinker I just don't like the idea of used track, and liek I said, the sellers with new track, well, I can get the same or better price at Klein's and not gamble. However, most of my locos and rolling stock DID come from eBay. Great deals there, like the $20 P2K ALco switcher, $40 Proto 2000 Geeps, etc. The trick is to pay attention and don't bid more than you are prepared to spend. Especially pay attention to shipping, some people put in outrageous amonts to ship. They key though is the total Price - item plus shipping. Even if the shipping is crazy, if the total is still less than I cna get it for elsewhere, I'll still bid. For newer or current production items check some of the reputable suppliers liek Klien's BEFORE bidding to see if you really are getting a deal. --Randy
I just don't like the idea of used track, and liek I said, the sellers with new track, well, I can get the same or better price at Klein's and not gamble. However, most of my locos and rolling stock DID come from eBay. Great deals there, like the $20 P2K ALco switcher, $40 Proto 2000 Geeps, etc. The trick is to pay attention and don't bid more than you are prepared to spend. Especially pay attention to shipping, some people put in outrageous amonts to ship. They key though is the total Price - item plus shipping. Even if the shipping is crazy, if the total is still less than I cna get it for elsewhere, I'll still bid. For newer or current production items check some of the reputable suppliers liek Klien's BEFORE bidding to see if you really are getting a deal.
I have bought tons of use track over the years at train shows..The main thing is to inspect the track and switches and be sure its "clean" track-free from old ballast and glue.
Guys,There isn't anything wrong with buying use just be sure you check it over via pictures of the actual item and watch your B-I-N prices or bidding on e-Bay. As usual know your street price as well as the rarity of the item your looking at..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
tatans Maybe if people who despise brass track would dispose of it for sale and not dumping it in the garbage, there would be a market for used track, I know ! I know! all the experts who claim brass track is equivalent to trash will have a heyday with this comment, albeit, there are still plenty of us out there that have not bought into the myth of superior nickel track.
I am not afraid to use Brass track-I wish I could find some with fiber ties..
You could really weed that track to where all you seen was 2 rails poking through the weeds!
EEEk.... LION *does* have some brass track with fiber ties. It was new when I installed it, but I have since pulled it out again, and at the moment it is resting in a box of track that I will use when I build my model of NY Penn Station. That will be a static display, and so I am not worried about dirty track or kinks if any. I did not curve any of it, nor did I ballast or glue it in any way, so it is likely in good condition.
If you like I'll take a look at it and see how much I have and if it is any good.
Well I have Atlas Code 100 available
http://bandb3536.com/atlas100.htm
51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
ME&O
What is MB Kleins? I have heard the name a lot on this forum and I wonder: what iz it?
MB Kline {modeltrainstuff.com} is a supplier of model trains and accesories.
They are here:
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
LION,
I also like to use the Model Power (GT) Code 83 flex track but I think I purchased the last of Trainworld's stock. Do you have another source for Model Power flex track?
Hornblower
If its a myth show me where to buy new brass track?
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I figured with all the replies I didn't need to respond...
Oh well!
I wouldn't buy track off Ebay, because then it isn't guarteed to be good and then you have to worry about the shipping. Just go to the local hobby shop. Unless you don't have a local hobby shop, then you might have to get your track off the 'net.
Disclaimer: I AM A TEENAGER!!!
Me
wholesaletrains.com was where I bought most of my track, turnouts, and roadbed- it was by far the best deal!
Hold my beer... ya'll watch this!
bulldog_fan I too have bought (and sold) a great many things on eBay, with generally very good results. In my experience the real deals come when the seller *isn't* a company in the business of selling their products, but is rather just a person with some stuff to sell to the highest bidder. Things the seller inherited but doesn't want or doesn't know what to do with, or things they no longer use, or (ahem) stuff they bought in a flurry of excitement and then later realized didn't fit with their railroading theme or era or was just one car or locomotive or bundle of track too many or whatever. (There are some happy buyers out there because I made that last mistake more than once). If buying from a professional seller, I look for very clear descriptions, good photos, very high feedback ratings, clearly-stated return policy, etc. If buying from some guy like myself, I'm much more willing to take a chance on the merchandise in hopes of a great bargain.
I have to agree with bulldog fan on this issue.
There seems to be a lot of negative feeling on this thread about buying used track on eBay.
I recently "cleaned house" by selling all of my old sectional track on eBay. When I started in the hobby 8 years ago, I began with Atlas Code 100 sectional track, then switched to Code 83 sectional track, then finally settled on Code 83 flex track.
So, I went on eBay and sold all of my sectional track at a price roughly equal to 60 to 70 percent of the discounted purchase price that I initially paid. Since prices of new track have increased steadily over the past 8 years, this worked out to a price on eBay equal to about 40 percent of new track. The track that I sold was like new, never ballasted, and in excellent shape. My shipping charges were minimal, based upon USPS Priority Mail for fixed rate boxes, ranging from $5 to $9. No sales taxes.
My feedback is 100 percent. I got rid of unused track. The buyer got a great deal and is very pleased. The buyer got like new track for a fraction of what he would pay for new track. It was a win-win situation.
Previously, I sold a bunch of locomotives, steamers and diesels that I had purchased and never really used. Sold those on eBay in the same manner as the track. Another win-win situation for buyer and seller.
My point is that there are excellent deals on eBay from individual sellers if you take the time to look, read the descriptions, and study the seller's feedback history.
Rich
Alton Junction
Geared Steam If its a myth show me where to buy new brass track?
Its a myth..Brass track was pushed aside and branded evil by the "experts " in MR and Kalmbach books and those articles and books amount to nothing more then infomercials for their advertisers..
Lots of advice to take into account so far........... Let me add mine...
I've bought/sold on Ebay for over 10 years, so I can speak from experience. Feedback is a pretty reliable gauge of a sellers reliability. Read the entire ad carefully. Assume nothing. Ask questions of the seller if you need to. If you have any doubts, move on.
With all due respect, I suggest that your parents be involved in any Ebay purchases. The vast majority of the folks "out there" are pretty darn good, but there are a few bad guys lurking (as there are everywhere).