Any time an items is advertised "AS IS" it means that the seller either knows nothing at all about trains and is trying to sell something that has been inherited, or there are known problems wiith it that possibly can't be fixed.
I've even seen photos taken by a seller who was so out in left field that they had the tender backwards or called the tender a 'coal car'.
In those instances, before I consider a purchase, I very carefully read the description and look at the photos, if any are provided. Then I check the seller's feedback score.
If there is no accurate descriptioin indicating exactly what might be wrong, or no photos showing obvious damage, or the seller says something indicating that he or she knows nothing about trains, I move on.
Doughless On the used locomotive internet market - a seller needs to disclose all deficiencies with the item, or run the risk of getting negative feed back. Reputable sellers will take proper pictures of the locomotive, and then describe to the best of their knowledge any deficiencies in the running quality, or disclose that they no nothing about the running quality. Its not that hard for a seller who has no experience with selling trains to tell if something on the outside is broken or missing. Many times I see these sellers at least say "may have some small parts missing". Someone who sells a used item on the internet and doesn't put in an honest effort into giving the buyer useful information will quickly learn they will get very little interest in their item, and at a very low price. Unless they find a sucker. IMO, a seller who puts little effort into describing the condition of the item, may even supply a blurry picture where the buyer can't even determine the condition for themself, and then hides behind the phrase "as-is", is a borderline thief.
On the used locomotive internet market - a seller needs to disclose all deficiencies with the item, or run the risk of getting negative feed back.
Reputable sellers will take proper pictures of the locomotive, and then describe to the best of their knowledge any deficiencies in the running quality, or disclose that they no nothing about the running quality. Its not that hard for a seller who has no experience with selling trains to tell if something on the outside is broken or missing. Many times I see these sellers at least say "may have some small parts missing".
Someone who sells a used item on the internet and doesn't put in an honest effort into giving the buyer useful information will quickly learn they will get very little interest in their item, and at a very low price. Unless they find a sucker.
IMO, a seller who puts little effort into describing the condition of the item, may even supply a blurry picture where the buyer can't even determine the condition for themself, and then hides behind the phrase "as-is", is a borderline thief.
Agreed, agreed, agreed.
And the thing about it is that an honest seller can still sell his item and at a reasonable price.
In a few instances where i sold a loco with a damaged or missing part, I said so in the description and included a photo of the area of the damaged or missing part. Still got the price I wanted on the winning bid.
One thing that I look for as a buyer is 100% positive feedback from a long time member of eBay.
Rich
Alton Junction
- Douglas
I have bought several used cars and engines off e-bay with 100% satisfaction.
My method on buying use locomotives and cars is simple.
1.I have a list of trusted e-bay sellers..I highly suggest making a list..Add a seller after the 5th transaction.This works wonders..I also have a list of preferred e-bay stores that I have dealt with.
2.Photos..Study those photos by scrutinizing the item looking for any defects.
3.Pass over any dark or blurry photos as a red flag no sale-unless you like buying a pig in a poke.
4.Buying as-is is a yellow flag for me..I really scrutinized those photos and I find that "as is" in some cases means its total fixer upper or a total wreck and move on.I have also rolled the dice since the photo show no major issues and was happy with the item.
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My thought if you do end up with a lemon cannibalize it for parts or park it in the weeds by your engine house.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
unless it is marked otherwise, the only used units I buy are in decent shape, other than that I buy new.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
I don't believe this, but as mentioned in another thread about Bachmann engines, I mentioned that I had just today received two Alaska GP-40s that I purchased off of ebay recently. Well. I get out to my train room a few minutes ago and open the boxes to inspect them and the first one was okay but the second one had a broken front coupler, the horns were broken off of the top of it and it's missing the A in Alaska on one side - and these were brand new engines... I'm waiting until I cool down to write the seller because I don't want to say anything I might later regret but I want this made right.
Tracklayer
I just bought some used engines and I am still working on figuring out the issues with them.
Tom pretty much covers how to protect yourself from making bad decisions about eBay purchases. My biggest problem is not asking enough questions. I tend to be too trusting that the item does not have hidden damage. I haven't been burned very often (186 purchases to date - don't tell my wife!) but I could have avoided any disappointments had I asked for more or clearer photos and descriptions.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
That's the risk of buying anything "as is". You gotta be willing to take it however it arrives.
When buying something on eBay (you're allowed to mention them here on the forum), I look at several key factors before deciding whether to bid on an item or not: (In no particular order)
When each of those questions is sufficiently answered, I then have all the info I need to choose whether or not to place a bid on the item. If an item is "as is" or the seller says "no returns", I REALLY have to want the item in order to take the risk.
I've found some great deals on eBay over the past 14 years. The key to successful buying is to be cautious and selective about the things you purchase, as well as patient in waiting for the price you can live with. Out of 61 items I've purchased on eBay so far, there was only one that I somewhat regretted and that was early on in my eBay-buying experience. The vast majority of purchases that I've made I've been VERY happy with.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
AS IS is as is. The seller may be aware of a defect, it might be obvious from the pics, or it could just be that the seller is selling an item they aren't familier with. Could be a used equipment dealer who goes through a lot of locos and doesn't have time to test them. Could be an estate sale, where the party who knew everything has gone to the Great Layout in the Sky. Could be an open invitation to send an email for more details if you're curious, with no guarantee you'll still find out everything.
When I buy used equipment, especially if it's cheap, then I assume at least one defect and am not surprised to find more. But the buyer typically planning the purchase for a parts source can see the part they need is OK. Or it's a basket case, but you don't mind trying to get it running if the cost is low. But I've sold items for 99 cents that were virtually NIB, too. AS IS is luck of the draw. Don't spend more than will make you disappointed if there's a major undisclosed defect. It goes with the territory. Your train karma will even things out -- if you've been taking care of it.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
It really all depends.
I have sold a number of used locos, diesels and steamers, on eBay just because I had way too many and needed to pare down my inventory. The buyers got some very nice locos and at some pretty decent prices.
In a few cases where there was a damaged or missing part, I made that clear in the description.
A lot depends upon the seller's feedback rating and the potential buyer's ability to ask the right questions.
Hello everyone. I recently purchased a Kato F-7 A,B set from an on-line sight that we're not supposed to mention here on the forum. Anyways, I got the set for a fair price considering that others had the same set listed for twice and even three times of what I paid for mine but when it arrived and I began inspecting it I found that it was missing its headlight lense and had been badly modified to accept a different front coupler than it originally came with. I couldn't really find fault with the seller because he/she stated in the listing that it was used and ran well but was being sold AS IS... Luckily I had a spare light lense to replace the missing one and was able to repair the damaged area with a little glue, plastic filler and paint. I also want to mention the fact that both units ran just fine after a good wheel cleaning so I can't complain there. I'm quite happy with the set now but will be very leery of buying used engines from now on...
Anyone else out there have a story like this ?.