I have followed some items listed where there is both a buy-it-now option and an auction starting price.
The way I'm familiar with and I presume eBay still does it this way is that if a bid is placed the BIN option disappears. Now the item is on the auction "block" and the BIN option is off the table.
IF there are no more bids the buyer (bidder) just got the item at a lower cost (the original listing price). I've seen times where the bidding gets "heated" and the final price winds up considerably more than what the buy-it-now price was in the first place.
If an item comes up that I particularly want and it has a reasonable BIN price I go ahead and buy it at that price. It avoids the risk of someone making a bid and potentially causing the final price to overshoot the original price.
There have also been times where I make a reasonable offer, if that option is available, usually 10 or 15% below BIN price. Most times my offer gets accepted.
On a few occasions my offer gets rejected and I don't bother with a counteroffer. Then I might get an email from the seller, after the end of the listing, accepting my original offer.
It's all a game of wait and see. These are hobby items. I don't get too emotionally engaged in the "need" to have an item.
Good Luck, Ed
maxmanHowever, if no one wants the item either at the beginning auction price or the BIN price, why would he not possibly accept an offer?
Because the seller has a minimum sale price that he/she is looking for?
As already mentioned, the unusual twist to this particular auction is the Best Offer option from the seller. And the seller can automatically set a minimum price to either accept or reject the offer of any buyer.
Every seller has their price and every buyer their price. The challenge is finding the sweet spot where both seller & buyer are happy with the transaction.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
FWIW, John: There is currently a Buy It Now on a like-new, pre-owned 3-car trainset from a very reputable dealer for slightly above original MSRP. Maybe that one better fits your pocketbook...
tstage FWIW, John: There is currently a Buy It Now on a like-new, pre-owned 3-car trainset from a very reputable dealer for slightly above original MSRP. Maybe that one better fits your pocketbook... Tom
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain John-NYBW It all depends on how patient the seller is willing to be. If he holds out long enough, he might get his asking price. Right now I'm not willing to meet it. Well, by waiting, your chances might be good. He keeps testing the market, having dropped the price unsuccessfully from $650 to $625 to $600 with each new 7-day auction. But, following his latest failure, he started a 4th new auction at the same $600 starting bid. So, he may have decided to hold firm at $600, or not. The risk you take is that it sells before you make a bid. Rich
John-NYBW It all depends on how patient the seller is willing to be. If he holds out long enough, he might get his asking price. Right now I'm not willing to meet it.
It all depends on how patient the seller is willing to be. If he holds out long enough, he might get his asking price. Right now I'm not willing to meet it.
Well, by waiting, your chances might be good. He keeps testing the market, having dropped the price unsuccessfully from $650 to $625 to $600 with each new 7-day auction. But, following his latest failure, he started a 4th new auction at the same $600 starting bid. So, he may have decided to hold firm at $600, or not. The risk you take is that it sells before you make a bid.
You win some, you lose some. I don't see it as much of a risk. It isn't essential to me to get this item which is why I'm not willing to pay the minimum bid. I didn't even know this set was available until a few weeks ago so if I end up not getting it, it's not the end of the world. Right now the seller and I are too far apart to make a deal. If he can get his asking price from another buyer, more power to him. It doesn't appear that either of us is overly eager to get it done.
tstage maxman However, if no one wants the item either at the beginning auction price or the BIN price, why would he not possibly accept an offer? Because the seller has a minimum sale price that he/she is looking for? As already mentioned, the unusual twist to this particular auction is the Best Offer option from the seller. And the seller can automatically set a minimum price to either accept or reject the offer of any buyer. Every seller has their price and every buyer their price. The challenge is finding the sweet spot where both seller & buyer are happy with the transaction. Tom
maxman However, if no one wants the item either at the beginning auction price or the BIN price, why would he not possibly accept an offer?
If we are talking about the same item, it's not a Best Offer option but a Make Offer option. Apparently the Make Offer option has a baseline in which will automatically reject offers below the baseline, including the best offer if no one makes an offer above the baseline.
This isn't a question of what I can afford. It is a question of what I am willing to pay. Given that a stand alone fourth car is being offered for an asking price of $259, I don't think I'd be interested in buying the 3 car set. I'd like to have the 4 car set but not at the current asking price. It's just not worth that much to me. I think I've offered as much for it as I am willing to go. If the price doesn't come down to my level, I'll just do without this item. If the seller finds someone willing to pay his asking price, good for him.
John-NYBW If we are talking about the same item, it's not a Best Offer option but a Make Offer option. Apparently the Make Offer option has a baseline in which will automatically reject offers below the baseline, including the best offer if no one makes an offer above the baseline.
John-NYBW tstage FWIW, John: There is currently a Buy It Now on a like-new, pre-owned 3-car trainset from a very reputable dealer for slightly above original MSRP. Maybe that one better fits your pocketbook... Tom This isn't a question of what I can afford. It is a question of what I am willing to pay. Given that a stand alone fourth car is being offered for an asking price of $259, I don't think I'd be interested in buying the 3 car set. I'd like to have the 4 car set but not at the current asking price. It's just not worth that much to me. I think I've offered as much for it as I am willing to go. If the price doesn't come down to my level, I'll just do without this item. If the seller finds someone willing to pay his asking price, good for him.
But, don't be fooled into thinking that $259 is the going price for that 4th car. The 4th car doesn't pop up often except when offered along with the three car set, the original Pioneer Zephyr. That's why the current listing for $599 is fair, four cars at $150 per car.
You indicated in your initial post that you offered $540 which is $135 per car. Are you going to let $15 per car keep you from buying?
richhotrain But, don't be fooled into thinking that $259 is the going price for that 4th car.
But, don't be fooled into thinking that $259 is the going price for that 4th car.
Since it appears it is the only one currently being offered, I'd say that is the going price.
The 4th car doesn't pop up often except when offered along with the three car set, the original Pioneer Zephyr. That's why the current listing for $599 is fair, four cars at $150 per car.
I never said the price wasn't fair. It's just more than I am willing to pay for it.
Yes.
richhotrain John-NYBW If we are talking about the same item, it's not a Best Offer option but a Make Offer option. Apparently the Make Offer option has a baseline in which will automatically reject offers below the baseline, including the best offer if no one makes an offer above the baseline. Best Offer and Make Offer are one and the same. The official eBay terminology is Best Offer in the listing itself. When you click on a listing that includes a Best Offer option, under the Best Offer feature is a button marked Make Offer. Rich
Best Offer and Make Offer are one and the same. The official eBay terminology is Best Offer in the listing itself. When you click on a listing that includes a Best Offer option, under the Best Offer feature is a button marked Make Offer.
Best Offer implies the seller will accept the best offer he receives. Make Offer gives the seller the discretion to accept or reject any and all offers.
John-NYBW richhotrain But, don't be fooled into thinking that $259 is the going price for that 4th car. Since it appears it is the only one currently being offered, I'd say that is the going price. The 4th car doesn't pop up often except when offered along with the three car set, the original Pioneer Zephyr. That's why the current listing for $599 is fair, four cars at $150 per car. I never said the price wasn't fair. It's just more than I am willing to pay for it. You indicated in your initial post that you offered $540 which is $135 per car. Are you going to let $15 per car keep you from buying? Yes.
First, $259 is not the going price because that 4th car isn't going anywhere. That's why I pointed out that the 4 car set listed at $599 averages $150 per car. That is the more likely going price had you or someone else won with a bid of $599.
And No, you didn't say that the price wasn't fair, and I didn't say that you did. I used the term "fair price" to demonstrate that the amount that you were willing to pay only separated you and the seller by $15 per car.
tstage ATLANTIC CENTRAL I considered buying one when they came out. They could be had for about $480 with the extra car. I decided I had enough passenger equipment. Since the Zephyr didn't really operate eastwardly much past Chicago, it really wouldn't have fit your Atlantic Central based layout, would it, Sheldon? Course, it doesn't fit my NYC intentions either - LOL. ATLANTIC CENTRAL The orignal price from Con Cor was $430 for the 3 car set and $150 for the extra car. So, $600 is more or less the right price if it is perfect. I agree with Sheldon, John. The current starting bid for the NIB 4-car set is "reasonable" given its uncommonness and stated condition. Only you (the buyer) can determine if it's "reasonable" for you. If not, you either wait...or you move on. Tom
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I considered buying one when they came out. They could be had for about $480 with the extra car. I decided I had enough passenger equipment.
Since the Zephyr didn't really operate eastwardly much past Chicago, it really wouldn't have fit your Atlantic Central based layout, would it, Sheldon? Course, it doesn't fit my NYC intentions either - LOL.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL The orignal price from Con Cor was $430 for the 3 car set and $150 for the extra car. So, $600 is more or less the right price if it is perfect.
I agree with Sheldon, John. The current starting bid for the NIB 4-car set is "reasonable" given its uncommonness and stated condition. Only you (the buyer) can determine if it's "reasonable" for you. If not, you either wait...or you move on.
Actually the Boston and Maine had a similar train.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Yankee
And I contacted ConCor about the chances of them making the Yankee, they said unlikely.
Not really the Mid Atlantic either, but ConCor did sell the Zephyr undecorated, and later in the paint scheme of the 1934 film "Silver Streak".
Sheldon
Yes, I am familiar with the B&M Flying Yankee, Sheldon, and I would have LOVED to have seen Con-Cor release one. Unfortunately, the window/door arrangements of the cars were noticeably different from the Pioneer Zephyr and would have required new injection molds. I would surmise that that is likely the primary reason Con-Cor told you it was unlikely.
The only version of the Flying Yankee that I'm aware of in HO is the brass version from Challenger Imports (CI). No, that's incorrect. There's also a version from Oriental Limited but it's not as nice as the one from CI.
I have waited 6 months or longer for some ebay sellers to reduce the starting bid or their buy it now price, and it just never happened.
I also have finally caved and bought that item on two occasions this past year.
In both instances I was disappointed--not necessarily enough to give a negative feedback rating--but that the item was not quite in the condition represented by the seller (new). Some things I try to fix and can fix, and some things not.
In both instances I overpaid a little bit or a good bit to get a scarce model that (I checked) was just not available anywhere else. After doing the minor repairs I was basically happy with the models, until I learned over on other forums that there were issues with the way that Walthers/Lifelike actually made the models. If I pay $280 for a plain dc only scarce E unit, as I have twice this year, I'm then disappointed to hear there are a number of mistakes incorporated into the model.
Sheldon likes to pick on the fact that some of us change our mind; I change my opinion of models when I do research and find out that there are actually real problems that I then just cannot unsee and pretend don't exist.
HO E units: they all have their issues; Rapido has not produced the be-all end-all model that they most definitely advertised they were going to produce.
That is why I'm replacing some Rapido passenger units with Athearn Genesis GP9's (picked up one yellow warbonnet yesterday 12/31 at English's, and about to order another).
I am unwilling to shell out a lot of cash and then cut up expensive models to do major surgery to fix problems. Instead I sell them while they still qualify as being like new or excellent, and find something else instead
John.
PRR8259 I have waited 6 months or longer for some ebay sellers to reduce the starting bid or their buy it now price, and it just never happened. I also have finally caved and bought that item on two occasions this past year. In both instances I was disappointed--not necessarily enough to give a negative feedback rating--but that the item was not quite in the condition represented by the seller (new). Some things I try to fix and can fix, and some things not. In both instances I overpaid a little bit or a good bit to get a scarce model that (I checked) was just not available anywhere else. After doing the minor repairs I was basically happy with the models, until I learned over on other forums that there were issues with the way that Walthers/Lifelike actually made the models. If I pay $280 for a plain dc only scarce E unit, as I have twice this year, I'm then disappointed to hear there are a number of mistakes incorporated into the model. Sheldon likes to pick on the fact that some of us change our mind; I change my opinion of models when I do research and find out that there are actually real problems that I then just cannot unsee and pretend don't exist. HO E units: they all have their issues; Rapido has not produced the be-all end-all model that they most definitely advertised they were going to produce. That is why I'm replacing some Rapido passenger units with Athearn Genesis GP9's (picked up one yellow warbonnet yesterday 12/31 at English's, and about to order another). I am unwilling to shell out a lot of cash and then cut up expensive models to do major surgery to fix problems. Instead I sell them while they still qualify as being like new or excellent, and find something else instead John.
Well John, your level of perfection will always leave you dissatisfied from what I can see.
I don't bother with your kind of exhaustive research and I would still bet my knowledge base about the things I choose to model is at a pretty high level.
Because I have the interest, I'm the guy who can tell you the differences between the various years of CHECKER taxis and their civilian counterparts the Superba and Marathon. You know the car build with the same boxy body from 1956 to 1983....
But I don't let that knowledge poison my enjoyment of the little yellow die cast CHECKER that sits on a shelf above me as I type this.
I run Bachamm 2-8-0's lettered B&O and Western Maryland, some with a few detail up grades, because from three feet they look close enough and most people don't know the difference.
So the kind of details you obsess over, I know about a lot of them, I just don't care.
It's a model, and my goal with that model is to create a realistic ARTISTIC impression of a railroad........ on a moderately large scale - 1500 sq ft - and do it mostly by myself in my remaining life time.
Compromises will be made, artistic license will be used.
I almost went down the same road as you many years ago - then I woke up and realized I was having no fun.
I guess there still confusion about this.
With an auction, the auctioneer starts the bidding at a certain price....and the bids go UP from there. If there are no bids, the auction ends. Auctions have always worked like that. The price either goes up from the start, or it ends without a sale.
With an ebay auction, ebay gives the sellers an option for bidders to skip the formal auction process and sell the item at a price above the starting bid, based upon what the seller sets as his minimum. He can set a minimum offer price that automatically and immediately rejects any offer below his set amount.
As a seller, I have never done the make offer thingy and have simply set my starting bid at my lowest price. But others will set the starting bid low as a means to encourage bidding. People seem to get competitive once the bidding starts.
Its an auction. When the auction ends, the "make offer" chance expires with it.
Sure, you can send the seller an email after the auction ends to see if he will now sell the item at a lower amount, but that's a different transaction that's not part of the "make offer" auction.
A Buy It Now is a list price, like buying a car or a house. If the seller also includes a "make offer" option, then it would obviously expected to be at BELOW the listed price.
When any offer is rejected immediately, its because the seller set an offer amount that would reject any offers below that amount.
- Douglas
Doughless I guess there still confusion about this. With an auction, the auctioneer starts the bidding at a certain price....and the bids go UP from there. If there are no bids, the auction ends. Auctions have always worked like that. The price either goes up from the start, or it ends without a sale. With an ebay auction, ebay gives the sellers an option for bidders to skip the formal auction process and sell the item at a price above the starting bid, based upon what the seller sets as his minimum. He can set a minimum offer price that automatically and immediately rejects any offer below his set amount. As a seller, I have never done the make offer thingy and have simply set my starting bid at my lowest price. But others will set the starting bid low as a means to encourage bidding. People seem to get competitive once the bidding starts. Its an auction. When the auction ends, the "make offer" chance expires with it. Sure, you can send the seller an email after the auction ends to see if he will now sell the item at a lower amount, but that's a different transaction that's not part of the "make offer" auction. A Buy It Now is a list price, like buying a car or a house. If the seller also includes a "make offer" option, then it would obviously expected to be at BELOW the listed price. When any offer is rejected immediately, its because the seller set an offer amount that would reject any offers below that amount.
I do not know if they are doing it now but I recall that sellers on a couple boards reported when the make offer function first came out ebay was applying it on auctions automatically. They thought that it was being applied when the eBay algorithm indicated the beginning auction price was too high. Not sure if this was true just something sellers suspected at the time.
Sheldon--
Besides the relaxation I get from running the trains, the learning more about their history has always been quite fascinating for me, so whatever it is that I buy, even if purchased on a whim, I always end up researching the item after the fact. If it's a freight car or a lesser priced loco, I'm of course willing to let some things slide.
However, there are other times I cannot let things slide.
As I said, I'm effectively downsizing my entire roster now for the next most likely smaller layout and house...and am trying to decide what the have-to-have's really are or are not for me. I just picked up a highly-detailed but delicate Genesis GP9, but then turned around and ordered off ebay a durable and easy to handle Walthers GP-60, too, for the best of both worlds.
As a seller, the fact that ebay holds my money for a period of time despite my account being fully verified became the last straw. I did hundreds of sales in the past, but not many during 2021 or 2022, so they are treating me like some newby who never sold anything. Ebay made it an unpleasant place to sell anymore. My local store is doing just great with selling my consignments; they apparently get walk-ins from all over the US and we are finding that the western road stuff will even sell here in PA.
John
PRR8259 Sheldon-- Besides the relaxation I get from running the trains, the learning more about their history has always been quite fascinating for me, so whatever it is that I buy, even if purchased on a whim, I always end up researching the item after the fact. If it's a freight car or a lesser priced loco, I'm of course willing to let some things slide. However, there are other times I cannot let things slide. As I said, I'm effectively downsizing my entire roster now for the next most likely smaller layout and house...and am trying to decide what the have-to-have's really are or are not for me. I just picked up a highly-detailed but delicate Genesis GP9, but then turned around and ordered off ebay a durable and easy to handle Walthers GP-60, too, for the best of both worlds. As a seller, the fact that ebay holds my money for a period of time despite my account being fully verified became the last straw. I did hundreds of sales in the past, but not many during 2021 or 2022, so they are treating me like some newby who never sold anything. Ebay made it an unpleasant place to sell anymore. My local store is doing just great with selling my consignments; they apparently get walk-ins from all over the US and we are finding that the western road stuff will even sell here in PA. John
Whatever John,
I have 145 locmotives, 950 freight cars, 175 passenger cars and in 55 years I have only sold 4 locomotives that I later decided did not suit my needs.
I'm not as big a spender as many people I know in the hobby, or some of our friends on this forum. But I can afford the hobby at the size/level/complexity of the layout I am building.
I've never owned an "expensive" (read over $600) locomotive, brass or otherwise. I do have a few older pieces of brass.
I don't have any newer expensive DCC/sound locos, since I don't do DCC or sound.
I do have some Bowser RS units on preorder, DC versions of course.
I've been a pretty savy shopper over the last 55 years. I seldom make investments in the hobby and then "change my mind".
I buy model trains with "resturant money" - do you know what that is? If you eat in a resturant can you ever recoup that money?
My life style and my families life style does not include many things others consider necessary or ordinary - for example we have only taken one expensive vacation in the last 27 years because we have different values.
There will be model trains on my new layout that date from my childhood and before.
I grew up building models including model trains from craftsman kits.
So I am COMPLETELY out of touch with your version of this hobby.
Actually I'm pretty sure I'm out of touch with a lot of peoples version of this hobby today.
I was once a big Ebay seller of custom GRAVELY garden tractor parts, they ran me off with their new policies.
I don't buy much of anything on there either these days. I only shop for old, NOS sort of stuff on Ebay.
Hope you are having fun, but I just don't see the fun in constantly buying and selling stuff - in my world that is not fun - it is work.
My Proto2000 E units from the LifeLike days suit me just fine - they are more than close enough, as are my Proto2000 ALCO PA's.
All my model trains run well and look good.......
PRR8259I am trying to decide what the have-to-have's really are or are not for me.
I am doing the same thing right now. I have collected tons of stuff for the next layout, but I am currently buying "better" kits instead of the plastic kits I already have. As an example, I was going to use Walthers Sunrise Feed Mill, but I recently bought Fine Scale Miniatures Schramm Manufacturing to use in that location instead.
This is my last layout, I want what I want.
The no-longer-have-to-have items will be sold off at train shows. I just don't want to deal with selling on eBay after I read about it. I sold off tons of stuff in the 1999-2004 era, but have not sold much on eBay since.
I sure buy a lot of stuff, but selling seems like a pain. We will see how the train show in February goes.
As I get to actual layout construction, I know I am going to find I have a surplus of freight car kits, passenger cars, scenery supplies, etc.
This is on purpose, I intentionally bought more than I need so construction will have no delays.
John-NYBWEbay is a perfect example of the free market at work. It brings together buyers and sellers. Every transaction that is completed on ebay is done freely between the buyer and seller at a price agreeable to both.
It sure is John, great way to describe how it works.
I just had a deal work out for me and a seller just how you described.
He had an item I wanted, but he was asking just a tad more than I was willing to spend. I contacted him and asked if he would take my price.
Through additional back-and-forth, we arrived at an agreeable deal on two items and reasonable shipping.
Completely a free market transaction between two individuals that worked out well.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Whatever John, I have 145 locmotives, 950 freight cars, 175 passenger cars and in 55 years I have only sold 4 locomotives that I later decided did not suit my needs. I'm not as big a spender as many people I know in the hobby, or some of our friends on this forum. But I can afford the hobby at the size/level/complexity of the layout I am building. I've never owned an "expensive" (read over $600) locomotive, brass or otherwise. I do have a few older pieces of brass. I don't have any newer expensive DCC/sound locos, since I don't do DCC or sound. I do have some Bowser RS units on preorder, DC versions of course. I've been a pretty savy shopper over the last 55 years. I seldom make investments in the hobby and then "change my mind". I buy model trains with "resturant money" - do you know what that is? If you eat in a resturant can you ever recoup that money? My life style and my families life style does not include many things others consider necessary or ordinary - for example we have only taken one expensive vacation in the last 27 years because we have different values. There will be model trains on my new layout that date from my childhood and before. I grew up building models including model trains from craftsman kits. So I am COMPLETELY out of touch with your version of this hobby. Actually I'm pretty sure I'm out of touch with a lot of peoples version of this hobby today. I was once a big Ebay seller of custom GRAVELY garden tractor parts, they ran me off with their new policies. I don't buy much of anything on there either these days. I only shop for old, NOS sort of stuff on Ebay. Hope you are having fun, but I just don't see the fun in constantly buying and selling stuff - in my world that is not fun - it is work. My Proto2000 E units from the LifeLike days suit me just fine - they are more than close enough, as are my Proto2000 ALCO PA's. All my model trains run well and look good....... Sheldon
I learned a long time ago about the advantages of being frugal and it came from an unlikely source. Orson Bean was a favorite guest of Johnny Carson because he was such an interesting conversationalist. He observed that most people feel poor because they spend a little more than they can afford and are always in debt. He said his family spends less money than they can afford and as a result, he felt rich. I've lived by that most of my adult life.
There are a lot of luxuries that I could afford that I choose not to. I don't have a smart phone even though I could afford to have one and pay the expensive monthly access charge. I have a laptop computer so I don't need to carry one in my pocket nor do I need a phone that takes pictures. I have a simple flip phone and I pay less than $20 a month for the service. I rarely go on expensive vacations because I can't see spending thousands for something that is only going to last a week or two. I drive a 2017 Chevy Spark which reminds me a lot of a my first new car, a Chevette. It gets me around and serves my needs. I've been questioned as to why I don't pony up and meet an ebay seller's asking price for an item I've had my eye on. I have the money to do so but I simply have made the decision that the item is not worth the asking price.
Decisions such as these are things people make all the time. Too often people convince themselves that they need an expensive item when a lower cost alternative is available and would meet the persons needs. That doesn't mean one should never go for top of the line but that should be done only when it is worth the added expense. I've found that most often it is not.
John-NYBWToo often people convince themselves that they need an expensive item when a lower cost alternative is available and would meet the persons needs.
Like me and my Milwaukee M18 tools!
richhotrain John-NYBW richhotrain But, don't be fooled into thinking that $259 is the going price for that 4th car. Since it appears it is the only one currently being offered, I'd say that is the going price. The 4th car doesn't pop up often except when offered along with the three car set, the original Pioneer Zephyr. That's why the current listing for $599 is fair, four cars at $150 per car. I never said the price wasn't fair. It's just more than I am willing to pay for it. You indicated in your initial post that you offered $540 which is $135 per car. Are you going to let $15 per car keep you from buying? Yes. OK, let me come at this a different way. First, $259 is not the going price because that 4th car isn't going anywhere. That's why I pointed out that the 4 car set listed at $599 averages $150 per car. That is the more likely going price had you or someone else won with a bid of $599. And No, you didn't say that the price wasn't fair, and I didn't say that you did. I used the term "fair price" to demonstrate that the amount that you were willing to pay only separated you and the seller by $15 per car. Rich
OK, let me come at this a different way.
I think my offer was a fair price but the seller doesn't thinks so. Doesn't look like a deal will be made.
John-NYBW ATLANTIC CENTRAL Whatever John, I have 145 locmotives, 950 freight cars, 175 passenger cars and in 55 years I have only sold 4 locomotives that I later decided did not suit my needs. I'm not as big a spender as many people I know in the hobby, or some of our friends on this forum. But I can afford the hobby at the size/level/complexity of the layout I am building. I've never owned an "expensive" (read over $600) locomotive, brass or otherwise. I do have a few older pieces of brass. I don't have any newer expensive DCC/sound locos, since I don't do DCC or sound. I do have some Bowser RS units on preorder, DC versions of course. I've been a pretty savy shopper over the last 55 years. I seldom make investments in the hobby and then "change my mind". I buy model trains with "resturant money" - do you know what that is? If you eat in a resturant can you ever recoup that money? My life style and my families life style does not include many things others consider necessary or ordinary - for example we have only taken one expensive vacation in the last 27 years because we have different values. There will be model trains on my new layout that date from my childhood and before. I grew up building models including model trains from craftsman kits. So I am COMPLETELY out of touch with your version of this hobby. Actually I'm pretty sure I'm out of touch with a lot of peoples version of this hobby today. I was once a big Ebay seller of custom GRAVELY garden tractor parts, they ran me off with their new policies. I don't buy much of anything on there either these days. I only shop for old, NOS sort of stuff on Ebay. Hope you are having fun, but I just don't see the fun in constantly buying and selling stuff - in my world that is not fun - it is work. My Proto2000 E units from the LifeLike days suit me just fine - they are more than close enough, as are my Proto2000 ALCO PA's. All my model trains run well and look good....... Sheldon I learned a long time ago about the advantages of being frugal and it came from an unlikely source. Orson Bean was a favorite guest of Johnny Carson because he was such an interesting conversationalist. He observed that most people feel poor because they spend a little more than they can afford and are always in debt. He said his family spends less money than they can afford and as a result, he felt rich. I've lived by that most of my adult life. There are a lot of luxuries that I could afford that I choose not to. I don't have a smart phone even though I could afford to have one and pay the expensive monthly access charge. I have a laptop computer so I don't need to carry one in my pocket nor do I need a phone that takes pictures. I have a simple flip phone and I pay less than $20 a month for the service. I rarely go on expensive vacations because I can't see spending thousands for something that is only going to last a week or two. I drive a 2017 Chevy Spark which reminds me a lot of a my first new car, a Chevette. It gets me around and serves my needs. I've been questioned as to why I don't pony up and meet an ebay seller's asking price for an item I've had my eye on. I have the money to do so but I simply have made the decision that the item is not worth the asking price. Decisions such as these are things people make all the time. Too often people convince themselves that they need an expensive item when a lower cost alternative is available and would meet the persons needs. That doesn't mean one should never go for top of the line but that should be done only when it is worth the added expense. I've found that most often it is not.
My flip phone cost $30 and it does what a phone is supposed to do.
I have purchased many items on Ebay over the last 15 years. I've had a few bad experiences, but mostly positive. Back then it was quite the revolution. Our LHS only offered a few brand new items that I could not afford. There was only one local show that was OK. Ebay became my number one source for used and NIB locos.
Another positive thing about Ebay is that it opened my eyes to all the products that were made since the 40s that I was not aware about. Sure, I did my homework before purchasing, but Ebay revealed the product.
Since then, my sources have diversified quite a bit though. I found some of my best brass locos on Marketplace, at very good prices. Online stores are also excellent now, with Paypal too. But Ebay remains a good source.
Simon
Another thing I like about eBay.
I'm sometimes prone to a bit of impulsive modeling. So last night I stumbled across a YouTube video showing the last runs of the Bessemer & Lake Erie passenger trains (Erie to Pittsburgh) and what I spotted was the two coaches used were former Pennsy P70s.
I already had the passenger-equipped SD7 so I decided to get a pair of P70s to strip and paint coach green and letter for the Bessemer.
Ebay to the rescue. Trainz had a pair for a reasonable price. This morning I got the confirmed shipping notice and I'll have my coaches by the weekend.
I don't know how many hobby shops I'd have to visit to find these, although not actually "scarce" they aren't normally stocked. Train shows are still three months away.
eBay feeds my whimsy.
Cheers, Ed
I will assume you understood I was replying to the other John, and that your response is related to my comments about lifestyle and spending choices.
Why do you continue to post the same crap ALL the time?
We know how much stuff you have because YOU keep telling us all the time. You also keep telling us how great your customized models are, while constantly insinuating that the rest of us who DON'T do things YOUR way are a bunch of idiots who have never modeled anything, which btw is NOT true; I've personally built dozens of model planes, ships, trains, etc. and learned I do not find it to be fun at all, but instead I absolutely positively hate doing it. Building models, even repairing new products, I find to be stressful. I also have a life outside this forum and outside model trains that causes me to make decisions differently than you, and I acknowledged that I've personally made mistakes and need to change the way that I do things.
I'm really sick and tired of your horsecrap. You make this forum a terrible place by constantly opposing anybody with a viewpoint different from yours. You are the reason I often stay away from this forum for months at a time. I do NOT direct most of my posts at you, yet you never fail to insinuate yourself into each and every single thread that I ever post on. It is positively maddening. I try to keep the discussion civil, yet you turn it into some kind of personal bullcrap between us.
Please, get a life and get a clue that there are valid viewpoints other than your own!
Moderators--if you don't like these comments, please simply remove my account, as I'm 100% fine with that if you do. I've actually asked to be removed in the past and they refused or couldn't do that within the limitations of the site, and actually urged me to stay. I only took a few minute break at work to come on here; was in a great mood before I came on here.
Goodbye.
[John, If you are wanting to remove your forum account, please contact Customer Service @ 1-800-533-6644. They will be able to assist you with that. ~Trains.com moderator]