Train Show Strategies

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bikerraypa

QUOTE: Originally posted by csxmu

Yes that is Pinecroft, not a big show , but there is a good bit of vendors there I will be there also mabey ill see you there!

I didn't know about that one. I go to the Greenberg show at Monroeville, and last week was the Kittanning Township fire hall show, which is small but good. I might have to head for Altoona.

You guys are all local for me. I'm in East Brady.

Ray out

East Brady, huh? I went to High School in Karns City so I definitely know where you're coming from and my father in-law who lives in West Kittanning told me about the show there. But I digress.

Many great strategies given on this thread and I recognize several that mirror my own when it comes to gun or computer shows. Whether it's a Hakim bayonet or a video card daughter board (depending on the show of course), I'll quickly scan the tables selling what I'm specifically looking for and if I find it at a good price, I'll buy it. Early on I'd make the mistake of seeing what I want and then thinking to myself "Maybe I can find another one cheaper". This seldom (in my case) worked to my advantage. Usually in my quest to save a dollar or two, I'd pass up what I wanted only to return and find it sold.

There is a GATS in Columbia SC on April 2-3 which I will attend and apply some of the good ideas posted here. I believe this is the best forum I've ever encountered and thanks to all for your contributions.

Karl

[Jetrock]

I'm going to a show in Woodland this Saturday so it's always helpful to review my own advice about train shows and make sure I follow it! I just got rid of a lot of stuff at the show I worked last month, but this time I'm strictly buying!

[Anonymous]

Always rummage through the junk boxes under the tables (if the dealer lets you). I got 6 under table switch machines for the price of one that way, along with a bag full of detail parts dirt cheap. A lot of these boxes are stuff from estate sales that the guy hasn't really gone through, and will sometimes sell the whole box cheap. Tip: if you find a handful of items of real value in a box of junk, don't pull em out and ask for a price. If the guy's at all knowlegeable he'll want to charge what the items would cost off the shelf. Instead, without indicating what you've found, offer to take the whole box of junk off his hands. Since he may not be sure just what's in it, he may give to you for less than he'd charge just for the items you want.

[jrbarney]

There are many good tips given already. When I go to the GSMTS at Timonium, right after I get the back of my hand stamped, I check the floor plan that Mr. Zane keeps near the entrance to make sure I go to my favorite vendors first. Some vendors seem to have favorite locations. I bring both my checkbook and my charge card. Some vendors will let you buy for a little less if you use a check, so that they don't have to pay a charge card fee. My railroad library has gotten big enough that I carry a bibliography in a loose leaf notebook so that I won't buy a duplicate copy of a book I already have. I carry a smaller loose leaf notebook with the parts or kits for which I'm looking, organized by manufacturer, alphabetically. Frequently I bring a heart healthy bag lunch and a water bottle so I don't have to waste time in the long lines at the food concession.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[MisterBeasley]

I carry a clipboard. I can write on it, and clip the free literature and handouts for other train shows behind my work sheets. I like to think of the price of admission kind of like buying a movie ticket - even if I don't buy anything, it's a couple of hours of entertainment and education.

I carry a checkbook. A dealer, any dealer, has to pay a stiff fee to the credit card company when you charge something. Some computer show vendors will tack on 5% for a credit card, so you might negotiate 5% off to pay by check rather than plastic. Of course, cash is always the tender of choice, but you might not want to carry that much. And it always helps to know where the nearest ATM is.

Don't forget to look for the little stuff. At the last show I went to, I got some Preiser figures - pretty much MSRP, but no shipping charges, and none of the LHS's had them.

Talk to the exhibiters, particularly the modular layout people who aren't selling anything. Ask about their scenery techniques, or who made the kit for a building you like.

And don't mind the little kids. Instead, be more like them. Forget about the mortgage and the lawn and the NHL and just enjoy some trains for the day.

[3railguy]

Being a train show junky myself, I think Highiron and jetrock gave you some darned good advice. Especially when it comes to negotiating price and testing engines. I often wi***here were more chronological manufacturer guide books like the Athearn guide book for HO and N scale. These books aid greatly in assuring you get a model with the features you are looking for and don't get stiffed with an out dated lemon.

Probably my biggest word of advice is not to settle for alternatives if you don't find the items on your wish list. There will be other shows and what you want will eventually show up. If not, buy it new from a retailer even if it means paying a higher price. You will not be fully satisfied with alternatives and will may very well regret buying them after the dust settles. Especially when you do find the items on your wish list. If you are new to the hobby, you may discover stuff you never saw before that is not on your wish list but you like it better. That's OK too. Just make sure it's priced right and is the kind of quality you expect.

If you are looking at something you aren't sure about, probably the best thing to do is go to one of those club modular layouts and ask one of the operators about the stuff you are looking at. In most cases, they are more than willing to help you because that is what they are there for. To promote the hobby in your best intrest. Chances are good, these guys are eat and sleep trains and can tell you if it's a good product or not and how much you should pay. Often times you'll get opinions from half the group which is even better.

[M636C]

As well as getting there early, if you can be there about closing on the last day (if more than one), some dealers aren't keen to pack things away and will drop prices in the last hour. I had been thinking about a Proto1000 Erie Built in UP colours, but the last one sold before I got around to it. However, towards the end, the dealer dropped the price on the UP Erie A+B set, so for a few bucks more, I got two units rather than one. This might not really be an advantage, but I'm happy. This doesn't work for rare items, but if you only want a common unit at a good price, it can work! Of course it might not be possible to do both early and late, but i you can't do early, don't overlook late!

Peter

[Anonymous]

Pinecroft was a big disappointment, for me anyway, it was nothing but old flyer and O gauge! They did have a nice selection of brass, I just didnt have the money for it today. I did manage to pick up a track map of Altoona and Juniata Shops in 1951 for $5.00. Nice to meet someone from the forum also, Spacemouse didnt see ya! Did meet 8500hpgasturbine though...[:D]

[SpaceMouse]

My biggest disapointment was the layout, a 15 x 20 foot oval. Most of the HO stuff was junk, but I was able to locate one treasure so to speak. I got 3 Bachman Spectrum passenger cars in PRR. Now I have to figure out how to pull them apart to paint the interiors.

I also got 2 old-time cars, a tanker and a flat car. The flat car was the first pre-1900 one I've seen. I also got 10 MR back ossues for $8.

There was one guy that had a Riavrossi Viginia and Truckie 4-4-0 with 5 matching Overon Passenger cars that wanted $125 for the set. At that price it was not tempting although he insisted he paind $150 for just the engine.

Of all the engines I've purchased, I've never seen one before I bought it. I have been condsidering getting a Spectrm 3 truck Shay, but after today seeing them along side the 2-truck climax, I think I like the Climax better. It's nice to see first.

Another cool thing is that I saw rad markers for 3 railroad points of interest. The Altoona Museum, the Portage National Monument, and Horseshoe Curve. I went as far as pullig off the expressway at the Horseshoe curve exit, but it seven miles out of the way and it had started snowing pretty hard.

The trainshow, interesting but underwhelming.

[Anonymous]

Hey Spacemouse It was nice meeting you at the train show.

[SpaceMouse]

Yes, it's always nice meeting new freinds.

[fec153]

Hey- If you go, wear PINK hats so you will be recognized.
Flip

[Anonymous]

No that was music man , I must have seen 5 people with beenies on space mouse couldnt pick you out !

[medic_149]

Just want to say thanks to all for the tips on the show. Had a great time at gats. Got a 4-8-4 northern with 52' tender--39.00, also 0-8-0 with tender for 15.00, and a 0-6-0. the guy wanted 20 for it, but couldn't get it to run, so i talked him out of it for 2.75 to use for a staged loco in a logging scene. Went to several of the clinics. Learned a lot about scenery technics.